We would like to inform you of the upcoming changes to the System Center Online cloud service that is used by Configuration Manager Asset Intelligence synchronization points to synchronize software catalog data. We are upgrading the catalog service and hosting it on a new platform. This week onwards, all Configuration Manager Asset Intelligence synchronization points will start to silently redirect to the new catalog service platform.
There is no action required by you as a result of this migration. At the end of your standard synchronization period, existing Asset Intelligence synchronization points will detect the new service platform and begin to automatically migrate. After migration is complete, Asset Intelligence synchronization points will continue to synchronize catalog data from the upgraded catalog service.
However, we do recommend that customers running Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 apply the latest Asset Intelligence Hotfix Rollup.
Use the following information if you want to understand more about the migration process and how to track it.
The migration process takes place in two steps:
- Watermark update
- Full catalog download
Watermark Update
When the Asset Intelligence synchronization point contacts the upgraded catalog service for the first time, it presents its current watermark to the catalog service and attempts to download the Asset Intelligence catalog. To indicate to the Asset Intelligence synchronization point that a full download of the catalog is required rather than a delta download, the service refuses the watermark and issues a new one. Example AIUpdateSvc.log file entry:
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:52:42 GMT:Error WatermarkNotHonored during download
The Asset Intelligence synchronization point then resets its watermark and schedules an immediate retry of the catalog download. It retries on the following intervals: 1 hour, 3 hours, and then every 6 hours if necessary. Example AIUpdateSvc.log file entry:
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:52:42 GMT:Updating retry data
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:52:42 GMT:=====================Catalog download done=====================
Full Catalog Download
After the Asset Intelligence synchronization point updates the watermark, the next catalog download is successful. Example AIUpdateSvc.log file entry:
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:37:42 GMT:Retry sync is due.
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:37:42 GMT:No proxy server
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:37:42 GMT:=====================Downloading catalog=====================
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:37:44 GMT:Detected MPC download begin in file C:WindowsTEMPSMS_AIUSbtrzwq1g.ucq.tmp, batch id 021953b5-deaa-41fb-aebf-5fbbd9bd7bd7
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:37:57 GMT:Detected MPC download end
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:48:19 GMT:Processing 1480 data/status files from download
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:48:42 GMT:=====================Data/Status copied to outbox=====================
Asset Intelligence Catalog Sync Service Information: 0 : Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:48:42 GMT:=====================Catalog download done=====================
Overall, the migration process will take at least one hour from the time that the Asset Intelligence synchronization point first contacts the upgraded catalog service. You do not have to take any actions because the migration will complete on its own.
When the migration is complete, you will see the following:
-
The Asset Intelligence synchronization point status in the Configuration Manager console for Configuration Manager 2007 and System Center 2012 Configuration Manager displays
Connected to online service
. For example:
- The sizes of the LU_Category and LU_SoftwareList tables will be increased by about 20-25%. This is expected.
Summary
This blog post notifies you of planned changes that Microsoft is making this week to upgrade the System Center Online cloud service. As a result, all Configuration Manager Asset Intelligence synchronization points will be silently redirected to the new catalog service platform.
During the automatic migration process, you can track progress in the AIUpdateSvc.log file entry. There is no action required as the migration will complete on its own. We also recommend installing the latest hotfix rollup if you are running Configuration Manager 2007 SP2.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights.