Doug’s Notes from May 16, 2013 Meeting

For those of you who attended our May 16th, 2013 meeting here is a copy Doug’s notes which include links to the materials that he referenced.

Doug’s Notes 05-16-2013

Server Posterpedia for Windows 8

Server Posterpedia is free Windows 8 app that gives users access to all of Microsoft’s technical reference posters for System Center, Windows Server, Azure, SQL Server, SharePoint and other Microsoft technologies.

Thanks to Davey Rance for pointing out this great reference.

Server Posterpedia Website

Fabric Architecture and Management Guides

Microsoft has released two new guides that are part of the Infrastructure-as-a-Service Product Line Architecture series.

Fabric Architecture Guide
Fabric Management Architecture Guide

They provide specific guidance for developing fabric architectures (compute, network, storage, and virtualization layers) and a management architecture of an overall private cloud solution.

Next Meeting is May 16th

Join the System Center User Group for the first in a series of half-day, in-depth workshops on how to build a Microsoft Private Cloud with Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012, and Azure.  For those of you used to attending our nightly meetings, please note this is a daytime event.

Tech Ed 2013!

Who is headed to Tech Ed 2013 in New Orleans this year?

MMS 2013 Session Catalog has arrived!!!!!!!

Check it out!!!

http://www.2013mms.com/Topic/List

MMS Registration is Open!

MMS Registration is open!

Http://www.2013mms.com/Register

See you there!

Microsoft Surface RT

I must thank Software Logic for all they have done for System Center and for the greater Philadelphia technology professionals!

If you were lucky enough to have attended the MS Private Cloud seminar in November you would have not only learned much about System Center and how to create a private cloud, but you would have seen the MS Surface RT they were generous enough offer as a giveaway. I was lucky enough to win that Surface tablet! After using it every day since that night, I have a few thoughts.

First, I hadn’t done proper research on the Surface tablet and was unaware of the difference between the RT version and the soon to be released Pro version. I was soon disappointed by the tablet due to the limitations of the RT version. Some of the functions I wanted to do I wasn’t able to. However, after staying on and working through any limitations I am now a full believer in it!

The limitations I found hard to deal with are:

1) No VPN ability, well, limited. You can create a VPN connection in the network properties if your VPN solution accepts this. However, any client driven VPN or web browser component requirement for VPN will not work. We have to rely on the VPN vendors to create a MX (metro) app.

Resolution: If I need to VPN into the office, I have loaded TeamViewer onto my work laptop as well as the APP on the Surface. I run a team viewer session, connect to my work laptop and VPN in from there. Not ideal, but it works.

2) Outlook is not included with Office. There is a mail client that comes with Windows 8 MX, but it is a far cry from outlook. However, it does what I need it to do on a regular basis. It lacks all the bells and whistles of the outlook client, but it will suffice. Worst comes to worst, OWA is an option.

Resolution: Baked in Mail App or OWA.

3) Lync is a challenge. I have yet to successfully connect to our lync server. In making the connection more seamless they have created a bit more work and requirements on the backend. In a smaller company it may be easier to ensure these requirements are met and configs are done, but in a company of our size, it is a near impossible task.

Resolution: None. Get Lync working!!!

VPN is not as useful with technologies like SkyDrive and SharePoint. However, for system administration and monitoring, I am afraid it is required.

I would also like to see some apps available that are built for System Center or Server 2012. It would be nice if you have the ability to VPN in, to run a dashboard or tools straight from the tablet rather than RDP to a server first.

The USB port is a fantastic addition. I have been able to connect USB devices with no issue. There has been one hiccup with a Secure USB HDD, but other than that it has been great! I have ordered a small portable USB hub so I can use a wireless mouse and USB drive at the same time.

Though the app store isn’t as quality as the more mature tablet stores, in time, it should be. We have to be steadfast with pressure on third party’s to create apps for Windows RT.

My emotional rollercoaster with the Surface has been: Excitement and promise when I heard about the Surface tablet from MS. Then ELATED when I was lucky enough to win it at the seminar. Then disappointment when I kept hitting road blocks. Hopeful, once I was able to find ways to work around those roadblocks. And finally dependent. I LOVE this tablet. I use it ALL the time, for everything now. It has some things that need to be worked on and tweaked, but as far as I am concerned, if you are a professional and looking for a tablet, the Surface is the correct choice. The ONLY choice.

Please feel free to add to this post. Agree with it. Disagree with  it. As long as we can talk about this technology and what your thoughts are!

By the way, this entire post was created from my Surface tablet!

Slides from November Meeting

Here is the slide deck from our November meeting in Malvern, PA:

Philly SC 2012-11 November Meeting

Microsoft MMS – Back in Vegas! April 8-12th

Microsoft has decided NOT to combine MMS and TechEd for 2013. Microsoft MMS will be in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay from April 8th – 12th.

See you there!