Client Management Suite

I currently have  one SMS server setup with the software library pointing to a separate file server in the network.  Then I found out I can't change the location for disk images like I would for the software libray using UNC unless I make the file server a package server... If I do this then the file server will have 2 copies of the software library plus the disk images which is a waste of space. Later on I will add a couple more package servers but first I want to know how can I avoid having the SMS server act as a package server for the software library and disk images? also if it's possible to change the default location of the software in individual package servers(to different drives in each package server). Thanks in advance!

any workarounds? I was thinking to just leave the file server as the software library holder(not a package server) and create a link in the SMS server for the disk images pointing to the file server. Would this have any negative effects on the deployment of images?

I'm not quite sure what you're referring to.  There's no such thing in the Altiris world as an SMS server.  Is this a site server running particular services?  Is this your SMP (platform) running NS (notification server)?  What solutions are you working with?

If I can understand the different Altiris server components you have in place, I might be better able to understand how you want to structure the repositories.

Sorry I meant the Altiris Client Management Suite 7.1(CMS). Basically I want to have one NS/DS server plus 2 remote site servers running the package and task services.  The NS/DS server doesn't have much storage space so I'd like to point the software library and disk images to our existing file server. I know i could make the file server a site server but since it's already holding the software library I'm afraid it'll replicate to itself and have another copy of the packages... any advice on this? thanks so much for your help!

No bandwidth is saved by putting task servers at each site, so you may want to place them at HQ.  Have you referred to the planning and implementation guide for sizing information?  How many nodes do you have, at how many sites?

I know that if the NS holds your Software Library, it won't also replicate it to a second location.  I have to assume a site server would behave in the same way, but I haven't tested this.

Are you planning on placing your two package servers at your large remote sites?

If you plan on imaging at a site, you'll want to have site servers running task, package, and DS handlers there.

Yeah I checked the planning and implementation guide. I'm planning on imaging in at least one site besides the HQ so I need to install the services you mentioned. As for the Software library located on a package server it'll replicate to itself...to either the Altiris agent folder or any other folder specified  on the package server settings tab for each package(only if package replicates to all package servers).

I haven't capture any images yet but I notice that if I import an image on a site server, the console shows the image as if it was located on the NS/DS server which is not... but I can actually change the image location (using UNC) in the package settings tab so that could probably help with my setup at HQ. Thanks again!