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Introduction to the Configuration Manager Management Point Interface

  • Article

Applies To: System Center Configuration Manager 2007, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2

The Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 management point interface enables independent software vendors (ISVs) to manage client computers that are not running Windows operating systems in a Configuration Manager 2007 site. It can also be used to extend the management data that is used by Windows-based client computer. Using the management point interface, you can pass client management data such as inventory, software metering and status messages. You can also request such data as policy assignments and location requests for distribution points and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) servers from the management point.

To manage clients that are not running Windows operating systems, you create an ISV proxy application that communicates with the management point through the management point interface. To extend management data for a Windows-based client, you create a client-based application that communicates through the management point interface.

This documentation discusses the requirements, work flow and administrator tasks for creating and deploying an ISV proxy and Windows-based client application.

What's New

The management point interfaces were originally available in SMS 2003 (Sp1). With Configuration Manager, the following new features have been added.

  • Support for native and mixed Configuration Manager site modes.

  • Support for client and ISV proxy registration with Configuration Manager.

  • Updated message schemas for the management point endpoints.

  • ISmsMessage4 Interface added to the management point interfaces. Provides support for setting security options, certificate manipulation, port assignment.

Requirements

To use the Configuration Manager management point interface, you will need to use Microsoft Visual Studio 2003 or a later version.

The management point interface can be used on the following versions of Microsoft Windows:

  • Windows Server 2003

  • Windows 2000

  • Windows XP

  • Windows Vista

  • Windows 64-bit using Windows On Windows (WOW) 32-bit emulation.

  • It is not required to have the Configuration Manager 2007 client installed.

See Also

Concepts

Configuring an ISV Proxy Application in Configuration Manager
Configuration Manager Management Point Interface Messages
Configuration Manager Management Point Interface