Microsoft - Aidan Finn, IT Pro

Microsoft News Summary – 15 August 2014

Here’s the latest from the last 24 hours:

New – Configurable Idle Timeout for Azure Load Balancer: Microsoft announced that the Azure Load Balancer now supports configurable TCP Idle timeout for your Cloud Services and Virtual Machines. This feature can be configured using the Service Management API, PowerShell or the service model.
Integrate System Center Advisor into Operations Manager Dashboards: Drive System Center Advisor search using Operations Manager dashboards.
Introduction to Azure Backup: What we expect to be the hottest selling Azure feature for SMEs.
Old IPv4 Router Settings May Be Causing Internet Slowdowns This Week: The number of routes across the Internet is beginning to exceed the number that IPv4 routers were set to handle.
Understanding the files collected by the Test-StorageHealth.ps1 PowerShell script: Understand the results of health and capacity tests done to a Storage Cluster based on Windows Server 2012 R2 Scale-Out File Servers.
Bare Metal Post-Deployment – Running the Post-Deployment Automation and Bonus – Part 5: Final part in this VMM series.
Businesses Using Windows Server 2003 Could Face VISA & MASTERCARD Backlash: End of support in July 2015 = 2015 no more security patches = security vulnerabilities = no PCI compliance = bankruptcy.
Edge Show115 – Azure AD Connect Preview (configuring hybrid identity with Azure AD): This video takes an exclusive look at Azure AD Connect to implement hybrid identity. Jen Field (Senior Program Manager Azure AD Fabric) takes us through using the new deployment tool to deploy Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), Directory Sync (DirSync / AAD Sync), Azure AD and the accompanying SSL certificates. These are components that you’ll commonly deploy for Office 365, Windows Intune and more.
Replacing TMG with IIS ARR for an Exchange Hybrid: Lots of people looking to replace the now-dead Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway.

Technorati Tags: Azure,Cloud,Cloud Computing,Networking,System Center,Operations Manager,Backup,Hybrid Cloud,Storage,Storage Spaces,Windows Server 2012 R2,Deployment,VMM,Windows Server 2003,Active Directory,Security,Exchange,IIS

Microsoft News Summary – 14 August 2014

There’s a new craze out there with famous people called the Ice Bucket Challenge. A person is dared to take a bucket of ice water over the head (and post the video online) or donate to charity, in in of of “raising awareness” of a disease called ALS. Nadella and Zuckerberg have done it. Gates has been challenged.

How to install DSC Providers for Linux on CentOS 6.2: This tutorial is streamlined by combining multiple commands together where applicable.
Migrate On-Premise Virtualized Workloads to Azure using Azure Site Recovery: ASR can also help you quickly and easily spin-off additional development and testing environments or migrate on-premise virtual machines to Microsoft Azure.
Gartner – Plan Now to Avoid Windows XP Deja Vu With Windows 7: Only morons fails to learn lessons from before. Use your new-found deployment tools/expertise and start preparing to get off of Windows 7.
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s VDI and SPLA!!! In summary, you cannot sell/use Windows client OS in a multi-tenant hosted VDI environment. That’s not new – it’s how it has always been. Anyone selling it is either obfuscating that they’re really skinning Windows Server, or they are breaching Microsoft’s licensing terms.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication in Azure: Azure MFA helps safeguard access to data and applications while meeting user demand for a simple sign-in process. It delivers strong authentication via a range of easy verification options—phone call, text message, or mobile app notification—allowing users to choose the method they prefer, this post will show you how to setup the phone call method.
Bare Metal Post-Deployment – Constructing the Post Deployment Automation (continued) Part 4: Here is part 4, a continuation on the topic of Constructing the Post-Deployment automation.
Microsoft CEO Takes Ice Bucket Challenge, Then Passes it on to Google, Amazon CEOs: Satya Nadella takes the dare to have a bucket of ice water poured over him to raise awareness of ALS. The Mark Zuckerberg video is quite funny – he looks STUNNED .. And he dared Bill Gates to do it in the next 24 hours.

Technorati Tags: Linux,Azure,Cloud,Cloud Computing,DR,Windows 7,Licensing,VDI,Security,Deployment,System Center,VMM,Virtualisation,Hyper-V

Microsoft News Summary – 13 August 2014

Overnight, Microsoft released the August 2014 Update Rollup for WS2012 R2 and Windows 8. Lots of hotfixes!

TechNet Radio: (Part 10) Building Your Hybrid Cloud – Windows Azure Pack Remote Console Support: A video on Channel 9
Bare Metal Post-Deployment – Introduction and Scenario Part 1: VMM host deployment.
Bare Metal Post-Deployment – Pre-Conditions Part 2: The series continues.
Bare Metal Post-Deployment – Constructing the Post-Deployment Automation – Part 3: Here is part 3 on the topic of Constructing the Post-Deployment automation
August updates for Windows 8.1: It’s not as big as the April update, but it still has new features.
Azure Automation: Runbook Input, Output, and Nested Runbooks: This post will cover some of the basic concepts that will help you create high-quality runbooks.
Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine Readiness Assessment: Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine Readiness Assessments for Active Directory, SharePoint Server and SQL Server.
The Best Hyper-V Training Resources: A post I wrote for Petri.com

Technorati Tags: Hybrid Cloud,Azure,Cloud,Cloud Computing,System Center,VMM,Deployment,Windows 8.1,PowerShell,Scripting,Hyper-V,Virtualisation

Microsoft News Summary – 11 August 2014

I think we can call today’s issue “What’s New in Azure”:

Introducing the Azure PowerShell DSC (Desired State Configuration) extension: Introducing the PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) Extension for Azure VMs as part of the Azure PowerShell SDK.
Desired State Configuration (DSC) Nodes Deployment and Conformance Reporting Series (Part 1) – Series agenda, Understanding the DSC conformance endpoint: In any configuration management process, once the configuration is applied to the target systems, it is necessary to monitor these systems for any configuration drift.
Desired State Configuration (DSC) Nodes Deployment and Conformance Reporting Series (Part 2) – Deploying a pull service endpoint and automating the configuration of the DSC nodes: How a pull service endpoint can be installed, and how nodes can be configured to point to this server and retrieve their DSC configurations.
Desired State Configuration (DSC) Nodes Deployment and Conformance Reporting Series (Part 3) – Working with the conformance endpoint: How to deploy/configure, and work with the conformance endpoint.
Introducing Zone Redundant Storage: Introducing Zone Redundant Storage (ZRS) as an additional redundancy option for Azure Storage.
AzCopy 2.5 Release: his version includes several important improvements for performance and usability. There is also a comprehensive Getting Started tutorial for AzCopy which helps summarizes the syntax for AzCopy as well as guidance for key scenarios.
Microsoft outlines plans to replace Select Plus with MSPA license: Microsoft volume licensees, take note: Microsoft will be replacing its Select Plus agreements with the new Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA).
How To Use Repadmin for Active Directory Troubleshooting: The Windows Server tool Repadmin can be your best friend when trying to pinpoint and fix Active Directory issues.
IT Pros Face August 12 Deadline on Updates to Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2: August 12 will be a big milestone day for IT pros managing Microsoft’s latest Windows operating systems.

Technorati Tags: Azure,PowerShell,Storage,Cloud,Cloud Computing,Licensing,Active Directory,Windows Server 2012 R2,Windows 8.1

Microsoft News Summary – 8 August 2014

It looks like you will have to use the latest version of IE to be supported after January 2016. That’ll go down like the Hindenburg in businesses.

Sysinternals Sysmon v1.0: A Windows system service and device driver that, once installed on a system, remains resident across system reboots to monitor and log system activity to the Windows event log. By collecting the events it generates using Windows Event Collection or SIEM agents and subsequently analyzing them, you can identify malicious or anomalous activity and understand how intruders and malware operate on your network.
Microsoft will kill support for IE 8, the world’s most popular desktop browser, by 2016: See the official MSFT support lifecycle statements here.
Microsoft licensing for data center outsourcing: SPLA is complicated.
Strengthening encryption for Microsoft Azure customer: Microsoft Azure has taken additional steps toward our commitment to protecting customer data with the announcement of encryption improvements for Microsoft Azure guest OS
TLS/SSL Cipher Suite Enhancements and Perfect Forward Secrecy: zure is announcing additional enhancements that honor our commitments to security and increased transparency.
Differences between Azure Guest OS and Default Windows Server: This page lists the differences between default installations of Windows Server and the Microsoft Azure Guest Operating System (OS) used with Azure Cloud Services.

Technorati Tags: Internet Explorer,Microsoft,Licensing,Security,Azure,Cloud,Cloud Computing,Networking

Microsoft News Summary – 7 August 2014

Very little happening. These quiet times are great for rumours.

Oh – and don’t use Generation 2 virtual machines on WS2012 R2 Hyper-V.

A story of how Generation 2 VMs caused performance issues: This, on top of secure boot up cert update issues lead me to advising: STICK WITH GENERATION 1 VIRTUAL MACHINES
Microsoft’s Windows ‘Threshold’ expected to add virtual desktops, drop charms: Mary Jo Foley has news on the changes coming to Windows vNext. TechEd Europe should be interesting.
New Site Recovers Files Locked by Cryptolocker Ransomware: Two security firms teamed up to launch a free new online service that can help victims unlock and recover files scrambled by the malware.
3 Steps to Securing FTP on IIS 8: Here are three additional things you can do to increase the security of your server’s FTP service and minimize its attack footprint.
Microsoft to block outdated Java versions in Internet Explorer: It’s about time that Java was treated like malware.
Service Management Automation using System Center 2012 R2: A whitepaper on SMA by MVP Michael Rueefli.
License Mobility through Software Assurance on Azure: License Mobility through Software Assurance gives Microsoft Volume Licensing customers the flexibility to deploy eligible server applications with active Software Assurance on Azure. With this Software Assurance benefit, there is no need to purchase new licenses and no associated mobility fees so, you can easily deploy existing licenses on the Azure cloud platform.
Cloud Ecosystem Poster: Microsoft Azure, Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2: This document provides a visual reference for understanding key Microsoft private cloud and on-premises cloud technologies.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Hyper-V,Windows Server 2012 R2,Security,IIS,Internet Explorer,System Center,WAP,Azure,Licensing,Hybrid Cloud,Cloud,Cloud Computing

Microsoft News Summary – 6 August 2014

I’ve done photography in some of the most rural parts of the world, but I’ve never been without phone or Internet for 3 days before. *exaggeration alert* Being in a dark valley in Scotland over a long weekend was like having an arm removed. Anywho, here’s the news from the last few days. Note that there is an “August Update for …” Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 coming out next week, what the media will probably called “Update 2 for …”.

GRIT 1.2 – Updated Tool to Import and Configure VM Role Gallery Items in WAP: A new version of this utility.
Connecting AD and Azure AD: Only 4 clicks with Azure AD Connect: Announcing the availability of the first step along this path with our first Public Preview of Azure Active Directory Connect (AAD Connect).
Microsoft Remote Desktop Preview V8.1.3 update for Windows Phone 8.1 available today for download: This blog highlights the changes Microsoft has made to the app.
August updates for Windows Server 2012 R2: Windows 8.1 is getting a big update. So is WS2012R2.
Image deployment process stops with a message "Windows could not finish configuring the system": Windows server 2008 R2 or later with boot from SAN – Windows could not finish configuring the system. To attempt to resume configuration, restart the computer.
What are Hyper-V Protected Networks? A post I wrote for Petri.com
How Do I Manage Hyper-V? A post I wrote for Petri.com
Using the Windows Server 2012 Security Configuration and Analysis Tool: A handy primer for exam prep.
General Availability – Zone Redundant Storage: ZRS is live now, and has multiple copies replicated at least 25 miles apart. Microsoft stores an equivalent of three replicas of data across 2 to 3 facilities within a single region or across regions for higher durability. ZRS capability is only available for Block Blob Storage type currently.
Surface damage mounts at Microsoft as red ink reaches $1.7B: Microsoft continued to lose money on its Surface tablets throughout its just-concluded 2014 fiscal year, adding hundreds of millions of dollars in red ink and boosting total losses to $1.7 billion since the device’s 2012 launch.

Technorati Tags: WAP,Cloud,Cloud Computing,Active Directory,Remote Desktop Services,Windows Server 2012 R2,Deployment,Hyper-V,Hybrid Cloud,Networking,Virtualisation,Storage,Azure,Security,Hardware

Microsoft News Summary – 1 August 2014

Talk about crappy timing. A federal court in the USA has determined that emails are not actually emails, and therefore Microsoft must turn over ~~emails~~ business records stored on Email servers in the Dublin region to the FBI. One must wonder why the FBI didn’t contact the Irish authorities who would have jumped at once if the case was legitimate and issued an order locally. Maybe the case is not actually legitimate?

On the eve of Azure going big through Open licensing, a federal judge has stuck a stake through the heart of the American IT industry – this is much bigger than Microsoft, affecting Google, Apple, Oracle, IBM, HP, Dell, and more. Microsoft has already lodged an appeal.

Microsoft ordered to hand over Irish-based data to the US government: Microsoft must turn over a customer’s emails stored in a data centre in Ireland to the US government, a US judge has ruled in a case that has drawn concern from privacy groups and major technology companies.
Microsoft responds to ruling in warrant case: Microsoft Executive Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith provided the following response to a federal court ruling in New York on Thursday in the company’s ongoing case challenging a U.S. government warrant for customer data stored in Dublin, Ireland.
Deploy a SharePoint Farm in Microsoft Azure: Using the new farm functionality in Azure
General Availability for Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) 5.0: EMET is a free tool, designed to help customers with their defense in depth strategies against cyberattacks, by helping block and terminate the most common techniques adversaries might use in comprising systems. EMET 5.0 further helps to protect with two new mitigations, and with new capabilities giving customers additional flexibility on their deployments.
Support Tip – VMs deployed to Hyper-V networks experience delays acquiring an IP address after reboot: When using System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager (VMM 2012 R2), you may discover that some virtual machines that are deployed on Hyper-V Network Virtualization networks with dynamic IP address allocation may not get an IP address for a few minutes after a reboot of the VM. Eventually the VM gets the IP address and otherwise functions normally.

Technorati Tags: Azure,Cloud,Cloud Computing,Office 365,Microsoft,SharePoint,Security,Hyper-V,System Center,VMM