Administering System CenterConfiguration Manager Training Course Modules

Module 1: Managing Computers and Mobile Devices in the Enterprise

• Covers Configuration Manager features for hardware/software inventory, application management, OS deployment, and security.
• Introduces core concepts like architecture, management tools, and client deployment strategies.
• Hands-on labs explore the Configuration Manager console, PowerShell integration, and troubleshooting tools.

Module 2: Analyzing Data using Queries, Reports, and CMPivot

• Explains how to create queries to locate specific devices or users within your network.
• Covers configuring SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) for generating reports on Configuration Manager data.
• Introduces CMPivot for real-time data analysis of connected devices.
• Labs focus on creating and running queries, configuring SSRS, and using CMPivot.

Module 3: Preparing the Configuration Manager Management Infrastructure

• Introduces boundaries and boundary groups for managing network locations with devices you need to manage.
• Explains resource discovery methods for identifying computers, users, and network infrastructure.
• Covers creating collections for grouping resources for targeted management tasks.
• Hands-on labs involve configuring boundaries, discovery methods, and creating device/user collections.

Module 4: Deploying and Managing the Configuration Manager Client

• Explains supported devices and operating systems for the Configuration Manager client.
• Covers different methods for client deployment and configuration options.
• Demonstrates managing client settings and monitoring client health.
• Labs focus on deploying the client using various methods, configuring and monitoring client status, and managing settings.

Module 5: Managing Inventory for PCs and Applications

• Provides an overview of inventory collection, hardware/software inventory configuration, and collection cycles.
• Covers software metering for monitoring program usage and managing Asset Intelligence for license tracking.
• Hands-on labs involve configuring and managing hardware/software inventory, configuring software metering, and setting up Asset Intelligence.

Module 6: Distributing and Managing Content Used for Deployments

• Explains the content distribution infrastructure using distribution points and peer cache sources.
• Covers distributing and managing content like packages, applications, software updates, and OS images.
• Demonstrates content validation and content prestaging techniques.
• Labs involve setting up a distribution point, managing content distribution, and performing content validation/prestaging.

Module 7: Deploying and Managing Applications

• Explains methods for creating, deploying, and managing applications with Configuration Manager.
• Covers using the Software Center and Application Catalog for application access.
• Demonstrates managing deployments for unconventional applications and deploying virtual/Windows 10 apps.
• Hands-on labs involve creating and deploying applications, managing application supersedence/removal, deploying virtual applications, and deploying Windows 10 apps.

Module 8: Maintaining Software Updates for Managed PCs

• Explains using the software updates feature for managing the complex task of identifying, deploying, and monitoring updates for clients.
• Covers configuring automatic deployment rules and troubleshooting software updates.
• Demonstrates enabling third-party updates.
• Labs involve configuring the site for software updates, deploying and managing updates, and configuring automatic deployment rules.

Module 9: Implementing Endpoint Protection for Managed PCs

• Explains using Configuration Manager’s security features to protect client computers from malware threats.
• Covers configuring specific Windows Defender Firewall settings for clients.
• Demonstrates deploying, managing, and monitoring Endpoint Protection policies and advanced threat policies.
• Hands-on labs involve configuring the Endpoint Protection point and client settings, deploying Endpoint Protection policies, and implementing advanced threat protection policies.

Module 10: Managing Compliance and Secure Data Access

• Explains using compliance settings to identify existing configurations, discover non-compliant systems, and remediate settings automatically.
• Covers managing resource and data access using folder redirection, offline files, roaming profiles, remote connection profiles, VPN profiles, Wi-Fi profiles, and certificate profiles.
• Demonstrates configuring compliance settings to maintain configuration requirements and provide secure data access.
• Hands-on labs involve managing configuration items and baselines, viewing compliance reports, configuring remediation, and using compliance information to create collections.

Module 11: Managing Operating System Deployment

• Explains using the operating system deployment feature to create images for deploying to unmanaged and managed computers.
• Covers preparing a reference computer, capturing an OS image, and using task sequences for post-deployment configuration.
• Demonstrates managing Windows as a service (WaaS) for updates.
• Hands-on labs involve preparing the site for OS deployment, managing packages for deployment, deploying OS images, and learning WaaS management.

Module 12: Managing and Maintaining a Configuration Manager Site

• Explains role-based administration for delegating tasks and Remote Tools for remotely managing clients.
• Covers essential site maintenance tasks, using Management Insights recommendations, and backing up/recovering a Configuration Manager site.
• Demonstrates updating the Configuration Manager infrastructure.
• Hands-on labs involve configuring role-based administration for specific users, configuring Remote Tools, performing maintenance tasks, backing up the site, and recovering from a backup.

By completing this course, you will gain the following skills:

• Manage computers, users, and mobile devices within your network environment using Configuration Manager.
• Utilize Configuration Manager features for hardware/software inventory, application deployment, operating system deployment, software updates, and security (Endpoint Protection).
• Create queries, reports, and leverage CMPivot for data analysis related to your Configuration Manager environment.
• Configure the Configuration Manager infrastructure, including boundaries, discovery methods, and collections for managing resources effectively.
• Deploy and manage the Configuration Manager client software on various devices.
• Manage inventory collection for hardware, software, and software metering. Utilize Asset Intelligence for license tracking.
• Distribute and manage content used for deployments, including packages, applications, software updates, and operating system images.
• Deploy and manage applications using Configuration Manager, including virtual and Windows 10 apps.
• Maintain software updates for managed devices using automated deployment rules and troubleshooting techniques.
• Implement Endpoint Protection to protect client computers from malware threats and configure Windows Defender Firewall settings.
• Manage compliance settings to enforce configuration requirements and control data access within your network.
• Deploy operating system images to unmanaged and managed computers, manage Windows as a service (WaaS) updates.
• Configure role-based administration, utilize Remote Tools, perform essential site maintenance tasks, and back up/recover a Configuration Manager site.

Administering System CenterConfiguration Manager Course Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP and Domain Name System (DNS).
• Familiarity with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) principles and management.
• Experience with Windows Server administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of Windows client operating system fundamentals (Windows 10 or later).
• Basic understanding of the concepts of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) security.
• Experience with Windows PowerShell and command-line interface scripting.