SCCM 2007 R2 SP2 Features - Technical Overview

     

    This section is the Technical overview.  A basic overview is available under SCCM on the right of this page.

    • Inventory and Software Metering.   Configuration Manager can inventory the hardware and software of its clients.  Hardware can gather inventory such as computer manufacture, the amount of memory installed, processor information.  The software inventory can report on the file types installed and the file versions
    • Asset Intelligence.  Many enterprises refresh hardware every three to five years which results in up to one third of the inventoried computers being replaced by newer models each year. To track the IT assets in their organization effectively, IT administrators must routinely answer the following questions:
      • What hardware assets do we have
      • How are the assets being used and by whom
      • What hardware and software changes have occurred
      • Which assets need to be replace next
      • How are the licenses (Microsoft and non Microsoft) being used, are they properly utilised
      • What hardware is and isn’t compatible with Vista, Windows 7, and other applications CS 4 and 5 for example
    • Software Distribution.  Here are some of the new features in SCCM:
      • Bandwidth – Branch Distribution Points.  These are designed for branch offices with poor network connectivity to HQ.  This role may be installed on a Workstation, XP, Vista or 7.  It uses BITS and allows for provisioning, or the data to be installed from USB disk or DVD saving bandwidth.
      • Maintenance windows.  Administrators may now set specific time frames for software distribution/ updates may and may not run.  This is ideal for organisations with computers must be left alone during business hours.
      • Binary Delta Replication.  Only specific changes within a file are replicated to the other distribution points.  So if 20MB of a OS deployment changes, only 20MB are replicated.
      • Application Virtualisation Management.  SCCM 2007 R2 now supports running sequenced applications which were created using the App-V platform.  This allows you to install virtual application packages on Config Mgr clients without having to install the application software.
    • Software Updates
      • Uses Windows Update to connect to WSUS on a Config Mgr Software Update point
      • All Microsoft and non-Microsoft categories available on Windows Update
      • Scan results are now gathered from state messages – faster and more accurate
      • Utilises BITS technologies.  BITS is installed with the SCCM client
    • Operating System Deployments.  This is one of the most impressive features of Configuration Manager 2007
      • Deploy Images to new or bare metal machines over the network via PXE boot
      • Utilise the WIM file format, file based, binary delta replication, single instance storage
      • A single image may suffice for an organisation with the use of driver packages.  A specific set of drivers may be created for a PC model and the correct drivers deployed during installation
      • USMT or User State Migration Tool.  When this tool is coupled with ODS several useful options lend themselves to OSD.  A user stare is taken an uploaded to the SCCM server and stored.  The PC may be refreshed or reinstalled, a new OS may be installed or the user may have his or her profile copied to a brand new PC.
      • Drives may be encrypted during the install with BitLocker.
      • The task sequencer may be configured to perform custom jobs before, during or after the install.  For example the Antivirus may be uninstalled before the capture, Windows Updates may be installed, programs may be installed, Drivers may be injected and so on.
    • Reporting
      • There are about 400 reports built into R2 SP2
      • These include. Hardware, disk, processor, optical drives, NICs, Video Cards,  and so on.  There are also reports on Software Distribution, Software Updates, and Upgrade Assessment for XP, Vista and & 7.  Reports for users, Wake on LAN, Asset Intelligence and Desired Configuration Management.
      • Reports are customisable and graphical
      • A list of reports maybe displayed with the new Dashboard.  The default views are, Software Deployment Status, Software Updates Management, OS Deployment Status, Client Operating System (Top 10 only), Desired Configuration Management, Client Health State.
    • Desired configuration Management
    • Mobile Device Management
    • Network Access Protection