One of the more common workloads the cloud handles fantastically is for your web service. Whether you want to have your website external or internal facing using Azure web services can help to alleviate the workload on your local infrastructure. The web could even help alleviate even some of the workload...

This just in… The demand has been so great for more information about using Windows Azure Infrastructure Services as an extension of your datacenter and IT Operations, that we’ve decided to schedule a few more FREE events to close out the end of our fiscal year here in Central Region Microsoft US DPE...

TechEd 2013 North America will take place June 3-6 in New Orleans. TechEd is Microsoft’s premiere conference for IT Professionals and Enterprise Developers, offering the most comprehensive technical education across Microsoft's products, solutions, tools, and services. I have had the privilege...

Another great month and another great series.  This month we are going to be talking about Windows Azure IaaS .  As many you may know on April 16th 2013, the Windows Azure team announced that Windows Azure Infrastructure Services (Virtual Machines and Virtual Networks ) was released for General...

Being able to protect your Private cloud is one of the more important things you can do. With so many moving parts how do you approach this. If you are leveraging System Center 2012 for the many other components of your infrastructure, than I would highly recommend you look at Data Protection Manager...

In Part 3 of the Windows Azure IaaS series I discuss with Keith Mayer common scenarios in which IT Pros may use Windows Azure as a hybrid solution between their on-premise and cloud service needs. Tune in as we discuss disaster recovery and storage as well as how to migrate your SharePoint environment...

Build your very own Virtual Network in the Cloud for FREE with the Windows Azure cloud platform, and Enter for a chance to win one of the following fantastic prizes: One Grand Prize: Ticket to TechEd 2013 North America in New Orleans, LA ( $2,195 retail value ) PLUS a $500 VISA Gift Card. Two...

To download a copy of a slide deck: Click on the bottom right of the PowerPoint to “View full-size presentation” In the new browser window go to the menu and click File –> Download a copy Session 1: System Center 2012 SP1 and Azure IaaS Overview Session 2: Upgrade To Windows Server 2012 Session 3...

As IT Pros, we absolutely love building with new technology! In February, my fellow IT Pro Technical Evangelists and I have been worked together on an article series for Migration and Deployment of Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows Azure and System Center 2012 SP1 to help get you started. Here...

Hey Everyone I wanted to share with you some conferences coming up soon.  If you are not familiar with TechMentor, it is a great conference for IT Pros.  TechMentor delivers independent, unbiased, and immediately-usable training to IT professionals. Leveraging highly-respected and professional...

Here is the latest info on the Microsoft IT Camp series as we dive into how to get your datacenter ready for the cloud and beyond. Join us at a FREE Microsoft IT Camp for hands-on labs, demos, and interactive discussions with Microsoft technical experts. Here’s your chance to learn more about...

Here are all the parts of the series for Windows Server 2012 virtualization. Remember to take a look at Hyper-V server: Try Hyper-V Server or Windows Server 2012: Try Windows Server 2012 The Hyper-V Primer – 20+ Days of Server Virtualization You Want to Hot-Add What?! - 20+ Days of Server...

Good afternoon everyone!  As I announced last Friday we are delivering another series this month in February.  Well the first 3 posts are live and are listed below: Part 1 Upgrade and Migration: Requirements for a fresh install of Windows 8 :  In this part Harold , takes a great look at...

This year Keith Mayer and all the other ITE are working on a great program called Early Experts.  You can learn more about the program here: Windows Server 2012 "Early Experts" Challenge   Well Keith just launched another Knowledge quest:  the Cloud Quest.    This quest...

Whether you build apps or support the infrastructure that runs the apps, the cloud can be a really big place. For some, it’s a natural evolution for their application and infrastructure to embrace the power and scale of the cloud. For others, it’s a journey that has to begin with a single step. Windows...

Today we welcome Blain to the series and he takes you step by step on how to set up SQL in Windows Azure .  Very informative article and he takes a look at some of other details of setting up a sample database.  Take a look at his post here: Part 22 of 31 - Using your own SQL Server in Windows...

Want to go to MMS on Microsoft’s dime?  Want a chance to win free stuff?, Want to have your knowledge tested?  Then take on the: Microsoft Trivia Challenge!   How does it work? Download. Play. Win.  Go here to sign up: Microsoft Trivia Challenge   between January 15, 2013 through...

In todays part Dan takes a look at the costs behind Windows Azure .  He does a fantastic job of showing what the different costs that are associated with Windows Azure, even more importantly he takes a look at the calculator and how you can get a great estimate of the costs.  Take a look at...

Setting up your trial account in Windows Azure can be very easy to do. If you have not yet, you can visit http://aka.ms/GetAzureIaaS to get started. In part 2 and part 3 Tommy showed you how easy it is to get rolling in the cloud with your virtual systems from getting your Virtual Machines started to...

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.  You might think when you are creating your Windows Azure Virtual Machines, the only choice you would have is Windows Server technologies.  You actually have quite a few to choose, from Windows Server, to Linux, to your own images.  You have plenty of choices...

Welcome to part 2 of the series where Tommy takes a look at how to get started with Windows Azure IaaS.  He does a great job of taking you through the process of getting your lab up and running in the cloud.  Take a look at the post here: 31 Days of Servers in the Cloud – Building Free Lab...

For the second year, Catapult Systems is thrilled to announce the return of System Center Universe 2013 …this year with more galaxies!  Last year’s event focused on the System Center 2012 release.  This year’s event will offer usage based scenarios and presentations covering System Center 2012...

One of my good friends Brian Lewis and teammates has written his first Windows Phone App.  The app will allow you to quickly catch up on all the IT Pro Blog articles., even my own.  Check it out here: http://mythoughtsonit.com/2012/12/free-us-it-pro-blog-reader-for-windows-phone/

The Windows Server 2012 "Early Experts" Challenge provides a FREE online study group with certification exam preparation materials for quickly learning about the latest version of Windows Server! The Challenge involves a series of Knowledge Quests - starting with the Apprentice Quest below - and each...

You could win a FREE exam voucher pack for the MCSA on Windows Server 2012 certification! In December 2012, we are sponsoring an “Early Experts” Challenge Sweepstakes for IT Pros located in the US!  To be eligible, you’ll just need to complete one new Knowledge Quest on Windows Server 2012 between...