HP Rapid Deployment Pack version 3.70

Changes in this version
Deployment support for new ProLiant hardware platforms - ProLiant BL680c G5, ProLiant DL580 G5
Windows deployment support for HP Integrity BL860c with QLogic HBA for SAN deployments
Deployment support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 for Intel Itanium (IA64)
Deployment support for new operating system updates such as SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 1 for (x86, AMD and Intel EMT64T (x86-64), and Intel Itanium (IA64)) platforms.
Includes Altiris Deployment Solution 6.8 Service Pack 2

What are the SWDAgent and Task Synch Agent for?

You do not need any of the agents that come with SWD Solution in order to deploy SWD Packages, as this is taken care of by the NSAgent's SWD DLL file.

The SWDAgent is used by the Portal. The Task Synch Agent is used for Sequential SWD Tasks.

SWD Solution also comes with an Application Inventory Agent, but I would not bother using it as you already have Inventory Solution deployed and this agent is more than likely going to b e phased out with the advent of SWD 7.

Notification Server 6.0 SP3 R6

Installation and ConfigurationRollup 6 (R6) for Notification Server 6.0 is a rollup of fixes to the core product since the release of Service Pack 3. It includes R1 (KB22690), R2 (KB23784), R3 (KB25133), R4 (KB27859), and R5 (KB31946).

This update contains some minor changes

For more info please read the Release Notes here

What is disabled when turning off verbose events for Software Delivery Tasks and Packages?

Question

What is disabled when unchecking the checkboxes for verbose logging on tasks and events? The events are found under the Advanced tab of the Package or Task respectively, as shown:
[_] Enable verbose reporting of task status events
[_] Enable verbose reporting of package status events

Answer

Package Status Events - When disabling the verbose events under a Package, it disables all Package delivery events (package downloaded, etc) for that package. In other words no events are sent to the Evt_AeX_SWD_Package data-class table.
Task Status Events - When disabling the verbose events under a Task, it disables all Status events for that task. In other words no events are sent to the Evt_AeX_SWD_Status data-class table.

NOTE: An Execution event will still be sent on the execution status of that task. One NSE will be sent to the NS that will insert a row into the Evt_AeX_SWD_Execution table.

Patch Management licenses exceeded

What queries can I use to determine how many licenses are in use by managed and unmanaged computers in Patch Management?

Answer
This will give a grid listing of different resource states and their count of Patch Licenses:

SELECT (CASE IsManaged WHEN 1 THEN 'Managed' ELSE 'Unmanaged' END) as State, Status, count(*) FROM LicenseInUse liu
LEFT OUTER JOIN vFixedAssetResourceStatus ars ON liu.ResourceGuid = ars.Guid
WHERE ProductGuid = 'B1338338-5575-4A27-9808-23BEC40D79FA'
GROUP BY Status, IsManaged

This will give a count of all Patch licenses consumed by unmanaged resources:

SELECT count(*) as 'Number of stale licenses' FROM LicenseInUse liu
LEFT OUTER JOIN vComputerResource cr on liu.ResourceGuid = cr.Guid
AND IsManaged = 1
WHERE ProductGuid = 'B1338338-5575-4A27-9808-23BEC40D79FA'
AND cr.Guid IS NULL

Find licenses most recently issued:

select i.Name, i2.Name, ir.Guid, ir.IsManaged, ir.Deleted, liu.ModifiedDate, liu.CreatedDate from LicenseInUse liu
left join ItemResource ir on liu.ResourceGuid = ir.Guid
join Item i on ir.Guid = i.Guid
join Item i2 on ir.ResourceTypeGuid = i2.Guid where liu.ProductGuid = 'B1338338-5575-4A27-9808-23BEC40D79FA'
order by liu.ModifiedDate desc

Find Deleted Resources still holding a license:

select count(*) 'Deleted resources with a license'
from LicenseInUse liu
join ItemResource ir on liu.ResourceGuid = ir.Guid where liu.ProductGuid = 'B1338338-5575-4A27-9808-23BEC40D79FA'
and ir.Deleted = 1

Unmanaged (Retired) Resources still holding a license:

select count(*) 'Unmanaged resources with a license'
from LicenseInUse liu
join ItemResource ir on liu.ResourceGuid = ir.Guid where liu.ProductGuid = 'B1338338-5575-4A27-9808-23BEC40D79FA'
and ir.IsManaged = 0

Error "AeXCustInv encountered a problem and needed to close" on Windows 2003 Servers

The following pop-up application error is being sporadically displayed on Windows* 2003 Servers:
AeXCustInv encountered a problem and needed to close.

Resolution
Currently, there is no resolution to the root cause.

Option 1: Completely disable custom inventory in your environment
One workaround is to configure the Inventory Solution tasks so that AeXCustInv.exe will not execute. The only data class that is populated by this custom inventory is AeX OS Quick Fix Engineering. The only reports using the AeX OS Quick Fix Engineering data class are legacy reports.
AeXCustInv.exe can be disabled by editing three files in the \Program Files\Altiris\Notification Server\NSCap\Bin\Win32\X86\Inventory Solution folder.
AeXInvSolnAdm1.ini
AeXInvSolnAdm2.ini
AeXInvSolnUsr1.ini
In each of these three files, comment out the AeXCustInv.exe line by adding "#" to the beginning of the line. =Example:
#aexcustinv.exe /in .\AeXCustInvStd.cit /out AeXCustInvStd.nsi
If a custom ini file has been created that calls AeXCustInv.exe, ensure that these lines are also commented out.

Option 2: Assist with identifying the cause of this error
Update:We have tentative confirmation that build 6.1.1075.42 resolves this issue. If you have tried or would like to try this build, please inform Symantec Technical Support of the outcome. Your assistance and feedback is much appreciated.
If you are experiencing this error and wish to assist by collecting data, follow the instructions in the "Custom Inventory Runtime Error Logging Instructions.doc" file located at ftp://ftp2.altiris.com/files/dougj/custinv_log_build_6.1.1075.42/

Option 3: Continue running Inventory Solution for Windows as configured and ignore the errors
At this time, we are not aware of any adverse effects of this error on any systems. It appears to be just an annoyance. If you notice any adverse effects, notify Altiris Support Services. We would appreciate being apprised of any adverse effects.

Desktop Virtualization: No Easy Answer

By Charles Babcock InformationWeek September 1, 2007 12:00 AM (From the September 3, 2007 issue)

Smartronix, an IT consultant to the government, has implemented virtualization in its data center, using VMware's ESX Server to achieve a 5-1 reduction in its server population. When it wanted to virtualize its desktops, though, it turned to a 2-year-old venture-capital-funded startup named Kidaro.
Smartronix CTO Robert Groat says his firm does a lot of work with the U.S. Marine Corps, and security was a top priority in virtualizing 50 remote users. "I didn't want to open up our corporate systems to home PCs," he says. "I wanted to reduce the surface area of our exposure."
The way he did it was to implement Kidaro Managed Workspace, which sits on top of the virtual machines generated by VMware's ESX server and applies a set of IT-defined policies and resources to them. The visual displays of the VMs are piped over the network to the users; the data and applications remain on the central server.
Kidaro also offers Smartronix the option of putting a user's workspace on a USB device in the form of Kidaro-To-Go. A mobile memory device might seem the epitome of a loose cannon when it comes to security, but the virtual machine included on it is encrypted and password protected and incorporates a locked-in VPN for accessing the corporate server. That means no user-access information floating around on a mobile worker's laptop. Managed Workspace runs in VMware's Player 2.0 on the user machine.
BRAWNY BIG BROTHERS
Groat's experience is likely to become more common as IT administrators recover from their dizzying gains in server consolidation and lowered power consumption and start applying virtualization to clients. When they do so, they'll come upon mostly unknown startups--the likes of Pano Logic, Thinstall, XDS--that are joining their brawny big brothers, VMware and Citrix Systems(CTXS), in bringing virtual machines to the desktop.
Problem is, there's no one good way to do it.
Kidaro offers end-user management and security advantages but doesn't guarantee overnight scalability to 10,000 users, the way Citrix's user application virtualization product, Presentation Server, does.
Pano Logic invites its customers to leave PC hardware behind altogether and adopt its 3.5-inch square chrome box. The Pano offers the advantage of relaying the user interface from a central server to a desktop display with minimal hardware expense, but you won't necessarily find a shiny Pano box in every hotel room.
XDS offers the hardest-to-explain option, which consists of authenticating end users on a remote server at an XDS data center, then equipping their desktops with virtual machines from a server inside the user's data center. The approach offers advantages in security and provisioning large numbers of users. But the company's explanation has left many scratching their heads on how to adopt it.
A larger potential player is Symantec, which acquired Altiris and its Software Virtualization Solution desktop virtualization system in April. Altiris brings strengths in identifying incompatibilities between applications and Windows Vista or other operating systems. It can package an application into a virtual machine with its dependent dynamic link libraries so that it runs on Vista without revision.
And don't forget Microsoft(MSFT), the 800-pound gorilla that's yet to make a peep. With its acquisition of Softricity last year, Microsoft gained the ability to virtualize applications; it already had the capability to virtualize the operating system with its Virtual Server. It's unlikely to remain silent for long once it sees newcomers stealing users out of its desktop domain. But for now, it has its hands full getting its server-side Viridian virtualization technology ready for Windows Longhorn Server after Longhorn's launch next year.

NEW !!!! AltirisT IT Analytics 6.0

Altiris IT Analytics Solution software complements and expands upon the traditional reporting offered in most Altiris solutions. It brings exciting new features and capabilities to the Altiris platform by incorporating multi-dimensional analysis and robust graphical reporting and distribution features. This allows users to explore data on their own, without advanced knowledge of databases or third-party reporting tools, empowering them to ask and answer their own questions quickly, easily, and effectively.

The release Notes can be found here

Software Virtualization Solution 2.1 Hotfix 36647 Download

If you are experiencing any of the below problems, upgrade to Software Virtualization Solution 2.1 Hotfix 36647 (or above):

Inserting a new USB device causes system crash
When a layer is active and Print Spooler is restarted printers are removed
Installing Software Virtualization Solution on Vista causes IIS to become inoperable
Software Virtualization Solution exposes a registry bug in Windows, causing a blue screen crash
Memory leaks

More can be found found here

Gathering and Interpreting SQL Deadlock Information

The attached whitepaper in this KB provides details on gathering and interpreting SQL deadlock information.

Link : https://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=37501&p=1

Altiris Deployment Solution 6.8 SP2 Release Notes

Upgrade Installations
Upgrading from Deployment Solution 6.8 SP1
Upgrading from Deployment Solution 6.8 (Disable AutoUpgrade due to KB 33129)
Upgrading from Deployment Solution 6.5 SP1
Upgrading from Deployment Solution 6.5
Upgrading from Deployment Solution 6.1

Silent Installation
Deployment Solution allows you to walk through the Deployment Solution installation wizard to create an answer file (install.ini) which automatically sets options when running a silent install. For details on this process see:
Can Deployment Server be installed silently?

What's New in this Release
Improvements for this release include the following new features:

Support for Symantec® Ghost® Imaging
Important: Deployment Solution does not include the Ghost executable or a license to use Symantec Ghost. You must provide a copy of the ghost.exe and/or ghost32.exe imaging executable to enable this support.
Customers currently using the Ghost imaging solution have the option of copying the Ghost executable to the Deployment Server to enable Ghost imaging from the Create Disk Image and Distribute Disk Image tasks.
To add support for Symantec Ghost, on the Deployment Share, create a folder called ghost. Copy ghost.exe (for DOS support) and/or ghost32.exe (for WinPE support) to this folder.
Symantec Ghost is now available for selection in the Create Disk Image and Distribute Disk Image tasks. A configuration file called ImageTools.ini, located in the root of your Deployment Share, contains settings you can change to customize the behavior of Ghost. For example, the default command-line in DOS is:
CreateImageCommandLine=-clone,MODE=create,SRC=1,DST=%IMAGE_FILENAME% -sure
This setting and others can be customized by modifying ImageTools.ini.

Deployment Agent UI on Vista
When installing the Deployment Agent on Vista computers, you now have the option of installing a client-side agent configuration utility. This interface is similar to the configuration interface for the Deployment Agent on other Windows operating systems. To install, select the Control panel applet & UI component option during the DAgent installation.

The configuration utility is launched by selecting Start; Altiris; Deployment Solution; DAgent Configuration.

Wait in Automation Task
To avoid circumstances when a computer might boot into an unmanaged state, a new task, called wait, is provided to cause a computer to remain in automation and wait for instructions.

Thin Client View Enhancements
The Thin Client view has been enhanced with a new get inventory task and a software packages pane.

Remote Desktop Connection for Windows
A new Remote Desktop option has been added to the contextual menu when you right-click a Windows XP* or Vista* computer in the console. This option launches the Windows Remote Desktop utility to enable you to remote control a computer.
Windows XP computers still have the option of using the integrated Remote Control feature of the Deployment Console.

Client Agent Version Report Discrepancy

Problem:
Client Agent Version Report displays different client counts on the Level 0 and Level 1 sections of the report
Cause:
Level 0 SQL query uses vItem view and Level 1 SQL query uses vComputer view. vComputer filters out retired assets.
Resolution:
Change the Level 0 SQL query to query the vComputer view. Replace all instances of vItem in the level 0 query with vComputer.

Categories and Queues Spreadsheet

On the juice site ther is this noce article that will make your live easier when creating categories and queus in Altiris Helpdesk

Asset Management 6.5 Released

Due to the major changes in ASM 6.5 we advice no to update yet.
So don't click those Update Buttons....

Release Notes can be found here
CMDB 6.5
ASM 6.5
Connector Solution 6.5

Console 6.5

If you realy want to find out about the changes, please setup a Test Environment

SVS 2.1 Hotfix 35879 Download

Problem/Symptoms
	This hotfix addresses some driver crashes found in SVS 2.1.2069 and an integration issue with the third party product Scence.

---

Environment
	This upgrade is Software Virtualization Solution 2.1.2081

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Cause
	This hotfix addresses some driver crashes found in SVS 2.1.2069 and an integration issue with the third party product Scence.

---

Resolution
	To upgrade to SVS 2.1 Hotfix 35879 (2.1.2081), download the attached file on the right side of the screen. Extract the zip file contents. Use the .exe for installing or upgrading a stand-alone installation. The msi file is provided for use with the Notification Server solution or any other process requiring this file. KB Article

Changing the status of non-active computer resources to Active when Inventory Solution data is received

Retired computer resources will have their status automatically changed to Active by the Notification Server if Inventory Solution data is received. Computer resources with statuses other than Active or Retired do not. This functionality is desired.


Cause
The automatic changing of the status to Active is dependent on the current status of the computer resource.

Investigation using Notification Server 6.0 SP3 R5 and Inventory Solution 6.1 SP2 (6.1.1075) returned the following results:




In summary, statuses of Disposed, Retired, and Returned to Lessor will revert to Active once Inventory Solution data is received. This Inventory Solution data will only be sent if the configuration policy received by the client computer while in the Active status contained the Inventory Solution tasks. That is, while a new configuration policy will not be sent if the status is anything other than Active, the client will continue to use the old policy that is currently in place.
Statuses of In Stock, Missing, On Order, RMA, and any custom statuses are static. They must be manually changed or changed via the method outlined in the resolution below.


Resolution
Create a notification policy that will set the status to Active on any computer resource whose status is other than Active, Retired, Disposed, or Returned to Lessor and has recently sent Inventory Solution data to the Notification Server.
The following query can be used in the notification policy to select computers who have sent Inventory Solution data within the last 7 days:
SELECT vfars.Guid, i.Name, vfars.Status, acir.[Collection Time]FROM vFixedAssetResourceStatus vfars JOIN Item i ON vfars.Guid = i.Guid LEFT JOIN Inv_Aex_AC_Inventory_Results acir ON vfars.Guid = acir._ResourceGuidWHERE vfars.ResourceTypeGuid IN (SELECT ResourceTypeGuid FROM vResourceHierarchy WHERE BaseResourceTypeGuid = '493435F7-3B17-4C4C-B07F-C23E7AB7781F') AND vfars.Status NOT in ('Active', 'Retired', 'Disposed', 'Returned to Lessor') AND DATEDIFF(DAY,acir.[Collection Time], GETDATE())

Vlite in RC

Vlite has gone in RC : www.vlite.net <http://www.vlite.net>
For those who do not know vLite... vLite is a tool for customizing the Windows Vista installation before actually installing it.

v1.0 RC
* new: More compatibility options
* new: 'Manual Install'
* new: 'Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)'
* new: 'Distributed Link Tracking Client'
* new: 'Computer Browser'
* new: 'Sample Pictures'
* new: 'MSN Installer'
* new: 'Malicious Software Removal Tool'
* new: 'Multimedia Class Scheduler'
* upd: 'Performance Counters' (SQL Server installation dependency)
* upd: 'Screensavers' (PhotoScreensaver removed if Gallery kept)
* upd: 'Volume Shadow' (Previous Version tab removed)
* fix: 'Windows Collaboration' (netsh dependency)
* fix: 'Windows Media Player' (portable devices)
* fix: Paint.NET compatibility option

Altiris Support for Windows 2003 SP2

Service Pack 2 for Windows 2003 was released on March 13, 2007. The Altiris testing methodology is to ensure that all new versions of Altiris solutions are compatible with current technology. Therefore, any solution that is released or upgraded on or after April 2007 will be supported for Windows 2003 SP2.

Note: More complete product compatibility support is available for the prior service pack versions of Windows 2003 (SP1 and R2)

Confirmed list
The following solutions versions have been confirmed for compatibility with Windows 2003 SP2:

* Notification Server 6.0 SP3 with Rollup 5-Note: This does not imply that Notification Server-dependent products have been tested. Any new product versions released after R5 (May 24, 2007) will be tested for compatibility with Windows 2003 SP2 as part of their normal QA approval process.
* Software Virtualization Solution 2.1 (released June 7, 2007)
* Patch Management Solution for Dell Linux Servers (released June 7, 2007)
* Recovery Solution 6.2 SP2 (released June 14, 2007)
* As of June 28, no other Notification Server-based products are currently supported for usage with Windows 2003 SP2. As new product versions are released, this article will be updated to reflect accordingly.

Support for SQL 2005 SP2

Service Pack 2 for SQL 2005 was released on February 16th, 2007.
The Altiris testing methodology is to ensure that all new versions of Altiris solutions are compatible with current technology.
Therefore, any solution that was released or upgraded on or after March 2007 would be supported for SQL 2005 SP2.

Confirmed list
The following solutions versions have been confirmed for compatibility with SP2 for SQL 2005:
NS 6.0 SP3 with Rollup #5 (Released May 24th 2007)
Application Control 6 SP1 (Released April 5th 2007)
Application Management 6.1 SP1 (Released April 5th 2007)
Application Metering 6.1 SP2 (Released April 5th 2007)
Carbon Copy 6.2 (Released April 5th 2007)
Inventory (Windows) 6.1 SP2 (Released April 5th 2007)
Monitor Solution 6 SP5 (Released April 5th 2007)
Patch Management for Windows 6.2 SP1 (Released April 5th 2007)
Software Delivery for Windows 6.1 SP3 ((Released April 5th 2007)
Wise Integration Component 6.1 SP3 (Released April 5th 2007)
SVS 2.1 (Released June 7th, 2007)
Patch for Dell Linux Servers (Released June 7th 2007)
Recovery Solution 6.2 SP2 (Released June 14th 2007)
Asset Management 6.5 (released July 26, 2007)
CMDB Solution 6.5 (released July 26, 2007)
Connector Solution 6.5 (released July 26, 2007)

Initial Testing Completed
Asset Control and Contract Management Solution 6.2
Patch Management for Windows 6.2
Patch Management for Dell Servers 6.2
Integrated Component for Microsoft Active Directory 6.1
Connector Solution 6.1
Barcode Solution 6.6 SP2
Recovery Solution 6.2.2332 (SP1)
Recovery Solution 6.2 SP2 (Not yet released, due in Q2 2007))

A new site for SVS was born

This site is focused on the benefits of using Virtual Applications based on the agent of Altiris Software Virtualisation Solution­®.
This agent is released to the public for personal use only and is the most rewarded tool ever.
On this site you will find the tools I developed for them as also a forum and a possibility to chat with people who can help you with it.
Feel free to look around and be fascinated with this whole new world of Virtualizing your applications.
This site is brandnew and under construction...
More here

Is there a way to suspend the inventory scan upon bootup?

Question:
There are a number of people who shut their computers down over the weekend. Our Full Software Inventory scan runs over the weekend. When these users come in on Monday morning the Software Inventory scan starts and slows the performance of their computers way down. Is there a way to suspend or minimize the performance hit of inventory for these users?
Answer:
There are a couple of options for doing this with the second option being the most preferred.Option 1: In the registry of the client at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Altiris Agent is a registry key called "Delay at System Boot (secs)". Setting this for a value like 600 (decimal) would theorectically delay the startup of the Altiris Agent for 10 minutes preventing the inventory tasks from running.Option 2: Configure the "Slow mode delay (milliseconds)" in the AuditPls.ini. This will slow down the scan minimzing the performance hit on the computer during the software scan. See article 3674 for details on how to configure this.

AMS & CMS Database Schema

Finally, a nice document with th DB structure ...very handy document.
Link to KB

Report Builder Document

Altiris has created a very nice document about creating Reports.
This KB can be found at https://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=27167&p=1

Altiris Recovery Solution 6.2 to be released today

ALtiris has released Local Recovery Solution 6.2 and Recovery Solution Pro 6.2 today.
I will put the changes later on the blog

Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.1

Improvements for this release include the following new features:
Performance Enhancements
Redesigned registry handling yields significantly higher performance and scalability over SVS 2.0.
Support for Microsoft Windows Vista
This version of the SVS Agent can be run on computers using Microsoft Windows Vista 32 bit.
Note
64 bit operating systems are not supported at this time.
Altiris Task Server SVS Plug-in
An SVS Task-Server Plug-in is included in the installation of Altiris Software Virtualization Solution. The plug-in allows you to leverage the benefits of the Altiris Task Server infrastructure including automation and task sequencing.
SVS Control Panel Applet
An Altiris SVS Control Panel Applet is included as an optional component installed with the Altiris Software Virtualization Agent. It is available from the Windows Control Panel.
Depending on the installation of either SVS Admin or Virtual Package Editor (installed with Wise Package Studio) you can use the applet to create, import, export and manage virtual layers, and also configure local software virtualization options. The ability to import multiple archive files has been added. You can also add, edit, and delete Global Exclude entries as well. For more information, see the Altiris SVS Applet chapter in the Altiris® Software Virtualization Solution™ Reference Guide.Note The SVS Admin utility is still included and supported in this release.
Global Exclude Entries
Global Exclude entry support allows SVS administrators to specify, on a global level, certain file type extensions and directory locations that you do not want to be captured into application layers. This feature includes an additional API, and menu items in SVS Admin and the SVS Control Panel Applet for managing the Global Exclude entries. The SVS installer has also been updated to provide the ability to select or deselect two default global exclude entries; Desktop, and My Documents.
Single Screen Refresh
When activating or deactivating layers from SVS Admin there is now a single screen refresh.
Delete Entry Visibility Enhancements
An additional user interface component has been added to the SVS Admin utility. Now, in addition to file delete entries, registry delete entries are also visible.
Layer Data is Retained on Uninstall
To eliminate risk of data loss, uninstalling the SVS Agent 2.1 does not automatically delete all layers on the computer. However, an MSIexec command line option may be used to force the deletion of layers at uninstall time.
Virtualization of System Path Variable
SVS now fully virtualizes the system path variable. Operation works as expected when layers are activated and deactivated. No manual steps or scripting are required.
A New WMI Provider
There is a new WMI provider with improved functionality. This is an additional provider and the legacy provider will still function with this release. Note: The legacy provider will be deprecated in a future release.
Alternate Import Locations through SVS APIs
The SVS APIs support importing a layer to a location other than the default redirect area.
Additional Language Support
The SVS Agent interface has added support for the following additional languages: Danish,Dutch,Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Swedish
The SVS Solution interface on a Notification Server Environment has added support for the following additional languages: Italian and Portuguese

For more info : https://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=30814&p=1

Aclient used in Runonce and using Modify Configuration

It is always a best practice to install the latest AClient agent from a runonce script after the image deployment.
In some case we work with a fixed INP file to install and configure the AClient, directly followed by a Modify Configuration task to put the PC in a specific domain.

But since the DS6.8SP1 version something has changed. After installing the Aclient the aclient.cfg that has being send by the Modify Configuration Job is cleared. The results that the configuration Job doesn't get run, but is shown as succesfully completed.

What I did is I put an empty script the runs on the client (and not as an automation) just before the Modify Configuration Task.
I also add an empty script at the end of this job to make sure that when the job is show as completed the PC is realy ready.

Upgrading Deployment Server

When you have used the default name "Express" to install your DS then this is NOT valid. If (for one reason or antoher) you used a different name as Db (other then "Express") then upgrading will finish succefull, but you server will need a lot of CPU.

Reason is that the SQL upgrade script use the USE EXPRESS setting to start with. Since this is a SQL script there is SQL log to show that there was an error. But be carefull, not all error in the log are abnormal because the script is made to migrade from all previous versions.


If you will run Server.exe from DSSetup folder (installation files) it will extract all files needed for Server installation to %Temp%\apt0 (or larger number) folder.
And you can use then Upgrade.sql file to update the database manually.

If you have NO experience with SQL the please call Altiris Support

DS agents and Vista!!!

Whenever deploying Vista with DS and using the NS to deploy the AClient then PLEASE make sure NOT to install the regular AClient , but use only the DAgent.

What happend:
We created a vista image and our XML, we deployed with Altiris Deployment Server and everything went fine. We use a runonce command to install the latetst NS and DS agent the at the first logon and the a reboot after 30 seconds.
After the reboot the NS agent agent starts communicating with the NS Server and gets its sub agents like SWD, PM, App Met, etc...If yo use the standard task to deploy the AClient then an (old) Aclient agent will be installed in addition to the already installed DAgent after a while.

In our case this resulted in a reconfiguration of the PC into the workgroup "WORKGROUP" after a reboot.
The collection of this task should be altered to prevent this task to be run on a VISTA Pc, so just clone the standard Collection to be used and add the exclusion of All Windows VISTA computers.
Running a Configuration job didn't fix the problem (I guess both agents wants to take control)

In any case, prevent the presence of 2 DS agents (Dagent and Aclient) on a VISTA...believe me.

Notification Server 6.0 SP3 R5

R5 Release notes : https://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=31946&p=1

R5 includes updated versions of the Altiris Agent and the Package Server agent. After installing R5 onto the Notification Server, the Altiris Agent and Package Server agent packages will be updated. Upgrade policies for these agents are located in the Configuration tab of the Altiris Console under Configuration > Altiris Agent > Altiris Agent Rollout and Configuration > Server Settings > Notification Server Infrastructure > Package Server Agent Rollout.

Altiris Administrator Software Development Kit 1.4

New Features Release 1.4 implements the following new features:

• A PatchManagement library has been added. A list of new functions is available
• Release 1.4 has added a fourth "layer"—ASDK functionality for some solutions can now be accessed as pre-defined tasks that can be run directly in Altiris Task Management solution. These Administrator Software Development Kit tasks will appear in the Create a New Task dialog under the Server Tasks folder if you check the various "Tasks" checkboxes when installing the ASDK. (Task Management Solution and the underlying Notification Server solution must first be installed or the Task check ox for that solution will not appear.) To access the Create a New Task dialog, right-click on the Server Tasks folder in the Tasks tree in NS, then select New => Task/Job. Tasks exist for the NS, Patch Management, Asset Management, Helpdesk and Software Delivery (full) ASDK libraries.

VMWare Workstation 6.0 Released

For downloads: http://www.vmware.com/download/ws/

But be aware...This is a 275MB download

For the VISTA lovers....read the know issues...

Installing Out of Band Management OOBM does not install .NET 2.0 - Installs fail to install the Intel SCS if .NET 2.0 is not installed

Installs fail to install the Intel SCS if .NET 2.0 is not installed - Via Solution Center.
Installing with AICM causes Out of Band Management to fail to install due to the above reason.

Resolution

The following steps should be followed when installing OOBM:

1. NS should already be installed with .NET 1.1. This is essential for proper function when installing .NET 2.0.
2. Install .NET 2.0.
3. Install Altiris OOBM.

If the install is already complete for the base OOBM install, follow these steps:

1. Install .NET 2.0.
2. Download the file: Altiris_OOBSC_6_1.exe from www.solutionsam.com/solutions/6_0.

3. Execute the file on the Notification Server.

How to Create a Bootable USB Memory Key

I ran into this great article that goes through the steps to make your USB key bootable. A must read for all of us system admins. Here is the link:http://www.bay-wolf.com/usbmemstick.htm

Installing WinPE on a USB Device

A very nice document on Installing WinPE on a USB Device

http://juice.altiris.com/article/1344/installing-winpe-on-a-usb-device
http://juice.altiris.com/article/1569/installing-winpe-on-a-usb-device-part-ii-the-menu

WINPE 2.0 should be possible in DS6.8SP1

Altiris has shipped an article to allow WINPE 2.0 to be used by DS6.8SP1.
After some searching we were able to start the WINPE 2.0

The procedure is unclear about a lot of things and the ISO image created is again larger so it take longer to load.

Thx Stephane for the feedback

What causes the task message "Run Completed Asynchronously"

The Run History tab for specific advertisements shows a status of Run Completed Asynchronously. What causes this message?

Answer
While the circumstances of the actual issue may vary, the basic cause is the same. If the Altiris Agent service restarts (for any reason) while a task has not returned any sort of status, it assumes it completed successfully and displays the message about running asynchronously.
A few possible scenarios are:

• System restarts, either because of the deployed software or some other source before a return code is provided.
• The Agent service is restarted for any reason (other than reboot). If you execute a task then restart the agent service, you'll notice the asynchronously message as well.
• The software install never provided a return code back to the agent. This means the next time the computer or service restarts, this will turn the status into asynchronously.

DSEXP.exe utility will export DS data from one database into a new DB

Deployment Solution is installed on a server that is going to be moved, decommissioned, or taken away. A new one is created from a fresh install, but the data from the old server is desired to be in the new server.
How do I move the data from one Deployment Solution server to another?

Resolution
Use the DSEXP.exe utility. This utility will export all the basic data from the old database to multiple text files and then allow it to be imported into the different server. Computers and groups are transferred by this utility.

You can find this tool at http://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=34226&p=3
Thx to Anthony

Agent Updates issues on DS6.8SP1

Due to some issues the Deployment Server support team recommends that Autoupgrade in DS 6.8.282 be DISABLED. The additional load put on the Axengine to update the AClients along with the Axengine attempting to process unnecessary requests from the AClients can cause the Axengine to use upwards of 90 to 100% of the CPU and use large amounts of RAM ( >200 MB). Alternate ways to install the Aclient are documented in Chapter 5 of the ‘Deployment.pdf’ file. This file can be downloaded from the Altiris website for reading prior to installing DS 6.8 SP1. Please read KB 33129 and 33127 for a way to update only Aclients that are not current via the Remote Agent Installer. When DS 6.8 SP2 is released AutoUpgrade from build 282 of AClient will be the recommend upgrade method.

The Inventory Solution 6.1 SP2 upgrade deletes custom inventory files

The Inventory Solution 6.1 SP2 upgrade will delete any custom .xml and .ini files used by custom inventory.

Resolution
Make sure that any custom .xml or .ini files used by custom inventory are backed up prior to performing an upgrade to SP2. After the upgrade is complete, be sure to:
Restore the custom inventory source files back into the altiris\notification server\nscap\bin\win32\x86\Inventory Solution folder.
Add aexcustinv.exe command lines to the appropriate aexinvsoln*.ini files.

Upgrading Solutions

A lot of people use the Currently installed page to upgrade there solutions.

What you don't know is thats not the ideal way to do it.

These ways are far more practical and sure to upgrade all subcomponents.

First way:

Go to Configuration, Upgrade/install Additional Solution, Available Solutions, Solutions

Click on every installed solution to make sure they are all running the latest version. (If you have previously being upgrading using currently install then go through every installed component (also the component like HP or Dell Client Manager)

Second Way:

Go to Configuration, Upgrade/install Additional Solution, Available Solutions, Suites and click on the installed suite toi verify if all components are up to date

Application Metering install problem

When trying to upgrade to the new version 6.0.32 I got and error 1316
I removed App Metering and the Package Rules and I got it installed

New Releases

Altiris® Carbon Copy™ Solution 6.2
Software Delivery Solution 6.1 SP3
Altiris® Patch Management Solution™ 6.2 SP1 for Windows
Altiris® Inventory Solution® for Windows 6.1 SP2

Wise Toolkit
Application Management
Monitor Solution 6.0 SP5
Monitor Pack for SQL

Why is the Console Performance So Slow?

Problem/Symptoms
Why does the Notfication Server Console seem so slow to respond? The database connectivity seems good, config request intervals are good, patch inventories are turned off.
Cause
StringCache access from the KnownCulture table is taking a long time. This is a result of the Altiris.ClientTask.Policies.CTserverconfig assembly not caching the requests using the IItemCacheable procedure.
Resolution
Current workaround is to change the Task config request interval from 5 mins to 60 mins. However, this is a design change that will be implemented in a future release.

KNOWN ISSUE: An unexpected end of file parsing CDATA has occurred

Notification Server log files contain the following errors:
Source: Altiris.NS.ClientMessaging.FileDispatcher.ProcessFileCallback Description: Unable to process the file "F:\Program Files\Altiris\Notification Server\NSCap\EvtQFast\Process\nse482E.tmp" Moving to "F:\Program Files\Altiris\Notification Server\NSCap\EvtQFast\Bad\XmlException\nse496B.tmp". Reason: An unexpected end of file parsing CDATA has occurred. Line 84, position 1.
Additionally, the server will contain numerous .TMP files in '...\NSCap\EvtQFast\Bad\XmlException' folder.

Cause:
The Summary Data NSE is missing ending XML tags. The bottom of the incorrect NSE's will appear as below:
[Summary Data in XML in this part of the NSE] [Missing XML tags] 20070111162029.520000+420
Resolution:
One possible workaround is to rename the AexAMInventory.txt file to AexAMInventory.tx_ located in the Altiris Agent folder on a client with the application metering agent installed. This will force the client to generate a new AeXAMInventory.txt. However, doing so will also cause the client to lose all of its previous Application Metering inventory stored in the deleted AeXAMInventory.txt and it's possible that the problem can reoccur with the new AeXAMInventory.txt file as well.

This issue has been resolved in Application Metering 6.1 Service Pack 2 (build 6.1.32) , available from the Solution Center.

Altiris Agent Scan and Fix

Do you ever find that you have several computers that are no longer talking to the Notification Server even though they still have the agent running and are on-line? Here's how we keep our computers talking (even when they don't want to).
This script has proven very effective in fixing clients that have lost communication with the Notification Server. We run weekly reports on clients that have not talked in x number of days and then export that list of names to a text file.
This script uses ping and nslookup to check if the computer is still on the network. If it is, it deletes the machine's policy file, kills the agent process and the starts the service. The script uses a few utilities from Sysinternals, pskill, and psservice. Another utility we use, reg.exe, is part of Windows XP or it can be downloaded from the the Windows Resource Kit. These utilities need to be downloaded and stored locally on the PC the script is run from.
The script can be downloaded here

HII Tools 3.1.0 for Deployment Server 6.8 [updated]

HII Tools is a set of sample jobs and custom tools that empower you to easily create and deploy Hardware Independent Images using Deployment Server 6.8.
See HIITools.chm (included in HIITools.msi) for tips on using HIITools.

http://juice.altiris.com/download/979/hii-tools-3-0-2-for-deployment-server-6-8

Can the Altiris Agent uninstall status be verified from the Notification Server?

The Altiris Agent sends an uninstall events to the NS before completely removing itself so that the removal can be tracked down on the Notification Server using reports on the Software Delivery execution (if this type of events is enabled on the NS).

Here is a sample SQL query that could be used to show the computers that have executed the
Agent Uninstall package:
select ex._ResourceGuid, vc.Name as 'Computer name', vc.Domain as 'Computer domain', ex.PackageName 'Package name', ex.[Start] 'Execution start', ex.[End] 'Execution end' from Evt_AeX_SWD_Execution ex join vComputer vc on ex._ResourceGuid = vc.Guid where AdvertisementId in ( select AdvertisementId from SWDAdvertisement where name = 'Altiris Agent Uninstall' )

Improving IIS and NS response times by disabling debug mode

Some solutions still have debug-mode compiling enabled in their related web.config files. Debug-mode compiling can cause performance problems for any ASP.NET application. In particular, the following debug-mode behaviors impact NS performance:
The compilation of ASP.NET pages takes longer (since some batch optimizations are disabled)
This can be seen in the initial viewing of each NS console page
Code can execute slower (since some additional debug paths are enabled)
Much more memory is used within the application at runtime
This is of particular importance on NS servers with 2GB of physical memory, and large client facing servers with multiple Altiris solutions enabled
Additional information about debug mode is available at ScottGu's BlogNote: The current version of Altiris Notification Server utilizes ASP.NET v1. It is not currently possible to use the deployment retail="true" setting which is available for ASP.NET v2

Manual Resolution
Make the following modification to each web.config file that is part of the Altiris installation (\Program Files\Altiris). The change will be implemented as soon as another request to the related page occurs. In most cases, this will involve a visit to the related configuration or task NS console page.
Before (web.config)


After (web.config)


Automated Resolution
On the following link you can find an exe file that provides a resolution.
http://kb.altiris.com/article.asp?article=33499&p=3

NS60 SP3 R4 Released

Improvements for this release include the following new features:
Windows Vista:
This release enables Windows Vista to be supported as a managed resource in the Notification Server.

Updated Reports and Collections for Windows Vista:
Core reports and collections have been updated and created to include the Windows Vista operating system.

Internet Explorer 7.0
This release enables the Altiris Console to function with Internet Explorer 7.0.

and a few bug fixes:

Want to find out more? Here are the Release Notes

Package Replication Solution Articles

Nice work from Altiris to summerize all articles fof Package Replication.
The KB can be foud here