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Q191341: How to Run a Program By Using UNC with Package Command Manager

Article: Q191341
Product(s): Microsoft Systems Management Server
Version(s): winnt:1.2
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbtool kbsms120 kbPCM kbSoftwareDist smspcm
Last Modified: 30-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Systems Management Server version 1.2 
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SUMMARY
=======

Systems Management Server 1.2 Service Pack 3 introduced the ability for the SMS
Package Command Manager tool and the SMS_PACKAGE_COMMAND_MANAGER_NT service on
Microsoft Windows NT-based clients to run programs without requiring a mapped
drive letter.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The Package Command Manager (program or service) constructs the environment
variable %PCMUNC% that points to the package folder on the distribution point
with its UNC equivalent (\\SERVER\SMSPKGx\<PackageID>\). You can use the
%PCMUNC% variable at a command prompt on the workstation or in a batch file or
script that can read the environment table while the script is running.

To use %PCMUNC% at a command prompt on the workstation, it must be preceded by
Ntencap.exe. For example:

  ProgramLine = Ntencap.exe /NTu %PCMUNC%MyApp.exe

NOTE: Even though the program is executed by using UNC, Ntencap.exe is run by
using a mapped drive letter to the package folder on the distribution server.
To use %PCMUNC% in a batch file that is run from a command prompt on the
workstation, use the variable as you would any other environment variable:

  Rem Sample batch file
  copy %PCMUNC%TestFile.txt C:\MyApp

When you use the Package Command Manager service for software distribution, a
drive-mapping conflict could occur if a package is running when you log on, and
the user logon script or profile attempts to remap the drive letter that the
Package Command Manager is using. This drive letter is unavailable until the
Package Command Manager releases the drive letter after the package is
completed.


Additional query words: PCMSVC32 prodsms

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Keywords          : kbtool kbsms120 kbPCM kbSoftwareDist smspcm 
Technology        : kbSMSSearch kbSMS120
Version           : winnt:1.2
Issue type        : kbhowto

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