Scribd
Upload
351 views5 pages

SCCM for beginners

SCCM basics

Uploaded by

harshitkanojiya746
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
351 views5 pages

SCCM for beginners

SCCM basics

Uploaded by

harshitkanojiya746
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

SCCM for

beginners
What is SCCM?
System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a Microsoft tool used for managing large
groups of computers and devices within an organization. It is part of the Microsoft System
Center suite, a collection of management tools.

SCCM helps administrators manage IT systems by:

 Deploying software and updates


 Managing devices such as desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and servers
 Monitoring system health
 Ensuring devices comply with security policies
 Collecting hardware and software inventory data
 Automating IT tasks to make systems more efficient.

Key Features of SCCM:

1. Software Deployment
o SCCM automates the installation of software and updates across all devices in the
organization. This ensures all devices have the necessary applications installed
and up-to-date without manual intervention.
2. Patch Management
o Patch management involves automatically distributing software updates (patches)
to fix vulnerabilities or bugs. SCCM can schedule and install these updates on all
client machines, improving security and system performance.
3. Operating System Deployment (OSD)
o SCCM helps in installing or upgrading operating systems on computers with
minimal user intervention. This is useful in scenarios like setting up new devices,
upgrading the OS, or performing clean installations.
4. Device Management
o SCCM can manage a wide variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets,
and smartphones (both Windows and non-Windows devices like iOS and
Android).
5. Inventory Management
o SCCM collects detailed hardware and software inventory data from devices. This
data helps administrators know what hardware and software are present in the
network for compliance, auditing, and planning purposes.
6. Compliance Settings
o SCCM can enforce policies for devices, ensuring they comply with organizational
security and configuration standards. Non-compliant devices can be automatically
remediated or flagged for attention.
7. Reporting
o Built-in and custom reports help administrators monitor deployments, patching,
inventory, and compliance status across devices. Reports can be generated to
track system performance, software deployments, and more.

SCCM Architecture Overview


SCCM has a complex infrastructure designed to manage large-scale environments efficiently.
The architecture is composed of various site roles, each with a specific function.

Key SCCM Components:

1. Primary Site
o The Primary Site is the central server that controls and manages client devices. It
is the heart of SCCM operations, responsible for managing software deployments,
updates, and compliance across a specific region or business unit.
o It houses the core database and communication systems that allow it to interact
with devices.
o It communicates with other sites and handles requests from clients.
2. Secondary Site
o A Secondary Site is a smaller server that works under the control of a Primary
Site. It is typically used when client devices are located far away from the
Primary Site, like in remote offices or satellite locations.
o A Secondary Site helps manage local clients and relieves the Primary Site from
handling too many devices. It communicates with the Primary Site to synchronize
data and deploy content.
3. Management Point (MP)
o The Management Point is a server role that facilitates communication between
the SCCM server and client devices. It acts as the intermediary for client
requests, such as software installation or policy retrieval.
o When a client device needs something (like a software package or update), it
contacts the Management Point.
4. Distribution Point (DP)
o The Distribution Point is a server where software packages, operating system
images, and other content (like patches) are stored before being sent to client
devices.
oDPs allow SCCM to deliver content to multiple devices efficiently. For example,
when a user installs an application, the content will come from the nearest
Distribution Point.
5. SQL Server
o SCCM uses SQL Server to store its database, which holds all the data about
software deployments, client inventory, patch status, and other configuration
settings.
o The database is where SCCM stores all its critical data and configuration
information. SQL Server is essential for SCCM to work properly.

Licensing Model
SCCM operates under a licensing model based on two primary components:

1. Client Management Licenses (CML)


o These licenses are required for each device that you want to manage with SCCM.
This includes desktop computers, laptops, servers, mobile devices, etc.
o Depending on the number of devices, you'll need to purchase the appropriate
number of CMLs to legally manage them.
2. Server Management Licenses (SML)
o These licenses are required for the servers that run the SCCM infrastructure (like
the Primary Site, Secondary Sites, Distribution Points, etc.). If you're deploying
SCCM on multiple servers, each server will need an SML.
3. SQL Server Licensing
o SCCM relies on SQL Server to store its data. Depending on the size and
complexity of your environment, you may need additional SQL Server licenses.
o The licensing for SQL Server can vary, but it's important to account for it in your
overall licensing strategy.

How SCCM Works (Workflow Overview)


1. Client Enrollment: Devices are enrolled into the SCCM infrastructure. This can be done
using an agent, which is a small piece of software installed on each client device. The
agent helps the device communicate with SCCM and receive policies, updates, and
software.
2. Software and Updates Deployment: SCCM administrators create deployment packages
for software or updates. These packages are stored in Distribution Points. Devices
communicate with the Management Points to request and download the software they
need.
3. Patch Management: SCCM regularly checks which devices need updates. It then
downloads the required patches from Microsoft or other software vendors and distributes
them to the client machines.
4. Inventory Collection: SCCM periodically collects data from client devices, such as
hardware details (processor type, RAM, disk space) and software details (installed
applications). This information is stored in the SQL database for reporting and analysis.
5. Compliance & Security: SCCM can enforce configuration settings (such as password
policies or encryption) and ensure devices are compliant with company standards. If a
device is non-compliant, SCCM can alert administrators or automatically take
remediation steps (e.g., apply a required policy or update).
6. Reporting: SCCM provides built-in reporting tools to help IT admins monitor the
deployment status, software updates, compliance status, and hardware inventory of all
managed devices. Custom reports can also be created for specific needs.

Summary of Key SCCM Concepts for Beginners:

 SCCM is a comprehensive management solution for controlling software, updates, and


configurations across a variety of devices in your organization.
 SCCM Components like Primary Sites, Secondary Sites, Distribution Points, and
Management Points work together to facilitate the deployment of software, updates, and
policies.
 Licensing for SCCM involves both Client Management Licenses (CMLs) for the
devices you manage and Server Management Licenses (SMLs) for the servers running
SCCM.
 SQL Server is an essential part of SCCM, storing the data that SCCM needs to function.

You might also like