SMS: Network Adapter Card Information Not Detected

• Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.1 and 1.2

SYMPTOMS

When Systems Management Server inventory is run on some computers running Windows NT, the network card MAC address, configuration information, and IP address information may not be reported. This will result in either blank or NULL information being reported in the personal computer Properties for that system.

CAUSE

Systems Management Server inventories computers running Windows NT by querying the Windows NT registry. If the Netcard entry in the registry is not the first entry, Systems Management Server will not find the information. This problem may occur if there is one or more RAS adapters installed on the system. This problem may also occur if a network card had been replaced in the system. When Windows NT installs a new network card, it adds the new information in the registry with a new entry. It does not reuse an existing entry.

For example, when a network card is first installed, a registry entry will be created as "Netcard1". If this network card is then replaced, or if other network cards are installed and this one is removed, the new network cards will be named "Netcard2," Netcard3," "Netcard4," and so on.

Systems Management Server inventory currently does not scan through these additional entries to find the new network card information.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server versions 1.1 and 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.