Sysinternals Tools Can Now Run From The Web

While they also updated several of their tools like Process Explorer, Handle, ZoomIt and SigCheck, the much more interesting news is that you don’t have to download the tools any longer and put them somewhere in %PATH% you can execute them directly from the website.  How cool is that?

From a command prompt or Run simply type \\live.sysinternals.com\tools\<tool name here>

And this site has all of their tools, check it out on their site at http://live.sysinternals.com

You can sill download the tools if you want to use them locally, go to the same link and click on the exe and/or the chm file to download them.

This is a quote from the About_This_Site.txt file.

“What is this?

This is a file share allowing access to all Sysinternals utilities. We have developed this to test an alternate distribution mechanism for our utilities.

This will allow you to run these tools from any computer connected to the Internet without having to navigate to a webpage, download and extract the zip file.

If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft Windows Sysinternals, it is highly recommended that you visit the website at http://technet.microsoft.com/sysinternals before using these tools.

If you have any questions or comments on this file share, please email syssite@microsoft.com

Regards,
The Microsoft Windows Sysinternals Team”

Sysinternals Site Discussion : Updates: Process Explorer v11.20, ZoomIt v2.0, Sigcheck v1.53, Handle v3.4 and introducing Sysinternals Live beta.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

Microsoft MVP System Center Configuration Manager

http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

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System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 Eval Available

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

http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

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Auto Site Assignment and Multiple IP’s

Carol posted this over the the TechNet blogs site a couple of hours ago.  I commented that I didn’t think it was a huge change because the odds are pretty low that this would really happen in today.  Essentially the rule that an SMS or ConfigMgr client will use first bound NIC for auto assignment is no longer true.  If you think this is a significant technical change leave a comment and let her know.

 

Auto-site assignment and multiple IP addresses

It happens to all of us. Just when you think you’ve comfortably nailed a certain aspect of the product – Kapow! – the rug is pulled from under your feet and you realize you’re not on the stable ground you thought you were. It’s all part and parcel of working with a complex product, but still disconcerting when it happens.

Well, I had one of those moments recently when a bug came in about multiple adapters and auto-site assignment. It has long been documented (way before I joined the team) that when a computer has multiple adapters (such as a wired adapter and a wireless adapter or modem), the adapter bound first will be used to determine the client’s boundary location during auto-site assignment.

This isn’t something that I’ve ever had to rely on myself – if a computer had multiple adapters I would always prefer to use a direct site assignment, and the docs say that in this scenario, auto-site assignment probably isn’t for you. But I’ve always trusted the “first bound adapter” information.

Now it turns out that this isn’t true. A customer reported that this didn’t seem to be the case with their SMS 2003 client – an adapter that was not bound first was being used for site assignment. The product team looked into it, and sure enough, this piece of information that I’ve always trusted was actually incorrect. When a computer has multiple adapters or multiple IP addresses, the ordering of the IP addresses was nondeterministic but consistent for a particular computer. The same number of adapters or IP addresses for another computer would usually result in a different but consistent ordering of the addresses.

Although the customer reported this with SMS 2003 and quoted the SMS 2003 Concepts, Planning and Deployment Guide as the source of their (mis)information, there are no plans to republish this documentation. However, I have corrected it for the Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 RC documentation, in the topic About Client Site Assignment in Configuration Manager.

Old text (incorrect)

Note:

If a Configuration Manager 2007 client has multiple network cards (possibly a LAN network card and a dial-up modem), and therefore has multiple IP addresses, the network card that is bound first is used for evaluating client site assignment.

New text (corrected)

Note:

If a Configuration Manager 2007 client has multiple network cards (possibly a LAN network card and a dial-up modem), and therefore has multiple IP addresses, the IP address used to evaluate client site assignment is nondeterministic.

This is undoubtedly a technical change to the topic, but it’s not noted in the What’s New in the Configuration Manager Documentation Library for March 2008 where we list new topics or significant technical changes. I deliberated whether this was a “significant technical change”, and taking into account that this has been incorrect in our documentation for nearly 5 years before anybody commented on it, I decided that it wasn’t. Then I remembered one of our product group’s mottos “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence” and wondered if I had made the right decision.

Does anybody feel strongly that this constitutes a significant technical change? For example:

• Would knowing the correct behavior change an administrator’s decision about whether to use auto-site assignment when a computer has multiple addresses?
• Would this information provide the missing information about why auto-site assignment failed?

I suspect in practice that it’s one of those interesting pieces of information that you like to have clear in your mind, whether or not it’s actually of practical use. But if you think I made the wrong call and it qualifies as a significant technical change that should be called out in the change log topic, e-mail SMSDocs@Microsoft.com and I’ll see what I can do to retroactively list it.

And now, back to terra firma – until the next time!

- Carol Bailey

This posting is provided “AS IS” with no warranties and confers no rights.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

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Desktop Management with System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft SoftGrid

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

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

no comments yet.

Systems Management Support WebCasts…And ConfigMgr Too

Merry Christmas…

 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 WebCasts, and here is a search string for ConfigMgr WebCasts, I couldn’t find a page that just listed all of them.

Past Support WebCasts

• Support WebCast: Microsoft Security Intelligence Report: Latest trends in vulnerabilities, malware, and potentially unwanted software - Level 300 - Wednesday, 07 November 2007
• The Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 - Level 300: Thursday, December 22, 2005
• Troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 - Level 200: Wednesday, May 18, 2005
• Vulnerability assessment and the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer - March 5, 2004
• Troubleshooting Microsoft Operations Manager Top Issues: Tuesday, January 6, 2004
• An Introduction to Microsoft Operations Manager 2004: Thursday, November 13, 2003
• Best Practices for Microsoft Operations Manager, Service Pack 1: Wednesday, November 12, 2003
• Upgrading Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 to Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 SP1: Tuesday, September 30, 2003
• How to Perform an Architectural Review: Friday, August 8, 2003
• A Technical Overview of Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Tuesday, July 29, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Troubleshooting Common Issues: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
• Upgrading from Microsoft Systems Management Server Version 2.0 to 2003: Tuesday, June 17, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Client Deployment: Tuesday, April 15, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: Troubleshooting Client Installation: Wednesday, March 26, 2003
• Microsoft Operations Manager SP1: Configuration and Operational Best Practices: Tuesday, March 25, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server: Using SMS 2003 in Small Branch Office Scenarios: Tuesday, February 25, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: What Is New in Service Pack 5: Thursday, January 30, 2003
• Microsoft Operations Manager: Understanding the Refresh (SP1, SDK2, and the Resource Kit); Tuesday, January 14, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Discussion of the Beta Program: Wednesday, December 18, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Troubleshooting Advanced Clients: Tuesday, November 26, 2002
• Microsoft Operations Manager: An Introduction to MOM Architecture, Features, Performance, and Sizing: Tuesday, November 12, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Backup and Recovery: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server: Understanding SMS 2003 Querying and Reporting: Tuesday, August 20, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server: An Introduction to Software Update Management Using SMS 2.0: Wednesday, August 14, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Working with the Beta Release: Tuesday, July 30, 2002
• Introducing Software Metering in Microsoft SMS 2003: Thursday, June 13, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz): Understanding Remote Control Options: Thursday, May 9, 2002
• Preparing for Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz) Deployment: Tuesday, April 16, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Value Pack: Introduction to New Tools and Functionalities: Friday, March 29, 2002
• Microsoft Operations Manager: How to Manage the MOM Database: Friday, March 15, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz): Understanding Advanced Security: Tuesday, February 5, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz Release): Understanding Mobile Client: Tuesday, January 8, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server : (Topaz) Software Distribution Enhancements: Tuesday, December 11, 2001
• New Microsoft Systems Management Server (code named Topaz) and Active Directory Integration: Thursday, November 29, 2001
• Understanding Operational Procedures for Microsoft Systems Management Server: Thursday, October 25, 2001
• MOM, SMS, and NetIQ AppMgr - Technical Comparisons: Thursday, October 4, 2001
• Introduction to the Next Release of Microsoft Systems Management Server: Thursday, September 6, 2001
• Troubleshooting SMS 2.0 Site Server Performance Problems: Tuesday, August 28, 2001
• Microsoft Operations Manager, Scalability and Complex Configurations: Tuesday, August 21, 2001
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) Installer and Installer Step-up (ISU): Thursday, July 19, 2001
• Installing and Deploying Microsoft Operations Manager 2000: Tuesday, July 17, 2001
• Understanding Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 Management Packs: Thursday, June 14, 2001
• Configuring and Troubleshooting Remote Tools in Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: Wednesday, May 30, 2001
• Microsoft Systems Management Server Reporting using the SMS Web Reporting Tool: Thursday, May 17, 2001
• Creating Queries in the Systems Management Server Administrator Console: Thursday, April 12, 2001
• Introduction to Microsoft Operations Manager 2000: Tuesday, March 27, 2001
• Managing Mobile Clients with Systems Management Server 2.0: Friday, February 23, 2001
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Client Infrastructure:Friday, January 26, 2001
• Understanding SMS Network Discovery: Friday, December 8, 2000
• The Systems Management Server 2.0 Security Model: Tuesday, November 7, 2000
• SMS 2.0 Software Distribution Details and Advanced Information: Tuesday, October 10, 2000
• Windows Management Instrumentation: What Is It and How Does SMS Use It: Tuesday, September 26, 2000
• Handling Duplicate Systems in SMS 2.0: Thursday, August 17, 2000
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Backup and Recovery: Thursday, July 6, 2000
• What’s New in Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack 2: Thursday, June 1, 2000
• Windows 2000 and Systems Management Server 2.0 Integration: Tuesday, May 9, 2000
• SMS 2.0 Design Issues: Thursday, April 13, 2000
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Accounts: Thursday, February 03, 2000
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Security: Tuesday, January 25, 2000
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Common Problems and Resolutions: Tuesday, March 14, 2000

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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ConfigMgr Help Files Updated

Yes it is true the ConfigMgr Doc team has released a new update to the offline help included in ConfigMgr!  And there is a ton of updates to the help file (see below) included in the 7.5 MB download.  I think this is an excellent idea so that you can search and get information when you are testing or if you ConfigMgr server does not have a connection to the Internet.

Ping

Topic last updated—November 2007

The following table describes what’s new in the Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Documentation Library as of November 2007. The topics listed in the table are new or contain significant technical changes. Topics that contain minor changes are not listed.

Note

Many Configuration Manager 2007 files are stored under the operating system directory. On 32-bit operating systems, this is %windir%\system32, but on 64-bit operating systems, the directory is %windir%\SysWOW64. In the Documentation Library, the 64-bit directory is not always specified.

Getting Started

Topic
Description

Configuration Manager Planning Phase

Additional information added to describe how to create a deployment project plan.

Configuration Manager Supported Configurations

Additional information added to describe the supported versions of Microsoft SQL Server that can be used to host the site database.

Incorrect information about Itanium based system support for the site database server note corrected.

Incorrect information about the supportability of Fast User Switching for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista corrected.

Setup Prerequisite Checks

Two additional prerequisite check rules added to KB940848 and KB941132.

What’s New in Software Distribution for Configuration Manager

Includes a new section with information about copying multiple packages to one distribution point.

Planning and Deploying the Server Infrastructure for Configuration Manager 2007

Topic
Description

Choose Between Primary Sites, Secondary Sites, and Branch Distribution Points

Updated topic to include considerations for branch distribution points instead of sites.

Configuration Manager in Multiple Active Directory Forests

Includes additional information about site hierarchies across forests.

Configuration Manager In-Place Upgrade

New content added to highlight the fact that upgrading existing SMS 2003 sites using the 120-day evaluation version Configuration Manager 2007 software is not supported.

Considerations for Upgrading Sites

Updated with the required Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 service pack level required for upgrade to Configuration Manager 2007.

Example Scenarios for Implementing Internet-Based Client Management in Configuration Manager

Includes new scenario: "Support Internet-Based Clients and Intranet Clients in the Intranet on the Same Site System Server." This scenario includes information about how to specify multiple fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) for a site system server that supports intranet clients and Internet clients.

How to Deploy a Site Using Simple Setup and How to Deploy a Site Using Custom Setup

Includes new information about how to handle required setup redistributable files when installing primary sites.

How to Extend the Active Directory Schema Using an LDIF File

Troubleshooting Active Directory Schema Extensions During Upgrades

Configuration Manager Upgrade Checklist

Includes new information about the procedures required when using the LDIF file to extend the Active Directory schema for Configuration Manager if the Active Directory schema has already been extended for SMS 2003 sites.

How to Install a Secondary Site Using the Configuration Manager Console

How to Install a Secondary Site Using Configuration Manager Setup

Includes new information about how to handle required setup redistributable files when installing secondary sites from local installation source files at the secondary site server computer.

How to Upgrade an SMS 2003 Administrator Console

Includes new information about how to connect the Configuration Manager console to the site database after upgrading an SMS 2003 Administrator console.

International Client Pack

Includes information from SMS 2003 release notes that still applies to Configuration Manager 2007.

Prerequisite Component Update Checker

A new topic that describes the process used to download updated client component prerequisite installation files.

Scripted Primary Site Installation Example

Scripted Secondary Site Installation Example

New client prerequisite download scripted installation options added to unattended installation scripts.

Setup Command Line Options

Revised content to clarify the functionality of the /PREREQ /ALLSEC command-line option.

Troubleshooting the Configuration Manager Server Infrastructure

Troubleshooting Management Point Communication

Troubleshooting State Message Backlogs

Includes new information for troubleshooting the server infrastructure for Configuration Manager.

Unattended Setup Overview

Revised content to clarify information about the unattended setup client prerequisite download and client agent keys used in unattended setup initialization files.

Configuring Configuration Manager Sites for Best Performance

Includes new Configuration Manager performance planning and configuration information.

How to Modify a Sender

Sender Properties: Advanced Tab

Revised content to clarify how to configure sending thread configurations.

Prerequisites for Native Mode

Includes additional Configuration Manager 2007 dependency for contacting a certificate revocation list (CRL) when it is used in your PKI deployment.

Planning and Deploying Clients for Configuration Manager 2007

Topic
Description

About Client Approval in Configuration Manager

Clarification that a Configuration Manager 2007 client cannot be approved before it is successfully installed and assigned to a site.

Advertised Programs Client Agent Properties: Notification Tab

Updated options displayed on the Notification tab of the Advertised Programs Client Agent Properties dialog.

Example Roaming Scenarios for Configuration Manager: Complex

Pictures added to illustrate each example scenario, as well as corrections to the scenario "Client Roams into another Configuration Manager 2007 Hierarchy."

Firewall Settings for Configuration Manager Clients

Removed reference to the Configuration Manager 2007 console requiring port 135 and unsecapp.exe. Due to console redesign in Configuration Manager 2007, these firewall exceptions are no longer required.

How to Export the Site Server Signing Certificate for Configuration Manager Client Installation

New procedural topic for exporting the native-mode site server signing certificate if you need to specify the SMSSIGNCERT CCMSetup client.msi property during client installation.

How to Identify Client Configuration Details for Native Mode and Internet-Based Client Management

New procedural topic for using Resource Explorer to identify client configuration for native-mode and Internet-based client management. This information is stored in hardware inventory; from there, it can be used for troubleshooting, auditing, or creating query-based collections.

How to Initiate Policy Retrieval for a Configuration Manager Client

Updated to include a script to run on the client computer.

Configuration Manager Management Point Location Data Flow: Mixed Mode

New dataflow displaying the process by which Configuration Manager 2007 clients locate their default management point when their assigned site is operating in mixed mode.

Configuration Manager Management Point Location Data Flow: Native Mode

New dataflow displaying the process by which Configuration Manager 2007 clients locate their default management point when their assigned site is operating in native mode.

Configuration Manager Site Assignment Data Flow

New dataflow displaying the process by which Configuration Manager 2007 clients become assigned to a site.

Supported Localized Languages

Includes new information to confirm that DBCS characters are not supported for package or file names.

Tasks for Managing Configuration Manager Clients on Windows XP Embedded Devices

New topics providing methods for managing the Configuration Manager 2007 client on devices running the Microsoft Windows XP Embedded operating system.

Configuration Manager 2007 Features

Note

The 6A and 12A asset intelligence reports are not present in Configuration Manager 2007 installations. References to these reports in the documentation should be ignored.

Topic
Description

About Collection-Specific Settings

New topic about per-collection settings for policy polling and restart intervals.

About Distribution Points

Includes several new topics about distribution points. Also, existing topics have been expanded. Updated distribution point topics include the following:

About BITS-Enabled Distribution Points

About Protected Distribution Points

About Standard and Branch Distribution Points

Choose Between a Server and Server Share Distribution Point

Choose Between a Standard and Branch Distribution Point

Decide Whether to Enable BITS on a Distribution Point

Decide Whether to Protect the Distribution Point

How to Configure a BITS-Enabled Distribution Point

How to Configure a Protected Distribution Point

How to Deploy a Branch Distribution Point

How to Convert a Standard Distribution Point to a Branch Distribution Point

About Drag-and-Drop Support in the Configuration Manager Console

New topic specifying which objects can be dragged and dropped.

About On-Demand Package Distribution

Revised a statement in this topic that implies that a branch distribution point can get content from a management point. Branch distribution points get content only from a BITS-enabled standard distribution point. Added considerations for configuring high-priority packages for on-demand package distribution.

About Resources

Clarified the types of operations you can perform on non-client resources, such as a user account or routers.

About Software Updates Compliance

New topic about software updates compliance and the scan for software updates compliance process.

About Software Updates Synchronization

Updated topic about the software updates synchronization process.

About the Package Definition File Format

Updated example of supported clients.

About Windows Installer Source Location Manager

Added topics about Windows Installer source location management. Updated the F1 help about the Windows Installer tab with more information about Windows Installer source location management. These new topics contain the same information as the SMS 2003 white paper "Windows Installer Source Location Manager." Windows Installer source location management has not changed in Configuration Manager 2007.

How To Configure Windows Installer Source Update Management

Script Sample for API-Based Triggering of the Product Source Update Manager

Program Name Properties: Windows Installer Tab

Administrator Checklist: Prepare the Configuration Manager Environment for Bare Metal Operating System Deployment

New topic describes the tasks you perform to prepare the Configuration Manager 2007 environment for bare-metal operating system deployments.

About Compliance Evaluation Schedules in Desired Configuration Management

Clarifications about how configuration baseline assignments are evaluated, including the two-hour random delay window.

Compliance Sent As State Messages and Status Messages in Desired Configuration Management

Previously titled "Changes in Compliance That Are Sent to the Site for Desired Configuration Management," this topic now clarifies when compliance information is sent in state messages or status messages.

Compliance Information Missing in Desired Configuration Management

Clarified symptoms when the prerequisite Microsoft .NET Framework version is missing on clients and includes additional information related to the client evaluation time.

Best Practices for Desired Configuration Management

New topic that lists best practice information about desired configuration management in Configuration Manager.

Best Practices for Network Access Protection

New topic that lists best practice information about Network Access Protection in Configuration Manager.

Best Practices for Software Updates

Updated topic with best practices for software updates.

Choose Between Updating and Refreshing a Package

New topic about the differences between updating and refreshing packages.

Decide Whether Clients Should Download Content If They Are on a Slow or Unreliable Network Boundary

New topic about considerations for configuring clients to not download content on slow or unreliable network boundaries.

Determine Administrator Roles and Processes for Wake On LAN

New topic that provides guidance on the various roles and processes involved with implementing Wake On LAN in Configuration Manager 2007, and some of the possible consequences of not identifying them.

Example Package Access Scenarios

New topic illustrating the security context used to access packages in various forest and domain configurations. These scenarios work with the following new flowcharts:

Package Access Flowchart When Running from Distribution Point

Package Access Flowchart When Downloading from an Intranet Distribution Point

Package Access Flowchart for Internet-Based Clients

Example Scenarios for Implementing Wake On LAN

New topic that contains three example scenarios of how Wake On LAN can be implemented in Configuration Manager 2007 to address specific business requirements.

Flowcharts for Software Updates

New flowcharts for software updates, including the following:

Software Updates Synchronization Process Flowchart

Software Update Deployment Process Flowchart

Deployment Package Process Flowchart.

Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery

New topic for frequently asked questions. This information is from the SMS 2003 Technical FAQ but still applies to Configuration Manager 2007.

Frequently Asked Questions for Software Distribution

Carried over several frequently asked questions (FAQ) from the SMS 2003 Technical FAQ that still apply to Configuration Manager 2007.

In the FAQ, called out that dependent programs are not installed when a program is run in a task sequence. The information already existed in the content for operating system deployment. Also added the content to the F1 help for programs: Program Name Properties: Advanced Tab.

Known Issues for Mobile Device Management

Updated topic that describes known issues for the mobile device management feature and solutions for issues when available.

Ports Used in Software Updates

New diagram that illustrates the ports used by software updates in a typical Configuration Manager hierarchy.

Run Query Special

Removed content because it no longer applies. In previous versions, run query special was included because large queries sometimes caused the console to stop responding. Queries are now run immediately when the query is selected.

Software Distribution Troubleshooting Flowcharts

Added a section with software distribution flowcharts.

Software Metering Log Files

New topic listing log files that can help to troubleshoot Configuration Manager 2007 software metering.

Software Updates State Messages

New topic about the state messages created by software updates clients.

Troubleshooting Discovery

Moved the existing Discovery Troubleshooting Administrator Workflows to the troubleshooting section. Added discovery troubleshooting workflows. Includes new topic for troubleshooting common issues: Troubleshooting Discovery Issues.

Prerequisites for Operating System Deployment

Updated to include the public key infrastructure (PKI) certificates that might be required for operating system deployments if the site is configured for native mode.

Planning for Operating System Deployment in a NAP-Enabled Environment

New topic with planning information about how to configure operating system deployments with Network Access Protection (NAP).

Planning for Operating System Deployment in a Native Mode Site

New topic with planning information about the public key infrastructure (PKI) certificates that are required for operating system deployments in a native mode site.

Troubleshooting Operating System Deployment

New topics included in the operating system deployment troubleshooting section to help you identify and resolve problems related to operating system deployments.

Troubleshooting Software Metering Issues

New topic for problems and solutions related to Configuration Manager 2007 software metering.

Troubleshooting Software Updates Issues

New topics for troubleshooting software updates issues, including the following:

Troubleshooting General Software Updates Issues

Troubleshooting Software Update Point Configuration Issues

Troubleshooting Software Updates Synchronization Failures

Troubleshooting Software Update Deployment Issues

Troubleshooting Software Updates Client Issues

Troubleshooting Group Policy Configuration for Software Updates

Troubleshooting Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates Issues

About State Messages

Includes new information about client state message behavior.

Troubleshooting Wake On LAN Issues

New topic for possible problems and solutions related to Wake On LAN failing to wake up computers as expected.

Security and Privacy for Configuration Manager 2007

Topic
Description

About Maintenance Windows

Updated to confirm that maintenance windows are not inherited by subcollections.

About the SMS Admins Group

How to Assign Rights for Objects to Users and Groups

Clarified information about SMS Admins group. If the SMS Provider is not installed on the site server, Configuration Manager 2007 cannot automatically add users to the SMS Admins group.

How to Configure Windows SCW for Configuration Manager

It was previously assumed that the templates would be released on the download center. The templates are now planned to be released as part of the Configuration Manager 2007 Toolkit. The following related topics have been updated to reference the Toolkit:

What’s New in Security for Configuration Manager

Best Practices for Securing Site Systems

How to Manage Accounts from the Command-Line

Removed Site System Installation Account as an account that can be managed using the Manage Site Accounts tool (MSAC.exe).

Overview of Configuration Manager Security

Clarified that rights do not flow down the site hierarchy and must be set at each site individually.

Ports used by Configuration Manager

Added number 37 for PXE Service Point to the Microsoft SQL Server communication. Updated the remote control Ports section.

Technical Reference for Configuration Manager 2007

Topic
Description

Custom Error Codes for Configuration Manager 2007

Includes new information mainly related to native mode in the Client Custom Error Codes section.

Computer Client Agent Properties: General Tab

Updated an incorrect value for the state message reporting cycle. This now reads 15 minutes.

Import Object Wizard

Corrected statement about duplicate objects overwriting existing objects. Reports with duplicate names overwrite existing reports, but collections and queries create duplicate object names with different IDs.

Example Configuration Manager Deployment Scenarios

• Example Configuration Manager Installation Scenario
• Example Configuration Manager Upgrade Scenario

Example Configuration Manager Deployment Checklists

• Example Configuration Manager Installation Checklist
• Example Configuration Manager Upgrade Checklist

Added Configuration Manager Setup and upgrade scenarios as well as example custom installation checklist examples to assist in planning and deploying Configuration Manager sites.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

no comments yet.

Microsoft Deployment Release Candidate 1 Available for Download

The latest installment of BDD, code named Deployment 4, now named Microsoft Deployment (MD) is available for download on the Microsoft Connect site.  This is the much anticipated version that integrates with ConfigMgr’s OSD and is the next evolution of BDD.  With this new version you can expect to have a single solution for the deployment of both desktops and servers as well as WDS, and ACT.  See below for more details on what is included.

Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is now Microsoft Deployment!

We are pleased to announce the RC1 release and new name for the fourth generation deployment Solution Accelerator, Microsoft Deployment. The current generation of automated deployment tools from Microsoft is increasingly unified; the same tools, utilities and products in many cases offer support and functionality for desktop and server deployment tasks. Following the trend of unified tools, the Business Desktop Deployment team has incorporated new functionality and guidance to support automated server deployment in addition to desktop deployment capabilities. This expanded feature set, with its guidance and ability to automate installation of Windows client and server operating systems - as well as applications - has effectively outgrown the current name, Business Desktop Deployment. Previous Beta releases have been using the code name “Deployment 4″ to refer to Microsoft Deployment before the name was finalized.

Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. It unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with current Microsoft deployment technologies - System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Windows Deployment Services, and the Windows Automated Installation Kit - to create a single path for image creation and automated installation. Microsoft Deployment 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
• 2007 Office system
• Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition

Enhanced Program on Microsoft Connect

This release candidate 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

Microsoft Deployment 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. Microsoft Deployment 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 Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:

• Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Microsoft Deployment 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.
  • Extension of 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, and database settings.
• Installation support for computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
• Added support for offline patching
• Support for offline and online language pack installation
• Deployment monitoring:
  • Updated Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:

• Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC1 (to be verified after RC1 release), including support for Server Core installation options.
• Automated server role definition using Server Manager

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 Microsoft Deployment, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.
• Support for BDD 2007 upgrade or side-by-side installation with Microsoft Deployment.

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 Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft Deployment RC1 is available as a download in the Microsoft Deployment Connection Program on Microsoft Connect.

Download Now!

Related Resources

Desktop Deployment Center on Microsoft TechNet

System Center Configuration Manager on Microsoft TechNet

System Center Configuration Manager evaluation software on Microsoft TechNet

Windows Server 2008 on Microsoft TechNet

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Podcasts

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.

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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Vista Updates Leaves Users With Non-Working Computers

For some this update installs without a problem for others it leaves them searching for their Vista media to reload.  Some people (2 that I know of) have found that this rather lavish and attractive update with promises of better stability, reliability, and Energizer Bunny like laptop battery life actually leaves them with a unbootable Vista instead. 

In the article it states that you should only install this if you are experiencing one of the problems listed below, who isn’t?

INTRODUCTION

This update improves the compatibility, reliability, and stability of Windows Vista. This update includes the following improvements:

•It extends the battery life for mobile devices.

•It improves the stability of portable computers and of desktop computers that use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS).

•It improves the reliability of Windows Vista when you open the menu of a startup application.

•It improves the stability of Internet Explorer when you open a Web page.

•It improves the stability of wireless network services.

•It shortens the startup time of Windows Vista by using a better timing structure.

•It shortens the recovery time after Windows Vista experiences a period of inactivity.

•It shortens the recovery time when you try to exit the Photos screen saver.

•It improves the stability of Windows PowerShell.

This update also resolves the following issues in Windows Vista:

•A compatibility issue that affects some third-party antivirus software applications.

•A reliability issue that occurs when a Windows Vista-based computer uses certain network driver configurations.

An update is available that improves the compatibility, reliability, and stability of Windows Vista

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

An update is available that improves the compatibility, reliability, and stability of Windows Vista

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

no comments yet.

Microsoft ConfigMgr Community Forums Now Live

In another move to get away from the newsgroups Microsoft has opened up the System Center Configuration Manager Community that includes a web based forums section.

On the front page you will find a link to the subforums of ConfigMgr, Microsoft employee blogs, MVP blogs (not mine however?), and links to related communities like myITforum.com.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

Technorati Tags: ConfigMgr, SCCM, CM, Config manager, Microsoft, TechNet

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