Feed: Windows Server Division WebLog - AggScore: 52.2

Windows Server 8: Standards-Based Storage Management

Take a look at Jeffrey Snover's blog post, Distinguished Engineer and Lead Architect for Window Server, where he discusses standards-based storage management in the next release of Windows Server codenamed "Windows Server 8".

Read Jeffrey's post on the Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform blog.

Storage and Continuous Availability Enhancements in Windows Server 8

Check out Thomas Pfenning's blog post, General Manager Server and Tools, where he discusses the storage and availability enhancements in the next release of Windows Server codenamed "Windows Server 8". 

Read Thomas' post on the Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform blog.

Windows Server 8: An Introduction

Take a look at Bill Laing's blog, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft's Server and Cloud business, to get an overview of the next release of Windows Server codenamed Windows Server 8.

Read Bill's post on the Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform blog.

Customers Reap Benefits from Comprehensive Cloud Approach

Take a look at  Brad Anderson’s, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, perspective on Microsoft’s cloud computing strategy, our private cloud solutions and the economics of those solutions versus VMware.

Click here to read more.

Check out the New Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform Website!

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the new Microsoft Server and Cloud Platformwebsite
(http://www.microsoft.com/server-cloud).  

The new site is a comprehensive source for information relating to our private cloud
and virtualization solutions, as well as other solutions based on Windows
Server, System Center, Forefront and related products.  It is designed to
help connect you to relevant information across Microsoft web destinations,
including TechNet, MSDN, Pinpoint and more - making it a great place to
understand what we offer, why you should consider it and how to get started.

Enjoy the new site and stay tuned to the blog for the latest Server & Cloud
Platform updates!

The Microsoft Path to the Private Cloud Contest - Begins August 30th, 2011!

Your opportunity to win one of two Xbox 360 4GB Kinect Game Console Bundles!

Starting next week on August 30^th at 9:00 a.m. PST, we’re kicking off our
Microsoft Path to the Private Cloud Contest. During the contest you’ll have the
opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of Microsoft virtualization, systems
management and private cloud offerings by being the first to provide the
correct answers to three questions posted daily on the Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform blog.

“Windows Server 8” sneak preview

If you’re in IT you are likely pulled between an almost infinite need for more computing power to deliver business solutions and the ever increasing demands for greater agility, higher efficiency and lower costs.  Fortunately, you can now deliver on these seemingly contradictory demands by leveraging the benefits of cloud computing with our public and private cloud solutions.  And they are only going to get better.

Today we are excited to give you a sneak peek at the next step in private cloud computing by showing you just two of hundreds of new capabilities coming in the next version of Windows Server, internally code-named “Windows Server 8.”

At 36:50 of this online video we demonstrate how Windows Server 8 virtual machines will help you build private clouds of greater scale by supporting (at least…) 16 virtual processors fully loaded with business critical workloads like SQL Server.  Then we show you how you can deliver improved fault tolerance and flexibility, without the added tax or complexity of additional hardware, tools and software licenses, by using the new built-in Hyper-V Replica feature.  All it takes is a few clicks, a network connection and Windows Server 8.

But this is just the beginning!  We’re looking forward to sharing more about Windows Server 8 at Microsoft’s BUILD conference, September 13-16, in Anaheim.

Simplify your customers’ cloud migration planning with MAP 6.0

The next version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit—version 6.0— is now available for free download.

Planning a customer journey to the cloud just got easier. The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 6.0 includes assessment capabilities to evaluate workloads for both public and private cloud platforms. With MAP 6.0, you now have the ability to identify customers’ workloads and estimate the infrastructure size and resources needed for both Windows Azure and Hyper-V Fast Track. Also new to MAP 6.0 is an Office 365 client assessment, enhanced VMware inventory, and Oracle Schema discovery and reporting. Expanded assessment and discovery capabilities from MAP help you simplify planning for your next migration project. Plan what's next with MAP.

New Features and Benefits from MAP 6.0 help you:

• Accelerate private cloud planning with Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track Onboarding.
• Analyze customer’s portfolio of applications for a migration to the Windows Azure Platform.
• Identify migration opportunities with enhanced heterogeneous server environment inventory.
• Assess your client environment for Office 365 readiness.
• Determine readiness for migration to Windows Internet Explorer 9.
• Identify web browser compatibility issues prior to Windows 7 deployment.
• Discover Oracle database schemas for migration to SQL Server.

MAP works with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and Security Compliance Manager to help you plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost. Learn more.

Next steps:

• Download MAP 6.0
• Learn more about the MAP Toolkit
• Send your questions or comments to the MAP Team.

Get the latest tips from Microsoft Solution Accelerators—in 140 characters or less! Follow us on Twitter: @MSSolutionAccel.

And here’s how to stay up-to-date on all the latest Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform news during and after WPC:

• Read our new Server and Cloud Platform blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud/
• “Like” us on our new Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Server.Cloud
• Follow us on Twitter: @MSServerCloud

Thank you.

Microsoft Server & Cloud Platform Team

Take your business to the next level with new partner programs and incentives for private cloud computing

There’s a lot of hype around the evolution of virtualization and management, and the emergence of cloud computing. One thing that everyone can agree upon however is that most customers want to take virtualization and management to the next level by migrating to a cloud infrastructure and are looking to partners to help them decide on the best path to get there. So virtualization and management deliver new business opportunities today, and expansion into cloud computing, specifically private cloud, offers the prospect of even more opportunities in the future. With this in mind, Microsoft is announcing a series of new initiatives designed to aid channel partners in designing effective, profitable business models while working with their customers to stay on top of their datacenter infrastructure and cloud computing needs.

Microsoft Management & Virtualization Competency
Firstly, we are merging together the Systems Management and Virtualization competencies to form a new competency which reflects this continued convergence of management and virtualization and prepares partners to deliver a new breed of Private Cloud solutions. Whether you design, sell, deploy, or consult on server infrastructure, the Microsoft Management & Virtualization competency will help you to expand your role as a trusted advisor, create new business models, and generate new cloud-based revenue streams. Attaining this new competency will provide you with access to relevant resources, tools, and training for Microsoft System Center, virtualization and private cloud technologies and help to grow your business. And reaching Gold competency status will qualify you to earn channel incentives through the Management & Virtualization Solution Incentive Program (SIP) and through Private Cloud, Management and Virtualization Deployment Planning Services (PVDPS). The new Management and Virtualization competency won’t go live until May 2012 but to qualify partners will be required to demonstrate expertise in both Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and System Center. So you’ll have plenty of time to attain any new exam requirements – and with this in mind stop by our booth (# 1221) at WPC to learn about our readiness offer and save at least 20% on virtualization and management training.

Microsoft Solutions Incentives Program (SIP)
The second announcement we are making is an enhancement to the Microsoft Solutions Incentives Program (SIP) which rewards partners that identify and sell solutions that include Microsoft Virtualization, Systems Center and Forefront solutions, as well as associated licensing suites (ECI, SMSD, SMSE). This year we are increasing the size of payouts, so Core Infrastructure partners with a Gold competency, can earn fees up to 30% of the deal size on eligible opportunities. Read the FAQ for partners or contact your Microsoft Partner Account Manager (PAM) to learn more.

Microsoft Private Cloud, Management & Virtualization Deployment Planning Services (PVDPS)
Complementing SIP is our third announcement and a brand new program called the Microsoft Private Cloud, Management & Virtualization Deployment Planning Services (PVDPS). This program helps Software Assurance (SA) customers take advantage of infrastructure solutions based on Windows Server, Systems Center and Hyper-V and can greatly reduce their datacenter costs and increase business agility. Customers can redeem their SA vouchers and receive a structured consulting engagement through partners that have attained a Gold competency in either Virtualization, Systems Management, Server Platform or Identity and Security. To learn more about PVDPS and to register to become a provider, visit the PVDPS website.

Microsoft Sales Specialist Accreditation
Our final announcement is about the Microsoft Sales Specialist accreditation which is designed to help sales professionals strengthen their solution knowledge and gain recognition for solution selling expertise associated with select Microsoft solutions. At WPC we are introducing a new Private Cloud sales accreditation to help professionals communicate the benefits of private cloud computing, help customer overcome obstacles, and position product, technology and licensing requirements to differentiate a Microsoft solution from the competition. Attaining the Private Cloud sales accreditation will not only strengthen your solution knowledge, but help you to move business forward and deliver solutions more quickly – leading to deeper customer relationships and greater revenues. Go to Microsot Sales Specialist website to learn more.

In conclusion if you are not enrolled in the Microsoft Sales Specialist program, if your organization is not active in the Solutions Incentive Program, or if you don’t qualify for Deployment Planning Services, you should consider attaining a Gold Core Infrastructure competency, which can not only help to differentiate your organization in the market but qualify your organization to earn valuable rewards and incentives. You should also start thinking about how you can drive revenue by migrating existing server infrastructure solutions to the cloud, building Hyper-V-based virtualization and System Center into your business practices and service offerings, and looking for ways to engage with Microsoft on joint private cloud opportunities.

I’d be happy to discuss any of your questions if you stop by our Private Cloud and Server Platform lounge at WPC and introduce yourself. Here’s how to stay up-to-date on all the latest Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform news during and after WPC:

• Read our new Server and Cloud Platform blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud/
• “Like” us on our new Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Server.Cloud
• Follow us on Twitter: @MSServerCloud

All the best

Mark Hassall

Director, Partner Marketing, Windows Server & Management Business Group

Microsoft Delivers New Cloud Tools and Solutions at the Worldwide Partner Conference

Cloud computing is as big a transformation, and opportunity, as the technology industry has ever seen. Partners and customers can look to Microsoft for the most comprehensive cloud strategy and offerings, in order to improve their business agility, focus and economics. Today, at the Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft announced tools and solutions to help partners capitalize on the opportunities, as well as examples of partners and customers already finding success.

Read more

Make the Most of Your WPC Experience

The 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is kicking off today, and with over 12,000 attendees expected, it promises to be an exciting event. The Server and Cloud team at Microsoft has been working furiously over the last few months to make this a successful event for our partners. Over the next few days, our team will provide you regular updates about the announcements and events at WPC. As with all WPCs, there’s a lot going on at the event, so we’d like to highlight some locations and events that our core infrastructure partners will find useful.

• Breakout Sessions: You can find a complete list of the Server and Cloud breakout sessions here. Our sessions cover a variety of topics, ranging from the how the Private Cloud can help expand your business, to a preview of the benefits that the upcoming System Center 2012 release can bring to your infrastructure practice. Each session will have partner speakers featured as well, so be sure to add these sessions to your schedule builder!
• Private Cloud and Platform Servers Booth: Please visit our booth (#1221) in the Solutions Innovation Center. In addition to demos of our latest products, you will find some really exciting offerings there:
  • In partnership with Microsoft, Global Knowledge (2011 Learning Partner of the Year) is offering partners who visit our booth a discount of at least 20% off the list price on qualifying Microsoft Virtualization and Systems Center courses across the world.
  • In partnership with Dell and HP, we shall be running live Private Clouds in our booth. Come see a real private cloud in action!
  • Happy Hour with Server and Tools Execs: Join us at the Server and Tools Lounge (located at LACC West near the entrance close to Staples Center) on Monday, July 11^th from 4:30-6:30.
  • Programs and offers: At WPC, we will be announcing a number of new programs for our partners – be sure to ask our team at the Private Cloud booth about:
    • Private Cloud, Management and Virtualization DPS Program (PVDPS) - click here to find out more
    • Changes to our Management and Virtualization Solution Incentive Program (SIP)
    • The Cloud Assessment Tool
    • The MPN Private Cloud Sales Specialist program

Stay up to date with the latest Server and Cloud information! Follow us on twitter (@MSServerCloud) on our blog (http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud) and “Like” us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Server.Cloud) to get access to WPC 2011 previews. And don’t forget tag your own twitter messages with #hyperv and #WPC11

Please remember that this is your event, and we want to hear from you! Please let us know what you liked, and didn’t like, at WPC 2011.We’ll be back over the next few days with many more updates for you.

Varun Chhabra

Partner Marketing, Windows Server and Management Business Group

Headed to WPC? Don't miss this great offer!

Everyone is talking about the Cloud. At next week’s Worldwide Partner Conference, you and 12,000 other partners will be encouraged to take the cloud conversation to the next level from traditional virtualization to cloud-based computing.  As your customer’s trusted advisor, you will best be able to propose solutions when you understand opportunities around private clouds and public clouds.

At WPC 2011, you’ll learn about our Hyper-V based Private Clouds and Windows Azure-based Public Clouds that can be managed by System Center 2012.  Most importantly, you’ll learn how Microsoft can help you ramp up on cloud technologies, generate new revenue streams, and ultimately take your Infrastructure practice to the next level.  

We look forward to seeing you at WPC. Please read on for more event-specific information.

Cheers,

Kevin McCuistion

Director of Partner Marketing, Server and Tools Business

Take Advantage of the Microsoft Virtualization and System Center offer from Global Knowledge

Global Knowledge, 2011 Microsoft Learning Competency Partner of the Year, is offering partners who visit our booth a discount of at least 20% off the list price on qualifying Microsoft Virtualization and Systems Center courses. Make sure to come to our Microsoft Private Cloud and Server Platforms booth #1221 in the Solutions Innovation Center to learn more!

Don’t miss our sessions led by our executives on Tuesday, July 12th.

 Call to Action

• Sign up for Server and Cloud sessions today!
• Visit the Private Cloud and Platform Servers booth (#1221) in the Solution Innovation Center to take advantage of our readiness offer, and to see a Private Cloud solution from HP and Dell in action!
• Join us in the Server and Tools Lounge (located at the entrance to LACC West) for Happy Hour with Top Server and Tools Executives on Monday, July 11th from 4:30 – 5:30pm
• Stay up to date with the latest Server and Cloud information! Follow us on twitter (@MSServerCloud) on our blog (http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud) and “Like” us on Facebook (Facebook.com/Server.Cloud) to get access to WPC 2011 previews. And don’t forget tag your own twitter messages with #hyperv and #WPC11.

Now Available: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 Beta 1

The next version of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) —version 2012— is now available for beta download. To participate in the beta program, register for MDT 2012 Beta 1 at Microsoft Connect.

MDT is the recommended process and toolset to automate large-scale server deployments.  Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012 Beta 1 rides the next wave of System Center releases with support for System Center Configuration Manager 2012. For Lite Touch installations, MDT 2012 Beta 1 improves the overall client-side user experience, while also providing behind-the-scenes enhancements for partitioning, UEFI, and user state migration. These features, combined with many small enhancements, bug fixes, and a smooth and simple upgrade process, make MDT 2012 Beta 1 more reliable and flexible than ever.

Key benefits include:

• Fully leverages the capabilities provided by System Center Configuration Manager 2012 for OS deployment
• Improved Lite Touch user experience and functionality
• A smooth and simple upgrade process for all existing MDT users

 New features include:

For System Center Configuration Manager customers:

• Support for Configuration Manager 2012 (while still supporting Configuration Manager 2007)

For Lite Touch Installation:

• More flexible partitioning
• Enhanced client-side user experience
• Integrated UEFI deployment capabilities
• New “Deploy to VHD” scenario

For all customers:

• Improved user state migration process
• Many small enhancements and bug fixes

Tell the MDT team what you think! To participate in the MDT 2012 Beta 1 program, download and test the tool in your environment and then provide timely feedback and suggestions to the development team. MDT 2012 Beta 1 runs through August 2011. Please submit your feedback through Connect and direct any support questions you may have to satfdbk@microsoft.com. Thank you for taking the time to help improve the MDT product feature and functions. Your time and assistance are much appreciated.

Next steps:

• Join MDT 2012 Beta 1 and tell the MDT team what you think!
• Help spread the word—share the beta invitation link with your friends.
• Send your comments to the MDT Team.
• Learn more about the MDT.

Get the latest tips from Microsoft Solution Accelerators—in 140 characters or less! Follow us on Twitter: @MSSolutionAccel

Microsoft a Leader in x86 Server Virtualization

Great news to share with our Windows Server blog readers - Gartner published the 2011 Magic Quadrant for x86 Server Virtualization Infrastructure, in which Microsoft is listed among the leaders, along with Citrix and VMware.

Microsoft’s Brad Anderson, corporate vice president of the Management & Security Division, discusses how Gartner’s results are changing the conversation with customers on the Cloud Power Blog. Click here to read more!

MAP 6.0 Beta: Plan for private cloud and identify Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V migration opportunities

The next version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit—version 6.0— is now available for free download. To participate, register for the MAP 6.0 Beta Review Program at Microsoft Connect!

MAP 6.0 Beta includes the following new and enhanced features to simplify private cloud planning and migration to Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V:

Accelerate planning to private cloud with Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track Onboarding.
Planning your private cloud just got easier.  Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track Onboarding, a new assessment available with MAP 6.0 Beta, provides consolidation guidance and validated configurations with preconfigured Hyper-V Fast Track Infrastructures including computing power, network and storage architectures.  Get a quick analysis of server consolidation on Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track Infrastructures to help accelerate your planning of P2V migration to Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track.  Each assessment also provides guidance on next steps forward using Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track.

Identify migration opportunities with heterogeneous server environment inventory.
MAP has expanded its heterogeneous server environment inventory to include VMware Server, vSphere and VMware vCenter.  Inventory and reporting on the number of servers and guests deployed and managed by VMware infrastructure helps you identify migration opportunities and accelerates the migration planning process.  SQL, SharePoint and Exchange run better on Hyper-V, so MAP 6.0 Beta has the added capability of identifying Microsoft workloads deployed on VMware guests.

MAP includes planning and assessment features for a variety of Microsoft products.  In addition to the private cloud and Hyper-V planning features, be sure to test drive the other new features and benefits from MAP 6.0 Beta to help you:

• Analyze your portfolio of applications for a move to the Windows Azure Platform
• Assess your client environment for Office 365 readiness
• Determine readiness for migration to Windows Internet Explorer 9
• Identify web browser compatibility issues prior to Windows 7 deployment
• Discover Oracle database schemas for migration to SQL Server

MAP works with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and Security Compliance Manager to help you plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost. Learn more. 

Next steps:

• Join the MAP 6.0 Beta Review Program and tell the MAP team what you think!
• Learn more about the MAP Toolkit.
• Send your questions or comments to the MAP Team.

Get the latest tips from Microsoft Solution Accelerators—in 140 characters or less! Follow us on Twitter: @MSSolutionAccel.