Installing Linux/Unix Clients

Installing Linux/Unix Clients

Beginning with Configuration Manager 2012 SP1, Configuration Manager supports Linux and Unix computers as Configuration Manager clients. The Linux/Unix Configuration Manager client supports hardware and software inventory as well as software distribution. The client push feature of Configuration Manager 2012 cannot be used to install the client, and these computers are treated as workgroup-based devices. As a result, you must manually install the Configuration Manager client on Linux/Unix devices, or you can use a shell script that installs the client remotely.

The client installation process leverages a script named Install, which is included in the downloaded media for the Linux/Unix client. This installation media is available at www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39360.

The Install script supports command-line properties, some of which are required and others are optional. For example, you must specify the management point for the site that the Linux/ Unix client will utilize. Once the client is installed, you can use the Client Settings feature in the Configuration Manager 2012 console to configure the client agent as you would for Windowsbased clients.

You must use the correct client installation package for the Linux/Unix computer that the Configuration Manager 2012 client will be installed on. Several versions of Linux/Unix can utilize the Universal Agent, while other versions will utilize a client installation package that is specific to each operating system version and platform. Use the TechNet article “Supported Distributions of Linux and UNIX” to determine which installation package to use:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682077.aspx#BKMK_

SupConfigLnUClientReq

You can utilize the same installation process and command-line properties, regardless of which installation package is used. Also, the client installation package contains all of the files required to completely install the Configuration Manager 2012 client, and the computer will not download additional files from the management point or another source location during the install process.

As shown in Figure, the client installation command line will reference the Install script that is included with the client installation package and will also specify the management point, the assigned site, any optional installation configurations, and the client installation package file. To install the client on a Linux/Unix computer, follow these steps:

1.       Copy the Install script file and the client installation .TAR file to a folder on the Linux/ Unix computer.

2.       Use root credentials to run the command to enable the Install script to run: chmod +x install.

3.       Under the root credentials, run the command with the required parameters and optional items, if needed:

 ./install -mp <management point> -sitecode <sitecode> <property #1> <property #2> <client installation package>

 Once the client installation is complete, you can validate the status of the installation via the log file /var/opt/microsoft/scxcm.log. You can also verify that the computer registered with Configuration Manager properly by viewing the Devices node in the Assets and Compliance workspace in the Configuration Manager 2012 console.

If optional command-line properties are needed during the install, they must be specified in the command before the statement that identifies the client installation package file that will be used. Also, the client installation package file must be specified last in the command line.