TechNet Flash - Volume 15, Issue 9: April 17, 2013
Top News Worldwide
Try the new Windows Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) update
Six demos from the Microsoft Management Summit 2013 keynote
Cloud challenge: Your chance to win a Surface Pro or free pass to TechEd 2013
Technet Sponsors: Certification Camps, and Veeam Software
• Register to win a free Microsoft Certification Bootcamp
• Best free tool for Hyper-V backup
Editor's Note
TechNet Flash Editor
There has been a lot of talk about Windows Azure over the last couple weeks. At the Microsoft Management Summit 2013, Brad Anderson (Corporate Vice President, Windows Server & System Center) highlighted a number of Windows Azure capabilities in his keynote speech; Windows Azure Active Directory was recently made available for general use; and the new update to Windows Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) was just announced. So it should be no surprise that this edition of TechNet Flash has a fair amount of Azure-related content.Read more
Your Featured Content
MVA Live Q&A: Microsoft's approach to virtualization
On April 3, Microsoft Virtual Academy hosted a live Q&A that featured virtualization experts Symon Perriman and Jeff Woolsey answering technical questions about Microsoft's approach to virtualization. In case you missed the live event, this recording is now available. It provides a great follow-up to the Introduction to Hyper-V Jump Start course which introduces Hyper-V infrastructure, storage and management, Hyper-V high availability, and much more.
New white paper: Manage Windows 7 and Windows 8 side-by-side
Are you preparing to roll out Windows 8 in your environment? This white paper discusses the planning, application compatibility, imaging, security, and backend system considerations the Microsoft IT team faced when managing desktop and laptop machines running Windows 8 and Windows 7 within the same network. Many of the techniques in this paper can help other companies streamline their side-by-side client system management processes and ease their transition to Windows 8.
New release: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) 2013
The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) 2013 is now available for download. Find out about the latest version of MDOP, which brings Windows 8 compatibility and a host of options for streamlining the deployment and management of Windows features.
System Center 2012 SP1 enhancements & Windows Azure Services for Windows Server
Harold Wong welcomes Sr. Marketing Manager John Allwright to the show for a discussion about the latest enhancements made to System Center 2012 SP1 and the new capabilities found within Windows Azure Services for Windows Server. Tune in as they chat about Virtual Networking, Global Service Monitor, and the Service Provider Foundation API. Sign in with your Windows Account to evaluate System Center 2012 SP1 and try Windows Azure free for 90 days.
Extend your private cloud with Windows Azure virtual networks
This step-by-step guide will help you configure a Windows Azure virtual network, giving you the power to choose where applications are hosted based on the network, storage, security, and internet requirements of each application. Be sure to check out the free Windows Azure 90-day trial.
New Virtual Lab: Windows Server 2012 storage spaces and deduplication
How do you create a Storage Pool, add additional physical disks to a Storage Pool, and implement data deduplication on an existing Storage Pool? Learn how with a free, hands-on virtual lab. And download a trial of Windows Server 2012 today.
Build your own private cloud in just one month
Throughout the month, Keith Mayer is publishing a series of articles that guide you through the process of building your very own Private Cloud. You'll discover how you can leverage your existing data center infrastructure along with System Center 2012 SP1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to do so. Get the free Windows Azure 90-day trial now.
New Office Garage Series: Office configuration, management, and High-G aerobatics
Hosts Jeremy Chapman and Yoni Kirsh kick off the first in a three-part series about managing your Office configuration with Group Policy, XML configuration files, and the Office customization tool. Watch as they also reveal the second XStream install of the season: installing Microsoft Office while performing high-G Aerobatics.
Hands-on Lab Online: Intro to Windows Azure virtual machines (Linux)
On April 25, Technical Evangelist Keith Mayer will lead this Hands-on Lab Online (HOLO) training session where he'll discuss how you can leverage the Windows Azure cloud platform to build VMs and Virtual Networks in the cloud. After the presentation, Keith will be available to assist as you work through lab exercises. Be sure to sign in to download the free Windows Azure 90-day trial for the hands-on portion of this training.
Now on MVA: Tuning SQL Server 2012 for SharePoint 2013
Senior Product Marketing Manager Bill Baer and MicroTechPoint CEO & Founder Brian Alderman deliver an engaging Jump Start course that is full of enlightening demos. The course, which is available on demand, covers best practices and techniques to help IT pros improve SharePoint performance, availability, and security with SQL Server.
TechNet Radio: Upgrading to Exchange 2013 and coexistence
Ann Vu and Brian Day host Exchange Ideas where they discuss how to upgrade to Exchange Server 2013. They walk you through some simple steps to help transition your environment from Exchange 2007 or 2010 and explain how you can manage your environment after Exchange 2013 has been set up.
SQL Server 2012 Common Criteria certification
Microsoft recently received the Common Criteria (CC) certificate for SQL Server 2012 SP1 Enterprise Edition x64. Find out what this means.
Now available: Exchange Server 2013 RTM Cumulative Update 1
Exchange Server 2013 RTM Cumulative Update 1 (CU1) is now available for immediate download. Get an overview of what's new and how you can deploy the cumulative update.
Training and Books
MVA Live Q&A: Microsoft’s approach to virtualization
On April 3rd, Microsoft Virtual Academy hosted a live Q&A that featured virtualization experts Symon Perriman and Jeff Woolsey answering technical questions about Microsoft's approach to virtualization. In case you missed the live event, this recording is now available. It provides a great follow-up to the Introduction to Hyper-V Jump Start course which introduces Hyper-V infrastructure, storage and management, Hyper-V high availability, and much more.
Now on MVA: Tuning SQL Server 2012 for SharePoint 2013
Senior Product Marketing Manager Bill Baer and MicroTechPoint CEO and Founder Brian Alderman deliver an engaging Jump Start course that is full of enlightening demos. The course, which is available on-demand, covers best practices and techniques to help IT pros improve SharePoint performance, availability, and security with SQL Server.
Events
Hands-on Lab Online: Intro to Windows Azure virtual machines (Linux)
On April 25, Technical Evangelist Keith Mayer will lead this Hands-on Lab Online (HOLO) training session where he’ll discuss how you can leverage the Windows Azure cloud platform to build VMs and Virtual Networks in the cloud. After the presentation, Keith will be available to assist as you work through lab exercises. Be sure to sign in to download the free Windows Azure 90-day trial for the hands-on portion of this training.
New dates added for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Azure IaaS IT Camps
Missed an IT Camp in your area? Microsoft and New Horizons are hosting additional IT Camps in cities across the U.S. Join us for a free 1-day event to experience Windows Server 2012 and Windows Azure IaaS in action.