Having built many SCCM servers and hierarchies, we know that there are a fair number of prerequisites that need to be installed and configured prior to installing SCCM. For years now, I have been implementing these prerequisites largely by hand, with the exception of a Server Role and Features script a former colleague of mine wrote for ConfigMgr 2012 SP1. While revamping my personal lab, I needed to install a new build of SCCM Technical Preview, so I figured it was about time I tried out Nickolaj Andersen’s SCCM Prerequisite tool (https://www.scconfigmgr.com/configmgrprerequisitestool/). SCConfigMgr has become synonymous with premier community tools, and the ConfigMgr Prerequisite Tool is no exception!
To fully utilize this tool, there are some prerequisites we’ll need to complete before we start laying down the SCCM prerequisites that this tool is built to handle. The nice thing is that the prerequisites we need for this tool are already needed for the SCCM Site installation, so they shouldn’t be problematic to accomplish. Here’s the list:
- SQL Server installed
- SSRS Installed and DB created
- SCCM Installation Media or CD.Latest folder backup
- Windows Server media for .Net 3.5 binaries
- A local folder created for WSUS
- A folder for the SCCM Prerequisite Files, which are needed during the installation wizard.
- An AD Security Group for the systems that will be publishing to AD
- Download the tool (https://www.scconfigmgr.com/configmgrprerequisitestool/)
Once the above has been addressed, we can start using the tool. The first place to go is the “Settings” Tab which is where we will specify the “alternate source” to be used for .Net 3.5 installation, as well as the connection to our SQL Server. Fill out these fields to match the environment.
There is also a “Credentials” tab, which we can supply an account for remote installation of Roles and Feature, as well as the AD Schema Extension. I did not need this in my lab as my Primary Site Server hosts all the roles and I have already extended the Schema. If we are planning on using this for a production deployment, we’re probably going to need this one filled out, perhaps multiple times.
Now that our groundwork has been laid, we can move to the “Sites” tab. In the “Site Type” tab, select which type of Site Types we are installing. Check the box for “Retry failed Windows Feature installations with alternative source”. We configured the source in the “Settings” tab in the previous step.
Once that’s done, click install and let the magic happen!
On the “Prerequisite Files” tab, point the first option to the requested file (SETUPDL.EXE) on the SCCM Installation media, and then select the folder where we want the prerequisite files to be downloaded. Once complete, click the Start button to download the files. Once we get to installing SCCM, we will reference the folder when prompted.
The “Preferences” tab may just be my favorite. It will create the no_sms_on_drive.sms file on whatever drives we specify. I always forget this step, but now I won’t be able to!
Click on the “Roles” tab. Here we will be able to install the Server Roles and Features for the various SCCM Server Roles we will be installing throughout the hierarchy. Note that we can install locally, as well as remote. There is a “use alternate credentials” check box, but it is hidden in my image by the drop down. Note that if we are installing any of the SCCM Server Roles on the Site Server, they are not installed as part of the Sites -> Site Types installer, and will need to be run as needed.
The “Directory” tab will prepare Active Directory for publishing. Select the “Schema” tab and then click on the “detect” button. This will determine which Domain Controller holds the Schema Master FISMO role.
In the second field, browse to the EXTADSCH.EXE file, which is the program that extends the Schema. There’s a good chance we’ll need to use the Alternative Credentials field as extending the AD Schema does require Schema Master rights, which, are not commonly assigned to User accounts. Once done, hit the “extend” button.
The “Container” tab will create the “System Management” container, which is where the SCCM Site will publish the information about itself. Click the “detect” button to determine which server holds the PDC Emulator role. Again, we will probably need to specify an alternative credential here for the same reasons stated earlier. Once ready, click create!
In the “Permissions” tab, select the AD Security Group that will need rights to publish to AD. Click configure once the group has been selected.
The “ADK” tab allows us to select which version of ADK we wish to install. If we are going to be using ADK 1809, there are two options we will need to install. We’ll also need to specify where the stub installer will be downloaded to. There is also an Offline option that will download the entire payload to be used if installing SCCM on a system without internet access.
The “SQL Server” tab allows us to configure and validate a variety of options.
Memory Minimum and Maximum:
Validate Collation:
Precreate the database:
And configure the maximum file sizes as pertains to SSRS:
Last, but certainly not least, go to the “WSUS” tab. This is where we will install the WSUS Role and configure the DB.
On the “Features” tab, select “SQL Server”. (Remember, friends don’t let friends use WID 😉) Click “install” to install the role.
On the “Post-Install” tab, we will need to provide the FQDN of the SQL Server that will hold our SUSDB, the Instance name if we are not using the default (MSSQLSERVER), and the folder that WSUS will want to store its content in. Once supplied, click install.
Once all of that has been completed, we’ll be ready to install SCCM and any other servers in the hierarchy!
Clearly this tool is so much easier to use as it provides a “Single Pane of Glass” to install the SCCM installation prerequisites. We no longer need to hop around from ADSIEdit, Web Browser, AD Users and Computers, Server Manager, File Explorer, and PowerShell. I’ll be using this tool during my SCCM implementation engagements from now on! Thank you, Nickolaj, for such an excellent tool!
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