Package Server Storage Management: Configuration and Best Practices
Article ID: 416627
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
This article provides the configuration steps for both the primary and custom package storage locations, along with best practices to manage disk space effectively on your Package Servers.
Environment
ITMS (IT Management Suite)
Symantec Management Platform (SMP) and solutions that utilize Package Servers (e.g., Software Management, Deployment Solution)
Resolution
Table of Contents
1. Configuring the Primary File Storage Location
The Primary file storage location on Windows OS is the default path for all standard packages and is a global setting managed by a policy. Changing this location is an expensive operation intended for infrastructure setup.
| Setting | Details |
| Location in SMC | SMP Console, under Settings > Notification Server > Site Server Settings > Package Service > Package Server Settings |
| Default Path | <Symantec Agent Installation Directory>\Package Delivery |
| Relocation Process | When changed, the PS moves all existing packages (including those previously spread across other drives) to the new single custom primary location. |
Configuration Steps:
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In the SMC, navigate to Settings > Notification Server > Site Server Settings > Package Service > Package Server Settings.
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In the left-hand pane, navigate to the specific Package Server (Site Server) you wish to configure.
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Under Primary file storage location on Windows OS, select the Custom option and enter the desired local path (e.g.,
Q:\New folder for packages on remote PS). -
Click Save changes to apply the policy.
Prerequisites for Relocation:
Before applying a custom primary location, ensure the new location meets the following requirements:
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It must be on a fixed media (e.g., a hard disk drive).
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It must have sufficient free space to accommodate all packages currently stored in the default and any rotated locations.
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It cannot be a Windows Known Folder or any of its subfolders.
2. Configuring a Custom Package Destination Location
This per-package setting allows you to move specific, typically large, packages to separate drives, overriding the primary location setting.
| Setting | Details |
| Scope | Per-package setting, used for specific large packages (e.g., DS images). |
| SMC Location | SMP Console, under Manage > All Resources > Package > Package Server tab. |
| Monitoring | Storage usage for these packages is NOT included in the Package Service status in SMC. |
Configuration Steps:
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In the SMC, navigate to the desired package (Manage > All Resources > Package).
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Right-click the package and select Actions > Edit Package.
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Click the Package Server tab.
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Check the option Use custom package destination location on package servers.
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Enter the custom path (e.g.,
D:\Additional Storage for some SW packages on PS). You can use%COMPUTERNAME%in a UNC path for scalability.
3. Best Practices for Managing Storage
| Best Practice | Rationale & Guidance |
| Use Dedicated Drives | Configure the Primary Package Location to a dedicated, high-capacity disk, separate from the system drive, to prevent OS instability due to full disks. |
| Use Unique Subfolders | CRITICAL: When configuring a Custom Package Destination Location, always specify a unique subfolder for each package (e.g., D:\DS_Images\Package_A). Failure to do so may result in the entire directory being deleted when a package is removed. |
| Manual Cleanup for Custom Locations | The Package Server does not automatically clean up files in custom-specified locations. Administrators must manually monitor and clean up unneeded packages in these locations to free up space. |
| Check Total Usage via SMA | To see the total size of all managed packages (including those in custom locations), check the Total Size value under the Package Server tab of the Symantec Management Agent (SMA) on the PS machine. |
Additional Information
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