1E Content Distribution features

Many 1E Content Distribution (CD) features are available with minimal configuration of the CD client. However, some features require additional configuration of the client on Configuration Manager Distribution Points.

Content Distribution features maximize download efficiency in branch network deployment scenarios, and reduces the number of Configuration Manager Distribution Points. Content Distribution integrates closely with Configuration Manager, assists with WAN link usage efficiency during downloads, copes with different network protocols.

Content Distribution features and concepts

With Content Distribution, you get all the benefits you would expect from Content Distribution with the additional benefits of the 1E Platform, included in the license fee:

• Increased patch compliance by ensuring clients are functioning, and you are able to deploy updates to them at all times.

• Total control over downloads in your environment with the ability to stop them in their tracks if needed.

• Centrally managed content in the Content Distribution cache on clients, with the ability to remove content from any client in real time.

New features in Content Distribution

Many CD features are available with minimal configuration of the 1E Client. However, some features require additional configuration of the 1E Client on Configuration Manager Distribution Points.

Platform:

• Insights on how Content Distribution enhances user experience - with the rapid shift to a Work From Anywhere (WFA) workforce and an increased focus on the Digital End-User experience, Content Distribution on the 1E Platform now provides insights into how it helps to ensure a great user experience. With the introduction of Bandwidth Protection Reporting, you can now see how Content Distribution is preventing end-user disruption due to software and update deployments. Bandwidth Protection Reporting will allow you to see the positive impact Content Distribution is having across the organization, to individual sites, subnets, all the way down to a single client. Refer to Bandwidth Protection.

• Support for Cloud-based content in Task Sequences - cloud-based services to support Work From Anywhere (WFA) users are becoming more critical to the way enterprises work, there is an increased reliance on Cloud Distribution Points for distributing content. Refer to Set Nomad as Download Program.

• Feature improvements - as Configuration Manager evolves and new features are released, Content Distribution on 1E Platform is being continuously maintained to ensure it works seamlessly with new releases.

Client:

• NomadBranch 24.5 client is the Nomad module in 1E Client 24.5.

• Support for Cloud-based content in Task Sequences - cloud-based services to support Work From Anywhere (WFA) users are becoming more critical to the way enterprises work, and there is an increased reliance on Cloud Distribution Points for distributing content. Refer to Set Nomad as Download Program.

• Enhancements:

  • Improvements to the Certificate Selection criteria to authenticate with a DP (or any download source). Refer to Peer copy over HTTP or HTTPS.

  • Download reporting now includes back-off data, for Bandwidth Protection Reporting. Refer to Top status bar.

Tools:

• Nomad AdminUI Console Extensions now require .NET Framework 4.8.

• Cloud infrastructure support.

• Enhancements:

  • Provide a way for SCCM Console users to use alternate credentials to authenticate with ContentDistribution/Platform, for details refer to Using Nomad pre-caching.

  • PlatformUrl validation is improved, by logging a warning during installation. In UI mode users have the option of continuing with the installation, for details refer to Installing Nomad Branch Tools.

Modern management

Content Distribution provides a way of managing legacy and modern applications in a unified way by providing enhanced oversight, security, and awareness to IT departments, with a particular focus on Delivery Optimization (DO). The following table describes the Nomad capabilities:

Nomad capability	Nomad feature	Uses Platform features
Content Distribution	Bandwidth management and peer sharing Protect the WAN when downloading from DP and share content with local peers. Refer to Full control over WAN link usage.
Single Site Download Share content across subnets in the same location. Refer to Single Site Download.
Pre-caching Get content distributed ahead of important deployments. Refer to Nomad Pre-caching.
Cache management Periodically delete unused content from the cache. Refer to Cache management.
Cloud-attached CM support Download content from Cloud DP / Content enabled CMG. Refer to Cloud Support.
OS Deployment	Peer Backup Assistant Use available storage on peers instead of servers to temporarily store user state during OS deployment. Refer to 1E Nomad PBA task sequence actions.
PXE Everywhere Dynamic peer-based PXE eliminates the need for PXE servers. Refer to Using Nomad with PXE Everywhere.
Nomad OSD Tools Nomad support for Configuration Manager OS Deployment. Refer to OS deployment task sequences.
Nomad Management	Nomad app Real-time visibility of what content is downloading or available in each location, subnet, and client. See how much WAN traffic is being saved overall and each day. Refer to the Content Distribution app.
Delivery Optimization (DO) Visibility Real-time visibility of Delivery Optimization downloads and content availability in each location, subnet, and device.
Nomad Download Pause Immediately stop Nomad downloads across your network or on specific CM Collections. Refer to Nomad Download Pause.
Client Health	Nomad Client Health Real-time monitoring to ensure Nomad is running, can communicate through the firewall, is correctly registered with the CM client, its cache share is accessible. Refer to Nomad Client Health DEX Pack.
MEMCM Client Health Real-time monitoring to ensure the CM client is installed, running and assigned to the correct site, it is communicating with the MP, supporting services are running and WMI is healthy, with real-time remediation for many client issues. Refer to MEMCM Client Health DEX Pack.
Windows Client Health Check for application crashes, free disk space and WMI repository health. Refer to Windows Client Health DEX Pack.