The Manageability Guys

The following is a list of useful information on ConfigMgr, pointing to various resources and sources of information. 

ConfigMgr Resources/Information:

• Learning:
  • TechCenter on TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/configmgr/default.aspx
  • Features (Technical Content): http://technet.microsoft.com/library/bb680550.aspx
  • Virtual Labs: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/configmgr/bb539977.aspx
  • Webcasts: http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/technetmms.aspx?tab=webcasts&id=42364
  • Audiocasts (WMA): http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/configmgr/bb727202.aspx
  • TechNet Virtual Labs, ConfigMgr: http://technet.microsoft.com/configmgr/bb539977.aspx

• Download Service Pack 2 Here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3318741a-c038-4ab1-852a-e9c13f8a8140&displaylang=en (Upgrade download, Full Evaluation download available here).  Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 goes out of support on January, 11^th, 2011 (http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=12769).
• Open (public) Betas Invites & Product Feedback.  Note: the Connect sites have information about both R3 and v.Next.
  • Configuration Manager 2007 R3: https:/connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=3005&InvitationID=%20CM72-HDRW-G3V6&SiteID=16
  • Configuration Manager v.Next: https://connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=4346&InvitationID= VNXO-DFPW-G6HD&SiteID=892
  • Product Feedback: smswish@microsoft.com
  • Documentation Feedback: smsdocs@microsoft.com
• Windows Server 2008 and Configuration Manager: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc431377.aspx
• Blogs:
  • Product Team:
    • System Center Product Team: http://blogs.technet.com/systemcenter/
    • Configuration Manager Product Team: http://blogs.technet.com/configmgrteam/
    • Configuration Manager Support Team: http://blogs.technet.com/configurationmgr/
  • The Deployment Guys (TechNet): http://blogs.technet.com/deploymentguys
  • Steve Rachui – PFE (MSDN): http://blogs.msdn.com/steverac/
  • ConfigMgr Writers – team of writers behind production documentation (TechNet): http://blogs.technet.com/wemd_ua_-_sms_writing_team/
  • Adam Meltzer – ConfigMgr Developer (MSDN): http://blogs.msdn.com/ameltzer/
• ConfigMgr KB Article RSS Feed: http://support.microsoft.com/common/rss.aspx?rssid=12769&ln=en-us
• Tools:
  • System Center Update Publisher (tool used to publish custom updates) TechCenter: http://technet.microsoft.com/manageability/bb741049.aspx
  • Acresso (formerly InstallShield) AdminStudio Configuration Manager Edition: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/configmgr/bb932316.aspx.
• Catalogs:
  • Desired Configuration Monitoring, Configuration Catalogues: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/configmgr/cc462788.aspx
  • 3^rd Party Custom Catalogues for Updates: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/configmgr/bb892875.aspx
• System Center Partners (3^rd Party): http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/alliance-members.aspx
  • Dell:
    • Dell & System Center: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/sitelets/solutions/management/microsoft_sms
    • Dell ConfigMgr Wiki: http://www.delltechcenter.com/page/SCCM+-+System+Center+Configuration+Manager
    • OSD Extension, Dell Deployment Pack for ConfigMgr: http://www.delltechcenter.com/page/Dell+Deployment+Pack+for+Configmgr+%28Server+Deployment%29
  • HP:
    • HP Management Integration Solutions for Microsoft: http://h18013.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/integration/ms_integration.html
    • OSD Extension, HP Insight Control Suite for System Center: https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=HPICE-SC
  • IBM:
    • Microsoft System Management Solutions for IBM Servers: http://www.ibm.com/systems/management/director/partners/microsoft/
    • OSD Extension, IBM Deployment Pack for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007: http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/toolsctr/v1r0/topic/dpsccm/dpsccm_ic_product_page.html
• ConfigMgr Community (including sites like myitforum.com that have community content): http://technet.microsoft.com/configmgr/bb625749.aspx
• Product Information (Sales/Business Content): http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/configurationmanager/en/us/default.aspx

ConfigMgr Design Resources

• Configuration Manager Planning and Deployment Overview: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb693806.aspx
• Planning and Deploying the Server Infrastructure for Configuration Manager 2007: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680397.aspx
• Planning and Deploying Clients for Configuration Manager 2007: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680373.aspx
• Configuration Manager Supported Configurations: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680717.aspx
• Configuration Manager Sample Configurations and Common Performance Related Questions: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=113136.

OS Deployment

• Desktop Deployment TechCenter on TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/desktopdeployment/default.aspx
• Microsoft Desktop Deployment Toolkit: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=3bd8561f-77ac-4400-a0c1-fe871c461a89&displaylang=en
  • Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2010 supports deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.
• Application Compatibility Guidance: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/desktopdeployment/bb414773.aspx
• Application Compatibility Toolkit: ACT is a collection of tools to inventory, assess and help fix applications for Windows Vista deployment projects. This update to ACT includes new tools to assess application compatibility with Internet Explorer 8 and detect potential application compatibility issues caused by Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 security updates. http://technet.microsoft.com/library/cc507852.aspx

Out of Band Management

• Configuring Out of Band Management: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc161822.aspx
• Troubleshooting Out of Band Management: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc161834.aspx
• Intel resources:
• Infrastructure Prep Checklist for Microsoft SCCM: http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-2300
• SCCM / vPro Common Issues and Potential Resolutions:
• SP1: http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-1627
• SP2: http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-4153