SMS: Extended Hardware Inventory Classes Are Not Replicated to a Parent Site (322802)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0

This article was previously published under Q322802

SYMPTOMS

If you extend the Hardware Inventory functionality by adding additional classes in the Sms_def.mof file and by setting the reporting value to "True," the SMS database contains additional tables that hold the additional inventory information that is collected. Also, the GroupMap table is updated with additional rows for the new inventory classes. This extended information may not be replicated up the hierarchy to a parent site that does not contain this extended information in its database. All inventory information with the new inventory classes that is received by the parent site is placed in the Badmifs folder. The new inventory classes are not visible in Resource Explorer.

CAUSE

The parent site cannot add the extended inventory information because the parent site does not contain the additional tables or group classes.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, place the modified Sms_def.mof file on a client in the parent site, and then force a Hardware Inventory process to occur. When the hardware inventory is processed, the new group classes and tables are created. Later replication of the extended inventory information is successful.

MORE INFORMATION

When inventory information is collected from a modified Sms_def.mof file, two additional tables are created for each inventory class that you add. One table contains the current data for the class. The other table contains the history.

One example of a situation in which this issue might occur is a three-tier hierarchy on which you modify the Sms_def.mof file in the middle tier to collect additional inventory classes. Because the parent site does not contain the additional tables, the attempt to insert the table rows does not succeed. The .mif file is placed in the Badmifs folder. An error is recorded in the status for the Inventory Data Loader component.

This issue does not occur if the child site with extended inventory information is a secondary site. Because a secondary site does not have a database, all database actions occur on the primary parent site. When the inventory information from a child secondary site is processed at the parent site, the database is extended.

It is a good idea to use the same Sms_def.mof file on all sites to prevent this issue from occurring.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/14/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB322802