Introduction
This multi-part guide will show you how to install the latest baseline version of Configuration Manager from Microsoft. The latest available baseline version is System Center Configuration Manager (Current Branch) version 1802 as of March 29th 2018. You can use this multi-part guide to get a hierarchy up and running on Windows Server 2016 using SQL Server 2017. The concept behind this is to guide you through all the steps necessary to get a working Configuration Manager Primary site installed using manual methods or automating it by using PowerShell.
This gives you the power to automate the bits that you want to automate, while allowing you to manually do other tasks when needed. You decide which path to take. PowerShell knowledge is desired and dare I say required if you are in any way serious about Configuration Manager.
I will show you how to do most steps via two methods shown below, it’s up to you to choose which method suits you best but I highly recommend automating everything that you can (if possible), using PowerShell.
- Method #1 – Do it manually
- Method #2 – Automate it with PowerShell
In Part 1, you configured Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) on AD01, then joined the Configuration Manager primary server (CM01) to the newly created domain. You then created users, usergroups and OU’s in Active Directory and created the System Management Container. Finally you delegated permission to the Configuration Manager server to the System Management container. In Part 2, you configured Windows Server 2016 roles and features on the Configuration Manager primary server (CM01) and then you downloaded and installed Windows ADK 1709. Next you installed SQL Server 2017 CU5 with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and Reporting Services before installing the WSUS role which uses SQL to store the SUSDB instead of the Windows Internal Database (WID). In Part 3, you downloaded and extracted the ConfigMgr content, you downloaded the ConfigMgr prerequisites and then you extended the Active Directory schema before installing System Center Configuration Manager (Current Branch) version 1802.
In this part you’ll create some device collections to prepare your lab for Servicing Windows 10, whether using WAAS or Upgrade Task Sequences built into ConfigMgr. The collections create include some based on the recently released Windows 10 version 1803.
Step 1. Create some device collections
Note: Perform the following on the Configuration Manager server (CM01) as a Local Administrator
You can create collections using the ConfigMgr console and clicking your way through the wizard, you’ll need to add membership queries to populate the collections, and include Include or Exclude rules as appropriate.
Method #1 – Do it manually
<to be added>
Method #2 – Automate it with PowerShell
To automate the creation of a bunch of device collections simply run the CreateDeviceCollectionsWindows10.ps1 Powershell script by starting PowerShell ISE as Administrator on the ConfigMgr server (CM01).
