Where applicable, include client information in your network diagram. This type of information can help you determine whether your client operating systems must be upgraded before deploying Configuration Manager 2007, the scope of your Configuration Manager 2007 client deployment, and which discovery and Configuration Manager 2007 client installation methods you will employ.
It is important to gather client information so that you are prepared for interoperability and connectivity issues that might prevent proper Configuration Manager 2007 client software installation. For example, suppose that all members of the Contoso Pharmaceuticals sales group use laptops. Some laptops run Microsoft Windows 98 (which is not supported as a Configuration Manager 2007 client), and others run Windows XP Professional. Sales members travel frequently from one location to another and use a special remote access application to access the sales database located at headquarters.
The Contoso Pharmaceuticals marketing group, however, uses desktop computers running Windows Vista. Although they do not travel, the marketing members have home computers that they use to remotely connect to the corporate network over a virtual private network (VPN).
Use the following guidelines to assist in preplanning tasks.
| Clients | Example data needed, where applicable, and by location | Data collected |
|---|---|---|
|
Number of clients |
Total number of client computers in use on your network, and the physical and logical groupings of clients. |
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|
IP subnet size |
Number and types (operating systems) of client computers on each IP subnet, including projected number of clients in the upcoming year. |
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|
Logon scripts |
Whether or not users use logon scripts, and if those scripts are customized. Note file name and location of each script, and users and groups associated with each script. |
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|
Security rights |
Desktop security rights granted to end users |
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|
Operating systems |
Platform operating systems (including language version) in use on each IP subnet (Windows 98 and later can become Systems Management Server [SMS] 2003 clients), and the locations of Macintosh and UNIX computers (unsupported as SMS clients). |
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Client stability/mobility |
Computers that are shared by multiple users, those that travel from one location to another, all home-based client computers having remote access to the network, and any other client computer environments. |
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Software |
A database or spreadsheet of all major applications in use in the enterprise, categorized by organizational division or by IP subnet. |
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Special applications |
Divisions or departments that use Windows Terminal Services to run applications, or use other special applications, such as internally manufactured or obsolete applications. |
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Connectivity |
Types of connectivity different organizational groups are using, including remote client connection speeds (dependent on the remote access method in use, such as ADSL, wireless, dial-up, ISDN, or other). |