PDC2009 Prep Guide For Server Guys+Gals – Windows Server 2008 R2

This post focuses on a series of select sessions closely related to the Windows Server platform. Read all related posts.

The post highlights selected sessions and gives guidance on what to read or which website to check out to make the most out of your visit to PDC2009.

Certainly not complete but something to get you started.

Windows Server 2008 R2 sessions @PDC2009

A Computing Platform That Scales

See how Windows Server 2008 R2 represents the latest evolution of the Windows Server operating system and supports high-end hardware systems with large numbers of microprocessors.  Learn how new Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) and User-Mode Scheduling (UMS) API's effectively enable application developers to "minimize contention and maximize locality" of system resources relative to thread execution contexts. See how these new platform capabilities are extended via libraries such as the C++ Concurrency Runtime and the .NET Parallel Extensions along with complementary tools support within Visual Studio 2010.

Resources:

Developing Applications for Scale-Up Servers Running Windows Server 2008 R2

Hear about Windows 2008 R2 features including enhanced support of Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) computer architectures, along with User Mode Scheduling (UMS) and support for up to 256 logical processors (LPs). Learn how UMS enables custom thread-level scheduling within your own application. See how new extended affinity APIs unlock the ability to address more than 64 LPs, and how NUMA APIs ensure that your application performs optimally on increasingly complex topologies. Learn why developers will want to ensure their applications scale well on this new generation of high-performance commodity systems.

Resources:

Improving Application Compatibility and Quality for Windows Server 2008 R2

Come learn how to develop Windows Server 2008 R2 applications for compatibility, readiness, and quality. Hear about our free downloadable test tools and other resources to help you perform a quick compatibility self-test. Also learn about changes to the internal implementation of APIs and kernel enhancements to support improvements in virtualization, scalability, and networking. Take advantage of expert advice for ISVs and IT Pros to help improve your application development, deployment, and performance on Windows Server 2008 R2.

Resources:

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Kernel Changes

Come explore beneath the hood of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and learn about the key changes in the kernel. Topics include: scalability improvements, security improvements, power efficiency enhancements, core architecture changes to modularize Windows, and much more.

Resources:

Using Classification for Data Security and Data Management

Learn how File Classification Infrastructure (FCI) helps developers build innovative security and data management solutions that integrate with Windows Server. See how the new classification capabilities can be leveraged by a range of products including information leakage prevention products, backup, archival and workflow management. Also see how ISVs can leverage classification to deliver compelling end-to-end solutions.

Resources: