UIU Blog

Released in October 2013, Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager 2012 R2 includes many enhancements and capabilities. Here are some observations we've made during the installation of R2.


Installation:
Be sure to download SCCM 2012 R2 Updates (required) or prepare to wait a while during installation!

We bypassed using the GUI pre-requisite checker and relied on the manual checklist. You'll need to follow the documentation either way. Not to worry, the Installer will check for pre-requisites upon execution.

Technical Reference for the Prerequisite Checker in Configuration Manager
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh368980.aspx

Note: SQL 2012, if desired, will require diligence as all permissions are unassigned by default. If permissions are not applied thoroughly, your SCCM 2012 R2 installation will be hindered significantly.

Lastly, R2 requires that your server be patched to the most recent levels, so after every major step, run updates and restart your site server. Updates, updates, updates!


Configuration Manager:
In addition to changes in the release of updates (cumulative), enhancements have also been made to reporting on Distribution Points as well as to the functionality of Pull Distributions Points (new as of SCCM 2012 SP1).

Additional OSD-specific features include cloud-based remote/mobile device management, support for WinPE3.1 boot images (WAIK), support for PXE of UEFI PCs, and support for Windows Server 2102 R2/Windows 8.


Upgrade Process:
The upgrade process is a nightmare and arguably doomed to fail due to excessive manual configurations and upgrade caveats. Don't waste your time unless you absolutely have no other option in which case; make sure you have plethora backups! We recommend that you execute a parallel install of SCCM 2012 R2 alongside your current installation and decommission the existing environment immediately prior to lighting up your new install.

Planning to Upgrade System Center Configuration Manager 2012:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj822981.aspx#BKMK_PlanningR2Upgrade

Note: Only upgrades from SCCM 2012 SP1 are supported. Upgrades from SCCM 2007 or earlier versions are not supported at all.


UIU v5 SCCM plug-in Support pending
Insofar as the UIU for SCCM plug-in (UIU v5 technology) is concerned, we've got a couple of tweaks to make in order for the plug-in to carry out automated driver management as expected in R2. Release of an updated plug-in is expected shortly.

More SCCM 2012 R2 details are available from Microsoft:
http://technet.microsoft.com/library/dn236351.aspx