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Install and upgrade with the version 1606 baseline media

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Applies to: System Center Configuration Manager (long-term servicing branch)

When you run setup from the version 1606 baseline media for Configuration Manager, you can install a long-term servicing branch site of System Center Configuration Manager.

The baseline media is available on DVD as part of Microsoft System Center 2016, or from the System Center Configuration Manager long-term servicing branch version 1606. To learn about baseline media, see Baseline and update versions.

When you use the version 1606 baseline media, the site you install or upgrade to is:

  • A Current Branch site that is equivalent to a site that was first installed using the 1511 baseline media, and then updated to version 1606 plus the 1606 hotfix rollup - KB3186654.
  • An LTSB site that is equivalent to the Current Branch site that runs version 1606 plus the 1606 hotfix rollup - KB3186654. The baseline media already includes the hotfix rollup. But, the LTSB doesn't support all of the features or capabilities available with the Current Branch, as detailed in Introduction to the Long-Term Servicing Branch of System Center Configuration Manager.

If you aren't familiar with the different branches of Configuration Manager, see Which branch of Configuration Manager should I use.

Changes to Setup with the 1606 baseline media

The 1606 baseline media introduces the following changes to Setup for Configuration Manager.

Branch and edition

When you run Setup, you're now presented with a Licensing page where you can select the branch of Configuration Manager you want to install. You can choose either the Current Branch or LTSB as a licensed installation, or you can choose an Evaluation edition of the Current Branch as a non-licensed installation.

For more information, see Licensing and branches for Configuration Manager.

Software Assurance expiration

During Setup, you have the option to enter the Software Assurance expiration date value. This is an optional value that you can specify as a convenient reminder.

Note

Microsoft does not validate the expiration date you enter and will not use this date for license validation. Instead, you can use it as a reminder of your expiration date. This is useful because Configuration Manager periodically checks for new software updates offered online, and your software assurance license status should be current to be eligible to use these additional updates.

  • You can specify the date value on the Product Key page of the Setup Wizard when you run Setup from the Configuration Manager version 1606 baseline media.
  • You can also specify this date by selecting Hierarchy Settings Properties > Licensing in the Configuration Manager console.

For more information, see "Software Assurance agreements" in Licensing and branches for Configuration Manager.

Additional pre-upgrade configurations

Prior to starting an upgrade of System Center 2012 Configuration Manager to the LTSB, you must take the following extra steps as part of pre-upgrade checklist.
Uninstall the site system roles that the LTSB doesn't support:

  • Asset Intelligence synchronization point
  • Microsoft Intune connector
  • Cloud-based distribution points

For more information, see Upgrade to Configuration Manager.

New scripted installation options

The version 1606 baseline media supports a new unattended script file key for scripted installations of a new top-level site. This applies to installing a new stand-alone primary site or adding a central administration site as part of a site expansion scenario.

When using an unattended script to install a licensed branch, you must add the following section, key names, and values to the Options section of your script. You don't need to use these values to script the install of an Evaluation edition of the Current Branch:

SABranchOptions

  • Key Name: SAActive

    • Values: 0 or 1.
    • Details: 0 installs a non-licensed Evaluation edition of Current Branch, and 1 installs a licensed edition.

  • CurrentBranch

    • Values: 0 or 1.
    • Details: 0 installs the Long-Term Servicing Branch, and 1 installs the Current Branch.

For example, to install a licensed Current Branch edition you would use:

Key Name: SABranchOptions

  • SAActive = 1
  • CurrentBranch = 1

Important

SABranchOptions only works with Setup from the baseline media. It does not apply when you run Setup from the CD.Latest folder of a site you previously installed using the version 1606 baseline media.

SABranchOptions does not apply to scripted upgrades from System Center 2012 Configuration Manager and always results in the Current Branch.

For more information, see Use a command line to install Configuration Manager sites.

Install a new site

When you use the 1606 baseline media to install a new site of either branch, use the site planning, preparation, and installation procedures documented in the Installing Configuration Manager sites topic with the addition of the following considerations for Setup:

  • During Setup you must choose the branch of Configuration Manager that you want to install, and you can specify details for your Software Assurance agreement.
  • All sites in the same hierarchy must run the same branch. It isn't supported to have a hierarchy with a mix of LTSB and Current Branch at different sites.
  • New scripted installation. For more information, see "New scripted installation options" earlier in this article.

Expand a stand-alone primary site

You can expand a stand-alone primary site that runs the LTSB. The process is no different than that used for a Current Branch site with one caveat:

  • When installing the new central administration site, you must use Setup from the original source media you used to install the LTSB site. Running Setup from the CD.Latest folder for this scenario isn't supported.

For more information about expanding a site, see "Expand a stand-alone primary site" in Install a site using the Setup Wizard.

Upgrade from System Center 2012 Configuration Manager

When you upgrade from System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, use the site planning, preparation, and procedures as documented in the Upgrade to Configuration Manager topic, but with the following changes:

Upgrade to the Current Branch:

  • During Setup, you must choose the Current Branch, and you can specify details for your Software Assurance agreement.
  • New scripted installation. For more information, see "New scripted installation options" earlier in this article.

Upgrade to the LTSB:

  • Additional steps to following in the pre-upgrade checklist.
  • During Setup you must choose the LTSB, and you can specify details for your Software Assurance agreement.
  • You can only upgrade a site that runs System Center 2012 Configuration Manager with Service Pack 1, System Center 2012 Configuration Manager with Service Pack 2, System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager with Service Pack 1, or System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager with no service pack.

In-place upgrade paths for the 1606 baseline media

You can use the 1606 baseline media to upgrade the following to a licensed edition of Configuration Manager:

  • System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager with Service Pack 1
  • System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager with no service pack (this requires the use of the baseline media for version 1606 that was rereleased on December 15, 2016.)
  • System Center 2012 Configuration Manager with Service Pack 2
  • System Center 2012 Configuration Manager with Service Pack 1 (this requires the use of the baseline media for version 1606 that was rereleased on December 15, 2016.)

You can also use this media to upgrade a non-licensed Evaluation edition of Current Branch to a fully licensed version of the Current Branch.

This media doesn't support the upgrade of:

  • Other versions of System Center 2012 Configuration Manager.
  • Configuration Manager 2007 or earlier.
  • A release candidate installation of Configuration Manager.

About the CD.Latest folder and the LTSB

The following are limitations on using the media that Configuration Manager creates in the CD.Latest folder on the site server. These limits apply to sites that run the LTSB:

Media in the CD.Latest folder is supported for:

  • Site recovery.
  • Site maintenance.
  • Installing other child primary sites.

Media in the CD.Latest folder isn't supported for:

  • Installing a central administration site as part of a site expansion scenario.

For more information, see the CD.Latest folder.

Backup, recovery, and site maintenance for the LTSB

To back up, recover, or run site maintenance on a site that runs the LTSB, use the guidance and procedures from Backup and recovery for Configuration Manager.

Use Configuration Manager Setup from the CD.Latest folder of the backup of your LTSB site.