Loay Olabi

Types of Clouds, in a simple way!

Loay Olabi — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:41:45 +0000

Private Cloud

A private cloud is the implementation of cloud services on resources that are dedicated to your organization, whether an implementation within the premises of the organization (on-premises) or outside them (off-premises). With a private cloud, you get many of the benefits of public cloud services – including self-service, scalability and flexibility – with the added control and customization to have dedicated resources.
There are two models of cloud services can be provided in a private cloud: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). With IaaS, you can use the resources of the infrastructure (computer, network and storage) as a service, while PaaS provides a comprehensive platform of applications as a service. Microsoft offers solutions that provide IaaS and PaaS cloud deployments for both private and public.

Private cloud solutions
Using infrastructure as a service model, the private cloud solution from Microsoft built on the foundation of Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and System Center, is a fundamental part of Microsoft’s approach to cloud computing, which allows building a cloud environment dedicated to transforming the way that provide IT services for business.

Microsoft Solution for IaaS private cloud
Using infrastructure as a service model, the solution Microsoft private cloud, based on Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and System Center, is a key part of Microsoft’s approach to cloud computing, allowing you to build a one dedicated environment to transform the way in providing IT services to the business.

Community Cloud

The cloud infrastructure is shared by several organizations and supports the concerns of a particular community on a specific topic, for example, security, research, policy or compliance. It can be administered by the organization or by a third party and may exist within the same, “on premises” or out of it, “off premises”.
A community cloud is similar to a public cloud except that access is limited to a specific community of users of the same cloud.

Public Cloud

The name of Cloud or Cloud Public Service refers to the standard model of cloud computing, where the provider of these services available to anyone on the Internet infrastructure, ie, allows the user to use their software or hardware in the form free or on payment of a sum of money for the time of their use.

The cloud infrastructure is available to the general public or a large group of industry and the infrastructure is provided by an organization selling cloud services.

Public clouds usually are handled by third parties, and the work of many different clients can be mixed on the servers, storage systems and other infrastructure in the cloud. End users do not know what works for other clients may be running on the same server, network, and disks as their own

The advantage of public clouds is the processing and storage capacity without installing machines locally, so no initial investment or maintenance expense in this respect, if not paid for the use. The operational load and security of data (backup, accessibility, etc…) Rests entirely on the hardware and software provider, as a result, the risk of adopting a new technology is quite low. The return on investment is faster and more predictable with these clouds.

The disadvantages are providing access of all information to third parties, and dependence on online services (via Internet). It can also be difficult to integrate these services with other proprietary systems. It is very important when betting on a public cloud service, make sure you can get all the data you have on it, free and in the shortest time possible.

Hybrid cloud

Is the composition of two or more clouds, for example private and public, which remain unique entities but having coexisting technology or applications, can share data between them. Consider a scenario where the application is developed and tested in a private cloud and then unfolds to a public cloud.

Hybrid clouds combine the models of public and private clouds. You own some and share other, albeit in a controlled manner. Hybrid clouds offer the promise of scaling externally provisioned on-demand, but add the complexity of determining how to distribute applications across these different environments. Companies may feel some attraction to the promise of a hybrid cloud, but this option, at least initially, will probably be reserved for simple applications without conditions, which require no synchronization or require complex databases.

For example, many companies have found it more economical to use an IaaS such as Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) to store images, videos and documents in their own infrastructure. The hybrid model also lends itself to an incremental approach.

Even the hybrid cloud can be a good intermediate step before spending most of the applications to the cloud, as it is something less risky. It would therefore be interesting to spend some more useful applications for the cloud to this and when you are more comfortable, move necessary.

A hybrid cloud is the advantage of a more moderate initial investment and also have SaaS, PaaS or IaaS demand.

At the time needed using the APIs of the various existing public platforms, you have the ability to scale the platform all you want without investing in infrastructure with the idea of taking one of the following ways:

If this need were to be either stable, it would be advisable to increase the capacity of the private cloud and incorporate public services adopted in passing them to the cloud itself.
If the need is occasional or intermittent service would remain in public Clouds, allowing the infrastructure does not increase unnecessarily.

These clouds are having good acceptance in companies facing a near future, as being developed cloud management software to manage the private cloud and in turn acquire resources on large public providers.

Q: Do you want to manage your PCs from the Cloud? A: Windows Intune

Loay Olabi — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:53:42 +0000

A couple of years ago, I started to test a Microsoft product in its initial beta phase. System Center Essentials Online name. It was an interesting product that had some innovative concepts such as team management from the Internet. With the evolution of the product before the release System Center Essentials Online is now called Windows Intune for its release version.

In its first version that was released on March 2011, Windows Intune introduce features such as virus and malware protection, patch management, proactive monitoring of PCs, security policies and the advantage of Software Assurance upgrade the software on your computer to Windows 7 Enterprise, and the next version when available. Windows Intune allows users to maximize mobility, because it has a module that supports remote lets you start scanning and virus malware remotely, and the management console can be accessed from any computer with a browser with support for Silverlight The user can initiate a request for help that sends an alert to administrators so they can help. Intune Windows keeps a current inventory of hardware and software installed on your PC, allowing full visibility of the equipment even these are in remote locations. Also the first version of Windows Intune has some capabilities to create reports.

The current version of Windows Intune, which was available on October 2011, introduced changes in the ability to create more flexible reports. But the main innovation was the ability of software deployment. Since Windows Intune can distribute applications to remote PCs, and you alert and monitoring the status of a facility.Installing new applications on a remote team is no longer a problem.

Check out this great video

What is Private Cloud?

Loay Olabi — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:43:50 +0000

Private cloud is the Implementation of cloud services on resources are dedicated to your That organization, Whether They exist on-premises or off-premises. With a private cloud, you get Many of the Benefits of public cloud computing-Including self-service, scalability, and elasticity-with the additional control and customization available from dedicated resources.

There are two models for cloud services can be That Delivered in a private cloud: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). With IaaS, you can use Infrastructure resources (compute, network, and storage) as a service, while Provides a complete application PaaS platform as a service. Microsoft offers solutions IaaS and PaaS That Deliver Both private and public for cloud deployments.

Microsoft Solution for IaaS in a Private Cloud

Using the Infrastructure as a Service model, the Microsoft solution for private cloud, built on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Hyper-V and System Center, is a key part of Microsoft’s approach to cloud computing, Enabling you to build out a dedicated cloud environment to transform the way you Deliver IT services to the business.

To help you deploy private commercial and public clouds based on Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, System Center, and related products, Microsoft offers a set of programs and Initiatives Called Hyper-V Cloud. These programs can help you:

Build your own private cloud With Help from the Hyper-V Cloud Deployment Guides and Hyper-V Cloud partners.
Get a pre-validated private cloud configuration from Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track OEM partners.Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track Partners Have Worked with Microsoft to combine hardware and software based on a reference Offerings architecture for building private clouds.
Find a service provider in the Hyper-V Cloud Service Provider Program who can host a dedicated private cloud for you.

Microsoft investing in a many engagements to help Customers with IaaS Assessments, proofs-of-concept, and deployments With Help from our partners or Microsoft Services. The Investments are Designed to help reduce the risks above, cost, and time testing and deploying Associated with a cloud environment.

Deploying Microsoft’s private cloud infrastructure you to take positions Also Advantage of the Windows Azure cloud platform-through powerful public identity, development, and management tools. These tools span across private and public cloud so Environments That You Can Easily more build, migrate, or extend out to the public cloud and Benefit from Virtually unlimited scale and efficiencies events Greater Whenever You Need it.

Microsoft Solution for PaaS in a Private Cloud

Using the Microsoft Power of Windows Azure to Deliver a platform as a service private cloud With The Windows Azure Platform Appliance , a turnkey platform That cloud service providers, governments and large Enterprises can deploy in Their Own datacenter, across Hundreds to Thousands of servers

Private Cloud Certification

Loay Olabi — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:44:42 +0000

Transferring resources to the cloud, active, and often aggressively promoted by Microsoft and other vendors require certain qualifications of specialists capable of adapting to the management of such infrastructure. Despite some panic of some colleagues, who feared losing the role of administrators in the case of a transition to a cloud infrastructure, was confident that under certain conditions, experts in the field in any case will be in demand, having the necessary skills.

Microsoft is launching a new program for Private Cloud Certification , which allows to confirm your ability to work with the decisions of the located in the cloud. In particular, the track “Cloud” certification filed two completely new exam:

70-246 , Private Cloud Monitoring and Operations with System Center 2012
70-247 , Private Cloud Configuration and Deployment with System Center 2012

Despite the fact that the core exams 70-246 and 70-247 will be announced in a public beta in April at the Microsoft Management Summit , now have the opportunity to begin as pass the necessary tests on WIndows Server 2008 and prepare for the certification of System Center 2012.

Thus, 21 and 22 February will be completely free online training Creating & Managing a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 Jump Start , which instructors will perform the evangelists and product managers Microsoft.

The first day, the deployment and configuration

Part 1. The notion of private cloud Microsoft
Part 2. Deployment of infrastructure components
Part 3. Deploying a private cloud infrastructure
Part 4. Deployment of security services
Part 5. Deployment of applications and virtual machines

Day Two, management and operations

Part 6. Management infrastructure components
Part 7. Infrastructure Management private cloud
Part 8. Service Management Safety
Part 9. Manage applications and virtual machines

Taking into account the composition of the reading course, I recommend to register and take the time to get acquainted with the training.

Free Microsoft Private Cloud Training

Loay Olabi — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:39:43 +0000

On February 21 & 22 we are running a 2-day virtual training event to help the world learn about the upcoming enhancements with Creating & Managing a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 Jump Start. It is 100% free so register now!

Event Overview

Adopting this exciting new computing paradigm provides a whole new landscape of technology and career direction for IT professionals. Microsoft Learning and the Microsoft System Center 2012 team have partnered to bring you an exciting opportunity to learn what you need to know to deploy, manage and maintain Microsoft’s private cloud solution. Leveraging the popular Jump Start virtual classroom approach, the industry’s most gifted cloud experts will show attendees why this new private cloud solution, based on System Center 2012 and Windows Server, has garnered so much attention. Presenters include Symon Perriman, Sean Christensen, Adam Hall, Kenon Owens, Prabu Rambadran & Chris Van Wesep and there will be a live Q&A during the event.

Event Agenda

Day 1: Deployment & Configuration (Feb. 21)

Part 1: Understanding the Microsoft Private Cloud
Part 2: Deploying the Infrastructure Components
Part 3: Deploying the Private Cloud Infrastructure
Part 4: Deploying the Service Layer
Part 5: Deploying the Applications & VMs

Day 2: Management & Operations (Feb. 22)

Part 6: Managing the Infrastructure Components
Part 7: Managing the Private Cloud Infrastructure
Part 8: Managing the Service Layer
Part 9: Managing the Applications & VMs

Can Microsoft System Center 2012 change the private datacenter?

Loay Olabi — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:44:34 +0000

I came accross this article, which has some short description of what to expect in the coming release of Microsoft System Center 2012.

Source: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/datacenter/can-microsoft-system-center-2012-change-the-private-datacenter/1185

Summary: Microsoft’s revamped System Center 2012 looks to manage all your cloud needs from one unified interface.

On Tuesday, Microsoft released new versions, as either release candidates or betas, of every component application that comprises the next generation of their comprehensive systems management package, Microsoft System Center 2012. Microsoft sees this new version of the product as redefining the way that private clouds are run. Despite the mix of RCs and betas, Microsoft expects the entire release version package to ship in the first half of 2012.

The eight components that make up System Center 2012 are:

App Controller (beta) – This application is designed to be a single point of control for applications across both private and public clouds. System administrators can both deploy and manage these applications through this interface.

Configuration Manager (RC) - Microsoft completely redesigned the rule model of Configuration Manager for this release., It was a necessary change in order to support a broader range of devices, in including support for mobile devices running Android, iOS, and, of course, Windows Phone 7.

Data Protection Manager (beta) – DPM continues its real-time data protection capabilities and adds single-window management across security and other services.

Endpoint Protection (RC) – Improvements in the anti-malware, signature detection, vulnerability warning system, and a focus on user controls. In addition to those in place for device control

Operations Manager (RC) – The core product of the Systems Center line, Ops Manager provides centralized, single console management of your public and private cloud resources.

Orchestrator (RC) – management for process automation with hooks to the major automation player’s management tools (IBM, BMC, EMC, CA, and most notably, VMware).

Service Manager (beta) – The primary tool for deploying services across your cloud infrastructure.

Virtual Machine Manager (RC) – With support for more than just Microsoft’s basic hypervisor, VMM now also handles VMware, along with Xen and Azure. It can combine capacity from all the different virtualizations into a single cloud. As they are not the leading player in the VM market it makes sense to support alternatives to their own system.

Transforming IT with Microsoft Private Cloud

Loay Olabi — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:34:16 +0000

The definition, business value, and technology benefits of the “the cloud” have been hotly debated in recent months. Most agree that cloud computing can accelerate innovation, reduce costs, and increase business agility in the market. In 2012, cloud computing will transition from hype and discussion, to part of every enterprise’s reality, and IT is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation and help business reap the benefits of cloud computing.

Join us for a virtual event designed to help you explore your cloud options. It’s your chance to interact with Microsoft experts and with IT leaders like yourself, who have been putting cloud technology to work in their own organizations. You’ll be among the first to hear the latest private cloud news from Microsoft.

Transforming IT with Microsoft Private Cloud
Approx. Start Time

Private cloud discussion with Microsoft executives: Insights and news

Satya Nadella, President, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft
Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Management and Security Division, Microsoft

Register Now for the virtual event
Tuesday, January 17th
8:30 AM PST | 16:30 UTC
Hear from other senior IT professionals about how cloud computing can help you gain maximum competitive advantage with minimal risk.
Learn about Microsoft cloud offerings, including private, public, and hybrid cloud models.
Experience Microsoft private cloud solutions through the Microsoft Technology Center.

Check The Event Link

http://www.microsoft.com/business/events/en-us/PrivateCloudExec/#fbid=ZALPym445Ne

SQL Server and Hyper-V Dynamic Memory – best practices

Loay Olabi — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:40:57 +0000

Memory is a critical resource to Microsoft SQL Server workloads, especially in a virtualized environment where resources are shared and contention for shared resources can lead to negative impact on the workload. Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 introduced Hyper-V Dynamic Memory, which enables virtual machines to make more efficient use of physical memory resources. Hyper-V Dynamic Memory treats memory as a shared resource that can be reallocated automatically among running virtual machines. There are unique considerations that apply to virtual machines that run SQL Server workloads in such environments. This document provides insight into considerations and best practices for running SQL Server 2008 R2 in Hyper-V Dynamic Memory configurations on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.

To review the document, please download the Running SQL Server with Hyper-V Dynamic Memory – Best Practices and Considerations document.

Linux Integration Services Version v3.2 for Hyper-V

Loay Olabi — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:04:21 +0000

Microsoft released Linux Integration Services Version v3.2 for Hyper-V , the set of drivers that enable synthetic device support in supported Linux running under Hyper-V.

Supported guest operating systems for Linux Integration Services 3.1 for Hyper-Vinclude:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.0 / 6.1 on x86 / x64 (up to 4 vCPU)
CentOS 6.0 x86 / x64 (up to 4 vCPU)

For other Linux systems supported by Hyper-V, ie:

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 10 SP3 / 11
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.x

Use the previous version of the drivers: Linux Integration Services 2.1 for Hyper-V

Once installed on a virtual machine with supported Linux operating system, Linux
Integration Services for Hyper-V offers the following features:

Supported drivers : Linux Integration Services supports network controllers and storage controllers, IDE and SCSI, which are specially developed for Hyper-V.
Fastpath Boot Support for Hyper-V : Boot devices can take advantage of the block Virtualization Service Client (VSC), which increases productivity.
Time Synchronization : The clock inside the virtual machine will remain synchronized with the clock on the server virtualization.
Integrated closing : Virtual machines running Linux can be locked from the Hyper-V Manager or System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) using the command “Shut Down”.
Support for Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) : Supported Linux systems can use up to 4 virtual processors. Note: SMP support is not available for 32-bit systems running Linux guests running on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V or Hyper-V Server 2008.
Heartbeat : Allows the detection of server virtualization and virtual machine is running and responding.
Exchange of information by the KVP (Key Value Pair) : For information about running a virtual machine running Linux can be obtained through the exchange of information by Key Value Pair – server functionality of Windows Server 2008 virtualization.

Download here the files here:

Linux IC v3.2.iso
Linux Integration Services v3.2 Read Me.pdf

One stop shop for System Center 2012

Loay Olabi — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:07:02 +0000

Give a try and download System Center 2012 RC
Microsoft published a page with full details of the System Center suite, go for it HERE