After all the hype, Microsoft Corp has finally announced System Management Server version 1.0, formerly known as Hermes (CI No 2,040), for its Windows 3.5 operating system. The firm claims the product will solve hardware and software management problems, and reduce the time and labour costs involved in technical support for users. For their money, users will get a scalable system extending from tens of personal computers on a local network to tens of thousands of personal computers throughout an enterprise, says Microsoft. Beyond the the company’s puff, this boils down to a number of new tools, the first of which handles hardware and software inventory. According to Microsoft, the System Management Server has the ability to collect data on hardware and software throughout the enterprise automatically and support hierarchical domains or other organisational structures used by data processing managers to customise systems management. Microsoft also says that the product enables managers to undertake a range of tasks, including software distribution and installation, using a drag-and-drop interface.
Built-in management features
Moreover complex software and data packages can be scheduled for automatic and remote installation from a central management site. Other maintenance activities, such as executing remote programs, updating configuration files, and removing program and data files, can also be handled remotely, says Microsoft. The System Manaement Server is additionally said to make use of the built-in management features of Windows NT Server 3.5. These include built-in networking, performance monitoring, event logging, resource sharing and system back-up. As an example of this synergy, Microsoft says that System Management Server can simplify remote trouble-shooting, with the software linking a help desk workstation screen with the remotely run diagnostics in-built in NT Server 3.5. According to the company, the product supports the MS-DOS and Windows operating systems, and Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT, Macintosh and OS/2 desktops on Windows NT Server, NetWare, LAN Manager and Pathwork networks. It runs under Windows NT Server 3.5 on iAPX-86 and Pentium systems, as well as Alpha AXP and R-series RISC microprocessors, adds Microsoft. The company claims that 25 vendors have now announced their support for it, offering products to extend its functionality: no details of these extensions yet, but among the 25 are AT&T Global Information Solutions, Compaq Computer Corp, Digital Equipment Corp and Hewlett-Packard Co. To ensure the openness of the System Management Server and facilitate third-party products, Microsoft declares, System Management Server supports the standard Desktop Management Interface of the Desktop Management Task Force, of which it is a member. Under a new licensing policy, servers and clients are licensed independently, with licensed clients accessing any number of servers for a fixed server fee, regardless of user capacity. In terms of this product, approximate prices are $650 for a server licence and a $50 client licence, with volume discounts offered. Products arrive in two months.
