Entries tagged with system center configuration manager - TechNet Edge

Managing your Microsoft World - Tech Focus November 2009 Part 1

Alan Le Marquand — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:24:00 GMT

The old adage “A watched pot never boils” could be applied to your servers. “A watched server never goes wrong”, that server always decides to doing something right before those critical moments, just as you are leaving for the day, just before the game starts, just as your food arrives, it never does it when you have the console open on the server. The answer to this is to use some form of “early warning system”, something that monitors what’s going on and lets you know when conditions you deem critical occur. So what “early warning systems” are there and when do you use them?

The one thing Microsoft Servers and the applications that run on them do well is that they expose a significant amount of information through event logs and performance logs. This is a double edged sword, while the information is detailed; it’s also isolated to that particular server. To get a full picture of what is going on across all your servers you have to be able to analyse all this information. So a basic “early warning system” can use this built in-functionality for Windows Server 2008 and above (this also includes Windows Vista and Windows 7 and while strictly not Data Center products it could be useful to know). The Event viewer in Windows Server 2008 has the ability to run a task when a specific event occurs, this task could be a script that addresses the event or informs you about the event. This is a simple solution for a small number of servers, and I do mean small number. Remember if you decide to change the task later, you have to modify every server it’s on. The next step up is to use the same task idea, but have it run on one machine only. What makes this machine special is that it is the target in an Event Subscription setup. Here, all the servers can be configured to send events to one machine; this machine in turn can monitor the events and alert you when specific events occur. This is a little more centralized than running tasks on each server.

The above is not really a system management solution; the purpose of the information is to highlight the basics of a system management solution. True solutions, like I’ll come onto next, process the information in the event logs and in performance counters in a way that makes it easy to digest from the outset and they also apply “knowledge” to issues to correct them for you. The “early warning system” should deliver a view of your servers and clients in one console and allow you to correct issues with a few clicks. So let’s look at the two System Center solutions you can use.

If your data center is up to around 30 servers – physical and/or virtual – you can use System Center Essentials 2007. Essentials 2007 is a mid-sized organization solution; it can work in a single Domain environment or a workgroup environment. It provides a single console view that allows you to manage your Windows-based servers, Windows-based clients, applications, services and SNMP-capable network devices.

What if your Data Center is beyond 30 servers? If you are then there is no reason you should expect a less experience than Essentials 2007 provides. You have much the same requirements as a mid-size organization, just bigger. For a job this big, then you need Essentials 2007’s bigger brother, System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2. There are a lot of features that both Essentials 2007 and SCOM 2007 R2 share to deliver a management experience and cost saving experience.

In both products you have a single console that is designed to deliver information clearly and quickly. When there is a problem, the console clearly identifies the issue and can suggest remediation actions. The way the system decides what actions can be take is based on information that is contained in Management Packs. These “packs” contain monitoring settings for applications and services. Once imported, Operations Manager or Essentials 2007 immediately begin to monitor objects based on default configurations and thresholds that are set in the management pack. What makes these powerful are the parts contained within the pack, for example, Packs can contain Tasks, which define activities that can be executed by either the agent or the console. (As a side note, there are over 50 management packs for various Microsoft products.)

Operations Manager 2007 R2 also allows you to track service levels, which is becoming increasingly important for IT Operations as they are pressured to provide the services they are providing are available and performing. This also leads to a need for reports; you can create custom reports with Operations Manager 2007 R2 to meet whatever reporting requirement you may need.

Operations Manager 2007 R2 is a power tool, some thought should be given into how exactly to deploy it. To help there is a Solution Accelerator called the Infrastructure Planning and Deployment (IPD) Guide, if the guide seems a bit much to start with, the is also a Deployment Webcast that can provide some useful insights into what worked, as well as what didn't, when deploying Operations Manager 2007 into different environments. Likewise if you are under the 30 server limit that allows you to use Essentials 2007, there is a Deployment Webcast that will walk you through the processes for deploying Essentials 2007 in different network environments.

In the next post I’ll cover how to specifically manage Hyper-V and your virtual machine infrastructure.

Automating Windows 7 Deployment with SCCM 2007 R2 SP2 (Part 4 of 5)

Kevin Remde — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:01:00 GMT

This is part 4 of a 5 part series of screencasts, which were the demos from the TechNet Webcast: "Automating Windows 7 Deployments using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 SP2" delivered November 11, 2009.

Part 4: Deploying Windows 7 to Bare Metal Systems

In this session we create and advertise the task sequence for, and perform a PXE-boot and installation of Windows 7 onto a "bare metal system" (A computer with no OS installed on it).

For topic resources, plus links to the webcast recording and the other screencast demo videos from this series, click here: http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2009/11/11/CLI312.aspx

Automating Windows 7 Deployment with SCCM 2007 R2 SP2 (Part 5 of 5)

Kevin Remde — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:01:00 GMT

This is part 5 of a 5 part series of screencasts, which were the demos from the TechNet Webcast: "Automating Windows 7 Deployments using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 SP2" delivered November 11, 2009.

Part 5: Deploying Windows 7 to Existing Windows Clients

In the "grand finale" of this series, we add the USMT (User State Migration Tool) package to SCCM 2007, and include it in a new task sequence for the sake of upgrading existing Windows clients from Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7. We then perform the upgrade of an existing Windows XP system, while retaining user files and settings.

For topic resources, plus links to the webcast recording and the other screencast demo videos from this series, click here: http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2009/11/11/CLI312.aspx

Automating Windows 7 Deployment with SCCM 2007 R2 SP2 (Part 3 of 5)

Kevin Remde — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:45:00 GMT

This is part 3 of a 5 part series of screencasts, which were the demos from the TechNet Webcast: "Automating Windows 7 Deployments using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 SP2" delivered November 11, 2009.

Part 3: Adding Windows 7 Packages

In part 3 we configure and enable PXE remote booting for the sake of a bare metal deployment, and then add and setup deployment points for our boot images and our operating system image.

For topic resources, plus links to the webcast recording and the other screencast demo videos from this series, click here: http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2009/11/11/CLI312.aspx

Automating Windows 7 Deployment with SCCM 2007 R2 SP2 (Part 2 of 5)

Kevin Remde — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:27:00 GMT

This is part 2 of a 5 part series of screencasts, which were the demos from the TechNet Webcast: "Automating Windows 7 Deployments using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 SP2" delivered November 11, 2009.

Part 2: Inventory Reporting

In part 2 I briefly show you how to find the results of our Asset Intelligence collecting, and the sorts of information available to you to help you better plan for your Windows 7 deployment.

For topic resources, plus links to the webcast recording and the other screencast demo videos from this series, click here: http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2009/11/11/CLI312.aspx

Automating Windows 7 Deployment with SCCM 2007 R2 SP2 (Part 1 of 5)

Kevin Remde — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:26:00 GMT

This is part 1 of a 5 part series of screencasts, which were the demos from the TechNet Webcast: "Automating Windows 7 Deployments using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 SP2" delivered November 11, 2009.

Part 1: Using Asset Intelligence

In part 1 we configure the Asset Intelligence feature of SCCM 2007 to collect software and hardware inventory, with the goal of gathering useful information to help you plan for your Windows 7 deployment.

For topic resources, plus links to the webcast recording and the other screencast demo videos from this series, click here: http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2009/11/11/CLI312.aspx

Toward User-Centric Client Computing: Citrix Integration with Configuration Manager

Dave Morehouse — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:46:00 GMT

In this episode of their ongoing discourse on System Center, virtualization, and other topics in IT systems management, Jeff and Brad talk about a recent announcement from Citrix regarding their efforts with Microsoft to simplify desktop computing through a closer partnership in developing and integrating desktop virtualization technologies. Citrix's XenApp, as Brad and Jeff discuss, with its integration into System Center Configuration Manager, represents a significant step toward the vision of user-centric client computing.

Additional resources:

Integration of Dell's Lifecycle Controller with Microsoft System Center

Dave Morehouse — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:58:00 GMT

Brad Anderson, System Center corporate VP, meets with Laurie Tolson, systems management VP of Dell, to discuss their technology partnership, in particular the integration with System Center of Dell's latest offering in systems management, Lifecycle Controller 1.2, part of the 11G family of Dell server hardware.

Screencast (Part 4 of 4): Master Your Environment with System Center Configuration Manager 2007

johnbake — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Part 4: Desired Configuration Management and Network Access Protection.

The final screencast in a series of four on System Center Configuration Manager.

Part 1 of 4: The Administrator Console : Review the basics of SCCM 2007

Part 2 of 4: Site Server Roles : Discuss the different Site Server Roles and what each of role does.

Part 3 of 4: Operating System Deployment and Software Update Management : Review the OSD functionality and integration with WSUS.

As more clients and servers are added to your environment, the task of managing these resources becomes much more complex. Knowing the range of available hardware and software, while keeping the machines current with the latest applications and patch updates can become onerous. But don’t despair – there’s a solution to this problem. System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SCCM 2007) is the ideal way to comprehensively assess, deploy, and update your servers, clients, and devices – across physical, virtual, distributed, and mobile environments. Not only can you take control of your infrastructure, but you can also leverage SCCM 2007’s integration with Network Access Protection (NAP) to quickly and easily remediate machines throughout the organization that don’t meet the network policy requirements. You’ll see how simple this remediation process can be, regardless of whether machines are communicating with your network through VPN, hardwired, or wireless connections.

Screencast (Part 3 of 4): Master Your Environment with System Center Configuration Manager 2007

johnbake — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Part 3: Operating System Deployment and Software Update Management.

The third screencast in a series of four on System Center Configuration Manager.

Part 1 of 4: The Administrator Console : Review the basics of SCCM 2007

Part 2 of 4: Site Server Roles : Discuss the different Site Server Roles and what each of role does.

Part 4 of 4: Desired Configuration Manager and Network Access Protection : Review DCM and see how NAP can be integrated with SCCM 2007 to remediate unhealthy systems.

Screencast (Part 2 of 4): Master Your Environment with System Center Configuration Manager 2007

johnbake — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Part 2: Site System Roles

The second screencast in a series of four on System Center Configuration Manager.

Part 1 of 4: The Administrator Console : Review the basics of SCCM 2007

Part 3 of 4: Operating System Deployment and Software Update Management : Review the OSD functionality and integration with WSUS.

Part 4 of 4: Desired Configuration Manager and Network Access Protection : Review DCM and see how NAP can be integrated with SCCM 2007 to remediate unhealthy systems.

Screencast (Part 1 of 4): Master Your Environment with System Center Configuration Manager 2007

johnbake — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Part 1: The Administrator Console

The first in a series of four screencasts on System Center Configuration Manager.

Part 2 of 4: Site Server Roles : Discuss the different Site Server Roles and what each of role does.

Part 3 of 4: Operating System Deployment and Software Update Management : Review the OSD functionality and integration with WSUS.

Part 4 of 4: Desired Configuration Manager and Network Access Protection : Review DCM and see how NAP can be integrated with SCCM 2007 to remediate unhealthy systems.

Behind the scenes at MMS for the Keynote Demo

Joey Snow — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:10:00 GMT

Hopefully you have had a chance to catch the interview I did with Jeff Wettlaufer regarding the demo he is doing at this years Microsoft Management Summit (MMS). Yesterday we made our way backstage for the keynote and had a chance to catch up with Jeff and get a view of things from behind the curtain (or big projection screen as is the case here).

Microsoft Management Summit 2009 Keynote Demo

Joey Snow — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Last week before I made the trek down here to Vegas, I was walking through building 44 on my way back from a meeting and I saw this conference room decked out with a ton of laptops on the table. Normally that's not a strange sight as most meetings look like that, but there were no people attached to them and Jeff Wettlaufer and Wally Mead were in the room. Jeff, Wally and the rest of the team were building a VERY COOL keynote demo for the MMS 2009 conference demonstrating migration of 20 laptop computers from XP SP3 to Windows 7 over WIRELESS! Yes I said WIRELESS! Check out the video and stay tuned for a second part shot from backstage here in Las Vegas.

Microsoft Management Summit 2009 Day 2 Keynot Recap with Brad Anderson

Adam Bomb — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Brad Anderson, General Manager of System Center, sat down with me to recap the announcements and demos shown in his Day 2 keynote presentation at MMS. He talks about System Center, Windows 7, System Center Online, and Service Manager.

Microsoft Management Summit 2009 Day 1 Keynote Recap with Brad Anderson

Adam Bomb — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:07:00 GMT

MMS 2009 Day 1 keynote, presented by Bob Kelly, focused on the data center. I sat down with Brad Anderson, the General Manager in System Center, and he walked me through the announcements we made around Operations Manager and the other key announcements from the keynote.

TechNet Radio: How Microsoft IT Developed a Business Case for System Center Configuration Manager 2007

Eric Ostrowski — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Learn how Microsoft IT plans to implement Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 in a data center to enable reduced costs through optimized IT resources, improve efficiency, and allow the data center to meet its data and computing needs.

System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 RTM!

Adam Bomb — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:01:00 GMT

RTM = Release To Manufacturing. It means the product is done and the binaries have been sent to the CD printer.

SCVMM = System Center Virtual Machine Manager. Integrated, multi-vendor management for virtual environments, including Virtual Server, Hyper-V and VMware ESX. VMM 2008 also includes a new feature, Performance and Resource Optimization (PRO) which enables customers to dynamically manage the performance of their virtual hosts and guests. It provides optimization awareness down to the workload level enabling customers to take either manual or automated remedial action once an unhealthy or inefficient machine state is identified.

Ok, what’s new in this version? Well, a couple of things:

· Now manages Hyper-V, including Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and the new Hyper-V Server 2008

· Now manages VMWare – if you can do it in the VMWare console, you can do it in SCVMM

· New key features: Cluster support, Delegated Administration and resource optimization with PRO

Can I get an eval copy? Sure. You can download it today here: System Center Virtual Machine Manager

Desktop Virtualization and Configuration Manager

Dave Morehouse — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:20:00 GMT

Jeff Wettlaufer, technical product manager in System Center marketing, chats with Brad Anderson, GM of the Management Services Division, about the latest desktop virtualization innovations that are a part of the R2 release of System Center Configuration Manager 2007.

They briefly go over:

Key aspects of Configuration Manager R2
Application virtualization technology and the R2 release
Hardware virtualization technology included in MDOP licensing

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit - Zero Touch Screencast

Joey Snow — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:01:00 GMT

This 35 minute video walks you through all the steps to prepare for a zero touch installation of a Windows Vista image using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) and System Center Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) 2007:

Setup the server environment for ConfigMgr 2007 OS deployment
Configure the ConfigMgr 2007 Site Settings
Configure the ConfigMgr 2007 Computer Management Settings
Configure the ConfigMgr 2007 Operating System Deployment Settings
Setup and use MDT integration with ConfigMgr 2007
Add a reference machine object to ConfigMgr 2007
Create a build and capture reference image for mass deployment using ConfigMgr 2007