Microsoft Ignite 2023

Microsoft Ignite 2023 is around the corner, this year event is occurring between November 14 -17 and you can register for in person attendance or online if you are attending the event virtually. 

Register here: Microsoft Ignite 2023

Follow @MS_Ignite handle for latest updates.

You can access the Microsoft Ignite Book of News here : https://news.microsoft.com/ignite-2023-book-of-news/

Windows 365 & Azure Virtual Desktop

Windows 365 is now being adopted by multiple Organizations and both Small Business and Enterprise offerings are best fit according to the Organization size which enables them to provide a Secure workplace environment for their workforce.

You can access the Official site here: Windows 365

Product documentation is available here: Windows 365 documentation

You can access the below interactive demo showcasing Windows 365 Experience.

Access the demo here: Windows 365 Interactive Demo

Access here to Find the right Windows 365 Cloud PC for your business

Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop is another great solution from Microsoft providing securing remote work with enhanced benefits.

Access official site here: Azure Virtual Desktop

Product documentation here: Azure Virtual Desktop documentation

Access the MS Learn Self-Paced Course here : Deliver remote desktops and apps with Azure Virtual Desktop

You can access this Quick video from @WindowsITProOnYouTube to know more on both Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop:  Understanding Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 for hybrid work

Another great video from Ingram Micro Cloud ANZ showcases both the products in detail and their differences.

Access here: Windows 365 vs Azure Virtual Desktop

A new Skilling Snack series published on this topic : Skilling snack: Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop

These videos allows you to understand and choose the right solution for your Organization.

Azure Architecture Center

Azure Architecture Center is your one stop resource providing guidance for architecting solutions on Azure using established patterns and practices. You have architectures and guides available for various Technology areas like AI & Machine learning, DevOps, IoT, Microservices etc.

Access here: Azure Architecture Center

Azure Stack: Building an end-to-end validation environment e-Book

Azure Stack is an extension of Azure, bringing the agility and fast-paced innovation of cloud computing to on-premises environments.  Organizations adopted Hybrid cloud Model started their move towards Azure Stack.

To help Organizations on their Azure Stack journey Microsoft team published a guidance e-book to help you plan for an end-to-end Azure Stack validation environment using the Azure Stack Development Kit.

You can download the e-book here: Azure Stack: Building an end-to-end validation environment

Also review the following Blog post series on this topic published by AzureCAT team to know more in detail.

Azure Stack Validation Environment – Part 1: Overview

Azure Stack Validation Environment – Part 2: Quotas, Plans, and Offers

Azure Stack Validation Environment – Part 3: Subscriptions

Azure Stack Validation Environment – Part 4: Services and Resource Manager

Azure Stack Validation Environment – Part 5: Putting it all together

Additionally access the Azure Resources  to advance your learning and for next steps.

Ultimate Guide to Windows Server 2016 e-Book

As most of the Organizations today are moving towards the Hybrid Cloud, and if you are in the process of evaluating a hybrid environment, a great place to start is Windows Server 2016. It takes all of the learnings from Microsoft Azure and builds it into your on-premises datacenter operating system. It provides added layers of security and new, streamlined deployments options. It also perfectly sets you up for a transition to hybrid cloud when you are ready.

Access the e-book here to know more :  Ultimate Guide to Windows Server 2016

Read the Hybrid Cloud Blog regularly and stay updated.

Global Azure Bootcamp 2017 is just a week away !

All around the world user groups and communities want to learn about Azure and Cloud Computing! On April 22, 2017, all communities will come together once again in the fifth great Global Azure Bootcamp event.

Access the Official Site here: https://global.azurebootcamp.net/

This event is hosted across the world, check for a Location near you and be a part of this great event.

Register soon...

Update:

Global Azure Bootcamp 2017 completed recently with a huge success across the world, I got an other opportunity to deliver a session on Azure AD and EMS at this event hosted in Chennai, India.

Access the slides here: Understanding Azure Active Directory and Enterprise Mobility & Security (EMS)

Advance your Azure skills from today!

Whether you’re new to Azure or already a cloud professional, training is one of the best investments you can make in your career. Microsoft is offering a free online training option and great deals on certification.

A new addition to the list of existing variety of technical training, tools and resources from Microsoft, This new Free Online training is based on a modern learning model called a Massively Open Online Course, or MOOC. MOOCs are so much more than online videos and demos – they incorporate videos, labs, graded assessments, office hours, and more.

You can access the growing catalog of MOOCs right now, for free. Finishing each MOOC includes a digital certificate of completion ready to share on professional networking sites like LinkedIn.

Access the Official Blog post here: New cloud trainings for next-generation tech professionals

Why to wait, choose the best option for you, your Organization and your Customer, begin your Azure Learning today and level up your skills.

Start here: Advance your Azure skills

Currently Available Modules in this MOOC are below and active till June 2017.

Register for these courses today and advance your Azure skills.

Update:

To sharpen your Azure Skills access the "Azure Skills Training" today, and by Completing any course from the below catalog will earn you a digital certificate of completion, ready to share on your professional networking sites.

Access here: Sharpen Your Azure Skills

Add-on Resources:

Your One stop for all Azure Resources

Access here: Azure Architecture Center

Practice with the latest cloud products and services in a live environment and advance your cloud skills for free using the Hands-on-Labs

Get hands-on with cloud technologies from Microsoft

Join the Azure Master Program today to build and prove your expertise, advance your career and expand your organization’s technology footprint with hands-on Azure trainings and certifications. And in the process, get recognized as Azure Masters.

Know more and Join here: Azure Master Program

Stay tuned for more updates...

Microsoft Azure vs. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

When it comes to Cloud adoption, there is always comparison between the best platform that fits an Organization strategy. Investments made in Cloud are increasing day by day and there is always tough competition exits between different Cloud providers, and when it comes to this evaluation Microsoft Azure vs. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the hottest topic and both of these Cloud giants are not less than the one another and some Organizations adopt Multi-Cloud approach and takes benefits of both the platforms.

To help customers decide which platform is right for their needs, Microsoft team have created a reference chart to show each IT capability along with its corresponding service or feature in both Azure and AWS.

Access the Reference Chart here: Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services

Update:

Microsoft introduced a new cloud service map to help you quickly compare the cloud capabilities of Azure and AWS services in all categories.

Access here: Cloud Service Map for AWS and Azure Available Now

Also review the below blog post related to this topic

Azure for AWS Professionals

Stay tuned for more updates...

Build 2016 has begun...

Microsoft Build 2016 conference has just begin, watch the live streaming from Channel 9.

Watch here: Live Build 2016

On demand Videos are now available in Channel 9 : Build 2016

This year Build was great with lot of exciting announcements and innovations.

Few Key blogs and articles to read are below:

Official Microsoft Blog - Build 2016: Announcing tomorrow’s cloud innovations for today’s developers 

The Verge - Microsoft Build: the 10 most important announcements

AD Team blog - Microsoft Identity at //build/ 2016 

Windows Blog - Best of Build 2016

Office Blogs - Office at Build 2016—new opportunities for developers

Microsoft Azure Stack is now here !

Microsoft's latest cloud innovation "Microsoft Azure Stack" is the hot topic today, Azure Stack is a new hybrid cloud platform product that enables organizations to deliver Azure services from their own datacenter in a way that is consistent with Azure.

Review here for more details: Microsoft Azure Stack

Access the webcast here to know more: Introducing Microsoft Azure Stack

Technical Preview documentation is available here: Microsoft Azure Stack Technical Preview documentation

Office Mechanics Video here: An early look at Azure Stack and what it means for IT, with Jeffrey Snover

Add-on Read : Microsoft Azure Stack TP1 Single Server POC Deployment Guide

Update:

Get to know the latest Microsoft Azure Stack Technical Preview 3 and start your POC today

Update:

Microsoft has announced the launch of general availability of its Azure Stack during Microsoft Inspire event 2017.

Review this Blog post know more: Microsoft Azure Stack is ready to order now

Also read the latest blog post here: Azure Stack is an On-Prem Hybrid Cloud Extension of Azure

Access the Microsoft Inspire 2017 video sessions related to Azure Stack here: Inspire 2017 Windows Server And Hybrid Cloud Session Recordings

Update:

After the General Availability of  Azure Stack, Microsoft team announced a new job Role for Managing and Operating Azure Stack called Azure Stack Operator, This is the role who will manage the physical infrastructure of Azure Stack environments. Unlike Azure, where the operators of the cloud environment are Microsoft employees, in Azure Stack, organizations will need to have people with the right skills to run and operate their cloud environment

You can learn more about the Role here: Operating Azure Stack

Microsoft team already started to update Azure Learning and Career path with the inclusion of Azure Stack and working to enable Multiple learning resources for this new role.

• 5-day in-classroom training course – “Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack”. This course is currently scheduled to be published in September 2017.

• Also plan to release a set of free online courses in the next few months:

• Azure Stack Fundamentals
• Azure Stack Planning, Deployment and Configuration
• Azure Stack Operations

Access here to know more: Why your team needs an Azure Stack Operator

More updates will be available during Microsoft Ignite 2017.

Update: 

Learn how to Integrate Azure Stack into your datacenter

Update:

Access Microsoft Ignite 2017 sessions related to Azure Stack now available on demand.

Access Microsoft Ignite 2018 Sessions related to Azure Stack now available on demand for the latest updates.

Update:

New blog series on Azure Stack IaaS is now available

Access the Part one blog post here: Azure Stack IaaS – part one

Stay tuned for more updates...

Microsoft Cloud IT Architecture Resources

Microsoft Cloud IT Architecture resources are available and these architecture tools and posters give you information about Microsoft cloud services and platforms, including Office 365, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, private cloud datacenter, and hybrid on-premises and cloud solutions.

Below are the key resources available,

Microsoft’s Enterprise Cloud Roadmap

Microsoft Cloud for Enterprise Architects Series

You can access the Complete Resources here: Microsoft cloud IT architecture resources

IT decision makers and architects can use these resources to determine the ideal solutions for their workloads and to make decisions about core infrastructure components such as identity and security.

Stay Updated:

You can access Microsoft Cloud Platforms Roadmap to stay updated about latest happenings in Microsoft Cloud world here:  Cloud Platform Roadmap

Additionally access Cloud Platform News Bytes Blog for periodic updates

Update:

Office 365 Roadmap is Individually available and widely used and now it has been moved to Office 365 FastTrack website.

Access here: Office 365 Roadmap

Announcing Microsoft Envision!!!

New Year has just begun and Microsoft team is all set to make new innovations and changes starting this year and as one of the major significant change now Microsoft Envision a  new flagship event for business leaders and decision makers replaces Microsoft Convergence as the premier event for business leaders and Microsoft Dynamics technical content will move to Microsoft Ignite.

This change is officially announced this week and the event will take place April 4-6, 2016 in New Orleans, LA.

You can register here: https://www.microsoft.com/en/Envision

Access the below Official Microsoft Blog post for more details : Introducing Microsoft Envision, our new event for business leaders

Update:

Access the Microsoft Envision Conference Session Videos On demand here: Microsoft Envision

Microsoft Ignite Session Catalog Now Available !!!

Last July 2014, Microsoft team announced their plan on bringing a new change to the way Microsoft Technology events are hosted by providing a Unified Technology Event for Enterprises. This was a hot topic at that time and we had various reviews and comments across the globe over this major move by Microsoft. On 16th October 2014 finally "Microsoft Ignite" was born, Microsoft team globally announced the location and dates "May 4-8, 2015 in Chicago IL"and finalized the event. Now the time is nearing.

Its now time for one more significant announcement from Microsoft Ignite team on whats coming? Yes, The most awaited Session catalog, Which is now made available with one more opportunity to be part of the #IgniteJam live tweet Jam in twitter, this February 3rd, at 9:00 a.m. PT to know more.

Access the Official post here : Introducing the Microsoft Ignite session catalog

Review the Session Catalog here: Ignite Sessions

We have about 275 Sessions on a whole, covering various Microsoft platforms and Technologies from novice to advanced, presented by prominent Experts from Microsoft along with Key people in the Technical Community united together in this Unified event.

Innovation with Microsoft is going beyond imagination which is evident from the recent Technology happenings in the IT world and the sessions are designed in such a way, that provides more insight on the present Technology and shows the path towards the future.

The best part with this announcement is, You now have the list handy that shows whats in, and all  you need to do is to review and decide what Sessions you are planning to attend and try get the most out of it.

If you are not yet registered, you have the link for registration in the Official blog post to register for the event and experience the Technology.

*Follow @MS_Ignite for current updates.

I am eager to know more on this and will be joining the #IgniteJam and share some more information here. stay tuned...

Update: 

Microsoft Ignite team released the full list of sessions and many of the speakers for the Ignite event.

Access these below Posts to know more:

World’s largest SharePint? It will happen ‘all week’ at Microsoft Ignite!

Be the first to learn what’s next for Exchange and Office 365 at Microsoft Ignite - Full session list now available

TechEd Europe 2014 has begun...

TechEd Europe 2014 has now begun and we have various sessions between all these days 28-31 OCT 2014. TechEd opening Keynote is presented by Microsoft's Jason Zander, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Azure and Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President of PC, Tablet and Phone, Operating Systems Group, various significant enhancements and new innovations are being announced now.

You can watch the Live streaming here: LiveTechEd Europe 2014

Follow the Official Twitter account for live updates : @teched_europe

*Take a look at the new announcements made to Office 365 in terms of Security and Compliance in today's event.

Review here:  Office 365—Our latest innovations in security and compliance

*Check out more on today's announcements from the below WindowsITPro post

Microsoft Launches TechEd Europe with Wave of Announcements - Paul Thurrot 

*TechED Europe 2014 videos are now getting posted in Channel9.

Access here : TechEd Europe 2014 Videos

*You can utilize the below script provided by MVP Peter Schmidt to download the videos and slides at one go.

Access the Script here: Download All Videos and Slides from TechEd 2014 Europe

We can expect more great things in the next upcoming days. stay tuned...

Microsoft Cloud Ecosystem Poster

Microsoft team released a new Cloud Ecosystem Poster today, Review this poster to know the features of Microsoft Azure, System Center 2012 R2 and Window Server 2012 R2.

This poster is a visual reference for understanding key Microsoft Private Cloud and On-premises Cloud. technologies

 
Downlaod here:  Cloud Ecosystem Poster: Microsoft Azure, Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2

Hybrid Cloud Series - Episode Two Webinar

Its time for another Excellent Webinar on the Hybrid Cloud Series, I wrote a post earlier this April referring you to the First Hybrid Cloud Webinar on the series hosted by Microsoft Azure Team and speakers were none other than the two key people who Architect and lead the Microsoft Cloud business " Microsoft Technical Fellow Mark Russinovich and Microsoft Corporate Vice President Brad Anderson".

Register to attend this complimentary webinar on Monday, June 23rd, 2014 from 10:30 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. PDT to learn about:

•     A hybrid approach to management
•     New options for connecting to the cloud
•     Hybrid options for disaster recovery
•     Keeping security front and center

 

Register here: Hybrid Cloud Series - Episode Two
 

Microsoft System Center: Network Virtualization and Cloud Computing E-Book

When it comes to Virtualization now the hot topic is not about virtualizing servers now its about Virtualizing networks which we term as Network Virtualization and in today's IT world Cloud Computing is everywhere when you move to Cloud whether its a Hybrid or a private or even a Public cloud Networking plays a major role and today we can see the word SDN (Software-Defined Networking) often because its a software driven world now and we don't much rely only on the hardware devices which were used for network communications as before and we have much simplified environment design made with the help of these new Technologies and you can refer my Virtualization and Cloud Computing section on the blog to know more on these topics.

Today I am sharing this new Free E-book published yesterday by Microsoft press on Microsoft Sytem Center which is a must one for us to read and inhere they provide you some in depth view on how the new Hyper-V Network Virtualization works and assisting their SDN strategy.

Download the E-book here: Microsoft System Center: Network Virtualization and Cloud Computing

Microsoft Resources for IT Pros

This post is written here with reference to the recent TechNet blog posted in " In the Cloud  " by Microsoft CVP Brad Anderson, In here Brad talks about the recent changes made in the IT industry last year with the release of major Products like Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2 etc. along with other significant product releases which are robust and forms the vision for Microsoft future towards the Cloud. and also he updates us with the list of free Resources available from Microsoft team which assists us in learning and evaluating the technology at ease and with these resources in place we can gain the adequate knowledge that is required to work with the new Technology and also plan our carrier towards the future.

I found this post quite useful and also I have been using some of the resources already to learn the Technology and most of you would also do I believe and few are new to me and I will be exploring them soon, below are the free resources that are available for us from Microsoft team and to know more read the complete post.

• TechNet Evaluation Center
• TechNet Virtual Labs
• Microsoft Virtual Academy
• Microsoft Technical Communities
• Tech Companion App

Read the full post here : 2013 in Review – Resources for IT Pros

Journey to IT as a Service Powered by Software-Defined Data Centers WhitePaper

In Today's IT world Technological changes are happening everyday and now Cloud Computing is reached a state far beyond Imagination and now multiple Organizations has adopted the Cloud and also some started to provide it as a service, it starts with the SaaS(Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and Iaas (Infrastructure as a Service) and now there are many services added like CaaS (  Computing as a Service) DaaS ( Desktop as a Service ) and ITaaS ( IT as a Service) and for all these to work some key factors to consider is the Server Virtualization and Network Virtualization , to add to it now Organizations providing these services shifted their concentration towards SDN (Software Defined Networking) where we leverage the benefits of Software to do the Networking tasks among the traditional Hardware based networking to provide highly available Networking solution which eventually converts the regular Data Center to a Software-Defined Data Center.

VMware team conducted an Analysis with Forst & Sullivan IT Consulting firm on the topic and shared their Analysis report through a WhitePaper which is a really a very great information provided by them to readers to know the present and the future of IT and to understand how ITaas can help Organizations to met the goal and how Virtualization benefits the over all IT architecture and also shows us how a Software Defined Data Center adds value to the business in detail.

Review the below PDF document to read the complete report to know more.

Access here: Journey to IT as a Service Powered by Software-Defined Data Centers

Comparing remote display protocols with TechTarget

Today I was reading over VDI and came across this excellent post from TechTarget under SearchVirtualDesktop forum, When it comes to Desktop virtualization the major concern is over the GPU which is required for working with high end graphical applications which requires 3D modelling, rendering etc., This articles takes focus on top 3 virtualization providers and their protocols which delivers this service and they are none other than our Microsoft, VMware and Citrix and their RDP/RemoteFX, PCoIP and HDX protocols.

I recently attended a live VMware symposium event where I got glimpse of VMware's VDI deployment with Horizon View, which was quite excellent, Citrix Xen Desktop is already famous and needs no introduction and now Microsoft  joined the race and competing with the two major giants through it's RemoteFX protocol for delivering high end VDI experience.

Check out this article to know more: Comparing remote display protocols: RemoteFX vs. HDX vs. PCoIP