CfgMgr: Configure the Discovery Methods

This procedure describes the steps to configure the Discovery Methods used by Configuration Manager 2007 to discover the clients.

When configuring the discovery methods, make sure you are searching only for the systems in the current site. Limit the query to the current site or to the Active Directory containers that have the systems from the current site.

Prerequisites

• Active Directory and DNS server are installed and configured for the domain TECHREADY.RO.
• Configuration Manager 2007 was installed in a Primary Site (Site Code = TRD).
• Site Boundaries were correctly configured to include only the systems you want to manage.

Installation and Configuration

1. Logon on the Configuration Manager 2007 server using the domain Administrator account.
2. Launch the Configuration Manager Console. Expand Site Database, Site Management, current site, Site Settings, Discovery Methods and double-click on Heartbeat Discovery.
3. In the Heartbeat Discovery window verify that the option Enable Heartbeat Discovery is selected. This discovery method checks if already discovered systems are still active. Click OK.
4. In the Configuration Manager console double-click on Active Directory System Discovery.
5. In the Active Directory System Discovery window check the Enable Active Directory System Discovery option and click the New button (star).
6. In the New Active Directory Container window select Custom LDAP or GC query then click Browse.
7. In the Select New Container window select the domain or Organizational Unit that has the systems in the current site then click OK.
8. In the New Active Directory Container window click OK.
9. In the Active Directory System Discovery window select the Polling Schedule tab.
10. In the Polling Schedule window you can configure how often Configuration Manager 2007 will query Active Directory for new systems (default daily). You can force the discovery by checking the option Run discovery as soon as possible.
11. In the Configuration Manager console double-click on Active Directory System Group Discovery.
12. In the Active Directory System Group Discovery window check the Enable Active Directory System Group Discovery option and click the New button (star).
13. In the New Active Directory Container window select Custom LDAP or GC query then click Browse.
14. In the Select New Container window select the domain or Organizational Unit that that contain all the systems included also in the Active Directory System Discovery then click OK.
15. In the New Active Directory Container window click OK.
16. Verify that you added the Organizational Units that contain all the systems included also in the Active Directory System Discovery then click the Polling Schedule tab.
17. In the Polling Schedule window you can configure how often Configuration Manager 2007 will query Active Directory for systems (default daily). You can force the discovery by checking the option Run discovery as soon as possible.

Note: Active Directory System Group Discovery does not discover new systems. Instead it populates additional attributes on the objects previously discovered with Active Directory System Discovery.

1. In the Configuration Manager Console expand Computer Management, Collections, All Systems. Right-click on All Systems collection and select Update Collection Membership.
2. In the warning window click OK.
3. If the discovery process has run already, you will see the systems from the Active Directory container selected.

Observation: Usually the Active Directory System Discovery and Active Directory System Group Discovery are the only discovery methods you need to use to find all the systems in the current site. Pay attention for the configuration of the LDAP query so the methods will not discover the systems from other sites