Support for Windows features and networks in Configuration Manager
Applies to: Configuration Manager (current branch)
This article identifies Configuration Manager support for common Windows and networking features.
BranchCache
Use Windows BranchCache with Configuration Manager when you enable it on distribution points, and configure clients to use it in distributed cache mode.
Configure the BranchCache settings on a deployment type for applications, on the deployment for a package, and for task sequences. BranchCache is enabled by default.
When the requirements for BranchCache are met, this feature enables clients in remote locations to obtain content from local clients that have a current cache of the content.
For example, when the first BranchCache-enabled client requests content from a distribution point that's configured as a BranchCache server, the client downloads and caches the content. This content is then made available for clients on the same subnet that requested this content.
These clients also cache the content. Other clients on the same subnet don't have to download content from the distribution point. The content is distributed across multiple clients for future transfers.
Requirements to support BranchCache with Configuration Manager
Configure distribution points
Add the Windows BranchCache feature to the site system server that's configured as a distribution point.
Distribution points on servers that are configured to support BranchCache require no additional configuration.
You can't add Windows BranchCache to a content-enabled cloud management gateway. CMGs do support the download of content by clients that are configured for Windows BranchCache.
Configure clients
- The clients that can support BranchCache must be configured for BranchCache distributed cache mode.
- The OS setting for BITS client settings must be enabled to support BranchCache.
For information, see configure clients for BranchCache in the Windows documentation.
All Configuration Manager supported versions of Windows support BranchCache by default.
For more information, see BranchCache for Windows in the Windows Server documentation.
Computers in workgroups
Configuration Manager provides support for clients in workgroups.
- Configuration Manager supports moving a client from a workgroup to a domain or from a domain to a workgroup. For more information, see How to install Configuration Manager clients on workgroup computers.
Note
Although clients in workgroups are supported, all site systems must be members of a supported Active Directory domain.
Data deduplication
Configuration Manager supports the use of data deduplication with distribution points on Windows Server 2012 or later.
Important
The volume that hosts package source files can't be marked for data deduplication. This limitation is because data deduplication uses reparse points. Configuration Manager doesn't support using a content source location with files stored on reparse points.
For more information, see the following posts:
Configuration Manager distribution points and Windows Server 2012 data deduplication on the Configuration Manager team blog
Data deduplication overview in the Windows Server documentation
DirectAccess
Configuration Manager supports the DirectAccess feature for communication between clients and site server systems.
When all the requirements for DirectAccess are met, it enables Configuration Manager clients on the internet to communicate with their assigned site as if they were on the intranet.
For server-initiated actions, such as remote control and client push installation, the initiating computer must be running IPv6. This protocol must be supported on all intervening networking devices.
Configuration Manager doesn't support the following functionality over DirectAccess:
OS deployment
Communication between Configuration Manager sites
Communication between Configuration Manager site system servers within a site
Dual-boot computers
Configuration Manager can't manage more than one OS on a single computer. If there's more than one OS on a computer to manage, adjust the site's discovery and client installation methods to ensure that the Configuration Manager client is installed only on the OS that has to be managed.
IPv6
In addition to Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), Configuration Manager supports Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), with the following exceptions:
| Function | Exception to IPv6 support |
|---|---|
| Cloud management gateway | IPv4 is required to support Microsoft Azure and the cloud management gateway. |
| Network Discovery | IPv4 is required when you configure a DHCP server to search in Network Discovery. |
| OS deployment | Capturing or setting static IP addresses during the task sequence requires IPv4. |
| Wake-up proxy communication | IPv4 is required to support the client wake-up proxy packets. |
Network Address Translation
Network Address Translation (NAT) isn't supported in Configuration Manager, unless the site supports clients that are on the internet and the client detects that it's connected to the internet. For more information about internet-based client management, see Plan for managing internet-based clients.
Specialized storage technology
Configuration Manager works with any hardware that's certified on the Windows Hardware Compatibility List for the version of the OS that the Configuration Manager component is installed on.
Site server roles require NTFS, so that Configuration Manager can set directory and file permissions. Configuration Manager assumes that it has complete ownership of a logical drive. Site systems that run on separate computers can't share a logical partition on any storage technology. However, each computer can use a separate logical partition on the same physical partition of a shared storage device.
Support considerations
Storage Area Network: A Storage Area Network (SAN) is supported when a supported Windows-based server is attached directly to the volume that's hosted by the SAN.
Single Instance Storage: Configuration Manager doesn't support configuration of distribution point package and signature folders on a Single Instance Storage (SIS)-enabled volume.
Additionally, the cache of a Configuration Manager client isn't supported on a SIS-enabled volume.
Removable disk drive: Configuration Manager doesn't support the installation of Configuration Manager site systems or clients on a removable disk drive.
Next steps
Support for virtualization environments with Configuration Manager