Updated 6451 SCCM Course

6451B “Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager R2″, the revised version of the 6451 course, is now available in Beta. The original 6451A was a good course, based on the original RTM version of SCCM. The B version is now updated to include R2 version features.

Students will learn most of the material that was included in the original 6451A, with the addition of the following new content;

• Asset Intelligence
• SQL Reporting Services
• Deploying Virtual Applications
• OSD labs updated to cover Windows 7 deployment and discussions about Multicast deployment
• Microsoft Forefront Client Security Compliance
• Out of Band Management
• Native Mode and Internet-Based Client Management

Those topics are all new to this version of 6451B. One module, Using Configuration Manager to Support Windows Moblie Clients, has been removed from the original A version.  Because a lot of content has been added, and very little removed, you can expect the course to be fast-paced, a bit like trying to sip water from a fire hydrant.

The course is in beta. That means that it is available, but is being tested. Not all training centers will offer the beta version of the course, and if they do, students will need to understand that they are working with a test version of the course, and there may be bugs or issues. That being said, in my own testing of the course and labs, I have found it to be extremely well done, and have not encountered any significant issues.

The final release of the B version is scheduled for September. If you are planning to take the 6451 course before then, I’d suggest you check with the training center to see which version they will be delivering. I’d definitely recommend the B version.