IT Pro Tips : System Center

Optimizing Your Remote and Branch Office Infrastructure with Microsoft System Center

itprotipsadmin — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:01:00 GMT

By Mark Burnett

I really don’t need to worry much about remote infrastructure or branch offices because the networks I manage just aren’t set up that way, mostly because of the difficulty in managing multiple remote networks as one. But today I watched a TechNet webcast called Optimizing Your Remote and Branch Office Infrastructure with Microsoft System Center that made me realize that maybe having isolated networks isn’t the best solution.

The webcast starts off acknowledging the many challenges administrators face when managing remote networks. I think these are exactly the reason I have avoided remote networks altogether.

The webcast goes into detail about how each component of the System Center suite can help administrators manage remote networks. Data protection and backup is obviously a big component here.

The webcast also talked about network access protection and the role that System Center has in security and compliance.

Even virtualization has an important new role in branch offices and remote networks. SoftGrid and Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop both play a big role in this infrastructure.

Virtualization allows for centralized deployment, administration, and support of remote applications.

TIP: Use virtual machines to ease the transition to new application while still allowing access to older versions.

The best part of all TechNet webcasts is the live demos that really give you a real feel for how everything comes together.

I have watched a number of webcasts on System Center now and while I’m normally not the type of person to sit through anything more than a few minutes, these TechNet webcasts will certainly make my transition to System Center go so much smoother.

You can watch this webcast online at Optimizing Your Remote and Branch Office Infrastructure with Microsoft System Center.

Desktop Error Monitoring with System Center

itprotipsadmin — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:01:00 GMT

By Michael K. Campbell

It’s no secret that desktop management is very costly. Especially in a day and age of increasing application complexity coupled with an increased dependence upon desktops. Therefore, Microsoft’s System Center Desktop Error Monitoring Lab provides a decent overview of a great way to increase IT efficiency by mitigating help desk costs.

In addition to outlining some of the major pain points (and cost centers) associated with desktop management and troubleshooting, the introductory labcast also does a great job of outlining some of the true impacts of the failure to accurately assess errors, their sources, and implications.

Of course, since this lab is geared towards showcasing how to use Microsoft’s Desktop Error Monitoring solution, there’s also some great information on how DEM works, along with some background information about its architecture.

TIP: One of the best things about DEM is that it doesn't require desktop agents in order to collect error reports - and the lab is really geared around showcasing how that works in conjunction with Group Policy.

A key component, or feature, of DEM is its ability to provide reporting and analytical features that help foster dynamic IT that by allowing admins to collect, analyze, and pro-actively correct common problems and issues within their desktop infrastructures.

Microsoft’s Desktop Error Monitoring solution also works in conjunction with a well-established knowledge base that administrators can use to help troubleshoot their desktop problems. The benefit of this approach, of course, means that admins are less likely to be stuck looking up KB articles, talking with vendors, or doing their own ‘sleuthing’ to get at solutions.

More importantly though, DEM also provides the ability to let administrators transmit selected error details to Microsoft, where Microsoft can help coordinate solutions with vendors, other end-users, and their own product teams – all in a spirit to help alleviate some of the costs associated with managing modern desktop infrastructures.

Once the lab establishes a background, or overview of what Desktop Error Monitoring provides, it then jumps into a brief overview of what you’ll deal with in the lab itself. The lab is well structured and getting a handle on what you’re doing doesn’t take long, thanks in part to the pre-lab overview and the great documentation, or background, information that accompanies the lab.

TIP: This lab contains lots of detailed information about what happens during application and system crashes - which provides a lot of detail on what kinds of things are captured in dump files and, subsequently, DEM.

During the lab, you’ll be busy creating a new Administrative Template (through the use of a specialized System Center wizard designed for use with DEM), and the incorporating it into your Group Policy.

From there, you’ll then look at modifying, and configuring policy objects to meet your needs and configure what kind of information, or error details, that you’d like to transmit to Microsoft.

All in all though, System Center Desktop Error Monitoring Lab provides a great overview of an easy way to become much more proactive with desktop management and does a great job of showing you the ropes on how to get set up and running with Desktop Error Monitoring.

Microsoft System Center for Server Infrastructure Optimization

itprotipsadmin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:01:00 GMT

By Mark Burnett

I haven’t had a chance to get to use any System Center yet, but after watching the TechNet webcast Microsoft System Center for Server Infrastructure Optimization, I’m anxious to get it up and running. This webcast, given by four different presenters, covers System Center Configuration Manager, Virtual Machine Manager, Operations Manager, and Data Protection Manager.

The webcast starts by explaining the role of each of these System Center components and how they all work together to manage your infrastructure.

The first part of the presentation covers System Center Configuration Manager, which is the predecessor to SMS 2003.

The webcast doesn’t have any live demos, but does include dozens of screenshots which I found easier to follow.

In this screenshot, the webcast shows all the many ways you can configure and deploy Windows.

The second part of the webcast covered the new System Center Virtual Machine Manager for managing physical and virtual environments.

The webcast then covered all of the cool new features of Systems Center Operations Manager, the predecessor to MOM.

TIP: Use Operations Manager to monitor an Exchange Server, the Exchange service, or even a single mailbox.

Finally, the webcast covers System Center Data Protection Manager, a tool that provides continuous data protection for applications.

The webcast doesn’t go into too much depth on how to do specific things on these products, but it does walk through the screens enough to get a good feel for each one. I actually watched this webcast as I built the machines I would be installing System Center on, and after watching, I was anxious to get these applications up and running.

You can view the webcast at Microsoft System Center for Server Infrastructure Optimization

Deploying and Upgrading to System Center Configuration Manager

itprotipsadmin — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:01:00 GMT

By Mark Burnett

I am currently in the process of planning a Systems Center Configuration Manager deployment, so I was excited to find a new TechNet Webcast Deploying and Upgrading to System Center Configuration Manager. It is a level 300 webcast so it provides a great level of depth. If you already have experience with products such as SMS 2003, and are considering an upgrade to System Center Configuration Manger, this webcast is an excellent way to get started.

Although I did have some basic understanding of Systems Center Configuration Manager features, this webcast gives a very detailed description of the differences between SMS 2003 and SCCM and describes the upgrade process with detailed demos.

The first part of the webcast covers many of the new performance and security features and how they differ from SMS 2003.

The webcast goes into detail on the upgrade paths, requirements, and interoperability with SMS 2003, which is all important as you plan your upgrade strategy.

Of course planning an upgrade strategy is crucial for a Systems Center Configuration Manager deployment, and the presenter walks through and explains the different strategies needed for different configurations and server roles.

Like all webcasts, this one is full of live demos and goes through the entire process of installing and upgrading to System Center Configuration Manager.

One thing I found particularly useful is that the presenter went through the actual setup process and talks about the choices you must make as you go through the installation process. This is very useful because he gives you the information you need to make the best choices up front so you don’t discover configuration mistakes and problems down the road.

TIP: When you watch the webcast, be sure to use the Live Meeting Replay Format (which requires IE6) rather than just the wmv because you will want to jump back and refer to the setup process when it comes time to do your own upgrade.

You can view the webcast at Deploying and Upgrading to System Center Configuration Manager.

Getting up to Speed on System Center Configuration Manager 2007

itprotipsadmin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:01:00 GMT

By Scott Swigart

As I've said in my other tips, I'm looking to come up to speed on the System Center products as quickly as possible. Webcasts are a great way to check out a product without downloading and installing big products. The Technet Webcast: Introduction to System Center Configuration Manager 2007 did what I needed and brought me up to speed quickly.

Right off the bat, I could see that this Webcast was going to be heavy on demos, which is the best way for me to learn. The first demo jumped right into the management console and I got a really good understanding of how it's changed since SMS 2003.

The first demo did a great job in showing off the functionality in the Admin console in a way that I could use. They've added a lot more site system roles, and I was happy to see the presentation quickly explain them.

And then the next demo showed setting up and configuring these roles:

After this, the presentation walked through deploying operating systems. I've been really curious about how this works and has been improved.

TIP: A sweet feature of Configuration Manager 2007 is the ability to provision systems that are not connected to a network (like new systems that come into a receiving area).

The next demo was fantastic, and I really got to see in action how Configuration Manager 2007 deploys a full operating system.

There are some good enhancements in the area of Windows Server Update Services integration as well, and again, another great demo:

A key feature of Configuration Manager 2007 is "Desired Configuration Management", which lets you know when the configuration of servers or clients "drift" from what's approved. Again, they didn't just show slides, they did a demo:

The final demo shows "Service Windows", and how you can configure when certain configuration changes are allowed to run:

I'm sold on watching Webcasts. They have easy navigation, letting you skip to the part that's interesting to you, and they capture the Q&A between the presenter and the audience, which is really informative:

If you're interested in learning about System Center Configuration Manager 2007, I highly recommend using this Webcast:

Introduction to System Center Configuration Manager 2007

Security and Enterprise Features of System Center Operations Manager 2007

itprotipsadmin — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:01:00 GMT

By Mark Burnett

Systems Management Server (SMS) and Microsoft Operations Manger (MOM) have long been great tools for managing a large Windows infrastructure, but I have noticed that as networks get more complex, basic security best practices are the first to suffer.

With Systems Center Operations Manager 2007, security is so pervasive that it becomes a natural part of the process rather than a burdensome add-on. I recently watched a TechNet webcast by John Baker, and IT Pro Evangelist at Microsoft, that goes into great detail on these new security features. You can view the webcast, Security and Enterprise Features of System Center Operations Manager 2007.

The first of the new System Center Operations Manager 2007 security features covered in the webcast is role-based security. As the webcast explains, roles are a combination of profile and scope, both of which you can define down to an amazing level of granularity. John walks through these capabilities with a series of Operations Manager demonstrations.

Another huge improvement with System Center Operations Manager 2007 is the improvement of RunAs execution. Multiple RunAs commands, accessible only to administrators, only provide access to specific rules, tasks, and monitors and allows for a low-privileged account to gather events and performance counters. This also overcomes the problem of multiple management packs sharing the same identity.

Another big improvement John covers in the webcast is the enhanced Active Directory integration. This enables zero configuration agent provisioning, AD-based agent assignments, and automated deployment.

The webcast goes into so much detail about the new security features in System Center Operations Manager 2007, I would highly recommend viewing the webcast before doing any large scale deployment of the product on your network, especially if you manage a large or complex Windows-based infrastructure.

Security and Enterprise Features of System Center Operations Manager 2007