16 April 2010

Deploy Office 2007 with SCCM

Office 2007 Dump Looks Like this….

image

Go to command prompt and change the working directory to office dump folder and type "setup.exe" /admin image

then you will see similar to below wizard

image

enter the values or choose the option that you want to customized then click on file and save now it will save as a FILE.MSP

Now lets try out our saved .MSP file and see if it works correctly before proceeding further

Now let's open CMD.
browse to your install and enter the following switch: "setup.exe" /adminfile file.msp
image

If this works create an Package and advertisement and push to the systems

Deploy Office 2007 with SCCM

Office 2007 Dump Looks Like this….

image

Go to command prompt and change the working directory to office dump folder and type "setup.exe" /admin image

then you will see similar to below wizard

image

enter the values or choose the option that you want to customized then click on file and save now it will save as a FILE.MSP

Now lets try out our saved .MSP file and see if it works correctly before proceeding further

Now let's open CMD.
browse to your install and enter the following switch: "setup.exe" /adminfile file.msp
image

If this works create an Package and advertisement and push to the systems

Photos: Inside a Microsoft Data Center

Dublin Server Pod

Dublin Data Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dublin

Dublin Data Center AerialChicago

Dublin Data Center Rooftop Air Unitsimage

Chicago data centerChill out

Highly automated

image 

Inside a containerAir skates

Second floor server roomA lot to power

Keeping cool

Photos: Inside a Microsoft Data Center

Dublin Server Pod

Dublin Data Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dublin

Dublin Data Center AerialChicago

Dublin Data Center Rooftop Air Unitsimage

Chicago data centerChill out

Highly automated

image 

Inside a containerAir skates

Second floor server roomA lot to power

Keeping cool

Restoring Deleted All Systems Collection

Sometimes things just happen, sometimes you accidentally delete the All Systems collection because you were trying to do too many things at once.  I’ll fess up, I did it. 

Here’s how to restore the collection with the appropriate ID.  This solution was given to me by Microsoft Support.

Here is the VBS script that will do the restore:

####begin script

strSMSServer = "."
strParentCollID = "COLLROOT"
'This example creates the collection in the collection root.
'Replace COLLROOT with the CollectionID of an existing collection to make the new collection a child.

strCollectionName = "All Systems"
strCollectionComment = "This is the All Systems Collection."
Set objLoc = CreateObject("WbemScripting.SWbemLocator")
Set objSMS = objloc.ConnectServer(strSMSServer, "root\sms")
Set Results = objSMS.ExecQuery ("SELECT * From SMS_ProviderLocation WHERE ProviderForLocalSite = true")

For each Loc in Results
If Loc.ProviderForLocalSite = True Then
  Set objSMS = objLoc.ConnectServer(Loc.Machine, "root\sms\site_" & Loc.SiteCode)
End if
Next

Set newCollection = objSMS.Get("SMS_Collection").SpawnInstance_()

'Create new "All Systems" collection
newCollection.Name = "All Systems"
newCollection.OwnedByThisSite = True
newCollection.Comment = strCollectionComment
newCollection.CollectionID = "SMS00001"
path = newCollection.Put_

'Set the Relationship
Set newCollectionRelation = objSMS.Get("SMS_CollectToSubCollect").SpawnInstance_()
newCollectionRelation.parentCollectionID = strParentCollID
newCollectionRelation.subCollectionID = ("SMS00001")
newCollectionRelation.Put_

####end script

Once you’ve recreated the collection with the appropriate ID, then you’ll have to import the All Systems query for your membership rules.

Restoring Deleted All Systems Collection

Sometimes things just happen, sometimes you accidentally delete the All Systems collection because you were trying to do too many things at once.  I’ll fess up, I did it. 

Here’s how to restore the collection with the appropriate ID.  This solution was given to me by Microsoft Support.

Here is the VBS script that will do the restore:

####begin script

strSMSServer = "."
strParentCollID = "COLLROOT"
'This example creates the collection in the collection root.
'Replace COLLROOT with the CollectionID of an existing collection to make the new collection a child.

strCollectionName = "All Systems"
strCollectionComment = "This is the All Systems Collection."
Set objLoc = CreateObject("WbemScripting.SWbemLocator")
Set objSMS = objloc.ConnectServer(strSMSServer, "root\sms")
Set Results = objSMS.ExecQuery ("SELECT * From SMS_ProviderLocation WHERE ProviderForLocalSite = true")

For each Loc in Results
If Loc.ProviderForLocalSite = True Then
  Set objSMS = objLoc.ConnectServer(Loc.Machine, "root\sms\site_" & Loc.SiteCode)
End if
Next

Set newCollection = objSMS.Get("SMS_Collection").SpawnInstance_()

'Create new "All Systems" collection
newCollection.Name = "All Systems"
newCollection.OwnedByThisSite = True
newCollection.Comment = strCollectionComment
newCollection.CollectionID = "SMS00001"
path = newCollection.Put_

'Set the Relationship
Set newCollectionRelation = objSMS.Get("SMS_CollectToSubCollect").SpawnInstance_()
newCollectionRelation.parentCollectionID = strParentCollID
newCollectionRelation.subCollectionID = ("SMS00001")
newCollectionRelation.Put_

####end script

Once you’ve recreated the collection with the appropriate ID, then you’ll have to import the All Systems query for your membership rules.

Preload Package Tool for Configuration Manager 2007

http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/e/d/ded78c6e-59a4-43ee-b601-6527be7bd881/PreloadPkgOnSite.exe 

Overview

The Preload Package Tool (PreloadPkgOnSite.exe) is used to manually install compressed copies of software distribution package source files on Configuration Manager 2007 sites. After package source files are installed, a status message is sent up the site hierarchy indicating the presence of the new package source files. This avoids sites higher in the hierarchy from copying package source files over the network when distribution points at child site are selected to host software distribution package content that has already been preloaded on them.
The following feature enhancements have been made to the tool since it was released in the SMS 2003 Toolkit:

  • SQL Server named instance support
  • Administrator specified StoredPkgVersion value support

 

Problem Scenarios:

  1. When software distribution packages are created, information about them is sent to child sites in the hierarchy. If a child site has a distribution point installed that is listed in the package properties to host the content, the content is transferred over the network and uses available network bandwidth sending compressed copies of all required package source files. To avoid using network bandwidth, the Preload Package Tool can be used to copy compressed software distribution package source files to the remote child site before assigning the child site distribution point to host the package source files.
  2. If a child site fails that has a distribution point that is assigned to host software distribution package source files for a package created at a site higher in the hierarchy, all package source files will be resent over the network when the site is rebuilt and rejoined to the site hierarchy. To avoid this, the Preload Package Tool can be used to restore backed up compressed software distribution package source (.pck) files to the distribution point before rejoining the site to the hierarchy so they will already be present.
Instructions:
  1. Copy PreloadPkgOnSite.exe file to the .\program files installation directory\bin\i386 directory on the child site that you wish to preload compressed software distribution package source (.pck) files.
  2. Copy the applicable .pck files from the parent site or from a backup location to the distribution point share on the child site manually. After manually copying the files, ensure that the read-only NTFS file attribute for the .pck file is set.
  3. From a command prompt, run the tool using the following syntax: PreloadPkgOnSite.exe PkgID StoredPkgVersion.
  4. Running this command will update necessary software distribution package source location information for the site and forward this information up the hierarchy.
  5. After the package source file location information is sent up the hierarchy, the distribution point hosting the manually copied .pck files can be added to software distribution package source locations at without the need to transfer package source files over the network.
Checks:
  1. The command line usage is: PreloadPkgOnSite.exe PkgID StoredPkgVersion
  2. If software package information already exists for a package at the site where the tool is used, the tool cannot be used.
  3. This tool is meant only for child sites and cannot be used to preload packages that were created at the child site where the tool is run.
  4. The PkgID.pck file must exist at the child site before the tool is run.
Precautions:
  • When run, this tool modifies site database information at all sites higher in the hierarchy. This tool should only be run on fully functioning child sites and only when necessary.
  • If the Configuration Manager 2007 distribution manager process has already started processing software distribution package information to be preloaded, there is no need to run the tool

Preload Package Tool for Configuration Manager 2007

http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/e/d/ded78c6e-59a4-43ee-b601-6527be7bd881/PreloadPkgOnSite.exe 

Overview

The Preload Package Tool (PreloadPkgOnSite.exe) is used to manually install compressed copies of software distribution package source files on Configuration Manager 2007 sites. After package source files are installed, a status message is sent up the site hierarchy indicating the presence of the new package source files. This avoids sites higher in the hierarchy from copying package source files over the network when distribution points at child site are selected to host software distribution package content that has already been preloaded on them.
The following feature enhancements have been made to the tool since it was released in the SMS 2003 Toolkit:

  • SQL Server named instance support
  • Administrator specified StoredPkgVersion value support

 

Problem Scenarios:

  1. When software distribution packages are created, information about them is sent to child sites in the hierarchy. If a child site has a distribution point installed that is listed in the package properties to host the content, the content is transferred over the network and uses available network bandwidth sending compressed copies of all required package source files. To avoid using network bandwidth, the Preload Package Tool can be used to copy compressed software distribution package source files to the remote child site before assigning the child site distribution point to host the package source files.
  2. If a child site fails that has a distribution point that is assigned to host software distribution package source files for a package created at a site higher in the hierarchy, all package source files will be resent over the network when the site is rebuilt and rejoined to the site hierarchy. To avoid this, the Preload Package Tool can be used to restore backed up compressed software distribution package source (.pck) files to the distribution point before rejoining the site to the hierarchy so they will already be present.
Instructions:
  1. Copy PreloadPkgOnSite.exe file to the .\program files installation directory\bin\i386 directory on the child site that you wish to preload compressed software distribution package source (.pck) files.
  2. Copy the applicable .pck files from the parent site or from a backup location to the distribution point share on the child site manually. After manually copying the files, ensure that the read-only NTFS file attribute for the .pck file is set.
  3. From a command prompt, run the tool using the following syntax: PreloadPkgOnSite.exe PkgID StoredPkgVersion.
  4. Running this command will update necessary software distribution package source location information for the site and forward this information up the hierarchy.
  5. After the package source file location information is sent up the hierarchy, the distribution point hosting the manually copied .pck files can be added to software distribution package source locations at without the need to transfer package source files over the network.
Checks:
  1. The command line usage is: PreloadPkgOnSite.exe PkgID StoredPkgVersion
  2. If software package information already exists for a package at the site where the tool is used, the tool cannot be used.
  3. This tool is meant only for child sites and cannot be used to preload packages that were created at the child site where the tool is run.
  4. The PkgID.pck file must exist at the child site before the tool is run.
Precautions:
  • When run, this tool modifies site database information at all sites higher in the hierarchy. This tool should only be run on fully functioning child sites and only when necessary.
  • If the Configuration Manager 2007 distribution manager process has already started processing software distribution package information to be preloaded, there is no need to run the tool

How To Check If A BITS Enabled Distribution Point Is Up And Running like how we check MP

To check if a Management Point is up and running we have the mplist and mpcert http URLs that we can open in Internet Explorer.  We don’t have such URLs to test if a Distribution Point (DP) is up. Management Point and Distribution Point servers are very different roles.  The Management Point is a conduit for the clients to get information from the SQL database i.e. their cert, their machine policy, etc.  That is why there is a way to use an http link to get that information from SQL through the MP.  A DP is nothing but a server share.  To use BITS for downloads, we expose that share through a virtual IIS directory.

clip_image002

There is no http link with a cert on a DP that we can query on, but you can create a package just to test the DP health.  Here is how:

1. Create a text file and write in it whatever you want to see when you use the http URL to test the DP.

2. Rename that file and change the txt extension to html.

3. Create a package that only contains that file and add your distribution points to the package.

4. Get the package ID and then go to the IIS Manager console and find the name of the DP virtual directory and make sure there is a folder for your DP health package.

5. Use IE and type the URL for the server, the virtual IIS directory, the package ID folder, and then your html file.  In my case it looks like this:

http://sccm/sms_dp_smspkge$/zzz0002e/dphealth.html

6. You should get back the content of the text file you created on step one:

clip_image004

If you get the content of your html file back, your BITS enabled DP is up.

How To Check If A BITS Enabled Distribution Point Is Up And Running like how we check MP

To check if a Management Point is up and running we have the mplist and mpcert http URLs that we can open in Internet Explorer.  We don’t have such URLs to test if a Distribution Point (DP) is up. Management Point and Distribution Point servers are very different roles.  The Management Point is a conduit for the clients to get information from the SQL database i.e. their cert, their machine policy, etc.  That is why there is a way to use an http link to get that information from SQL through the MP.  A DP is nothing but a server share.  To use BITS for downloads, we expose that share through a virtual IIS directory.

clip_image002

There is no http link with a cert on a DP that we can query on, but you can create a package just to test the DP health.  Here is how:

1. Create a text file and write in it whatever you want to see when you use the http URL to test the DP.

2. Rename that file and change the txt extension to html.

3. Create a package that only contains that file and add your distribution points to the package.

4. Get the package ID and then go to the IIS Manager console and find the name of the DP virtual directory and make sure there is a folder for your DP health package.

5. Use IE and type the URL for the server, the virtual IIS directory, the package ID folder, and then your html file.  In my case it looks like this:

http://sccm/sms_dp_smspkge$/zzz0002e/dphealth.html

6. You should get back the content of the text file you created on step one:

clip_image004

If you get the content of your html file back, your BITS enabled DP is up.

During OSD, format first partition only

Our helpdesk asked me to make a task sequence that can be used on computers with more than one partition. In this case, I had to make sure that the operating system will install only on first partition and will not touch the data on other partitions.

To achieve this, I copied another TS and modified the following 2 steps:

  • removed any “Format and Partition Disk” step
  • in the “Apply Operating System Image” step, under “Select the location where you want to apply this operating system” made the following modifications:
    • Destination: Specific disk and partition
    • Disk: 0 (if all computers are installed on first hard disk)
    • Partition: 1 (if all computers have OS installed on first partition)

This way, when TS runs, it automatically wipes partition 1 from disk 0 and will not touch any other partition or disk.

Wiping volume C:\

 

 

=============================================================================================

Detailed steps are below…for dummies
Format and Partition Disk:

In SCCM console navigate to Computer Management, Operating System Deployment, Task Sequences. Suppose you already created or imported a new Microsoft Deployment Task Sequence. If not, do it now.

  • Select the desired Task Sequence and click Edit in the Actions pane

  • In the <Name> Task Sequence Editor window, in the left pane select Format and Partition Disk

TS-Properties

  • Click the yellow star to add a new partition
  • In the Partition name type the name of your system partition, this will be you disk C:
  • Under Partition options, select the Partition type as Primary
  • Choose how you want to set partition size, use a percentage of all hard disk drive or a fixed value. I use 50% of the HDD size, because not every time I know what HDD size new laptops/PCs will have but for sure it will be more than 80GB
  • Check the box to make this partition bootable
  • Under Formatting options, choose the file system you want and check the Quick format checkbox (optional) to save time during installation
  • Under Advanced options write a Variable name
  • Click OK when you’re done making your changes

TS 1st Partition properties

Now you’ll see this volume in the task sequence editor.

TS Properties

To add another partition click the yellow star again and fill in the following details:

  • In the Partition name type the name of your partition, this will be you disk D:

  • Under Partition options, select the Partition type as Primary

  • To use all the remaining disk space, select “Use a percentage of remaining free space” and set the Size(%) to 100

  • Under Formatting options, choose the file system you want and check the Quick format checkbox (optional)

  • Under Advanced options write a Variable name

  • Click OK when you’re done making your changes

clip_image008

Now you’ll see both volumes in your task sequence editor window. Next time you will deploy an operating system, the hard disk will format and create 2 partitions (C: and D:) and your computer will boot from the first partition (C:).

TS 2nd Partition properties

How does SCCM know that it needs to apply the OS image on the first partition and not the second? Well, it doesn’t, we will set this up in the “Apply Operating System Image” task.

Apply Operating System Image:

In SCCM console navigate to Computer Management, Operating System Deployment, Task Sequences.

  • Select the desired Task Sequence and click Edit in the Actions pane

  • In the <Name> Task Sequence Editor window, in the left pane select Apply Operating System Image

  • If you are installing the OS using the source media, then choose “Apply operating system from an original installation source” option using Browse choose one of the installation packages you have created when making the task sequence

  • If you have captured and OS image previously as a .wim file, you can select “Apply operating system from a captured image” option and select the image you want

  • Check to use a sysprep answer file and select the package using the Browse button

    • Now is the time to tell SCCM where you want your image to be applied.

              - To apply the image on a specific partition, under Destination select “Specific disk and partition”. Under Disk select 0 (zero) and under Partition select 1 (first partition). This is the option I use every time
              - To apply the image on the C: partition, under Destination select “Specific logical drive letter”. Under Disk letter select C:

    Format and Partition Disk

    This is it about these two tasks. Of course these tasks can be further customized using the Option tab of each task.