Apart from the several new features, Configuration
Manager (ConfigMgr) 2012 SP1 offers the ability to deploy and use Distribution
Points in a Public Cloud environment; I am talking about Windows Azure. If you
owned an Azure subscription or if you get one, then thanks to the SP1 upgrade,
ConfigMgr is able to utilize a standard Distribution Point provisioned inside
the Microsoft Windows Azure Cloud Computing space. ConfigMgr clients can use
the Cloud Distribution Point (CDP) just as if they were using a standard
Distribution Point.
The CDP adds a new way to rapidly provision DPs, especially
in situation you do not have the ability to scale out the current environment
or can’t provide new server workloads. CDPs also allow you to service
internet-clients without having to set up an internet facing ConfigMgr server
role.
In order to set up and use CDPs, you need the
following prerequisites:
- A Windows Azure Subscription (http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/)
- A certificate for the management ofWindows Azure
- A certificate for the new cloud service
- ConfigMgr 2012 SP1