Deploy the client by using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 [AX 2012]

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 is a comprehensive solution that is used to assess, deploy, and update servers, clients, and devices across physical, virtual, distributed, and mobile environments. This topic describes how to use Configuration Manager to deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX clients in a medium to large organization.

This topic does not provide information about how to set up the network infrastructure, such as the Active Directory directory service, Microsoft SQL Server, and System Center Configuration Manager.

For more information about how to set up and use Configuration Manager, see the Configuration Manager 2007 Documentation Library on TechNet.

Overview of the deployment process

To deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX clients by using Configuration Manager, you must create and define the following objects:

• Collections – A collection is a group of resources, such as users, user groups, or computers. A collection defines the target of a software deployment.
  For more information about collections, see Collections Overview in the Configuration Manager documentation.
• Packages – A package is the set of installation source files that Configuration Manager manages and distributes for a software deployment. Packages include distribution points and the programs that are used to deploy the software.
  For more information about packages, see About Packages in the Configuration Manager documentation.
• Programs – Programs contain command-line switches and additional parameters that are used by designated source files in packages, such as Setup.exe.
  For more information about programs, see About Programs in the Configuration Manager documentation.
• Distribution points – Distribution points are site systems for Configuration Manager that store packages that can be deployed to Configuration Manager clients. When the client receives and processes an advertisement, the client contacts a distribution point to download the package and start the installation process.
  For more information about distribution points, see About Distribution Points in the Configuration Manager documentation.
• Advertisements – Advertisements let administrators target a software deployment to collections of computers or users. An advertisement specifies a package, a program, and the collection to which the advertisement is sent and deployed.
  For more information about advertisements, see About Advertisements in the Configuration Manager documentation.

Example: Deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX clients by using Configuration Manager

This section provides an example of a network environment for the Configuration Manager infrastructure. This section also describes how Configuration Manager is used to deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX clients in this environment.

You can use this example as a guide when you use Configuration Manager to deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX clients in your implementation.

Network environment

The following illustration shows an example of a network environment.

All the computers are members of the Contoso.com domain.

Servers A, B, and C run Windows Server 2008. The applications and roles on each computer are as follows:

• A – The domain controller that runs Active Directory, the Domain Name System (DNS) Server role, and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server role
• B – The database server that runs Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• C – The management point and distribution point that runs System Center Configuration Manager
• D – The client computer that runs Windows 7 Professional and the System Center Configuration Manager client