Microsoft KB Archive/887812

= Two discovery data records for the same computer exist in the Systems Management Server 2003 database when the computer name exceeds 15 characters =

PSS ID Number: 887812

Article Last Modified on 5/16/2005

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003

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SYMPTOMS
Assume that you use the Heartbeat Discovery method in Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 to discover a client computer, and the client computer's NetBIOS name contains more than 15 characters. In this scenario, when the SMS 2003 Heartbeat Discovery process discovers the client computer, the process truncates the client computer's NetBIOS name to 15 characters and then adds an entry that is similar to the following in the discovery data record (DDR): BEGIN_PROPERTY <8><11><64> END_PROPERTY

Note is the truncated 15-character NetBIOS name of the client computer.

However, when you use Active Directory System Discovery to discover the same client computer, the client computer's NetBIOS name is not truncated, and an entry that is similar to the following is added in the DDR: BEGIN_PROPERTY <8><11> <12345678901121314151617181920> END_PROPERTY Note is the full Active Directory system name of the client computer.

When this problem occurs, two DDRs for the same SMS client computer may exist in the SMS database.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because Active Directory System Discovery does not truncate the SMS client computer's NetBIOS name when it contains more than 15 characters. When the SMS Discovery Data Manager processes the DDR, it adds the SMS client's Active Directory system name and the non-truncated NetBIOS name in the SMS database.

However, the SMS Heartbeat Discovery process only reports the truncated 15-character NetBIOS name of the SMS client in the DDR. When the SMS Discovery Data Manager processes the DDR, the truncated 15-character NetBIOS name is added to the SMS database. The SMS database now contains duplicate entries for the same computer name.



RESOLUTION
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Systems Management Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;%5BLN%5D;CNTACTMS

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name --  20-Oct-2004  10:30  2.50.3174.1106    118,784  Adsource.dll 25-Dec-2003 13:30  2.50.2726.154      40,960  Smsse.dll 23-Nov-2004 00:29                        515  Smsconfig.inf 25-Dec-2003 13:30  2.50.2726.154      40,960  Smsse.dll



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Additional query words: DDR NetBIOS Active Directory Discovery Heartbeat Discovery

Keywords: kbBug kbfix kbQFE KB887812

Technology: kbSMS2003 kbSMS2003Search kbSMSSearch

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