Hotfix to resolve duplicate columns created to infinity in SCCM 1810

[Arthur]

If you haven't already installed the KB4490434 hotfix, it might be a good idea to do so.

 

Source: Microsoft (via MyITForum)

 

A bug exists in System Center Configuration Manager that adds duplicate records after updating the site to 1810 Current Branch. But, it doesn’t just add duplicates once – it continues to add duplicates until the issue becomes a large enough problem that the corporate Active Directory service must be shut down and Microsoft Support has to get involved to fix it.

 

The Hotfix is now available in the Updates and Servicing node of the Configuration Manager console.

 

After System Center Configuration Manager current branch is updated to version 1810, multiple duplicate columns may be created in the user discovery data table (User_DISC). If this occurs, features that rely on Active Directory User Discovery data, such as collection or query results, or user-targeted software deployments, may return incomplete or incorrect results.

 

This scenario occurs if the following conditions are true:

 

• You update to version 1810.
  
• Additional attributes are collected by Active Directory User Discovery.
  
• A repeated mismatch exists between the currently specified case of the attribute and a previously entered case for the attribute, as specified in the Configuration Manager console.
  

For example, this scenario may occur if you manually add the “Description” attribute in the Configuration Manager console, remove it, and then restore it to Active Directory User Discovery in lowercase format.

 

Because columns are continually added until the problem is corrected, the SMS_Message_Processing_Engine.log file may contain errors that resemble the following.

 

Note The specific SQL exception text may vary.

 

Undefined or max length increased discovery property: description~~
Updating discovery schema for architecture User with 1 undefined discovery properties~~
Created column generation xml for global table. ~~
Created table begin xml for global table. </pre><table name="User_DISC">~~
Created table end xml for global table. </table>~~<br>ERROR: Sql exception when handle schema change. System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException (0x80131904): A .NET Framework error occurred during execution of user-defined routine or aggregate "spModifyGlobalTable": ~~System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: Request submitted with too many parameters. The maximum number is 2

 

If this occurs, disable Active Directory User Discovery, and then contact Microsoft Support to correct the data issues in the environment.

 

This update prevents the discovery data issue after you update to version 1810. However, corrective action from Microsoft Support is necessary for any affected customers.

 

To determine whether a site has encountered or is susceptible to this issue, and to avoid it before you update to Configuration Manager version 1810, see 4490434: Duplicate user discovery columns in ConfigMgr- Detection Script.