Nice to know: 'Devices' view in Altiris Activity Center still shows a client in the (IsManaged='1') search filter even after uninstalling the Symantec Management Agent (AexNSAgent.exe)

Problem

After manually uninstalling the ‘AexNSAgent.exe’ from a discovered and previously manageable client system, the computer is still viewed in the Altiris 'Activity Center' under devices with an 'Installed Agent'
The filter, (IsManaged='1') is used to filter computers and as seen on the attached screenshots, the computers with the AexNSAgent uninstalled are still listed.  However, the icon is not active (grayed out).
Creating a filter set to, (IsActive='1') will NOT show the clients that have had their AexNSAgent.exe files uninstalled.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
If the AexNSAgent.exe file is uninstalled from the managed client, an (IsManaged='0') switch should be sent to the Notification Server to indicate it is no longer being managed. This should be reflected in both Altiris Activity Center and First Time Setup.

Cause

Known Issue. Altiris Symantec Management Agent (SMA or Altiris Agent) does not send any inventory information while uninstall of the agent itself. Only sub-agents (plug-ins) send the inventory information, using the agent which is still exist.
This is actually a design restriction, since the client-side uninstall could be performed when no NS connection is available. In that case we can't send the inventory neither postpone the uninstall process.

Solution

This issue has been reported to the Symantec Development team. They are working in providing a solution for this in a future release.

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thx,
Gert

Beware : Altiris enhanced console views and updating to Altiris ITMS 7.1 SP2

To update to enhanced console views 7.1 SP2 from a 7.1 SP1 environment

1. Start Symantec Installation Manager.
2. On the Installed Products page, click View and install updates.
3. On the Product Updates page, search for Altiris Deployment Solution Complete Suite 7.1 SP1a MR1a and take one of the following actions:
   Option 1:
   If you find Altiris Deployment Solution Complete Suite 7.1SP1aMR1a in the list of updates on the Product Updates page, then you have an environment thatdoes not include installed hot fixes. You must use the View and install updatesoption in Symantec Installation Manager to update to enhanced console views 7.1 SP2. You must select the Altiris Deployment Solution Complete Suite 7.1 SP1a MR1a update.
   Option 2:
   If you do not find Altiris Deployment Solution Complete Suite 7.1SP1aMR1ain the list of updates on the Product Updates page, then you have an environmentthat includes installed hot fixes. You must use the Install new products option in Symantec Installation Manager to update to enhanced console views 7.1 SP2. This option lets you install the 7.2 version of your product on top of the 7.1 version of your product.
   How to install New Products in SIM:
   1. On the Installed Products page, click Install new products.
   2. On the Install New Products page, select the 7.1 SP2 version of your Suite or individual Solution. For example, if you have IT Management Suite 7.1 SP1, select IT Management Suite 7.1 SP2.
   3. Click Next, and continue with the installation process.

More information can be found here http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO61133

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thx,
Gert

Changing the package codebase of your Altiris Symantec Management Platform

This can become handy when your clients can’t resolve the Full Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)
By default, during the installation of the Symantec Altiris Notification Server, SIM (Symantec Installation Manager) populates this regkey with whatever server name you selected during the configuration page during the initial installation, which usually is the Full Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). So, in order to modify the preferred Notification Server hostname for SWD codebase and snapshot URLs, you need to do the following:

• Open the Registry Editor (Open the RUN prompt and type regedit and click OK)
• Go to HKLM>Software>Altiris>eXpress>Notification Server and open the PreferredNSHost regkey.
• Modify the PreferredNSHost regkey by adding the NetBIOS, FQDN, or IP Address that you want to use for SWD codebases and snapshot URLs.
• Restart the Altiris Service
• Then go to Control Panel>Scheduled Tasks and run the NS.Package Refresh schedule (by default it runs everyday at 3:30am). By running this schedule, the SWD codebases and snapshot URLs should be updated.

Note: If for some reason the PreferredNSHost regkey is not present but there is the reference of it on the coreSettings.config, just recreate the regkey. Create a String Value and call it 'PreferredNSHost'.
Additional Note: Do not add ports to the PreferredNSHost setting (such as nsServer:5814 or 10.x.x.x:5484). Adding a port will cause the NS.PackageRefresh to FAIL

more information can be found http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO10091

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Altiris ITMS 7.1 SP2 Release Notes Available

A short overview of some changes in regards to ITMS

• Symantec Management Console supports Internet Explorer 9 (in IE 8 compatibility mode)
• Support for additional OS's
  • o Mac OS X 10.7
  • o RHEL 6
  • o RHEL 6.1
  • o Solaris 10 U9 (includes Zones Inventory)
  • o SUSE 11 SP1
• All documentation is now available under Symantec Help Center
• ESX/ESXi 4.1 & v5 support for Server Management Suite
• Several reliabiltiy and performance enhancements
• Some changes around Software Products within Software Management

More information can be found here http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC4893

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Running IE6, IE7 and IE8 Side-by-Side on Windows XP Using Symantec Workspace Virtualization

More Information and a detailed how-to can be found on this page

http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/running-ie6-ie7-and-ie8-side-side-using-symantec-workspace-virtualization

Symantec Workspace Virtualization is the successor of the Altiris Software Virtualization Solution ( SVS )

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