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New version of the Deployment CD

Johan Arwidmark has released a second version of the Deployment CD. This version provides step-by-step guides and video tutorials on how to build a Windows Deployment Solution using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010, with or without, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 SP2

You can download the CD, by singing up at the Deployment CD webpage

Service Manager Authoring Tool: The ABCDs of Workflows....

What the heck are WFs in Service Manager Authoring Tool?

A workflow (WF) is comprised of a set of one or more activities (also referred to as a WF activity). Each workflow activity performs a function, such as joining a user or a computer to a group in Active Directory or running a script. The Workflow is primarily triggered by one of two mechanisms: schedule or event based. If it is schedule based, the WF can fire periodically based on a predetermined schedule. If it is event based, it is based on some event or state change that took place in SM DB. For example, a new incident was recently created. This may trigger a WF to publish the incident to a SharePoint site.(continue at source)

Windows Client 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7 Operating System Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

The Windows Client Monitoring Management Pack is built to detects, diagnose, and resolve hardware and software problems pertaining to Client 2000, XP, and Vista operating systems. Information and analysis on the issues that the system detected are collected by the MPs through an agent on the client machine, and sent to OpsMgr where this data is converted into health state, alerts (if need be) and processed for business critical and aggregate reports. The MP gives a clear picture of catastrophic failures in your mission critical machines, trend-based alerts of significant changes to computer groups, in-depth views of health of individual machines, and reports that provide a landscape view of the health of all monitored clients.

Feature Summary

* Key Processor Performance Indicators
* Logical and Physical disk performance and free space
* Memory utilization
* Network health
* Health monitoring of key Windows Operating System services
* Comprehensive performance collections
* Availability and event reports

Download: Windows Client 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7 Operating System Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Management Pack for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2.

The Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Management Pack adds support for monitoring Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 in a 64-bit environment with Operations Manager 2007 R2 or Operations Manager 2007 SP1 with hotfix (KB971541) installed. This enables the Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Management Pack to work with either the 32-bit or the 64-bit Operations Manager 2007 agent. Except for the 64-bit support, the other features and guidance for Configuration Manager 2007 Management Packs remain intact.

This management pack includes:

* Detection and monitoring of all Configuration Manager servers and dependent services
* The alert driven state
* The site hierarchy diagram
* Performance and backlog monitoring and configuration
* Performance and availability reports

Download: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Management Pack for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2.

Renaming the Configuration Manager 2007 database

You may find that at some point you need to change the name of the SCCM 2007 database and the steps to do so are below. I worked on a case just like this a few days back and during that time I got the opportunity to confirm that this procedure works and is supported in the lab.(continue at source)

Live Maps V4.1 for SCOM R2 Released

Savision: We are proud to announce the release of Live Maps 4.1 for Operations Manager R2. This update contains, besides some fixes and performance improvements, a number of new features that have been added based on customer feedback. Some of the new features are highlighted in this article, a complete overview can be found in the release notes.(continue at source)

What's New in Configuration Manager 2007 SP2

While no new features have been added for the Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 release, some have changed very little since Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 and some have changed a lot.

On Technet you can find more information about what's new in Service Pack 2. (continue at source)

System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Authoring Resource Kit

The System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Resource Kit will install the Authoring console, which aids customers in creating and modifying operations management packs (MPs). Optionally, eight tools designed to help improve the MP authoring experience will also be included: the MP Best Practice Analyzer; MP Spell Checker; Visio MP Diagram Generator; Cookdown Analyzer; All References Addin; MP Diff; Workflow Analyzer; and Workflow Simulator.

Download: System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Authoring Resource Kit

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Evaluation

Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Evaluation is a full version of the product that is valid for 180 days from the time of installation.

Service Pack 2 for Configuration Manager 2007 delivers new platform support for Windows 7 client, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2. In addition, Service Pack 2 delivers continued innovation with Intel vPro technology, support for Branch Cache enabled environments, and continued development for 64 bit architectures.

Download: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Evaluation

System Center Configuration Manager Service Pack 2

Service Pack 2 for Configuration Manager 2007 delivers new platform support for Windows 7 client, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2. In addition, Service Pack 2 delivers continued innovation with Intel vPro technology, support for Branch Cache enabled environments, and continued development for 64 bit architectures.

Download: Service Pack 2 for Configuration Manager 2007 (more)

SccmAutoDoc by OSCC goes Beta 1

SccmAutoDoc is a command-line utility that documents a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 site in a human-readable format. Much effort has been put in making the document resemble closely to what you see in the Configuration Manager admin console. SccmAutodoc in other words documents your Site Configuration.

Additionally the goal is to document only relevant settings, and to not include items that are irrelevant. For example if the software inventory client agent is disabled, than it doesn't make much sense to document the software inventory agent schedule.(continue at source)

ConfigMgr Service Pack 2 hits RTM

Jannes Alink (ConfigMgr MVP) reports: Two days ago the ConfigMgr product team signed off Service Pack 2. This means that it is now Released To Manufacturer, which means that this is the final version and no changes will be made at this time.

It will be Released To Web very soon.

DFS Replication Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007 is available

The DFS Replication Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007 monitors the health of the DFS Replication service on computers running Windows Server 2003 R2 or Windows Server 2008. This management pack retrieves events generated by the DFS Replication service that indicate the health of the service, replication groups, and replicated folders that are hosted on monitored computers. It also tracks important operational parameters such as the consumption of staging area and the number of replication conflicts generated. The management pack also includes a backlog monitoring view which provides an intuitive dashboard for monitoring replication backlogs.

Download the DFS Replication Management Pack

Microsoft System Center Online Desktop Manager website is live

Microsoft System Center Online Desktop Manager is a hosted IT management solution based on Microsoft System Center management technologies that provides the capability to secure, update, monitor, configure, troubleshoot and collect inventory from a single, Web-based console.

Desktop Manager Key Features
Single Web-based console built on Silverlight technology to securely manage corporate, branch and mobile desktops
Resolve client PC issues more rapidly and efficiently through real-time remote troubleshooting support
Access all Microsoft security, critical and driver updates to keep your PCs running efficiently and securely
Protect PCs from malware (spyware and viruses) and review reports and information on current threats
Enforce desired configuration for all managed PCs including template-based desired state configuration to reduce support costs and drive toward common configurations

Register to be notified when the Desktop Manager beta is available for download.

Visit the Microsoft System Center Online Desktop Manager webpage

OpsMgr: Management Pack Guides for Cross Platform Operating Systems

The cross platform management packs help you manage your cross platform computers as part of your Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 infrastructure.

The cross platform management packs alerts you to problems with components such as agents and services so that you can continuously monitor the servers and clients on which your business depends.

AIX Management Pack Guide
HP-UX Management Pack Guide
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Management Pack Guide
Solaris Management Pack Guide
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Management Pack Guide

Dutch event: System Center User Group Nederland op 16 november

Op 16 november organiseert de nederlandse System Center User Group (SCUG) in samenwerking met INOVATIV en HP, een speciale bijeenkomst. We hebben drie sprekers uit de System Center product teams van Microsoft USA bereid gevonden om naar Nederland te komen om diepgaande sessies over respectievelijk SCCM, SvcMgr en SCOM te geven.

Wally Mead geeft inzage in SCCM 2007 R2 en kijkt tevens vooruit naar R3. Nigel Cain presenteert over beta-2 van Service Manager en blikt vooruit naar de RTM in de 1e helft van 2010. Daniel Savage sluit het evenement af met een level-300/400 sessie over System Center Operations Manager en reporting. HP opent de middag met de HP visie op systeembeheer System Center in combinatie met de bekende HP serverlijnen.

Hier kunt u zich inschrijven (more)

Forefront Security for Office Communications Server Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

The Microsoft Forefront Security for Office Communications Server Management Pack for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 provides real-time insight into the health and performance of key Forefront Security for Office Communications Server (Version 10) components and services. The Microsoft Forefront Security for Office Communications Server Management Pack alerts the administrator to critical events affecting the security of their OCS environment. Proactive management of the Microsoft Forefront Security for Office Communications Server environment is facilitated through management pack activity reports on IM scan performance.

Download: Forefront Security for Office Communications Server Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

OpsMgr R2 by Example: the DHCP MP

The Windows DHCP Server management pack is available as a single download that contains different libraries to monitor Windows DHCP on Windows Server 2000, 2003 and 2008 operating systems.

Learn more on how to install and use the DHCP MP.(continue at source)

OpsMgr: Blackberry Management Pack

OpsLogix’ intelligent management pack for BlackBerry, checks the status of your BlackBerry service as a whole, checking every component.

Using System Center Operations Manager’s built-in Live Views, it provides the BES administrator insight in the root-cause of the problem.

More information about the Blackberry Management Pack

Exchange Server 2003 Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

The Exchange Server 2003 Management Pack monitors the performance and availability of Exchange Server 2003 systems. It can also issue alerts for possible configuration problems Availability and performance monitoring is done using synthetic transactions. In addition, the Management Pack collects Event Log alerts and provides associated knowledge articles with additional user details, possible causes, and suggested resolutions. The Management Pack discovers and monitors the individual server components and functional areas on an Exchange Server 2003 server.

Download: Exchange Server 2003 Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

Using ConfigMgr task sequences to chain App-V applications to MSI installations

It is a fact that many applications require other applications to run properly. In App-V these dependencies can be sequenced along with the main application in the same virtual environment or they can be sequenced separately and joined together through Dynamic Suiting Composition.

In the old days we could use the “Run another program first” on the Advanced tab of the Program properties option to chain two applications together. But since App-V applications don’t have Programs we can’t use this anymore.

Luckily this issue can be solved by using Configuration Manager 2007 Task Sequences.(continue at source)

System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Cross Platform Update

The System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Cross Platform Update adds fixes for a defunct process issue on Unix/Linux Servers, as well as, adds support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions) and Solaris Zone support.

Feature Summary:
The System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Cross Platform Update supports the monitoring of Unix/Linux Servers including:

* Monitoring of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 servers (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions)
* Support of Solaris Zones
* Fix for defunct Process issue

Download System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Cross Platform Update

Improvements to Active Directory Monitoring with System Center

The Active Directory team has just released an updated version of the Operations Management Pack for Active Directory (version 6.0.7050.0).  This latest update includes:

• Support for Windows Server 2008 R2.
• Additional support for:
• Active Directory Web Services (ADWS) for Windows Server 2008 R2;
• Active Directory Management Gateway Service for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, and Windows Server 2008.
• Updates to existing functionality around:
• Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 migration;
• Monitoring of operations master roles (also known as flexible single master operations (FSMO) roles);
• Enhanced performance monitors, and log size and database size monitors.
• A revamped deployment and usage guide.

Users of Operations Manager 2007 R2 can download this directly from the online MP service via the integrated MP download wizard.  Alternatively the MP can be downloaded from here or via the Operations Manager MP Catalog.

How to create custom Operating System Capture Media using ConfigMgr 2007

Rahul Prasad, Configuration Manager Support Engineer: Recently I ran into a situation where I needed to customize the OS capture media in System Center Configuration Manager 2007 as the standard capture media created by ConfigMgr does not have any way to be modified or customized. (continue at source)

OpsMgr: We need your vote!

Hello OM Community,

Most of you know we recently launched an easy to reach feedback portal for you all to file bugs and/or suggestions for the next version of Operations Manager - located here: https://connect.microsoft.com/OpsMgr/Feedback - All you need to do is be registered on Connect.

What is cool is that we are now able to utilized the "Vote" feedback mechanism to help prioritize our work based on feedback from YOU. For example, today I can see 4 items that have had at least 3 votes. The first (scheduling maintenance mode) which we plan to do for v.next; the second being adding the OE tool in the product, etc., etc.

We would love to have you all vote on the existing feedback here so we can shape the product - based on what you want rather than what we think you need :)

Example:
https://connect.microsoft.com/OpsMgr/SearchResults.aspx?SearchQuery=&FeedbackType=1&Scope=0&Votes=3&SortOrder=10&TabView=0

The System Center Online Desktop Manager beta is coming soon

The System Center Online team has been working hard in preparation for its next beta release of System Center Online Desktop Manager, expected in the fall of this year. This exclusive beta will only be available to a select number of customers. Our last beta was only offered to a small audience and resulted in a lot of great feedback from the customers who participated. This time we are widening the scope to include a few hundred customers.(continue at source)

Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP) to be build on System Center Configuration Manager

Today we are announcing a schedule and strategy update for Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010, a component of the upcoming Forefront Protection Suite (previously codenamed “Stirling.”)

We are delaying the release Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 - anti-malware for Windows desktops and servers - until the second half of 2010. Based on customer feedback and market trends, we have made the strategic decision to build Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP) on System Center Configuration Manager, Microsoft’s solution to comprehensively assess, deploy, and update servers, clients, and devices. This approach better aligns our customers’ client management and security infrastructure, helping simplify deployment and reduce costs.(continue at source)

Using Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 SP1 with Hyper-V

In this article, you will learn about Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2007 SP1, and how it can backup Hyper-V configuration information and virtual machines. In addition to reviewing DPM 2007 SP1’s functionality, you will understand how to update Hyper-V and virtual machines for backup using DPM 2007 SP1.(continue at source)

Creating Notification Templates in System Center Service Manager

Travis Wright: When you subscribe to receive email notifications from System Center Service Manager you need to choose a notification template that will determine how the email will be formatted when it is sent to you. Besides describing the general process for creating notification templates have a few powerful features which I’ll highlight in this post.(continue at source)

Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Now Available!

Just released by the Solution Accelerators Team …. the Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) Guide for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager. Updated for System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2, this guide outlines the critical infrastructure design elements that are crucial to a successful implementation of Microsoft System Center Operations Manager. The reader is guided through the step-by-step process of designing components, layout, and connectivity in a logical, sequential order. Identification and design of the required management groups is presented in simple, easy-to-follow steps, helping the reader to design and optimize management infrastructure.

Download the updated IPD Guide for System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 and System Center Operations Manager 2007.

Updated version of the SCS to SCCM Migration Utility Available

An updated version of the SCS to SCCM migration utility has just been released. For those customers that were previously activated on the SMS Add-on and the Intel SCS, this utility will help ease your migration to SCCM SP1 or the upcoming SCCM SP2. This new version has been tested and validated to support up to SCS 5.x and SCCM SP2.

The SCS to SCCM migration utility is used to prepare Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT) systems, that were configured using the Intel® Setup and Configuration Service (Intel® SCS) and managed by any management console, to be configured and managed by Microsoft* System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).(continue at source)

Understanding Monitors in OpsMgr 2007 part III – Dependency Monitors

Steve Rachui: This is part 3 (and last) of my series of posts describing monitors. The first post, found here, discussed unit monitors, which are the engine of monitoring. The second post, found here, discussed aggregate monitors, the ‘umbrella’ monitor sitting above unit monitors and reflecting their collective health forward – ultimately all the way to the class level. (continue at source)

Service Manager Beta 2 Has Shipped

Travis Wright: We just signed off on Beta 2, sprayed champagne on each other, and dunked each other in the pond to celebrate!! Next steps for you:

1. First, please celebrate with us virtually by checking out these photos!
2. Then go download Beta 2 from Connect!
3. Tell us what you think on the publicforum !

This milestone is the feature complete milestone for Service Manager. From here on out we will only be fixing bugs and responding to customer feedback. The end is in sight!!

What’s new in Beta 2?

* Problem management
* End user self-service portal
* IT analyst portal
* Inbound email to incident workflow
* New reports
* Full extensible data warehouse
* Authoring console for customizing forms and creating custom workflows (without writing code!)
* Operations Manager integration – alert to incident scenario and service/service component inventory sync
* Self-service software provisioning
* significant improvements in performance and scalability

Also, of note this is the first time that any System Center product has ever simultaneously shipped a beta release in multiple languages (English, German, and Japanese for now).(continue at source)

Microsoft turning configuration management "on its side"

Microsoft is changing up the next version of its System Center Configuration Manager so instead of managing devices it will manage users and their activities across multiple devices.

"It will focus on… providing them an appropriate profile for information access based on the job function of the user together with the device they are using," says Bob Muglia, the head of Microsoft's server and tools division. While he did not name the version he was talking about, Microsoft is slated to ship the Windows Server-based Configuration Manager 2007 R3 late in the first three months of 2010. (continue at source)

Microsoft System Center team primes the beta pump

When Microsoft held its business soft-launch for Windows 7 and related enterprise products earlier this week, System Center got next-to-no love.

But that doesn’t mean nothing’s happening on Microsoft’s system-management front. In fact, in the past couple of weeks, the team has delivered relatively quietly more than a few new test builds of a variety of new wares in the works.(continue at source)

System Center and ‘The New Efficiency’…

With the launch of Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Exchange, System Center has been building a collection of stories with our friends in the different product groups. Its exciting to see the efforts of everyone on our team light up with the launch efforts. We wanted to show you how you can see the System Center content on the official launch site. (continue at source)

WDS F11 Server Selection Feature... It's undocumented, it's unsupported - but really cool

Johan Arwidmark: There is a little known Server Selection Feature in WDS in Windows Server 2008 R2. Its not documented, it's not supported by Microsoft. But its very useful for lab and test scenarios...

How to enable it? Simply go to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WDSServer\Providers\WDSPXE\Providers\BINLSVC and set AllowServerSelection to 1.

Then restart the Windows Deployment Service. After doing this you get the option tp press F11 and the PXE client will now discover local PXE Servers and allow you to select which one you want to use.(continue at source)

ConfigMgr SP2 is speedy

Michael Niehaus: People have made fun of ConfigMgr, and every version of SMS before that, for being “slow moving software”. For those of you who try to deploy software to a machine and then wait for it to actually happen, you know what I mean: it was guaranteed to take two minutes from the time you advertised it to the time the first clients acted on it.

With ConfigMgr SP2, a significant portion of that delay (which was actually happening on the client side, not on the server) was removed. Now, I can add a new machine into a collection, then go to the machine and initiate a machine policy retrieval cycle and see a popup for new advertisements within a few seconds. The first time that happened I was a bit startled by the result – surely something must be wrong. But it wasn’t, the advertisement really was available that quickly.

ConfigMgr SP2 is still available as an RC through http://connect.microsoft.com, so you can try it out in your lab if you want. It is expected to be released by the end of October.