Solution for software updates & distribution to numerous low bandwidth locations
We have roughly 500 retail locations with between 1 and 10 PCs each (mostly Intel Atom based, small hard drives, 802.11 b/g, running Windows XP). Locations are connected back to HQ via Internet based VPN over links ranging in speed from 10Mb+ cable to very slow cellular. Does anyone have experience with a similar setup in SCCM 2007? I'm especially interested to hear how you handle software distribution and software updates in this scenario.
January 29th, 2010 10:00pm

Take a look at Branch Distribution Points: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680853.aspxMy Blog: http://www.petervanderwoude.nl/
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January 29th, 2010 10:14pm

Hi Eddie, I agree with John. Branch Cache is a new feature in both the Windows 7 client and Windows Server 2008 R2 SKUs which enables peer sharing of content between Branch Cache enabled machines. Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 leverages Branch Cache to enable Configuration Manager clients who are in a remote location with limited connectivity to a Distribution Point (ie, over a WAN) to obtain content locally rather than over a slow, unreliable or expensive link. Corporate IT groups face a unique challenge with remote offices. Configuration Manager clients in a remote location who request large content will experience delays in obtaining the content or might be restricted to downloading content only during off-peak hours. When downloading high priority content, such as critical patches, multiple clients requesting content simultaneously can saturate the network link and cause delays as well as interrupt business actions that require use of the same link. Branch Cache seeks to alleviate the network strain by having the first Branch Cache client download and locally cache content. Any subsequent requests for the same content by its peers will result in the first client sharing its content via the LAN, rather than its peer needing to download the content over the WAN. Peer transferred content is cached likewise for later peer sharing and multiple peers can be leveraged to peer transfer content simultaneously, improving performance further. Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 clients that are Branch Cache enabled will transfer applicable content from its peers if possible when originally requesting content from a Windows Server 2008 R2 Distribution Point.
February 1st, 2010 12:16pm

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