Systems Management Server

The best overall method of remote administration is a systems management program such as Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS). With SMS you can manage Windows NT Workstation and Windows 95 clients in much the same manner. Each computer on the network must be configured as an SMS client in order to enable remote administration. Logon scripts must be in place on each computer to be automatically included in the SMS database¾otherwise you will have to configure each workstation manually. Windows NT diagnostics and Server Manager functionality are included in SMS for remote administration of Windows NT Workstations and Servers. For more information, see your Systems Management Server documentation.

The alternatives for remote administration are to manage Windows 95 clients from computers running Windows 95, and manage Windows NT Workstation clients from computer running Windows NT Server. For Windows 95 clients, see Chapter 16, "Remote Administration," in The Windows 95 Resource Kit.

Server Manager, included with Windows NT Server, is automatically configured for all computers on the network running Windows NT Workstation. Server Manager cannot view or modify computer properties, shared directories, or services on a Windows 95 client. However, it can list the Windows 95 clients on the network. For information on using the Server Manager application, see Windows NT Server Concepts and Planning.

Remote Control Agent and Help Desk Options for SMS must be configured on each Windows 95 Client to allow remote administration.