Update Rollup 2 for System Center 2012 R2 released

Today Update Rollup 2 for System Center 2012 R2 is released. It contains 7 hotfixes for multiple System Center 2012 R2 components, except ConfigMgr. Cumulative Update 1 for ConfigMgr can be found HERE. You can choose between Microsoft Update installation or manually download the update packages.
 
To download the update packages from Microsoft Update Catalog, go to one of the following download websites, as appropriate:
-Data Protection Manager (KB2958100)
-Operations Manager (KB2929891)
-Orchestrator (KB2904689)
-Service Manager (KB2904710)
-Service Provider Foundation (KB2932939)
-Virtual Machine Manager (VMM Console: KB2932942)
-Virtual Machine Manager (VMM Server: KB2932926)

To install the update packages, run the following command from an elevated command prompt:
msiexec.exe /update <packagename>

For more information or download the update have a look here:
Microsoft Support

Anti-malware platform update for Endpoint Protection clients

As you can see a new Endpoint Protection (SCEP) update is available for System Center (SCCM) 2012 R2 installations. This is the third update available for SCCM 2012 R2 till now. In this blogpost an overview of all R2 hotfixes.
 
1) An update is available for the "Operating System Deployment" feature of System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager
2) Per-computer variables for imported computers are not read in System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager
3) November 2013 anti-malware platform update for Endpoint Protection clients

This article describes an anti-malware platform update package for the following clients:
- SCCM 2012 R2 Endpoint Protection clients
- SCCM 2012 (SP1) Endpoint Protection clients
- Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP) 2010 clients

These packages update Endpoint Protection client services, drivers, and UI components.

Microsoft regularly releases anti-malware platform updates to guarantee consistency in protection, performance, robustness, and usability in a malware landscape that is constantly changing. This update package is dated November 2013.

You can download the Hotfix here: Microsoft Support

New ConfigMgr 2012 R2 Policy Hotfix available

Yesterday a new ConfigMgr 2012 R2 Policy Hotfix is released. This because Per-computer task sequence variables that are defined for imported computers are filtered out of client policies. This prevents the variables from being read during task sequence execution. This problem does not affect per-computer variables that are defined for existing clients.

This update applies only to Primary sites.
Important Per-computer task sequence variables have to be recreated if they were created after System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager was installed but before this update is applied.

You can download the Hotfix here: Microsoft Support

New ConfigMgr 2012 R2 OSD Hotfix available

A few days ago a new ConfigMgr 2012 R2 OSD Hotfix is released. This because many customers couldn't PXE boot anymore. Have a look at these forums for more information about the issue:
Microsoft Technet, Windows Noob & MyITForum

This update resolves the following issues:
Issue 1
After you enable the PXE Service Point role on an instance of a specific distribution point, or you select the Deploy this boot image from the PXE-enabled distribution point property of a boot image, the Windows Deployment Service (WDS) stops running. Additionally, entries that resemble the following are logged in the Windows Application log:

Faulting application name: svchost.exe_WDSServer, version: 6.3.9600.16384, time stamp: 0x5215dfe3
Faulting module name: MSVCR100.dll, version: 10.0.40219.1, time stamp: 0x4d5f034a
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x000000000005f61a
Faulting process id: 0xae4
Faulting application start time: 0x01cec5d767184634
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Configuration Manager\bin\x64\MSVCR100.dll

Note This problem affects only distribution points that are installed on site servers.

Issue 2
When operating system image files are downloaded to Configuration Manager 2012 R2 clients, you may find that the download takes longer than it did in previous versions of Configuration Manager 2012 clients. You may see this behavior when the target client is running Windows PE or a full Windows operating system.

You can download the Hotfix here: Microsoft Support

System Center 2012 R2 downloadable VHDs available!

Do you want to experience System Center 2012 R2 products?
 
Microsoft have made VHDs available for evaluation:

 
System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager Data Warehouse– Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Operations Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Orchestrator – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Data Protection Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager – Evaluation (VHD) 
System Center 2012 R2 App Controller – Evaluation (VHD)

Just use them to have a look at all the new features!

Update: Password for above VHDs is pass@word1 or Pass@word1 
This cannot be found on internet actually, but because passwords were used on older System Center VHDs before, the're still working. Just make usage of it!

Update 17-2-2016: New download links available!

System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager Data Warehouse– Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Operations Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Orchestrator – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Data Protection Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 App Controller – Evaluation (VHD)

Next Release of Windows Intune (v5) coming in 3 days!

During Microsoft TechEd Europe in June 2013, the next release of Windows Intune (Wave E) is announced. This release will focus on deeper System Center integration, more consistent experiences across different mobile devices, and better data protection. Windows Intune 5.0 will offer direct management for Android also, so no need to use EAS for that anymore.

Here is what we know so far:
 -Choice between Company-owned or Personal-owned to decide management
-Native self-service portal apps for Windows, iOS and Android devices
-Registering and Enrolling devices through the cloud
-Deploy VPN profile and Wi-Fi profile policies and configurations
-Supports more policies on all supported device types
-Selectively and remotely wipe corporate data from managed devices

It will be coming in 3 days (Oct. 18) when Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows System Center 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 is released. Stay tuned for more news next week!

Mark Your Calendars for Oct. 18: The R2 Wave is Coming!

Reminder: Microsoft will release Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows System Center 2012 R2 and the latest update to Windows Intune in 3 days (Oct. 18), the same day Windows 8.1 will be released.

According to Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Windows Server and System Center Brad Anderson, it’s no coincidence that all four updates will be available on the same day. This will be done every time from now on! You can read more about it In the Cloud blog.

Recent posts about this topic:
Updates and New Features in ConfigMgr 2012 R2 (about System Center 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 and Windows Intune v5)

Back from vacation again! (2013)

After 3 weeks enjoying my vacation, partly in Denmark which is a beautiful country, it's time to take up some activities again. What did I miss last month? Well, their is some interesting news from Microsoft to mention. Let's have a look.
 
Windows 8.1 availability set for October 18
I know a lot of folks are eager to find out when they will be able to get Windows 8.1. I am excited to share that starting at 12:00am on October 18th in New Zealand (that’s 4:00am October 17th in Redmond), Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 will begin rolling out worldwide as a free update for consumers with Windows 8 or Windows RT devices through the Windows Store. Windows 8.1 will also be available at retail and on new devices starting on October 18th by market. So mark your calendars!
 
Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2 and other updates are also coming October 18
I'm excited to announce that, on the same day, eligible customers will be able to download Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2, as well as the latest update to Windows Intune! We’ll make evaluation versions available through the TechNet Evaluation Center, and these products will be available for new purchases when they hit the price list on November 1st.
 
Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release
We’re very excited to announce another free ebook offering from Microsoft Press. Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release (ISBN 9780735682931), by Mitch Tulloch with the Windows Server Team, introduces new features and capabilities, with scenario-based advice on how the platform can meet the needs of your business. Get the high-level overview you need to begin preparing your deployment now. This book is based on the Preview release and will be updated to cover Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM. 

Steve Ballmer email to Microsoft employees on Nokia Devices & Services acquisition
We announced some exciting news today: We have entered into an agreement to purchase Nokia’s Devices & Services business, which includes their smartphone and mobile phone businesses, their award-winning design team, manufacturing and assembly facilities around the world, and teams devoted to operations, sales, marketing and support. For Microsoft, this is a bold step into the future and the next big phase of the transformation we announced on July 11.

It will be exciting weeks/months to come!

Updates and New Features in ConfigMgr 2012 R2

Last week I was at Windows Management User Group (WMUG) NL day with Wally Mead. Wally Mead has been with Microsoft for more than 21 years, and working with Systems Management Server since SMS 1.0 was in development. The following Updates and New Features for ConfigMr 2012 R2 were mentioned: 

What’s new in ConfigMgr 2012 R2

• Cumulative Updates will be released quarterly
• R2 will be RTM end of year, Beta release coming soon (!)
• There is no change in SQL Collation during installation
• Reassign Site feature possible for multiple sites scenarios
• Multiple network access accounts per site are supported for untrusted forests
• There will be better detailed messages so no need to look at logfiles every time :)
• New report: Distribution Point usage (clients accessed, requests process, bytes send)
• With Pull Distibution Points you can save bandwidth during synchronizing
• Upgrade to R2 is possible only from ConfigMgr SP1 with Windows ADK 8.1
• Windows 2012 R2 and 8.1 support, VHD management, MDT integration
• Native integration of some MDT actions by default, without MDT integration needed: MDT validate action, MDT gather action, Set PowerShell execution policy actions
• Maintenance windows specific to updates and ADR filter query preview
• Two new software updates templates for patch Tuesday and definition updates
• Enrollment UI for MAC computers, no command line needed anymore

Deploying and Managing Windows 8.1 with ConfigMgr 2012 R2

• Resultant client settings in console when having multiple policies  (RSOP)
• Uninstall ADK 8.0 and install ADK 8.1 when using ConfigMgr SP1
• For R2 a minimum of Windows Server 2008 R2 OS is needed
• No support for Windows XP in Windows ADK 8.0 & 8.1 anymore
• Support for Windows PE 3.1 boot images above of Windows ADK 8.1
• VHD upload to Virtual Machine Manager, no VHD deployment possible
• Surface Pro May 2013 driver pack, OSD guide for MDT and CM available
• PXE support for Surface Pro OSD available by USB dongle only (!) 

Unified Device Management: ConfigMgr 2012 R2 Integrated with Windows Intune  

• Windows Intune, less than 7000 devices and 4000 users supported
• Choice between Company-owned or Personal-owned to decide management; Personal devices, inventory of deployed apps only; Corporate devices, inventory of all apps possible (exception for Apple)
• Unified Modern Device Management is the new name for ConfigMgr 2012 R2 integrated with Intune
• Windows Intune can be used standalone or integrated in ConfigMgr 2012 R2 to support more devices & users
• There will be a native company portal app for Windows, iOS and Android in ConfigMgr 2012 R2 with Intune integration
• Registering and Enrolling devices with Workplace Join and Windows Intune through the cloud
• VPN profle management, Wi-Fi support and Certificate management
• New site role, certificate registration point

ConfigMgr 2012 R2 will provide a lot of new functionality above of existing ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 features. R2 will be RTM end of year, Beta release coming soon (probably this week already).

TechEd 2013 North America announcements

Last week TechEd 2013 North America was held in New Orléans. Instead of Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) this year, there were a lot of announcements to make. In this blogpost I will mention the highlights, and what to expect for the next months. It will be a great year with lot's of new functionality!

What can we expect later this year?

• Windows Server 2012 R2
• System Center 2012 R2
• Windows Intune 5.0 (Wave E)
• SQL Server 2014 (wow, that's fast!)
• Windows 8.1 (with Outlook RT)
• Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013

There will also be new features available:

• Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server
• Intune: Workplace join, Selective wipe, Android support
• Azure: No charge for stopped VM's, per minute billing
• Azure: Live migration Compression (faster then default)
• Azure: Live migration RDMA (faster then Compression)
• Hyper-V recovery manager (site by site replication)

Hope you are as excited as I do!

System Center 2012 R2 announced today!

Today at TechEd 2013 North America many announcements where done.  Microsoft introduced upcoming releases of it's key enterprise IT solutions for hybrid cloud: Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2 and SQL Server 2014. Available in preview later this month! Let's have a overview at ConfigMgr R2 first.

ConfigMgr can be integrated with Windows Intune to support cloud management of mobile devices. This enables IT to deliver a rich set of configuration policies as well as deploy applications to various devices and platforms, regardless of whether they’re corporate-connected or cloud-based. Note: The Mobile Device Management capabilities of ConfigMgr 2012 R2 Preview require the integration of the next release of Windows Intune, which is not available for preview!

Benefits of ConfigMgr 2012 R2 are: 

• ConfigMgr enables organizations to deploy and manage Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Administrators can also configure and deploy WiFi profiles, VPN configurations and certificates.
• ConfigMgr supports maintenance windows exclusively for updates, and provides UI improvements for filtering and automation update deployment rule management.
• ConfigMgr optimizes content distribution, providing clearer summary messages, and offering new distribution point usage data reports to help with infrastructure planning and troubleshooting.
• ConfigMgr helps make virtual hard drive (VHD) management easier by enabling the creation, modification and offline servicing of VHDs and the uploading of VHDs to System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager.

 
For more information have a look at: System Center 2012 R2
Source: System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager