SCCM Interview Questions

Are you willing to start a career as an SCCM Engineer or SCCM Administrator? You are at the right place. We have done enough research and presented the best SCCM interview questions that are frequently asked. Before going further, let’s see the demand for SCCM professionals.

System Center Configuration Manager(SCCM) is developed by Microsoft and is used to manage the system servers of an organization that consists of a huge number of computers that work on various Operating Systems. However, the demand for SCCM professionals is even high.

We have categorized SCCM Interview Questions - 2024 (Updated) into 4 levels they are:

• Freshers
• Experienced
• Administrator
• Patch Management

Top 10 Frequently Asked SCCM Interview Questions

1. What is SCCM?
2. What are the essential features of SCCM?
3. List out the various types of sites available in SCCM?
4. What is the Central Administration Site (CAS)?
5. What is the difference between Primary site and Secondary site?
6. List various client deployment methods?
7. Mention some of the important site system roles in SCCM?
8. What is the SCCM console?
9. What are the features of the latest version of SCCM?
10. What is Boundaries in the SCCM console, and what are the types of boundaries in SCCM?

In this article, we have presented the best SCCM interview questions. We hope these questions will help you to revise your SCCM knowledge to tackle your interview much more confidently.

SCCM Interview Questions and Answers For Freshers

1. What is SCCM?

System Centre Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a software management group that is developed and designed by Microsoft. It allows the user to manage the computer systems that run on Windows/Linux/Mac OS. SCCM is also known as ConfigMgr.

2. What are the essential features of SCCM?

The essential features of SCCM are as follows:

• Desired Configuration Management
• Asset tracking
• Deployment of operating systems
• Reporting
• Software deployment
• Remote control
• Patch management.

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3. List out the various types of sites available in SCCM?

The various types of sites available in SCCM are as follows:

• Primary site
• Central Administration site
• Secondary site.

The child site is a site that provides a structure and gets all the data from a Higher level site. 

7. Why do we use BITS in SCCM?

Background Intelligence Transfer Service (BITS) is used to transfer the data between the SCCM Server and the client. It is even used to download the client to the machine when we start the client push.

8. Define SUP?

Software Update (SUP) is the site system role that is used to create on the server where WSUS has been installed. The SUP and WSUS combine with one another to build the software update backgrounds and demand for Software Updates metadata.

9. Why do we use WSUS and What is it?

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) is used to deploy the existing updates in the product to systems that execute the Windows OS.

10. Define SMS providers in SCCM?

The SMS provider can be installed on the site database server, site server, or another server during the Configuration Manager setup. After the setup has been completed, then the current installed location is shown on the site properties general tab.

11. List various client deployment methods?

The various client deployments methods are:

• Client push installation
• Group Policy installation
• Manual installation
• Software update point-based installation
• Upgrade installation
• Logon script installation.

12. List the ports used in SCCM?

The ports used in SCCM are as follows:

• TCP 2701
• Default HTTPS port 443
• Client to site system HTTP port 80
• SMB 445.

13. What are the types of the sender in SCCM?

The types of the sender in SCCM are as follows:

• Standard Sender
• Courier Sender.

14. What are the different application detection methods defined in SCCM?

The different application detection methods d are as follows:

• Registry
• Custom detection
• Windows installers
• File system.

15. Define the fallback status point in SCCM?

The fallback status provides the Configuration Manager clients with other fallback servers when the client site assignment or installation fails.

16. What is Deployment Share SCCM?

The deployment share in SCCM is the repository for the application, OS image, device drivers, and language packs. It can be deployed to the target machines.

17. Why we use Server Locator Point in SCCM?

Server Locator Points are used in the Configuration Manager to complete the client site assignment on an intranet and help clients to find management points when they cannot find the information through Active Directory Domain Services.

18. Mention some of the important site system roles in SCCM?

The important site system roles in SCCM are as follows:

• Distribution point
• Fallback status point
• Management point
• PXE service point
• Reporting point
• Server locator point
• Software update point
• State migration point.

 19. List the services required for the client computer to communicate with the server?

The following are the services required for the client machine to communicate with the server:

• Computer browser
• SMS agent host 
• WMI
• Windows installer
• Background Intelligence Transfer Server (BITS).

20. What is the SCCM console?

SCCM console is a tool used to perform several tasks such as device management, network, and application deployment. 

 21. How to take Remote control of the Client Computer using the SCCM Console?

Open the SCCM console, Click All systems collections where the client has been populated. Right-click on the client computer, select Start and then Click Remote tools. 

 22. Mention the tools required for the Software Update point?

The following are the tools required for Software Update Point:

• Windows Update Agent (WUA) 3.0
• WSUS 3.0 Administration console
• Network Load Balancing (NLB)
• Windows Installer
• Site server communication to active software update point
• Background Intelligence Transfer Server (BITS).

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SCCM Interview Questions For Experienced

23. How to backup SCCM Server?

To back up, the scheduled tasks, do expand the Site Maintenance and Site Setting nodes and then click on specific Tasks which you want to backup.

24. How to distribute the package?

To distribute the package, do the following steps:

• Write an install program, regarding the installation sources to create the package in the SCCM.
• To sync the contents, assign the distribution points to the package.
• Create a Collection, including the objects that allow us to receive packages.
• Create an Advertisement for distribution, to link with the collection, or to decide either an advertisement is required or not.

25. What are the new features in the release of SCCM 1806?

In the release of SCCM, there are lots of amazing new features are as follows:

• Site server high availability
• CMPivot
• Enable distribution points to use network congestion control
• Enhanced HTTP site system
• Download content from a CMG
• Improved WSUS maintenance
• Phased deployment of applications.

26. How to connect the SCCM site server?

To connect with the SCCM site server, do the following by using Power Shell:

• Click on PowerShell
• Select Run as administration
• Enter the command and click Enter
• Enter the command, and then Run the code
• Now, enter the site code to enable the connection.

27. Define ITMU?

ITMU is the Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates for SMS 2003.

28. What is the latest version of SCCM?

The latest version of SCCM is the Endpoint Configuration Manager 2002, released in April 2020.

29. What are the features of the latest version of SCCM?

The features of the latest version of SCCM are as follows:

• Application management
• Real-time management
• Microsoft Endpoint Manager tenant attach
• Desktop Analytics
• Site infrastructure
• Client management
• Content management And many more.

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30. What are All Unknown Computers collections?

The  All Unknown Computers collection includes the two objects that define the records in the Configuration manager. So, we can deploy the operating system that is not managed by the Configuration Manager.

These computers consist of the following:

• The system where the Configuration Manager client is not installed
• The system is not identified by the Configuration Manager.
• The system is not imported within the Configuration Manager.

31. Define the Azure AD device identity in SCCM 1806?

The Azure AD device identity is a cloud-based identity that is used to secure the data with a management point and cloud management gateway.

32. What is Internet-based client management?

Internet-based client management enables us to control the Configuration Manager of Clients when they are not connected to the network of a system but has a standard network connection.

33. Define Software Metering in Configuration Manager?

The Software Metering in SCCM is used to monitor and collect the client’s software data usage of configuration managers.

34. Differentiate between Native mode and Mixed mode in SCCM?

Native mode	Mixed mode
Native mode is used for encryption and authentication with the use of standard security protocols.	Mixed mode is used to place the default client’s management point.
It can integrate with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).	It cannot integrate with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

35. Mention the types of Discovery methods that are available in SCCM?

The different types of Discovery methods that are available in SCCM are as follows:

• Active Directory System Discovery
• Active Directory Security Group Discovery
• Active Directory User Discovery
• Network Discovery
• Forest Discovery
• Heartbeat Discovery.

36. What are Boundaries in the SCCM console, and what are the types of boundaries in SCCM?

Boundaries are the network location that includes devices that are required to manage the system.

The different types of boundaries in SCCM are as follows:

• IP Subnet
• IP Ranges
• IPv6 Prefix
• Active Directory Site

37. Differentiate between Package Update and Package Refresh?

Package Update	Package Refresh
The Package update is used when the user made some changes in the source file.	The Package refresh is used to refresh a file.
It can update the package version in the SQL	It can revise the old files
A new PCK file is used for any other new DP’s	No new PCK files were sent
It is a compressed package but is corrupt	It creates a compressed file when we try to update the file.

38. Define Deployment type?

The deployment type consists of identified and application installation documents. It defines how the layout executive helps to deploy the application. Its framework and regulations depend on the software installation in the system.

39. Define Active Directory forest discovery?

The Active Directory Forest Discovery creates boundaries for every site and subnet from the forests. Automatically, it creates the Active Directory or IP subnet boundaries that are within the discovered Active Directory Forest.

40.  What is the use of Schema extension in SCCM?

The Schema extension in SCCM is used to distribute the Configuration Manager 2012 information to the Active Directory.

41. Define Management Point in SCCM?

The Management point represents a primary point of contact between the clients and the server. It can provide installation rudiments, announcements, and source file location for the software distribution package.

42. Define limiting collection?

The complete collection has to be restricted with some other collection in the system center 2012 Configuration Manager. The user has to maintain the limited collection while creating the collection.

43. Why do we use WSUS?

The WSUS enables the administrator to deploy the new Microsoft Product update to the systems that are running the Windows Operating System.

44. How to make an Application Deployment Optional instead of Mandatory?

To make an Application Deployment Optional, Configure the deployment reason as Available in an Application Deployment type. The available applications displayed in an Application Catalog where the users can install them. 

45. Define the site server?

The site server defines the system on which the user is installing the configuration manager; it provides the services required for the configuration manager.

46. Define site system and its role in SCCM?

The site system is a system that is using the supported version of Windows, and it can be a shared file that hosts several site systems. The role of a site system is the function required to use the features of Configuration Manager. 

47. Is it possible to deploy applications using task sequences?

Yes, it is possible to deploy applications with the use of task sequences.

48. How to install Configuration Manager using Client Push Installation Wizard?

To install the Configuration Manager by using the Client Push Installation Wizard, the administrative user must contain at least the Modify resource permission. 

49. Define the term ‘device’ in SCCM 2012?

The term ‘device’ in SCCM 2012 applies to the system or mobile devices such as a Windows Mobile phone.

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50. What is the use of the Software Center in SCCM 2019?

The Software center is used to replace the notifications with a dialog window, and it even configures the user device affinity and default views.

SCCM Administrator Interview Questions

51. Why do we use the cloud management dashboard?

The cloud management dashboard provides a centralized view of cloud management gateway usage. It consists of a CMG analyzer that connects to the troubleshooting cases in real-time. 

52. Define inventory in SCCM?

The inventory provides system information such as operating system, processor type, and applications. There are two types of inventory in SCCM. They are as follows:

• Hardware inventory: It takes the information about the client’s hardware configuration of an organization.
• Software inventory: It collects the files from the client machine and stores them on the website server.

53. Define client policy?

The client policy is defined as How the configuration manager clients download the client policy, such as:

• Mobile devices
• Systems that run Linux or Unix
• Windows OS (servers, laptops, desktops, etc.)
• Mac OS computers.

54. What is database replication?

The database replication uses the MySQL server to transfer the data for configurations and settings to other sites that are present in the hierarchy of Configuration Manager.

55. Define Asset tracking?

Asset tracking is defined as the system that requires tracking the updates or packages. It is usually done when the system is created with the necessary Operating system.

56. Define Asset intelligence in SCCM?

Asset intelligence enables the administrator to use the management software and inventory with the help of the Configuration Manager hierarchy.

57. What are the uses of State migration points in SCCM?

The State migration point is used to backup and migrates the user states. It uses the sequence of tasks to capture and restore the user state data in Operating system deployment.

58. Define Network Access Protection in SCCM?

The Network Access Protection (NAP) is a new feature of the Windows Server release. It is a mechanism that enables the administrators to configure the policy that controls network accuses until the client system meets the requirements of security. 

59. What are the BITS throttling in SCCM?

The BITS throttling is the property of the client agent that is found in the following path: 

Site ManagementSiteSite SettingsClient Agents.

60. What is Data Protection Manager?

Data Protection Manager (DPM) is used when SCCM finds faults in the machine. It helps to recover the data from the backup that holds the server file system, exchange databases, Sharepoint data, SQL databases, etc.

61. Explain the reporting service point?

The reporting service point is a method of integrating SQL server reporting service that is used for managing and creating the Configuration management service point.

62. Define reporting in SCCM?

The SCCM provides the integration with the report-generating tool It generates reports as per the administrators’ requirements. These reports include:

• Inventory report
• Standard configuration report
• Report of systems having missed the updates.

63. Explain the internet client?

Internet client is the component of the SCCM tool. It allows the users to access the remote systems remotely or mobile devices without using the VPN network.

64. Define WOL?

Wake-On-LAN (WAN) enables a magic packet to be sent to a computer to wake up, ready to receive software updates. 

65. What is the use of the Global condition option?

The Global condition option application deployment to have granular control over deployment. It even used to avoid the issues that are faced in deployment.

66. Is it possible to change the secondary site to the primary site?

No, it is not possible to change the secondary site to the primary site. Changing, moving, or Upgrading the site is not possible without reinstalling and deleting the process. If you change the site, it may lose the complete site data.

67. Do all collections support the incremental updates?

No, a few class of collections that use the query rules regarding the configuration is not supported by incremental updates. 

68. Can the Members of other collections be excluded or included in the collection?

Yes, In the 2012 Configuration manager has a new set of rules that allows to exclude or include the collection rules. These rules provide for exclusion or inclusion of the collections that have a membership anywhere.

69. Does SCCM supports 64-bit operating system?

Yes, the SCCM console works in 32-bit operating, and it can even support the 64-bit operating system of the Windows version.

70. Explain File-based replication?

File-based replication uses the SMB Protocol to transfer file-based data such as packages and applications. They are two options to control; the network bandwidth when transferring the data to the site using pulse mode and is limited to maximum transfer rates by an hour.

71. Define the client’s cache?

The Configure manager client maintains the client's cache on the windows system to store the temporary files that are used in the application installation process. The standard size of the client cache is 5120MB.

72. Which log file is referred for client installation?

Ccm.log file on the SMS site server, located in the SMS/logs folder. On the client computer, review the CCMsetup.log and Client and Client.msi.log file, located in the %Windir%System32ccmsetup folder.

73. Explain the Enhanced HTTP site system in client management?

The Enhanced HTTP site system develops the way the clients communicate with the site systems. This pre-release feature not able the new users to use certificates of the configuration manager to access HTTP site systems.

74. Can users Request Application?

Yes, the user can browse the list of the software available in the Application catalog. Users can request the application that, if approved, the user can install on the system. 

75. What is the application in SCCM?

In SCCM, the application includes the Application Catalog information and administrative details required to deploy the software package or update to the system or the mobile device. 

76. What is the Secondary site?

A secondary site is the alternative site used for distribution and controls the content for the client network that is located in a remote location. The network links are limited with bandwidth.

77. Define DDR?

Discovery Data Records(DDR) specify the type of resource, resource properties, the discovery process, site that discovered the resources. The Configuration Manager provides the library functions that help to create our own DDR.

78. How to create a Data Discovery Record?

To create the Data Discovery Record, do the following steps:

• Create a new instance of the SMSResGen class.
• Create a new DDR using the NewDDR method.
• Add properties to the DDR using the ADDPROP_ methods.
• Write the new DDR to a file using the DDRWrite method.

 79. Define Heartbeat Discovery?

Heartbeat Discovery is used by the Active Configuration Manager clients to update the Discovery Records in the database. Because, an active client initiates the Heartbeat discovery, and it does not discover the new resources.

SCCM Patch Management Interview Questions

80. What is IMTU patch management?

• The SCCM customer can scan using Windows Update Agent(WUA).
• WSUS is used as a scan inventory is considered as SUP.
• Download only required updates
• In domestic WSUS security updates are defined, and then the user can install non-security updates.
• The position of the patch installment is added to the real0-time by the estate messages.

81. How to update Deploy Software?

To update the Deploy Software, do the following:

• Choose a group of software updates by the SCCM console. To track the groups that the updates are installed.
• Automatic installation rules were arranged for Automatic Software Updates installation.
• When a rule is running, and on a separate basis, the software gets updated. They are attached to the updated software list.
• Finally, in the customer system, the updated software is installed.

82. How to install different applications in the software center?

The software center supports installing the different applications, and it is user-friendly during installation. 

83. What is the use of .NET 4.7 in Configuration Manager?

To improve the console accessibility, .NET 4.7 is used in the Configuration Manager.

84. What are the features that can migrate to SCCM 2012 from Configuration Manager 2007?

The following are the features that can migrate from CM 2007 to SCCM 2012:

• Virtual Application Packages
• Package Distributing software
• Collections and Boundaries
• Configuration baseline
• Configuration items
• Software Update Deployment Templates
• Task sequences.

85. Is it possible to have a similar name for the task sequence?

Yes, the user can reuse a similar name for the task sequence, and it is not mandatory to have a unique name for the task sequence.

86. How to check the server version of SCCM?

To check the server version of SCCM, open the SCCM console, Select Active Configuration Manager from the top-left hand side icon.

87. What is the estimated size of the individual DDR?

The estimated size of the individual DDR is 1KB.

88. What are the installation methods present in SCCM 2012?

The following are the installation methods that are present in SCCM 2012:

• Login script.
• Grouping policy.
• Software-based update.
• Image-based update.

89. What is the use of Intune?

Intune is used to handle mobile devices and to maintain Windows and several mobile devices. Intune is also called a cloud-based service and is used for the following services.

• To handle the mobile devices to enter the details of an organization
• To records the details of an organization safe and sound
• TO maintain the devices that are exterior to the organization’s web
• To maintain all the mobile apps
• To install Windows appliances to use the Autopilot services.

90. What is the use of the Distribution point?

By using the Distribution point, the customer can download the new operating system, then it can connect with the Distribution point on the location. The customer can generate boundaries by placing Distribution points.

91. What is the Cloud Management dashboard?

The dashboard provides a centralized view of the cloud management usage of a gateway. It includes the connection analyzed to help real-time troubleshooting verification.

92. What are the required cmdlets for the read-only mode?

The required cmdlets for the read-only mode are as follows:

• Set-ADServerSettings
• Get-ActiveSyncDeviceStatistics
• Get-ActiveSyncDevice
• Get-ActiveSyncOrganizationSettings
• Get-ActiveSyncMailboxPolicy
• Get-Recipient
• Get-ExchangeServer.

93. Define the Content library?

The content library is a single stock example of the content for arrangements. To reduce and manage the size of a content structure for the allot. The content library stocks all the files for installation of the software like updating the applications, installation of OS, and software.

• The site manages and generates the content library on every site.
• The executives attach the files of content to the site server to allot marks. To confirm the content is available in the library or not.
• It connects the left content file with the application. Layout executives are not print if the content is already there.

94. How to speed up the Software Advertisement by forcing Policy retrieval and Evaluation cycle?

To speed up the Software Advertisement, Open the control panel, click on Configuration Manager. A Configuration Manager Window opens to initiate the Machine policy retrieval and Evaluation cycle and click on Initiate Action.

95. How many default Management a website can have?

A user can configure the number of management points in the site, but only one of them can be the default management to configure. To have more default management points, the user configures the number of management points to the Network Load Balancing (NLB) cluster.

96. What are boundary types used to define boundaries?

The following are the boundaries types used to define boundaries:

• IP subnet
• Active Directory Site name
• IPv6 Prefix
• IP address range.

97. What is the use of defining boundary groups?

The boundary group is used to find the primary site for clients in case of an automatic site assignment. It even tells the client regarding their management point and location as well.

98. Which log file records activities about task sequence?

smsts.log is used to record the task sequence activities.

99. What are the packages that can be distributed through WSUS or ITMU?

The following are the packages that can be distributed through WSUS or ITMU:

• Critical updates
• Patches and Software updates
• Update rollup
• Hotfixes
• All Microsoft package.

100. Define Wake on LAN in SCCM?

Wake on LAN is a feature on which the SCCM sends the wake-up transmission packets to clients for a specific task sequence or a deployment to execute.

101. Define SMS executive.

The SMS executive is a service that hosts a process for the thread components. It can monitor the service component Logfile smsexec. log.

102. Does a Secondary site have a child site?

No, the secondary site cannot have the secondary site or a primary site because the secondary sites are always the child site to a primary site.

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