SCCP 2007 is now available on MS Connect for public beta testing. SCCP offers you the ability to model and simulate loads and scalability for Exchange Server 2007 and Operations Manager 2007. You can also introduce "what if" scenarios, e.g. what happens if a server is removed.
SCCP is the first component you should encounter when adopting Microsoft’s Dynamic Systems initiative (DSI). DSI is a new approach that uses automation and built in knowledge to support the entire infrastructure lifecycle. You’ll likely have read or heard about how MOM and SMS fit in to this … they are key components but ideally, they should come later.
The starting point is modeling. You build a model using a tool that advises you on best practices, scalability and performance. You can introduce scenarios such as growth, redundancy and disaster. Using this model you can architect your infrastructure with predictable results.
Currently, SCCP only support Exchange and OM but we can expect future releases to include other tools. We’ve seen Excel spreadsheets for modeling AD design so don’t be surprised to see that taken to the next level. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Visual Studio (if it already doesn’t do it) to include a modeling solution for business applications, including web servers, SQL servers, clusters, etc.
Taking you model, you architect and deploy your infrastructure. You then can monitor it using OM 2007 – it includes a service modeling feature where your business application (consisting of many devices, servers or applications) is considers as a single offering or service.