Starting with SCCM version 1610, cloud management gateway introduces a new way to manage internet clients. This method is different than the “traditional” Internet-based client management (ICBM). Cloud Management Gateway uses a combination of a cloud service deployed in Microsoft Azure and a new site system role that communicates with that service. Clients then use the service to communicate with SCCM. The main advantage of a cloud management gateway is that it doesn’t expose your SCCM servers to the internet but the downside is that it requires an Azure subscription which brings recurring monthly costs. If you’re still unsure which method to use, you can read the Microsoft documentation and see our blog post about internet client management. Make sure that you understand the limitation of using internet clients. We strongly encourage to use this new method if you’ll be managing client on the internet since this feature will evolve with … Read More
SCCM 2012 R2 Management Point Installation
In this part of SCCM 2012 and SCCM 1511 blog series, we will describe how to install a SCCM 2012 R2 or SCCM 1511 Management Point (MP). Role Description Every SCCM hierarchy must have a Management Point to enable client communication. The Management Point is the primary point of contact between Configuration Manager clients and the site server. Management Points can provide clients with installation prerequisites, configuration details, advertisements and software distribution package source file locations. Additionally, Management Points receive inventory data, software metering information and state messages from clients. Multiple Management Points are used for load-balancing traffic and for clients to continue receiving their policy after Management Point failure. Read about SCCM High-Availability options in this Technet article. Prior to SCCM 2012 R2 SP1, it was not possible to assign client directly to a specific Management Point. It’s now possible using the new Preferred Management Point feature. If you don’t have SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 yet, be … Read More
Our favorite SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 New Features
Microsoft announced the release of SCCM 2012 SP2 and SCCM 2012 R2 SP1. This service pack includes tons of new features. We covered the complete installation, now we decided to compile a list of our favorite SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 new features and we’ll be describing how to enable them and explain why they made the cut. Preferred Management Points Official description from Technet : Preferred management points enable a client to identify and prefer to communicate with a management point that is associated with its current network location or boundary. When configured, a client attempts to use a preferred management point from its assigned site before using a management point from its assigned site that is not configured as preferred. Basically it means that you can assign your clients to a preferred management points like you did in the past for content (Distribution Points) using boundary groups. Cumulative Update 3 had a similar concept of Management Point affinity but it was not configurable … Read More