Top 35+ SCCM Interview Questions and Answers (2025)

Introduction

SCCM(Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager) is a tool developed by Microsoft, a well-recognized and in-demand skill. This article will help you go through some essential SCCM interview questions. The SCCM interview questions we have mentioned in this article are all sorted to easy to advance questions. So you can quickly check out the SCCM interview questions according to your need or expertise.

What is SCCM?

System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a comprehensive management solution developed by Microsoft that enables organizations to manage their IT infrastructure efficiently. It is part of the Microsoft System Center suite and provides tools for managing devices, applications, and services in a corporate environment.

SCCM Interview Questions for Freshers

1. Explain BDP (Branch Distribution Points).

Branch Distribution Points (BDPs) in System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) are specialized distribution points that are used to optimize the deployment of applications and software updates to remote branch offices or locations. BDPs play a crucial role in enhancing the performance and efficiency of software distribution in distributed environments.

2. Name features of SCCM.

Following are the features available in SCCM.

Tracking of assets.
Software deployment
Report
Patch management
Remote controlling
Desired configuration management

3. How many sites are in SCCM?

There are mainly three sites in SCCM.

Primary site
Central administration site
Secondary site

4. What is the role of the primary site?

The primary site role is to process all the client's data from the assigned clients.

5. What is the role of the central administration site?

CAS( Central administration site) role is to manage the clients and operate all site management tasks through the console to connect with the central administration site. CAS lies top in the hierarchy in SCCM and supports the primary site as a child site.

6. What is a child site in SCCM?

A child site's role in SCCM is to fetch data from other higher sites and structure it.

7. Explain SMS providers in SCCM?

SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager), SMS (Systems Management Server) providers are components that help manage and control devices in a network. They allow SCCM to collect, store, and access information about devices and configurations, facilitating effective device management.

8. What is meant by SUP?

Software Update Point is a part of SCCM responsible for managing and distributing software updates. It ensures that computers in the network receive critical updates, patches, and security fixes.

9. What is WSUS, and why do we use it?

WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) is a Microsoft tool that SCCM often uses. It acts as a local repository for Windows updates, reducing internet bandwidth usage. SCCM integrates with WSUS to centrally manage and distribute updates to networked computers, ensuring they are up-to-date and secure.

10. Name different types of the senders in SCCM.

SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) has two types of senders: Standard sender and Courier sender.

Standard Sender: This sender type sends data over the network to distribution points. It uses standard network protocols like HTTP or SMB to transfer content to the distribution points efficiently.
Courier Sender: The courier sender is designed for scenarios where the network infrastructure is limited or unreliable. It creates a physical copy of the content (like on a USB drive) and transports it to distribution points, ensuring content delivery even in challenging network conditions.

11. What is BITS in SCCM, and why do we need it?

BITS stands for Background Intelligent Transfer Service, which sends data between the client and the SCCM server.

12. Name various ports essential for SCCM.

TCP 2701
HTTP port 80
SMB 445
HTTPS port 443

13. Name available installation methods in SCCM.

Client push installation
Group Policy installation
Manual installation
Software update point-based installation
Upgrade installation
Logon script installation

14. Describe NAP.

NAP stands for Network Access Protection, which manages or controls computers' access to a particular network.

15. Describe the brand cache.

A brand cache is a technology used to optimize bandwidth. A brand cache is a WAN ( wide area network) based window component.

16. What is the role of software metering?

The part of software metering is to observe or monitor and gather data related to the use of software on various clients.

17. What is an SCCM console?

SCCM console is a tool that executes various tasks like device management, application deployment, and networking in SCCM.

18. Describe the need for a server locator point in SCCM.

Server locator point performs the client site assignment on the intranet and helps the client find management points."

SCCM Interview Questions for Intermediate

19. Describe the inventory in SCCM and its type.

Inventory in SCCM provides information about processors, operating systems, and applications. There are only two types of inventory.

Software inventory
Hardware inventory

20. List the differences between native and mixed mode.

Native Mode	Mixed Mode
The purpose of native mode is to provide authentication and encryption.	Mixed mode use to locate the default Management point.
Native mode can be added with public key infrastructure.	It cannot be added with public key infrastructure.

21. What is state migration in SCCM?

State migration keeps backup and migrates the states of use using task sequences in OS deployment.

22. Describe the content library in SCCM.

The role of the content library in SCCM is to store a format with one instance of a file. This storage format uses the content library to save all the content in software distribution locations.

23. Explain the different application detection methods defined in SCCM.

Different methods are used to detect installed applications on client computers. These include registry key detection, file system detection, and custom script detection. SCCM checks these elements to determine if an application is present.

24. Mention various client deployment methods.

Various ways exist to install SCCM clients on devices. These methods encompass manual installation, group policy-based installation, software update point-based installation, and more. Each method has its own suitability for different scenarios.

25. List some of the important site system roles in SCCM.

Key components in SCCM include the distribution point, management point, and software update point. The distribution point stores and distributes content, the management point handles client communication, and the software update point manages updates. These roles are vital for SCCM functionality.

26. Describe the fallback status point in SCCM.

A fallback status point is available in the server role, allowing you to gather data about client installation status and issues.

SCCM Interview Questions for Experienced

27. Describe the deployment share in SCCM.

A deployment share is a repository available in SCCM that contains OS images, applications, language packs, and device drivers so it can be quickly deployed on a machine.

28. List the steps to update and deploy software in SCCM.

In the SCCM console, select the group of software to update.
Configure the automatic software updates installation by arranging the rule.
Meanwhile, software updates will be added to the list of updated software.
In the end, the software will get updated.

29. What is DPM in SCCM?

DPM stands for data protection manager, which recovers the data from the backup it holds if there is a fault in any active machine in SCCM. Let's assume there is a system fault in the device connected to an SCCM server, and you need to reinstall that machine for some reason. In this case, DPM will play a role by holding the data for the device once it is active again.

30. Describe asset intelligence in SCCM.

Asset Intelligence gives details on software licenses for secondhand software titles. Administrators use the configuration manager hierarchy to administer the software. One or more reporting classes for Asset Intelligence hardware inventory must be enabled.

31. What are the different types of discovery methods in SCCM?

Active Directory System Discovery
Forest Discovery
Heartbeat Discovery
Active Directory Security Group Discovery
Active Directory User Discovery
Network Discovery

32. Describe file-based replication.

SMB Protocol is used by file-based replication to transfer file-based data, applications, and packages. When using pulse mode to transport data, we can use two methods to restrict the network capacity, set at maximum transfer rates for an hour.

33. Can we change the secondary site to a primary site?

No, it is not available to change the site unless you delete or reinstall the process; if you change a site, you might lose the site data. Each site holds data from the clients, and if you try to change the tag or role of the site, you might need to face the consequences as you risk the data available on the site. So if you want to change the site, you need to delete it from the system and reinstall it as a new site.

34. Explain the difference between the Primary site and a Secondary site?

The primary site is where key activities occur, while the secondary site serves as a backup or alternative location. In case the primary site experiences issues, the secondary site steps in to ensure continuity of operations. It's like a Plan B to keep things running smoothly.

35. Explain the use of the global condition option.

In need order to gain control over the deployment, we can use the global condition option, and we can also use it to avoid issues during deployment. In the global condition option, you set the rule or conditions for the deployment purpose, and we do not need to face any error during the deployment to a machine.

36. Describe WOL in SCCM.

WOL stands for Woke in LAN, which sends some packages to an inactive device and makes it active for some software review.

37. Explain DDR.

The resource type, characteristics, method of discovery, and location are all available in Discovery Data Records (DDR). The library functions needed to build our DDR are made available by the Configuration Manager.

SCCM MCQ Questions

1. What does SCCM stand for?

A. System Central Configuration Manager
B. System Center Configuration Manager
C. Server Central Configuration Manager
D. System Cloud Configuration Manager

Answer: B. System Center Configuration Manager

2. Which database does SCCM use for storing data?

A. Oracle
B. MySQL
C. SQL Server
D. PostgreSQL

Answer: C. SQL Server

3. What is the main purpose of SCCM?

A. Cloud management
B. Device and application management
C. Network configuration
D. Data storage

Answer: B. Device and application management

4. In SCCM, which feature is used for deploying Windows updates?

A. Asset Intelligence
B. Software Metering
C. Software Update Management
D. Remote Control

Answer: C. Software Update Management

5. What is the full form of WSUS, often used in conjunction with SCCM?

A. Windows Server Update Scheduler
B. Windows System Update Service
C. Windows Server Update Services
D. Windows Software Update Scheduler

Answer: C. Windows Server Update Services

6. SCCM primarily manages which type of devices?

A. Windows-based devices
B. Linux-based devices
C. iOS devices
D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

7. What does the SCCM distribution point (DP) do?

A. Store installation packages
B. Monitor network traffic
C. Manage user credentials
D. Update the SCCM database

Answer: A. Store installation packages

8. Which SCCM feature helps track software licenses across the network?

A. Software Metering
B. Endpoint Protection
C. Application Deployment
D. Operating System Deployment

Answer: A. Software Metering

9. Which SCCM role is responsible for managing client communication?

A. Site System
B. Management Point
C. Fallback Status Point
D. Distribution Point

Answer: B. Management Point

10. Which SCCM log file records the status of application deployments?

A. AppDiscovery.log
B. DataTransferService.log
C. AppEnforce.log
D. ContentTransfer.log

Answer: C. AppEnforce.log

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which foundational knowledge is required for SCCM?

For SCCM, knowledge of Windows Server, basic networking concepts, Active Directory, and the client machine software or update deployment processes are essential.

Q2. Sequentially explain the functioning of SCCM.

Client Installation - The SCCM agent gets installed on the configured devices.

Discovery - It identifies users and devices available in the network.

Collection - Creates groups for user/device management.

Deployment - Applications, patches, or OS updates are deployed.

Monitoring - Admins view status and utilization reports for deployment.

Q3. How does patching work in SCCM?

SCCM retrieves updates from WSUS → Admins choose and authorize patches → Create deployments → Clients download and install patches → Status is relayed back to SCCM.

Q4. What are BITS in SCCM?

BITS in SCCM is Background Intelligent Transfer Service which allows SCCM to transfer large software and update files seamlessly during low-activity periods patches and without hindering productivity.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the various SCCM interview questions you might get asked in an interview. The SCCM interview questions we discussed are sorted according to an individual's level of expertise in SCCM. So, please go through every SCCM interview question if you want to succeed in the interview.

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