TechNet Flash - Volume 15, Issue 27: December 4, 2013
Top News Worldwide
Top 10 enterprise threats... and what you can do to protect your environment
Free ebook: Cloud management with System Center 2012 R2 App Controller
Get a free exam voucher and no-cost training for the new virtualization certification
Top Downloads
System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
Get Microsoft Cloud OS products and services alerts
Your Featured Content
Bring your own device: A drama-free approach to BYOD and consumerization in the enterprise
Consumerization isn’t just about devices. It’s about happy people, a flexible IT environment, secure data, and cost savings. Here’s a look at people-centric IT and how you can make BYOD a reality without the drama that often comes with it. Also read how to empower people-centric IT.
Curah! Curate the web and share what you know
Searching for reliable technical information can be challenging. And finding the right place to share your expertise can also be difficult. S. Somasegar explains how a new service from Microsoft addresses these challenges, providing a platform for sharing and discovering great content.
Register now for a free online Virtualization IT Camp (December 11)
Attend a free, online workshop for VMware IT pros and expand your virtualization skills on December 11. Seasoned experts will demonstrate key scenarios and cover equivalent technologies from Microsoft and VMware. This is a completely virtual event, so you’ll get comprehensive training right from your favorite connected device. Register today.
Virtualization: Did you know...
Kevin Remde and Varun Chhabra kick off a three-part “Virtualization: Did you know…” series that will discuss facts and facets of Microsoft’s virtualization solution that you probably don’t know about if you are currently using a different virtualization platform.
Free MVA course: Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Management and Automation
Learn to create a more efficient work environment through management and automation within Windows Server 2012 R2. The course explores new management capabilities, updates to Windows PowerShell, deployment options and methods, and multiserver management.
New video: What’s Inside the Modern Data Warehouse
With data volumes exploding by 10x every five years, and much of this growth coming from new data types, data warehousing is at a tipping point. Learn how to evolve your data warehouse infrastructure to support variety, volume, and velocity of data. Learn more.
What hardware is compatible with Hyper-V?
With the release of Windows Server 2012 R2, you probably want to ensure you are deploying to certified hardware. One question that has been asked since the very first internal build of Hyper-V has been “How do I know what hardware is compatible with Hyper-V?” There is an easy way to find what hardware is compatible – just go to the Windows Server Catalog and choose the appropriate OS version.
Why businesses still need help managing explosive data growth
One of Microsoft’s most successful corporate acquisitions to date is a company that does nothing but manage the huge growth of data for customers.
Ramp up on Windows Server 2012 R2 with free training on MVA
New courses from Microsoft Virtual Academy will help you understand the capabilities of Windows Server 2012 R2 and how you can put them to use in your data center. View all the Windows Server 2012 courses on MVA and sort them to find the most recent.
Download: Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 9.0 Beta is now available
We are excited to announce the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 9.0 beta is now available for download. This release increases the agility and cost effectiveness of deploying the latest Microsoft technologies. It also enhances usage tracking to include accounting for Remote Desktop Services as well as Server and Cloud Enrollment licensed deployments.
Prevent attacks: Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)4.1 is now available
The Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) 4.1 is designed to help prevent attackers from gaining access to computer systems. EMET anticipates the most common techniques attackers are likely to use to exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and helps protect your environment by diverting, terminating, blocking, and invalidating those actions and techniques.
Windows Server 2012 R2: Access and Information Protection
The world of bring-your-own devices (BYOD) provides flexible and low-cost solutions for IT and business users. But at the same time, it can present IT pros and admins with serious challenges in securing the infrastructure. In this free MVA course, you will learn how Windows Server 2012 R2 helps you provision, manage, and secure devices while creating a seamless experience for users.
Ransomware on the rise: Ways to protect yourself and your business
Small- and medium-sized businesses should be aware of this potential threat and take precautions to defend against this type of attack. Otherwise, attackers could successfully lock your business out of its systems or encrypt important files. Here’s what you need to know.
Top solutions for the most common problems
Need a quick solution to a common problem?This TechNet blog gathers the top Microsoft Support solutions to the most common issues experienced with various Microsoft technologies. Get answers to problems with Exchange Server, System Center, Windows Server, SQL Server, and more.
TechNet Radio: What’s New in SMB for Windows Server 2012 R2
Dan Stolts welcomes Jose Barreto to the show to discuss what’s new in Server Message Block (SMB) for Windows Server 2012 R2. They chat about the new features and functionality for SMB and how these improvements will affect your datacenter.
Gartner analyzes Hyper-V and vSphere
A recent report by Gartner discusses the evolution of the server virtualization market and advises clients what to consider when choosing the best offering. Gartner calls out three key areas: acquisition costs, ease of management, and functionality. Find out more.
Training and Books
Ramp up on Windows Server 2012 R2 with free training on MVA
New courses from Microsoft Virtual Academy will help you understand the capabilities of Windows Server 2012 R2 and how you can put them to use in your data center. View all the Windows Server 2012 courses on MVA and sort them to find the most recent.
Windows Server 2012 R2: Access and Information Protection
The world of bring-your-own devices (BYOD) provides flexible and low-cost solutions for IT and business users. But at the same time, it can present IT pros and admins with serious challenges in securing the infrastructure. In this free MVA course, you will learn how Windows Server 2012 R2 helps you provision, manage, and secure devices while creating a seamless experience for users.
Free MVA course: Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Management and Automation
Learn to create a more efficient work environment through management and automation within Windows Server 2012 R2. The course explores new management capabilities, updates to Windows PowerShell, deployment options and methods, and multiserver management.
Save 25% and upgrade your certification to MCSA: SQL Server 2012
Microsoft certifications validate the breadth and depth of your skills. The MCSA: SQL Server 2012 certification shows you have the knowledge and skills necessary to administer SQL Server 2012 databases. If you are already certified on SQL Server 2008, you can save 25 percent on exams 70-457 and 70-458, plus get free exam retakes to earn the MCSA: SQL Server 2012. Once you are ready, take a few more exams to upgrade to an MCSE: Data Platform or Business Intelligence certification. Don’t miss out on this offer to purchase your MCSA: SQL Server 2012 upgrade exams today.
Events
Free online Virtualization IT Camp for VMware pros on December 11
Attend a free, online workshop for VMware IT pros and expand your virtualization skills on December 11. Seasoned experts will demonstrate key scenarios and cover equivalent technologies from Microsoft and VMware. This is a completely virtual event, so you’ll get comprehensive training right from your favorite connected device. Register now.
Free webinar: Advance your skill set with professional development opportunities on December 12
For educators and academic institution staff, staying ahead of the technology curve is critical for keeping lessons current and compelling. In this webinar from Microsoft IT Academy, find out how educators within the community are advancing their skills and discover free professional development resources and tools that can help. Attend this virtual event on December 12 and get access to the series of previous on-demand events. To get started, register today.