How to find software version on client thru SMS

[wolfej]

We have a custom application that is installed on our client computers (windows 2000 professional). How do I go about setting up SMS to tell me what version of the software is currenly installed on each computer? Thanks in advance.

 

[ceigl]

Hi there,
in my opinion the easiest way to do this is to create a query (but be sure to enable SW-inventory before).
I did this in our SMS environment and it is working quite good

Greetings,
Chris

 

[wolfej]

Thanks Chris,

Is there any way to force a client software inventory from the sms server? I have the Software Inventory Client Agent installed and enabled on my sms site. I have tried scheduling it on the server with both the simple and full schedules, but the software never gets inventoried and the time and date never get updated in the last software scan of the resource explorer for the client computer unless I force an inventory from the actual client (SMS applet in control panel). I would like to be able to do this from the server.
Any ideas?

 

[ceigl]

You cannot force the SW-inventory from the SMS-Server, you can only do this by starting the component on the client.
But if you enable SW-inventory on the SMS-server this should occur on all clients.
If it does not work then check the time settings on the server and the clients and verify that they show the same time

 

[snyderj]

You could set up an advertisement to run C:\WINNT\MS\SMS\clicomp\sinv\sinv32.exe on the clients. Your advertisement monitor most likely runs more often than your sw inventory is scheduled.

You may also be able to use:
cliutils /start "software inventory agent"

 

[wolfej]

Thanks both for your input.
I'm not quite sure I understand how to do these. In order to run sinv32.exe on the client, will I need to set up the whole package, program, and advertisement to get this to work?

And the same for the cliutils /start "software inventory agent" suggestion? I'm still a bit on the elementary side of SMS!

I do want to make sure I understand how these suggestions are supposed to work. But here is the good news--my software inventory is working now! Don't know what happened, but yesterday it all started working and updating!

 

[RodTrent]

Here's a few good articles explaining how to force inventory:

http://www.myitforum.com/articles/1/view.asp?id=4430

http://www.myitforum.com/articles/1/view.asp?id=1046

http://www.myitforum.com/articles/1/view.asp?id=1142

http://www.myitforum.com/articles/1/view.asp?id=1297

Rod Trent
Microsoft.MVP.SMS
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Main site:

http://www.myITforum.com

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