Chapter 14 -- Software Metering

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Chapter 14

Microsoft introduced a new application management utility with Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 called Software Metering. This feature enables the SMS administrator to monitor the use of applications among SMS clients, track license usage, place restrictions on running applications based on time or permissions, and spot unauthorized applications when they are run.

TIP
If you have not already applied Microsoft Systems Management Server Version 2.0 Service Pack 1, you should certainly do so now if you intend to use the Software Metering tool. Service Pack 1 has updated this feature, and it appears to run much more smoothly than it did in its original release.

In this chapter, we'll look at the components that participate in the software metering process. We'll begin by examining in more detail just what software metering is and how it works. We'll explore the roles of the site server, the software metering server, and the Software Metering Client Agent (also sometimes referred to as the Software Metering Agent). You'll also learn how to manage metered applications beyond simply tracking usage. As always, we will investigate the status messages that are generated by various components and review network traffic considerations. Finally, we'll learn how to create reports and charts to analyze program and license usage data, and review troubleshooting issues.

NOTE
Software metering is not supported for Microsoft Windows 3.x or Microsoft Windows for Workgroups clients. Although it is supported for Alpha clients, Alpha site systems cannot function as software metering servers. Novell NetWare servers also do not support this feature.



Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Administrator's Companion
Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Administrators Companion (IT-Administrators Companion)
ISBN: 0735608342
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 1999
Pages: 167

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