When planning to add a new Software Update Point (SUP) to your System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) environment, consider the following:
System Requirements: Ensure that the server where you plan to install the new SUP meets the system requirements for SCCM, including hardware specifications, supported operating systems, and prerequisites such as .NET Framework versions.
Network Configuration: Verify network connectivity between the new SUP server and other SCCM infrastructure components, including the site server, database server, and client devices. Ensure that firewall rules are configured to allow communication between these components.
Installation Sequence: Determine the appropriate installation sequence for adding the new SUP. Depending on your SCCM environment's complexity and scale, you may need to coordinate the installation with other SCCM component installations or updates.
Software Update Package Synchronization: Plan how you will synchronize software update packages (SUSP) between the new SUP and the existing SUPs in your environment. Consider the synchronization schedule, bandwidth requirements, and any potential impact on network performance.
Patch Management Policies: Review and update patch management policies and configurations to include the new SUP. Ensure that client devices are configured to receive software updates from the new SUP once it's deployed.
Testing and Validation: Before deploying the new SUP in production, perform thorough testing and validation in a test environment to ensure that it functions correctly and integrates seamlessly with your existing SCCM infrastructure.
Backup and Recovery: Implement backup and recovery procedures to safeguard SCCM data, configurations, and software update packages. This ensures that you can restore the SCCM environment to a known state in case of any issues during or after the deployment of the new SUP.
Once you have considered these aspects and are ready to switch to the new SUP, follow these general steps:
- Install the New SUP: Install the new SUP on the designated server using the SCCM installation wizard or command-line tools. Follow the installation prompts and configure the SUP settings as needed.
- Synchronize Software Updates: After installing the new SUP, initiate a synchronization of software update packages to download the latest updates from Microsoft Update or your configured update source.
- Update Client Settings: Update client settings to point to the new SUP for software update deployments. You can do this by modifying client settings in SCCM console or using Group Policy settings for client devices.
- Monitor Deployment: Monitor the deployment of software updates to client devices to ensure that they are successfully receiving updates from the new SUP. Monitor SCCM logs and reports for any issues or errors.
- Decommission Old SUP (Optional): Once you have confirmed that the new SUP is functioning correctly and all client devices are receiving updates, you can decommission the old SUP. This involves removing the old SUP role from the server and updating SCCM configurations accordingly.
hth
Marcin