DP Content Validation Options in SCCM | Easy Method

In this post, you will learn about the Content Validation option in SCCM. Content validation is a feature to check the status of content already distributed on a distribution point or distribution group.

Once you start doing content validation either manually or on a schedule, Configuration Manager verifies the content on the distribution point as the content in the source of the application or package.

The content validation process verifies the integrity of content files on distribution points. When the content validation process starts, Configuration Manager verifies the content files on distribution points.

If the file hash is unexpected for the files on the distribution point, Configuration Manager creates a status message that you can review in the Monitoring workspace.

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You enable content validation on a schedule, or you can manually start content validation from the properties of distribution points and packages.

Related Posts – ConfigMgr Redistribute Content to Distribution Point | SCCM | Package | Best Way | Configuration Manager

How to Enable Content Validation on a Schedule

When you enable content validation on a schedule, Configuration Manager starts the process at the scheduled time. It verifies all distribution points based on the local SMS_PackagesInContLib SCCMDP class.

In the Configuration Manager console, select the Administration workspace. Select the Distribution Points node. Right-click on Distribution point and select Properties.

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Content Validation Options in SCCM | Easy Method | DP
Select Distribution Point Properties | SCCM Content Validation Options in SCCM | Easy Method | DP

In the Distribution Point properties, switch to the Content Validation tab. Check box Validate content on a schedule and click Apply, OK.

SCCM Validate Content on a schedule | ConfigMgr
SCCM Validate Content on a schedule | ConfigMgr Content Validation Options in SCCM | Easy Method | DP

Once you have enabled content validation on a distribution point, By default, the validation runs once a week on Saturday. If you want to change or add a custom schedule, Click on the Schedule.

You can configure the schedule based on the requirement and click OK to apply the changes here.

SCCM Content Validation Custom Schedule | ConfigMgr
SCCM Content Validation Custom Schedule | ConfigMgr

Configure the content validation priority – By default, the priority is Lowest. Increasing the priority might increase the processor and disk utilization on the server during the validation process, but it should complete faster.

Select the priority you want to use for content validation from the drop-down list, select Apply, and OK.

SCCM Content Validation Priority | ConfigMgr Content Validation Options in SCCM | Easy Method | DP
SCCM Content Validation Priority | ConfigMgr Content Validation Options in SCCM | Easy Method | DP

Validate Content on Distribution Point – Content Validation Options in SCCM

Let’s follow the manual process to start content validation from distribution point properties –

  • In the Configuration Manager console, select the Administration workspace. Select the Distribution Points node.
  • Select the distribution point from which you want to validate content—Right-click on the Distribution point and select Properties.
Validate Content on Distribution Point - Content Validation Options in SCCM
Validate Content on Distribution Point – Content Validation Options in SCCM

Switch to the Content tab. Select the package that you want to validate. Select Validate.

Content Validation in SCCM | Configuration Manager
Validate Content on Distribution Point – Content Validation Options in SCCM

Once you select validate, A prompt will appear with the message below and choose OK.

Validate Content on Distribution Point - Content Validation Options in SCCM
Validate Content on Distribution Point – Content Validation Options in SCCM

The content validation process starts for the package on the distribution point.

DP Content Validation Options in SCCM
DP Content Validation Options in SCCM

When the content validation process starts, Configuration Manager verifies the content files on distribution points. If the file hash is unexpected for the files on the distribution point, Configuration Manager creates a status message that you can review in the Monitoring workspace.

Content Validation in SCCM | Configuration Manager
DP Content Validation Options in SCCM

Validate Content From Software Library – DP Content Validation Options in SCCM

Let’s check the manual process to start content validation from the Software library for a specific package, application –

  • In SCCM Console, Navigate to the Software Library workspace.
  • Select the content types that you want to redistribute. You can choose any type of content available in the software library –
    • Packages
    • Applications
    • Software Update
    • Boot Image
    • Operating System Images

For Example – Let’s check how to validate application content to Distribution Point. Expand Application Management, and select an existing Application. Right-click on the application and select Properties.

Application Properties - SCCM Validate Content From Software Library - DP Content Validation Options in SCCM
Validate Content From Software Library – DP Content Validation Options in SCCM

In Application Properties, Switch to the Content Locations tab. Select the distribution points or distribution groups that you want to validate. Select Validate.

Validate Content From Software Library - DP Content Validation Options in SCCM
Validate Content From Software Library – DP Content Validation Options in SCCM

Once you select validate, A prompt will appear with the message below and choose OK.

Validate Content From Software Library - DP Content Validation Options in SCCM
Validate Content From Software Library – DP Content Validation Options in SCCM

The content validation process starts for the package on the distribution point.

Content Validation in SCCM | Configuration Manager
Content Validation in SCCM | Configuration Manager

Author

3 thoughts on “DP Content Validation Options in SCCM | Easy Method”

  1. For on demand validation, you can login to the dp and choose to run smsdpmon.exe as well.

    We use this process when we are seeing mismatches between the wmi, db and contentlib and are manually cleaning up the dp.

    As long as the smsdpmon log file has warnings the moment you run the smsdpmon.exe, some package is going to be faulty and will show up in the log later

    Reply

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