What is Binary Differential Replication in SCCM?

Binary Differential Replication, sometimes known as "delta replication," is used by Configuration Manager 2007 to update package source files with a minimum of additional network traffic.

When Configuration Manager 2007 updates the source files for a package, and the source files have already been distributed, it sends the parts of the package that have changed since the last time the package was sent (originally, as an update, or as a refresh). This minimizes the network traffic between sites, especially when the package is large and the changes are relatively small. A file is considered to be changed if it has been renamed, moved, or its contents have changed.

The originating site keeps the differences between the current version of a package and the previous five versions. If a child site or distribution point has one of the previous five versions of the package, the originating site will send the appropriate changes to that site. If the child site has an older version of the package, the originating site will send the entire package.

If the originating site sends the changed files for a package but the receiving site no longer has the package, or the package has been altered at that site, the receiving site will send a status message to the originating site reporting the problem.

Note
In order for Configuration Manager 2007 to use binary differential replication, all receiving sites must first have received at least the initial version of the package. Until all receiving sites have the initial version, Configuration Manager 2007 will not use differential replication.


Care should be taken when distributing changes to a package's source files. If the path to a receiving site is closed, it is important that you not attempt to update the distribution point multiple times before the site address is again available. Each update will include the files from the previous update because the receiving sites will not yet have the previous update. As a result, the updates will include multiple redundant files, wasting network bandwidth.

Note
The processing time for large packages can take an extended period of time (20-30 minutes in some cases or even longer, depending on the size of the package). During this package compression/decompression and hashing/signature-creating process, distmgr.log might appear to be idle, even though the process is continuing.

General SMS Console access tips

If you can’t add a site server name to your SMS console try adding an entry to your machines hosts file located at C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.

Also, it may help to add the servers’ domain to your machines list of DNS entries.

To do this on the Windows XP based computer that is running the SMS Administrator console, follow below steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type dcomcnfg.exe, and then click OK.
2. Locate the Console root node, expand Component Services, expand Computers, and then click My Computer.
3. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
4. In My Computer Properties, click the COM Security tab.
5. In Access Permission, click Edit Limits.
6. Click ANONYMOUS LOGON.
7. In Permission for ANONYMOUS LOGON, click Allow setting for Remote Access.
8. Click OK two times.
9. Restart your computer.

WMI commands to refersh SMS Policy on machines

To Request policies:
WMIC /namespace:\\root\ccm path sms_client CALL TriggerSchedule "{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000021}" /NOINTERACTIVE

To Evaluate(Apply) policies:
WMIC /namespace:\\root\ccm path sms_client CALL TriggerSchedule "{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000022}" /NOINTERACTIVE

Query to get SQL Server version and edition

Pls use the below query to get the SQL server version and edition-

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('productversion'), SERVERPROPERTY ('productlevel'), SERVERPROPERTY ('edition')

How SMS gets status report for custom MIF file?

SMS looks for the MIF file to be placed in either the machines temp directory (%TEMP%) or the system root directory (%SYSTEMROOT%). SMS also ensures that the MIF file was created after the program execution was started to make sure that it does not accidentially import incorrect status information.

Once SMS finds a matching MIF file, it will parse the file and, if valid, it will transmit the data back to the SMS server. It will then delete the MIF file from the file system.

If SMS does not find a matching MIF file, then it does not delete any files (MIF or otherwise) and returns a SUCCESS value if the exit code from the executed process was 0. Any other value results in a FAILED value being returned up to the SMS server.

The status MIFs generated on the clients must be saved in either the system %temp% or %Windir% directories. %Windir% is used if the user has sufficient privileges to write to that folder; otherwise the files are placed in the %temp% folder. The preprogrammed status MIF generation tools will automatically place status MIFs in these directories. If you generate status MIFs by using other techniques, you must ensure the status MIFs are placed in these directories.

How to obtain 100 % ConfigMgr Client Installation?

To ensure that all systems that are intended and targeted for the ConfigMgr client installation. The best client deployment method is using AD GPO that will apply 3 settings.

1. the ccmsetup parameters are place in the registry
2. the WSUS URL is place in the registry.
3. applies the ADM Client Assignment template.

Enable WSUS/SUP Client Installation. In the GPO add the WSUS URL for your SUP Site Role. As clients join the domain or connects to the network, the Windows Update Agent will scan against your WSUS server and the ConfigMgr client will be detected as not installed and WSUS will install the client treating the client as if it was a critical update.

The installation will start about 2 to 3 minutes after the client is detected as not installed. This method will also upgrade a client that is lower than the published version in WSUS. If a client is already installed with the right version, the client will be re-assigned to your site if not already assigned. Also as part of this GPO you will want to add the ADM Client Assignment template. This is comes with ConfigMgr 2007. This template will keep clients assigned to the site of choice.

Two things will happen automatically for you. If the client is un-installed for any reason, WSUS will re install the client on the next WSUS scan. If the client is re assigned to another site, the ADM template with automatically reassign the client back to the originating site code immediately.

sources: MyITForum.com