So, we use System Center Configuration Manager for desktop management, deployment, etc.
Here’s my terminology:
OSE = Operating System Environment
ML = Management License
CB = Current Branch
CBB = Current Branch for Business
LTSB = Long-Term Servicing Branch
With the changes to how SCCM works (CB, CBB, LTSB, Server OSE’s, Client OSE’s, etc.), I’ve been asking how licensing works. Here’s what I’ve learned (thanks @CGreenTX and @iamkarlp).
DISCLAIMER: I am not a Microsoft licensing expert (or employee). This is just what I’ve learned, and it may be wrong.
I want to run the latest System Center ConfigMgr version (always updating to the latest):
this is essentially the ‘CB’ method
- All managed OSE’s will need a client matching the ConfigMgr Console version
- You can run any version of the System Center ConfigMgr console
- All non-Server OSE’s will need Client ML’s with active Software Assurance agreements
- All Server OSE’s managed by ConfigMgr will need licenses either at the Standard or Datacenter level (both per-core licensing) with active SA
- The version will be supported for 1 year after release (you have to update to a newer version)
I want to ‘run the latest at purchase’ and upgrade the version until my SA runs out:
- All managed OSE’s will need a client matching the ConfigMgr Console version
- Max Version by date: LTSB will require License+SA that expired on or after Oct 1, 2016. If you are running Current Branch and your SA expires, you have to uninstall (but potentially can setup a new site w/ LTSB). If your License+SA expired before Oct 1, 2016, then the released version at or before your expiration is the ‘capped’ version you can run.
- All non-Server OSE’s will need Client ML’s
- All Server OSE’s managed by ConfigMgr will need licenses either at the Standard or Datacenter level
Some good articles I’ve found online:
- [Technet Blog post] (https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/enterprisemobility/2016/10/12/configuration-manager-a-progress-update-on-the-current-branch-and-a-new-servicing-branch/) re: how the new branches work w/ SCCM
- [Licensing and branches for SCCM documentation] (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sccm/core/understand/learn-more-editions) on Microsoft’s site
- [Upgrade paths] (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sccm/core/servers/deploy/install/upgrade-to-configuration-manager) for SCCM ConfigMgr
- [How to choose] (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sccm/core/understand/which-branch-should-i-use) a ConfigMgr branch
I hope this helps someone else who’s trying to figure out their options. If you see anything that I’m assuming that’s wrong, please point it out.