Configuration Manager 2007 Updates SMS

The new version of Microsoft’s Systems Management Server (SMS), which is being renamed System Center Configuration Manager (CM) 2007, allows an organization to manage the deployment life cycle of Windows computers centrally. This major release, which will be generally available in Nov. 2007, includes new features, such as support for Network Access Protection (NAP), as well as enhancements to features such as mobile device management. Many separately released features are now integrated into the main product. While existing SMS deployments can be upgraded, organizations may want to rethink deployment strategies and make changes to take full advantage of new and improved features.

What’s New?

Major new features in CM 2007 include support for NAP and Wake on LAN.

Network Access Protection Support

Windows Server 2008 NAP allows IT administrators to block access to the network from computers that fail to meet an organization’s security and configuration policies. For example, if an organization requires that all computers must have the latest security updates, then a computer lacking a security update is restricted from full network access until it complies.