Install SCCM Distribution Point Using PowerShell Script

In this post, I will show you how to install SCCM distribution point using PowerShell script. I have been working on this script for since a couple of days. Finally, I have got it working and excited to share with everyone.

You can use the PowerShell script to install the ConfigMgr distribution point on a remote Windows Server. This script works well on all the latest versions of Configuration Manager current branch. You can also include this script in the task sequence and install the DP soon after you image the remote machine.

Creating a distribution point in SCCM is not a tough task, you could that using a wizard. However, using a PowerShell script, this can be done more easily and quietly. Furthermore, this script allows you to enable PXE, specify the password and also enable Multicast on Distribution Point.

When attempted to install SCCM distribution point using PowerShell script, the latest version of current branch showed the below warning when I ran the old script. I have updated the script, and you shouldn’t see the below warning message any more.

WARNING: Use of Set-CMDistributionPoint cmdlet for creating or modifying multicast service point roles has been deprecated and may be removed in a future release. Set-CMMulticastServicePoint cmdlet should be used instead.

Install SCCM Distribution Point Using PowerShell Script

We’ll now look at the steps to install SCCM distribution point using PowerShell script. The below script allows you to install SCCM distribution point using PowerShell cmdlets. Also ensure you keep your Configuration Manager cmdlet library updated. While this is not a complex script, lets me highlight the important commands.

Most noteworthy, before you use this script you need to specify the values for the below :-

• $SiteCode – Provide the site code (3 alphanumeric characters).
• $DistributionPoint – Specify the server FQDN where you want to install DP role.
• $PXEpass – Specify PXE password.

.SYNOPSIS
Install Distribution Point role using PowerShell Script

.DESCRIPTION 
This scripts lets you install the Distribution Point role on a server, Enable PXE, PXE password and Multicast options.

.PARAMETER DistributionPoint
This the server name where you would be installing Distribution Point role.

.PARAMETER SiteCode
This is the 3 letter site code.

.PARAMETER PXEpass
This is the PXE password.

.NOTES
Version: 2.0
Published Date: 08-December-2016
Updated Date: 07-May-2023
Author: Prajwal Desai
Website: https://www.prajwaldesai.com
Post Link: https://www.prajwaldesai.com/install-sccm-distribution-point-using-powershell-script/
#>

#Load the Configuration Manager Module
import-module ($Env:SMS_ADMIN_UI_PATH.Substring(0,$Env:SMS_ADMIN_UI_PATH.Length-5) + '\ConfigurationManager.psd1')
$Drive = Get-PSDrive -PSProvider CMSite
CD "$($Drive):"

#Site Code and Distribution Point Server Information
$SiteCode = 'IND'
$DistributionPoint = 'CORPSCCM.PRAJWAL.LOCAL'

#Install Site System Server
New-CMSiteSystemServer -ServerName $DistributionPoint -SiteCode $SiteCode

#Optional - Install SCCM IIS Base components
#dism.exe /online /norestart /enable-feature /ignorecheck /featurename:"IIS-WebServerRole" /featurename:"IIS-WebServer" /featurename:"IIS-CommonHttpFeatures" /featurename:"IIS-StaticContent" /featurename:"IIS-DefaultDocument" /featurename:"IIS-DirectoryBrowsing" /featurename:"IIS-HttpErrors" /featurename:"IIS-HttpRedirect" /featurename:"IIS-WebServerManagementTools" /featurename:"IIS-IIS6ManagementCompatibility"  /featurename:"IIS-Metabase" /featurename:"IIS-WindowsAuthentication"  /featurename:"IIS-WMICompatibility"  /featurename:"IIS-ISAPIExtensions" /featurename:"IIS-ManagementScriptingTools" /featurename:"MSRDC-Infrastructure" /featurename:"IIS-ManagementService"

#Install Distribution Point Role
write-host "The Distribution Point Role is being Installed on $DistributionPoint"
Add-CMDistributionPoint -CertificateExpirationTimeUtc "October 10, 2025 10:10:00 PM" -SiteCode $SiteCode -SiteSystemServerName $DistributionPoint -MinimumFreeSpaceMB 1024 -ClientConnectionType 'Intranet' -PrimaryContentLibraryLocation Automatic -PrimaryPackageShareLocation Automatic -SecondaryContentLibraryLocation Automatic -SecondaryPackageShareLocation Automatic

#Define PXE Password
$PXEpass = convertto-securestring -string "password" -asplaintext -force

#Enable PXE, Unknown Computer Support, Client Communication Method
Set-CMDistributionPoint -SiteSystemServerName $DistributionPoint -SiteCode $SiteCode -EnablePxe $True -PXEpassword $PXEpass -PxeServerResponseDelaySeconds 0 -AllowPxeResponse $True -EnableUnknownComputerSupport $True -UserDeviceAffinity "AllowWithAutomaticApproval" -EnableContentValidation $True -ClientCommunicationType HTTP

#Enable Multicast Feature
Add-CMMulticastServicePoint -SiteSystemServerName $DistributionPoint -SiteCode $SiteCode

Script Explanation

Firstly, we import the Configuration Manager module. To import the Configuration Manager module, you will have to specify the path to the Configuration Manager Module.  This is done using the import-module command.

In the second step, we install site system server. Before you install distribution point role, this step is required. To add a new site system server, we use New-CMSiteSystemServer command.

The next step is optional. The command installs the IIS base components required for DP using dism method. Since this is optional, you could choose to skip this because it’s done by SCCM. Here is a post that shows the installation of IIS components for SCCM.

In the next step, we install the DP role using Add-CMDistributionPoint cmdlet. This cmdlet creates a distribution point on a site system server. However, this cmdlet has got plenty of parameters that we can supply. So, the parameters that we specify with this cmdlet are:-

• CertificateExpirationTimeUtc – Date and time when the certificate expires.
• ClientConnectionType – Internet / InternetandIntranet / Intranet.
• PrimaryContentLibraryLocation, PrimaryPackageShareLocation – Set to Automatic.
• SecondaryContentLibraryLocation, SecondaryPackageShareLocation – Set to Automatic.
• MinimumFreeSpaceMB – Free size in MB on a drive before SCCM selects a different drive and continues the copy process to that drive.

In the next step, we specify the PXE password. We use convertto-secure string to convert plain text to secure strings rather leaving it plain. Furthermore, we enable PXE, Unknown Computer Support, Client Communication Method using Set-CMDistributionPoint cmdlet.

In the last step, using the Add-CMMulticastServicePoint cmdlet, we enable multicast feature on distribution point.

Finally, to run this script, launch the Windows PowerShell ISE. Click on File > Open > browse and locate the script. Also specify the site code, DP, PXE pass, and you are good to install DP.

I hope I have made it easier to install SCCM distribution point using PowerShell script. In case you have any questions, you can