Kurt Shintaku's Blog

We’re releasing a new System Center product that hasn’t gotten much press yet but I think folks should really pay attention because it’s pretty interesting for folks looking for service orchestration across private & public cloud technologies.

It’s called System Center App Controller.

App Controller automates the provisioning of services in both the private cloud & public cloud.  It rises to the “service level” instead of the “VM level” so in that sense it is sort of an evolutionary step beyond System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) – although, it does automate SCVMM for the purposes of provisioning what’s necessary for the services requests by users.

It is, at the very minimum, a front end to both Virtual Machine Manager (for private clouds) and Windows Azure (for public clouds) that allows for the profiling and deployment of applications/services for the purpose of deployment or scaling.  It presents “what resources are available” and “what services templates are available”.

• It does this by providing a self-service portal for both maintaining service templates & requesting service deployments.
• It allows application owners to define/maintain the requirements to incrementally scale their applications.
• It allows operations managers to automate service provisioning on both public & private cloud environments.

Here are some links to more information about the product:

• DOWNLOAD BETA:
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh505660.aspx?ocid=otc-f-corp-jtc-DPR&wt.mc_id=TEC_103_1_33
• System Center “Nexus” Blog write up: http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2011/07/15/take-a-look-at-what-is-coming-with-app-controller.aspx
• Video Walkthrough: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/Video/hh533278
• PowerPoint: http://download.microsoft.com/documents/uk/enterprise/The-Future-of-Private-and-Public-Cloud-Management-with-System-Center-App-Controller-2012.pptx
• Discussion forum: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/appcontroller/threads

In Tune with Microsoft Intune
Desktop/laptop client management using the cloud.

Join us for this free webinar on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at
12:00 p.m. Eastern / 11:00 a.m. Central /
10:00 a.m. Mountain / 9:00 a.m. Pacific.

Description:
Come hear about the features and benefits of the Windows Intune service.

Speakers:
Missy Mazur, the Windows Intune Business Development Manager, is responsible for marketing to the Midwest’s strategic enterprise accounts based in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Missy has successfully implemented process-driven improvements that have positively impacted the bottom line, and she is an expert at driving collaboration between stakeholders to increase market and product awareness. Missy is also a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) with a project management specialization.

Richard Ruiz is an author and Cloud Architect at Microsoft with a focus on building strong cloud, management and Windows partnerships that enable customers to offer flexibility, security and cost savings as part of their desktop strategy. Richard is an industry expert in technologies such as VDI, SCCM, Windows, Windows Azure, Windows Intune and Application Virtualization. Richard’s latest publication is the Sybex book "Mastering Microsoft Virtualization."

REGISTER online here
http://iltanews.org/ve/ZZ68V8272f61Y9397XZ4/stype=click/OID=31226203717565/VT=0

Questions?  Please contact Kristy Costello at 512.795.4674 or kristina at iltanet dot org.

There are some massive licensing changes occurring for SQL Server & System Center and their “2012” releases. 

The following licenses will be released for SQL Server 2012:

• Enterprise Edition – Core License Pack (2 cores, Unlimited VM)
• Business Intelligence Edition – Svr License/Clt License (1 VM)
• Standard Edition – Core License Pack (2 cores, 1 VM) OR
  Standard Edition – Svr License/Clt License (1 VM)

The following licenses will be released for System Center 2012:

• System Center 2012 Datacenter Server Mgmt License (2 procs/Unlimited VMs)
• System Center 2012 Standard Server Mgmt License (2 procs/2 VMs)

Here’s a summary of all the key points of the changes occurring for each product:

SQL Server 2012 Licensing Changes
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/future-editions/sql2012-licensing.aspx

1. LICENSE VEHICLE:
   SQL 2012 is licensed in 2-core packs.
   Additionally, all SQL instances are licensed for 4 core minimum.
   Thus, each SQL instance requires two “2-core packs” at a minimum.
2. LICENSING OPTIONS:
   Server/CAL licensing is available in BI or Std Editions
   Core licensing is available in Ent or Std Editions
3. VIRTUALIZATION:
   Per VM licensing is Core (BI or Std) or Svr/CAL 
   Per VM host (Unlimited VM) licensing is Core (Ent+SA)
4. EXISTING ENTERPRISE SVR/CAL LICENSING:
   Ent Svr/CAL purchases end 6/30/12 (EAP exempted);
   Post 6/30 must buy BI/Std for Svr/CAL
   WARNING:
   Ent Svr/CAL implementations have a 20 core technical limit
5. TRANSITIONING TO PROC/CORE LICENSING: (SA Customers)
   1 proc Ent/Std = 4 cores Ent/Std
   1 proc DC = 8 cores Ent
   THE DEAL: 
   Use MAPS to document & timestamp inventory of SQL usage for 1:1 grandfathered core licensing to match actual existing hardware by launch or end of EAP agreement.  Otherwise standard transition (above) applies.

System Center 2012 Licensing Changes
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/system-center/default.aspx

1. LICENSING SUITES
   Must license all 8 SC products in Suite; no more individual licenses.
   All licensed with SC2012 Datacenter/Standard Server Mgmt License.
2. LICENSE EDITIONS:
   ”Standard” provides 2 procs/2 VMs
   ”Datacenter” provides 2 procs/Unlimited VMs.
3. HOW TO LICENSE “STANDARD”
   Standard licensed on a server – based on whatever’s greater: Procs or VMs.
4. LICENSE MOBILITY
   License mobility (VMotion, LiveMotion) requires Software Assurance.
5. TRANSITIONING SERVER-TO-SUITE LICENSING: (SA Customers)
   2 SMSD = 1 SCML-D  |   1 SMSE = 2 SCML-S
   1 StandAlone ML-E/S = 1 SCML-S   |    1 VMM = 1 SCML-D
   THE DEAL:
   Use MAPS to document & timestamp inventory of System Center usage for 1:1 grandfathered proc licensing to match actual existing hardware by launch. Otherwise standard transition (above) applies.
6. CLIENT VIRTUALIZATION
   VDI requires “Config Mgr MLs”
   Orchestrator requires “Client Mgmt Suite CML” (CMS CML)
7. TRANSITIONING CLIENT-TO-CML LICENSING: (SA Customers)
   OM/DPM/DM CML = CMS CML
   SCCM CML/VMM = SCCM CML

Buy a Windows Phone from the Microsoft Store – get a YEAR OF ZUNE PASS FOR FREE.  That’s unlimited music for 1 year.  Whatever you want. 

WOW.

Let’s back up:  For those that don’t understand what Zune Pass is, it’s an all-you-can-eat music service that allows you to both STREAM & DOWNLOAD 192kbps music files over the Internet from a catalog of close to 20 million songs.

It works on Windows Phone, Windows PCs, Xbox 360, and Zunes.  And you can keep copies of the music you grab on up to 4 devices.

The offer is worth $100. Common Zune Pass usage scenarios include downloading:

• Entire comedy albums at no charge, then delete them when done
• Full copies of children’s music & compilations risk free, keep what your kid likes
• The latest top 50 club music automatically based on weekly updated play lists at no charge
• Spoken word compilations/audio books that you’ll probably only listen to once

This is a really great deal.  And something they should have done a LONG TIME AGO.

Read more here:

• http://content.microsoftstore.com/store/zunepass-offer/Costa-Mesa-CA?WT.mc_id=Email_Valentines_B&M_2-7-12_SchedAppt 
• http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/4/2770834/free-zune-music-pass-with-windows-phone-microsoft-store

Here’s a rapid collection of things I saw while at CES 2012 that I thought were noteworthy tech gifts or tools of the trade in South 3, 4 on Day TWO:

• Plantronics Blackwire 435. Mono, stereo USB corded headset. Design award winner at CES. http://t.co/DjyhEVqJ  http://t.co/7psNskeZ
• Plantronics Voyager Pro HD. Identifies if you’re wearing it or not; transfers audio. http://t.co/ICeVvNPh  http://t.co/mJiVBFPk
• Plantronics Callisto 835.  Lync-optimized speakerphone w/ lapel mike & landline RJ11. http://t.co/vQZyCf8U  http://t.co/0uotmSJz
• NVIDIA w/ VRX Racing Simulators.  In 3D, w/ hydrolic tilt, vibration, 3 screens, 5.1. http://t.co/zxjkGXfC  http://t.co/ulUj3ho8
• Fujitsu.  Tablet PC & Waterproof phones, including a Windows Phone 7.  http://t.co/futrQRyn   http://t.co/yrQHOHwG
• Razor. Prototype Tablet Gaming device. Ivy Bridge Core i7 w/ Windows 8. Under $1000, shipping end of year. #want http://t.co/FHSpeDwk
• Razor. "Blade" gaming laptop. Core i7 w/ 8GB/256SSD. On kbrd touch display. Shipping $2800 in a month. http://t.co/f17YDWq6
• Victorinox. $3000, 256AES, 1TB USB thumb drive. LCD display. W/ or w/out blade. Laptop Mag Best of CES finalist. http://t.co/wpmsqdRi
• Garmin nuvi 3590LMT. Like a tiny tablet. 5" color cap multitouch screen. 3D maps w/ bldgs! $399 in 2wks! #want http://t.co/jPh4QvpT
• Wacom. Bamboo sketch tablet. $79/$99/$199. Cap touch/stylus, USB or RF connected. Released in Sept. http://t.co/TvWz7uve
• Diamond Multimedia Wireless Range Extender. Pair to the right signal, the plug in anywhere in the house. http://t.co/uPtpnIBK
• Microsoft. Demos of MS Flight. FREE. Releasing this Spring. Beta avail now @microsoftflight.com Digital D/L. http://t.co/lNxlwjW5 http://twitpic.com/864wk1
• IBUYPOWER.  Erebus Core i7 990x Extreme w/ 3x SLI GeForce GTX 580.  GAHHHH! http://t.co/8IrMmVqt  http://t.co/G8pDGQeZ
• Sharp.  All-in-one 60",70",80" Windows 7 PC/Touch Display. 2pt multitouch Infrared. $4600.  http://t.co/VDkOgLHo
• Microsoft. Shhh! Pin cuttherope.ie to Win7 taskbar & you get a SECRET box w/extra levels! (Sorry Chrome/Firefox!) http://t.co/u7YfypKl
• Dell XPS Ultrabook.  HELLACOOL.  As thin as most UB’s. http://t.co/XORffMiu  http://t.co/2p8VA64a

Here’s a few highlights of the trip:

• Palazzo’s LaGasse Stadium. This is the view I had from this heavenly bar/sportsbook/restaurant.  http://t.co/2e106j5t. This was the seat I was sitting in.  Yep.  It’s practically a bed.  http://t.co/YFKUXHCR #heaven #miamivsclippers #dallasvsboston
• Clippers vs Miami on ESPN. This is the ad that shows in primetime.  Awesome! http://t.co/DROlj7IR #nokia #windowsphone
  …oh yeah:  An the Clippers BEAT the Miami Heat.  BAHAHAHAHAHA!
• Dish Networks Booth & the Kangaroo.  You read that right.
  As reported by Todd Bishop of Geekwire: CES staffer, talking into a radio: "Someone brought a kangaroo onto the show floor, we need to get them to leave."  It was true.  I talked to the booth coordinator and she was distraught at the loss of their kangaroo… but was pleased when I told her about the Dish kangaroo going viral.

And finally… a lowlight of day TWO:

• Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant. Based on the rave reviews, I thought this was going to be one of the better Italian meals I’ve had. Instead it was incredibly forgettable with overly salty Lobster Bisque (and I LIKE salt) and a tasteless Ravioli Aragosta dish. The waiter knew I was displeased when he came back to two half eaten dishes and a request for the check. Worse yet: My favorite meal, meatballs, wasn’t even on the menu. Turns out they TAKE IT OFF THE MENU during big conventions. #fail

Kinect shows the promise of Natural User Interface (NUI) and the role Microsoft plays as a thought-leader and technical innovator in this exciting space. 

During CES, Steve Ballmer announced that Microsoft would ship Kinect for Windows on February 1^st and earlier today, version 1.0 of the commercial SDK and runtime were made available for download. 

Kinect for Windows gives developers an end-to-end platform to leverage NUI to drive innovation and enhance their business.

Why Kinect for Windows?

• Utilize Kinect skeletal-tracking, sophisticated microphone array, and other sensor technologies
• Explore the limitless opportunities to transform products, processes, and businesses
• Link computers to Kinect devices running Windows 7 and Windows Embedded Standard 7
• Run applications built with the Kinect for Windows Commercial Software Development Kit (SDK)
• Use the Kinect for Windows SDK to build applications with Visual C++, Visual C#, or Visual Studio Basic by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010

What is Kinect for Windows?

• Software—a free SDK and runtime giving developers and organizations the tools they need to take Kinect beyond the living room.
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/kinectforwindows/download/ 
• EULA – a license that gives businesses the ability to develop Kinect-enabled applications for commercial usage, and
• Hardware—a Kinect sensor optimized for Windows

Things to know about Kinect for Windows:

• COST:  Kinect for Windows hardware is shipping in 12 countries at a suggested retail price of $249.
• SUPPORT:  Support is being offered at http://www.xbox.com/support/kinectforwindows
• BLOG:  The Kinect for Windows blog is at http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/
• TWITTER:  The Twitter account for Kinect for Windows is @KinectWindows. http://twitter.com/KinectWindows
• FACEBOOK:  The Facebook page for Kinect for Windows is http://www.facebook.com/KinectForWindows?sk=info
• HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
• 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) processor
• Dual-core 2.66-GHz or faster processor
• Dedicated USB 2.0 bus
• 2 GB RAM
• SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:
• Windows 7, Windows Embedded Standard 7, and Windows 8 Developer Preview (desktop apps only)
• COMMUNITY SUPPORT SITES:
• Kinect for Windows SDK General Discussion Forum on MSDN
• Kinect for Windows SDK NUI API and Programming Forum on MSDN
• Kinect for Windows SDK Audio API and Programming Forum on MSDN
• Kinect for Windows SDK Quickstart Training Videos on Channel 9

And the web site…

• Kinect for Windows
  http://www.kinectforwindows.com/

This was posted by Steven Sinofsky, about the newly announced file system to be included in “Windows Server 8”.

In this blog post I’d like to talk about a new file system for Windows. This file system, which we call ReFS, has been designed from the ground up to meet a broad set of customer requirements, both today’s and tomorrow’s, for all the different ways that Windows is deployed.

…

The key features of ReFS are as follows (note that some of these features are provided in conjunction with Storage Spaces).

• Metadata integrity with checksums
• Integrity streams providing optional user data integrity
• Allocate on write transactional model for robust disk updates (also known as copy on write)
• Large volume, file and directory sizes
• Storage pooling and virtualization makes file system creation and management easy
• Data striping for performance (bandwidth can be managed) and redundancy for fault tolerance
• Disk scrubbing for protection against latent disk errors
• Resiliency to corruptions with "salvage" for maximum volume availability in all cases
• Shared storage pools across machines for additional failure tolerance and load balancing

In addition, ReFS inherits the features and semantics from NTFS including BitLocker encryption, access-control lists for security, USN journal, change notifications, symbolic links, junction points, mount points, reparse points, volume snapshots, file IDs, and oplocks.

And of course, data stored on ReFS is accessible through the same file access APIs on clients that are used on any operating system that can access today’s NTFS volumes.

For more information:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/16/building-the-next-generation-file-system-for-windows-refs.aspx?prod=Win8&type=BL

Register for the SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch event!

On March 7th, 2012 this online event will allow you to immerse yourself in the exciting New World of Data with SQL Server 2012. Engage not only Microsoft product teams, but with our partners and our most ground breaking customers. SQL Server 2012 is part of the broadest Data Platforms in technology today. Discover how it enables mission critical confidence, blazing fast performance, and stunning interactive data visualizations.

For more information:
http://www.sqlserverlaunch.com/
ww/Home?prod=SQL&type=EV

Interested in moving to SQL Server 2012 really soon?

Introducing the SQL Server 2012 Early Adoption Cookbook.

If you are on the “bleeding edge” of SQL Server 2012 early adoption, and you need content, samples or upgrade resources to move the ball forward, read on!

Microsoft creates a lot of content designed to drive early adoption for new releases of SQL Server. We use this as a tool to arm trainers, consultants and evangelists with the content they need to introduce developers and IT Professionals alike to key improvements in a new release so they can help us drive adoption. We don’t always do a good job of communicating what all of these content assets are.

To address this problem, I’m pleased to announce the immediate availability of the SQL Server 2012 Early Adoption Cook Book TechNet wiki…

…

• Introduction (this wiki)
• SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit Content
  • SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit BOM
  • SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit Virtual Machine
  • SQL Server 2012 Update for Developers Training Workshop
• SQL Server 2012 Samples
• SQL Server 2012 Upgrade and Application Compatibility
• Upgrade Assistant Tool for SQL Server 2012

For more information, visit:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rdoherty/archive/2012/01/31/announcing-the-sql-server-2012-early-adoption-cook-book.aspx

Here’s a rapid collection of things I saw while at CES 2012 that I thought were noteworthy tech gifts or tools of the trade in South 1, 2 on Day ONE:

• SolarKindle “NEW” Kindle solar charger for $79
  http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/7/2690846/
  solarkindle-sunlight-powered-case-price-79-99
• Lenovo Thinkvision LT1421W secondary display, 1368×900, under 2lb, 178 degree viewable, $200 & USB-POWERED.  Available now! http://notebooks.com/2011/10/10/lenovo-thinkvision-lt1421-portable-monitor-review/
• MWE Lab and Steelspace’s "Emperor":  An incredible hydraulically controlled PC chair for $3600. http://mwelab.com http://t.co/pAdKuY6B  http://t.co/mqGOVUGt http://twitpic.com/85pljd

• Buffalo Technology "802.11ac" draft spec for 5G Wifi. 800Mbps wireless Ethernet over 5Mhz band. http://t.co/IkuY46HS http://t.co/HTRsmg3e
• XRocker "Sync" gamer chair.  Wireless audio. Stereo speakers+Subwoofer. Recliner. $220. http://t.co/DtREJ4lo  http://t.co/9V7Sll81
• Turtle Beach. EarForce XP500 X360 Wireless, dual pairing Bluetooth. http://t.co/1naBvmkU  http://t.co/krkCOh3L
• Nokia.  Lumia 900. Large screen. VERY pretty screen w/ deep blacks. LTE! http://t.co/QY8YTE5N http://t.co/Ooc57Vn6
• Tagg. Track lost pets using a AGPS collar device. 30 days/charge. $99. Uses Verizon. $8/mo fee. http://t.co/RFwEEnza http://t.co/HO3MZWW1
• USB 3.0 Port Replicator w/ video, gig ethernet, & CHARGING TO LAPTOP from Targus NOW $249! http://t.co/9iMql0hw http://t.co/lpvOtNDj
• Dell’s Ultrabook.  Most balanced so far:  http://t.co/QUk6qf4J

A few extra highlights of Vegas…

• Microsoft at CES: Video of 15 years of keynotes — Exclusive Pogo Remix http://t.co/4gN9i1eI
• Hugo’s Cellar. OMG. This is the richest salad I’ve ever had. Sweet onion, Romaine, Roma tomatoes, mushrooms… And the prime rib?  Better than Lawry’s. http://t.co/eVkkyopZ

Annnnnd finally, a few lowlights for me were:

• Andre’s @ Monte Carlo.  A fantastic meal.  Truly one of the better meals I’ve had in Vegas.  So why was it a lowlight?  Because they charge a $1 for the owner’s charity without telling its patrons.  I accidentally caught it while reviewing my bill and had to ask about it.  I mean, I tipped the waiter nearly $30:  ONE DOLLAR ain’t going to kill me and I’d absolutely make the contribution, but it’s the principle of not telling patrons about the charge.  This stealth billing garbage is disingenuous & distasteful.  Really soured the meal.
• Jabbawockeez @ Monte Carlo.  I get how the younger set might like this show – many are into “dance crews” and that’s fine.  I ain’t.  And few people I know are.  If you’re over the age of 30, there’s just no way you’re gonna enjoy this.  It’s a boring, poorly paced story, with uninspired audio, and lackluster production.  The performers themselves are VERY SKILLED – so no knock on them.  But the overall show is 1 hour too long & simply not worth the money.