SCCM 2012 Test Lab Setup Questions...

Question

Hi all,
I'm trying to set up a SCCM test lab with VMs so I can test deployment of our software package (.msi).  I downloaded the System Center 2012: Configuration Manager Test Lab Guide, which appears to consist of the following required machine setups...
-One server running System Center 2012 Configuration Manager named CM1. CM1 uses the Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Enterprise Edition operating system.
-One pre-existing server running SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise named APP1. APP1 uses the Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Enterprise Edition operating system.
-One pre-existing client running on Windows 7 Ultimate Edition named CLIENT1.
From this document, the first step is to Complete the Base Configuration.  When I download that document, it lists the following needed systems...
One computer running Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition named
DC1 that is configured as an intranet domain controller, Domain Name System (DNS) server, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, and an enterprise root certification authority
(CA).
One intranet member server running Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition named
APP1 that is configured as a general application and web server with secure sockets layer (SSL) support. APP1 also hosts the certificate revocation list (CRL) for the enterprise root CA
installed on DC1.
One roaming member client computer running Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate named
CLIENT1.
One intranet member server running Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition named EDGE1 that is configured as an Internet edge server.
One standalone server running Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition named
INET1 that is configured as an Internet DNS server, web server, and DHCP server.
The Base Configuration test lab consists of two subnets that simulate the following:
The Internet, referred to as the Internet subnet (131.107.0.0/24).
An intranet, referred to as the Corpnet subnet (10.0.0.0/24), separated from the Internet subnet by EDGE1.
My question(s)...  How many separate VMs are required to set up the test lab, 7?  Or are APP1 & CLIENT1 the same system for both setup guides, which I guess would bring the total of needed systems/vms to 5?
Can any of the images serve a dual purpose to lessen the number needed even further?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

Answer 1

There's no correct answer here as ConfigMgr itself can run on a single server or its roles can be spread out to many different servers. Ultimately, in a pure lab, there is rarely a reason to use more than a single server unless you are trying to simulate
a production deployment where the roles have been separated.
This single server doesn't include a DC though (as the ConfigMgr site server must be a member of an AD domain) or a client to manage though so that brings the total up to 3. You technically could put the ConfigMgr site server on the DC; however, that
is rarely done in production and cause a few unique configuration issues. You could also treat the DC as your managed client but that's typically not a great use case for testing client management.
I have no idea what lab guide you are following, but remember the lab guide is set up to walk you through many different scenarios -- some of which you many not care about. ConfigMgr is a huge and complex application that can be installed in many, many different
configurations based upon the goals of the installation and the organization it supports so it ultimately depends upon exactly what you are after. I'd suggested doing some additional supplemental reading like TechNet and/or one of the publishes books
available instead of just blindly following the lab guide. That's not to say the lab guide doesn't have value, but if you want to follow it, then you need to follow it.
Jason | http://blog.configmgrftw.com | @jasonsandys