Overview

The 70-243: Mastering System Center 2012 Configuration Manager online training course describes how to configure and manage client devices and servers using Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager and its associated site systems.

The course focuses on day-to-day management tasks, including managing software deployments, updates, client health, hardware and software inventory, compliance, endpoint protection, application management, mobile device management, querying and reporting.

Course Instructor: Doug Bassett

Course Outline

01. Chapter 1: Overview of Operations Management

  • Defining Operations Management
  • Systems Management
  • Operations Management
  • Understanding IT Service Management
  • Exploring the IT Infrastructure Library
  • Exploring the Microsoft Operations Framework
  • Overview of System Center Configuration Manager
  • Configuration Manager Features

02. Chapter 2: Planning a Configuration Manager Infrastructure

  • Gathering Deployment Intelligence
  • Determining What You Need to Accomplish
  • Describing the Network
  • Describing Your Migration Needs
  • Planning the Configuration Manager Environment
  • System Requirements
  • Extending Active Directory Schema
  • Hierarchies and Sites
  • Site Boundaries and Boundary Groups
  • Site System Roles
  • Best Practices for Site System Design
  • SQL Considerations
  • Site Communications
  • Site Security Mode
  • Discovery of Your Resources
  • Client Settings and Client Deployment
  • Content Management
  • Role-Based Administration
  • Migration
  • Disaster Recovery
  • Designing Your Configuration Manager Environment
  • Planning the Configuration Manager Hierarchy
  • Planning Configuration Manager Site Systems
  • Planning Configuration Manager Clients
  • Determining How to Deploy Configuration Manager
  • Building a Proof-of-Concept Environment
  • The Bottom Line

03. Chapter 3: Migrating from Configuration Manager 2007

  • Introducing Migration
  • Migration Functionality in Configuration Manager 2012
  • Source Hierarchy
  • Data-Gathering Process
  • Migration Job Types
  • Objects Supported for Migration
  • Objects Not Supported for Migration
  • Distribution Point Sharing
  • Planning a Migration
  • Preparing Your Migration
  • Planning Your Migration Strategy
  • Performing the Migration
  • Using the Side-by-Side Migration Strategy
  • Using the Wipe-and-Load Strategy
  • Upgrading the Configuration Manager Console
  • Post-Migration or Installation Considerations
  • Migrating Packages to the New Application Model
  • What Is Package Conversion Manager?
  • The Conversion Process
  • The Conversion Process Steps
  • Package Conversion Manager Best Practices
  • Monitoring Conversion
  • Migrating Branch Offices with the Physical-to-Virtual Migration Toolkit
  • Requirements
  • P2V Migration Scenario
  • The Task Sequence
  • Steps for Using the P2V Migration Toolkit
  • The Bottom Line

04. Chapter 4: Installation and Site Role Configuration

  • Understanding Configuration Manager 2012 Site Types
  • Implementing Site Servers
  • Software Requirements
  • Implementing a Central Administration Site
  • Implementing a Primary Site
  • Implementing a Secondary Site
  • Verifying Proper Site Installation
  • Troubleshooting a Configuration Manager 2012 Site Installation
  • Unattended Installation
  • Installing Site System Roles
  • Understanding Configuration Manager 2012 Site System Roles
  • Component Server
  • Distribution Point
  • Management Point
  • Site Database Server
  • Site Server
  • Site System
  • System Health Validator Point
  • State Migration Point
  • Fallback Status Point
  • Out-of-Band Service Point
  • Reporting Services Point
  • Application Catalog Web Service Point and Application Catalog Website Point
  • Enrollment Proxy Point and Mobile Device and AMT Enrollment Point
  • Software Update Point
  • EndPoint Protection Point
  • Asset Intelligence Synchronization Point
  • The Bottom Line

05. Chapter 5: Role-Based Administration

  • Overview of Role-Based Administration
  • Using Security Roles and Security Scopes
  • Managing with Flat Hierarchies
  • Security Roles
  • Security Scopes
  • Creating a Custom Security Scope
  • Assigning Resources to a Security Scope
  • Viewing Security Scope Objects
  • Collections
  • Using Collections
  • Understanding the Default Collections
  • Administrative Users
  • The Bottom Line

06. Chapter 6: Client Installation

  • Creating Client Settings
  • Supported Operating Systems
  • Discovering Network Objects
  • Active Directory Discovery Methods
  • Configuring Boundaries and Boundary Groups
  • Client Installation Methods
  • Command-Line Properties
  • Manually Installing the Client
  • Client Push
  • Group Policy
  • Software Update
  • Software Distribution
  • Logon Script Installation
  • Imaging
  • Keeping Clients Up to Date
  • Verifying Client Installation
  • Troubleshooting a Client Installation
  • Ensuring Client Health
  • Automatic Client Remediation
  • Determining Client Health
  • Monitoring Client Status
  • Configuring Alerts
  • The Bottom Line

07. Chapter 7: Application Deployment

  • What’s New in Application Deployment?
  • Distribution Point Changes
  • Applications: Application References
  • Deployments
  • Dependencies for Application Deployment
  • Management Point
  • Distribution Point
  • Default Client Settings
  • Elements of Application Deployment
  • Applications
  • Deployment Types
  • Deployments
  • The Application Deployment Process
  • Create Application Wizard
  • Options for Application Deployment: the Ribbon
  • Exploring the Sample Application
  • Exploring the Deployment Type
  • Create Deployment Wizard
  • Application Deployment—Client Experience
  • Application Deployment—Advanced Configurations
  • User Device Affinity
  • Troubleshooting Application Deployment
  • The Bottom Line

08. Chapter 8: Software Updates

  • What’s New in Software Updates
  • Prerequisites for Software Updates
  • Elements of Software Updates
  • Software Update Point
  • Software Updates Client Agent
  • Software Updates Metadata
  • Software Update Files
  • Software Update Objects
  • Software Update Groups
  • Deployment Templates
  • Deployment Packages
  • Deployments
  • Automatic Deployment Rules
  • System Center Updates Publisher
  • The Software Update Process in Configuration Manager
  • Synchronization
  • Compliance
  • Deployment
  • Planning to Use Software Updates in Configuration Manager
  • Determining What Needs to Be Accomplished
  • Role-Based Administration
  • System Center Updates Publisher
  • Testing in an Isolated Lab
  • Configuring Software Updates
  • Configuring the Software Updates Client Agent
  • Installing Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Server
  • Installing the Windows Server Update Services 3.0
  • SP2 Administrative Console
  • Setting Up the Active Software Update Point
  • Configuring Software Updates Settings and Synchronization
  • Synchronizing Updates with Export and Import
  • Preparing Software Updates for Deployment
  • Finding the Software Updates to Be Deployed
  • Downloading Software Updates
  • Creating a Software Update Group
  • Deploying Software Updates with the Deploy Software Updates Wizard
  • Using System Center Updates Publisher
  • Installing the System Center Updates Publisher
  • Configuring System Center Updates Publisher
  • Using System Center Updates Publisher
  • Third-Party Updates in Configuration Manager
  • Monitoring Software Update Deployments
  • In-Console Monitoring
  • Reporting
  • The Bottom Line

09. Chapter 9: Operating System Deployment

  • What’s New in Operating System Deployment
  • Planning for OSD with Configuration Manager 2012
  • Deployment Scenarios
  • The Kind of Images to Deploy
  • Operating System Deployment Components
  • User Device Affinity
  • Deployment Process
  • Prepare for Operating System Deployment
  • Build and Capture an Operating System
  • Deploy an Operating System
  • Preparing Configuration Manager 2012 for Operating System Deployment
  • Configuring the Network Access Account
  • Creating the Configuration Manager Client Install Package
  • Creating a USMT Package
  • Configuring the State Migration Point Role
  • Configuring PXE on Distribution Points
  • Distributing the Boot Image Package
  • Enabling Boot Images for PXE
  • Adding Operating System Installers
  • Developing a Task Sequence for Creating a Capture Image
  • Task Sequences Used with PXE Boot
  • Task Sequences Used with Media Boot
  • Capturing an Operating System Image
  • Building and Capturing Automatically
  • Capturing a Reference Computer
  • Deploying an Image
  • Adding a Captured Image
  • Distributing and Deploying the Image
  • Developing a Task Sequence for Deployment
  • Deploying the Task Sequence
  • Deploying the Operating System on Bare Metal
  • Importing Computer Information
  • Creating a Task Sequence for the Bare-Metal OSD
  • Deploying the Bare-Metal Task Sequence
  • Installing Device Drivers into OSD
  • Servicing Your Operating System Images Offline
  • Using User Device Affinity
  • Manually Configure a Primary User for a Device
  • Manually Configure a Primary Device for a User
  • Configure a Site to Automatically Create User Device Affinities
  • Import User Device Affinities
  • Enable Users To Configure Their Primary Device
  • Pre-deploy User Applications
  • Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012
  • Installing Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012
  • Integrating the Deployment Toolkit
  • Creating a New Boot Image
  • Creating a Deployment Toolkit Task Sequence
  • Using a Replace Scenario
  • Maintaining the User State
  • The Bottom Line

10. Chapter 10: Asset Intelligence

  • Requirements for Asset Intelligence
  • Client Agent Prerequisites
  • Maintenance Tasks
  • Windows Event Log Settings
  • Elements of Asset Intelligence
  • Asset Intelligence Catalog
  • Asset Intelligence Validation States
  • Asset Intelligence Synchronization Point
  • The Asset Intelligence Home Page
  • Asset Intelligence Reports
  • Configuring Asset Intelligence
  • Enabling Asset Intelligence
  • Import Software License into Asset Intelligence
  • Importing Software License Information
  • Creating the Microsoft Volume License Statement
  • Creating the General License Statement
  • The Bottom Line
  • 11. Chapter 11: Inventory and Software Metering
  • Inventory in Configuration Manager 2012
  • Collecting Hardware Inventory
  • Collecting Software Inventory
  • Using Resource Explorer to View Inventory
  • Scheduling Inventory
  • Configuring Inventory
  • Configuring Software Inventory for a Configuration Manager Site
  • Troubleshooting Inventory
  • Software Metering in Configuration Manager 2012
  • Overview of Software Metering
  • Configuring Software Metering
  • The Bottom Line

12. Chapter 12: Reporting

  • Installing SQL Server Reporting Services
  • Considerations for Installing SQL Server Reporting Services
  • Installation of the Reporting Services Site System
  • Default Reports
  • Running a Report
  • Viewing Available Reports
  • Running a Report from the Administrative Console
  • Running a Report from Report Manager
  • Working with Reporting Security
  • Permissions Required to Run Reports
  • Managing Reports
  • Working with Subscriptions
  • Creating Reports
  • Basic SQL Commands
  • Report Models
  • Creating a Report Using Report Builder
  • Creating a Report Using Business Intelligence Development Studio
  • Moving Reports
  • Linked Reports
  • Importing and Exporting Reports
  • Importing Reports
  • Exporting Reports
  • The Bottom Line

13. Chapter 13: Compliance Settings

  • Overview of Compliance Settings
  • What’s New in Configuration Manager 2012?
  • What Can You Do with Compliance Settings?
  • Configuration Items
  • Configuring Compliance Settings Client Settings
  • Creating Configuration Items
  • Name, Description, and Category
  • Choosing a Detection Method
  • Creating and Validating a Setting
  • Building a Configuration Baseline
  • Creating the Initial Baseline
  • Baseline Rules
  • Assigning the Configuration Baseline to Clients
  • Additional Configuration Baseline Options
  • Client Validation of Compliance Baseline Rules
  • Compliance Settings Reporting
  • Importing Configuration Packs
  • The Bottom Line

14. Chapter 14: Mobile Device Management

  • What’s New in Mobile Device Management
  • Requirements for Mobile Device Management
  • Lite Management
  • Depth Management
  • Troubleshooting
  • The Bottom Line

15. Chapter 15: Troubleshooting

  • Creating the Maintenance Plan
  • Using Troubleshooting Tools
  • Log Files
  • Status Messages
  • Troubleshooting Configuration Manager Deployment
  • Troubleshooting Configuration Manager Database Replication
  • Data Types
  • DRS Initialization
  • The Bottom Line

16. Chapter 16: Disaster Recovery

  • Planning for Disaster Recovery
  • What Is Not Included in the Backup
  • Backing Up Configuration Manager
  • Backup Considerations for the Central Administration Site
  • Copying Site Backups to Another Location
  • Archiving the Backup Snapshot to Another Server with AfterBackup.bat
  • Windows Application Log Entries Created by the Backup Process
  • Configuring the Backup ConfigMgr Site Server Maintenance Task
  • Restoring Configuration Manager
  • Understanding the Effects of a Site Failure
  • Recovering a Configuration Manager Site
  • Recovering Configuration Manager
  • How to Start a Recovery Process
  • Recovering a Central Administration Site
  • Recovering a Primary Child Site
  • Recovering a Primary Standalone Site
  • Recovery Scenarios for Multisite Environments
  • Other Site Maintenance Options
  • The Hierarchy Maintenance Tool
  • Post-Recovery Tasks
  • The Bottom Line

17. Chapter 17: System Center Endpoint Protection

  • Differences between FEP and SCEP
  • Additional Benefits of SCEP
  • Deployment
  • Protection
  • Monitoring
  • Security
  • Endpoint Protection Site System Role
  • Endpoint Protection Client Agent
  • Endpoint Protection Policies
  • Antimalware Policy
  • Windows Firewall Policy
  • Assigning Policy
  • Definition Files
  • Alerts
  • Reporting
  • The Bottom Line

18. Chapter 18: Client Health

  • Understanding the Client Health Mechanism
  • Scheduled Task
  • CCMEval Process
  • Client Health Evaluation: Results
  • Monitoring: Client Health
  • The Bottom Line

Skills Learned

After completing this online training course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the System Center 2012 Configuration Manager infrastructure and describe typical deployment scenarios.
  • Plan and deploy a single primary site.
  • Plan and configure administrative roles.
  • Plan and deploy a multiple-site hierarchy including the central administration site, primary sites, and secondary sites.
  • Describe replication and data types, and monitor the replication of data throughout the hierarchy.
  • Use various methods to plan and deploy System Center 2012 Configuration Manager clients.
  • Perform maintenance tasks and monitor site systems.
  • Describe the System Center 2012 Configuration Manager feature set.
  • Discover and organize resources.
  • Manage the Configuration Manager client.
  • Manage inventory and software metering.
  • Query and report data.
  • Manage software deployments by using packages and programs.
  • Create and deploy applications.
  • Manage application deployment.
  • Deploy and manage software updates.
  • Implement System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection.
  • Deploy operating systems by using System Center 2012 Configuration Manager.
  • Manage compliance settings on devices.
  • Manage mobile devices.
  • Configure Wake On LAN, Power Management, and Remote Control.
  • Perform migration of objects from Configuration Manager 2007 to Configuration Manager 2012.
  • Understand appropriate command-Line, PowerShell and applicable management shell commands