In this post, we will be looking at using SCCM dynamic queries to populate collections in our deployments. As an SCCM administrator, you most likely had to plan out mass deployments to all your servers or workstations or even both. How did you go ahead and populate your collections? Queries? Since the introduction of SCCM 2012, we now have a multitude of options, most notably: Direct membership Queries Include a collection Exclude a collection Chances are, if you are deploying new software to be part of a baseline for workstations (for example), you will also add it to your task sequence. In my past life, I must admit, I really did like queries. They can be such a powerful tool to populate your collections. I always was looking for ways to pimp the usual types of queries we use. For example, we developed a fabulous list of operational collections that we … Read More
SCCM Client Version and Cumulative Update List
This blog post compiles a list of SCCM client versions, build numbers and cumulative updates since the 2012 RTM release. SCCM Upgrades are released 2 times a year. After an SCCM Upgrade, it’s important to upgrade your SCCM Client version to the latest version. SCCM updates are cumulative, meaning that the latest one includes the previous one. (Ex: You don’t need to apply SCCM 2203 if you plan to install 2303). We recommend that you upgrade all your clients when you are applying the latest SCCM version. We release a step-by-step guide on how to update your SCCM server each time a version comes out. Just use the link next to the client version in the table to be redirected to the upgrade post. Why your SCCM Client version is important Knowing which SCCM client version you are running in your environment lets you benefit from the SCCM (MECM) latest … Read More
How to Strengthen Security for Intune with RBAC in SCCM
The majority of companies use SCCM to manage laptops, computers, servers and some for mobile devices, if they use Microsoft Intune in hybrid mode. In some situations, Intune and SCCM management is done by 2 different teams. Except for the Full Administrator role in SCCM, it’s possible to separate Intune with Configuration Manager infrastructure in the console by using security roles and security groups (RBAC). The goal is to ensure that an Intune administrator does not access Configuration Manager client devices and objects, as you don’t want to end up with people who may wipes or manages mobile devices when they are supposed to be only Configuration Manager admins. This post will explain how to strengthen security and separate Intune with Configuration Manager infrastructure in SCCM console. Create Devices Collection for Intune Client The first thing to do is create a device collection that targets Intune clients. There’s two ways to create … Read More
Step-by-Step SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 CU3 Installation Guide
Cumulative Update 3 (CU3) for SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 and SCCM 2012 SP2 is now available. This post is a complete step-by-step SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 CU3 Installation guide. If you’re looking for a complete SCCM 2012 installation guide, see our blog series which covers it all. Installing SCCM cumulative updates is very important to your infrastructure. It fix lots of issues, which some of them are important. Microsoft recommends installing Cumulative Updates if you are affected by a resolved issues. If you are not on SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 or SCCM 2012 SP2, the latest CU is Cumulative Update 5. If you are running SCCM 1511, this Cumulative Update is not applicable to your setup. As this is a cumulative update, you don’t have to install prior CU(1-2) before installing CU3. CU3 contains all the fixes included in previous CU. Improvements/Fixes There’s no new major functionality in CU3. This update contains fixes for issues … Read More
How to enable the new SCCM 1511 Software Center
SCCM 1511 contains many new features, one of them is the improved Software Center. After installing or upgrading to SCCM 1511, on an updated client you’ll see that the Software Center hasn’t changed. This is because the new Software Center is not enabled by default. This blog post will describe how to enable the new SCCM 1511 Software Center. Some of the main improvements : Possibility to view Users and Device deployments New visual design Device Compliance is now part of Software Center. Don’t get confused, this is not for Compliance Settings (DCM) it’s for Conditional Access scenarios Silverlight is no longer a requirement Enable the new SCCM 1511 Software Center The new Software Center is enabled through SCCM Client Settings. To enable the function and deploy it to your machines : Open the SCCM Console Go to Administration / Client Settings Create a new Client Settings or modify the one your using. For this post … Read More
How to configure and enable SCCM Discovery Methods
After you completed your SCCM installation, you certainly want to start managing some systems. The effective way to add them in SCCM is to configure SCCM discovery methods. This blog article will explain the various discovery methods and will describe how to configure it. In the first parts of these SCCM 2012 and SCCM 1511 blog series, we covered the complete SCCM 2012 R2 and SCCM 1511 installation. In the final parts, we will cover the basic SCCM configurations. What is SCCM Discovery Methods Here’s the official discovery methods definition from Technet : SCCM discovery methods identifies computer and user resources that you can manage by using Configuration Manager. It can also discover the network infrastructure in your environment. Discovery creates a discovery data record (DDR) for each discovered object and stores this information in the Configuration Manager database. When discovery of a resource is successful, discovery puts information about the resource in a file that … Read More
Configure SCCM 2012 Boundaries
In this part of this SCCM 2012 and SCCM 1511 blog series, we will configure SCCM boundaries. First, let’s define what a boundary in SCCM is : From Technet : In System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, a boundary is a network location on the intranet that can contain one or more devices that you want to manage. Boundaries can be an IP subnet, Active Directory site name, IPv6 Prefix, or an IP address range, and the hierarchy can include any combination of these boundary types. To use a boundary, you must add the boundary to one or more boundary groups. Boundary groups are collections of boundaries. By using boundary groups, clients on the intranet can find an assigned site and locate content when they have to install software, such as applications, software updates, and operating system images. A boundary does not enable clients to be managed at the network location. To manage … Read More
Step-by-Step SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 CU1 Installation Guide
Cumulative Update 1 (CU1) for SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 and SCCM 2012 SP2 is now available. This post is a complete step-by-step SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 CU1 Installation guide. If you’re looking for a complete SCCM 2012 installation guide, see our blog series which covers it all. Installing SCCM cumulative updates is very important to your infrastructure. It fix lots of issues, which some of them are important. As this is the first post-R2 SP1 cumulative update, the important requirement for the installation is that SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 is installed. The latest non-R2 SP1 cumulative update is CU5. Don’t get confused, this CU could have been named CU6 (chronologically wise) but Microsoft has decided to reset the numbering due to the Service Pack release. See our SCCM 2012 versions post to have a clear view of all build numbers. Improvements/Fixes The major new functionality of CU1 is the Automatic Client Upgrade feature during CU setup wizard. This will … Read More
8 Ways to Monitor Distribution Points in SCCM
Distribution Points are an important part of the infrastructure of SCCM especially if you rely on an inefficient network. Clients must able to reach them to install applications, packages, software updates, and operating systems. SCCM distribution point monitoring is an important part of your infrastructure health. If you plan to install new distribution points in your organization, refer to our distribution point installation guide in Configuration Manager 2012. Once the installation is completed the work does not stop there, you must be sure to manage and monitor them. Monitoring distribution points daily is required to maintain high service availability. In this post, we will explain the best ways to monitor distribution points such as: Console – Administration Console – Monitoring Site Status Console – Monitoring Component Status Console – Monitoring Configuration Console – Monitoring Reports Logs – Site System Server Toolkit – DP Job Manager System Center Dudes | System … Read More
Step-by-Step SCCM 2012 R2 CU5 Installation Guide
Here’s a step-by-step SCCM 2012 R2 CU5 Installation guide. Installing SCCM cumulative updates is very important to your infrastructure. It fix lots of issues, which some of them are important. As this is a cumulative update, you don’t have to install prior CU(1,2,3,4) before installing CU5. CU5 contains all the fixes included in previous CU. Improvements/Fixes There’s no new major functionality in CU5. It mostly applies the latest KB and fixes known bugs. Follow this Microsoft Support page to see a full list of issues that are fixed. PowerShell changes are no longer included in CU as described in our previous post. You won’t find any changes in PowerShell following this CU. Before you begin Installing this update is very similar to CU4. I’ll guide you through the upgrade process step-by-step in a standalone primary scenario. Download the update on the Microsoft Support page This update can be applied directly to the following Systems/Roles: … Read More
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