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Video – Software Defined Networking in Server 2016

Windows Server engineer Greg Cusanza and Matt McSpirit demonstrate the new Software Defined Networking capabilities in Windows Server 2016.

You can use SDN to:

  • Dynamically create, secure and connect your network to meet the evolving needs of apps.
  • Speed up the deployment of workloads and contain security vulnerabilities from spreading across your network.
  • Reduce overall infrastructure costs.

After you watch the video above, explore more resources on SDN and try the virtual lab for SDN.

Source: Hybrid Cloud Blog

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Download – 426 New Azure and Cloud Visio Stencils

Title: Microsoft Azure, Cloud and Enterprise Symbol / Icon Set
Published: 12/18/2014 
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Version: 2.02
File name: CloudnEnterprise_Symbols_Public_v2.02.zip
Size: 4.2 MB
Download URL: Click here for download

DESCRIPTION

This package contains a set of symbols/icons to visually represent features of and systems that use Microsoft Azure and related technologies.

 

CLOUD – CnE_CloudV2.09.vss
(155 stencils)

CnE_CloudV2.09.vss

DEPRECATED – CnE_DeprecatedV2.vss
(19 stencils)

CnE_DeprecatedV2.vss

DRAWING – CnE_DrawingV2.vss
(36 stencils)

CnE_DrawingV2.vss

 

ENTERPRISE – CnE_EnterpriseV2.03.vss
(154 stencils)

CnE_EnterpriseV2.03.vss

 

GENERAL SYMBOLS – CnE_GeneralSymbolsV2.vss
(40 stencils)

CnE_GeneralSymbolsV2.vss

 

OTHER MICROSOFT PRODUCTS – CnE_OtherMicrosoftProdV2.vss
(22 stencils)

CnE_OtherMicrosoftProdV2.vss

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Download – Test Lab Guide – Windows Azure AD

Test Lab Guide: Creating a Windows Azure AD and Windows Server AD Environment using DirSync with Password SyncTitle: Test Lab Guide: Creating a Windows Azure AD and Windows Server AD Environment using DirSync with Password Sync
Author: Bill Mathers
Published: 01/15/2014
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Pages: 48
Size: 1.8 MB
File name: DirSync_TLG.docx
Download URL: Click here for download

DESCRIPTION

This document will assist IT professionals, administrators, architects, and developers with in creating a test lab that uses Windows Azure Active Directory and Windows Server AD.

CONTENTS

  1. Set Up the Configuring the Windows Server 2012 Base Configuration Test Lab for Public Cloud Technologies
  2. Sign-up for a Windows Azure 30-Day Trial
  3. Create a Windows Azure AD Tenant
  4. Prepare the Windows Azure AD Tenant for Synchronization
  5. Create Organizational Units and Test Users in Windows Server AD
  6. Download and Install DirSync
  7. Configure DirSync to specific Organizational Units
  8. Run DirSync and Verify Results
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24 Free eBooks from Microsoft Press

Since we’re talking about eBooks, here are two dozen more free eBooks from Microsoft Press.

Note: The eBook web page was originally created on May 4, 2012, but was recently updated on December 29, 2013.

Free Microsoft eBooks

Titles:

  • Rethinking Enterprise storage – A Hybrid Cloud Model
  • Introducing Windows Azure for IT Professionals
  • Microsoft System Center – Designing Orchestrator Runbooks
  • Microsoft System Center – Configuration Manager Field Experience
  • Microsoft System Center – Cloud Management with App Controller
  • Microsoft System Center – Troubleshooting Configuration Manager
  • Microsoft System Center – Optimizing Service Manager
  • Introducing: Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 – Technical Overview
  • Introducing: Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals – Technical Overview
  • Introducing: Windows Server 2012 R2 – Technical Overview
  • Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  • .NET Technology Guide for Business Applications
  • Introducing: Windows Server 2012 – RTM Edition
  • Introducing: Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS and JavaScript
  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Security and Privacy for Microsoft Office 2010 Users
  • Introducing: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
  • Introducing: Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions – Second Edition
  • First Look: Microsoft Office 2010
  • Deploying Windows 7
  • Moving to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
  • Programming Windows Phone 7

URL: Click here to download

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Must Read – Microsoft Partner Program Changes

Oct 2013 Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure of upcoming program changesTitle: Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure of upcoming program changes
Publisher: Microsoft
Published: 10/15/2013
Pages: 53
PDF: OCT Disclosure Guide_October2013_Final.pdf
Size: 1.12 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here for download

Description:
Microsoft is retiring some exams from competency qualification, changing around the Microsoft Action Pack, adjusting fees for some partners (due to exchange rates) and some other things. Some of the changes are good, some are not.

Advice:

  1. Grab a cup of coffee, a pad of paper, and a pen
  2. Close your office door
  3. Turn off the ringer on your phone
  4. Spend 15-20 minutes NOW reading through this document and make a list of any necessary action items for you, your staff, and your customers
  5. Delegate any action items you can, and schedule your remaining action items accordingly
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An MVP By Any Other Name

The last 12 months have seen some pretty major changes at Microsoft (which I won’t rehash) and the changes continue:

“Effective July 17th, 2013, the technical expertise Small Business Server will be renamed to Windows Server for Small and Medium Business. Please note this is a MVP Program expertise change only and has no impact within the product team structure.”

(Excerpt of an email from my MVP Lead – quoted with permission).

Sign - Change Ahead

So, is that only a name change?

I don’t think so.

Here’s why.

Everybody who keeps an eye on Microsoft knows they’ve been spending gobs of money to try and get education out to the Partners.

Examples:

That’s just to name a few resources, and there are plenty more on the way. And all of those resources above are FREE.

What’s my point?

I’m not saying that Small Business is going away, but I am saying that with the amount of resources Microsoft is making available the Medium Business is more approachable than ever for the SMB folks. You have to adapt your skillset and your mindset. The medium business tools can be used for both small and medium businesses. In fact, that was the original intent behind SBS!

Look back in time to when SBS was born. Internet wasn’t mainstream yet. ISDN was expensive. Nobody had smartphones or tablets. Everything has changed. And it will continue to change, probably even faster than it has before.

To borrow a quote from the movie Hanna, “Adapt or die.”

Yes, that’s harsh. But ignoring the truth, the reality of the market and product set we now work with, the new opportunities and threats from a financial and security standpoint – it’s a recipe for disaster.

My recommendations to you, gentle reader:

  1. Learn PowerShell – It’s your friend
    http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/liveevents/PowerShell-JumpStart
  2. Learn about the cloud offerings (Office 365 & Azure) and how to deploy them
  3. Learn about Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 Preview
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/bb512925

Bottom Line: On-premise is far from dead. But if you don’t continually fill your technical gas tank with proper business coaching, someone else who’s in a position to deploy the new technology might just end up driving away with your customer.

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SMB MVP Community Roadshow in Louisville 1/19

Registration is OPEN, and you are cordially invited!

SMB MVP Community Roadshow logoEvent: SMB MVP Community Roadshow
Sponsored by: HP, Microsoft & SBSMigration.com
Local Host: Kentucky Small Business Server User Group
(KYSBSUG)
Date: Thursday January 19, 2012
Doors open: 12:00 noon Eastern
Start time: 12:30 PM Eastern
End time: 4:30 PM Eastern

Venue: Republic Bank & Trust building
Location: Across from The Summit shopping center
Address: 9600 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville, KY 40241
Room: Large conference room, lower level

Lunch: FREE
Parking: FREE
Registration: FREE
Registration URL:
http://mvptour2011.sbsmigration.com/event_selector.php?event_id=205

Map (click for directions):
Map of SMB MVP Community Show in Louisville

Street View:
Republic Bank Building - Street View

Event Description:
The SMB MVPs are delighted to bring their International SMB MVP Community Roadshow to Louisville on Thursday January 19, 2012.
This is a chance to hear first-hand from your peers in the field how they are implementing the New SMB Stack from Microsoft and see it actually demo’d on current shipping HP hardware. This is not a canned sales pitch, this is a live demo by some of the SMB MVP’s on real world scenarios they are deploying today.

Each stop on the tour will be a little different as the presenters change as the tour progresses and they also have the flexibility to shape the discussion to fit the local audience.

This is a free event, but seating is limited so you must register to attend.
REGISTER TODAY! Smile

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