SCCM 2012 Troubleshooting Tools

I have installed and configured, for many years, one of the most useful tools of Microsoft, SCCM 2012 (Microsoft System Center Configurations Manager 2012) and the Troubleshooting is not so easy. So in this post I'll reference some of the best apps to do it. You can download the Trial Version of SCCM from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-system-center-2012-r2-configuration-manager-and-endpoint-protection

The Management Console has many options to control all the Servers, Clients and Mobile Phones, but there are some other tools that can help the Administrators to achive that objective, and most important is that they are free! I will name some of them.

• SCCM Client Center

This is one of the most common applications to troubleshoot SCCM Clients. The tool is designed for IT Professionals to troubleshoot SCCM/CM12 Client related Issues. The Client Center for Configuration Manager provides a quick and easy overview of client settings, including running services and Agent settings in a good, easy to use user interface. We can connect through WinRM to one client at a time (Not WMI like previous versions) and perform certain actions, such as:

1. Running Executions (Jobs, Processes, and Services;
2. Event Monitor;
3. Inventory (Software and Hardware);
4. Advertisements;
5. Agent Actions (Repair, Uninstall Client, Recreate WMI Repository).

 

 

Requirements:

• Windows Remote Management (WinRM) must be enabled and configured on all target computers. (Run "winrm quickconfig" in a command prompt.);
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (on the computer running the Tool);
• Configuration Manager 2012 Agent on the target computer (some features will also work with SCCM2007);
• Admin rights on the target computer;
• Windows Management Framework 4.0 (PowerShell 4);
• It supports clients with: Windows7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Server 2008 R2, Server 2012 and Server 2012 R2 

 

You can download and view more information in here:

https://sccmclictr.codeplex.com/

 

 

• Now Micro Right Click Tools 2.0

I always install this tool after the SCCM installation and configuration. This one leverages the SCCM Console and add some powerfull commands and Powershell console extensions. What I mean is that we can use only one console and have more control of our Clients. We can do things like:

1. Client Actions (Perform all the Cycles like we were on the Clients Control Panel);
2. Client Tools (Modification on the Clients Cache, Logs and Services, Group Policy Update, Application Revision History, Content Status, Client Status, etc.);
3. Console Tools (Connect to the Client c$, Remote Prompt, Wake On Lan, Remote Reboot/Shutdown, etc.)

  

 

Requirements:

• Windows .Net 4.5 is required for the tools to work properly.

 

You can download and view more information in here:

https://psrightclicktools.codeplex.com/

 

 

• System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager Toolkit

The Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager Toolkit contains fifteen downloadable tools to help you manage and troubleshoot Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager. The following list provides specific information about each tool in the toolkit:

1. Server Based Tools
1. DP Job Manager;
2. Collection Evaluation Viewer;
3. Content Library Explorer;
4. Security Configuration;
5. Content Ownership Tool;
6. Role-based Administration Modeling and Auditing Tool;
7. Run Metering Summarization Tool.
2. Client Based Tools
1. Client Spy (Troubleshoot issues related to software distribution, inventory, and software metering);
2. Configuration Manager Trace Log Viewer;
3. Deployment Monitoring Tool;
4. Policy Spy;
5. Power Viewer Tool;
6. Send Schedule Tool;
7. Wakeup Spy.   

 

 

 

 

You can download and view more information in here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50012

 

 

• SCCM Client Actions Tool

SCCM Client Actions Tool PowerShell Edition aka PoshCAT is a practical and simple PowerShell application for performing most common day-to-day administrative tasks on System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Clients. The tool allows running actions remotely on one or more computers simultaneously. A list of computers can be provided either from a file (CSV, TXT) or loaded from Configuration Manager Collection importer or through Add Computer prompt.

 

1. Client schedule actions (All the Cycles in the Control Panel);
2. Client agent actions (Manage SMS Service, Cache, etc.);
3. Client health actions (Manage WMI Repository ans Shares);
4. Software Updates and Endpoint Protection Actions (Manage Client Updates and FEP Policies);
5. Application Virtualization (Manage APP-V Client Packages);
6. Deployment/Advertisement Actions;
7. Other actions (Restart/Shutdown, Ping, Logoff, Disk Space, etc.)

 

 

 

Requirements:

• Windows Management Framework 3.0;
• Microsoft .Net Framework 4.0 or newer;
• Install on a Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 Operating System;
• Administrative Permissions on the Remote Computer;
• PowerShell Remoting Enabled.



 

You can download and view more information in here:

http://blog.coretech.dk/kaj/sccm-client-actions-tool-powershell-edition-aka-poshcat/