System Center 2012 R2 downloadable VHDs available!

Do you want to experience System Center 2012 R2 products?
 
Microsoft have made VHDs available for evaluation:

 
System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager Data Warehouse– Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Operations Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Orchestrator – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Data Protection Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager – Evaluation (VHD) 
System Center 2012 R2 App Controller – Evaluation (VHD)

Just use them to have a look at all the new features!

Update: Password for above VHDs is pass@word1 or Pass@word1 
This cannot be found on internet actually, but because passwords were used on older System Center VHDs before, the're still working. Just make usage of it!

Update 17-2-2016: New download links available!

System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager Data Warehouse– Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Operations Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Orchestrator – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Data Protection Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center 2012 R2 App Controller – Evaluation (VHD)

Repair Windows 8.x from a bootable USB device

Last week my colleague had an issue with his local Windows 8.1 installation. For this case of emergency, Always make sure you have a bootable USB device with Windows 8.x in your pocket. In this blogpost I explain how to create one. Let's have a look how to repair Windows 8.x from a bootable USB device.

Just start your system with this bootable USB-device for installation/ upgrade or refresh/ reset actions. Then start the following actions:

1. Choose "Language to install", "Time and currency format" and "Keyboard or input method".
2. Then choose "Repair your computer", NOT "Install now".
3. At "Choose an option" select "Troubleshoot" and then "Advanced options".

4. Choose "Startup Repair", Operating System Windows 8.x first, which doesn't actually fixed the issue (Startup Repair couldn't repair your PC).
5. Choose "Advanced options" after the issue instead of shutdown.
6. At "Choose an option" select "Troubleshoot" and then "Advanced options".

7. Choose "Command Prompt" and type the following lines:
-bootrec /fixmbr
-bootrec /fixboot
8. Start your PC again and the issue should be fixed now.

Hope it helps!

Thanks to Frans Oudendorp (@oudendorp) for this one!

Guide to install Windows 8.1 from a bootable USB device

Last week I did an upgrade on my notebook from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. I prefer by doing this with a bootable USB device, Always having the Operating System with me for refresh or reset actions. This because you can use it in case of emergency also. The following steps are needed to get it done.

1) Download the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool and install it on your Windows device. Download
2) Start the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool and follow the steps. Select the Windows 8.1 ISO and use a empty USB device (4GB min.)

Select the Windows 8.1 ISO file on the hard disk

Use an empty USB device for installing Windows 8.1

Select the empty USB device and start/begin copying

Copy job is done and the USB device is ready to use now!

Just start your system with this bootable USB-device for installation/ upgrade or refresh/ reset actions. You can use it in case of emergency also! I will mention that in my next blogpost.

New System Center 2012 R2 releases available now!

As from yesterday (10/17/2013) new System Center 2012 R2 releases are available! Just go to Microsoft TechNet or MSDN and download the bits. You can also download Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 (RT) as from yesterday.

At last Windows Intune v5 will be available later today!

Still happy with my MS TechNet subscription for MCT's! :) Expect more blogposts on this topic soon.

Update: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013 available now!
Update: Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) for Windows 8.1 available now!

Update 19-10: The Hydration Kit for ConfigMgr 2012 R2 is available for download
Update 22-10: Windows Intune v5 is same as v4.0.14221.0



Next Release of Windows Intune (v5) coming in 3 days!

During Microsoft TechEd Europe in June 2013, the next release of Windows Intune (Wave E) is announced. This release will focus on deeper System Center integration, more consistent experiences across different mobile devices, and better data protection. Windows Intune 5.0 will offer direct management for Android also, so no need to use EAS for that anymore.

Here is what we know so far:
 -Choice between Company-owned or Personal-owned to decide management
-Native self-service portal apps for Windows, iOS and Android devices
-Registering and Enrolling devices through the cloud
-Deploy VPN profile and Wi-Fi profile policies and configurations
-Supports more policies on all supported device types
-Selectively and remotely wipe corporate data from managed devices

It will be coming in 3 days (Oct. 18) when Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows System Center 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 is released. Stay tuned for more news next week!

Mark Your Calendars for Oct. 18: The R2 Wave is Coming!

Reminder: Microsoft will release Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows System Center 2012 R2 and the latest update to Windows Intune in 3 days (Oct. 18), the same day Windows 8.1 will be released.

According to Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Windows Server and System Center Brad Anderson, it’s no coincidence that all four updates will be available on the same day. This will be done every time from now on! You can read more about it In the Cloud blog.

Recent posts about this topic:
Updates and New Features in ConfigMgr 2012 R2 (about System Center 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 and Windows Intune v5)

What’s new on Netflow Monitoring with Feature Xian NM 2012 SP2

Sponsor post

Jalasoft is proud to announce the upcoming release of service pack 2 for Xian Network Manager (NM) 2012. Among all the new features and improvements that will be present in SP2, we can highlight several enhancements on the side of Netflow monitoring:

-Support for Netflow version 9: Xian NM can now properly receive and process Netflow traffic from any device that has Netflow version 9 enabled.
-Dashboards: You can now create an OpsMgr dashboard that contains performance graphs from the top N elements associated to a default or custom filter.
-Monitoring of Top N elements: Define the top N elements that will be sent to OpsMgr, to avoid many objects visible.
-Sampling: Choose if all the Netflow packets received from the devices sending their data to Xian NM.

Just have a look at this blogpost, which mentions What’s new on Netflow Monitoring Feature with Xian NM 2012 SP2.

News as of today is that Xian NM SP2 will be released this coming Tuesday October 15th.

ExaGrid with Veeam (Virtual Machine Backup without Compromise)

Sponsor post

 
According to industry statistics, the costs associated with downtime due to system failure or disasters ranges from $70,000 to $161,000 per hour of downtime.

The ESG Lab Review offers guidance on how to minimize VM downtime and restore VMs in as fast as minutes in case accidental deletion, failure, or disaster. Key takeaways from the ESG Lab Review:

-How deduplication can negatively affect your ability to instantly recover VMs in VMware and Hyper-V environments
-How the ExaGrid disk backup and Veeam solution allows for the benefits of deduplication and instant recovery
-How Veeam's source-side deduplication and ExaGrid's post-process deduplication minimize storage needed for backup

Download Your FREE Lab Review here: Click

How to install CU3 and recognize the update afterwards

This week I did a new ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 installation, and installed Cumulative Update (CU) 3 afterwards. In this blogpost I explain how to install the update, and how to recognize it afterwards.

Just download CU3 here: Click
or have more information here: Click

Start the installation and choose:
-Welcome to setup > Next
-Prerequisite Check > Next
-Install the update for the ConfigMgr console
-Yes, update the site database
-Select all (site servers, consoles, clients)
-Choose to create update packages (4x)
-Setup Summary > Next
-Installation Progress (You should see this now)

 -Installation Complete > Finish

Let's have a look now to recognize it. It can be done on multiple places!
-ConfigMgr console properties (5.0.7804.1400):

Installed software updates (KB2882125):

Registry check (HKLM\Software\Microsoft\SMS\Setup):

Installed software packages (4x):

ConfigMgr client version (<ConfigMgr folder>\Client):
This one must be File version 5.0.7804.1400 now!

SCEP client version (<ConfigMgr folder>\Client):
This one must be File version 4.3.215.0 now!

As you can see all is okay now. Don't forget to update other ConfigMgr consoles and already existing ConfigMgr clients with the new software packages. After that you are ready and set again!

How to Reset Surface from a Recovery Drive

Today I wanted to revert my Surface RT from Windows 8.1 Preview to Windows 8.0 again. Lucky me I created a Recovery Drive before, so no worry about that. How to create a Recovery Drive is described here: Guide to create a USB Recovery Drive for Windows RT. This time I mention the steps to revert it back again.

You have the choice to Refresh or Reset your Surface. When Refresh your PC you don't lose any files. When Reset your PC all of your files are removed. Tost be careful!

Important warnings: Things you need to know before resetting Surface. After a reset, Surface returns to its factory settings.
-All your personal files, settings, and apps will be gone. You’ll have to set up Surface as if it were brand new.
-Windows and the apps that came with Surface will be reinstalled as part of the reset process, but you will have to reinstall Windows Store and desktop apps that did not come pre-installed on Surface.

Reset Surface from a USB recovery drive

1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Power, and then tap or click Shut down. (Or, tap or click the Power icon in the lower-right corner of the sign-in screen.)
2. Attach the USB recovery drive to Surface.
3. Hold the volume-down (-) rocker.
4. Press and release the power button.
5. When the Surface logo appears, release the volume rocker.
6. Choose your language options.
7. Choose your keyboard layout.
8. From the BitLocker screen, tap or click Skip This Drive.
9. Tap or click Troubleshoot.
10. Tap or click Reset your PC.
11. Tap or click Next.
12. Tap or click Windows RT 8.1 as the operating system currently on your Surface to be reset.
13. Tap or click No, keep the existing partitions.
14. Tap or click Just remove my files.
15. When Surface displays All ready to go, tap or click Reset.

Surface will reset back to factory settings.

Everything went fine in my situation. As long you have a Recovery Drive, you can revert to default in just a few minutes. Just great!

Starting this year we are merging MMS with TechEd

Last month I wrote a blogpost about "Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) is officially no more". Last week there was a statement from Microsoft finally. Let's have a look what Brad Anderson have to say:

Over the past 11 years, the Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) has grown from a small user group event focused on systems management and managing PCs, to a large and passionate gathering of the world’s best and brightest IT Pros. Now it’s time to look ahead to the next step for our industry and this community. Starting this year we are merging MMS with TechEd..

It’s true that TechEd is a massive event, and its scale will accommodate the MMS community in addition to adding great content of its own. I can promise you that MMS content, experts, and community will be alive and well in this new format within TechEd (see Venn diagram below).

More about this here: What’s Next for MMS

On TechEd NA 2014 there is also a MMS message:
We are excited to announce that in 2014, we are bringing together the best of TechEd and MMS at TechEd NA in Houston. The brightest and most skilled technology professionals from both communities will meet to increase their technical expertise through deep hands-on technical learning, sharing of best practices and interaction with Microsoft and a variety of industry experts and their peers.

More about TechEd NA 2014 here!

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Houston, You?

Failed to open the local machine group policy

System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection (SCEP) is build-in ConfigMgr 2012 to manage anti-malware and antivirus on devices. Most of times the product is doing well, and no issues are seen. Last time however there was a policy issue: "Failed to open the local machine group policy". Because of this no SCEP policy was active on the clients. Here's what to do in this situation.

In the ConfigMgr logs folder, there's a filed named: EndpointProtectionAgent.log
In this logfile the error message is displayed to search for.
-Failed to apply the policy C:\Windows\CCM\EPAMPolicy.xml with error (0x80004005)
-Failed to open the local machine group policy (SCEP)
Also in Event Viewer there will be error messages which send you to the right direction.

To fix the error there are a few steps needed:
-Browse to the Windows\System32\GroupPolicy\Machine folder on the client and delete the file: Registry.pol
-Then restart the "SMS Agent Host" service to enforce ConfigMgr download all policies again. Sometimes this is not enough and re-installation of the ConfigMgr client is needed.

After that policies must be applied again well.

Source: SCCM.BIZ

ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 CU2 Installation Warning

If you run the installation program for Cumulative Update (CU) 2 for System Center 2012 SP1 Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) with insufficient permissions on the SQL Server you get a warning on the step "Perform Database Update" in the wizard.

If you click on "Show log file" the following message is displayed: "Task status detail added: A SqlException occurred, Line Number: 44Error: 229 Message: The EXECUTE permission was denied on the object: <?>, Database <?>"

This because of missing permissions on the Master & ConfigMgr database, so just choose another account with required permissions or add permissions to the already used account. After that the SQL script must be started manually.

The SQL script (update.sql) can be found in the hotfix folder in the installation path for ConfigMgr on the Site Server where you started the update. Just copy that one to the ConfigMgr Site Database Server.

Start SQL Management Studio after that, choose the right database above and open the SQL script. As mentioned in the SQL script the SMS_EXECUTIVE service must be stopped on the ConfigMgr Site Server before running. Click Execute and you're done!

Source: Infoworks

Unlocking ConfigMgr 2012 Objects

When removing objects in ConfigMgr the following message is displayed: "Cannot edit the object which is in use by <?>". This happened as the result of the ConfigMgr console crashing while someone had the object open.

ConfigMgr 2012 handles editing of objects through something called “SEDO” or “Serialized Editing of Data Objects.” Object locks can be found in the SEDO_LockState table in the ConfigMgr database.  You can locate the record in question by searching for LockStateID that’s not zero, or by the user ID that ConfigMgr says is editing the object (‘AssignedUser’).  An example query would be: select * from SEDO_LockState where LockStateID <> 0

Simply use the appropriate information to remove the record related to the object*. For example: DELETE from SEDO_LockState where LockID = ‘<LockID of the record identified in the previous query>’ Once the record is removed, you should be able to modify the object again. Hope it helps!

Cumulative Update 3 for ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 released

Last week (on friday) Cumulative Update (CU) 3 for ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 is released. It contains 17 fixes and adds support for Windows 8.1-based client computers in ConfigMgr SP1. Windows 8.1 is added to the supported platform list for the following features:
-Software distribution
-Software update management
-Compliance Settings

For OS deployment it''s still needed to upgrade to ConfigMgr 2012 R2 when it becomes available next month.

Here's a list of the issues that are fixed:
-Operating System Deployment (4 fixes)
-Windows PowerShell (1 fix)
-Software Distribution (4 fixes)
-Windows Intune (2 fixes)
-Endpoint Protection (1 fix)
-Site Systems (2 fixes)
-Reporting (2 fixes)
-Software Updates (1 fix)

Just install it in your environment when experiencing problems described in this article. When not affected by these problems, Microsoft recommends to wait for the next service pack that contains this update.

This update replaces Cumulative Update 2 for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Service Pack 1

For more information or download the update have a look here:
Microsoft Support

How to shrink the SQL Server Reporting Services log database

Today I did support on a ConfigMgr 2012 environment with local SQL installation, which I prefer! This because the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) log database ReportServer_log.ldf file was claiming almost complete diskspace (30GB). This is because of the Maximum File Size setting which is set to 2TB by default and no Maintenance Plan is active to shrink the file (by design). I will explain how to shrink the file in order to prevent that the logfile stay small.

Before shrinking the file

Start SQL Management Studio for that and expand Databases. Select the ReportServer database and rightclick on it. Choose Properties and Files and change Full recovery to Simple recovery first. Do a rightclick on the ReportServer database again and choose Tasks, Shrink and Files. Under "File type" select Log and click OK.

Have a look at "Available free space"

The ReportServer_log.ldf file should now decreased in size to 1-5MB instead of multiple GB's. In my situation the logfile was shrinken from 30GB to 5MB (after a few minutes). Much better that way, and no need to increase diskspace every time.

Hope you have the same experience as described here!

How do you charge an iPad with a Windows laptop?

When connection an iPad (Apple) with a Windows laptop, there will be a message displayed "charging off". This because it's want more power then a normal USB port can deliver (500ma, 5V). New MACs have a USB port which can deliver enough power (1200ma, 12V), but what to do with an Windows laptop?

There is a solution for this however: Ai Charger

With the exclusive ASUS Ai Charger, all of your motherboards, and desktops become universal chargers for your iPod, iPhone and now, the new iPad. Ai Charger turns any PC into a flexible power-up station for popular Apple devices through a simple USB connector, extending their usability and benefit in every lifestyle. Charging goes up to 50% faster and smoother while you do your work or have fun, whether at home or on the go.

The Ai Charger software is available for a variety of chipsets and motherboards from ASUS as well as all desktops, so just click Download Now! and prepare for even more enjoyment!

Windows 8.1 Enterprise RTM Now Available To Volume License Customers

One thing that we’ve made clear over the last few months, beginning with TechEd North America, TechEd Europe, WPC and in conversations with customers: Windows 8.1 is designed with businesses in mind. Windows 8.1 Enterprise RTM comes with a host of new capabilities only available in the Enterprise edition, as well as new industry-leading security features.

Beginning today, TechNet and MSDN subscribers will now have access to Windows 8.1 Enterprise RTM. This also includes access for Volume License (VL) customers with an active Software Assurance (SA) agreement, as you receive a TechNet subscription as part of SA.

Source: Windows

Still happy with my MS TechNet subscription for MCT's! :)

Migrate ConfigMgr 2007 to ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 in just a few steps

This month things started again, doing a ConfigMgr migration already! A migration in ConfigMgr is nothing more then installing a new Site Server and starting migration jobs, but still you must know what to do! Things must be done in the right order for doing it okay. I will mention the steps to follow and issues experienced for you.
Install and configure a new Site Server first and make sure you have permissions enough to access both the old and new Site Server. Then start with the migration. It can be done in a few steps (days).

1. Specify Source Hierarchy
The account used must have the required permissions to access the SMS Provider in ConfigMgr 2007. I can be both a computer or user account. I used both before, as long as you can access the Site Server. The other account mentioned here must have access to the ConfigMgr database. After that the migration can be started.

2. Share Distribution Points
Select all the Distribution points (DP's) which are needed for migration. In this situation they can be used both for ConfigMgr 2007 and 2012 migration. It can be both Branch, Protected or Standard DP's.
 
3. Create Migration Jobs
You can create one or multiple jobs to migrate collections and objects. In my experience they are all running fine, but there's no option to change source locations. When source files are located on the old Site Server they must be migrated to a new location. There are multiple scripts to find on the web for doing that. HERE and HERE.
When migrating taks sequences as well all content located in the task sequence is migrated as well. This means all driver packages, drivers, software packages, boot images, OS images will migrated also. Because there's no option to unselect content (all is needed for the task sequence) it will be a time consuming job.
You cannot choose to export task sequences in ConfigMgr 2007 and import them in ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 again because it's a new file format (zip instead of xml). Bad luck!

4. Upgrade ConfigMgr Clients
When content is migrated to the new Site Server it's time to upgrade the ConfigMgr clients. This can be done from ConfigMgr 2012 when system discovery is done. Just make sure DotNet Framework 4 is installed on the clients, because it's needed to install the client.
When Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP) 2010 is installed, it will be removed automatically and when Client policy is changed, System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection (SCEP) 2012 will be installed. No need to do anything when things are configured the right way.

5. Upgrade Distribution Points
This step can be done during or before upgrade ConfigMgr clients as well. You need a new ConfigMgr client to access a upgraded DP, so both are needed. Migrating DP's can take many hours because they will be converted to the new Content Library share. Ensure that the location that you selected on the Drive Settings page of this wizard contains sufficient free disk space for this content to convert.
If the content will remain on the same drive, conversion requires free space on that drive that is equal to slightly more than twice the estimated volume of the migrated packages. If the content will move to a new drive, conversion requires free space on that drive that is equal to the estimated volume of the migrated packages.
Before you upgrade a Branch DP, uninstall the ConfigMgr 2007 client software. When you upgrade a Branch DP that has the ConfigMgr 2007 client software installed, the content that was previously deployed to the computer is removed from the computer, and the upgrade of the DP fails! Without the client it goes fine all the way!

6. Stop Gathering Data
When you are satisfied about migrated collections, objects and DPs it's time to stop the connection to ConfigMgr 2007. You can choose to delete existing migration jobs also. After that (or after a while to make sure things are okay) you can uninstall ConfigMgr 2007 sites and servers. The migration is completed now!

Hope above steps are clear and help you to migrate ConfigMgr sites. In a next blogpost I will mention some issues which were seen during the migration. Nice to be back again!

Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) is officially no more

A few months ago (in April actually) rumors were saying there's no MMS next year anymore. This because no new date and location were mentioned during MMS 2013. You can read more on that here: No MMS 2014 next year anymore?

After many months there's something new to mention (by Ed Hap Aldrich on Facebook): Apparently the word is out now: Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) is officially no more. Time for the community to step into the void.

Rod Trent (CEO & Founder at myITforum.com, Inc.) reacted on the topic with: Not to worry...we're already moving forward: http://devconnections.com/

Curious what next year will bring. Early next year there's NIC (Nordic Infrastructure Conference): http://www.nicconf.com/

After that we'll see what 2014 will bring..

Note: For me MMS was great for networking, community and sessions. Been there three times ('09, '12, '13) and was getting better every time! Hope there will be a good alternative for this.

Update: Read the "The History of MMS" for an overview and "Saying Goodbye to a Good Friend" for more information.

How to create a dashboard and widget in Xian Wings HD

Sponsor post

You can easily create and configure a dashboard on your iPad which contains widgets of the monitored objects from your System Center Operations Manager (OpsMgr) environment and their corresponding alerts and performance graphs. In this way, you can quickly review the states, alerts and graphs of your most important computers or devices in a single screen.

Just have a look at this blogpost, which mentions How to create a dashboard and widget in Xian Wings HD.

For more information please visit Jalasoft's website or contact sales(at)jalasoft.com.

Veeam Backup & Replication v7 is Here!

Sponsor post

August 15th is a big day here at Veeam. On this day Veeam released the seventh version of their award-winning Backup & Replication product. It’s hard to believe it’s only been five and a half years since they released version one. With the help of their Veeam ProPartners, they’ve been able to accomplish some truly incredible things in the past five and a half years, including:
 

 

-#1 VMware and #1 Hyper-V Backup
-Over 73,000 paying customers
-Over 200,000 users of our free products
-Coverage in 75% of Fortune 500 companies
-Fastest growing backup software of all time
 
Click here to find all necessary information: Veeam
A free trial can be found here also: Download

Congrats to Veeam with the new release!

How I stole back the android tablet from my son, and put a SCOM console on it

Sponsor post

Arnold Hagens, Marketing Product Manager from Jalasoft has write a blogpost about installing the Android version Xian Wings on a Nexus tablet. Wings is a mobile System Center Operations Manager (OpsMgr) console for Android, Windows Phone and iOS. It's good to see that Wings worked like a charm, and states, alerts, tasks and graphs where all running smoothly. Wings can be installed on smartphones and tablets to monitor a (remote) environment.

Just have a look at this blogpost, which mentions the full story.

Check: http://www.jalasoft.com/xian/wings for more information.

Download Windows 8.1 RTM and Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM Today

Starting today, we will extend availability of our current Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM builds to the developer and IT professional communities via MSDN and TechNet subscriptions. The Windows 8.1 RTM Enterprise edition will be available through MSDN and TechNet for businesses later this month. Additionally, today we’re making available the Visual Studio 2013 Release Candidate which you can download here.

Source: Steve "Guggs" Guggenheimer's blog

Happy that my MS TechNet subscription is still active! :)

Back from vacation again! (2013)

After 3 weeks enjoying my vacation, partly in Denmark which is a beautiful country, it's time to take up some activities again. What did I miss last month? Well, their is some interesting news from Microsoft to mention. Let's have a look.
 
Windows 8.1 availability set for October 18
I know a lot of folks are eager to find out when they will be able to get Windows 8.1. I am excited to share that starting at 12:00am on October 18th in New Zealand (that’s 4:00am October 17th in Redmond), Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 will begin rolling out worldwide as a free update for consumers with Windows 8 or Windows RT devices through the Windows Store. Windows 8.1 will also be available at retail and on new devices starting on October 18th by market. So mark your calendars!
 
Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2 and other updates are also coming October 18
I'm excited to announce that, on the same day, eligible customers will be able to download Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2, as well as the latest update to Windows Intune! We’ll make evaluation versions available through the TechNet Evaluation Center, and these products will be available for new purchases when they hit the price list on November 1st.
 
Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release
We’re very excited to announce another free ebook offering from Microsoft Press. Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release (ISBN 9780735682931), by Mitch Tulloch with the Windows Server Team, introduces new features and capabilities, with scenario-based advice on how the platform can meet the needs of your business. Get the high-level overview you need to begin preparing your deployment now. This book is based on the Preview release and will be updated to cover Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM. 

Steve Ballmer email to Microsoft employees on Nokia Devices & Services acquisition
We announced some exciting news today: We have entered into an agreement to purchase Nokia’s Devices & Services business, which includes their smartphone and mobile phone businesses, their award-winning design team, manufacturing and assembly facilities around the world, and teams devoted to operations, sales, marketing and support. For Microsoft, this is a bold step into the future and the next big phase of the transformation we announced on July 11.

It will be exciting weeks/months to come!

Vacation time! (2013)

Today my vacation is starting for the next coming weeks. During my vacation there will be no new blogposts as you can guess :) So enjoy yourself (I will do also) and expect a lot of new information and knowledge later this year. There will be lot to write and share about upcoming and already available Microsoft products:

-System Center 2012 R2
-Windows Intune 5.0 (Wave E)
-Windows Server 2012 R2
-SQL Server 2014
-Windows 8.1 (with Outlook RT)
-Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013
-Windows Phone 8.1

Thanks for visiting my blog and see you later!

It's vacation time now!

Improved SMP for Virtual Center with additional rules and version support

Sponsor Post

The Xian NM 2012 Smart Management Pack for Virtual Center has been improved and updated for Xian NM 2012 SP2, by using the latest VMware SDK v2.5 for communication that lets Xian NM add support for the latest Virtual Center versions and create new additional rules to monitor more aspects of the associated ESX hosts and virtual machines. 

 

Supported Virtual Center versions:
-2.0.0 / 2.0.1 / 2.0.2 / 2.5.0
-4.0.0 / 4.1.0
-5.0.0 / 5.1.0

New Virtual Center rules:
Below you’ll find a list of the new Virtual Center rules available in Xian NM 2012 SP2. Notice that each of these rules can be configured to generate alerts and/or collect performance counters and they also come with related reports in OpsMgr. 
-ESX disk latency time
-ESX disk total SCSI-bus reset
-ESX free memory state
-ESX kernel latency time
-ESX total aborted SCCI commands
-ESX total executed SCSI commands
-ESX total latency time
-VM disk latency time
-VM disk total SCSI-bus reset
-VM kernel latency time
-VM memory swap in rate
-VM memory swap out rate
-VM total latency time
-VM CPU idle time
-ESX Incoming Dropped Packets
-ESX Incoming Packets
-ESX Outgoing Dropped Packets
-ESX Outgoing Packets
-ESX PcNet Incoming Traffic
-ESX PcNet Outgoing Traffic
-VM Incoming Dropped Packets
-VM Incoming Packets
-VM Outgoing Dropped Packets
-VM Outgoing Packets

Availability
The new VMWare VCenter Management Pack will be available starting from Q3/2013 in SP2 for Xian Network Manager 2012. For more information, please contact our sales department at sales(at)jalasoft.com.

Visit Veeam booth #1629 at VMworld US 2013 in San Francisco

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Enable ConfigMgr integration in RES Workspace Manager

Last time I wrote a blogpost about ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 with App-V 5.0 integration. This time I installed RES Workspace Manager (WM) in my LAB environment. RES WM is a lightweight platform that allows you to manage every user’s workspace from a single console by separating it from the underlying infrastructure. As a result, changes to the infrastructure will not impact the user’s workspace.

With RES WM 2012 SR3 it's possible to publish packages (!) which are created in ConfigMgr also. Because the application model is not supported yet, App-V packages (integrated in ConfigMgr) cannot be used. Hope this is supported in a next release, because this will be a great feature! In this blogpost I will explain how to setup RES WM (for ConfigMgr usage) and how results are!
 

Before starting a few packages are needed in ConfigMgr, I created 5 of them. In RES WM it's needed to have ConfigMgr integration. Just follow these steps to do this:

-Start the RES WM console, under the Setup menu select "Microsoft System Center";
-Select the check box "Enable Microsoft System Center ConfigMgr Integration";
-You will need to enter the the ConfigMgr server that has the Management Point role installed;
-The credentials you supply will need to have sufficient privileges to the ConfigMgr environment;

-When you click the "Test Now" button, you see all the packages which are available in ConfigMgr.
 

Within the RES WM console create a new application and choose for ConfigMgr integration, just follow the steps given:
-In the RES WM console, under the Composition tab select Applications;
-Choose "New Application" and select Configuration and Add, select "Microsoft ConfigMgr";
-Select a program and package to install, and select OK;
-Select Properties and choose a title and default icon, and select OK;
-Choose Access Control, select type: "users and groups" Add user/group;
-That way only members of the group receive the application!
 
After that install a RES WM agent on all systems which you want to manage. I installed the agent on 2 LAB systems and restarted them. After restart shortcuts were published on my desktop immediately. When starting a shortcut, installation will be done by ConfigMgr.

In the ConfigMgr console you will see a temporary collection created with the system(s) in it, which will get the application. The temporary collection will be deleted afterwards automatically.

When choosing collection properties (you must be quick for that one) you will see that RES created the collection and put an deployment on it. In this case it will be a required (mandatory) installation.

On the client you will see that ConfigMgr is installing the application. Just fill in the "Custom status message" in application properties for this. Nice to see that Microsoft and RES doing things together here.

After deployment the application can be started and logfile can be shown in the "Setup - Microsoft System Center" tab. During a session new applications can be delivered when choosing "Refresh Workspace".

 

Hope that RES is supporting the application model in ConfigMgr soon, so App-V 5.0 packages (integrated in ConfigMgr) can be used also! Expect more on this topic when new releases are available.

Unlock GodMode in Windows 7 and 8

In Windows 7 & 8 (and before) it's possible to unlock GodMode. This is a hidden control option, which gives you access to ALL the options on your computer. GodMode is a folder that brings together a long list of customization settings allowing you to change ALL your settings from one place. Handy huh?

To activate it, just create a folder and rename it to a specific filename with a code. This folder can be created anywhere on disk or desktop. Just create a new one, and rename it to: 
"GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}"
and press enter.

After that the folder changes form to look like the Control Panel. This will work on Windows XP also. Enjoy it!

Henk's blog statistics

After posting blogs for almost 3 years now, I thought it would be nice to enter some statistics for Henk's blog. This because the amount of visitors and pageviews is still increasing. Hope you like my posts on Microsoft Configuration Manager and other topics. Here we go!

First post: 13 October 2010
Number of posts: 254 (included this one)
Posts a year: 12 (2010) 69 (2011) 70 (2012) 103 (2013)

Most viewed: Guide to install Windows 8 on a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk)
Most comments: Multicast error 0x80091007 during deployment
Most likes (+1): Updates and New Features in ConfigMgr 2012 R2

Most pageviews 'all time'

Pageviews a day: ± 1.200 - 1.300
Pageviews last month: ± 28.000
Pageviews all time: ± 427.000

Visitors a day: ± 500 - 600
Visitors last month: ± 11.000
Visitors all time: 92.505 (since 13 November 2012)

Country pageviews 'all time'

Most search keywords: system center 2012
Most traffic sources: www.google.com
Most audience: United States

From today Google Analytics is installed, so expect more statistics next year! Hope to reach 500.000 pageviews later this year :)