Resolution:
Questions and Answers around migrating Site Servers and Altiris Agent to 7.1
6.0 migrations:
1) When upgrading a package server from 6.x up to 7.1 – using the upgrade legacy package servers policy - will the process preserve packages?
Note: the agent on the package server will need to be upgraded first.
A) If the agent is upgraded to 64bit:
- The package server 32bit assemblies will be removed
- The package server 64bit assemblies will be installed
- The existing registry and folder structure for packages will remain intact.
B) If the agent is upgraded to 32bit:
- Then the PS will also be upgraded to 32bit
- The packages that do not change will NOT need re-downloading. But the packages that have changes will.
Note: most SMP system packages will need re-downloading.
2) When the SMP Agent (non-package server) is pushed via discovery or ad import, then using the scheduled install - What version of the agent does a 64 bit machine get?
By default the scheduled install will install 64bit agent onto the 64bit machine.
This can be overwritten by enabling the ‘Force installation of 32-bit Symantec Management Agent on 64-bit systems’ checkbox’ in the Symantec Management Agent Installation Options (click on the Settings button under the grid)
3) When re-directing a 6.0 NS Agent installed on a 64bit windows version to a 7.1 server using the default upgrade policy, what version will it get?
- There are two upgrade policies for 64bit machines – this will depend on which one is enabled
- If the policy ‘Symantec Management Agent for Windows x64 (Non-Site Server) - Upgrade to 32-bit Symantec Management Agent 7.1’ is enabled – this will be upgraded to 32bit 7.1 agent
- If the policy ‘Symantec Management Agent for Windows x64 (Non-Site Server) - Upgrade to 64-bit Symantec Management Agent 7.1’ is enabled – this will be upgraded to 64bit 7.1 agent
4) When an 64 bit agent is installed, are the sub-agents installed as 64bit where available?
If the subagent has a 64bit equivalent – then yes – but if the subagent only has 32bit then it will run in a surrogate service created especially for this scenario
5) When a 32 bit agent is installed on a 64 bit machine, are the subagents 32 or 64 bit?
32bit
7.0 migrations:
1) When upgrading a 7.0 package server – using the upgrade policy and default filter; will packages be preserved?
Same as 6.0 migrations section above
2) When a net new customer pushes the altiris agent using the scheduled method, or via a static list, or imported list of machines: what version of the agent will a 64bit windows machine get?
Same as 6.0 migrations section above
3) When an 64 bit agent is installed, are the sub-agents installed as 64bit where available?
Same as 6.0 migrations section above
4) When a 32 bit agent is installed on a 64 bit machine, are the subagents 32 or 64 bit?
Same as 6.0 migrations section above