Microsoft SCCM 2012 Information

Technet Recommended Reading:

Release Notes for the System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Release Candidate - http://technet.micro...y/hh508784.aspx

Fundamentals of Configuration Manager - http://technet.micro...y/gg682106.aspx

Supported Configurations for Configuration Manager - http://technet.micro...y/gg682077.aspx

Planning for Configuration Manager Sites and Hierarchy - http://technet.micro...y/gg682075.aspx

Getting Started with Configuration Manager 2012: http://technet.micro...y/gg682144.aspx

What’s New in Configuration Manager: http://technet.micro...y/gg699359.aspx

Planning for Site Systems in Configuration Manager: http://technet.micro...y/gg712282.aspx

Install Sites and Create a Hierarchy for Configuration Manager: http://technet.micro...y/gg712320.aspx

Technical Reference for Site Communications in Configuration Manager: http://technet.micro...y/gg712990.aspx

Migrating from Configuration Manager 2007 to Configuration Manager 2012: http://technet.micro...y/gg682006.aspx

Frequently Asked Questions for Configuration Manager: http://technet.micro...y/gg682088.aspx

Site Types:

Configuration Manager 2012 introduces the central administration site and some changes to primary and secondary sites. The following tables summaries these sites and how they compare to sites in Configuration Manager 2007.

Central administration site:

The central administration site coordinates intersite data replication across the hierarchy by using Configuration Manager database replication. It also enables the administration of hierarchy-wide configurations for client agents, discovery, and other operations. Use this site for all administration and reporting for the hierarchy. Although this is the site at the top of the hierarchy in Configuration Manager 2012, it has the following differences from a central site in Configuration Manager 2007:

• Does not process client data.
• Does not accept client assignments.
• Does not support all site system roles.
• Participates in database replication

Primary site : 

Manages clients in well-connected networks.

Primary sites in Configuration Manager 2012 have the following differences from primary sites in Configuration Manager 2007:

• Additional primary sites allow the hierarchy to support more clients.
• Cannot be tiered below other primary sites.
• No longer used as a boundary for client agent settings or security.
• Participates in database replication.

Secondary site:

Controls content distribution for clients in remote locations across links that have limited network bandwidth.

Secondary sites in Configuration Manager 2012 have the following differences from secondary sites in Configuration Manager 2007:

• SQL Server is required and SQL Server Express will be installed during site installation if required.
• A proxy management point and distribution point are automatically deployed during the site installation.
• Secondary sites can be tiered to support content distribution to remote locations.
• Participates in database replication.