At the end of August, Microsoft released System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (ConfigMgr) to the world, as the follow up to their highly successful and well regarded SMS application.
SMS has been in use throughout the world since 1994. Designed to enable enterprises to effectively manage the ever-increasing size of their Windows based networks, the product culminated in SMS 2003; a highly stable and feature-rich product that enhanced and supported desktop migration and security patching.
SMS 2003 firmly laid the foundations, and along with some key third party partners, proved that the technology does scale to manage the 150,000+ seat global companies of today. ConfigMgr is the next step in the progression and moves management out of the office environment to the changing world of home workers and mobile workforces. Microsoft’s objective for System Center Configuration Manager 2007 is to build on the success of SMS to become the system of choice for large corporations throughout the world.
Over the past two years of development Microsoft have added a number of great new features and improvements including:
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Task Sequence software distribution and Operating System Deployment |
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Utilizes WDS Zero Touch |
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Integrated Desired Configuration Management |
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Internet Client Management |
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Controlled Enterprise ready Software patching using Microsoft’s WSUS technology |
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Customer patch creation using Microsoft patching solution |
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Branch Distribution Points |
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Wake-On LAN capability |
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Streamlined “Outlook” style interface |
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Security improvements to further enhance protection of data |
Let’s focus on some key new features, firstly internet client management. The ability to manage clients over the Internet is a brilliant new feature that allows companies to ensure that PCs belonging to home workers or the mobile workforce can be patched and kept up to date with critical business applications wherever they are.
Another new innovation, which builds upon Microsoft’s SMS 2003 and Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) capability, is the power to use task sequences during application and operating system deployments. Task sequencing basically allows you to set up a number of pre, post and during execution activities, which all have the ability to apply conditional logic to the process. This allows greater control over the installation process along with robust error-checking to ensure a package is successfully deployed and reported on.
Patch management is now aligned with Microsoft’s corporate standards on its patching approach. Configuration Manager 2007 now uses the same back engine technology as can be found on your home PC, allowing patches to be installed in a unified manner. Onto this model, ConfigMgr adds the ability to provide scalable bandwidth-aware distribution. Another feature enhancement within patching is the ability of desktop PCs to be aware of their current patch status. This aids the process of applying new patches by giving the ConfigMgr Client the control to download only the patches it requires, again aiding WAN bandwidth utilization.
All the above improvements and feature enhancements are packaged into a ‘snazzy’ new secure console that allows administrators to quickly control and maintain the enterprise infrastructure. The console is styled in an 'outlook' type look and feel, which allows administrators to quickly exploit the power of ConfigMgr. Security within the product has been made more granular allowing various sections of the console to be locked from view, allowing only the relevant people to work on particular areas.
With the introduction of System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Microsoft have raised the ‘bar’ of systems management technologies to a new level.
Andy Taylor, Senior Consultant, 1E |
