TechNet Flash - Volume 15, Issue 28: December 18, 2013
Top News Worldwide
Microsoft launches the Cloud OS Network
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Free on-demand IT Camp: Key virtualization scenarios
Top Downloads
System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
Get Microsoft Cloud OS products and services alerts
Your Featured Content
What’s new in Windows 8.1 for IT professionals: Available on demand on MVA
Is your organization using Windows XP or Windows 7? Learn how you can fast-track your organization to a more productive Windows 8.1 enterprise desktop environment by offering new possibilities for mobile productivity, secure IT, and easy-to-manage infrastructure. Download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation to prep for this course.
500+ free hands-on labs and guided experiences
Microsoft offers hundreds of learning opportunities and options to evaluate products. This includes over 60 hands-on labs from TechEd North and the latest Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2 experiences, as well as a new series of Windows Server 2012 R2 virtual labs that allow you to try Windows Server 2012 R2 without ever installing a server. For more details catch up with the Regular IT Guy blog and follow us on Twitter at @MicrosoftTrials.
Free MVA course: Windows Server 2012 R2 Networking
This new course from Microsoft Virtual Academy covers what’s new in the world of networking and how you can use System Center 2012 R2 to manage Windows Server 2012 R2. The course also provides insight into industry trends, performance levels, and network performance. Download the Windows Server 2012 R2 Evaluation to start preparing for this course.
Nearly two thirds of businesses employ more than one virtualization platform. Learn about different virtualization platforms at the Winter Warmer conference being hosted by the Virtualization Technology User Group (VTUG) on January 16. The free one-day conference in Foxborough, MA (near Boston) will offer keynotes, hands-on labs, and a great chance to network with more than 1,500 attendees.
Cloud economics: Find out how you can get an ROI of up to 350 percent using the cloud
Want to learn more about the key benefits, costs, and risks associated with implementing Windows Azure? Download “The Total Economic Impact of Microsoft Windows Azure,” a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting, for an in-depth discussion.
TechNet Radio: Check out the second part of the “Did You Know...” series on virtualization
Kevin Remde and Jeff Woolsey continue their three-part series looking at some of the more interesting facts about Microsoft’s virtualization platform. Download Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 and try it for free today.
Genetec broadens its business with the Microsoft cloud
Discover how this video security provider made its services more affordable to smaller organizations by creating a cloud-based offering built on the Windows Azure platform. It provides the same high level of security and reliability as its Security Center and doesn’t require capital expenditure for traditional on-site servers. Read the case study to find out more.
TechEd 2014: Register by December 31 and save US$300!
TechEd 2014 is your best source for the latest news, trends, resources, and deep technical education that will make you an expert in your field and prepare you for tomorrow’s innovations. Join us May 12–15 in Houston. Early registration ends December 31. Register now and save US$300.
Cloud security: What matters most when evaluating the security of cloud providers
Download Forrester Research’s “Enabling the Secure and Rapid Adoption of Cloud Services” to learn about common criteria for evaluating the security of cloud providers. This report also discusses the technical and process changes IT pros anticipate as they move to the cloud.
Java application performance monitoring with Operations Manager in System Center 2012 R2
Learn about the new Java (JEE) application performance monitoring (APM) capabilities provided by System Center 2012 R2 Operations Manager. This new Management Pack provides deep insight into application health and performance as well as code-level analysis for Java applications. Download the System Center 2012 R2 Evaluation and test for yourself.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Web and Application Platform: Free MVA course
Learn how to overcome the technical challenges involved in integrating private and hybrid cloud services in a new course from Microsoft Virtual Academy. Learn about Microsoft’s commitment to delivering an end-to-end solution for self-service delivery of multi-tenant cloud services. Download the Windows Server 2012 R2 Evaluation and prepare for this course.
Wax poetic about BYOD for a chance to win an Xbox 360
Write a poem that shows us how you manage devices, data, and apps in your workplace, putting a fun spin on BYOD, and you could win an Xbox 360 with Kinect bundle. Check out the rules and requirements.
The IT Pro Guru blog examines Windows Server 2012 R2 inside out
Have questions about Windows Server 2012 R2?Read this blog series for answers about how to deploy, manage, and configure Windows Server 2012 R2. Find out how new features in the R2 release stack up against competitors, how R2 integrates with and leverages cloud services like Windows Azure , and much more.
Windows Azure Active Directory: Cloud identity and access management
We are excited to announce that a free offering of Windows Azure Active Directory is now available. This free version lets you manage user access to hundreds of cloud SaaS applications such as Office 365, Box, GoToMeeting, DropBox, and Salesforce.com. Also available now is a public preview of a premium offering designed for enterprises that have advanced requirements. This version includes self-service password reset for cloud users, group-based access management to SaaS applications, a customized logon environment, and detailed machine learning-based security reports.
Training and Books
Free MVA course: Windows Server 2012 R2 Networking
This new course from Microsoft Virtual Academy covers what’s new in the world of networking and how you can use System Center 2012 R2 to manage Windows Server 2012 R2. The course also provides insight into industry trends, performance levels, and network performance. Download the Windows Server 2012 R2 Evaluation to start preparing for this course.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Web and Application Platform: Free MVA course
Learn how to overcome the technical challenges involved in integrating private and hybrid cloud services in a new course from Microsoft Virtual Academy. Learn about Microsoft’s commitment to delivering an end-to-end solution for self-service delivery of multi-tenant cloud services. Download the Windows Server 2012 R2 Evaluation and prepare for this course.
What’s new in Windows 8.1 for IT professionals: Available on demand on MVA
Is your organization using Windows XP or Windows 7? Learn how you can fast-track your organization to a more productive Windows 8.1 enterprise desktop environment by offering new possibilities for mobile productivity, secure IT, and easy-to-manage infrastructure. Download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation to prep for this course.
Ring in the New Year with certifications that validate your expertise
Microsoft Certifications help technology professionals stand out from their peers while allowing hiring managers to validate that candidates have the necessary technical skills. The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification endorses that you have the ability to design, deploy, an optimize technologies for critical IT solutions. For a limited time, you can earn your Microsoft Certification with two chances to pass your exams. Sign up for your Second Shot vouchers today.
Events
Free on-demand IT Camp: Key Virtualization Scenarios
Did you miss our popular Virtualization IT Camp? Well, here is another chance to expand your virtualization skills. Watch the recording of this IT Camp and get an edge in your technical career. In this workshop, seasoned experts demonstrate key virtualization scenarios and cover equivalent technologies from Microsoft and VMware.
Heterogeneous virtualization: Learn about various virtualization platforms on January 16
Nearly two thirds of businesses employ more than one virtualization platform. Learn about different virtualization platforms at the Winter Warmer conference being hosted by the Virtualization Technology User Group (VTUG) on January 16. The free one-day conference in Foxborough, MA (near Boston) will offer keynotes, hands-on labs, and a great chance to network with more than 1,500 attendees.
TechEd 2014: Register by December 31 and save US$300
TechEd 2014 is your best source for the latest news, trends, resources, and deep technical education that will make you an expert in your field and prepare you for tomorrow’s innovations. Join us May 12–15 in Houston. Early registration ends December 31. Register now and save US$300.