Mitch Irsfeld

TechNet Flash, Volume 15, Issue 15 - June 26, 2013
TechNet Flash editor’s note from Mitch Irsfeld

Time to get your hands dirty

Microsoft has announced a wave of updates that are just around the corner. Software updates such as Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and System Center 2012 R2 promise some significant changes and improvements. So what’s the best way to prepare and find out what’s in store? Taking the preview releases for a spin, of course.

In this edition we have info about these previews – which have just been released – and information to help you get the most out of your time with these previews. Right now, you can download the Windows 8.1 Preview and install it on a system to explore new features and enhancements. You can also download previews of Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2, and other updates critical to Microsoft’s Cloud OS vision. And to get the most out of the Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview, you should consider joining this free, expert-led session from Microsoft Virtual Academy on July 10 and 11.

On the security front, you can learn from Microsoft’s experience in a video in which Senior Security Engineer Varun Sharma discusses how Microsoft IT secures its applications for the cloud. Or check out a five-part video series to learn more about targeted attacks on your infrastructure and what you can do to help prevent them. And read about the new multi-factor authentication that Microsoft recently announced for Windows Azure.

We also have some great articles on virtualization and Windows Server 2012. A new episode of IT Time explores considerations you should make regarding Hyper-V and virtual machines when upgrading to Windows Server 2012. Meanwhile, an episode of Virtually Speaking delves into one organization’s move from VMware to Hyper-V.

If you’re looking for another way to keep up on the latest technologies, events, and news, you can subscribe to TechNet’s Technology News feed for updates as they happen.

Thanks,

Mitch Irsfeld