System Center 2012 – ConfigMgr Design TipsSUSAN DYER, MICROSOFT SENIOR II CONSULTANTMARCH 8, 2014

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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 ConsoleUse 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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