Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

Microsoft System Center Configuration (SCCM) is a comprehensive end-point management tool that helps IT administrators manage Windows-based endpoints (desktops, laptops, and servers).

If your organization uses SCCM to manage your end-user machines, you can distribute and install the Whatfix extension across many machines at once, and also manage all your deployments from a single point. To deploy Whatfix extensions, use SCCM's software deployment capabilities to push the extension to your end users' browsers.

Here's a quick overview of what you need to know about SCCM, especially regarding Whatfix deployment.

Understand the SCCM Architecture

The SCCM has a hierarchical structure to manage computers effectively:

• Primary Site Servers: Top-level servers that manage endpoints and the overall SCCM environment.

• Secondary Site Servers: Manage specific locations or network segments, especially if you have concerns about the bandwidth when distributing software.

Key SCCM Roles

When deploying the Whatfix extension, you must know the following SCCM components:

• Distribution Points: These are servers that store the installation files for the Whatfix extension. SCCM distributes the extension from these points to your users' computers.

• Management Points: These servers provide policy and service location information to clients. They help manage the communication between SCCM and the computers receiving the Whatfix extension.

• Software Update Points: While primarily used for Windows updates, they are related to how software is distributed and managed, and might come into play depending on how the Whatfix extension is packaged.

Automation

Consider the following aspects to help deploy the Whatfix extension successfully:

• Automation Templates: These templates can automate the setup of primary servers, virtual networks, and even create test client machines. This saves a lot of time in setting up the SCCM environment itself.

• Deployment Scripts: Organizations use scripts to automate the deployment of software through SCCM. These scripts can handle tasks such as creating virtual machines, configuring networks, and setting up server roles (such as DHCP and DNS), which are prerequisites for SCCM.

Important Dependencies

• Active Directory: SCCM relies on Active Directory to manage information about users and devices. Make sure your Active Directory is properly configured so that SCCM accurately targets the Whatfix extension to the correct users.

Deploy the Whatfix Extension

With the basic understanding of SCCM highlighted in this article, proceed to read Mass Deploy Whatfix extension using SCCM to learn how to deploy the Whatfix extension.