You can install Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012 by using many different design configurations that range from a single site to multiple sites that span diverse geographical network locations. Even single site designs often use multiple Windows servers to provide services to users and devices on your network.

When you install multiple Configuration Manager 2012 sites, they form a hierarchy of sites that share information by using a distributed database. Sites communicate with each other and share information by using database replication that is based on SQL Server replication and file-based transfers. Sites in a hierarchy use parent-child relationships to define communication paths.

Because the data that is transferred between computers within a site and between different Configuration Manager sites can significantly affect the efficiency of your network, plan your site or hierarchy before you install any Configuration Manager site.

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