Preface

Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager Current Branch (CM CB) is arguably the most complex (and feature rich) offering of the System Center suite. CM administrators must be proficient in a variety of technologies in order to effectively design and operate a CM hierarchy. The list of technologies that CM touches is almost overwhelming, for example, SQL, IIS, MDT, WSUS, WMI, PXE, SSRS, workstation and server operating systems, networking, and more. It should come as no surprise then that CM admins have built themselves a strong network of support. Forums such as Microsoft TechNet and myITforum are daily filled with questions and answers. There are local user groups, online webcasts, and conferences held routinely for admins to learn and share their trials and tribulations.

We often hear of an Exchange or Active Directory admin suddenly getting the CM dropped in his lap from the boss. There is little time to sink or swim. By giving quick recipes to get things done, readers can get things going (or keep them running) to buy time to better learn the product. This book does not spend time going into why CM does things the way it does, nor does it go into deep details as admins too often don't have the time for that. There are also other Configuration Manager 2007/2012 (CM07/CM12) admins who don't want to spend time reading bible-sized books on CM CB. They know an old version of CM very well and just need a quick guide to get them up to speed. Therefore, this book is aimed at getting admins up to speed fast with CM CB.

This book will get the reader up to a working knowledge of the product. For example, we cover Operating System Deployment (OSD) far enough for the reader to create a Windows 10 image and deploy it. Real world finesse will come only with time, but that cannot begin until the reader picks up the terminology and fundamentals. This book should remove that feeling of being overwhelmed by putting the reader straight to work with step by step recipes. Once the reader has actually tried a recipe, the topic will seem less intimidating. By using these recipes, the reader will gain the fundamentals of site administration, reporting, software distribution and patching, and client management.