Configuration, Monitoring, and Backup Overview

Systems Management Server was renamed and received a major update in Nov. 2007. Configuration Manager 2007 (formerly code-named SMS v4) supports the new image-based installation technology of Windows Vista, among other capabilities. SP1 is planned in early 2008 to enable management of Windows Server 2008 and support management of Hyper-V (Windows Server virtualization) virtual machines, among other features. However, Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 itself will not run on Windows Server 2008; the first version to run on the new server OS will probably be Configuration Manager 2007 R2, planned for the second half of 2008.

The Operations Manager monitoring product received a major update in 2007 and is due for a “2009” release (not officially named) in late 2008. Operations Manager 2007 SP1, released in Feb. 2008, will require a further update (planned for June 2008) to monitor and run on Windows Server 2008.

A new Service Manager product will support trouble ticketing and problem resolution and integrate with Operations Manager, Configuration Manager, and other Systems Center management products. Service Manager will include an updated version of Reporting Manager, which will no longer be offered as a separate product. Service Manager was initially planned for the second half of 2008 but has been postponed to 2010, based on feedback from 2006—2007 beta testing.