Here is an outline of the small lab environment that was used for this SCCM install. Pay special attention to the listed components that are either prerequisites for installing SCCM or are needed later to use the different SCCM roles. (Please note that later versions of any element will work too) Here is a complete list of what roles use what components. I also found a neat installation checklist you may want to check out before getting started.

My Lab

SCCM1 – You guessed it. This is where we will install SCCM

Windows Server 2003 R2, 32bit

• .Net Framework 2.0
• Internet Information Services  6.0 (IIS)
• Active Server Pages
• Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning ( WebDAV)
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service 2.0 (BITS)
• Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (MMC)
• Windows Remote Management 1.1 (WinRM)
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) – Administrator Console Only

SQL Server 2005 SP2

• Database Services
• Workstation Components

DC1 – An active directory domain controller.

Windows Server 2003 R2, 32bit

System Center Configuration Manager Installation Steps

1. Extend the Active Directory Schema

Log on to your Domain Controller as  the all powerful admin and run the schema extension tool. If you are doing this in a production environment there are some additional precautions you should take before touching the schema.  You can see the suggested procedure here. But in my lab why not rush ahead and risk a catastrophe. Isn’t that half the fun? The tool is named ExtADSch.exe and can be found on the SCCM installation disc at \SMSSETUP\BIN\I386.

2. Run the Prerequisite Checker

Go to the server you want to install SCCM (SCCM1 in my case) and pop in the installation disc. Run SPLASH.HTA if it doesn’t start automatically.

Click Run the Prerequisite Checker.

This is the first installation of Configuration Manager on this network so choose the Primary site radio button. Enter the server name where your SQL Server lives in the first box. In the second box enter the server name that has WSUS SDK on it. The last box is for the name of the server that will be your management point. This time you will need the fully qualified domain name. Your environment may be different then mine so adjust accordingly. That’s it for this page. Click OK.

Now that you have told the prereq check where to look it will see what you are missing. Double click any item to get details about how to fix the problem. After you have fixed the issues run the prereq checker again to make sure they have cleared.

3. Configure the Active Directory System Container so that the SCCM site server has full control rights.

Back on the Domain Controller open up Active Directory Users and Computers. Make sure you have the advance view turned on. Right click on the System Container and go to Security tab in Properties. Click Add. Make a computers object with the name and location of your Configuration Manager  machine and click OK.

In the Advanced Settings make sure your SCCM object and all its child objects have full control.

4. Install!!

Run SPLASH.HTA again and click Configuration Manger 2007 SP1 under the Install heading. Click Next on the first induction screen.

Available Setup Options:   On the second screen choose Install a Confutation Manger site server. There are not very many options available if this is your first SCCM installation.

Microsoft Software License Terms:  Read every last word of the license terms. You can even print it and read it over and over just for fun. When you are done, mark the checkbox that says I accept these license terms. Don’t forget your friend the Next button.

Installation Settings: Choose Custom settings and then click Next. You could just choose Simple settings, but where is the fun in that?

Site Type: The next screen is asking if this is the primary site or a secondary site. This is the first instance of SCCM on this network so of course we go with Primary site.

Customer Experience Improvement Program Configuration: Yeah! You are invited…to let Microsoft watch your every move. Just kidding. I don’t think Microsoft will get anything useful from this temporary lab so I chose No this time.

Product Key:  Insert your product key and click Next.

Destination Folder: On the next screen provide a destination Folder where SCCM will be installed. Oh just leave the default and click Next.

Site Settings: Now you have to make an actual choice! It is an arbitrary one but a choice none the less. What will your Site code be? As it explains on the screen- a site code is a 3 character unique identifier for this SCCM site. You can’t change it so choose wisely! The second box is for an unofficial nickname for your site. Fill in these two boxes and…yawn…click Next.

Site Mode: As stated in the title of this article we are using Mixed Mode. Here is some more information about the scarier but more secure Native Mode.

Client Agent Selection: Next you get to choose which client agents you will be able to use.  The agent names are pretty self explanatory but if you want more information here is an article on client agents by Brian Tucker. The more of them you click the more you get to play with!

Database Server: On this screen you need to provide the server location of your SQL Server. The second box is the site database name. There is a naming convention you need to be aware of. Use the letters SMS then an underscore then your site code. Even though SCCM is not longer called SMS that is still the naming convention we use here.

SMS Provider Settings: The SMS Provider should live on the same server as your SQL Server.  It communicates with the database. So enter the name and then click Next.

Management Point: You have to have at least one Management Point to communication with clients so why not add it to the Configuration Manager Site System. This time you will need a fully qualified domain name.

Port Settings: just use the default unless your production environment requires different. HTTPS is grayed out because it only works with Native Mode.

Updated Prerequisite Components: Hasn’t you mama always told you to do your updates? Leave the Check for updates and download newer versions to an alternate path chosen then click Next.

Updated Prerequisite Component Path: Make a folder for your new updates and then enter its path here. The wizard will not accept a path that does not exist. After you click Next there may be some updates that download. This could take several minutes. When it is done a popup box will tell you, “Successfully downloaded all prerequisite components.” Click OK here and then it’s time for the next screen. 

Settings Summary: This is a review of everything you choose throughout the wizard. If you need to change something you need to click the back button until you get back to the corresponding screen. After you click Next the Prerequisite Checker will run itself one more time.

Resolve any errors and read any warnings to make sure they aren’t deal breakers. Then click the big button that says Begin Install!

Setup Action Status Monitoring: Here you will see actions go from Not Started to In Process to Competed. Yeah!

Eventually you will get a screen that informs you that the setup completes successfully (I hope). Click Finish and you’re done!

Join me next time for a step by step guide to upgrading this install to System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2. I will talk a little about the new features available in R2 as well.

Oh and if you want to learn more about System Center Configuration manager check out our training course that is now available.

Related posts:

• A Guide to Upgrading to SCCM 2007 R2
• System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2: Information, Training, Certification, and Resources
• Microsoft Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM Exam 70-401) Certification Guide

Here at Train Signal I am working on a training course about Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2. As Gosia mentioned in a previous article, Configuration Manager is just one part of System Center. The knowledge that I sap up while polishing instructor Scott Lowe’s Configuration Manager videos has been my first taste of the System Center line. Let me tell you I am really liking it. I can see its potential to make life easier for IT pros at medium to large sized businesses.

Configuration Manager Can …

In case you aren’t familiar with its repertoire SCCM allows you to manage all sorts of tasks from within one program. No more Remote Desktop-ing in or – heaven forbid - walking over to a machine.

Here are a few things that System Center Configuration Manager can do:

• Deploy operating systems (even servers!)
• Software distribution, management, and updates
• Manage security, support, updates, and more for mobile users
• Very, very detailed and expansive reporting
• Total Asset Intelligence – know what software and hardware you have where, how it is configured, and how often it is used
• Desired Configuration Management – set a baseline for desired configurations and SCCM will let you know what doesn’t comply

SCCM Certification Exam

Whenever you decide to tackle another Microsoft technology, one thing to consider is certification. You guessed it – Microsoft offers a SCCM certification. It is called Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring.

The exam number is Exam 70-401. If you would like more information here is the Microsoft Learning page on the 70-401 exam. One neat thing about the 401 exam is that it can be used as an elective requirement for the MCSA or MCSE 2003 certifications.

Links to Configuration Manager Resources

I just know you can’t wait for Train Signal to release the SCCM training. To tide you over until then here are some resources.

Blogs to Bookmark

• System Center Configuration Manager Team Blog
• The Configuration Manager Support Team Blog
• Configuration Manager with Jason Lewis

Training and Learning

• Virtual Labs – The two 90 min lab topics are: Introduction to System Center Configuration Manager 2007 and Upgrading from Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 to System Center Configuration Manager 2007
• Pre-Configured Virtual Hard Disc so you can play with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2
• Best Practices for Certificate Management (The PKI kind not the exam kind)
• Train Signal’s upcoming SCCM training *Now Available!* 

Related posts:

• System Center Configuration Manager 70-401 Certification Guide
• Microsoft Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM Exam 70-401) Certification Guide
• Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM Exam 70-400) Certification Guide

I got this package from Microsoft the other day, and on the bottom it says Microsoft System Center. 

After opening it I realized that it was evaluation software for Virtual Machine Manager and Operations Manager (sent because I went to the getVIRTUALnow conference last year), but I wasn’t sure what these products were for.

I decided to Google it and found out that there are 5 core products making up the System Center:

• Configuration Manager 2007 R2
• Operations Manager 2007
• Data Protection Manager 2007
• Virtual Machine Manager 2008
• Essentials 2007

I was able to find out that all these products were created by Microsoft to help us, the Microsoft shops, with efficiency, optimization, enhancement, and protection of our servers and data.

• Configuration Manager 2007 R2

Configuration Manager is designed to help you assess, deploy and update your servers, workstations, and other devices (both physical and virtual devices).

• Operations Manager 2007

Operations Manager (that’s one of the products I got) can help you increase efficiency in your organization and provide much greater control over your IT environment.

• Data Protection Manager 2007

Data Protection Manager assists with rapid and reliable backup and recovery of your data as well as provide continuous data protection for all Microsoft application and file servers.

• Virtual Machine Manger 2008

Virtual Machine Manger (VMM – this is the second evaluation software that appeared at my desk) helps configure and deploy virtual machines.  Once they are deployed it centrally manages the physical and virtual infrastructure.  The 2008 version of VMM provides multi-vendor virtualization platform support, enhanced support of “high availability” host clusters, as well as a few other very appealing new features.

• Essentials 2007

As for the Essentials product, it is designed for businesses with up to 500 workstation and 30 servers and it provides unified management of IT environment with increased efficiency.

To find out more about all these core products as well as other System Center products visit the Microsoft System Center page.

Have you used the System Center products?  I would love to hear about it.  Did you like it?  Do you think it’s worth the investment?  Let me know!

Related posts:

• Microsoft Systems Center Certification Overview
• Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (SCDPM Exam 70-658) Certification Guide
• Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM Exam 70-400) Certification Guide