Private Clouds are increasingly important to the efficient operations of your business. The System Center 2012 products provide everything you need to build, secure, maintain and manage your Private Cloud. You can get all of the latest Betas, Release Candidates and Evaluations by clicking one button!
It’s the 20 year anniversary of the Microsoft Certification Program, and in today’s episode your Cert Talk host, J. Seymour welcomes Sr. Director for Microsoft Learning, Don Field, Product Planner Jim Clark and Sr. IT Pro Evangelist, Chris Avis to the show. Tune in as they discuss what the value of certification is for individuals and employers, how its personally impacted their career, as well as the latest information on the newly available private cloud certification.
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Click here to learn more about Microsoft Private Cloud Certification
If you're interested in learning more about the products or solutions discussed in this episode, click on any of the below links for free, in-depth information:
Resources:
Blogs:
Videos:
Virtual Labs:
Cheers!
If you head over to the Microsoft Training and Certification site, you will find that we are publishing some information about the upcoming Microsoft Private Cloud Certifications. The Private Cloud certification is built on Windows Server 2008 R2 and System Center 2012. It validates your ability to configure, deploy, monitor, and operate a Microsoft private cloud solution, which transforms the way IT services are delivered. Our System Center 2012 exams are not released yet, but you can get a head start on your Private Cloud certification by passing the following Windows Server 2008 exams.
There are some beta exams that will be available around the time of the Microsoft Management Summit as well. You can find a list of the exams as well as some instructor led courses that will be available here -
Microsoft Private Cloud Exams – System Center 2012
You have seen a lot of messaging from Microsoft as well as others in the tech industry regarding Private Cloud. With the update of the System Center 2012 Suite to Release Candidate status, we have a very solid platform for IT Pros to develop and implement their own Private Clouds. This suite of products can be a bit intimidating particularly if you are just entering the computing field. Even if you have been the IT Industry for many years, there is a need to have a solid understanding of Virtualization basics to effectively implement a Private Cloud.
One way to demonstrate capability and understanding of Microsoft Virtualization solutions is to take and pass the Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization Exam (70-659). I took and passed this exam last year and I was surprised by the wide variety of topics that were covered. There are a variety of resources to assist you in prepping to take this exam and I have gathered some of those here for you.
First things first – Download a trial version of Windows Server 2008 R2 and install it to a capable machine that you can use for study and learning.
Nothing beats hands-on experience. I guarantee you that you will learn faster and gain a deeper understanding if you have a machine you can touch and work with in person. I would recommend a Quad-Core machine that has at east 16 gigs of RAM and reasonably fast hard drives. Preferably high capacity 7200 SATA drives. If you have access to a SAN/NAS that would be a plus.
Study Resources for 70-659 – Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
Creating and Managing a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 Jump Start
This two-day accelerated Jump Start course is led by Symon Perriman and the industry’s most gifted private cloud experts. Leveraging Microsoft’s popular Jump Start approach to the virtual classroom, the instructor team will provide IT Professionals with critical training on how to design, deploy and configure Microsoft’s private cloud using Windows Server and System Center 2012 on day 1, then how to manage and operate the environment on day 2.
Learning Plan for Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization (exam 70-659)
This learning plan is intended to help IT professionals gain the knowledge and skills required to implement and manage a Windows Server 2008 R2 server virtualization environment, and ultimately to prepare for Microsoft exam 70-659.
Learning Plan for Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator (exam 70-693)
Even though this free learning plan is a guide for a different exam, the resources here are key to understanding virtualization core concepts. Much of the information here will help you gain understanding of virtualization and assist you with the MS70-659 Exam.
Microsoft eLearning Course – Collection 10215: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Server Virtualization
This collection of six self-paced, downloadable courses teaches IT professionals how to deploy and manage a server virtualization environment that leverages Microsoft technologies. Topics covered in this collection include:
Instructor Led Course (5 day) – Implementing and Managing Microsoft Server Virtualization
If you would prefer a instructor led course, this five-day, instructor-led course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to deploy and manage a server virtualization environment using Microsoft technologies. The course provides details on how to deploy and manage Hyper-V and Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2008 R2. The course also provides details on how to manage a server virtualization environment by using System Center products such as System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2008, SCVMM 2008 R2, System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2, System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 R2, and System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2. This course does not require previous server virtualization experience, but does require that students have significant experience in managing Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
Self-Paced Learning
Microsoft Virtual Academy
Microsoft Virtualization for VMWare Professionals – The Platform Virtualization has become a key component of any modern datacenter, offering such advantages as easier deployment, resource pooling, server consolidation, application compatibility, high-availability, reduced costs and centralized management. The Platform course offers a deep-dive into the important technologies that contribute to the core virtualization infrastructure, and is the first track in the three track program covering Microsoft Virtualization. Learn about Microsoft’s virtualization offerings and strategy, datacenter planning, Hyper-V architecture, VM management, virtualized networking and storage, numerous other Hyper-V features, as well as advanced management with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2. Understand high-availability and disaster recovery considerations to keep your VMs up and running using Windows Server Failover Clustering. Explore how Hyper-V is both different and similar to VMware virtualization through technical and terminology comparisons. By the end of this track you will have the tools you need to plan, design and deploy your virtualized datacenter or Private Cloud infrastructure.
Microsoft Virtualization for VMWare Professionals – The Platform
Virtualization has become a key component of any modern datacenter, offering such advantages as easier deployment, resource pooling, server consolidation, application compatibility, high-availability, reduced costs and centralized management. The Platform course offers a deep-dive into the important technologies that contribute to the core virtualization infrastructure, and is the first track in the three track program covering Microsoft Virtualization. Learn about Microsoft’s virtualization offerings and strategy, datacenter planning, Hyper-V architecture, VM management, virtualized networking and storage, numerous other Hyper-V features, as well as advanced management with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2. Understand high-availability and disaster recovery considerations to keep your VMs up and running using Windows Server Failover Clustering. Explore how Hyper-V is both different and similar to VMware virtualization through technical and terminology comparisons. By the end of this track you will have the tools you need to plan, design and deploy your virtualized datacenter or Private Cloud infrastructure.
TechNet Virtual Labs
There are a wide variety of free virtual labs available on the Microsoft TechNet site. At this time, there are no specific labs on configuring or administering Hyper-V on Windows Server 2008. However, there is a section on the System Center products that do cover pieces of Hyper-V virtualization that will dive deeper in virtualization.
Books
Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Resource Kit
In-depth and comprehensive, this official RESOURCE KIT delivers the information you need to plan, implement, and manage a virtualized enterprise infrastructure. Covers R2 features. You get authoritative technical guidance from those who know the technology best—leading industry experts and the Windows® Virtualization Team—along with sample scripts, job aids, and other essential resources.
Mastering Hyper-V Deployment
This is a great book by Aidan Finn. Now in its second generation, the popular Hyper-V boasts technical advances that create even more dynamic systems than ever before. This unique resource serves an authoritative guide to deploying Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V comprehensively. Step-by-step instructions demonstrate how to design a Hyper-V deployment, build a Hyper-V host environment, and design a management system with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2.
Additional Resources
VirtualBoy Blog
One of our own Microsoft employees, Matt McSpirit, wrote a blog post about his experience studying for and taking the 70-659 exam.
Microsoft Virtualization Team Blog
This is the official team blog for everything virtualization at Microsoft. This is an excellent resource for information as well as breaking news.
I hope this resource help you in your quest to get certified. I am also working on some additional blog posts and videos on specific topics that will help you with your study and learning!
Thank you to everyone that stuck around for the presentation Private Clouds that I delivered to MCT’s last Thursday. Mother Nature was not very kind to us that day and is continuing to cause problems in my area. The power outage I suffered at my house lasted the remainder of the day and my wife and I ended up staying at a hotel the next two nights because we had no heat.
I mentioned on the presentation that I would record some demos to post here to my blog. I had hoped to have those ready for this week, but I will not be able to get anything posted until next week. With the power down and the cleanup here on my property, I have not been able to record the demos yet. I will get the demos recorded this next weekend and have them posted within a few days.
To give you an idea of what happened at my house, here are a few photos.
This is a picture I took a two days before the webcast.
Almost the same angle but with a tree down across the hot tub
That was one of four large trees that actually came down across my property. This one also broke a gas line on my property. In all, we are removing more than a dozen trees that were severely damaged by the heavy ice and snow. This next pic is of the large tree that came down in our backyard.
Finally, I have received the feedback and comments from the session and I appreciate the understanding many of you showed in the comments. However, I would like to address one comment that was made.
“Presenter wasn't prepared for connection loss. Also reflects poorly on the ability of MS infrastructure solutions to stay up when needed”
This was not a Microsoft infrastructure issue. This was a regional power outage that impacted many 10’s of thousands of people. Some of which were without power for 5 days. Since I was essentially snowed in, it was not even an option for me to go to the Microsoft campus to deliver the webcast that day. I do sincerely apologize for the issues that arose but I hope people understand that when it comes to dealing with mother nature, we are at the mercy of what mood she is in that day.
As you may have heard, there have been some big announcements regarding System Center 2012. All of these announcements are directly related to the Private Cloud conversations I have been having with IT Pro’s for the last year. Before I dig into the specific announcement information, let me summarize the importance of Private Clouds.
In many of my presentations on Private Cloud, I use a time warp scenario to drive home the changes in IT that Private Cloud offer us.
15 years ago - Developers in your company have a project that needs dedicated resources
A Domain Controller (user accounts, authorization, security, rights and roles) A Database Server (data storage for the apps be developed, reporting data, inventory, sales, etc) A Mail Server (notifications, collaboration) 1-3 Client machines for testing Time/Labor to make it all happen
A Domain Controller (user accounts, authorization, security, rights and roles)
A Database Server (data storage for the apps be developed, reporting data, inventory, sales, etc)
A Mail Server (notifications, collaboration)
1-3 Client machines for testing
Time/Labor to make it all happen
In 1997, this meant identifying hardware requirements, ordering the hardware, provisioning the hardware, then delivering to the developers. The amount of time between the request for resources and delivery of the resources could be weeks or even months. Not to mention that the development staff is limited on what they can do until the resources arrive. Not very efficient or productive.
Present Day - Developers in your company have a project that needs dedicated resources
Same Resources requested for same purpose
In 2012, the IT staff can deliver these resources “on-demand” by selecting capable resources, much of which is virtualized, from a pool or library, and provision those to the needs of the developers. Thus reducing the time between request and delivery to a matter of days or even hours. Furthermore, resources can be generalized and stored in a library along with scripts to customize the resources. The library can be securely exposed to requestors through a self-service portal. With requesters can be assigned roles that allow a requestor to search through resources or select a canned environment along with customization scripts to create the environment they need – without direct interaction of the IT staff. You can have as much or as little automation as required for your own needs.
From months to hours, it is pretty clear that Private Clouds offer an opportunity to streamline and create agility in IT operations. IT as a Service is a reality now!
And now back to the announcements!
We have an on-demand webcast available that solidifies the Microsoft Private Cloud story using Windows Servers, Hyper-V virtualization, and the System Center 2012 Suite. Microsoft’s Server & Tools Business division leaders participated in a webcast, “Transforming IT with Microsoft Private Cloud” where they announced the release candidate of System Center 2012 and simplified Microsoft’s private cloud management products.
As you well know, Microsoft has built global scale public cloud platforms with Windows Azure and a variety of consumer cloud products (Live Mail, XBox Live, Office 365 and more!). The System Center 2012 announcements bring us closer to the final release of the SC2012 suite and closing the loop by adding a complete Private Cloud solution. We offer customers the flexibility to choose how/where they want to run their cloud applications. Microsoft’s private cloud solutions benefit from the feedback loop of delivering our cloud services at massive scale and applying those learning's to our on-premises products.
Brad Anderson published a blog post that describes how public and private clouds come together.
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You can start working with Microsoft Private Cloud solutions now. Better yet, you can do it for FREE!
Download the System Center 2012 Suite (all of it is select only what you are interested in)
I would also encourage you to check out these additional resources for more information on Private Clouds and System Center 2012 -
The Official Microsoft Blog - System Center 2012: Where Public and Private Clouds Meet System Center 2012 – Licensing Datasheet (PDF) System Center 2012 – Licensing FAQ (PDF)
The Official Microsoft Blog - System Center 2012: Where Public and Private Clouds Meet
System Center 2012 – Licensing Datasheet (PDF)
System Center 2012 – Licensing FAQ (PDF)
If you are a Microsoft Partner, please check out the value proposition documents on the Microsoft Partner Site -
Microsoft Partner Site – What is the Value of Private Cloud?
Today we’re talking Virtualization with Microsoft Director of Cloud and Virtualization Strategy, Edwin Yuen. Tune in as Edwin lays the foundation for what it is, how VMware stacks up to Microsoft Virtualization technologies as well as how you can personally benefit from learning more about the topic. Also be sure to watch for Sr. IT Pro Evangelist Chris Avis, as he discusses various ways Virtualization can impact consumers, educators and businesses.
Download this Segment
Click here to learn more about Microsoft Virtualization Certification
My buddy Dan Stolts is delivering a webcast on January 18th -
Please Register https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032501883&Culture=en-US
About this TechNet webcast:
The "cloud" is simply the next level of virtualization. For those that do not have virtualization experience, this webcast describes the fundamentals of Hyper-V while giving you a jump start to your virtualization or cloud career. Then, we dive deep into the Microsoft hypervisor-based server virtualization technology. Professional Hyper-V and VMware administrators can learn how their existing virtualization knowledge can be leveraged to quickly move to the next layer of virtualization, the private cloud. So, have your cup of caffeine, and buckle up to take a very fast and eventful ride from where you are now to where you need to be to advance your career.
Some of the things we will discuss..
Steve Ballmer will be keynoting at the Consumer Electronics Show this evening at 6:30pm Pacific. I really wish I was able to be at the show to watch it live and see all the great stuff being showcased there. Since I have other stuff going on this week, I plan on watching the keynote LIVE online.
Facebook will be streaming the keynote live here – Facebook Microsoft/Steve Ballmer CES Keynote Stream
You can also watch it live via the Microsoft News Center – Microsoft New Center CES Keynote Stream
Starting today, I have picked up two areas of coverage on the west coast. I will be covering IT Pro Evangelism activities in the San Francisco Bay area (this includes Oakland, Mountain View, San Jose, etc) as well as Sacramento. I am working through my schedule to make adjustments and plan for some additional travel. This will be in addition to the area I already cover in the Northwest so it looks like I will be maintaining my Flight and Hotel status easily this year!
If you are a part of a user group or other IT Pro related activities in the Bay Area or Sacramento, please feel free to reach out to me. I will be working this week to identify activities I need to get involved with, but I would love to hear directly from you!
Kind of a weird title for a tech blog post…..
I spoke at my Windows Networking User Group this past Wednesday evening on Building Private Clouds using Microsoft Technologies. The presentation went well and seemed to be well received. From my position in front of the group, there seemed to be nothing amiss at all.
When I got home around 9pm, my wife and I were standing in the kitchen catching up on each other’s days when she just started laughing. I had not said anything particularly humorous so I was a little perplexed. It also turned out to be one of those laughs where you can’t really talk because you are laughing so hard and can’t catch your breathe right to get an intelligible sentence out. When she finally stopped laughing she asked me how my presentation went and then “Why didn’t you pull it off when they told you????”. I had absolutely no idea what she was even talking about and this sent her into another blubbering fit of laughter.
Then she pointed under my arm…..
So……to those of you who gleefully sat through an hour and a half of me presenting to you – AND SAID NOTHING AT ALL - (and I KNOW you saw that tag)……be forewarned…..
APRIL 1ST IS COMING!
Wow! All kinds of great news today! I just found out about a discount promotion on Technet Subscriptions. From now until February 29th, 2012, you can get a 15% Discount on NEW TechNet Professional Subscriptions. The official terms state you must be a TechNet Flash subscriber so before you go clicking the other links, sign up for the TechNet Flash!
Make sure you use TNFLA12 as the discount code when purchasing the TechNet subscription to get your 15% discount!
I literally just heard about this upcoming webcast a few minutes through my co-worker, John Weston. This looks to be a very interesting discussion on Private Cloud coming directly from Microsoft Executives as well as some real life Senior IT Professionals.
Here is the abstract information --
Transforming IT with Microsoft Private Cloud
The definition and the virtue of “the cloud” have been hotly debated in recent months. Many agree that both the public and private cloud can accelerate innovation, reduce costs, and increase business agility in the market. While there are lofty expectations over the next few years for this technology, many professionals in IT are already reaping the benefits of cloud computing to drive their organizational goals.
Join us for an interactive virtual event featuring both Microsoft executives and fellow CIOs:
· Be among the first to hear the latest private cloud news from Microsoft · Learn from other senior professionals in IT about how cloud computing is helping drive greater results · Evaluate Microsoft’s cloud offerings, including a deep dive into the private, public and hybrid cloud models · Learn how to leverage the cloud to gain maximum competitive advantage at minimal risk · Experience a scenario-based demonstration of Microsoft's private cloud computing solutions
· Be among the first to hear the latest private cloud news from Microsoft
· Learn from other senior professionals in IT about how cloud computing is helping drive greater results
· Evaluate Microsoft’s cloud offerings, including a deep dive into the private, public and hybrid cloud models
· Learn how to leverage the cloud to gain maximum competitive advantage at minimal risk
· Experience a scenario-based demonstration of Microsoft's private cloud computing solutions
Microsoft Executive Panelists:
Satya Nadella, President, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management and Security Division, Microsoft Jacky Wright,Vice President, IT Strategic Services, Microsoft IT
Satya Nadella, President, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft
Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management and Security Division, Microsoft
Jacky Wright,Vice President, IT Strategic Services, Microsoft IT
8:30AM PST | 16:30 UTC -- Private cloud discussion with Microsoft executives: Insights and news
• Satya Nadella, President, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft • Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management and Security Division, Microsoft
• Satya Nadella, President, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft
• Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management and Security Division, Microsoft
9:00AM PST | 17:00 UTC -- Executive panel and Q&A: Guidance and best practices
• Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management and Security Division, Microsoft • Jacky Wright, Vice President, IT Strategic Services, Microsoft IT • Rand Morimoto, Chief Executive Officer, Convergent Computing
• Jacky Wright, Vice President, IT Strategic Services, Microsoft IT
• Rand Morimoto, Chief Executive Officer, Convergent Computing
9:30AM PST | 17:30 UTC -- Envisioning Your Private Cloud: A scenario based demonstration from the Microsoft Technology Center in Redmond, WA.
You can Register for this virtual event here - Transforming IT with Microsoft Private Cloud
We are having our monthly Windows Networking User Group meeting this evening in Bellevue at the Microsoft Lincoln Square office. We meet from 6p-8p.
I will be talking about how to use System Center 2012 to build private clouds. here is the official abstract --
You have heard a lot about Microsoft Private Cloud solution in the last 12 months. You have probably started hearing even more about Private Cloud with the release of the System Center 2012 Beta and Release Candidate Software. System Center 2012 brings the Microsoft Private Cloud solution full circle. With new products like Orchestrator and Service Manager along with integrating cloud deployment directly into Virtual Machine Manager, the Private Cloud story is about to get very exciting! Join us for this meeting where we will briefly explain where all of the System Center 2012 components fit into private clouds and do live demonstrations on deploying a private cloud.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP at the WNUG registration site!
Group Policy MVP, Jeremy Moskowitz is delivering a FREE Webinar on Group Policy TOMORROW!!!
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LIVE WEBINAR - Leveraging the Power of Group Policy By Jeremy Moskowitz - Group Policy MVP
Group Policy is a "big place." It feels like there's a "billion settings" you can set with it. While not quite true, it does enable administrators to do a lot with their systems.
In this webinar, Group Policy MVP Jeremy Moskowitz will examine the wide variety of item types you can control using Group Policy. From Policy, to Preference, to Security Settings, and even some "off the beaten path" items.
So come to this informative, LIVE webinar and learn from Jeremy Moskowitz, Group Policy MVP how to leverage the power of Group Policy.
Wednesday, 4th January 2012
11am to 12 EST (4pm - 5pm GMT)
http://pages.avecto.com/JeremyMoskowitz_Register.html
Jeremy Moskowitz is a Group Policy MVP and Chief Propeller-Head for Moskowitz, inc. and GPanswers.com. GPanswers.com was ranked as one of "The 20 most useful Microsoft sites for IT professionals" by ComputerWorld magazine. He is one of less than a dozen Microsoft MVPs in Group Policy and has performed Active Directory and Group Policy planning and implementations for some of the nation's largest organizations. His latest book is Group Policy Fundamentals, Security, and the Managed Desktop (WILEY, 2010).
If you want o learn a little more about Jeremy, check out the video interviews I did with him in November of last year at the Windows Connections Conference -
TechNet Video: (Part 1) Interview with Jeremy Moskowitz – Overview of the PolicyPak Application
TechNet Video: (Part 2) Interview with Jeremy Moskowitz – Cool Technology
The New Year is here! And I am back from a much appreciated vacation. I think that was the most unplugged from work that I have been in 15 years. I have a ton of email to go through, a bunch of blog post ideas, and a ton of new stuff to talk about. I am still focused on Private Cloud so you will continue to see me posting about System Center 2012 and Windows Server.
if there are other technologies you are interested in, please let me know and I will do my best to address those topics as well.