I just kicked off the first of several Northern California IT Camps yesterday and the registration for my next three events are packed full. I wish is wasn't so I could invite you to attend.
Most people have enjoyed the hands on labs but often want more time to "kick the tires" or want to share the experience with colleagues back in the office. We can't really extend the access to the system since it's gets recycled each event, but my friend and IT Pro Evangelist colleague, Kevin Remde, has taken the time to break down exactly how you can build a lab yourself, on ONE BOX. (That box does need to have at least 16GB of RAM and at least
200GB of free disk space.)
Then you can take your lab manual from class and run through it again, or test out whatever you need to test that fits your organization. Kevin has everything you need except the setup to do patching from WSUS. Say hello to my own next side project, because doing this looks like fun!
If you did happen to join me yesterday and want access to slides and other resources from the day, please visit my resources page in the navigation on the right.
Also, if you want to learn more about Hyper-V, check out this introductory JumpStart from Microsoft Virtual Academy.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
A Week of Azure? Sounds Good To Me!
If you've been wanting to learn more about Azure, don't miss out Azure Week at the Microsoft Virtual Academy. Every day during the week of January 27th through the 31st, a different Azure topic will be covered.
If you just want a quick primer on some Azure concepts, check out my Pieces of Azure mini-series:
- Monday: Overview Day - Get Started with Windows Azure Today Jump Start
- Tuesday: Architecture Day - Designing Applications for Windows Azure Jump Start
- Wednesday: Developer Day - Building Windows Azure Applications Jump Start
- Thursday: Infrastructure Day - Windows Azure IaaS Deep Dive Jump Start
- Friday: Mobile Services Day - Mobile Apps to IoT: Connected Devices with Windows Azure
If you just want a quick primer on some Azure concepts, check out my Pieces of Azure mini-series:
- Cloud Services and VMs
- Virtual Networks and DHCP
- Input Endpoints
- Affinity Groups and Availability Sets
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Microsoft Top Support Issues: A Compilation
I know sometimes when I troubleshoot server issues, I feel like my issue is one of a kind. A special server snowflake. Though probably it isn’t.
Ever wonder what the most common support issues handled by Microsoft are?
Enjoy perusing the Top Support Solutions Blog! This might just save you some time when you are faced with that next head scratcher. Some of the product lines included (so far) are:
There is even a Quick Start for upgrading Domain Controllers in domains with servers older than Server 2008.
This is the repository of tidbits that you are looking for. I started this blog as a place I could collect handy information for myself. I can now sleep peacefully at night knowing there’s something even better.
Go forth and troubleshoot!
Ever wonder what the most common support issues handled by Microsoft are?
Enjoy perusing the Top Support Solutions Blog! This might just save you some time when you are faced with that next head scratcher. Some of the product lines included (so far) are:
- Exchange
- Windows Server
- Windows 8
- Lync
- System Center
- SharePoint
- SQL Server
There is even a Quick Start for upgrading Domain Controllers in domains with servers older than Server 2008.
This is the repository of tidbits that you are looking for. I started this blog as a place I could collect handy information for myself. I can now sleep peacefully at night knowing there’s something even better.
Go forth and troubleshoot!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
TechNet Radio: Building Your Hybrid Cloud - Managing Cloud Foundations with Windows Server 2012 R2
In this TechNet Radio podcast, I join my friend and colleague, Keith Mayer, for the fourth part in his “Building Your Hybrid Cloud” Series. We walk through managing cloud foundations with Windows Server 2012 R2. Tune in as we drill down into what management tools are available as well as introduce the new features found in PowerShell 4.0.
Don’t forget to check out the podcasts from earlier in the series, too.
- [1:33] Series Review
- [4:53] Review What’s New in Windows Server 2012 R2
- [5:10] Overview of Management Capabilities in 2012 R2
- [8:05] DEMO: Server Manager 20-12 R2
- [16:13] Using PowerShell to manage the Data Abstraction Layer (DAL)
- [19:08] DEMO: DAL PowerShell cmdlets for managing remote servers via BMC’s
- [24:04] Desired State Configuration (DSC)
- [27:50] DEMO: Walk-through DSC Configuration
- [36:58] Other PowerShell 4.0 Enhancements
Don’t forget to check out the podcasts from earlier in the series, too.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Be Part of Microsoft's Customer Research Team for the Cloud!
Microsoft Windows Server and Systems Center Customer Research team is looking for ITPros to participate on an IT Pro panel about virtualization. If you are experienced with virtualization and cloud technologies, this is your chance to share your opinions with Microsoft.
As a member of the panel, you will have the opportunity to provide vision and feedback to the Cloud and Data Center Management Product team through surveys, focus groups, usability sessions, early design concept reviews, and customer interviews.
The research team is looking for very specific expertise profiles. Use of Microsoft products IS NOT required. To help identify if you qualify, start by completing a short survey.
Please note, this is only for customers located in the US but there is work toward extending to an international audience soon. Once again, you DO NOT have to use Microsoft products to participate.
Interested? Want to learn more? Click to access the survey.
As a member of the panel, you will have the opportunity to provide vision and feedback to the Cloud and Data Center Management Product team through surveys, focus groups, usability sessions, early design concept reviews, and customer interviews.
The research team is looking for very specific expertise profiles. Use of Microsoft products IS NOT required. To help identify if you qualify, start by completing a short survey.
Please note, this is only for customers located in the US but there is work toward extending to an international audience soon. Once again, you DO NOT have to use Microsoft products to participate.
Interested? Want to learn more? Click to access the survey.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
The Fate of My Dell Venue Pro 8
I’m happy to report that all is well in Dell Venue land, despite a few hoops that needed jumping. I did receive my replacement device quickly and it was easy to reuse the package for returning the broken one.
However, there was NOT a return slip included in the box as I had been told to expect, so that required another communication with the support group to have that issued and I returned it about halfway through the 10-day grace period.
I think UPS is still recovering from their holiday shipping overage, as several days later I got an auto-call from Dell asking where the return was. When I checked the tracking number, the package was still en-route. Hopefully, it has arrived by now and that will be the last of this saga.
I do have to say that my father LOVES the size and form factor. I might have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t leave with him after their holiday visit ends.
Speaking of touch devices... do you ever wish you had the accuracy you can get with trackpad right on the screen? Check out this interesting app for Windows 8.1 - the TouchMousePointer.
However, there was NOT a return slip included in the box as I had been told to expect, so that required another communication with the support group to have that issued and I returned it about halfway through the 10-day grace period.
I think UPS is still recovering from their holiday shipping overage, as several days later I got an auto-call from Dell asking where the return was. When I checked the tracking number, the package was still en-route. Hopefully, it has arrived by now and that will be the last of this saga.
I do have to say that my father LOVES the size and form factor. I might have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t leave with him after their holiday visit ends.
Speaking of touch devices... do you ever wish you had the accuracy you can get with trackpad right on the screen? Check out this interesting app for Windows 8.1 - the TouchMousePointer.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Water Bottles? What to do? What to do?
I was doing a little New Year house cleaning and realized I have way more reusable water bottles collected from conferences over the years than I can really use. I doubt there is a market for used water bottles, so I haven’t figured out what to do with all of them, but I did have an idea that would be great for future conference planners. (You heard it here first!)
Instead of giving out NEW bottles at every event, like TechEd, invite attendees to bring a previous conference water bottle and when they show it at registration, they get an entry into a special drawing for something cool.
Maybe give bonus entries for bringing a bottle from a competing conference or one that shows you are a committed alumni - 3 years prior or older maybe?
Speaking of conferences, are you attending TechEd 2014 in Texas? Registration is open! Any other conferences on your calendar?
Instead of giving out NEW bottles at every event, like TechEd, invite attendees to bring a previous conference water bottle and when they show it at registration, they get an entry into a special drawing for something cool.
Maybe give bonus entries for bringing a bottle from a competing conference or one that shows you are a committed alumni - 3 years prior or older maybe?
Speaking of conferences, are you attending TechEd 2014 in Texas? Registration is open! Any other conferences on your calendar?
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