SCCM | Yet Another System Center Blog

Configuration Manager courseware update

2010-04-25 Leave a comment

I just noticed that course 6451B Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 is now available in beta. The original A version of the course was good, and based on the RTM version of SCCM. The B version has been updated to include the R2 features of Configuration Manager, as well as features like Native Mode and Internet Client Support, which was not included in the original. I’d definitely recommend waiting until the B version becomes available if you are planning on taking a Configuration Manager course, scheduled to release in early September.

Filed under Learning, R2, SCCM

Configuration Manager 2007 R 3 beta announced today.

2010-04-22 Leave a comment

Today, the Configuration Manager team announced R3 beta availability.

Check it out at http://www.systemcentercentral.com/BlogDetails/tabid/143/IndexID/64866/Default.aspx.

Filed under SCCM

Troubleshooting OS Deployment in Configuration Manager

2010-04-18 Leave a comment

Troubleshooting Configuration Manager task sequences can be challenging. Here are some of the things I have found helpful when things go wrong with Operating System Deployment in Configuration Manager. Read more of this post

Filed under OSD, SCCM, Tips & Tricks

Administrative Workflow for PXE OS Deployment

2010-04-18 Leave a comment

While troubleshooting an OSD task sequence for a client a few days ago, I stumbled across an excellent PXE workflow document on technet. Check it out at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb693705.aspx

Filed under Deployment, SCCM, Tips & Tricks

Excluding Drives from ConfigMgr Use

2010-01-09 Leave a comment

By default, the Site Component Manager will select the NTFS volume with the most available free space to copy component binaries or to store distribution point content to. That may not always be appropriate, and if you would like to exclude a drive from SMS component usage, just create an empty file in the root of the drive named no_sms_on_drive.sms. Prior to using a drive, the site component manager will check for the existence of this file in the root of each drive, and will not use any drives on which the file exists. For Microsoft’s documentation of this check out http://support.microsoft.com/kb/871234.

Please note that it will not affect any SMS components that already exist on the drive before you create the file. This is not a new trick, but it’s amazing how many people are not aware of it.

Filed under SCCM, SMS 2003, Tips & Tricks

Cool demo and tips on Out-Of-Band management in Configuration Manager

2010-01-05 Leave a comment

If you have wondered about the out-of-band capabilities of SCCM, check out this cool video.

http://www.microsoft.com/video/en/us/details/50c4c6b5-b8fe-48c6-a677-ace4286e0a76.

Filed under SCCM

Cool new ConfigMgr documentation tool

2009-11-07 Leave a comment

Microsoft Systems Managment MVP Kim Oppalfens has announced a cool new tool called SCCMAutoDoc. The tool provides rich documentation of relevant settings in your SCCM configuration. You can find his post, as well as links to download the beta at his blog.

Filed under SCCM, Utilities

Help with app deployment

2009-10-27 Leave a comment

With so many different applications available, it can be challenging to find assistance when attempting to deploy the application using ConfigMgr or sequence it using App-V. I stumbled across a great website recently that includes user forums and information to assist in deploying a huge range of applications. Check out http://www.appdeploy.com/ and see for yourself.

Filed under Deployment, SCCM