System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 New Features

Application Virtualization Management – Now the machines you are managing don’t need to actually have the Configuration Manager client software installed on them. SCCM now supports running virtual application packages on clients with XP or above.  Here is some more information if you are interested. Get on board – application virtualization is the way of the future.

Forefront Client Security Integration – Use Configuration Manager to monitor Microsoft ForeFront Client Security configuration on the applicable clients. Here is a cute little scenario from Microsoft to give you an idea of how to use ForeFront with SCCM.

SQL Reporting Services Reporting – Seamlessly use the advanced reporting capabilities of SQL Reporting services from Configuration Manager. There are now exciting wealth of reports at your disposal! More info.

Client Status Reporting – Keep tabs on the health of your client machines. Get reports on clients who are not responding, are offline, and more.

Operating System Deployment – Create operating system images and deploy them out to systems. You can even deploy operating systems to several systems at once.

Upgrade Steps

First: Download and run the R2 upgrade file named SPLASH.HTA. See the link below to get your evaluation copy.

Start Screen: Click Configuration Manager 2007 R2 under the Install heading from the start screen. Remember this is an upgrade so you must already have Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 installed on this server.

Welcome Screen: Click Next on the welcome screen.

License Agreement: Read the lovely license, accept it, and click Next.

Registration Information: Enter your information and your product key. Then click Next.

Installation: What a pointless step!

Installation Process: Wait and watch as all the little blue guys fill up the line…

Setup Complete: When the Setup Complete screen displays – and I hope it does – click Finish.

That was possibly the most painless install ever. Now go play with all the new features!

Want to Play Along?

So if you want to give this a try here are links to the evaluation copies of Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 and the R2 up grade

• SCCM 2007 SP1 Evaluation Copy
• SCCM 2007 R2 Upgrade Evaluation Copy

Now that you have SCCM installed and upgraded take the next step: Learn how to manage updates, deploy software/operating systems, and more with System Center Configuration Manager Training.

Related posts:

• A Guide to Installing SCCM 2007 SP1 in Mixed Mode
• Microsoft Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM Exam 70-401) Certification Guide
• System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2: Information, Training, Certification, and Resources