Endpoint Insights
Acronyms of Configuration Manager
Topics: Endpoint Insights
There are many abbreviations and acronyms associated with Configuration Manager. I’m going to talk about some of the more popular ones and then give you a list of acronyms that I think every Admin needs to know about. Whether you are just starting out, or are an old hand, you should find this information useful. Now, let’s get started talking about the many different acronyms of Configuration Manager.
Abbreviations and Acronyms of Configuration Manager
When you refer to Configuration Manager, do you use the official short-forms, “ConfigMgr,” or, “MEMCM?” Do you use the ever-popular, “SCCM,” or the newer, “MECM?” Are you old-school and still use, “SMS?” Personally, I like to use ConfigMgr because unlike the other short-forms, this one doesn’t need to change.
Below, I talk about each one and add a few new ones into the mix.
SMS
If you are new to Configuration Manager, then you may not have heard about Systems Management Server. This is where it all started. You can read more about it on this page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager
ConfigMgr
This is the official short form, but it doesn’t say which version. Is it referring to 2007, 2012, 2012 R2/R3 or current branch? Despite this problem, it’s still my go-to short form. Here’s more information about it: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/
SCCM
This acronym gained popularity when the product was called, “System Center Configuration Manager.” It is not the official acronym. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/
MEMCM
Configuration Manager, along with Intune, is now part of Microsoft Endpoint Manager. This update was announced at Microsoft Ignite 2019. The first letter of each word forms, “MEMCM.” However, Microsoft Endpoint Manager Configuration Manager doesn’t necessarily roll off the tongue! https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/
MECM
Instead of using MEMCM, I see a lot of folks using MECM – Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/
Additional Acronyms of Configuration Manager
Below are some more acronyms I’ve seen used and what each one stands for.
CM
Configuration Manager
CM07
Configuration Manager 2007
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager
CM12
Configuration Manager 2012 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager
CM12R2
Configuration Manager 2012 R2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager
CMCB
Configuration Manager Current Branch https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/
Let me know what your favorite Configuration Manager acronym is to use by leaving a note in the comment section below or contacting me @GarthMJ.
Important Acronyms
Below is a list of the most important acronyms that a ConfigMgr Admin will need to know. You might want to bookmark this page for handy reference.
| Details | URL |
AAD | Azure Active Directory | |
AD | Active Directory | |
ADK | Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit | |
AI | Asset Intelligence | |
App-V | Microsoft Application Virtualization | |
ARP | Add Remove Programs | |
AV | Anti-virus | |
AVMA | Automatic Virtual Machine Activation | |
BG | Boundary Groups | |
BIDS | Business Intelligence Development Studio | |
BITS | Background Intelligent Transfer Service | |
BSOD | Blue Screen of Death | |
BYOD | Bring Your Own Device | |
CAL | Client Access License | |
CAS | Central Administration Site | |
CI | Configuration Item | |
CMDB | Configuration Management Database | |
CMG | Cloud Management Gateway | |
CTE | Common Table Expression | |
DaRT | Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset | |
DC | Domain Controller | |
DCM | Desired Configuration Management | |
DFS | Distributed File System | |
DHCP | Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol | |
DISM | Deployment Image Servicing and Management | |
DMZ | Demilitarized Zone | |
DNS | Domain Name System | |
DP | Distribution Point | |
EP | Endpoint Protection | |
FQDN | Fully Qualified Domain Name | |
FSP | Fallback Status Point | |
GA | General Availability | |
GC | Global Catalog | |
GP | Group Policy | |
GPO | Group Policy Object | |
GUID | Globally Unique Identifier | |
HA | High Availability | |
HD | Hard Disk Drive | |
HDD | Hard Disk Drive | |
HW Inv. | Hardware Inventory | |
IIS | Internet Information Services | |
IOPS | Input/Output Operations per Second | |
IP | Internet Protocol | |
IPv4 | Internet Protocol version 4 | |
IPv6 | Internet Protocol version 6 | |
ISV | Independent Software Vendor | |
KMS | Key Management Service | |
KPI | Key Performance Indicator | |
KVM | Keyboard Video and Mouse | |
LAPS | Local Administrator Password Solution | |
LDAP | Lightweight Directory Access Protocol | |
LTSB | Long Term Servicing Branch | |
MAC | Media Access Control | |
MAK | Multiple Activation Key | |
MAM | Mobile Application Management | |
MAN | Metropolitan Area Network | |
MBAM | Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring | |
MDM | Mobile Device Management | |
MDT | Microsoft Deployment Toolkit | |
MMC | Microsoft Management Console | |
MP | Management Point | |
NAS | Network Attached Storage | |
NAT | Network Address Translation | |
NIC | Network Interface Controller | |
OSD | Operating System Deployment | |
PBRS | Power BI Report Server | |
PRI | Primary Site | |
PXE | Preboot Execution Environment | |
QOS | Quality of Service | |
RBAC | Role Based Access Control | |
RCT | Right-Click Tool | |
RDP | Remote Desktop Protocol | |
RFC | Request for Comments | |
RP | Reporting Point | |
SCEP | System Center Endpoint Protection | |
SCUP | System Center Updates Publisher | |
SDK | Software Development Kit | |
SSMS | SQL Server Management Studio | |
SSRS | SQL Server Reporting Services | |
SUG | Software Update Group | |
SUP | Software Update Point | |
SW Inv. | Software Inventory | |
SWM | Software Metering | |
TAM | Technical Account Manager | |
TPM | Trusted Platform Module | |
UAC | User Account Control | |
UEFI | Unified Extensible Firmware Interface | |
UNC | Universal Naming Convention | |
UPN | User Principal Name | |
URI | Uniform Resource Identifier | |
UTC | Universal Time Coordinated | |
VDI | Virtual Desktop Infrastructure | |
VHD | Virtual Hard Disk | |
VHDX | Hyper-V Virtual Hard Disk | |
VLK | Volume License Key | |
VLSC | Volume Licensing Service Center | |
VM | Virtual Machine | |
VS | Visual Studio | |
VSS | Volume Shadow Copy Service | |
WID | Windows Internal Database | |
WinPE | Windows Preinstallation Environment | |
WMI | Windows Management Instrumentation | |
WOL | Wake-on LAN | |
WSUS | Windows Server Update Services | |
WUfB | Windows Update for Business |