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Using Maintenance Windows While Patching

I got a really good question today on maintenance windows and patching and how they can or cannot work together. Specifically if you had a maintenance window defined, but told the patches to install ignoring the maintenance window but suppress the reboots until the maintenance window will it install the updates and hold off on rebooting the clients until the maintenance window? First let's go over defining maintenance windows. Assuming you already have a collection of computers built that you...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: Patching, SUP, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager, SCCM, Maintenance Windows, WSUS

ConfigMgr SP1 Goes RTM

Update : Download link More Details . Overview Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 now offers full support for management with Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, integrates customer feedback, feature Integration with Intel vPro Technology and enhances Asset Intelligent features. Full Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 Support: Deploy and manage Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008—with full support for the latest Windows platforms, from planning through inventory, to deployment, and...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: Vista, News, ConfigMgr, Server 2008, Configuration Manager, SCCM, Downloads

ConfigMgr SP1 Goes RTM

Just made public today, it will take a day or so to get the bits available for download. Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Microsoft MVP System Center Configuration Manager http://configmgr.com © Anthony Clendenen Technorati Tags: ConfigMgr , service pack , SCCM  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: News, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager, SCCM

New Tool for DCM

This tool coverts Security Content Automation Protocol files into DCM packs. It is in public beta and you can get it here . Overview The SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM can convert any SCAP stream files into DCM Configuration Packs for use with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007. This Beta release includes a user guide that provides detailed instructions for using this command-line tool, as well as detailed information about the mapping between the SCAP protocol and DCM. Please note...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: Tools, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager, SCCM, Desired Configuration Management, Downloads

How To Upgrade SMS 2003 to ConfigMgr

Back at the end of September I was preparing my home lab for ConfigMgr testing. Since then I have been trying to get back to this article to proof it and tidy it up for publishing. After a number of requests and a light amount of work after 15 hour day today I am sitting in my hotel room, eating mediocre room service, while the Bears are beating the Vikings on MNF, so what better time to do it. Here are the basic software prerequisites for upgrading from SMS 2003 to ConfigMgr: MMC 3.0 .NET Framework...  ... Read the full post or  the 3 comments. Filed under: SMS 2003, Tools, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager

ConfigMgr Toolkit Available for Download

This toolkit includes many of the classics along with a few new hits. Overview The following list provides specific information about each tool in the toolkit. Client Spy - A tool to help troubleshoot issues related to software distribution, inventory, and software metering on Configuration Manager 2007 clients. Policy Spy - A policy viewer to help review and troubleshoot the policy system on Configuration Manager 2007 clients. Trace32 - A log viewer that provides a way to easily view and monitor...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: Tools, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager, Desired Configuration Management

ConfigMgr Desired Configuration Management Objects versus Settings

In ConfigMgr these names sound very clear, objects , settings , right....Let's look at the description of these two. "Use the Objects tab of the Configuration Manager 2007 configuration item properties dialog box to view, add, edit, and delete objects that you want to include in this configuration item. Examples of configuration item objects are files, folders, and registry keys." "Use the Settings tab of the Configuration Manager 2007 configuration item properties dialog box to...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: Documentation, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager, Desired Configuration Management

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...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: Beta, News, OSD, WAIK, SMSWakeUp, SMSNomad Branch, OSD Plus Pack, ConfigMgr, Server 2008, Configuration Manager

Why Patch Tuesday Turns Into Patch Thursday or Friday or Monday

I used to hate the second Tuesday of every month. I honestly liked it better when patches were released as they were ready. What happens with the scheduled updates is that everyone knows that it is coming and that means that everyone expects their SMS Engineers to have the patches deployed that night, no matter how late, no matter how many people, no matter what! And on Wednesday morning, usually around nine, everyone wants to know the status of the deployments. For me I had some advantages, one...  ... Read the full post or  the 3 comments. Filed under: SMS 2003, et. all, Security, KB Articles, Rants, Packaging, Patching, Reports, SCCM 2007, Funny, SUP, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager, SCCM

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...  ... Read the full post or  the 2 comments. Filed under: Packaging, Patching, System Center, TechNet, Microsoft, SCCM 2007, OSD, SUP, BDD, ConfigMgr, Configuration Manager, SCCM, Podcast