System Center 2012 – ConfigMgr Design Tips

SUSAN DYER,

MICROSOFT SENIOR II CONSULTANT

MARCH 8, 2014

20

14

DMVMUG Reston, VA http://dmvmug.com

Agenda

Design – Where do I Start? Review the Microsoft Solution Framework (MSF)

Microsoft Tools to use for the Assessment Phase Analyze Data and Network Topology Determine your Hierarchy Design based on Client

Count and Location Site Roles for Performance and High Availability How to Scale the Admin Console for High Availability

and Large Number of Database Connections

Design begins with Microsoft Solutions Framework - MSF

• Focus is on the Envision and Planning Phase• Data Gathering Activities

• Analyze the Data which yields the design.

Microsoft Data Assessment Tools

Microsoft Assessment Planning Tool (MAP) – Tool that provides an Agentless Inventory, Assessment, and Reporting Tool that can Securely assess IT environments for various platform migrations.

Demo – View Sample Assessment Data

For Migrations from ConfigMgr 2007 to 2012, use the SMSMap Tool to draw that Visio Diagram of your Current Environment.

Demo – View Sample Output from SMSMap Tool

Check Network Latency Using the Network Connectivity Tool, TraceRT or Ping Utility

Normal Latency is 100ms or less.

Network Performance is based on Bandwidth and Network Latency

Design Scalability Know the Sizing Capacity per Site when determining your Hierarchy.

Primary Site supports up to 100,000 Clients

Multiple Primary Sites = The need for a CAS

CAS supports 25 Child Primary Sites

250 Secondary Sites Per Primary

Secondary Sites supports up to 5,000

If fewer than 500 Clients, consider a Distribution Point

For Content Distribution and to save on Network Bandwidth, use a Pull DP.

Consider the High Availability (HA) Roles which will enhance Performance

Management Point – 10 MP’s maximum per Primary Site

Software Update Point – No limit

SMS Provider

Plans for ConfigMgr Admin Console

Use Multiple SMS Providers Per Site

Allows for Large Numbers of Admin Console Users

Suggested 1 Provider for every 100 Console Users

Example: 500 Admins = 5 Providers per site all within close proximity to the ConfigMgr Database server.

Allows for High Availability

For Admin Users over Slow Links

Use the Remote Desktop Services on a server near the CAS or Primary Site. Install the Admin Console as a Remote App. Users connect to the RDS server and launch the Virtual Console

Reference Links…. MAP Tool Kit 9.0

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/dd537566.aspx

Link Speeds and Traffic Estimates

http://blogs.technet.com/b/manageabilityguys/archive/2013/04/22/system-center-2012-configuration-manager-client-network-traffic-estimates-series-part-1-of-3.aspx

SMSMap Tool - Developed by a Microsoft Senior Consultant and approved for Client Use and Distribution.

http://tondtware.com/

Technet Blog on Creating Right-Click Tools

http://blogs.technet.com/b/neilp/archive/2012/03/18/long-live-right-click-tools-system-center-2012-configuration-manager-console-extensions.aspx

Remote Desktop Services For Console Connections over Slow Links

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831610.aspx

Speakers Blog:

Email: SDyer@Microsoft.com

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Questions?