InfraTalks

How to Copy Azure Blob across Microsoft Azure Datacenters using AzCopy

Aman Sahota — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 10:01:02 GMT

Today's need is to work on cloud platforms across datacenters, it maybe your own datacenter or Public Cloud like Azure. How would you move a storage blob within regions?

There are various techniques to achieve this however we will focus on "AzCopy“ , its simple and easy also my favorite in recent times.

Scenario: We want to migrate Blob data (Virtual Machine in this example) across Azure Regions.

Here is the configuration: Our goal is to move blob (VM) from West US to East Asia.

STORAGE

Steps involved.

Migrating VM from Cloud service in one Location to another

1. Download and Install the latest version of AzCopy (I used version 4.1.0.107)

V4.1.0 Current preview version. Supports synchronously copying blobs and files and specifying content type for destination blobs and files

2. Make a note of your storage keys : (source and destination storage account)

3. Open PS Console on your system and go to the path: (command)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Azure\AzCopy :

AzCopy /Source:https://myaccount.blob.core.windows.net/mycontainer1 /Dest:https://myaccount.blob.core.windows.net/mycontainer2 /SourceKey:key /DestKey:key /Pattern:*.VHD

You can find more about the Azcopy command line switches here: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/storage-use-azcopy/ or simply run AzCopy /?

(Notice that the file transfer is in progress). Once the transfer is complete, the command returns the status of files transferred.

4. At this point, if I go to my storage account for East Asia, I can locate the migrated VHD file there.

5. I am ready to use the migrated files! Now, I will create a disk from this VHD -->

Make sure to select the check make “The VHD contains an operating system” incase you are copying a VM (Server OS) and not just the data disk.

6. Once the Disk is created, Go to the gallery to add a VM from My disks.

Once the VM is created using the Gallery > Disks, you can begin using the newly migrated Azure VM in East Asia.

Hope this helps you .

Special thanks to Prayag for sharing his experience and knowledge and contributing to InfraTalks.

SCCM Report To Get All Microsoft office versions

Aman Sahota — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:01:20 GMT

SCCM Report To Get All Microsoft office versions

We’re back with new and interesting post by Manoj Kumar.

Many times you get a request to track your software deployment progress. An example, you are working on new office version deployment using SCCM and you want to track the progress on install office count.

Here’s a quick post about a custom report that I have created to get the all office versions installed on SCCM clients. One can use same query for other software installed in you environment, you just need to change the display name of the product. To get the software title use this table “add_remove_programs_data”

select

count(Total.Name0) as Total_Systems,COUNT(office2003.Name0) as MSoffice2003,COUNT(Office2007.Name0) as MSOffice2007,COUNT(Office2010.Name0) as MsOffice2010

From

(select vr.Name0 from v_R_System vr)

as Total

left join

(select distinct sys.Name0,

displayname00 as OfficeEdition,

version00 as OfficeVersion from system_disc sys

left join

add_remove_programs_data arp on sys.itemkey = arp.machineid where

(displayname00 = 'Microsoft Office Basic Edition 2003'

OR displayname00 = 'Microsoft Office Excel 2003'

OR displayname00 = 'Microsoft Office Outlook 2003'

OR displayname00 = 'Microsoft Office Personal Edition 2003'

OR displayname00 = 'Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003'

OR displayname00 = 'Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003'

OR displayname00 = 'Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003')

and client0 = 1)as office2003

on Total.Name0=office2003.Name0

left join

(Select distinct sys.Name0,

displayname00 as OfficeEdition,

version00 as OfficeVersion from system_disc sys

left join

add_remove_programs_data arp on sys.itemkey = arp.machineid where

(displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Personal 2007'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional 2007'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Trial'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional Hybrid 2007'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 (Beta)'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Standard 2007'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Standard 2007 Trial'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007')

and sys.client0 = 1)as Office2007

on Total.Name0=office2007.Name0

left join

(select distinct sys.Name0,

displayname00 as OfficeEdition,

version00 as OfficeVersion from system_disc sys

left join

add_remove_programs_data arp on sys.itemkey = arp.machineid where

(displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office 2010'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Standard 2010'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional 2010'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 (Beta)'

or displayname00 like 'Microsoft Office Starter 2010 - English')

and sys.client0 = 1) as office2010

on Total.Name0=office2010.Name0

Happy Reading

Microsoft Azure network security

Aman Sahota — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:34:47 GMT

Azure network security Windows Azure network security white paper : https://azure.microsoft.com/blog/2014/01/07/new-windows-azure-network-security-whitepaper/ (all that you need is mentioned in white paper based on scenarios) Few related blogs on azure network security https://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2013/10/29/set-by-step-setting-up-network-access-control-lists-acls-in-azure.aspx https://blogs.msdn.com/b/walterm/archive/2014/04/22/windows-azure-paas-acls-are-here.aspx (PaaS) Azure Security Overview https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/windows-azure-security-overview#fbid=UOvc-8teY10 Azure Overview for IT pros https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/windows-azure-for-it-pros-jump-start Creating ACL’s – PowerShell https://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2013/08/31/weekend-scripter-creating-acls-for-windows-azure-endpoints-part-1-of-2.aspx https://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2013/09/01/weekend-scripter-creating-acls-for-windows-azure-endpoints-part-2-of-2.aspx https://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2013/09/18/creating-acls-for-windows-azure-endpoints.aspx Good read (blog on Microsoft azure security) https://blogs.msdn.com/b/cdndevs/archive/2014/03/19/windows-azure-security-privacy-compliance.aspx

Coming Soon - Virtual Partner Tech Days

Aman Sahota — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 15:22:00 GMT

	Join us for another Advanced Enablement Series for our Partners. This series will help you learn the technical modules required for your Microsoft Certification. The sessions are focused on multiple workloads like App Dev, Datacenter, Content & Collaboration, Unified Communication and Dynamics.
	.
	Who should attend this workshop?		Experienced Architects, Administrators, Consultants and Developers who are looking for depth technical learning and preparation for Microsoft Certification

Here’s a snapshot of what to expect in the series.

Date & Time		Session Details	Daily Agenda

		· Administering Visual Studio Team Foundation Server	· Install And Configure TFS
March 17 to 21			· Manage Team Foundation Server - Part 1
		(Certification Mapping: 70-496)	· Manage Team Foundation Server - Part 2
		.	· Customize TFS for team use
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now	· Administer Version Control
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013	· Design a SharePoint Topology
March 24 to 27			· Maintain a core SharePoint environment
		(Certification Mapping: 70-331)	· Plan Security
		.	· Create and Configure Web Applications for Site Collections
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012	· Install and configure servers
March 31 to April 2			· Configure Hyper-V & Deploy and configure core network services
		(Certification Mapping: 70-410)	· Install and administer Active Directory & Create and manage Group Policy
		.
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Office 365 Administration	· Office 365- Management Interface and Diagnostics tool
April 07 to 11			· Office 365-Domains,Users Management, Recipients and Permissions
		(Certification Mapping: 70-323)	· Office 365- Mail flow and Organization sharing
		.	· Office 365- Mobile Devices
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now	· Office 365- Public Folder Management
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Developing Windows Azure and Web Services	· Accessing Data
April 21st to 25			· Querying and manipulating data by using Entity Framework
		(Certification Mapping: 70-487)	· Designing and implementing WCF service
		.	· Creating and consuming Web API-based service
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now	· Deploying web applications and services
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Dynamics GP 2013 Financials	· Dynamics GP 2013 - General Ledger
April 28 to May 02			· Dynamics GP 2013 - Payables Management
		(Certification Mapping: MB3-701)	· Dynamics GP 2013 - Receivables Management
		.	· Dynamics GP 2013 - Bank Reconciliation
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now	· Dynamics GP 2013 - Fixed Assets
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions	· Developing App for SharePoint 2013
May 05 to 07			· Automating Business Process with SharePoint 2013 Workflows
		(Certification Mapping: 70-417)	· SharePoint Branding and Content Management from 0-Infinity
		.
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Understand and Design Private Cloud Infrastructure	· Introduction to Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V and System Center 2012 R2 Components
May 12 to 16			· Understand and Design Private Cloud Infrastructure
		(Certification Mapping: 70-247)	· Configure Private Cloud Fabric
		.	· Configure System Center Integration
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now	· Deploy Virtual Machines and Cloud Services
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


		· Office 365 Compliance	· Office 365- Exchange Online Protection
May 19 to 23			· Office 365-Message Encryption and Upgrade from Exchange Hosted Encryption
		(Certification Mapping: 70-323)	· Office 365- Security and compliance
		.	· Office 365- Exchange online Compliance management and Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Duration: 2 hours per day		Register Now	· Office 365- Rights Management Services
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


	· Dynamics AX 2012–Development Sessions 1,2,3		· AX 2012 Development- 1
May 27 to 30			· AX 2012 Development- 2
	(Certification Mapping: MB6-869)		· AX 2012 Development- 3
	.
Duration: 2 hours per day	Register Now
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST


	· Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance		· Implementing an SSIS solution
June 02 to 06			· Configuring, deploying, and maintaining SSIS
	(Certification Mapping: 70-448)		· Implementing an SSAS solution
	.		· Configuring, deploying, and maintaining SSAS
Duration: 2 hours per day	Register Now		· Implementing an SSRS solution
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM PST

These sessions are targeted to enhance your technical knowledge and does not guarantee certification. You will learn about the product/technology involved in these Microsoft Certification.
.

Windows PowerShell commandlets for System Center 2012 R2 Operations Manager

Yash Tolia — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:21:00 GMT

The newest member on the A-Team, Dhanraj, takes the stage to give us some insight on SCOM and Windows PowerShell. Windows PowerShell is Microsoft’s task automation and configuration management framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on the .NET Framework. PowerShell provides full access to COM and WMI, enabling administrators to perform administrative tasks on both local and remote Windows systems. More and more Microsoft products are being shipped with their custom made Powershell cmdlets with a view to empower admins to perform complex tasks using simple lines of code. Let’s start out with a few examples that we use frequently. The URL’s present after each commandlet: 1. Enable-SCOMAgentProxy - This is used in cases where the agents needs to act like a proxy and discover other objects. An example being the AD management pack.

Enable-SCOMAgentProxy [-Agent] [[-PassThru]] [-Confirm] [-WhatIf] [ ] https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh527844.aspx 2. Get-SCOMAgent - Gets the agent-managed computers in a management group. Parameter Set: Empty
Get-SCOMAgent [-ComputerName ] [-Credential ] [-SCSession ] [ ] Parameter Set: FromAgentNames
Get-SCOMAgent [-DNSHostName] [-ComputerName ] [-Credential ] [-SCSession ] [ ] Parameter Set: FromManagementServer
Get-SCOMAgent [-ManagementServer] [-ComputerName ] [-Credential ] [-SCSession ] [ ] https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh527835.aspx 3. Get-SCOMDatabaseGroomingSetting - Operations Manager database in order to maintain performance. Get-SCOMDatabaseGroomingSetting [-ComputerName ] [-Credential ] [-SCSession ] [ ] https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh918460.aspx 4. Set-SCOMDatabaseGroomingSetting - Once you have had a look at your Database grooming settings using the Get-SCOMDatabaseGroomingSetting, this command will let you modify the settings based on your requirement. Set-SCOMDatabaseGroomingSetting [-AlertDaysToKeep ] [-AvailabilityHistoryDaysToKeep ] [-ComputerName ] [-Credential ] [-EventDaysToKeep ] [-JobStatusDaysToKeep ] [-MaintenanceModeHistoryDaysToKeep ] [-MonitoringJobDaysToKeep ] [-PassThru] [-PerformanceDataDaysToKeep ] [-SCSession ] [-StateChangeEventDaysToKeep ] [-Confirm] [-WhatIf] [ ] https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh920247.aspx 5. Get-SCOMDataWarehouseSetting - The Get-SCOMDataWarehouseSetting cmdlet gets the data warehouse settings for a management group. Get-SCOMDataWarehouseSetting [-ComputerName ] [-Credential ] [-SCSession ] [ ] https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh920224.aspx
6. Set-SCOMDataWarehouseSetting - Use the Set-SCOMDataWarehouseSetting to modify data warehouse settings for a management group. Set-SCOMDataWarehouseSetting [-ComputerName ] [-Credential ] [-DatabaseName ] [-PassThru] [-SCSession ] [-ServerName ] [-Confirm] [-WhatIf] [ ] https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh920229.aspx
7. Get-SCOMOverride - This is a very useful cmdlet that usually comes in handy when you need to have a quick look at all the overrides that are present on a preconfigured environment. https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh545169.aspx
8. Get-SCOMRMSEmulator - The Get-SCOMRMSEmulator cmdlet gets the management server that hosts the root management server (RMS) Emulator role. The RMS Emulator gives legacy management packs that depend on RMS the ability to continue working in System Center 2012 – Operations Manager, which does not support a root management server. Additionally also have a look at the Set-SCOMRMSEmulator and Remove-SCOMRMSEmulator. https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh918491.aspx 9. Install-SCOMAgent - Deploys one or more System Center Management agents using push install. Install-SCOMAgent -DNSHostName -PrimaryManagementServer [-ActionAccount ] [-AgentActionAccount ] [-Confirm] [-WhatIf] [ ] https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh527834.aspx For a complete list of SCOM cmdlets, please refer to the following link: https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh920227(v=sc.20).aspx Happy Reading! -A-team!

Enable Kiosk Mode in Windows 8.1

Yash Tolia — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 13:16:26 GMT

Windows devices are widely used for kiosks where the users should be able to use only an application and nothing else. This makes sure that an anonymous user can use the kiosk and the application, but not harm it in any way. To achieve this, you had to lock down the Windows device and harden it for obvious security reasons. But, locking down a Windows device traditionally was a difficult task.

Windows 8.1 comes with an excellent feature where you can lockdown the device allowing the user to use only one application. You need to keep in mind that this application needs to be a modern application and cannot be a desktop application. So, if you are going to use it for your customized company application (For e.g. ATMs, Flight Schedule), the application should be a modern application.

Let’s see how we can do that.

Step 1: Create a Local Account in your Windows 8.1 device. For this, go to Charms->Settings->Change PC Settings->Accounts

Step 2: Log out of the machine and log in using the local account (KioskUser) that was just created. This makes sure that a profile for that user gets created and loaded in that machine. Once that is done, log out from the local account (KioskUser)and log back in using the Administrator’s account. If this step is not followed, while assigning the app, you will get the following error: This account has no apps.

Step 3: If there is not one of the default apps available with Windows 8.1, log into the machine using the local account (KioskUser) and install the app. Skip this step if you will be using a default Windows 8.1 app.

Step 4: Assign the app to the local account (KioskUser). For doing that, go to Charms->Settings->Change PC Settings->Accounts

And that is it. Log out and log back into the machine with the local account (KioskUser) and you will see that the machine launches into Kiosk Mode and the assigned app opens directly. The user can neither drag the application down to close it, nor the charms or any other shortcuts will work. In order to log out of the Kiosk Mode, you can hit the Windows key 5 times.

In order to improve the security, you should consider the following:

1. Not keeping the Windows key easily accessible, so that users don’t log the user out by mistake.

2. Keep the administrator password strong to make sure that malicious users don’t log into the machine if they land up on the log on page.

3. Use the Automatically log into assigned access mode, allowing the machine to boot into the local account directly without prompting for credentials. This becomes useful in scenarios where if the Windows 8.1 device restarts, it will still launch into the Kiosk Mode and open the app. You can find the information configuring this here.

Hope this information helps.

A-Team!

Solutions for Migration and Management of Modern Device

Yash Tolia — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 14:35:03 GMT

As Windows XP comes to end of support in 2014, you have more critical reasons to connect with your Windows XP customer base and bring them on the latest platform. With the recent trends of employees using self-purchased devices at work or Enterprises planning to provide users with slates, it makes the migration an even more engaging discussion. It is not only about migrating to new operating system anymore for lot of your customers. It is also about providing flexibility to the end users and maintaining security as well as containing costs.

There are 4 stages in this migration and management strategy. Let’s go ahead and discuss them:

Opting for the right OS deployment and migration strategy

You need to select the correct deployment and migration strategy for the environment. There are various tools that you can use from Microsoft for Deployment and Migration to Windows 7 and 8. There can be 3 scenarios that can occur:

1. Independent of the size of the environment, you would like to set up a simple deployment and migration infrastructure. This environment will not be a heavily automated and will involve manual intervention. You can follow the link below for setting up such an environment:
https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh825212.aspx

2. The environment is small (roughly 200 machines). This will be more automated but for a small environment. You can make use of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) for installation and along with Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (WADK), you can use migration tools present in the kit for migration purposes. You can find more information in the following link of how you can use MDT for this purpose:

Zero-Touch, High-Volume Deployment

3. The environment is big (more than 200 machines). This will be the most automated environment that can be achieved. You can make use of System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) for Operating System Deployment. It can be integrated with MDT as well to provide you a combined solution too, which can be useful in more flexibility in terms of OS deployment options and mechanisms. You can find more information around it in the following location, where you can check the step-by-step guides listed:

System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Survival Guide

Modern device management

The next stage will be to find the right way to manage these devices that you have deployed. This can be done by making use of SCCM itself, which has the capabilities to patch, update, manage and to some extent monitor the machines as well. There is also Windows Intune which will be useful for Mobile devices that you may have in the environment, such as roaming laptops, tablets etc. These 2 technologies can also be integrated to give you on premise and mobile device management. You can find information about Windows Intune in the following location:

Windows Intune Quick Overview

Finding the right Application deployment Strategy

Once we have deployed and stabilized the OS, the next thing to decide is the Application deployment strategy, where you need to test the legacy critical applications on the new OS. You can make use of Application Compatibility Toolkit for checking the compatibility. If there are compatibility issues, then we can make use of Application Virtualization (App-V), which is a part of MDOP for virtualizing the application, or you can use Med-V, which is also a part of MDOP for providing a virtual instance of Windows XP for running the applications. You can find information on App-V and Med-V in the following location:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/microsoft-desktop-optimization-pack-technologies.aspx

Protecting Enterprise data while allowing flexibility to end users

Once you have the applications in place, the next stage will be to provide data in a secured manner. This can be done by making use of domain Group Policies, Roaming Profiles, Folder Redirection and User Experience Virtualization (UE-V), which is also a part of the MDOP toolset. This will allow you to store user information centrally, and put restrictions in terms of what data you want to provide them access to. You can use Remote Access as well for mobile users to securely connect to the corporate environment. BitLocker is also something that you can look at from the hardware perspective.

This lifecycle will repeat with the next wave of Operating Systems and applications.

Hope this helps.

-A-Team!

Hyper-v Server, Copying the content of Pass-Through disk to VHDX

Aman Sahota — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 08:55:19 GMT

Today’s blog comes from Ahmed Moseb on Copying the content of Pass-Through Disk to VHDX .

Here are the Steps involved :-

Step 1: Create a New Virtual Hard Drive Wizard.

Step 2: Choose the disk format as VHDX (or) This is also possible for VHD file

Step 3: Select the Disk Type (Fixed, Dynamically Expanding)

Step 4: Specify the location for the VHDX file

Step 5: Choose the Option to copy the content of the specified Physical disk (Need to be attached to the Hyper-v server).

Step 6: Attach the VHDX to the VM.

Happy Learning!

Prestaged Media Changes and Step by Step tutorial of creating a Prestaged Media in System Center Configuration Manager 2012 SP1

Aman Sahota — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 08:40:35 GMT

Hello! My name is Manjunath Balasundaram. I am going to talk about Prestaged Media changes in ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 and take you through the new wizard options.

As we know, SP1 was released few months ago and one of the major changes made in SP1 release of Configuration Manager 2012 is around Prestaged Media. We have made some improvements to the traditional Prestaged Media. Below are the few improvements made in SP1 release.

a. Ability to add additional content (Applications, Packages, Driver Packages)

b. Prestaged Media will check the local task sequence cache for valid content first. If the content cannot be found or has been revised or has invalid hash, the content will be downloaded from the DP

c. Prestaged Media wizard allows you to select a task sequence to build a list of recommended content

Note: The task sequence that you specify during the wizard is only to simplify adding the content to the media. The Prestaged media is not tied to this task sequence.

For more information please refer to the TechNet library link

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj591552.aspx#BKMK_WhatsNewSP1_Software

Now that I spoke about the changes made in SP1, now let me take you through the step by step guide on how to create Prestaged media in ConfigMgr 2012 SP1.

In the ConfigMgr 2012 console, click on the Software Library Workspace.

Go to Overview > Operating Systems > Task Sequences. Click Create Task Sequence Media on the ribbon bar. The below wizard appears.

Select Prestaged Media

Choose the Media based on your requirement. This is to specify how the client finds a MP to obtain deployment information.

Fill in the fields as required and specify the location to save the Media (WIM) file.

Select the options as required for your environment

The below Task Sequence page is new in SP1.

Click on Browse and select the Task sequence to reference the content to be included in the media.

Once selected, the wizard populates all the content referenced by the Task sequence.

Note: The task sequence specified is only to simplify adding the content to the media. The Prestaged media is not tied to this task sequence.

Select the appropriate Distribution Point and Management Point

This is new in SP1. You can add or remove applications to be included in the media.

Click on Add to select the additional applications.

Similar to the applications, you can add or remove packages in this window.

And for driver packages as well.

Add the distribution points that contains the content required by the Task sequence

Here, you can specify the custom variable or specify a prestart command.

Click Next to view the summary of the TS Prestaged media creation.

Click next and once the media is created. Click Close.

Verify the presence of the Prestaged media WIM file in the location specified during the wizard.

Happy Learning!!

SCCM 2012 Reporting: Get system serial number & create custom SSRS report

Aman Sahota — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 07:29:28 GMT

Once again our expert Manoj Kumar sharing his valuable insight on SCCM 2012 Reporting.

In Configuration manager 2012 we do not have an out of the box report which shows the system serial number. Below is a very simple report which includes: System Name, User Name, OS, Service Pack, Manufacturer, Serial Number, Model & System Type.

This step by step guide will show you how to setup your custom report to show-up the system serial number.

Open SCCM console and open the Monitoring > Overview > Reporting> Right click the “Reports” node and click on Create Report.

Click on SQL- Based Report

Click to Browse the category to save the report in

Click OK and then Click Next till you reach summary page and then close after the report is created.

When you finish the report the SQL Server Report Builder should now open.

If you already see data source connection, just hit Test Connection to verify it If not, then click Browse Enter in the credentials that have access to the SCCM database and click Next.

You’ll now hit the “Design a query” Click on Edit as Text in the top left corner.

Paste the below query and hit red color Exclamation Mark just next to import

Select sys.Name0 Machine, CS.UserName0 'User Name',OS.Caption0 OS, OS.CSDVersion0 'Service Pack',CS.Manufacturer0 Manufacturer,CS.Model0 Model,BIOS.SerialNumber0 'Serial Number',RAM.Capacity0 Memory, cs.SystemType0

From v_R_System SYS

left join v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS on sys.Name0=cs.Name0

left join v_GS_PC_BIOS BIOS on sys.ResourceID=bios.ResourceID

left join v_GS_OPERATING_SYSTEM OS on sys.ResourceID=OS.ResourceID

left join v_GS_PHYSICAL_MEMORY RAM on sys.ResourceID=ram.ResourceID

--Where sys.Name0 = @variable

order by sys.Name0

On the next screen, you’ll get the ability to lay out how you want your report to look. I’ve selected all the fields from available and drag it over ∑ values box

Click next on Choose the layout page

Click Next and then Finish. You should be back at the report builder screen. You can start modifying the report to look exactly how you’d like

You can always go back to the design by clicking Design if you need to make modifications or add extra information to this report like below.

On the design page if you want to put header click above the report and insert the Text Box and type the report name as you like

If you want to bring the total number of machines on this page, insert new Text box just next to the report header. Right click inside the box click Expression

Paste this query

=Count(Fields!Machine.Value, "DataSet1")

After you adjusting all the fields the way you want and when all this is done, click on Run to view the report

Click on Save icon, you should be able to see the reports under “Site – General” you should now see your new report. This should appear in the console as well as the web reports.

Happy Learning!