System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 Eval Available

Posted on April 17th, 2008 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Downloads, Microsoft, System Center, TechNet.

This is not a part of ConfigMgr, this this a separate management tool that does a ton more than what you can do with mobile devices in ConfigMgr.

You can get a 120 day eval of Mobile Device Manager (MDM) from Microsoft’s TechNet site here.

What is MDM you ask?

"The goal of MDM is simple: Enable Windows Mobile powered devices to become managed and authenticated members of the IT infrastructure of an organization. The Windows Mobile platform is the ideal platform for this solution. The features of MDM help extend this platform in a manner that is both manageable and protected."

Get more detail here at the MDM 2008 site.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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Desktop Management with System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft SoftGrid

Posted on December 27th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: ConfigMgr, SoftGrid, System Center, TechNet, Webcast.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032358169&EventCategory=4&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

TechNet Webcast: Optimizing Desktop Management with System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization (Level 300)

Event ID: 1032358169

Register Online

Language(s):
English.

Product(s):
System Center.

Audience(s):
IT Professionals.

Duration:
60 Minutes

Start Date:

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)

One of the biggest challenges IT departments face in today’s organization is reducing the cost of managing their desktops. Broader demands from the business, fast-paced technology cycles, and increasing security threats place a heavy demand on IT departments to deliver higher value at a lower cost. IT teams must test for application compatibility, maintain user productivity, keep track of assets, secure the desktop, and more.
The answer to these challenges is to improve desktop optimization. Reduction of desktop complexity speeds deployments, streamlines management, and increases security. In this webcast, we discuss centralized deployment and management of desktops, laptops, and devices with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. When used in conjunction with the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, management is extended across both physical and virtual desktops and applications resulting in the highest levels of efficiency for overall enterprise management.

 

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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Systems Management Support WebCasts…And ConfigMgr Too

Posted on December 19th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Downloads, Microsoft, SMS 2003, SoftGrid, Softricity, System Center, TechNet, Tools.

Merry Christmas…Gift with a bow sccmSMS 2003 Banner

 

 

 This is a whole list of Systems Management WebCasts that go back as far as 2000 with some SMS 2.0 stuff, here is some newer SMS 2003 rm_bdd20WebCasts, and here is a search string for ConfigMgr WebCasts, I couldn’t find a page that just listed all of them.

Past Support WebCasts

 

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Podcasts

Posted on October 6th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: BDD, Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Downloads, How-To, Microsoft, OSD, Packaging, Patching, SCCM, SUP, System Center, TechNet, podcast.

ConfigMgr.com

On the System Center Configuration Manager site there is currently a list of five audiocast or podcasts that you can listen to.  They are all fairly short and cover a specific area of ConfigMgr.  Wally kicks it off with the best practices for upgrading and setup, and also discusses a few new features and prerequisites.  I am sure they will add more to this over time so if you are reading this months after it has been posted use the bottom link to get to the page and see the whole list.

NOTE: The links to the all but the first podcasts will not open correctly if you just click the link, however if you copy and paste the url into Windows Media Player it should open the podcast just fine.
  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007: Setup and Deployment

    Speakers:
    Jeff Wettlaufer, Sr. Technical Product Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    Wally Mead, Sr. Program Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    The next release of SMS 2003, System Center Configuration Manager 2007, is now available. In this episode of the Configuration Manager audiocast series, listen to Jeff Wettlaufer and Wally Mead discuss the best practice guidance and recommendations for how to install System Center Configuration Manager. From SMS upgrades to green field deployment, hear from the early experiences of Configuration Manager customers about deploying the infrastructure and clients.

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007: Windows Deployment

url: mms://wm.microsoft.com/ms/systemcenter/configmgr/demos/microsoft_sccm_operating_system_deployment.wma

Length: 11:02

  • Speakers:
    Jeff Wettlaufer, Sr. Technical Product Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    Michael Kelley, Sr. Program Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    The next release of SMS 2003, System Center Configuration Manager 2007, is now available. A significant investment in the new release is focused around Operating System Deployment. Taking advantage of new technologies in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, listen to Jeff and Michael talk about concepts such as the Task Sequencer, Driver Catalog, WinPE and other areas of OSD. Learn how the same toolset can be used for both Client and Server deployments, and how Configuration Manager can drive end to end automation into your next deployment project.

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007: Desired Configuration Management

url: mms://wm.microsoft.com/ms/systemcenter/configmgr/demos/microsoft_sccm_desired_configuration_management.wma

Length: 10:22

  • Speakers:
    Jeff Wettlaufer, Sr. Technical Product Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    Jeffrey Sutherland, Sr. Program Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    The next release of SMS 2003, System Center Configuration Manager 2007, is now available. One of these is abilities is the concept of Desired Configuration Management. DCM is a new approach to configuration management, using SML concepts to define Configuration baselines that can be used to monitor your enterprise. In this audiocast, listen to Jeff and Jeffrey discuss the concepts of configuration management, how to define configuration items, baselines, and the deployment of these in the network. Learn how to interpret this information, and understand the concept of analyzing Configuration Drift.

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007: Software Distribution

url: mms://wm.microsoft.com/ms/systemcenter/configmgr/demos/microsoft_sccm_software_distribution.wma

Length 9:10

  • Speakers:
    Jeff Wettlaufer, Sr. Technical Product Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    Dave Randall, Sr. Program Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    SMS has always done software distribution, but in the new release entitled System Center Configuration Manager there are some significant new improvements to this feature that will add new levels of control and reliability to your organization. In this edition of the Configuration Manager audiocast series, Listen to Jeff and Dave discuss the concepts of Software Distribution, what has improved, what is new, and the benefits these enhancements will bring to your organization.

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007: Software Update Management

url: mms://wm.microsoft.com/ms/systemcenter/configmgr/demos/microsoft_sccm_software_update_management.wma

Length: 8:33

  • Speakers:
    Jeff Wettlaufer, Sr. Technical Product Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    Marc Umeno, Sr. Program Manager, System Center Configuration Manager

    Patch management has always been a never ending process for organizations of any size. In SMS 2003, this solution was a collection of tools (and processes), but in System Center Configuration Manager, there are some new features and tools integrated that drastically simplify the challenge of keeping your computers updated. In this edition of the Configuration Manager audiocast series, listen to Jeff and Marc speak about the improvements in Software Update Management. From setup to WSUS integration, to streamlining your processes, learn how to employ these today in your organization and become truly secure and well managed.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Audiocasts

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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System Center Certifications - Coming Soon

Posted on September 21st, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Blogroll, Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Consulting, Microsoft, SCCM, System Center.

If you have certs in any of the Microsoft management suite of tools, SMS and MOM, or would like to get a head start on getting your first cert in any of the newly branded System Center tools Microsoft has put together two sessions on what’s coming for System Center Certifications.  They have two but they are the same sessions just at different times to try and cover the different time zones for everyone.

There will be two different tracks one Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, or MCTS, which is due to begin in Q1 2008, and Microsoft Certification for IT Professionals, or MCITP, which will be available some time after MCTS. 

If you are interested in attending either of these online Live Meeting event you can register for them by following the links below.

Oct 24, 7:30 AM PST

Oct 24, 5:00 PM PST

 

Continue to sources here and here.

 

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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BDD 2008 Beta 3 Available On Connect

Posted on September 17th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: 1E, ACT, BDD, Beta, Blog, Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Docs, Downloads, Microsoft, Mutlicasting, News, OSD, OSD Plus Pack, SCCM, SMSNomad Branch, Server 2008, System Center, SystemForge, USMT, WAIK, Windows PE.

The ConfigMgr compatible version of BDD (Beta 3), which I will call BDD 2008 for now, is available through open beta on the Connect site.  The RTM version is expected to be out in November of this year.  In this version there is the previously discussed multicasting, USMT, WAIK, and ACT 5.0.

On Friday October 5th there is also a webcast on deploying an OS with ConfigMgr, you can register for it here.

Official announcement below.rm_bdd20

Deployment 4 is the code name for the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 and unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. For the thousands of IT professionals already trained on BDD 2007, Deployment 4 requires minimal extra training to perform large-scale Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 deployments, while offering a further enhanced desktop deployment experience. Deployment 4 adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
  • Windows Automated Installation Kit
  • Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
  • Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
  • User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
  • Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition (coming soon)

Enhanced Beta Program on Microsoft Connect

This Beta release also offers an enhanced Microsoft Connect portal including technical frequently asked questions, deployment tips and tricks, a recommended 10-step program for new users to quickly get acquainted with deployment accelerators, customer-ready Solution Accelerator informational materials, and deployment-related conference presentations.

Accelerator Description

Deployment 4 Beta 3 combines the guidance and toolset from previous releases of Business Desktop Deployment and Beta releases of Windows Server Deployment. This release continues to support Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) of desktop operating systems using Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack and adds new deployment and task sequencing capabilities for desktops and servers using System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Deployment 4 also continues to provide Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support without infrastructure requirements and adds capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008.

New features in Deployment 4 Beta 3

  • Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:
    • Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Deployment 4 and Configuration Manager 2007.
    • Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.
      • Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
      • Extends the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.
    • Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, database settings.
  • Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:
    • Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC0 (to be verified after RC0 release), including support for Server Core installation options. (Windows Server 2008 TAP customers only.)
  • Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:
    • Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.
    • Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
    • Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:
      • Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
      • Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
      • Replace scenario template
    • Ability to invoke web service calls Support for web service calls from rules
      • Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Deployment 4, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.
    • Support for side-by-side installation with Deployment 4 and BDD 2007 installed on the same machine.
  • Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:
    • Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services.

Where to Find Deployment 4 Beta 3

Deployment 4 Beta 3 is part of the Windows Server 2008 Beta and TAP Programs. It is also available as an open beta download.

To join Deployment 4 beta 3 program, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Microsoft Connect Web site (http://connect.microsoft.com).
  2. Click Invitations on the Connect menu.
  3. You will need to sign in using a valid Windows Live ID before you can continue to the Invitations page.
  4. Enter your Invitation ID in the box. Your invitation ID is: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
  5. Click Go.
  6. If you have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect, you might be required to register before you continue with the invitation process.
  7. To download Deployment 4, click Download Now.

(If this link does not work for you, copy the full link and paste it into the Web browser address bar.)

Thanks for your participation.
Deployment 4 Team
Microsoft

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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System Center Virtual Machine Manager Released

Posted on September 8th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Beta, ConfigMgr, Microsoft, System Center, Virtualization.

The other day SCVMM went RTM.  So what does this mean?  This is a management tool that will allow you to rapidly deploy/create VM’s, manage the resources they are using, suck in a physical server to a VM config file (or P to V) and add new virtual resources to existing VM’s.  If you use Virtual Server you should spend some time looking at this to see if it will benefit you or your organization, for larger Virtual Server farms it will be a no brainer.

Here is a link to a webcast that better describes and shows VMM in action.

 

System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 Is Here

Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007, part of the Microsoft System Center family of system management products, provides a simple and cost-effective solution for unified management of physical and virtual machines, consolidation of underutilized physical servers, and rapid provisioning of new virtual machines by leveraging the expertise and investments in Microsoft server technology.

Top 10 Benefits of Virtual Machine Manager 2007

Here are the ten most valuable benefits that System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 can provide to your organization.

Maximize datacenter resources through consolidation Maximize datacenter resources through consolidation

A typical physical server in the datacenter operates at only 5 to 15 percent CPU capacity. System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 can assess and then consolidate suitable server workloads onto virtual machine host infrastructure thus freeing up physical resources for repurposing or hardware retirement. Through physical server consolidation, continued datacenter growth are less constrained by space, electrical and cooling requirements.

Physical-to-Virtual conversions are a snap! Physical-to-Virtual conversions are a snap!

Converting a physical machine to a virtual one can be a daunting undertaking – slow, problematic and typically requiring you to halt the physical server. But thanks to the enhanced P2V conversion in Virtual Machine Manager Beta 2, P2V conversions will become routine. Because of this improved P2V technology, IT administrators will be able to convert a running server to a virtual machine at disk speed — saving time and reducing complexity.

Quick provisioning of new machines Quick provisioning of new machines

In response for new server requests, a truly agile IT Department delivers new servers to its business clients anywhere in the network infrastructure with a very quick turnaround. Virtual Machine Manager enables this agility by providing IT administrators with the ability to deploy virtual machines in hours or days instead of weeks or even months. Through one console, Virtual Machine Manager allows administrators to manage and monitor virtual machines and hosts to ensure they are meeting the needs of the corresponding business groups.

Intelligent Placement minimizes virtual machine guesswork in deployment Intelligent Placement minimizes virtual machine guesswork in deployment

Virtual Machine Manager does extensive data analysis of a number of factors before recommending which physical server should host a given virtual workload. This is especially critical when administrators are determining how to place several virtual workloads on the same host machine. With access to historical data — provided by System Center Operations Manager 2007 – the Intelligent Placement process is able to factor in past performance characteristics to ensure the best possible match between the virtual machine and its host hardware.

The Library helps keep virtual machine components organized The Library helps keep virtual machine components organized

To keep a datacenter’s virtual house in order, Virtual Machine Manager provides a centralized library to store various virtual machine “building blocks”, off-line machines and other virtualization components. With the library’s easy-to-use, structured format, IT administrators can quickly find and reuse specific components thus remaining highly productive and responsive to new server requests and modifications.

Templates speed the creation of new virtual machines Templates speed the creation of new virtual machines

Virtual Machine Manager allows IT administrators to create templates of commonly deployed virtual machines. Thus once a virtual machine is optimized and performance tuned, an administrator can use it as the basis of a template. From there, the template can be used over and over again, increasing the speed with which administrators deploy similar virtual machines and eliminate much of the post-installation adjustments that are required after building a machine from scratch.

Virtual Machine Manager looks familiar and is easy to use Virtual Machine Manager looks familiar and is easy to use

Virtual Machine Manager’s interface provides IT Administrators with a reassuringly familiar interface which is intuitively easy to use and requires little retraining. This is particularly true for those who use System Center Operations Manager 2007. Similarly, IT administrators familiar with producing reports in SQL Server can continue without missing a step as Virtual Machine Manager uses an instance of SQL for performance and configuration data.

Works with the rest of the datacenter Works with the rest of the datacenter

Because of its Windows Server and System Center pedigree, Virtual Machine Manager works well with the rest of the datacenter. Virtual Machine Manager takes advantage of foundational Windows Server services like Active Directory and Distributed File System, among others. Virtual Machine Manager does not require the introduction of non-native services or applications which can increase infrastructure complexity and require additional IT resources to manage and maintain.

Leverages datacenter investments in SAN storage Leverages datacenter investments in SAN storage

Virtual machine images can be large and therefore slow to move across the network. Virtual Machine Manager enables virtual machines to be moved quickly over the SAN thus enabling even faster provisioning of new virtual machines and migration of existing virtual machines.

Windows PowerShell provides rich management and scripting environment Windows PowerShell provides rich management and scripting environment

The ability to automate common operations using a command line interface is core to the Virtual Machine Manager. The entire solution is built on the new command line and scripting environment, Windows PowerShell. This enables GUI operations to be quickly exported to PowerShell scripts for customization and automation.

Sources, here and here.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 Delayed

Posted on August 30th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Active Directory, Beta, Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Group Policy, Microsoft, NAP, News, SCCM, Server 2008, System Center, Vista.

What is the status?

Windows Server 2008, formerly Longhorn, will be delayed until Q1 of 2008 but will be available to SA and MSDN subscribers priorWindowsServer2008Box to RTM.  SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 are scheduled to be released with Server 2008 so I can only assume they will be delayed as well. 

Vista SP1 also suffers from the same fate, delayed until Q1 of 08.  The BETA of Vista SP1 will be  available to participants in about two weeks however.  And SP3 for XP is moving along with its BETA also being out in a couple weeks and should be released in the first half of next year, a little later than the other two thankfully. 

Why should I care?

Without Server 2008 you cannot make use of the NAP functionality built into ConfigMgr so this may delay some implementations of ConfigMgr, and will certainly delay the implementation of NAP.  You will also need XP SP3 for NAP to work with your XP clients, but Vista is set already.

What will be in Vista SP1?

Included in Vista SP1 is all the updates so far for Vista plus improvements in three areas, performance, security, and reliability. 

Under reliability there is:

  • Greater compatibility with a larger number of printer drivers VistaUltBox
  • Greater reliability AND performance when resuming and entering sleep
  • Improvements to the reliability in networking configuration scenarios
  • Greater reliability with connecting to external displays when you are using a laptop
  • Greater reliability and compatibility with newer graphics cards

Performance improvements:

  • Improved speed when you copy or extract files
  • Improved battery life by lowering the number of screen redraws on some computers
  • Improved performance when browsing network shares
  • Improved logon times by removing the 10 second delay after you hit crtl-alt-del sometimes
  • Faster JavaScript in IE7

Under security there are a number of things including improvements to BitLocker.

More on Vista SP1 here.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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Download Configuration Manager 2007 - Evaluation Software

Posted on August 27th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Downloads, Microsoft, SCCM, System Center.

sccm

Overview

System Center Configuration Manager – previously Systems Management Server – represents a tremendous advance over its well-regarded predecessor, now providing the control necessary to more effectively manage change in today’s dynamic IT infrastructures. Manage the full deployment and update lifecycle with, streamlined, policy-based automation; with enhanced insight into, and control over, assets and systems compliance; and with optimization for Windows – particularly Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista – and extensibility to customized administration experiences and third party applications. These robust capabilities can be used to manage servers, clients and handheld devices, across physical, virtual, distributed, or mobile systems — all from a single, familiar console. Built on key Microsoft technologies such as Microsoft Update,, Active Directory, and the Windows architecture, and leveraging System Center’s knowledge-driven IT management, System Center Configuration Manager helps administrators minimize the number of OS images to manage, makes it easier to define and track systems compliance, and improve systems performance and security.

This eval is good for 120 days, registration is required to download the eval from the Download Center.

Download details: Configuration Manager 2007 - Evaluation Software

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Released

Posted on August 25th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Microsoft, News, SCCM, SMS 2003, System Center.

ConfigMgr is now at RTM, Bill Anderson announced it on his blog on Friday around 4 PDT. 

No word yet on when it will be available on MSDN, based on prior experience I would say two weeks or less.

 

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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