Book Image

Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: Administration Cookbook

Book Image

Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: Administration Cookbook

Overview of this book

Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager (CM12) is a systems management application for managing large groups of Windows-based computer systems. System Center 2012 Configuration Manager provides remote control, patch management, software distribution, operating system deployment, network access protection, and hardware and software inventory. This practical cookbook shows you how to administer System Center 2012 Configuration Manager and understand how to solve particular problems/scenarios Packed with over 50 task-based and immediately reusable recipes, this book starts by showing you how to design a System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Infrastructure. The book then dives into topics such as recommended SQL configuration for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, deploying Windows 7 with Operating System Deployment (OSD), deploying Applications and Software Updates, managing Compliance Settings, managing Sites and managing Inventory amongst others.
Table of Contents (15 chapters)
Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: Administration Cookbook
Credits
About the Authors
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Introduction


This chapter is all about the CM client. You will learn multiple methods to deploy the client, as well as how to be proactive in monitoring client agent health. Client health in CM12 is a giant leap forward in detecting, automatically repairing, and reporting on health and activity (officially called client status).

Another fantastic feature in CM12 is client settings. You can configure and deploy specific settings (inventory classes, software metering, software inventory, and all other client settings) to one or more collections. This allows you, for example, to reduce the classes for hardware inventory on servers, while continuing to inventory workstation systems. Also items such as end user notifications can be controlled at a collection level.

Power management is also an important feature of CM12. As an admin, you can allow users to opt out of corporate power management configurations, or you can enforce specific power settings, based on collections.