Auto-Deploying WMI Client Components

Question

Guys, I wish to deploy the WMI client components (not the agent!) automatically. Can PM do this or can I grab the binaries and use a 3rd part SDT (Software Deployment Tool) ? I have been tinkering with the wmiproviders_2.1.4.5034.exe file and runnning:

* wmiproviders_2.1.4.5034.exe /s

this seems to work but I'd like to document it and be sure I know exactly what it's deploying and what command line options are available.

shocko · Answer

OK, thanks. So for auto-deployment (e.g. without having to clicking anything on a specific node) we need to publish it to WSUS or use our 3rd party tool. I'll start a new thread for the latter

kellytice · Answer

So if you do a Task in Patch Manager (like a "regular" hardware/software Inventory Task, or an Update Management task to deploy updates, for example), if that setting ("Automatically provision...") is turned on the WMI Providers will be deployed to the targeted machines because it was required by that task.

A WSUS Inventory task, however, is only pulling data directly from the targeted WSUS server, so a WSUS Inventory task will not trigger deployment of that WMI Provider to other machines.

shocko · Answer

Thanks for the reply. Using WSUS with the agents as a 3rp party approved update is definitely one way! Never though of that but it is documented so shame on me for not reading the documentation more carefully. Just to clarify though the 1st method you mention, this is not fully automated though is it? The UI states

So it won't actively go and simply push the agent to all systems in its WSUS computer inventory. It will only do that it it needs to do it. I'd like to get them all on ASAP using a 3rp party tool.