Systems Management Server (SMS)

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Microsoft® Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 provides a feature-rich management and servicing solution You can use SMS 2003 to manage networked Windows XP Embedded-based devices alongside Windows desktop, Windows server, and other Windows Mobile systems. SMS supplies an administration console that can be used on a Windows Server 2003 system to remotely perform management functions.

Embedded device developers can use SMS to manage the deployment of security patches to Windows XP Embedded-based devices. Client and server components for SMS are not included in the Windows Embedded Studio component database and must be separately obtained.

The SMS Advanced Client component runs on the Window XP Embedded device and reports system status to the server. Windows XP Embedded requires the SMS 2003 Advanced Client; earlier versions of SMS are not supported.

The SMS 2003 Advanced Client must be added to your configuration in Target Designer before the run-time image is built and deployed.

SMS provides the capability to:

  • Manage embedded devices as though they are desktop machines and servers.
  • Inventory hardware and software.
  • Meter software usage.
  • Deploy updates and monitor the update installation process.
  • Generate a single status report tracking updates on all clients, servers, and embedded devices.
  • Deploy remote-boot images to a server.

SMS provides flexible support for applying any kind of update package that the run-time image can execute, including desktop updates, custom scripts, and application-specific executables. If the Windows Installer Service component is included in the run-time image, you can also use SMS to deploy Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) packages for installation.

Systems Management Server can be particularly useful for the embedded devices that are described in the following table.

Device Use
Retail Point-of-Sale (RPOS) SMS is often used to manage POS devices that have a PC architecture. SMS is generally used to inventory devices and to make updates to operating system and applications.
Windows-based Terminal (WBT) Complex WBT implementations often use SMS in combination with Microsoft® Internet Explorer and line-of-business applications. SMS is particularly helpful in this implementation for inventory and patch management.
Automated teller machines (ATM) ATM implementations use SMS for software management and inventory.

For more information about SMS, see the Microsoft Systems Management Server Web site.

See Also

Run-Time Image Servicing | Comparison of Servicing Solutions |Manage and Service a Run-Time Image | Software Update Services (SUS) | Device Update Agent

Last updated on Wednesday, October 18, 2006

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