With the release of System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Microsoft continues to enhance its premier systems management software product, used to manage large groups of Windows-based computer systems. Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) 2007, formerly known as SMS or Systems Management Server, is a wide and diverse product. It enables you to deploy, assess, and update servers, clients, and devices across physical, virtual, distributed, and mobile environments, as well as manage clients that connect only over the Internet (IBCM). Configuration Manager provides software distribution, patch management, operating system deployment, hardware and software inventory, asset management, and desired configuration management. Perhaps it is not surprising that writing this book has been just about as wide and diverse a project as the software itself. System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Unleashed provides in-depth technical information about the capabilities and features of ConfigMgr 2007, including information on other products and technologies on which Configuration Manager features and components depend. Our purpose is to go beyond just describing the product and its features, however, and provide insight and examples of how ConfigMgr can be used to help solve real-world problems. The book begins by describing a methodology and framework for solutions-based deployments, and then maps the numerous ConfigMgr feature areas to the architecture, design, and implementation requirements for that topic. Information is current as of Configuration Manager 2007 Release 2 (R2).
Regarding the domain name used in the examples in this book—the official abbreviation of Configuration Manager is “ConfigMgr,” which is the abbreviation we use for the product throughout the book. However, because we were unsuccessful in registering a domain name that had ConfigMgr or some permutation of it, the domain name is SCCMUnleashed.com, because SCCM is another commonly used abbreviation.
System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Unleashed begins with an introduction to configuration management, including initiatives and methodologies such as Dynamic Systems Initiative (DSI), the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF), and Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF). Although some consider this to be more of an alphabet soup of frameworks than constructive information, these strategies and approaches give a structure to managing one’s environment—from system configuration and inventory management to proactive management and infrastructure optimization. Moreover, implementing Configuration Manager is a project, and as such should include a structured approach with its own deployment. Chapter 1, “Configuration Management Basics,” starts with the big picture and brings it down to the pain points that system administrators deal with on a daily basis, showing how Microsoft’s System Center suite plans to address these challenges.
Chapter 2, “Configuration Manager 2007 Overview,” shows how Configuration Manager has evolved from its first days in 1994 as SMS 1.0, and introduces key concepts and feature dependencies. In Chapter 3, “Looking Inside Configuration Manager,” we peel back the layers of the onion to discuss the design concepts behind ConfigMgr 2007, the major ConfigMgr components, its relationship with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and the ConfigMgr database.
Before installing any software, one needs to spend time planning and designing its architecture. ConfigMgr 2007 is no exception. Chapter 4, “Configuration Manager Solution Design,” begins this discussion with envisioning the solution and tying into the MSF process phases. In Chapter 5, “Network Design,” Chapter 6, “Architecture Design Planning,” and Chapter 7, “Testing and Stabilizing,” you step through the network and architectural concepts to consider when planning and prototyping a Configuration Manager architecture and deployment. Finally, it is time to implement that design, and Chapter 8, “Installing Configuration Manager 2007,” and Chapter 9, “Migrating to Configuration Manager 2007,” walk you through the process of installing a new environment or upgrading an SMS 2003 infrastructure to ConfigMgr 2007.
The third part of the book deals with Configuration Manager operations. This is where the bulk of time is spent using ConfigMgr 2007. Our discussion of operations starts with using the console, discussed in Chapter 10, “The Configuration Manager Console.” Chapter 11, “Related Technologies and References,” introduces some of the related technologies used with the product. Using ConfigMgr requires an installed client on managed systems, as covered in depth in Chapter 12, “Client Management.” Day-to-day operations include software packaging and distribution (Chapter 13, “Creating Packages,” and Chapter 14, “Distributing Packages”) and activities such as patch management (Chapter 15, “Patch Management”), desired configuration management (Chapter 16, named appropriately enough, “Desired Configuration Management”), running queries (Chapter 17, “Configuration Manager Queries”), reporting (Chapter 18, “Reporting”), and operating system deployments (Chapter 19, “Operating System Deployment”).
The last part of the book discusses Configuration Manager administration. This includes security requirements (Chapter 20, “Security and Delegation in Configuration Manager 2007”) as well as backups and maintenance (Chapter 21, “Backup, Recovery, and Maintenance”).
This book contains two appendixes:
• Appendix A, “Configuration Manager Log Files,” describes the usage of the myriad log files used by Configuration Manager 2007 that are helpful when trying to troubleshoot assorted issues. It also discusses how to enable those log files not enabled by default, and setting debug and verbose logging levels.
• Appendix B, “Reference URLs,” includes references and descriptions for many URLs helpful for ConfigMgr administrators, also included as live links under the Downloads tab at the InformIT website at http://www.informit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0672330237.
There are several disclaimers. Although several chapters include information on using Configuration Manager 2007 for meeting various regulatory compliances, this book does not provide legal advice. It only provides factual and technical information related to regulatory compliance. Do not rely exclusively on this book for advice about how to address your regulatory requirements. For specific questions, consult your legal counsel or auditor.
In addition, the information provided is probably outdated the moment the book goes to print. Microsoft is continually publishing Knowledge Base (KB) and TechNet articles, Service Pack 2 is in development, and as we continue to work with the product, we will always find yet another wrinkle in it. The authors and contributors of System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Unleashed have made every attempt to present information that is accurate and current, as we know it. Updates and corrections will be provided as errata on the InformIT website.
This book is targeted toward the systems professional who wants to be proactive in managing his or her Windows computing environment. This audience is cross–industry, ranging from a single system administrator in a smaller organization, to larger businesses where multiple individuals are responsible for managing servers, clients, and Windows devices. By providing insight into Configuration Manager’s many capabilities, discussing tools to help with a successful implementation, and sharing real-world experiences, this book strives to enable a more widespread understanding and use of System Center Configuration Manager.