You could try the share name, I believe %computername%\sharename works, but the share has to be the same name for all package servers.

That's the problem, our PC Names & IP's have that store's number embedded in them.

The %computername% is a variable though. Just the share name needs to be the same. Or is that whistling over my head me just missing your question?

Well keep in mind I want to store the Packages themselve on a different device than the Package Server.



So my Package server would be the store's Pricing PC, however due to Hard Drive limitations I want to store the actual packages on that store's NAS device that has 1TB of storage space



Because of this %Computername% will not work as the Pricing PC is not where I want to store the packages, I need the location to be \\XXXNAS1\Sharename (Where XXX equals a store #)



So the question remains is there any way I can use windows variables of the Package Server which does have a %STORE% variable with the Store #.

Ok, that clears it up for me. The only way I've seen this work is using the ACNS module from Cisco (which at one time didn't work with Patch Management) and Microsoft DFS, which isn't supported by Altiris (or when it breaks, apparently by Microsoft).

And Unfortunately neither of those are options for me.



Is there any way to setup aditional variables within NS?

If I map a drive to the Nas on the package servers shouldn't that work?

So from the package server let's say I always use the drive letter U: - which is really mapped to \\XXXNAS1\Altiris\, so for the Package location I only need to input U:



Problem is when I do this I get errors either indicating that

Error while downloading package: UncTransfer: Failed to create directory: The system cannot find the path specified (-2177024893)

AND/OR

UncTransfer: Failed to create directory: The system cannot find the path specified (-2177024893)



For testing reasons I have even opened up the permissions on the NAS to Full Control for Everyone, and still get the above errors. This seems to be a permissions issue, however based on opening everything up I am still at a loss

Unfortunately in a Windows environment the Mapped drives are user specific. If you don't have a user logged into your Package Server with that specific drive mapping the Package Server agent will be unable to access the drive.



HTH

Which I understand, but this issue occurs even with a user logged in...



There has got to be a way to put the packages on a remote share other than the package server itself. Otherwise what's the point of having the capability?

To explain my situation better as to the actual issue is that I am supporting roughly 50 stores with anywhere from 5-20 PC's at each site. There are 2 VLAN's in each store, one containing a server & 1 PC, and the other segment containing the remainder of the PC's. Because of security & compliance reasons the VLANS are a neccesity. Due to the speed of the connections of the stores to our corporate office (where the Altiris NS Server resides) I want to use package servers. Each VLAN segment has a 1TB NAS unit that I wans to use as the storage space for the packages - I have designated which machine in each segment that will act as the Package server itself, however these machines do not have the Hard drive space to keep all the packages on their hard drives - the reason I need to use the NAS for the storage.



I'm out of ideas as to how to make this work as nothing I have tried so far is working. Whether I use the UNC path of the NAS (This would require Altiris to see Windows variables) or map a drive, which won't work when a user is logged off as TGiles stated (but I was trying it t prove the issue)

I can appreciate your frustration, and I've run across some perplexing (and frustrating) issues of my own in my time using Altiris. However, you have one situation that doesn't look like it can be addressed by the current abilities of the software. I can assure you, there are many great features of Altiris, and package servers are certainly one of them. I would suggest you submit an enhancement request, or contact support, and work with development to try and get your issue addressed.



I know of some companies that have had custom solutions developed for them, but obviously it costs more than the standard support process.



Wishing you luck,



Cheers,

Jim

In case you're looking for alternate ideas -

What about getting another drive for your pricing PC\package server? 1TB drives are cheap nowadays and Most PC's can handle at least 2 harddrives internally (If I read your post right, you wanted your package server to be on the pricing PC).. Even an external USB drive would work as well as it would look like just another drive to the OS.

Can you make your Nas the package server? Ours is a dell with server 2003 appliance edition and we were able to load the Altiris client on it and designate the Nashead as a package server. Might be an option