SMS: PCM Is Unable to Connect to NetWare Distribution Server

When Package Command Manager (PCM) is running on a NetWare client, and it attempts to launch a package that has been distributed to more than 10 NetWare servers, PCM may not be able to find the package. This can occur even if the current logon server contains a copy of the package.

An error dialog box is displayed that shows a list of 10 servers that were searched for this package, one of which is the current NetWare logon server. Examining the displayed server paths shows that the package source path for the current logon server is incorrect. The path may show as "\\<logon server>\<volume>\pcmpkg.src\<pkg id>," when the path should have been "\\<logon server>\<volume>\SMS\logon.srv\pcmpkg.src\<pkg id>."

This problem may occur if the current user does not have access rights to the 10 distribution servers that are currently listed in the package server list.

When PCM attempts to find a distribution server, it attempts to find the package in the following sequence:

1. Check the distribution server list for the package, to see if the current logon server exists in the list. If it does exist, then use that server as the distribution server.
2. Check the server names for each currently connected drive letter. If any of the server names for the currently connected drives match a server in the package distribution list, then use that server as the distribution server.
3. Check the current logon server for the package, using the explicit path to the package share. This is to ensure that the current logon server does actually contain the package, even if it is not in the list of 10 package servers.
4. If steps 1-3 fail, randomly pick a server from the package distribution list, and connect to that server. If the connection fails for any reason, randomly pick another server from the package server list until either a server is connected, or the list is exhausted.

In step three, when PCM tests for the package on the current logon server, the tested package path is incorrect for a NetWare server. The path is correct for all other supported server types.

To work around this problem, assign access rights to the user for one of the distribution servers in the package list.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server version 1.2. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.