Introduction to Configuration Manager 2007 – Part 2

It looks like Ronni Pedersen already finished the second part of Introduction to Configuration Manager 2007. This one covers installing SQL 2005 (including SP2) and Windows Update Service 3.0 SP1, which is needed if you want to deploy Software Updates to client.

In addition to his article I would like to add that when choosing the SQL 2005 edition be aware that SQL 2005 Express edition is not supported for hosting the Configuration Manager 2007 site database.

Read the complete article at source.

I've started contributing to SoftGridBlog

As you might have read on SoftGridBlog.com Rodney Medina and I have to decided to join forces and contribute to the same website about App-V related stuff. On SoftGridBlog.com I will join the team of Jan van der Elst, Dennis Damen, Jan Willem Roks and of course Rodney who are already contributing.

This doesn’t mean I will stop contributing to DesktopControl. There are many other subjects that I will continue to write about besides the Application Virtualization subjects.

Be sure to subscribe to SoftGridBlog rss if you weren't already.

Introduction to Configuration Manager 2007 – Part 1

A must read if you are new to the product is "Introduction to Configuration Manager 2007 – Part 1" on the blog of Ronni Pedersen.

When people that are new to Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, start playing around with the product in a test lab, they often want to start with a simple OS deployment setup. But if you are new to the product and wants to deploy Windows XP, getting started could be a bit challenging. This article (not sure how many parts it will contain yet), will be a guide through the basic steps, that needs to be configured in order to successful deploy Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3 and Windows Vista Enterprise with Service Pack 1.

This article is based on System Center Configuration Manager 2007 with Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 RTM. All roles will be installed on a single box (virtual machine). Installing everything on the same box is not “best practice” in production.

The headlines for the first parts are:
Part 1: Pre-Configuration Manager Installation tasks
Part 2: Installing and Configuring Configuration Manager 2007 with Service Pack 1.
Part 3: Preparing and Configuring Configuration Manager for OS deployment
Part 4: Building the reference image
Part 5: Deploying the client Operating System

Read more at source

Configuration Manager 2007 R2 RC (build 6335) is out

Check out Microsoft Connect because System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 Release Candidate is out.

Remember: this update is for lab use only and requires Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 RTM to be present on the system.

Just to remind you what's new in ConfigMgr 2007 R2 here's the list:

• Application Virtualization management support
• Forefront Client Security Integration
• SQL Reporting Services Reporting - Allows you to report on Configuration Manager activity using SQL Reporting Services
• Client Status Reporting - Provides a set of tools and Configuration Manager 2007 reports to assess the status of client computers, sometimes referred to as "client health." Clients that show a change in activity patterns might need administrative intervention.
• Operating System Deployment Enhancements including: unknown computer support, multicast deployment and running command lines in task sequences with credentials other than the local system account.

Channel 9: John Sheehan about Application Virtualization

There is a very nice video over at Channel 9 in which John Sheehan, the primary architect of Microsoft Application Virtualization (formerly the chief architect of Softricity) digs into the details of how app-v works.



Some highlights:
1' Introduction App-V
4' Conflictfree application deployment
9' App-V shortcuts & FTA's
15' Limitations
20' High Level Architecture
24' User mode & Kernel mode processes
30' Virtual Registry & Virtual FS
32' Communication between virtual applications
35' App-V and Visual Studio
38' Licensing App-V
40' App-V and Terminal Services
46' Server Virtual Applications
49' App-V and VDI
50' Background of John Sheehan

Or check out at source

Have fun!