Distributing Software Through Configuration Manager Server

AdminStudio Enterprise Server 11.0 | Configuration Manager Web Console

Microsoft Configuration Manager is used by Systems Administrators to maintain and upgrade software for organizations with distributed networks. Configuration Manager enables you to upgrade and configure each computer from a central location or from multiple locations, and schedule software programs for distribution to specific computers.

Software distribution with Configuration Manager includes the following tasks:

Software Distribution with Microsoft Configuration Manager Server

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Step

Description

1

Install Client Agent Software on Client Computers

Install the Advertised Programs Client Agent on the Client computers to enable them to receive and run programs from Configuration Manager Server (advertised programs).

2

Prepare Site System Roles

Prepare the following Site System Roles:

• Client Access Points—A site system role that provides a communication point between the site server and Legacy Client computers (computers using a Windows operating system that is pre-Windows 2000). Computers contact CAPs to install and update Configuration Manager Legacy Client software. After Configuration Manager Legacy Client software has been installed on computers in a site, they contact a CAP for updated information from the Configuration Manager site server.
• Management Points—Management points are the primary point of contact between Advanced Configuration Manager Clients and the Configuration Manager site server.
• Distribution Points—Distribution points are site system roles that store software package files so clients can access them during the software distribution process. Clients contact distribution points to obtain source files when they run programs that are advertised to them through a Client Access point or a Management Point.

3

Prepare Collections

A collection is a customized management view of the resources in your organization. Collections serve as targets for performing software distribution on multiple resources at one time. An example of a collection is All Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Systems. The clients that need to receive the program must be members of a collection (referred to as the target collection).

4

Create Software Distribution Packages

Software Distribution Packages are applications packages that you are going to distribute via Configuration Manager Server. Package properties include the software name and version, the location of the package source folder, and group permissions for the distribution folder.

5

Specify Distribution Points

Select the Distribution Points that will receive the software.

6

Create Programs

Create a program for the package that is going to be distributed. Program properties specify the command line that will run on the clients, and the types of clients on which the program can run. A package can have multiple programs defined. For example, you can define a Full Installation, a Custom Installation, and a Minimum Installation for a single package.

7

Create Advertisements

Advertise the program that you want the clients to run. Advertising the program makes a program available to a specified target collection. The advertisement contains the name of the program, the name of the target collection, and the scheduling configuration (such as when to run the program or when will the program expire).

Workflow Manager 5.6 / AdminStudio Enterprise Server 11.0 Help Library

December 20, 2011

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