System Center 2012 isn’t going to work out

I was hoping to install System Center 2012 in a domain/workgroup environment but it doesn’t look like that’s going to work out.

I had originally believed that System Center 2012’s software catalog required domain user authentication to the the catalog website itself but I was wrong. I’m not sure what the point of adding the SCCM agent to a workgroup computer if it’s such a nerfed experience.

Without the software distribution angle, I decided to look into deploying Windows 8 images via PXE but quickly ran into a dead end when I couldn’t specify an operating system image. I suspect it’s because none of these images that I own are compatible with this install method.

So what did I learn from all this?

• I learned how to install System Center 2012 Configuration Manager and Data Protection Manager
• I learned how to install and configure SQL Server 2012
• I learned how to install and configure IIS 8
• I learned not to bother with any of the above if I’m not willing to transform my home server to a DNS server
• I learned not to bother with any of this if I’m not able to use enterprise level operating systems on desktop clients
• Data Protection Manager is an incredibly complex install; the most complex of any Windows application that I have ever encountered

What’s next? I have a copy of System Center 2012 Essentials. It’s meant for smaller scale deployments like my home network but I don’t think I’ll get into that. It was an enlightening ride but I think I’m done trying to bring enterprise level software to my tiny home network.