Job Management Partner 1/Software Distribution Description and Planning Guide
To acquire inventory information, at the managing server you execute a Get user inventory information job. However, executing this job in a large-scale system places a heavy load on the network.
Instead of using this managing server-based approach, you can use a client-based notification method for reporting inventory information. The client-based method notifies the managing server whenever there is a change in the client's inventory information. This method means that the managing server acquires information only when necessary and only from the clients who have information to report, thus reducing the load on the network.
There are four methods of client-initiated reporting of inventory information.
Table 2-38 Methods of client-initiated reporting of inventory information
Type of change in the client | Means of notification | Timing of notification |
---|---|---|
Change in the user inventory information | Reporting from the Software Distribution - Update User Information dialog box | When the user chooses to report the information |
Change in installed software | Package Setup Manager | When the user chooses to report the information |
Update to the inventory information | When a connection is established with the managing server | Automatic reporting in the background |
Addition of new clients to the JP1/Software Distribution system | When the system configuration is registered automatically | Automatic reporting in the background |
The inventory information is reported only to the higher distribution manager to which the client is connected. If there are multiple higher destinations, the information is reported to the distribution manager only.
If a relay manager/system placed between the central manager (JP1/Software Distribution Manager) and clients uses JP1/Software Distribution Manager or JP1/Software Distribution SubManager for Windows 06-01 or an earlier version, the clients cannot report their inventory information to the central manager. Therefore, if you perform client-initiated reporting of inventory information, make sure that the version of the Windows relay manager/system is 06-51 or later. If the updated inventory information is to be reported automatically, make sure that the version of the relay manager/system is 07-00 or later.
If there is a change to the client's user inventory information, the user can report the change to the managing server at any time from the Software Distribution - Update User Information dialog box.
When user inventory information is reported, the system information (system information and registry information) is also reported to the managing server. The information that is reported from the Software Distribution - Update User Information dialog box is the same as when a Get system information from client job is executed.
Note that Software Distribution Workstation (relay system) of a version earlier than 03-00 does not manage user inventory information. Report files might accumulate on the disk, resulting in a space shortage. Therefore, if you use the Software Distribution - Update User Information dialog box to report inventory information to Software Distribution Workstation, make sure that the Software Distribution Workstation version in use is 03-00 or later.
For details about how to report inventory information from the Software Distribution - Update User Information dialog box, see 11.6.1 Using the Software Distribution - Update User Information dialog box to report inventory information in the manual Administrator's Guide Volume 1.
If user software information changes, you can report the inventory information from the Installed Software window of Package Setup Manager.
The software information reported by Package Setup Manager includes all software information collected from the clients regardless of the software displayed in the Installed Software window.
For details about how to report software information from Package Setup Manager, see 11.6.2 Using Package Setup Manager to report inventory information in the manual Administrator's Guide Volume 1.
If specific inventory information is updated (such as information about the installation of new software and application of patches), the inventory information can be reported automatically to the managing server when connection is established with the managing server by job execution or polling.
You can use this facility when the version of both the managing server and the client is 07-50 or later. If you are using a relay system, use one of version 07-00 or later.
For details about the settings for reporting updated inventory to the managing server, see 11.6.3 Automatic reporting of updated inventory information in the manual Administrator's Guide Volume 1.
This facility monitors inventory information that is useful for security management, such as OS information, patch information, and information on anti-virus products.
When inventory information being monitored is updated, system and software information, including the updated inventory information, is reported.
The table shows the types of inventory information that are monitored for updates and the inventory information that is reported.
Table 2-39 Inventory information monitored for updates and the inventory information that is reported
Inventory information monitored for updates | Inventory information that is reported |
---|---|
Host name |
|
MAC address | |
The following OS information:
|
|
The following IE information:
|
|
The following security-related information:
|
|
Programs listed in Add/Remove Programs |
|
Hitachi program products#1 | |
Applied patches | |
Database files for WUA | |
Database files for MBSA 1.2.1 | |
Information about Microsoft Office products#3 | Information about Microsoft Office products |
Information about anti-virus products#3 | Information about anti-virus products |
Inventory information is also reported to the managing server whenever any of the following events occur. In this case, inventory information, including all of the inventory information listed on the right side of Table 2-39, in addition to the software information distributed by JP1/Software Distribution, is reported.
Note the following about automatic inventory information reporting:
Whenever clients are added to the JP1/Software Distribution system by adding machines, installing new clients, or moving clients within the network, the inventory information can be reported automatically to the managing server.
For details about the settings for reporting inventory information to the managing server when clients are added, see 11.6.4 Reporting inventory information at automatic registration of system configuration in the manual Administrator's Guide Volume 1.
Inventory information is reported to the managing server at the following times:
The following inventory information is reported:
Note that Software Distribution Workstation (relay system) of a version earlier than 05-21 does not manage registry information. Due to reporting of registry information, unneeded files might accumulate on disk, resulting in a space shortage. Therefore, if you report inventory information to Software Distribution Workstation when the system configuration is registered, make sure that the Software Distribution Workstation version in use is 05-21 or later.
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