Multicast is an operating system deployment feature in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 that conserves network bandwidth by simultaneously sending data to multiple clients rather than sending a copy of the data to each client over a separate connection. Other packages can be distributed using multicast to target computers running in WinPE when used inside a command line action. Before enabling multicast, see Prerequisites for Multicast for Operating System Deployment. To use multicast to distribute operating systems, you must perform the following procedures:
- Enable multicast on the distribution point.
- Configure the operating system image package to use
multicast.
- Ensure the advertisement is set to download content using
multicast.
 Note |
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| The information in this topic applies only to Configuration Manager 2007 R2 and Configuration Manager 2007 R3. |
To enable multicast for a distribution point
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In the Configuration Manager 2007 console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Site Management / <site code> - <site name> / Site System /, and then click the site name of the server.
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In the results pane, right-click ConfigMgr distribution point, and then select Properties. The ConfigMgr Distribution Point Properties dialog box opens.
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Click the Multicast tab, and select the Enable as a multicast distribution point check box.
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Configure the multicast settings appropriate for your Configuration Manager 2007 environment. Multicast settings include the following:
- Multicast Internet protocol (IP) address
range
- User datagram protocol (UDP) port range for
multicast
- Multicast schedule cast option (optional)
- Network profile
- Multicast Internet protocol (IP) address
range
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Click OK.
To allow an operating system image package to use multicast
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In the Configuration Manager 2007 console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Operating System Deployment / Operating System Images.
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In the results pane, right-click the package to be distributed using multicast, and then select Properties. The Operating System Properties dialog box opens.
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Click the Distribution Settings tab, and select the Allow this package to be transferred using multicast check box.
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Configure the multicast settings appropriate for the package. Multicast settings include the following:
- Encrypt packages when transferred via
multicast. Use this option if the package contains sensitive
information. If not encrypted, the contents of the package will be
visible in clear text on the network and could be read by other
computers connected to the network.
- Transfer this package only via multicast.
This option ensures that the package will be distributed using
multicast, thereby conserving network bandwidth. If multicast is
unavailable, the package will not be distributed.
- Encrypt packages when transferred via
multicast. Use this option if the package contains sensitive
information. If not encrypted, the contents of the package will be
visible in clear text on the network and could be read by other
computers connected to the network.
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Click OK.
To ensure the advertisement is set to download content using multicast
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In the Configuration Manager 2007 console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Software Distribution / Advertisements.
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Right-click the advertisement for the operating system deployment image package and select Properties.
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In the Task Sequence Properties dialog box, select the Distribution Point tab.
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Ensure the checkbox for Download content locally when needed by running task sequence is checked. Click OK.