Hybrid Cloud – The Three Part Series

Looking for more ways to learn about how the “cloud” is changing the IT industry?

Then join Microsoft Technical Fellow Mark Russinovich and Microsoft Corporate Vice President Brad Anderson, for a three part Hybrid Cloud series. Learn more about what the emergence of cloud means for your IT strategy and how Microsoft is driving innovation as we create more options for customers to extend from the datacenter to the cloud.

Episode 1 covers the basics of hybrid cloud including Microsoft’s definition of the hybrid cloud, its key benefits, and how hybrid cloud solutions will evolve with broader trends in the IT industry. Get the background you need to understand what “hybrid” means today. Available on-demand: https://info.windowsazure.com/April2014_Hybrid_Cloud_Series_Episode_One_Register.html

Episode 2 focuses on how hybrid options are changing the way companies approach IT infrastructure. New capabilities mean new opportunities, and we’ll look at concrete examples of how you can make hybrid part of your toolkit. Rethink the basics and learn what’s new. Available June 23, with live Q&A from Mark and Brad: https://info.windowsazure.com/May2014HybridCloudSeries-EpisodeTwo_Registration.html

Episode 3 features an in-depth discussion of infrastructure modernization. As you upgrade from Windows Server 2003, how should you think about hybrid options? How can cloud help you create a more agile infrastructure? Hear from our experts about how to make this transition work for you. Airs July 17, 2014, with live Q&A from Mark & Brad. Registration info coming soon!

Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud – Part 4 on TechNet Radio!

About this Video:

In Part 4 of the “Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud” series on TechNet Radio, Keith Mayerwelcomes Developer Technology Solutions Specialist Jeff Fattic to the show as they discuss source control in the cloud with the help of Microsoft Azure and Visual Studio Online.

[1:48] What is Visual Studio Online?
[2:32] Is Visual Studio Online only for Developers, or does it provide value to IT Pros as well?
[3:08] What’s the difference between Visual Studio Online and TFS?
[4:28] How can Visual Studio Online be leveraged with Microsoft Azure to help accelerate projects?
[7:08] How is Github different than Visual Studio Online? Are there advantages for Enterprises to use Visual Studio Online vs. Github?
[9:52] What’s the single most exciting capability for you about Visual Studio Online?
[11:47] How can IT Organizations best get started with Visual Studio Online? Where can they go to learn more about Visual Studio Online?
[12:05] DEMO: Visual Studio Online in action

Check out the full series of posts and videos at http://aka.ms/DevOpsInTheCloud!

Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud – Part 3 on TechNet Radio!

In Part 3 of the “Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud” series on TechNet Radio, Blain Barton and Keith Mayer turn the conversation towards enabling self-service on demand Developer environments in the cloud. Learn how you can use Microsoft Azure along with System Center 2012 R2 App Controller and the Azure Pack to increase work efficiency across your organization.

[1:16] It seems like Dev and Test environments have been a key workload that organizations are considering for the Cloud. What do you think makes Dev/Test so attractive for the Cloud?
[3:44] What’s the best way to consider licensing my Developers for provisioning Dev/Test workloads on Azure?
[5:44] $150/mo sounds like a great starting point, but realistically how much can a Developer really do in Azure for $150 / mo?
[8:04] I’m concerned about my developers spinning up their Azure MSDN subscriptions using individual Microsoft accounts. Can I somehow link these to my organization and Active Directory?
[9:39] You mentioned that MSDN includes special prebuilt images for Azure? What do these images provide?
[11:50] If I’m using my own custom developer images in my environment, can I upload these to Azure for my developers to leverage?
[13:50] Lots of organizations have workloads that span on-premises and, potentially, public cloud … Does Azure provide the ability to integrate with on-premises datacenter management?
[16:50] DEMO: Azure Management Portal, System Center 2012 R2 App Controller, Azure Pack

Have you missed on the series so far? Looking for the previous TechNet Radio episodes? Find it all here!

Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud – Part 2 on TechNet Radio

Tune in with Matt Hester and Keith Mayer continue the special “Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud” series on TechNet Radio and in part 2 of our series they discuss how Microsoft Azure and cloud computing can be leveraged to help accelerate the transition to DevOps in an organization.

[1:37] What is DevOps and why is it important?
[9:53] What is “Shadow IT” and how can it be disruptive to businesses and organizations?
[12:35] What does Microsoft Azure offer me?
[16:19] How does Microsoft Azure align with DevOps?
[21:50] DEMO Microsoft Azure in action!

Did you miss Part 1 with Jessica DeVita and Gene Kim? Find it here!

App Watch: Family Edition

I will the first to admit that I’m not very “app crazy” on my phone or my computer. I was an avid BlackBerry user when the iPhone first came out, so when I switched to a Windows Phone, I wasn’t really looking to download every app on the market. And when it comes to Windows 8, I’ll be the first to tell you that I live on my desktop, so even native Windows 8 apps take a lot to impress me.

However, I do have a family and all the joys and trials that come with sharing a household, so I wanted to share a couple Windows apps that are new and pretty interesting.

For the Windows Phone, check out the Cozi Family Organizer. I tried out the Cozi website a while back and liked the idea, plus it had a iPhone app for my husband. But since there wasn’t a Windows Phone equivalent at the time, it was hard for me to get on board. Now that oversight has been corrected, so I’ll likely be signing up again to give the service another try.

For Windows 8, nothing beat a good app to keep the little ones busy for a while. My kids are a little too young to appreciate the great features of the Crayola Color, Draw and Sing (I’ll save this one for later because it has a cool two-player mode for larger screens), but an instant hit was Interactive Touch Books – For Kids! They loved playing the stories over and over. If they continue to expand the titles, I’ll pay!

Now let me go see if I can pry my computer back from my kids…

Get started with Part 1 of the TechNet Radio Series "Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud"

Jessica DeVitawelcomes Gene Kim, co-author of “The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps And Helping Your Business Win” and founder and former CTO of Tripwire to the show as they kick off this special “Accelerate DevOps with the Cloud” series on TechNet Radio.

Tune in as they dive into the world of DevOps and learn how this high performance concept is revolutionizing the tech industry. In Part 1 they provide a foundation for why this is important for IT Pros as well as dispel some common myths while shedding light on how everyone – from IT Pros, developers, businesses, end-users and customers can greatly benefit by building DevOps into their organization.

What in this Video:

[0:44] What is DevOps?
[3:03] Is DevOps a new role or new tool?
[8:03] Does DevOps encourage Developers to perform Operations/IT Pro tasks themselves? Is it NoOps?
[13:44] Is “DevOps” just another name for Agile development?
[15:45] Tell me about this idea of “technical debt”
[17:54] What causes high performance in organizations that practice DevOps?
[20:25] How should an IT organization begin thinking about transitioning towards DevOps? How do we start?
[24:30] Why is “DevOps” important to IT Pros?
[28:13] Where can people go to learn more about DevOps?

Keep that Microsoft Profile Updated!

Email management is a tough thing. I struggle with it daily, often opting to quickly hit “unsubscribe” to all emails that come into my mailbox on any given day, just out of frustration. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I’m one of those “Inbox Zero” types, forever striving to have nothing to address via email.

I do lots of things to avoid getting emails and other things I consider “spammy”… I scan every form I’m filling out for the “opt out” boxes. I try hard not to have my conference badge scanned at event expos because I don’t want any extra mail. At previous jobs, I’ve been known to have a fake phone number, complete with a voice mail message, that I used for registrations – simply so I never had to deal with cold calls. (I don’t like voice mail either, don’t get me started.)

That being said, sometimes you DO want to be informed – particularly about events or about technologies that interest you. My friend and colleague, Kevin Remde, just put up a great blog post about how Microsoft takes your preferences seriously – so seriously that you may have opted out of something you didn’t mean to.

So check out Kevin’s post for the “how to” and then check your Microsoft profile to ensure you are getting only the information you need and want.

Checking In… Happy Tuesday!

Ah… Life. How it gets in the way of things sometimes. I’m looking forward to some slowing down of things as we get into June and July, which gives me some time to concentrate on finishing up with updating my MCSE.

Microsoft has been busy updating certifications in the last year, so now you’ll find options for the MTA (Technology Associate), MCSA (Solutions Associate) and the MCSE (Solutions Expert). I’m working toward the Server Infrastructure MCSE, so I still have exams 70-413 and 70-414 to go.

For preparation, I’ve got a copy of the 70-413 Exam Ref book, but I also like to mix up my studying materials with content from MVA (Microsoft Virtual Academy) and TechNet documentation to fill in areas where I might need some extra clarification. What’s nice about the Virtual Academy is that you can add the courses to your profile and then work through them at your own pace. Finally, I look for sessions from TechEd and other conferences that I’m might have attended that line up with test concepts.

If there is good in-person training in my area, I look for that as well. If you are in the SF area (or can get there easily, don’t miss out on the chance to attend TechDays, organized by PacITPros. This low-cost, two day event has a line up of great speakers and there is sure to be a topic for everyone. Register at www.techdays.org.

Today, I reviewed the booklet of sessions from TechEd for Monday (baby steps!) and here is what is on my short list to watch this week (Warning: these might completely unrelated to my exam studying):

Windows PowerShell Unplugged with Jeffery Snover (DCIM-B318)
Microsoft Azure Storage (DCIM-B384)
Hybrid Identity: Extending Active Directory to the Cloud (PCIT-B313)

Also, if you are looking to learn more about Windows 8.1 in the Enterprise, register for an upcoming MVA JumpStart in mid-June! The instructors are Tommy Patterson and Simon May, so it’s sure to be an enjoyable and educational few days.

Date: June 17, 18, & 19, 2014

Registration page: http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/liveevents/windows-8-1-update-for-enterprise-jump-start

Windows 8.1 Update for Enterprise Jump Start

Are you tackling BYOD? Windows 8.1 Update, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Phone can help! Find out how in this demo-filled, three-day Jump Start course with live Q&A. Plus, get the latest from the TechEd and Build conferences, and prepare for MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure and MCSA: Windows 8.1 certifications.

Seasoned experts share real-world experience as they explore the new feature set in Windows 8.1 Update. Dive deep into key enterprise scenarios around System Center Configuration Manager 2012 R2 and Windows Intune management and security, and explore virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), disk deduplication and tiering, and the Remote Desktop app.

Windows 8.1 Update can simplify the management of tomorrow’s IT environments, while tangibly improving today’s end-user experience. Sign up for this fast-paced Jump Start, and find out more.

Anyway, happy Tuesday folks!

Don’t Miss Out on Becoming an Early Expert!

In an increasingly multi-hypervisor world, more and more IT organizations are using Microsoft Hyper-V and Microsoft Azure to achieve superior performance and workload flexibility at the best possible price. With nearly two-thirds of businesses on more than one virtualization platform, adding Microsoft virtualization and cloud skills to your technical repertoire can improve your career options and prepare you to face new IT demands.

What is Early Experts?

Microsoft Early Experts is a free, online study group for virtualization professionals who want to extend their Microsoft Hyper-V, System Center and Microsoft Azure knowledge with official Microsoft certifications. We’ve organized our high-impact learning resources into online Knowledge Quests that include concise videos, prescriptive study materials and hands-on practice with real products. Complete the weekly quests at your own pace and enjoy the flexibility to stop and review certain topics when you need more time.

Rewards and Prizes (U.S. Only)

Complete the online Quests and receive a completion badge suitable for printing or sharing online to showcase your new skills with Microsoft virtualization! In addition, IT Pros located in the U.S. are eligible to win one of several cool prizes during monthly prize drawings in April, May and June 2014. **

If you’re located outside of the U.S., you’re certainly still welcome to join us and take advantage of the Early Experts study materials to help you prepare for certification.

The clock is ticking … Join us today!

Early Experts study groups are forming now for existing VMware / Virtualization professionals targeting the following Microsoft certification:

Specialist: Server Virtualization with Windows Server Hyper-V and System Center (Exam 74-409)

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to IT Professionals who are legal residents of the 50 U.S. states or D.C., 18+. Sweepstakes ends on June 30, 2014. See Official Rules.