System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Folder Creation Automation

I have created a script that will automate folder creation in SCCM 2012.  It is a simple script with no parameters.  You just run the script and follow the instructions.  If you want to bulk folder create the text file must be in the format where the folder names is per line.

Example.

folder name 1
folder name 2
folder name 3
folder name 4
.....

Here is a walk through.

Get Help:

Get-Help.

Single Folder Creation:

Single folder creation. 

Bulk Folder Creation:

Bulk folder creation. 

Click the download link to give it a try.

CM2012 Node Folder Creation v2.0

System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Low Level Overview

After searching high and low, and even asking Microsoft for a Visio diagram, and my searches ending in zero; I have created a generalized overview of the System Center 2012 Configuration Manager using Visio.

You can either save this JPG for you consumption or click below to download the PDF version. 

Adobe Reader 11 Package Accelerator Available

As you may have seen, we announced that App-V 5.0 SP1 is now available as part of MDOP 2013.  In our many conversations at MMS a few weeks ago, we heard a lot of excitement around 5.0 SP1 as many of you are evaluating 5.0 alongside………

Read the whole post over on the “The Microsoft Application Virtualization Blog”………

http://blogs.technet.com/b/appv/archive/2013/04/30/adobe-reader-11-package-accelerator-available.aspx

Making Windows 8 Even More Manageable with MDOP 2013

The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) 2013 for Software Assurance is now available for download! When people think about MDOP, they often think about its virtualization tools that help personalize user experience, simplify app deployment, and improve app compatibility for Windows. MDOP is much more than that though, it also helps manage and deploy important Windows features like BitLocker and Group Policy, as well as saves time by helping to make desktop repair planning proactive instead of reactive.

We’ve been working for some time to optimize our MDOP products for Windows 8 with the goal of making them easier to adopt and take advantage of all the new Windows 8 platform capabilities. Last November, we took our first step by releasing MDOP 2012, in which Microsoft User Experience Virtualization (UE-V), Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) 5.0, and the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) 8.0 supported Windows 8.

……

Read the whole article on the “Windows For Your Business” blog.

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/business/archive/2013/04/10/making-windows-8-even-more-manageable-with-mdop-2013.aspx

Your IT Operations’ Box

People usually think the keeper of the box is IT Management.  This may be true is some cases but it is usually the employees who’s responsibility is to support this box.  In IT Operations the biggest challenge I see is the employees grasping to that box and they fear change.  Change is the way they have neglected doing continued education and finding better ways to do the job.
 
As a consultant we get called in from management to help, as they know they need change and they are ready to embrace it.  When statements of work get ironed out with what deliverables they desire is to get their team on-board.  It is a harsh reality but the biggest challenge is the team.  If it is supporting Windows 7 now and not Windows XP, or having a new delivery method for their Operating System build / deployments, software delivery, in which now they have to learn new standards, or getting away from WSUS and start using System Center to manage their updates.
 
As people get comfortable with the day to day and not realize how un-healthy and non-optimized  their structure is. 

As Bill Gate’s said it best:

"The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency."

First mistake about System Center Configuration Manager (CM) it will not fix an un-healthy environment.  In fact it will not be successful if it is the other way around.  A challenge when going into any organization is letting them know in a convincing and well manner way their is a better way of doing this.
 
When tackling an engagement for systems management the first thing to do is tackle Active Directory.  You identify clients that have not logged into the domain for a set amount of time, and create a process to move those clients into a Organizational Unit (OU) that is not monitored by CM.  After that identification is done then the process can go on managing the clients, via in-place refreshes, OS migration, software delivery, and software updates. 

Now with CM 2012 you have the ability to manage anti-virus with forefront integrated, and with the direct access coming around with PKI you will start seeing cloud distribution points.  But there is plenty of information for you to read on the internet about the features.

You will need to think outside of your Organization’s box and strive for optimization.  You will not be successful and cause more work then it is necessary.  Only you can strive to bring you IT Operations group to the next level and be that trend setter you organization. 

USMT Local Utility

Have an SCCM 2007 environment had beat your head on some migrations that just wont work.  Well arm your Help Desk with this utility.  It is a huge stress saver.  Stop wasting time on client side troubleshooting get to a point and say enough is enough just do it local. 

Use this 'Stand Alone' application to capture Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8 and restore it on Windows 7 or Windows 8 OS's. 

This application was written in Visual Basic .NET (VB.Net) utilizing .NET Framework 2.0 so there is no compatibility issues with Windows XP.  This makes the application have no other prerequisites other than the “Source” folder being in the same directory as the executable.

Just type in the location where you want to store the migration file and click on the run button. 

This application will encrypt the created “MIG” file with the key hard-coded in the application.  If you use this application to capture the computer you can only use this application to restore it.  

Wait it gets better, did you capture the PC using SCCM but the restore is failing due to who knows what, bad association or just bad client, well you can restore from SCCM USMT captures.  When you hit restore just click specify encryption key and put the path to the State Migration Point path and bamn done.

Click below to start your free download and just remember the "Source" folder MUST be in the same directory as the application.   

USMT Local Utility Version: 2.0.0.1 

SCCM Admin Tools

I have created a new tool using the new SAPIEN PowerShell Studio 2012.

This tool will become more robust, but for right now all you can do is remotely start / stop / or check status of the SMSEXECUTIVE and WDSServer services on your SCCM sites.

You will be able to save the settings for the site server's name and site code.  You will want to use your central site if you have one.  Or the top most primary.

Here are some screenshots:

You can download the executable from here.  Get in touch with me if you have any other suggestions. Once I get the application to a certain goal I will release the source files.

SCCM Admin Tools v1.3.2.1

SCCM-Commands

I have had the privilege of getting my hands on the SAPIEN PowerShell Studio 2012.  As a SCCM Administrator I have mostly focused right now on making my life easier on the job.  Cutting all the unnecessary process I need to do manually.  So if you are an SCCM Administrator and you love you some PowerShell than check this link out.

http://www.snowland.se/sccm-posh/

This is a great module.