We had an issue today where our package servers stopped communication with the DS and most of our clients also loss communication to the server.
We had secure communications enable on the client and server, but the server was refusing connections. Rebboting the server and databse did not help.
Luckily I found https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/ds-69-sp6-upgraded-jobs-get-stuck-executing-script by https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/user/joeliglesias
We simply unchecked the encryption box and then re-checked it. It appears something went wonky and was preventing the agent from communicating with the server. The seetting is on The DS Server ad can be found in the windows control panel undr --> Altiris Deployment Solution > Options > Transport tab called "Allow Encrypted Sessions." Uncheck, click ok, recheck, click ok.
We unchecked secure connections in the endpoints until we get more detiald on what happened.
Brian