How to Install Configuration Manager Clients on Workgroup Computers

Configuration Manager 2007 supports client installation for computers in workgroups. You can install workgroup computers using the method specified in How to Install Configuration Manager Clients Manually.

The following prerequisites must be met in order to install the Configuration Manager 2007 client on workgroup computers:

The client must be installed manually on each workgroup computer. During installation, the logged-on user must possess local administrator rights on the workgroup computer.
The workgroup computer must be able to locate a server locator point to complete site assignment because they cannot query Active Directory Domain Services. The server locator point can be manually published in WINS, or it can be specified in the CCMSetup.exe command line properties.
In order to access resources in the Configuration Manager 2007 site server domain, the Network Access account must be configured for the site. For more information, see How to Configure the Network Access Account.

There are a number of limitations to supporting workgroup computers in WINS:

Workgroup clients cannot locate their default management point from Active Directory Domain Services, and instead must use DNS, WINS, or a server locator point. For more information, see Configuration Manager and Service Location (Site Information and Management Points).

Important
Workgroup clients assigned to native mode sites cannot locate management point information in WINS. The preferred alternative method for workgroup clients to find their default management point is to use DNS publishing. For more information, see Determine If You Need to Publish to DNS.

Global roaming is not supported, because clients cannot query Active Directory Domain Services for site information.
Native mode clients cannot be automatically configured for options related to native mode, such as native mode communication, certificate selection, and the option to allow HTTP communication for roaming and site assignment. These options must be specified using CCMSetup.exe command line properties.
Active Directory discovery methods will not discover computers in workgroups.
Advertisements targeted to users are not possible.
The client push installation method cannot be used to install the client on workgroup computers.
A workgroup client cannot be used as a branch distribution point. Configuration Manager 2007 requires that the branch distribution point computers be members of a domain.

See Also