Thursday, January 30, 2014

Keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7, Windows 8 / 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2, Visual Studio, Mail App

Microsoft provides Windows 8.1 / Windows 8.1 RT keyboard shortcuts, including shortcuts for some common actions on your PC by using touch  

Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Mouse and Keyboard: What's new in Windows

Sean Deuby (via WindowsITPro) provides a "guide to where all your favorite admin tasks went in the new Modern UI" in his article Windows Server 2012 R2 Keyboard Shortcuts for the Server Administrator

Michael Otey (via WindowsITPro) gives us Top 10 Essential Windows Server 2012 Keyboard Shortcuts

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Server 2012  by Jeff James on Petri

There are 100+ keyboard shortcuts available for Windows. TechRepublic offers the 10 most used:

Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts: 


Image via TechRepublic

Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts:


Image via TechRepublic

New Download. Volume Licensing Program Guides, Datasheets, and FAQs

    The Microsoft Volume Licensing program guides provide comprehensive descriptions of Volume Licensing programs, including information about Microsoft Software Assurance. Download these guides to get details about things such as program features, benefits, requirements, pricing, and agreement structure.

    The datasheets provide an overview of Volume Licensing programs. Use these documents to get at-a-glance information about benefits, licensing options, pricing, Software Assurance benefits, and more.
    Date published: 01/30/2014
    Download link: 
Volume Licensing Program Guides, Datasheets, and FAQs

Related resources:

Friday, January 24, 2014

Windows Server 2012 R2 Private Cloud Virtualization and Storage Poster and Mini-Posters

Provides a visual reference for understanding key private cloud storage and virtualization technologies in Windows Server 2012 R2. They focus on understanding storage architecture, virtual hard disks, cluster shared volumes, scale-out file servers, storage spaces, data deduplication, Hyper-V, Failover Clustering, and virtual hard disk sharing.

Date Published: 01/23/2014

Download Link: Windows Server 2012 R2 Private Cloud Virtualization and Storage Poster and Mini-Posters

Windows Server 2012 R2 Private Cloud Virtualization and Storage Poster (whole poster)

    Mini-posters

  • Virtual Hard Disk and Cluster Shared Volumes Mini Poster
  • Virtual Hard Disk Sharing Mini Poster
  • Understanding Storage Architecture Mini Poster
  • Storage Spaces and Deduplication Mini Poster
  • Scale-Out and SMB Mini Poster
  • Hyper-V and Failover Clustering Mini Poster



    Related Post: 

    Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V Component Architecture Poster and Hyper-V Mini Posters

    Tuesday, January 21, 2014

    New Downloads: Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica 2.0, Windows 8.1 Power User Guide for Business

    Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica 2.0


    The Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica guides the IT administrator to design the server, storage and network infrastructure which is required to successfully deploy Hyper-V Replica.

    Download link: Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica 2.0

    Date published:  01/21/2014

    Update: Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica

    Windows 8.1 Power User Guide for Business


    Learn from this Windows 8.1 Power User Guide about the advanced features of Windows 8.1, such as File Explorer, Task Manager, Internet Explorer 11, Mobility Center, Windows To Go, and SkyDrive Pro. With Windows 8.1, you can get the most out of your device efficiently.




    Monday, January 20, 2014

    New version of vtUtilities adds support for Hyper-V Server 2012 R2


    VT Technology recently released a new version of vtUtilities (now in preview), adding Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 to the Microsoft Hyper-V Server versions it already supported.

    Now you can cover all your virtual environment needs with all-in-one solution, managing all versions of free Hyper-V Server ( Hyper-V Server 2008 R2, Hyper-V Server 2012 and Hyper-V Server 2012 R2) from one application.

     vtUtilities, designed for both accomplished and novice users, lets you to completely manage and maintain your Hyper-V by offering fully functioning monitoring capabilities, efficient network management, convenient diagnostic and troubleshooting features, management of virtual machines/virtual hard disks and networks on both local and remote Hyper-V Servers.

    Besides managing capabilities for VM's created using past versions of Hyper-V, vtUtilities delivers every essential solution to manage free Hyper-V Server 2012 R2.

    vtUtilities gains a host of new features, letting administrators to take advantage of Generation 2 Virtual Machines, get the most from virtual hard disk and storage quality of service, enjoy Hyper-V Replica (including support for extended replication) and Hyper-V virtual networking enhancements.

    Manage Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 while still having a full access to Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012.

    Not using Windows 8?
    Solve the problem of managing Windows Server 2008 from Windows 7 by using vtUtilities - the tool provides a full graphical user interface and allows complete and effective management of virtual environments from the popular Windows 7 platform, as it does from Windows 8 as well.

    Download free 30 day Preview : direct link: 

    Extended Replication Monitoring

    Generation 2 Virtual Machines
    Extended Replication
    Gen 2 Hardware Configuration

     Replication Frequency

    Watch vtUtilities demo:
     

    Thursday, January 16, 2014

    Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager (HRM) is GA

    NEWS  
    Hyper-V Recovery Manager Renamed to Microsoft Azure Site Recovery

    Microsoft announced GA of HRM today. Brad Anderson in his blog post states: 
    Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager Service protects your on-prem applications by orchestrating the protection and recovery of Hyper-V Virtual Machines running in a private cloud (i.e. System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 R2 or System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 SP1) to a secondary location.
     Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager (HRM) Overview

    Key Differentiators

    Hyper-V Recovery Manager is unlike any other DR solutions previously available. A few key elements that really set it apart include:
    • Simple Setup and Configuration
      Hyper-V Recovery Manager has been designed for simplicity. Since it’s a hosted service, customers don’t need to install/deploy additional servers or worry about servicing/patching. By installing a lightweight VMM provider, they can extend their existing VMM environments and quickly make it DR ready. By leveraging VMM’s management capabilities, the service can also push cross-site configuration across a large number of Hyper-V hosts and Virtual Machines. This enables scale without comprising on simplicity. You also setup your DR policies at the cloud level. This allows you to express policy such as, “I want all VMs in the Finance cloud to be replicated to my local service provider,” or, “I want all VMs in the Redmond Cloud to be replicated to the Chicago Cloud.”
    • Automated Protection
      Hyper-V Recovery Manager leverages the capabilities of Hyper-V Replica to provide on-going replication of Virtual machines. The service also monitors for changes like VM migration, additions of new clusters, changes in network setting – and it automatically re-configures VM protection if needed. This ensures that Virtual Machines remain protected throughout the lifecycle without manual intervention.
    • Remote Monitoring
      Hyper-V Recovery Manager can be accessed via the Windows Azure Portal from any internet-enabled device. VM protection status can also be remotely monitored and, in the event of an unforeseen disaster, customers can begin the recovery operations remotely.
    • Orchestrated Recovery
      Cloud-based Recovery Plans enables automated DR orchestration by sequencing the failover of different groups of Virtual Machines. For example: In a multi-tiered application you can arrange the Database tier, middle tier, and web tier in different groups within a Recovery Plan and sequence it such that the database tier fails over and boots upbefore the other tiers. Additionally, recovery plans can be customized with scripts and manual actions. For example, one can combine a SQL Always On failover PowerShell script with a Hyper-V Recovery Manager Recovery Plan for application-specific DR operations.
    Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager can be accessed by licensed Windows Azure admin using the Windows Azure Management Portal (https://manage.windowsazure.com/) under Data Services\Recovery Services.

    Additional Information:


    Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager Reaches General Availability Release WindowsITPro

    Windows Azure: Staging Publishing Support for Web Sites, Monitoring Improvements, Hyper-V Recovery Manager GA, and PCI Compliance ScottGu's Blog

    Microsoft's Windows Azure gets payment-card compliance nod ZDNet

    How Hyper-V Recovery Manager works and where it falls short  TechTarget

    Retaining IP Address after failover using Hyper-V Recovery Manager  Server & Tools

    Disaster Recovery as a service by Hosting Service Providers using Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager  Server & Tools

    Hyper-V Recovery Manager concerns  4sysops

    Windows Server 2012 & Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager   Dan Stolts

    Edge Show 73 - Disaster Recovery using the Hyper-V Recovery Manager  Ch9

    Guided Hands-on Lab: Deliver Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) with Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager (HRM)  Keith Mayer

    Hyper-V Recovery Manager on Windows Azure: Game changer in DR architecture  TechRepublic

    How to use Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager   ClusterMVP

     

    Tuesday, January 7, 2014

    VT Technology Management Utilities for Hyper-V build 3.1.0.11 (Preview)

    Manage Hyper-V on Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 from a single environment with vtUtilities.

    This release includes support for new functionality introduced in Hyper-V Server 2012 R2:

    • Generation 2 virtual machines.
    • Virtual hard disk and storage quality of service enhancements.
    • Hyper-V Replica enhancements including support for extended replication.
    • Hyper-V virtual networking enhancements

    For a limited time we offer 30 day Preview version absolutely free, no registration required. 


    Pre-release software

    This build is pre-release version of vtUtilities that cannot be installed on top of previous version. Please backup your production setup and/or license files and uninstall vtUtilities before installing this preview.



    Thursday, January 2, 2014

    New Free MVA Courses ( released in November / December 2013 )

    New courses released in December 2013:




    In this course, you will learn about the new virtualization capabilities and innovations in Windows Server 2012 R2. The course starts off by delving into key capabilities of scalability and performance. Then, we'll explore security and multitenancy, in addition to business-critical needs, such as high availability, resiliency, and disaster recovery. The course finishes up with a look into the other innovative virtualization features in Windows Server 2012 R2.




    View this two-module series for a complete understanding of the end-to-end process for implementing desktop virtualization using Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1. Virtualization comes in many forms and can be fit to suit many enterprise needs, from creating virtual machines to run on Windows 8.1, to server-based scenarios for administering shared and personal virtual desktop environments using Windows 2012 R2 Hyper-V. 

    New courses released in November 2013




    This course discusses what is new in the world of networking and how System Center 2012 R2 can help manage Windows Server 2012 R2. The course also provides insight into industry trends, performance levels, and network performance.



    This course contains four modules that provide an overview of Server Manager and Automation, as well as detailing new management capabilities, updates to Windows PowerShell, deployment options and methods, and MultiServer Management capabilities. This course provides education that will assist in getting started with Windows Server 2012 R2 in regard to management and automation, helping you to create a more efficient work environment.



    Windows Server 2012 R2 offers a great foundation for our customers to deliver private and hybrid cloud services to their constituents. This course looks into how Windows Server 2012 R2 helps businesses overcome the technical challenges involved in integrating solution elements while simultaneously meeting business and technical requirements. This course also describes how R2 features offer greater agility and efficiency benefits.



    The world of bring-your-own devices (BYOD) provides businesses and users with flexible and low-cost productivity and connection solutions. At the same time, it presents IT Pros and admins with serious challenges in securing their infrastructure. In this course you will learn how Windows Server 2012 R2 helps you provision, manage and secure these devices while creating a seamless experience for the user.