SCCM Distribution Point Server Advise - Intel NUC?

[FN-GM]

Hello,

 

As some of you may know I am managing an organisation in Australia that has a number of site. Some of these are in the "outback" with a small number of computers (10 - 15). I am looking to implement SCCM in the organisation. For these remote sites I am looking to install Intel NUC devices as SCCM distribution points for the following reasons.

 

1. These sites don't have on site servers and the NUCs can fit into the comms cabinet.

2. Some of these sites require a plane ride for IT Staff to get there (unless we drive 8 hours there and 8 hours back!). So a NUC will be nice and lightweight.

3. We can use a model with vPro and remote access the device even if it isn't booting into Windows.

4. I can have separate SSD for the OS and Storage.

 

I am just wondering what your thoughts are please? Do you think these NUCs will last being on 24x7? Do you have another suggestion maybe?

 

I did look at using Thin Clients instead to get around needing a DP on site. However there are a number of mobile workers with laptops that will need to the ability to work offline.

 

Thanks

[Davit2005]

You may need to check the OS compatibility when it comes to Server OS https://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/support/articles/000005628/mini-pcs.html .

 

As for 24/7 running I have actually run a NUC for CCTV at home for well over a year now and it is on 24/7. The only issue I have had is with the Internal HDD that I used for CCTV storage failing, this was a WD NAS 1TB 2.5" drive. I have mine running Windows 10. I had it running ESXi to start with and managed to get a second USB NIC working but it wasn't very stable. Hyper-V support is pretty bad.

[PotNoodleTech]

Sounds like a good idea to me! Would suggest buying one and trying it out on one site first just to make sure.

 

I would possibly question the outboard PSU brick as they tend not to be amazing quality (for 24/7 use) but really the only way your gonna know is to go for it. Maybe keep spare PSU for the NUC on site?

[Arthur]

My school uses an Intel NUC for digital signage and while the TV gets shut off in the evening, the NUC itself is on 24/7 and we haven't had any problems.

 

If you install Windows Server on the NUC you will have to edit the Intel NIC driver .inf to get it to install. More details here...

 

https://blog.workinghardinit.work/2017/06/19/installing-intel-i211-i217v-i218v-i219v-drivers-windows-server-2016-eufi-boot

 

I think the Dell OptiPlex 5070/7070 Micro USFF PCs also support vPro so they might be worth considering too? Do you need NBD onsite hardware replacement?

Edited July 22, 2019 by Arthur

[FN-GM]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I didn't expect driver support to be an issue. Maybe best get a USB NIC?

 

I would be using SSD anyway - trying to reduce the risk of call outs. The price of an SSD will easily outweigh the cost of a last minute flight and lost man hours.

 

Thanks again

[Arthur]

Maybe best get a USB NIC?

A USB 3 NIC should do the job, although the CPU usage will be higher. It might be worth getting one first to see what it's like.

 

Btw, Intel also block Thunderbolt 3 drivers from installing on Windows Server so you can't use a TB3 NIC either without editing the .inf.

 

www.niallbrady.com/2019/06/26/how-to-enable-thunderbolt-on-windows-server-2019/

[FN-GM]

Maybe the NUC isn't the best option. Can anyone recommend an alternative please?

[PotNoodleTech]

What about something like a HP microserver? Not used one myself but always believed them to have proper server driver support?

[MartinByard]

I though that if its just a DP, it doesn't need a server OS with the newer versions of SCCM (even if you want to be able to PXE boot, I've read that it can be done without WDS now) ... so drivers might not be an issue.

 

Much like Arthur, we use NUCs for digital signage and they are all running 24/7 and we haven't had any failures yet (we must have at least 40 - 50 of them, some of which must be getting on for 5 yrs old)

[FN-GM]

What about something like a HP microserver? Not used one myself but always believed them to have proper server driver support?

 

It is something that did cross my mind but they are too big for the comms cabinets.

 

I though that if its just a DP, it doesn't need a server OS with the newer versions of SCCM (even if you want to be able to PXE boot, I've read that it can be done without WDS now) ... so drivers might not be an issue.

 

I never knew that. I will look into it.

[Arthur]

if you want to be able to PXE boot, I've read that it can be done without WDS now

The other advantage to WDS-less PXE is that you can still PXE boot when the next Microsoft hotfix breaks WDS (like they did recently).

 

https://twitter.com/jarwidmark/status/1149542077392281600

https://twitter.com/jarwidmark/status/1148352899795148800

 

The following blog post contains some instructions on how to set it up...

 

http://gerryhampsoncm.blogspot.com/2018/08/configmgr-pxe-without-wds.html

 

It is something that did cross my mind but they are too big for the comms cabinets.

SuperMicro SYS-E200-8D or SYS-E300-8D perhaps?

Edited July 24, 2019 by Arthur

[bald_pig]

According to Intel, there are some models that support Server 2016:

 

[TABLE=class: icstable tablesaw, width: 1155]

[TR]

[TD]NUC8i7HNK

NUC8i7HVK

NUC8i7HVKVA

NUC8i7HVKVAW

NUC8i7HNKQC[/TD]

[TD]

• Windows® 10, 64-bit*
  
• Windows® Server 2016
  

[/TD]

[TD]Windows® 10 Home is pre-installed on:

 

• NUC8i7HVKVA
  
• NUC8i7HVKVAW
  
• NUC8i7HNKQC
  

Support for Server OS is limited:

 

• Bluetooth*, Serial IO, Infrared, USB Type C Power Delivery Controller, and Thunderbolt™ aren't supported in the Server OS.
  
• For the Radeon* Graphics to work properly, you must use Windows® 10 Version 1709 (RS3) or higher.
  

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

from https://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/support/articles/000005628/mini-pcs.html

[FN-GM]

Thanks for the help with this chaps.

@MartinByard Thanks for the tip about Windows 10. It will also help to bring the licence cost down.

 

Cheers

[Wubbalubbadub]

Have you considered autopilot and the likes of something like intune management? No server needed then!

[FN-GM]

Have you considered autopilot and the likes of something like intune management? No server needed then!

 

At the moment the organisation isn't in a position for that. Some of these remote sites have an awful internet connection. In addition there are lots of legacy systems.

[Vasriel]

I though that if its just a DP, it doesn't need a server OS with the newer versions of SCCM (even if you want to be able to PXE boot, I've read that it can be done without WDS now) ... so drivers might not be an issue.

 

Much like Arthur, we use NUCs for digital signage and they are all running 24/7 and we haven't had any failures yet (we must have at least 40 - 50 of them, some of which must be getting on for 5 yrs old)

 

As mentioned the distribution point can be Windows 10.

 

I've got one setup on my imaging build rig rather than Windows Server as it keeps the costs down. It functions as a DP and I can PXE boot from it as well for imaging

 

https://www.systemcenterdudes.com/sccm-pxe-without-wds/

[FN-GM]

Hello,

 

I thought I would update. I am currently in rural Australia as a small site office. I have installed our first NUC as an SCCM DP. It runs Windows 10. It works great! Only 19 more sites to visit!

 

Thanks for the comments on this thread.

 

Thanks

[bald_pig]

And how long did it take you to send this reply on said rural Australian internet? I've heard bad things about the infrastructure in cities, let alone rural areas!

[Davit2005]

It's a real shame there is not better support for Windows Server OS on the Intel NUC without hacks.