Software distribution allows you to push almost anything to the client computers in your enterprise. It uses packages to deploy software applications, and within those packages, commands called programs that tell the client what executable file to run. A single package can contain multiple programs, each configured to run differently. Packages can also contain command lines to run files already present on the client, without actually containing additional source files. Advertisements are used to specify which collections receive the program and the package
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| Configuration Manager 2007 can cause any executable file to run on the client, however it is important to understand that Configuration Manager 2007 does not actually package the executables or source files. Configuration Manager 2007 is like the delivery man; it gets the software or the command to the client, but the command must be able to run on the client independently of Configuration Manager 2007. If the software or command cannot run without Configuration Manager 2007 software distribution, it will never run with software distribution. |
The Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 software distribution feature provides a set of tools and resources that can help manage the complex task of creating, modifying, and distributing software packages to client computers in your enterprise. Click any link in the following section for overview information about software distribution.
 Note |
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| For information about using the Configuration Manager 2007 Software Development Kit to script and develop software for this feature, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=129510. |
In This Section
- Administrator Workflows for Software Distribution
- Provides visual workflows for the software distribution as well as software distribution wizards.
- About the Advertised Programs Client Agent
- Provides information about the Advertised Programs Client Agent, used by software distribution.
- About Packages
- Provides information about packages, the main building block of software distribution.
- About Package Definition Files
- Provides information about package definition files, a preformed type of package that can be used to distribute software.
- About Programs
- Provides information about programs, the individual commands used to run executable files on clients.
- About Distribution Points
- Provides information about distribution points, the primary point of delivery for software distribution packages.
- About Standard and Branch Distribution Points
- Provides information about branch distribution points, for software package delivery with distributed branch offices.
- About On-Demand Package Distribution
- Provides information about on-demand package distribution, for use with branch distribution points for lower network traffic.
- About Advertisements
- Provides information about advertisements, the means for selecting which collections the packages and programs will be sent to, as well as the schedule on which they will be sent.
- About Binary Differential Replication
- Provides information about binary delta replication, used to pass specific changes in package and programs to distribution points with a minimum of extra network traffic.
- About Package Access Accounts
- Provides information about package access accounts, for increased control over access to the packages you place on distribution points.
- About the Role of Collections in Distributing Software
- Provides information about how collections affect the process of distributing software in Configuration Manager.
- About Virtual Application Packages
- Provides information about virtual application packages.
- About Feature Reports for Software Distribution
- Provides information about software distribution reports.