System Center 2012 – ConfigMgr Design Tips
Join Susan Dyer, a Senior Consultant at Microsoft, as she explores best practices for designing a scalable System Center 2012 Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) architecture. This session covers the Microsoft Solution Framework (MSF), assessment tools, data analysis, and network topology considerations. Learn how to optimize site roles, manage high availability, and effectively size your Hierarchy based on client count and location. Discover tools like MAP and SMSMap for seamless migration planning and visualization of your current environment.
System Center 2012 – ConfigMgr Design Tips
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Presentation Transcript
2014 System Center 2012 – ConfigMgr Design Tips Susan Dyer, Microsoft Senior II Consultant March 8, 2014 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 • SMSMapTool - 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
Email: SDyer@Microsoft.com Speakers Blog: Need more information on DMVMUG Visit www.dmvmug.com • Questions?
