DS in Hierarchy - Client PXE booting to Linux PE on Child SMP Server trying to connect to Parent SMP Server name

Products

• Deployment Solution
• Client Management Suite
• IT Management Suite

Issue/Introduction

While using Hierarchy and performing a LinuxPE boot in Child SMP environment, you will encounter an issue where client PC is trying to connect/register to Parent SMP server.

While WinPE preboot is working correctly and clients on Child SMP would properly connect to Child SMP setup.

Environment

Deployment Solution (DS) 8.6 RU2+ and DS 8.7

Cause

While WinPE is natively supported by Windows (PXE Server) OS, so can be easily managed in scripts, the LinPE required additional custom code to be implemented.

Resolution

This issue will be resolved (automatic script added) in coming ITMS 8.7 RU1 (8.7.1) release.

Meanwhile, customers having DS 8.7 or earlier release can use the following workaround:

1. Modify files:
\Deployment\BDC\bootwiz\Platforms\LinuxX64.ini
\Deployment\BDC\bootwiz\Platforms\LinuxX86.ini

Add 'PATH_AGENT_PROFILE_XML=%PATH_PLATFORMS%\..\..\..\..\..' into section '[VARIABLES]', then add '%PATH_AGENT_PROFILE_XML%\.aex-agent-install-config.xml=%DST%\tmp\.aex-agent-install-config.xml,1' into section '[CONVERT_FILES2]'

2. Replicated update BDC package to Child NS.

3. Copy '.aex-agent-install-config.xml' from Child NS available at \Deployment\BDC\bootwiz\oem\DS\Linux\x86\Base\tmp\.aex-agent-install-config.xml, and place it at \Altiris Agent\Agents\Deployment\.aex-agent-install-config.xml on Child PXE server.

4. Then rebuild PXE image.

Note 
If SMP SSL certificate or Site Servers (Task/Package) has been changed - the same process starting from step 3 needs to repeated to update SMP/Site server certificates.