VT Technology Blog: September 2013

Friday, September 27, 2013

Useful Links for Windows Server 2012 R2 / Hyper-V Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2012 R2 offers new features and enhancements across enterprise-class virtualization, multi-tenant-aware storage, networking, virtual desktop infrastructure, access and information protection, and more.

Download Windows Server 2012 R2

Download Free Hyper-V Server 2012 R2

Microsoft Download Center

Windows Server 2012 R2 NIC Teaming (LBFO) Deployment and Management Guide
NIC teaming, also known as Load Balancing/Failover (LBFO), allows multiple network adapters to be placed into a team for the purposes of bandwidth aggregation, and/or traffic failover to maintain connectivity in the event of a network component failure. This guide describes how to deploy and manage NIC Teaming with Windows Server 2012 R2.

Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Test Lab Guide
Microsoft test lab guide for setting up a base configuration using Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview.

TLG: Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V Network Virtualization with System Center 2012 R2 VMM Provides instructions to create the Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Virtualization with System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) test lab, using computers running Windows Server 2012 R2.

Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 TechNet Library Documentation This download is an Adobe® PDF of the entire contents of the Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 section of the Microsoft TechNet Library, for the convenience of Windows Server users who have limited Internet access, or require a portable version of the Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 documentation. The PDF is 116 MB, and 7,970 pages in length. Highlights of the PDF include the following. Date Published: 11/27/2013

TechNet Series

In The Cloud. What's new in 2012 R2 Cloud Insights from Brad Anderson

VMware or Microsoft? – The Complete Series by Microsoft Evangelists Kevin Remde, Chris Avis, Keith Mayer, Brian Lewis, Matt Hester, Tommy Patterson, Jennelle Crothers, Yung Chou, Dan Stolts

Windows Server Launch Blog Series - The Complete Series by Microsoft Evangelists Kevin Remde, Chris Avis, Keith Mayer, Brian Lewis, Matt Hester, Tommy Patterson, Jennelle Crothers, Yung Chou, Dan Stolts, Robert Borges, Rob McShinsky

Windows 8.1 / Windows Server 2012 R2 Mini-Blog Series

Server 2012 R 2 Lab Guide - Step by Step by Tommy Patterson

Lab Ops by Andrew Fryer

Monday, September 23, 2013

Windows Azure Pack

Microsoft announced Windows Azure Pack during TechEd 2013 NA conference in June, replacing "Windows Azure Services for Windows Server" technology , which was made available in January 2013.
According to the company's Windows Azure Pack Overview:

The Windows Azure Pack delivers Windows Azure technologies for you to run inside your datacenter, enabling you to offer rich, self-service, multi-tenant services that are consistent with Windows Azure.

The Windows Azure Pack is a collection of Windows Azure technologies available to Microsoft customers at no additional cost. Once installed in your datacenter, the Windows Azure Pack integrates with System Center and Windows Server to help provide the following capabilities:

Management portal for tenants
Management portal for administrators
Service management API
Virtual Machines
Service Bus
Automation and extensibility

Additional Information:

Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server

Windows Azure Pack (#WAPack) and Related Blogs, Videos and TechNet Articles

Windows Azure Pack - Installing & Configuring Series.

Cmdlet Reference Download for Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server

Technical Documentation for Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server Download Center

Windows azure Pack: Cloud app convenience meets in-house hosting

Microsoft finds a new way to deliver a private cloud in a box

Windows Azure Pack High Availability

Enabling On-demand Infrastructure Services In Your Datacenter with Windows Azure Pack

Enabling Modern Apps with the Windows Azure Pack

IaaS Usage and Service Reporting using System Center 2012 R2 and Windows Azure Pack

WAP: Service Bus 1.1 (preview) for Windows Server - Your private Service Bus Installation using Hyper-V

Configuring SPF and Windows Azure Pack for IaaS usage and metering

Windows Azure Pack (#WAPack) and Related Blogs, Videos and TechNet Articles

Windows Azure Pack blog posts on Building Clouds & TechNet

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Windows 8 powered hardware 2.0

Over the past few weeks, hardware companies uncovered plans for making next generation of Windows-based products. We'll take a look at them in this part 2 of the Series covering Windows 8 powered hardware. (Part 1: http://blog.vttechnology.com/2013/06/windows-8-powered-hardware-news-and.html )

Microsoft is set to announce a new Surface on September 23.

Intel is launching “Bay Trail” (Atom) processors at IDF in San Francisco ( http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/intel-developer-forum-idf/san-francisco/2013/idf-2013-san-francisco.html ). "Bay Trail” is Intel’s first 22nm system-on-a-chip for 2-in-1 devices and small tablets and will offer high performance with longer battery life ( http://neow.in/18VnAz8 ). Some of these devices were announced at IFA ( http://blogs.windows.com/tags/IFA+2013/default.aspx )

Windows 8.1 tablets with 64-bit Atom chips not coming until Q1 http://www.infoworld.com/d/computer-hardware/windows-81-tablets-64-bit-atom-chips-not-coming-until-q1-226686 / InfoWorld

From smartwatches to shifty hybrids, intriguing hardware flooded IFA 2013. We name the most interesting gizmos. http://pcwrld.us/17KYHZU
Windows 8.1 Tablets and PCs Unveiled @ IFA http://bit.ly/1dUxOYS
A peek inside IFA’s technology spectacular: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/2013/sep13/09-05IFA.aspx
The best laptops, desktops, and Windows tablets of IFA 2013 (pictures) http://cnet.co/1ejG3ew
Microsoft to launch new Surfaces on September 23 http://zd.net/14FVcji
Windows at Intel Developer Forum 2013 http://bit.ly/13NsMqz
Fall 2013 Windows Tablet Preview http://ow.ly/oO0kh /Windows IT Pro
The cheap Windows 8 tablet has arrived | http://ti.me/188oZRT

New Windows Phone 8.1 screenshot shows multi-select tiles, Siri-like "Cortana" voice assistant coming http://wp.me/p2q4Lw-69w
Microsoft to add Siri-like Cortana to Windows devices, shows off Windows Phone 8.1 http://bit.ly/14OUjVH

Microsoft's transition from the desktop to touch devices by Paul Thurrott: http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/transitions

Panasonic

Panasonic launches its first 4K TV, teases arrival of 20-in. 4K tablet : http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9242099/Panasonic_launches_its_first_4K_TV_teases_arrival_of_20_in._4K_tablet
Panasonic launches the world’s first 20-inch, 4K tablet: http://blogs.technet.com/b/firehose/archive/2013/09/05/panasonic-launches-the-world-s-first-20-inch-4k-tablet.aspx

Asus

Asus announces new Windows 8.1 Zenbook UX301 Ultrabook http://bit.ly/17Oruyw
ASUS announces new devices for the fall http://bit.ly/15Z54rY
Asus announces the T100: Windows 8.1 device with 11 hours of battery life just for $349 http://bit.ly/15lA8T7
ASUS reveals Transformer Book T100 with Windows 8.1 for $349 we go hands-on - http://engt.co/15ll4ox
Asus Transformer Book Trio combines Windows 8, Android, laptop, tablet and desktop in one. So, a laplet-top? http://cnet.co/18tl9F2

Surface 2

Windows 8.1 tablets vs. Amazon's Kindle Fire HD: Enterprise face-off
Surface 2 by the Numbers http://bit.ly/1fv2SN8
Hands On With the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 http://bit.ly/16u5geU
Surface 2 vs Surface Pro 2- Comparison and Price http://www.nirmaltv.com/2013/09/24/surface-2-vs-surface-pro-2-comparison-price/ …
Microsoft introduces the Surface 2, Surface Pro 2 and Surface accessories - http://blogs.technet.com/b/firehose/archive/2013/09/23/microsoft-introduces-the-surface-2-surface-pro-2-and-surface-accessories.aspx#.UkBhw0XkwmM.twitter …
Surface Pro 2 Details Emerge http://ow.ly/oyzLc
Surface 2 will support new Power Cover keyboard with built-in battery http://bit.ly/19mAyYO
Microsoft's Haswell-based Surface Pro 2: The leaks begin http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-haswell-based-surface-pro-2-the-leaks-begin-7000020232/
Surface 2 may debut in white and black with a 1080p screen and Tegra 4 processor http://bit.ly/14yTGVH
Surface 2 rumors: What next for Surface RT http://cnet.co/1dVxNCZ
Surface RT 2: Tegra 4, 1080P screen, and more http://bit.ly/19AJlXm
Microsoft announcing new Surface on September 23, but is it DOA? http://bit.ly/1aYtDcr
Don't dismiss the Surface RT as a Windows weakling! How to unlock its hidden superpowers. http://pcwrld.us/18RuzcB

Nokia

Nokia sales exec confirms plans to unify the Windows Phone and Lumia branding http://bit.ly/1cYSVp5
Report: Nokia will release the 6-inch Lumia 1520, a new smartphone that could dwarf the vast majority of handsets http://cnet.co/18J4M7z
Nokia Lumia 1520 rumored to launch September 26 http://bit.ly/1aDacXt
Nokia announces new lightweight and portable chargers for your Windows Phones http://bit.ly/16kpk7u
Lumia 1020 + Wireless Charging Cover http://bit.ly/1g0SYjP
Nokia's upcoming Windows RT tablet http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/12/4722584/nokias-windows-rt-tablet-pictured-new-hardware-dell-lenovo The Verge

Lenovo

Windows 8 Hardware 2.0 from Lenovo http://zd.net/1altCQf
Lenovo’s new Yoga 2 Pro has the same flexible hinge, 3200×1800 display http://ars.to/1alQ2RC
Lenovo takes the wraps off new Flex line of devices at IFA 2013: http://blogs.technet.com/b/firehose/archive/2013/09/05/lenovo-takes-the-wraps-off-new-flex-line-of-devices-at-ifa-2013.aspx

Sony

Sony Expands Vaio Line of Notebooks Running Windows 8: Available in 13-inch, 14-inch and 15-inch models. http://bit.ly/1dTAciu
Sony offers a magnetic solution to the Windows 8 hybrid problem http://bit.ly/15E5ff9

Dell

Dell XPS 12 review: the laptop / tablet hybrid with the spinning screen gets the battery life it deserves http://vrge.co/1856GDl
Dell beefs up its workstation portfolio with new laptops and towers. http://spr.ly/6015w9z9
Dell shows 8-inch Venue tablet sporting Windows 8.1 http://cnet.co/13NChG4
Dell introduces Inspiron 11 laptop for $349 http://zd.net/1aQtisZ

Toshiba

Toshiba Rolls Out New Tablet, Notebooks at IFA: The Windows 8-based systems include a convertible device http://bit.ly/13jLwO0
Meet the Encore – a new 8” tablet from Toshiba: http://blogs.technet.com/b/firehose/archive/2013/09/05/meet-the-encore-a-new-8-tablet-from-toshiba.aspx

HP

New all-in-one PCs from HP announced at IFA: http://blogs.technet.com/b/firehose/archive/2013/09/05/new-all-in-one-pcs-from-hp-announced-at-ifa.aspx

Monday, September 9, 2013

Windows 8.1 RTM / Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM available via MSDN and TechNet subscriptions now.

According to The Official Microsoft Blog:

Starting Sept. 9, Microsoft is extending availability of the current Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows Server 2012 R2 release to manufacturing (RTM) builds to the developer and IT professional communities via MSDN and TechNet subscriptions. The Windows 8.1 RTM Enterprise edition will be available through MSDN and TechNet for businesses later this month.

Download links:

Windows Server 2012: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx

Windows Server 2012 R2 Developer Preview: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dn205302.aspx

Additional Resources:

Microsoft reveals pricing and packaging for Windows 8.1 http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-reveals-pricing-and-packaging-for-windows-81?utm_source=msanywhere&utm_medium=twitter

Windows 8.1 brings back full retail versions as Windows SKUs change again http://ars.to/1aIt8R5

Windows 8.1 Enterprise RTM released on TechNet and MSDN http://bit.ly/16ieGew

What's changed in the Windows 8.1 RTM release? http://zd.net/14IhWzj

Windows 8.1 RTM: What's new, what's next? http://zd.net/14H5i3B

Windows 8.1 review: The great compromise http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048508/windows-8-1-review-the-great-compromise.html#tk.twt_pcworld

Windows 8.1 is out for both MSDN and Technet Subscribers, here are the best ways to try it out. http://www.nextofwindows.com/4-best-ways-to-try-out-windows-8/ …

Windows Server 2012 R2 and 8.1 RTM on MSDN/TechNet by Tim Barrett http://www.nogeekleftbehind.com/2013/09/09/windows-server-2012-r2-and-8-1-rtm-on-msdntechnet/

Live Migrate VM from Windows 2012 to Windows 2012 R2 RTM | vNiklas Virtualization blog http://bit.ly/17TC3uq

Upgrade Windows 8.1 preview to 8.1 RTM with some quirks http://bit.ly/1ayMUlg | vNiklas Virtualization Blog

Upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 Experience http://wp.me/p30DHH-6F / Adam Fowler - I.T. from Australia

How To Install Windows 8.1 Without Microsoft Account http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-8-1-without-microsoft-account/ / Into Windows

How To Upgrade Windows 8.1 Preview To RTM ( Final ) http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-upgrade-windows-8-1-preview-to-rtm-final/ / Into Windows

Download Windows 8.1 RTM, Visual Studio 2013 RC and Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM Today: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/stevengu/archive/2013/09/09/download-windows-8-1-rtm-visual-studio-2013-rc-and-windows-server-2012-r2-rtm-today.aspx

Microsoft reverses course; releases Windows 8.1 RTM to developers: http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-reverses-course-releases-windows-8-1-rtm-to-developers-7000020402/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zdnet%2Fmicrosoft+%28ZDNet+All+About+Microsoft%29

Windows Server 2012 RTM now available for MSDN and TechNet subscribers. http://spr.ly/6013w9MT

Windows 8.1 now available on MSDN and TechNet following developer complaints http://vrge.co/185pCSj

Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 Now Available on MSDN, TechNet: http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-windows-server-2012-r2-now-available-msdn-TechNet

System Requirements and Installation Information for Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn303418.aspx

Windows Server 2012 R2 and 8.1 RTM on MSDN/TechNet via Microsoft MVP Tim Barrett http://www.nogeekleftbehind.com/2013/09/09/windows-server-2012-r2-and-8-1-rtm-on-msdntechnet/ …

Windows Server 2012 R2 available to MSDN subscribers: http://ow.ly/oJj4C

Windows 8.1 Enterprise: 3 features admins should know http://www.infoworld.com/d/microsoft-windows/windows-81-enterprise-3-features-admins-should-know-226517 …

Microsoft "Blue" Product Availability http://ow.ly/oK2IW

RTM builds of Windows Embedded 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 for Embedded Systems - http://blogs.technet.com/b/firehose/archive/2013/09/10/into-embedded-download-the-rtm-builds-of-windows-embedded-8-1-windows-server-2012-r2-for-embedded-systems.aspx#.Ui_In67zrqc.twitter …

Windows 8.1 says, “Forget all that Design Stuff from Windows 8.0” : http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jerrynixon/archive/2013/09/09/windows-8-1-says-forget-all-that-design-stuff-from-windows-8-0.aspx …

Windows 8.1: How and when can volume licensees get the RTM bits? http://zd.net/14OfR54

Microsoft's reluctant upgrade has a split-screen personality: http://reg.cx/27Tn The Register

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