by STB Blogger

Microsoft is pleased to announce the beta of System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1), which offers integrated solutions for datacenter, cloud and client management.  The SP1 is now available for download and evaluation on the Microsoft Download Center.  

For datacenter and cloud management, SP1 enables all System Center components to run on and manage Windows Server 2012, complementing the enhanced features and functionality of the newly released cloud-optimized OS.  The improved capabilities include:

  • Software defined networking
  • Hybrid cloud management across private, public and hosted clouds
  • Windows Azure virtual machines management
  • Additional heterogeneous support for hypervisors and Linux distributions
  • Enhanced backup and recovery options
  • Service provider foundation API enabling programmatic control for Hosters
  • Global Service Monitor for 360 degree application monitoring

To learn more about these cloud and datacenter capabilities, we encourage you to read the blog post on the Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform blog.

 

For client management, System Center 2012 SP1 beta provides new management capabilities in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, including:

  • Deployment and management of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Azure-based Distribution Points to help reduce infrastructure costs
  • Automation of administrative tasks through PowerShell support
  • Management of Mac OS X clients and Linux and UNIX servers

Also, with System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Service Pack 1 and the next version of Windows Intune, Microsoft is taking the first step in delivering interoperability between these products through Configuration Manager’s administration console. This will enable customers to add mobile devices managed through the cloud with Windows Intune into their System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Service Pack 1 console and manage all the devices through one tool - including Windows Phone 8 and Windows RT devices.

Additionally, to help organizations benefit from our Windows Intune and Configuration Manager 2012 SP1 solution for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and other device management scenarios, Microsoft is adjusting the licensing for Windows Intune, shifting from a per-device to a per-user licensing model and providing improved licensing integration with System Center Configuration Manager and existing Core CAL subscriptions.

To learn more about these new offerings, see the blog post on Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform blog.