(Windows) Deploy with Microsoft Configuration Manager (MCM)

Overview

This guide provides instructions for mass-deploying the Cloudamize Windows Agent using Microsoft Configuration Manager. This method is recommended for large-scale environments where manual installation is difficult.

Prerequisites

• Cloudamize Agent Installer: Download the latest CloudamizeAgent.msi from your Cloudamize Console (Discover > Setup > Agent Setup).

• Customer Key: Locate your unique Customer Key on the same Agent Setup page.

• Permissions: Administrative access to the Configuration Manager console and target endpoints.

• Network Access: Ensure target machines can communicate with Cloudamize endpoints (e.g., am.cloudamize.com) on port 443.

Create the Application in Configuration Manager

1. Open the Console: Go to Software Library > Application Management > Applications.

2. Create Application: Right-click Applications and select Create Application.

3. General Settings: * Select "Automatically detect information about this application from installation files."

   • Type: Windows Installer (*.msi file)

   • Location: Click Browse and select the CloudamizeAgent.msi file from your network share.

4. Import Information: Click Next to let the wizard import the MSI metadata.

5. General Information:

   • Name: Cloudamize Windows Agent

   • Installation program: Modify the default command to include your Customer Key and quiet switches.

     • Standard Command: msiexec /i "CloudamizeAgent.msi" CUSTOMERKEY="<Your_Key_Here>" /qn

     • With Proxy (if required): msiexec /i "CloudamizeAgent.msi" CUSTOMERKEY="<Your_Key_Here>" USE_PROXY=1 HTTPS_PROXY="http://<ProxyIP>:<Port>" /qn

   • Install for system: Ensure "Install for system" is selected so the agent installs with local admin privileges.

6. Complete Wizard: Click Next through the Summary and then Close.

Distribute Content

1. Right-click the Cloudamize Windows Agent application and select Distribute Content.

2. Follow the wizard to add your Distribution Points (DPs).

3. Monitor the content status until it shows "Success" (Green).

Deploy the Application

1. Right-click the Cloudamize Windows Agent and select Deploy.

2. General: Click Browse and select the Device Collection you want to target (e.g., "All Windows Servers").

3. Deployment Settings:

   • Action: Install

   • Purpose: * Required: The agent will install automatically at the deadline. (Recommended for mass deployment).

     • Available: The agent will appear in the user's "Software Center" for manual installation.

4. Scheduling: Set the installation to be available "As soon as possible" and set a deadline if "Required" was selected.

5. User Experience: * User notifications: Select "Hide in Software Center and all notifications" if you want a completely silent background installation.

6. Summary: Click Next and complete the wizard.

Verification

• Endpoint Side: On a target machine, open C:\Program Files\Cloudamize to verify the folder and service exist.

• Console Side: Check the Monitoring workspace in Configuration Manager under Deployments to see the success/failure rate.

• Cloudamize Console: Check the Inventory tab. Machines should begin appearing with a status of "Collecting Data" within 15–30 minutes of successful installation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Error 0x80070005 (Access Denied): Ensure the application is set to "Install for system" rather than "Install for user."

• Missing Customer Key: If the agent installs but doesn't report data, verify the CUSTOMERKEY parameter was entered correctly in the SCCM Installation Program field.

• Log Files: For installation failures, add /L*V "C:\Windows\Temp\CloudamizeInstall.log" to your installation command to generate a verbose log.
  

If you have any further questions or encounter any issues, please reach out to the Cloudamize Helpdesk at helpdesk@cloudamize.com.