What is SCORCH: It is System Center Orchestrator.The new Released version of SCORCH is 2012 SP1 RTM which is yet to available to Public.

Orchestrator Originally Third party Product Named Opalis which was Acquired by Microsoft in 2009. Orchestrator simplifies the process of automating systems administration tasks and it  provides simplified way of building complex automation.With this solution,you can make things easy and fast rather writing the scripts hundreds of lines to do particular job. Orchestrator offers you to use the Built-in GUI to automate the activities.

System center orchestrator provides the capability to Automate Processes and IT operations regardless of hardware or platform and Improve Operational Service Level Agreements by providing zero drop time in manual operations.

Orchestrator lets you automate the creation, monitoring, and deployment of resources in your environment. To know more,read on TechNet   

Am listing out all the SCORCH guides integrated with Configuration manager 2012 which you can make is reference or to start building your SCORCH environment to integrate with System center products(Configmgr 2012)

Start with TechNet Documentation as this is the first place to start with :http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh237242.aspx

SCORCH Standard Activities : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh225055.aspx

System Center Orchestrator 2012: An Overview Video : http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/NorthAmerica/2011/SIM207

Orchestrator 2012: a quick start deployment guide: http://blogs.technet.com/b/kevinholman/archive/2012/04/26/orchestrator-2012-quickstart-deployment-guide.aspx

List of Step by Step series guides on Over View ,installation,runbook etc.

Orchestrator 2012 Deployment & Configuration Step by Step – Part 1 “Overview and Architecture”

Orchestrator 2012 Deployment & Configuration Step by Step – Part 2 “System Requirements”

Orchestrator 2012 Deployment & Configuration Step by Step – Part 3 “Installation”

Orchestrator 2012 Deployment & Configuration Step by Step – Part 4 “Build, Testing and Monitoring a Runbook

Orchestrator 2012 Deployment & Configuration Step by Step – Part 5 “Integration Pack

More Videos from YouTube are here

Orchestrator Engineering Blog :http://blogs.technet.com/b/orchestrator/

Integration Packs for System Center 2012 – Orchestrator: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh295851.aspx

Orchestrator Integration Toolkit : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh855853

System Center 2012 – Orchestrator Component Add-ons and Extensions:http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=28725

System Center Orchestrator 2012: Migration Plan

System Center Orchestrator 2012: how to build your first run book

How to create local Variables in Run Book

Integrated with System Center Configuration Manager (configmgr) 2012:

System Center Orchestrator Console Extension for Configuration Manager using run book commander 2.0

How to Automate Configuration manager Application Request Via Email Using Orchestrator

Configmgr 2012 and Orchestrator – Using Status Message as a Run book Trigger Mechanism

Updating a SQL Cluster using Configmgr 2012 and Orchestrator (System Center 2012 Updated)

Tracking Automatic Software Removals using Orchestrator in Configmgr /SCCM 2012

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Posts………

I have seen this question asked and answered in some articles and blog posts, however, after teaching the Concepts and Admin Workshop for the new version of the product recently, and getting more familiar with the new Endpoint Protection feature in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, and I discoverd a feature in Endpoint Protection that lets you see what the default exclusions should be for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager (as well as many other server types). The trick is to import the Antimalware Policy Template which I will walk you through here:

From the System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Console, click on the Assets and Compliance Workspace:

Next under Endpoint Protection in the navigation pane, Right Click on Antimalware Policies, and select Import:

From the list of templates to import, select "SCEP 12_Default_CfgMgr2012.xml", then Click Open:

This will import the template named "Endpoint Protection Configuration Manager 2012":

Next, click on the Exclusion settings, and then click the Set button next to the Excluded file and folders settings:

This will bring up the recommended files and folders to exclude from Antivirus scanning for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager:

You will need to expand the column and scroll to see it all, however, there is the list of exclusions needed. There are many other templates to import from there as well, and if you need multiple to apply to the same group of systems, you can import the ones you need, and then multi select them and right click and select Merge. This will allow you to combine multiple Antimalware Policies together for more efficient management of the policies.

I hope you found this useful.

Anti-virus scan exclusions for Configuration Manager 2012 http://configmgrblog.com/2012/05/09/anti-virus-scan-exclusions-for-configuration-manager-2012/

Via Cliff Hughes Microsoft Premier Field Engineer http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenterpfe/archive/2012/11/29/system-center-2012-configuration-manager-antivirus-exclusions.aspx

Dell Safranka Recently posted Nice Article on Configmgr 2012 DP and how Single Instance Store works and how to notice them but it is in Hungarian Language ,I try to post the content in English here.

The Configuration Manager 2012, the distribution points for the more efficient use of disk space to a single method of storage for file-level, single instance store. It is somewhat more difficult to check whether a particular package includes all right lejutott the distribution points. Here are the steps I want to present in this post:

The installation kits for each of the folders that contain the source files to the Deployment Type to specify the Location of the Content separate:

You can check the contents of this how to has a DP from content status in the following way:

We know the application (Application). To do this, in the console, under the Monitoring of the Status of the Distribution Content Statust application and look for the description of the part and look at the "Package ID":

Then, the distribution point, the "SCCMContentLib" folder, navigate to the "PkgLib" folder and then open the Package ID to.INI file. In this we find the Application Deployment Type-r content identifiers ("<számok> Content_)

You can then navigate to the "SCCMContentLib" folder in the "DataLib" folder and open it in looking for "belonging to the Deplyoment Content_ Type" folder. It contains the original source folder structure and files, once again, a description of the .INI FILE:

Then open the a file in the INI file and look at the file’s Hash and write down the first four characters:

You can then navigate to the "SCCMContentLib" folder in the "" folder and FileLib open file hash for the first four characters. (hint: use the Windows Explorer browser, because the sort order can be confusing). The contents of the open folder:

Then, find the file, in this case, the real has the "Setup.exe" file data (and hash verification):

This change is due to the introduction of the file adatduplikáció at the level of the ConfigMgr for 2012 was required, thereby increasing the distribution points use the mass storage. Note that the hash of the count, just CPU resources can enter into. The added benefit is that it is possible to leelenőrizzük that are actually valid content in the distribution points. This or manually in the Administration\Distribution Points by selecting the DP under the Properties tab and then click the "Content" tab in the "Validate" button, or by using the application evaluates Content Locations "tab" in the "Validate" button allows you to:

Or you can check out the content automatically perform scheduled installations (not recommended, only if a particular case is going to be "suspicious" DP thing). To do this, the Administration\Distribution Points by selecting the DP, under the Properties tab and then click on the "Content Validation" tab.

Original Post :http://blogs.technet.com/b/scm/archive/2012/11/13/configuration-manager-2012-dp-k-233-s-single-instance-store.aspx

Wanted to share you results after certification on 70-243 :System center 2012 Configuration manager. If you are enough confident on CM07,you feel this exam is Easy.

Below are some of the references that might help you to get certified on 70-243:

Skills Measured & Syllabus :http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?id=70-243#tab2

Do you want to pass Exam 70-243? Here are some good tips.: http://blogs.technet.com/b/smartinez/archive/2012/02/21/do-you-want-to-pass-exam-70-243-here-are-some-good-tips.aspx

Free Study Guide : http://blogs.technet.com/b/keithmayer/archive/2012/06/09/get-certified-on-system-center-2012-configuration-manager-exam-70-243-with-this-free-study-guide.aspx#.UI3encXA_YY

TechNet Virtual Labs http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/bb467605.aspx

Survival Guide http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/7075.system-center-2012-configuration-manager-survival-guide-en-us.aspx

And your hands on Experience(Lab or production) environment J

Good Luck!

Justin Gao Documented how to deploy Win 8 Using SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta as System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1 beta Supports now.

In this post , Justin documented how to use System Center 2012 Configuration Manager(SCCM 2012) SP1 Beta to deployment Windows 8 .

    Including these parts:

• Configuring a Distribution Point to Support PXE
• Capturing a Reference Computer
• Preparing the Site to Support Operating System Deployment
• Deploying an Operating System Image to a Bare Metal Client
• Installing the Operating System Image on a Bare Metal System

Complete post and download PDF document step by step,available here

P.S:Please use Adobe Reader X or above version to open !

Via http://blogs.technet.com/b/justin_gao/archive/2012/10/07/how-to-use-system-center-2012-configuration-manager-sp1-beta-to-deploy-windows-8.aspx

Raphael Finally released beta Version of his most loving project which is called CM12 Automation using scripts.

What it Does basically ?

Prepare Active Directory

Install the Prerequisites for Configuration Manager 2012 like IIS,SQL etc.

Install SCCM Site with MDT Integrated

Install Site Roles

More information about this project ,Feed back and downloads refer http://cm12automation.codeplex.com/

How to use this and Feedback http://wmug.co.uk/wmug/b/dotraphael/archive/2012/09/28/project-cm12-automation-beta-is-coming.aspx

You can also email directly to Raphael @ raphael@rflsystems.co.uk

Thanks to Raphael for getting this done !

Prerequisites for the installation of SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta Secondary Site which I noted when installing

Some Key Points about Secondary Site:

• Each secondary site can support communications from up to 5,000 clients when you use a secondary site server computer with the recommended hardware and that has a fast and reliable network connection to its primary parent site. A secondary site might be able to support communications from additional clients when its hardware configuration exceeds the recommended hardware configuration.
• Each secondary site supports a single management point that must be installed on the secondary site server.
• The secondary site management point supports communications from the same number of clients as supported by the hardware configuration of the secondary site server.

1. Minimum Operating system : Windows server 2008 Sp1
2. IIS,BITS,RDC
3. .Net framework 4.0
4. SQL server 2008 with Cumulative Update with Database Collation: SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS .
5. Primary site computer account as local admin on secondary site
6. Secondary site computer account as member of Site-Site Connection system on primary site.
7. Enable TCP/IP protocol in SQL server configuration services.

For more information about SQL server with CU Refer http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682077.aspx#BKMK_SupConfigSQLSrvReq
Firewall Exceptions(TCP 1433,4022) for SQL For communication to the SQL Server database engine, and for intersite replication, you can use the default SQL Server port configurations or specify custom ports.( This you can do it Via Group Policy)

Primary Site computer account  member of local admin group on secondary Site
Permissions on System Management Container in AD.
Set SQL memory .How to set http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191144(SQL.105).aspx

we see lot of file extensions from inbox folders while replicating information to Child sites .what really these files do and  what information do they carry ?

This post is basically talks about what  type of files generated during site-Site Replication. Sometimes I wonder that the file Type is when working with replication issues and see if it requires any attention.

It might help you in understanding about replications files types.

To know more about how Site-Site Replications works in SCCM 2007,Read http://blogs.technet.com/b/configurationmgr/archive/2011/08/29/site-to-site-data-replication-flow-in-sms-2003-and-configmgr-2007-explained.aspx

Also look at this post to know about SCCM Components that helps you in replication issues http://eskonr.com/2012/09/sccm-2007-components-threads-use-site-site-replication/

To know more about Site-to-site SCCM / Configmgr Package Replication http://blogs.msdn.com/b/steverac/archive/2010/07/16/understanding-site-to-site-communication-in-sms-sccm.aspx

Note : This content is taken from Configmgr2007 Site-site replication document from Technet blogs. To know more about Replication look at here http://blogs.technet.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-PostAttachments/00-03-34-44-65/ConfigMgr2007Site2SiteReplication.doc

I was going through TechNet,thought of making it a side note on this Topic.

When you extend the Active Directory schema for SCCM 2012 and the site is published to Active Directory Domain Services and many client installation properties are published to Active Directory Domain Services.

If a computer can locate these client installation properties, it can use them during Configuration Manager client deployment. There are many Client deployment methods of which only few methods searches AD Domain services for client installation properties*.

Below are the client installation properties that are published by SCCM to Active Directory Domain Services when you extend Schema.

• The Configuration Manager site code.
• The site server signing certificate.
• The trusted root key.
• The client communication ports for HTTP and HTTPS.
• The fallback status point. If the site has multiple fallback status points, only the first one that was installed will be published to Active Directory Domain Services.
• A setting to indicate that the client must communicate by using HTTPS only.
• Settings related to PKI certificates:  
  • Whether to use a client PKI certificate.
  • The selection criteria for certificate selection, if this is required because the client has more than one valid PKI certificate that can be used for Configuration Manager.
  • A setting to determine which certificate to use if the client has multiple valid certificates after the certificate selection process.
  • The certificate issuers list that contains a list of trusted root CA certificates.

Client.msi installation properties that are specified in the Client tab of the Client Push Installation Properties dialog box.

More info Refer http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682121.aspx

While Installing SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta on My Hyper-V,I had some trouble with SQL server Collation and some prerequisites like .net framework etc.

Thought of sharing the step by step installation of SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta .This might be helpful to you .

In this post,I will go through the installation of SQL server 2008 R2 SP1 CU6.

For Installation of Central Administration Site http://eskonr.com/2012/09/how-can-i-install-sccm-2012-sp1-beta-casprimary-with-sql-server-2008-r2/

for Installation of Primary Site attaching to CAS.

For SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta Prerequisites,Please refer http://eskonr.com/2012/09/sccm-2012-sp1-beta-prerequisites/

For Supported configurations of SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta Please refer  TechNet Guide http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682077.aspx

Download Full Version of SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta here http://eskonr.com/2012/09/sccm-2012-sp1-beta-is-available-to-download/

Setup :

I have One domain ESKONR.COM running on Windows server 2008 R2 with DNS role installed on it.

Create Required account for the installation(I go with sccmadmin with domain admin Privileges) and configuration (like NAAccount,Client push installation Account,Report Viewers Group,DomainJoin Account etc).

all the Servers are running on Windows server 2008 R2 Operating System.

For SQL server requirements, Please refer my Previous Post

Installation of CAS:

1.Install IIS Role with Features like BITS,.Net Framework 3.5 SP1,Remote Differential Compression and other roles what you need (RSAT etc).

2.Make your partitions Ready For SQL,SCCM ,Distribution Point and Sources files.

3. Create NO_SMS_ON_DRIVE.SMS and place it on drives except the drive where you want to store the packages as Distribution Point.

4.Start the installation of SQL server ( I choose to Go with SQL server 2008 R2 SP1 with CU6)

P.S: You May not find brief description about all the screen shots except some if something is interesting to Know.

Start the Installation of SQL server 2008 R2 :

You must use a dedicated instance of SQL Server for each site.. I go with Default Instance.

At each site, both the instance of SQL Server in use for the site database and the site database must use the following collation: SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS.

Configuration Manager requires Windows authentication to validate connections to the database.

Select the Drive to store the database information.

Now we are done the Installation of SQL Server 2008 R2.

As SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta requires SQL server 2008 R2 SP1 with min CU6.So Lets do that Now.

Start the installation of SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 with all next, next, next and close at the end .

Start the installation of SQL server 2008 R2 SP1 CU 6 with all next, next, next and close at the end

Now lets do the simple configurations (Set a Fixed Amount of Memory) on SQL server  and enabling of Name Pipes.

When you use a database server that is co-located with the site server, limit the memory for SQL Server to 50 to 80 percent of the available addressable system memory.

When you use a dedicated SQL Server, limit the memory for SQL Server to 80 to 90 percent of the available addressable system memory.

Configuration Manager requires SQL Server to reserve a minimum of 8 gigabytes (GB) of memory in the buffer pool used by an instance of SQL Server for the central administration site and primary site and a minimum of 4 gigabytes (GB) for the secondary site. This memory is reserved by using the Minimum server memory setting under Server Memory Options and is configured by using SQL Server Management Studio. For more information about how to set a fixed amount of memory For more info how Set a Fixed Amount of Memory (SQL Server Management Studio).

Open the SQL server management Studio and go properties of the server.

Allocate memory I go with 1024 MB.

Next to Enable Named Pipes from SQL Server configuration Manager

Enable Named Pipes and restart SQL server agent service.

Follow the next Post to Start the Installation of SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta Central Administration Site http://eskonr.com/2012/09/how-can-i-install-sccm-2012-sp1-beta-casprimary-with-sql-server-2008-r2/