Contributed By: Cliff Hobbs [MVP SMS]
Often overlooked, the Microsoft Support WebCasts offer a wealth of information. Below you can find a list sorted by date (most recent first) of SMS-related WebCasts.

Microsoft Windows Media Player is recommended to view these sessions.  You can also download copies of the PowerPoint slides used in the WebCasts (don't worry if you don't have PowerPoint, simply use the PowerPoint 97 Viewer (2752 KB)).

Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: Troubleshooting Client Installation
Wednesday, March 26, 2003: 10:00 A.M. Pacific time (Greenwich mean time- 8).
Level: 200
Many factors can affect a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 client installation. In this Support WebCast session, you will hear the most common reasons that the SMS 2.0 client installation process is not successful. You will also learn about the discovery, assignment, and installation process in detail. This process provides the troubleshooting information that you must have to successfully determine why a client did not install the SMS 2.0 client software.

Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: What Is New in Service Pack 5
Thursday, January 30, 2003: 10:00 A.M. Pacific time (Greenwich mean time- 8).
Level: 200
Service packs do not typically include new functionality. To improve the functionality of SMS 2.0, and to improve security and interoperability with both Windows .NET Server 2003 and SMS 2003, Service Pack 5 does include important functionality changes.

Support WebCast: Microsoft Systems Management Server: An Introduction to Software Update Management Using SMS 2.0
Wednesday, August 14, 2002: 10:00 A.M. Pacific time (Greenwich mean time - 7 hours)
Level:200
During this Support WebCast, you will learn about the key problems that customers face when they try to deploy security updates (patches) to their Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Microsoft Windows XP computers. You will hear about the Value Pack features (in beta) that extend Systems Management Server (SMS) version 2.0 to fill a key role in the Microsoft Strategic Technology Protection Program (STPP).

Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Value Pack: Introduction to New Tools and Functionalities: Friday, March 29, 2002
During this Support WebCast, we will discuss how to easily use Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) to identify and patch computers that are vulnerable to security issues. We will talk about how to centrally manage all the SMS accounts in your hierarchy. We will tell you how to transfer a master set of site settings to other sites, and how to install clients directly from the CAP without using Logon Points. We will provide information about how to create secondary sites and distribution points from a command line. We will also talk about a "per advertisement" mandatory program capability. The SMS Value Pack, now in beta, consists of more than 20 tools that add functionality to the base SMS 2.0 product. This presentation will give you an advance look at the current set of tools in development, and let you know how you can get beta copies to test in your lab environment.

Understanding Operational Procedures for Microsoft Systems Management Server: Thursday, October 25, 2001
In this presentation, you will learn what operational procedures should be implemented in an SMS 2.0 environment. Using proper operational procedures can help ensure that your SMS environment runs as efficiently as possible, minimizes system downtime, and provides maximum return on investment.

MOM, SMS, and NetIQ AppMgr - Technical Comparisons: Thursday, October 4, 2001
During this session, we will discuss the technical differences between Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2000 and NetIQ Applications Manager (AppMgr), as well as how they can complement each other. We will also discuss the technical aspects of two separate management disciplines with no overlap, MOM and Systems Management Server (SMS). We will also briefly discuss the upcoming Microsoft Applications Pack Add-on for MOM.

Troubleshooting SMS 2.0 Site Server Performance Problems: Tuesday, August 28, 2001
When SMS 2.0 site servers experience performance problems, such as excessive CPU utilization, memory starvation, excessive disk utilization, MIF or DDR backlogs, and slow SMS Administrator consoles, upgrading the hardware is not always the best solution. This session will cover practical troubleshooting techniques, discuss known problems, and offer configuration suggestions that will enable you to better tune your site servers for optimal performance.

Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) Installer and Installer Step-up (ISU): Thursday, July 19, 2001
During this Support WebCast, we will describe the new release of Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer, some of its features, and what they mean.

Configuring and Troubleshooting Remote Tools in Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: Wednesday, May 30, 2001
During this session, we will cover how to install, configure, and troubleshoot Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 Remote Control. It is intended as both a primer for customers who are just beginning with Remote Control, as well as those who are interested in advanced configuration options. The session will conclude with general information about troubleshooting problems with Remote Control.

Microsoft Systems Management Server Reporting using the SMS Web Reporting Tool: Thursday, May 17, 2001
Would you like better reporting solutions than SMS version 2.0 provides? During this Support WebCast session, we will discuss the new SMS Web Reporting tool as an alternative to the SMS Crystal Reports solution for generating reports. We will talk about installation of the product, integration with SMS 2.0, and the reports that are included.

Creating Queries in the Systems Management Server Administrator Console: Thursday, April 12, 2001
During this session, we will talk about how to create the most commonly requested queries using the System Management Server (SMS) Administrator console. For example, we will review, in detail, how to create a query to find all computers that do not have a particular software program installed, and why that is important.

Managing Mobile Clients with Systems Management Server 2.0: Friday, February 23, 2001
In this session, you will learn how mobile clients interact with Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0, the problems they encounter, and best practices to use when you include mobile clients in your SMS 2.0 sites.

Systems Management Server 2.0 Client Infrastructure: Friday, January 26, 2001
In this session, you will learn about the Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 client discovery and installation processes. You will hear how the SMS 2.0 client components interoperate. In addition, you will learn about both the required and the optional SMS client components, and how they fit together. You will also find out about client maintenance and configuration.

Understanding SMS Network Discovery: Friday, December 8, 2000
In this session, we will discuss how Network Discovery works in Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0, how to configure it, and what is required for a resource to be discovered. Some high-level overview concepts will be presented, as well as some in-depth discussion about SNMP calls and API requests.

The Systems Management Server 2.0 Security Model: Tuesday, November 7, 2000
In this session, you will learn about the importance of security in the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 environment. You will learn the different layers of security that SMS uses, and how to configure those security layers. You will also learn how to troubleshoot security-related issues down the to SMS Provider layer.

SMS 2.0 Software Distribution Details and Advanced Information: Tuesday, October 10, 2000
In this session, you will learn the about the various components and details that Systems Management Server 2.0 uses when distributing software to client computers. You will learn the components, the process flow, and how the various files are moved throughout the Systems Management Server infrastructure. Information on how to troubleshooting software distribution will also be provided.

Windows Management Instrumentation: What Is It and How Does SMS Use It: Tuesday, September 26, 2000
In this session, you will learn the basics of Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and how Systems Management Server 2.0 uses WMI. You will also learn how to troubleshoot problems with WMI for SMS access.

Handling Duplicate Systems in SMS 2.0: Thursday, August 17, 2000
In this session, you will learn what duplicates are (in the SMS context), how they occur, and what problems they cause in Systems Management Server 2.0. You will also learn how to correct the duplicate computer issue in SMS 2.0.

Systems Management Server 2.0 Backup and Recovery: Thursday, July 6, 2000
In this session, we will discuss the procedures to back up an SMS 2.0 site. We will also talk about the requirements to perform a site recovery. This session will also introduce new tools to assist in the backup and recovery of SMS 2.0 sites and hierarchies.

What's New in Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack 2: Thursday, June 1, 2000
In this session, you will learn how Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 Service Pack 2 will affect your SMS 2.0 site. You will learn what functionality changes were implemented that affect how SMS interacts with other site systems, what new operating systems are supported, and what is required prior to installing SMS 2.0 SP 2. You will not learn about every fix implemented in the service pack.

Windows 2000 and Systems Management Server 2.0 Integration: Tuesday, May 9, 2000
In this session we will discuss how Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 integrates with Microsoft Windows 2000. We will discuss what SMS server roles can be implemented on Windows 2000 systems, including client functions. We will also clear up misconceptions about SMS 2.0 and Windows 2000 common features and functions.

SMS 2.0 Design Issues: Thursday, April 13, 2000
Occasionally, SMS 2.0 deployments don't function exactly as expected. One of the reasons for this is that the site and/or hierarchy was not designed the way the SMS 2.0 product is designed to be used. This session will discuss the most common design issues that impact SMS 2.0 deployments, as well as discussing how to perform health checks on the SMS site. Understanding these concepts can lead to a more effective experience with SMS 2.0.

Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Accounts: Thursday, February 03, 2000
Learn why Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 uses as many accounts as it does, what those accounts are used for, and which accounts you have control over.

Systems Management Server 2.0 Security: Tuesday, January 25, 2000
We will be discussing how Systems Management Server 2.0 security protects Systems Management Server computers from malicious attacks, as well as how Systems Management Server 2.0 security rights protect Systems Management Server data from administrators.

Systems Management Server 2.0 Common Problems and Resolutions: Tuesday, March 14, 2000
In this session, we will discuss common problems you may encounter while deploying Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0. This session will cover misconceptions about SMS 2.0, design issues, how to perform health checks on the site, backup and recovery topics, as well as important hotfixes that may be required.

Support WebCast: Windows 2000: An Overview of Microsoft Management Console
October 7, 1999
Level:200

This WebCast will be an overview of the Microsoft Management Console. We will provide information about its architecture, discuss how you can customize it, and talk about troubleshooting tips.