The System Center 2012 Virtual Machine Manager can help you to manage your Virtual Environment and create multiple Business Unit Clouds. You can build and configure network resources and security for a business unit cloud.
You can deploy pre-packaged applications and create a new service template to deploy a service into the cloud. This is done by using the Service Template Designer.
Using System Center Operations Manager, you can monitor the various services that underpin the private cloud. You can deploy agents to key service components running within the private cloud. Custom monitoring is then applied to these components which include the creation of a distributed application model to give a holistic view of the health of the private cloud infrastructure. Architecture of Operations Manager includes databases, management servers, management server pools, consoles, gateways, and reporting.
Application Performance Monitoring (APM) is a feature of Operations Manager. Administrators can configure APM to monitor the performance and availability of applications. Operations Manager can detect any breaks of an application and reports this with the Alerting and Diagnostics tools that are built into Operations Manager.
Service Manager is used to create and manage change requests, incidents, and release records. The security model behind Service Manager can be customized so that administrators can extend the integral functionality of the service.
Problem management within a service management framework can be implemented as a manual feature of Service Manager. Administrators can create a custom event monitor in Operations Manager and then use it to identify and route incidents and problems to Service Manager.
Automation of self-service provisioning can be configured by using the System Center Cloud Service Process Pack, which includes the configuration items that are created and the request items that are contained in the System Center Cloud Service Process Pack.
The process includes installing and configure the System Center Cloud Services Process Pack followed by defining the various Cloud Services configuration items that make up the System Center Cloud Service Process Pack. You also need to define various Cloud Services request items that are included in it.
Data Protection Manager allows you to protect and recover your data in the Private Cloud. Literally you can implement a recovery action by using Orchestrator to recover a database. 2 types of protections are configurable, namely the manual VS the automatic protection and recovery of key service data. The status of the protection can also be monitored.
Finally, administrators can implement IT Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) in a private cloud environment by using System Center 2012. Administrators can also implement Software Update Compliance in Virtual Machine Manager to verify whether key private cloud infrastructure is correctly updated with the latest software updates. For instance, you can implement the IT GRC Management Pack in Service Manager to check for compliance across key Service Components and remediate non-compliant items. This can be done by VMM Security Baselines and System Center Advisor.
When it comes to reporting, there are various methods for surfacing service and performance-related data from Operations Manager and Service Manager to SharePoint and Microsoft Excel.
Additional resources
Ken Sim, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Virtualization, Private Cloud and Windows Server 2012
System Center 2012 is intended for datacenter administrators who are responsible for monitoring and protecting the private cloud infrastructure. It is also intended for solution architects who are responsible for designing private cloud architectures and extending existing private cloud solutions.
Service Manager in the System Center 2012 solution helps administrators who create service requests seamlessly and effortlessly. This module works and operates based on the ITIL practice and the MOF (Microsoft Operation Framework) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc506049.aspx.
System Center 2012 also helps datacenter administrators who are responsible for providing provisioning for applications including configuring and deploying those applications—application/service business owners, and administrators who implement service requests.
Literally you can use System Center 2012 to:
Related resources
Related downloads
Unlike its predecessor, System Center 2012 now comes with the complete suite of datacenter and cloud management tools. You will get the complete set of components in both Standard and Datacenter editions:
Endpoint Protection and App Controller are new components introduced with System Center 2012. To learn more about System Center 2012 licensing, visit the below TechNet site which showcases a video in explaining the licensing in System Center 2012.
System Center 2012 Licensing - Microsoft TechNet Home Page
Additional resources:
System Center 2012 SP1 Beta is built for compatibility with Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 and other enhancements including support for Azure VM and capabilities for Hosted Service Providers. Each System Center 2012 components can be downloaded separately for evaluation purpose, which includes: -
Supported operating systems:
Related resources:
Useful downloads:
Microsoft Private Cloud namely the System Center 2012 suite of products has enabled the cross platform management of multi-vendor hypervisors to make Virtualization a reality in heteronegeous datacenter environments which can service customers ranging from SMB (Small MediumBusiness) to large business around the world.
Unlike its predecessor, System Center 2012 integrates all Private Cloud management tools into a single suit, which consists of:
Ultimately Microsoft has made it technically feasible, operationally feasible and most of all, financially feasible in this context, which allows you to.
Additional resourecs:
Microsoft Virtualization, Private Cloud & Windows Server 2012
The MCITP: Virtualization Administrator on Windows Server 2008 R2 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcitp-certification.aspx certifies one's expertise on Microsoft Virtualization using Hyper-V R2 on Windows Server 2008 R2. It comprises 2 parts: The Desktop Virtualization and Server Virtualization exams as well as the expertise on administration of Virtualization solution using Microsoft Hypervisor technology.
3 exams that make up this certification are:
Exam 70-669 Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-669, with the following skills being measured:
Some good learning resources for this exam are MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) Course 10324A: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Desktop Virtualization (5 Days) and a Microsoft E-Learning Course 10324AE: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Desktop Virtualization (15 Hours)
Exam 70-693 Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-693, with the following skills being measured:
Exam 70-659 Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-659, with the following skills being measured:
Official MOC learning and course topics for this exam is Course 10215A: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Server Virtualization (5 Days). There is also a Microsoft E-Learning course 10215AE: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Server Virtualization (15 Hours) on it.
Alternately, candidate can take Exam 70-652 Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring in place of 70-659, which has the following skills to be measured:
There is a Microsoft E-Learning course for this exam named COurse 6319BE: Configuring Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 (10 Hours), and MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-652): Configuring Windows Server Virtualization is a good book for this exam.
MCT, MCITP (Enterprise Administrator), MCITP Virtualization Administrator, MCTS (Desktop Virtualization), MCTS (Server Virtualization), MCSE Private Cloud (System Center 2012), MCSE Server Infrastructure (Windows Server 2012), MCSE Desktop Infrastructure
Previously we have MCSD starting on its very early version on Microsoft Visual Studio 6, then MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer) and the MCSD on the .NET Developer Tools platform. That was the time when the developement focused on 2 types of application: Desktop Application and Distributed Application.
Just recently, Micrsosoft has re-introduced the new MCSD certifications for developers in today's cloud-focused and apps-centric development paradigm, with the aim to build innovative solutions across multiple technologies, both on-premises and in the cloud. These 3 new MCSD certifications are
MCSD: Windows Store Apps http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsd-windows-store-apps-certification.aspx with 3 exams to be completed using either HTML5 or C#. The certified individuals could demonstarte expertise at designing and developing fast and fluid Windows 8 apps. In using HTML5, gthe 3 exams required are as follows: -
In using C# for the MCSD: Windows Store Apps track, the 3 exams are:
The second Developer certification is the MCSD: Web Apps Certification which features on the following 3 exams: -
Another new MCSD certification introduced to gain recognition on a developer's expertise in managing the entire lifespan of application development is the MCSD: Application Lifecycle Management certification, which requires the completion of the following 3 exams: -
This is the certification which features around the expertise on the new Visual Studio 2012 technologies.
There are 2 major platforms in typical organizations - The Client/Dekstop platform and the Server platform. Existing Client/Desktop platform is undoubtedly the widely used Windows 7. While a new shift of Client paradigm takes place via the introduction of the new Windows 8 which can run on both traditional desktop PCs as well as tablets and smart phones. This has certainly upgraded the landscape of Client/Desktop deployment of many organizations ranging from SMB (Small Medium Business) to large businesses around the world.
With this regard, knowledge Information Workers that work on Client/Desktop platform can opt from 3 major versions of Client/Desktop certifications - The MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcitp-certification.aspx certification, the MCSA: Windows 7 certification http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-7-certification.aspx and the MCSA: Windows 8 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-8-certification.aspx certification.
The note that the MCSA: Windows 7 certification requires the passing of 2 exams - Exam 70-680 and Exam 70-685 which will also earn you an additional Windows 7 certifications, namely the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcitp-certification.aspx, where both exams combined (Exam 70-680 and Exam 70-685) actually fulfills 2 certification tracks requirements.
Skills measured in Exam 70-680 is here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-680 and its MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) topics are in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=6292A&locale=en-us.
Skills measured in Exam 70-685 is here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-685 and its MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) topics are in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=6293A&Locale=en-us
For its newer counterparts, name Windows 8, there is a new MCSA: Windows 8 certifications, which requires the completion of 2 Windows Client exams, namely Exam 70-687 and 70-688.
Skills measured in Exam 70-687 is here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-687 and its MOC topics are in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20687A&Locale=en-us.
Then the skills measured in Exam 70-688 is here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-688 with its MOC topics in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20688A&Locale=en-us.
For Microsoft Lync Server 2010, there is a certification MCITP Lync Server Administrator requiring the passing of 2 exams, namely Exam 70-664 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-664 and 70-665 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-665.
The new successor of MCITP Lync Server Administrator is the new MCSE Communication http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcse-lync-certification.aspx on its new Lync platform, which requires the pre-requisite certification of MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) on Windows Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-server-certification.aspx, after which upon passing 2 elective exams will earn the individual a MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) on the all new Lync platform.
These 2 new Lync exams are as follows: -
Exam 70-336 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-336 and Exam 70-337 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-337#.
Skills measured in Exam 70-336 are here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-336 featuring the following topics:
Skills measured in Exam 70-337 are here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-337# featuring the following topics:
For existing Sharepoint administrators working on Sharepoint 2010, you can opt to get certified on MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) on Sharepoint 2010, which requires the passing of 2 exams, Exam 70-667 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-667 and 70-668 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcitp-certification.aspx.
The new successor Sharepoint certification will be the new MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) Sharepoint certification which features a core MCSA (Solution Associate) on Windows Server 2012 and 2 new Sharepoint exams:
Exam 70-331 with the skills measured in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-331 on the following areas:
Exam 70-332 with the following skills measured in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-332 featuring these topics:
For Microsoft Exchange server 2010, the existing certification is MCITP Messaging Administrator featuring 2 exams, Exam 70-662 and 70-663. In the meantime, a new certification is introduced on the messaging platform called MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) Messaging http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcse-exchange-certification.aspx.
The pre-requisite certification for MCSE Messaging is the essential MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) on Windows Server 2012, so this is an integral certification pre-requisites for various new MCSE tracks.
After earning your MCSA on Windows Server 2012, the journey towards MCSE Messaging is to completion of 2 more Exchange 2013 exams - Exam 70-341 Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and 70-342 Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013.
Skills being measured on Exam 70-341 are here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-341. MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) topics on this exam are here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20341A&Locale=en-us
Skills being measured on Exam 70-342 are here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-342.
However, if you do not want to miss the MCITP Enterprise Messaging Administrator on Exchange 2010, these 2 exams are for you:
Exam 70-662 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-662 and MOC topics in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=10135B&Locale=en-us
Exam 70-663 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-663 and MOC topics in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=10233B&Locale=en-us.
More self-guided learning can be found in here http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com.
Ken Sim
MCT, MCSE (Solution Expert) Server Infrastructure (Windows Server 2012), MCSE Desktop Infrastructure, MCSE Private Cloud (System Center 2012), MCSE Data Platform (SQL 2012), MCSA (Solution Associate), MCSE+Internet, MCSE+Security, MCSE+Messaging, MCITP Enterprise Admin, MCITP Virtualization Admin (Hyper-V), MCITP Database Admin, MCITP Messaging Admin (Exchange 2010), MCITP Sharepoint Admin (Sharepoint 2010), MCTS, MCDBA, MCSD, MCPD
The overview of MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) Data Platform on SQL 2012 is here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcse-sql-data-platform.aspx
It consists of a MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) on SQL 2012. You need to pass Exam 70-461, 70-462 and 70-463 stated in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-sql-certification.aspx.
After that, you need to complete 2 elective exams to earn your MCSE Data Platform on SQL 2012 - Exam 70-464 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-464 and 70-465 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-465.
If you deal with SQL 2008 and it is likely that you are going to upgrade to SQL 2012 in your environment/platform, you may consider getting certified on SQL 2008 and subsequently on SQL 2012. In this context, all Microsoft SQL server certification overviewsfor both SQL 2008 and SQL 2012 are here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/sql-certification.aspx covering the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) on SQL 2008, MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) on SQL 2008, MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) spanning 2 platform versions - SQL 2008 and SQL 2012, and the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) which covers 2 expertises of Data Platform and BI (Busines Intelligence) using Microsoft SQL 2012 technology.
For exsiting MCITP holders on SQL 2008, there is an upgrade path to earn your MCSE Data Platform, namely Exam 70-457, 70-458 and 70-459 towards SQL 2012. For MCSE Business Intelligence upgrade exams, they are Exam 70-457, 70-458 and 70-460. The details of these upgrade exams are here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/sql-certification.aspx.
More self-guided learning can be found here http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com.
There are new MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) tracks released and reinvented not long ago, fearuring MCSE Server Insfrasructure on Windows Server 2012, MCSE Desktop Infrastructure http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcse-desktop-infrastructure-certification.aspx, MCSE Private Cloud and MCSE Data Platform on SQL 2012.
The roadmap of MCSE Desktop includes a pre-requisite certification of MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) on Windows Server 2012, you need to pass 3 exams (Exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412) in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-server-certification.aspx, and then 2 more elective exams, Exam 70-415 and Exam 70-416 before earning your MCSE Desktop Infrastructure in Windows Server 2012.
For exam 70-415, these are the skills measured in holistical breakdown are in here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-415 which consists of the following:
In preparing for the Exam 70-415, it's essential to cover these areas in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20415A&Locale=en-us comprising the following topics:
Assessing and Determining Desktop Deployment Options, Planning An Image Management Strategy, Implementing Desktop Security, Capturing and Managing a Desktop Operating System Image, Planning and Implementing User State Migration, Planning and Deploying Desktops Using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, Planning and Deploying Desktops by Using System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, Planning and Implementing a Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure, Managing User State Virtualization For Enterprise Desktops, Planning and Implementing an Updates Infrastructure to Support Enterprise Desktops, Protecting Enterprise Desktops from Malware and Data Loss, Monitoring the Performance and Health of the Desktop Infrastructure.
For exam 70-416, these are the skills measured in holistical breakdown are stated in here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-416 which consists of the following:
The MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) topics for Exam 70-416 are:
Designing an Application Distribution Strategy, Diagnosing and Remediating Application Compatibility, Deploying Applications by Using Group Policy and Windows Intune, Deploying Applications by Using System Center Configuration Manager, Configuring Self-Service Application Deployment, Designing and Implementing Presentation Virtualization Infrastructure, Preparing, Configuring and Deploying Presentation Virtualization Applications, Designing and Deploying an Application Virtualization Environment, Preparing, Sequencing, and Deploying Virtual Applications, Planning and Implementing Application Updates and Security, Planning and Implementing Application Upgrade and Supersedence, Monitoring Application Deployment, Utilization, and Performance.
All of the above MOC topics can be found here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20416A&Locale=en-us
With Exam 70-410 + 70-411 + 70-412 for the core certification of MCSA + the Exam 70-415 and 70-416, you will earn your MCSE Desktop Infrastructure.
You can download an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2012 in here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx.
For System Center SP1 Beta, please go to http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34607.
For new courses on Windows Server 2012 in MVA, visit http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/tracks/windows-server-2012-jump-start-preparing-for-the-datacenter-evolution for the Windows Server 2012 Jum Start: Preparing for the Datacenter Evolution. For Windows 8 for IT Pros Jump Start, go to http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/tracks/windows-8-for-it-pros-jump-start.
For self-guided Windows Server 2012 hands-on labs in an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis, you can try out the Windows Server 2012 virtual labs at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx.
In Windows Server 2012, we can now restore a deleted object via the recycle bin enabled in Active Directory using graphical UI (User Interface). You can choose to locate an object’s parent container pending to restoring it or restore it to an entirely different container. This is done easily now using Active Directory Administrative Center.
You can also perform dynamic access control fully in graphical UI. Access to a resource can be further classified using other properties like user claims, device claims and resource properties on top of NTFS permission. You can also manage multiple password policies within a single domain via graphical UI (Fine-grained password policy). There is a consistent command-line experience through Windows PowerShell which enables automation of every deployment task in Active Directory.
All Active Directory features work equally well in physical, virtual or mixed environments on Windows Server 2012 machines. Domain controller cloning is now supported in Windows Server 2012.
When you type “dcpromo” to promote a standalone server to a domain controller, a message will pop up notifying you about Server Manager. When you open up Server Manager, you need to install pre-requisite for DC promotion in order to see a command to promote the machine to a domain controller, namely the Active Directory Domain Service. Domain controllers can be deployed remotely on multiple machines from a single Windows Server 2012 centrally.
During the promotion process, you could note a couple of improvements in Windows Server 2012. First of all, there is a pre-requisite check/validation process that will take place prior to the actual DC promotion process. Secondly, the ADprep.exe is integrated into the dcpromo process now. Just like its predecessors, the default Active Directory database file and the SysVOL folder are at the same default location and you can customize it during the DC promotion process or later using the ntdsutil command.
Undoubtedly Server Manager in Windows Server 2012 has been improved tremendously to support not only local, but multi-machine management. You can install a role or feature on a remote machine as well as on a VHDX. This can be done simultaneously.
For more self-guided learning on other Microsoft products, you can go to http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com.
If you are a travelling user and if enjoy doing some self-guided Windows Server 2012 hands-on labs in an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis, you can try out the Windows Server 2012 virtual labs at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx.