KB160569 - SMS: Software Inventory and Audit Differences and How to Create an Audit

SUMMARY

A software inventory occurs during client inventory, while an audit occurs when it is run from Package Command Manager (PCM).

A software inventory does not need to be distributed, because distribution occurs automatically through the Package.rul file (Sms\Site.srv\Maincfg.box\Pkgrule), and is automatically copied to each Logon.srv directory as Pkg_16.cfg. You must send out an audit as a job.

A software inventory affects all Systems Management Server users logging in, while an audit will only be run by the clients to whom it was sent.

A software inventory needs to be defined, and clients will access the Pkg_16.cfg file (inventory criteria) during login from the Logon.srv directory. An audit uses the Audit.rul file to define the search criteria.

The Run or Share Packages commands can also be defined as software inventory packages, if you select "Inventory This Package" (this allows automatic software inventory of Systems Management Server distributed packages). Audits detect only those packages defined in the Audit.rul file.

A software inventory can be set to collect files, but an audit cannot.

MORE INFORMATION

To create an audit, perform the following steps:

At the Systems Management Server site server, open a command prompt.
Locate the Sms\Primsite.srv\Audit directory
Run the command
Rul2cfg Audit.rul
at a command prompt. You will see the messages "Compile succeeded" and "1 file(s) copied" three times.
Open File Manager and share the Sms\Primsite.srv\Audit\Package directory as "package."
Run the Systems Management Server Administrator program and select the package window.
On the File menu, click New.
Click Import.
Select Sms\Primsite.srv\Import.src\Enu in the Directories box.
Click Audit.pdf and then click OK.
Click Workstation.
Enter the source directory (for example, \\Smsserver\Package), and click Close.
Click OK, and then click OK again to "Update the package at all sites."
On the File menu, click Open. Select the Sites window.
On the Window menu, click Tile Horizontally.
Drag the package to the site or client(s) that you intend to run the audit on. A Jobs window will open.
Click OK.
Click Schedule and change the priority to High. Click OK.
Type a comment (for example, "Test audit"), and click OK.

The package will now be pending until the next process polling cycle. You can monitor the package's progress by viewing the SCHED, DESPOOL, and LANSEND log files, as well as by monitoring the job in the Jobs window (to do this, double click on the job, click Status, and then click Details).

After the package is offered to the client's Package Command Manager, run the package. If packages are found, there will be a new icon in the Personal Computer Properties called "Audited Software."