Get a technical overview of key components in System Center 2016
5 THINGS YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT SYSTEM CENTER 2016
Faster time-to-value
Realize value quickly with simple installations, in-place upgrades, and automated workflows.
Efficient operations
Quickly get things done with one-click features and a straightforward console.
Support for multiple systems
Manage and monitor heterogeneous and open systems, including Linux, Hyper-V, and VMware.
Servers + desktops
Deploy and manage Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10—configuration, health, and compliance.
Cloud integration
Get visibility and control of data and apps with full integration for Operations Management Suite.
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<title>Hybrid Cloud Blog</title>
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<title>Demo Tuesday // Shielded Virtual Machines in Windows Server 2016</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/14/demo-tuesday-shielded-virtual-machines-in-windows-server-2016/</link>
<comments>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/14/demo-tuesday-shielded-virtual-machines-in-windows-server-2016/#respond</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2017 17:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Windows Server Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Hybrid Cloud]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Security]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=14116</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Welcome to our Demo Tuesday Series. Each week, we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform. You cant put virtual machines (VMs) under lock and key Customers are virtualizing pretty much everything they can today, from SharePoint to SQL Server to Active Directory domain controllers. That has created an interesting <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/14/demo-tuesday-shielded-virtual-machines-in-windows-server-2016/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Welcome to our Demo Tuesday Series. Each week, we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform.</strong></p> <h2>You cant put virtual machines (VMs) under lock and key</h2> <p>Customers are virtualizing pretty much everything they can today, from SharePoint to SQL Server to Active Directory domain controllers. That has created an interesting new challenge. When workloads ran on physical machines, it was possible to physically secure themput them in cages, padlock them, and protect them with actual security guards. Unfortunately, you cant do that with virtualized machines.</p> <p>Network admins, backup admins, server admins, storage admins, and potentially others have access to your virtual machines. Any one of them could inject malicious code into the virtual machine or upload a VM onto a USB and take it home for inspection, and youd be none the wiser. Take a look:</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xip5Qtk-7d8"></iframe></p> <h2>Get the benefits of virtualization with the security of physical deployment</h2> <p>Shielded VMs in Windows Server 2016 allow you to keep malicious actors from stealing copies of your virtual machines. They are fully encrypted and will only run on approved guarded fabrics. That guarded fabric forces strong isolation boundaries between the host and its own virtual machines. From any other aspect, a Shielded VM is just like a normal VM, you can run it, back it up, and live migrate it with no additional operational hassle. Thats the power of the shield in shielded virtual machines.</p> <p><a href="https://info.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2016VirtualLabs.html">Try it out for yourself in our lab</a> and learn more about how Windows Server 2016 can help shield your virtual machines in this <a href="https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/deploying-shielded-vms-and-a-guarded-fabric-with-windows-server-2016-17131?l=WFLef7vUD_4604300474">Microsoft Virtual Academy session</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/14/demo-tuesday-shielded-virtual-machines-in-windows-server-2016/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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<title>Microsoft Azure Stack ecosystem expands with the introduction of Cisco integrated system</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/09/microsoft-azure-stack-ecosystem-expands-with-the-introduction-of-cisco-integrated-system/</link>
<comments>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/09/microsoft-azure-stack-ecosystem-expands-with-the-introduction-of-cisco-integrated-system/#respond</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2017 13:00:15 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=14105</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This post was authored by the Microsoft Azure Stack team. We shared our goal of expanding the Azure Stack ecosystem to offer you more choice and flexibility of hardware options for your IT landscape. Today, Cisco announced a jointly engineered Cisco Integrated System for Microsoft Azure Stack. With this announcement, we are taking one more <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/09/microsoft-azure-stack-ecosystem-expands-with-the-introduction-of-cisco-integrated-system/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This post was authored by the Microsoft Azure Stack team.</em></p> <p>We shared our goal of <a target="_blank" href="https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-azure-stack-upcoming-technical-preview-and-other-updates-3/">expanding the Azure Stack ecosystem</a> to offer you more choice and flexibility of hardware options for your IT landscape. Today, <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.cisco.com/news/cisco-integrated-system-for-microsoft-azure-stack">Cisco announced</a> a jointly engineered Cisco Integrated System for Microsoft Azure Stack. With this announcement, we are taking one more step towards our goal.</p> <p>Through our technical previews, we have seen customers unlock various hybrid cloud use-cases by using Azure Services across cloud and on-premises environments, building applications using a consistent approach, and deploying them to the location that best meets their needs. Now, you can make technology decisions based on business requirements, rather than business decisions based on technology complications. To best meet your requirements, we have focused on two parallel areas of investments adding features and functionality to the Azure Stack platform, and growing a diverse partner ecosystem so you have a wide array of Azure stack offerings, solutions, and services that best match your needs.</p> <p>To this effect, the joint Microsoft and Cisco announcement today brings together Microsofts Azure Stack and Ciscos robust UCS platform, which helps reduce the complexity of delivering and operating hybrid cloud solution on-premises. This approach enables you to focus on delivering high quality service levels for business applications rather than focusing on infrastructure management. Cisco Integrated System for Microsoft Azure Stack is planned to be available in Q3 2017.</p> <p>As always, tell us what you think and keep up the discussion in our <a target="_blank" href="http://aka.ms/AzureStackUserVoice">UserVoice</a> community.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/09/microsoft-azure-stack-ecosystem-expands-with-the-introduction-of-cisco-integrated-system/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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<title>Demo Tuesday // Windows Server: Just Enough Administration</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/07/demo-tuesday-windows-server-just-enough-administration/</link>
<comments>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/07/demo-tuesday-windows-server-just-enough-administration/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2017 17:00:24 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Windows Server Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=14085</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Welcome to our Demo Tuesday Series. Each week we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform. Dont leave all of your keys on one ring One of the new Privilege Identity controls in Windows Server 2016 is Just Enough Administration (JEA). It uses PowerShell to provide role-based administration. That way <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/07/demo-tuesday-windows-server-just-enough-administration/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Welcome to our Demo Tuesday Series. Each week we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform.</strong></p> <h2>Dont leave all of your keys on one ring</h2> <p>One of the new Privilege Identity controls in Windows Server 2016 is Just Enough Administration (JEA). It uses PowerShell to provide role-based administration. That way IT personnel have the keys to only what they need to do their jobs, without giving them full admin access. This just enough approach limits the potential damage that can be done by malicious insiders or criminals who have hacked a trusted admins credentials. Take a look:</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xnBrbkY9P20?list=PL8nfc9haGeb7C9h0mejs_4-OeNeT-y7Ct" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>In other words, you no longer have to give a frontline support tech the power to take control of your sensitive servers just to restart a service. Nor do you need to allow a helpdesk engineer to have full control of an executive PC to run remote diagnostics. Theres no reason to take those risks.</p> <h2>How Just Enough Administration limits risk</h2> <p>JEA uses a layer of least privilege.</p> <ul> <li>Users can perform only those tasks for which they are authorized as part of their role by using Windows PowerShell constrained runspaces.</li> <li>Users can perform required tasks without being given administrator rights on the server.</li> <li>The tasks that users are allowed to perform, and their server access, are defined and managed from a central configuration server by using Windows PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC).</li> <li>Constant logging details who has accessed the environment and whats been changed.</li> </ul> <p>And as for that Tier 1 frontline support tech who needs to help someone troubleshoot a server or desktop? They can use many of PowerShells diagnostic cmdlets to troubleshoot while having limited ability to add, remove, or change objects.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8nfc9haGeb7C9h0mejs_4-OeNeT-y7Ct">Watch more of the Windows Server 2016 demo series</a> and learn more about security options with <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/windows-server-security">Windows Server 2016</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/02/07/demo-tuesday-windows-server-just-enough-administration/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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<title>Demo Tuesday // Storage Replica: prevent data loss during a disaster</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/31/demo-tuesday-storage-replica-prevent-data-loss-during-a-disaster/</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2017 17:00:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Windows Server Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=14065</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Welcome to our new Demo Tuesday series. Each week we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform. What would happen if a disaster strikes one of your datacenters? How much data would you lose? Hours, days, or weeks? And how many millions would that cost your organization? These are extremely <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/31/demo-tuesday-storage-replica-prevent-data-loss-during-a-disaster/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Welcome to our new Demo Tuesday series. Each week we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform.</strong></p> <p>What would happen if a disaster strikes one of your datacenters? How much data would you lose? Hours, days, or weeks? And how many millions would that cost your organization? These are extremely important questions to have answers to, and if you dont have a strong disaster recovery (DR) plan in place, those answers are probably troubling.</p> <p>Datacenters, unfortunately, fail all the time for a number of reasons: natural disaster, civil unrest, or the most common factorsimple human error. What will you do when one of yours goes down?</p> <h2>Zero data loss with Storage Replica in Windows Server 2016</h2> <p>Storage Replica is a new feature in Windows Server 2016 that offers automatic DR and preparedness capabilities. It creates synchronous replication of data that spans multiple datacenters, automatically in real time. That creates a failover, where all nodes stay completely in sync, ensuring zero data loss during a failure. It will help you protect your data and keep your company in business.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tI_VScdk7kU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>In addition, Storage Replica provides other safety and performance benefits, including:</p> <ul> <li>Quicker data access by local proximity</li> <li>Better load distribution and use of compute resources</li> <li>Ability to decommission current expensive file replication systems</li> <li>Asynchronous replication for higher-latency networks</li> </ul> <p><a target="_blank" href="https://info.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2016VirtualLabs.html">Try it out for yourself in our virtual lab</a> and learn more about all the benefits of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/software-defined-storage">software-defined storage</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Windows Server 2016 sweepstakes</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/30/windows-server-2016-sweepstakes/</link>
<comments>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/30/windows-server-2016-sweepstakes/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2017 18:00:32 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Windows Server Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=14055</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Calling all Windows Server users! Whether youve already upgraded to Windows Server 2016 or youre still on Windows Server 2012 and want to try the newest version, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your experience with Windows Server 2016 and youll get the chance to win a Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Still <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/30/windows-server-2016-sweepstakes/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Calling all Windows Server users! Whether youve already upgraded to Windows Server 2016 or youre still on Windows Server 2012 and want to try the newest version, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your experience with Windows Server 2016 and youll get the chance to win a Microsoft Surface Pro 4.</p> <p>Still on Windows Server 2012? Thats okay we have a free virtual lab so you can give it a test drive. Then just write a <a target="_blank" href="https://community.spiceworks.com/products/62013-microsoft-windows-server-2016">review</a> on Spiceworks, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3282534/Microsoft-Windows-Server-2016-Sweepstakes">register</a> for the sweepstakes, and youre entered to win.</p> <p>For those who dont know, Windows Server 2016 is the cloud-ready operating system built to support your current workloads and allow you to transition to the cloud. Azure is an open, flexible, enterprise-grade cloud computing platform, and Windows Server 2016 delivers new layers of security and Azure-inspired innovation for the applications and infrastructure that power your business.</p> <p>Try it out and let us know what you think.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="https://info.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2016VirtualLabs.html">Try Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Virtual Lab</a></p> <p>Heres how to enter:</p> <ul> <li>Step 1: Review <a target="_blank" href="https://community.spiceworks.com/products/62013-microsoft-windows-server-2016">Microsoft Windows Server 2016</a> in Spiceworks <ul> <li>IMPORTANT: All entries must include, This review is part of a Microsoft sweepstakes.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Step 2: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3282534/Microsoft-Windows-Server-2016-Sweepstakes">Register</a> to complete your entry</li> </ul> <p>Prizes:</p> <ul> <li>First 100 SpiceHeads to review Windows Server 2016 will win a limited edition <a target="_blank" href="https://info.microsoft.com/Nano-Man.html">Nano-Man</a> t-shirt</li> <li>Weekly drawing for a life-size Nano-Man cutout</li> <li>Grand Prize: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-4/productID.5072641000">Microsoft Surface Pro 4</a> with 256GB hard drive, Intel core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, type cover, and Office 365 Personal 1 year subscription</li> </ul> <p>No purchase necessary. Open only to Spiceworks community members who are legal residents of the 50 U.S. and DC 18+. Game ends 2/24/17 at 5pm CT. <a target="_blank" href="https://xact.spiceworks.com/u/gen/Jan2017/Microsoft_Windows_Server_2016_Sweeps_Rules_Rev_2017_0106_6998ac7b0e0478ac4f8736f2cd01a109.pdf">Click here for official rules.</a></p> ]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/30/windows-server-2016-sweepstakes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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<title>Use Windows Server 2016 and software-defined networking to build a better network</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/26/use-windows-server-2016-and-software-defined-networking-to-build-a-better-network/</link>
<comments>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/26/use-windows-server-2016-and-software-defined-networking-to-build-a-better-network/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2017 21:00:06 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Windows Server Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=14035</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Windows Server Program Manager Greg Cusanza joins Matt McSpirit to demonstrate the software-defined networking (SDN) capabilities in Windows Server 2016. Watch as Greg explains those capabilities and shows you how to use SDN to dynamically create, secure, and connect your network to meet the evolving needs of your apps, speed up the deployment of your <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/26/use-windows-server-2016-and-software-defined-networking-to-build-a-better-network/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Windows Server Program Manager Greg Cusanza joins Matt McSpirit to demonstrate the software-defined networking (SDN) capabilities in Windows Server 2016. Watch as Greg explains those capabilities and shows you how to use SDN to dynamically create, secure, and connect your network to meet the evolving needs of your apps, speed up the deployment of your workloads, and contain security vulnerabilities from spreading across your network, all while reducing your overall infrastructure costs.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="450" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f501zUUcXD0"></iframe></p> <p>When you use Windows Server 2016 and SDN, you gain access to a level of agility that allows you to extend the capabilities of your existing physical network. The SDN sits on top of your physical network infrastructure and virtualizes the network and its services so that the management experiences are simpler and networks become application-specific. Apps can evolve as quickly, or become as complex, as developers want them to, because the SDN can isolate resources and eliminate shared dependencies. This connectivity flexibility doesnt skimp on security either. Beyond isolating networks from one another, and beyond what you can do with VLANs or vSwitches, you can use policy statements to control communication channels within a network using micro-segmentation practices.</p> <p>Greg pulls this all together with an example to make it concrete: he uses a two-tiered web app and an accompanying PowerShell helper script. The demonstration shows the ease with which an administrator can scale out the app tiers, add network services, and use the network controller to automate all the changes. The demonstration expands to show how the built-in services can be extended by adding third-party network services such as firewalls or WAN optimization appliances; any virtual appliance that works with Hyper-V can be integrated into the environment.</p> <p>After you watch the video above, explore <a target="_blank" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/software-defined-networking">more resources on SDN</a> and try the <a target="_blank" href="https://info.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2016VirtualLabs.html">virtual lab for SDN</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/26/use-windows-server-2016-and-software-defined-networking-to-build-a-better-network/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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<title>Demo Tuesday // Nano Server: the tiny server that could</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/24/nano-server-the-tiny-server-that-could/</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2017 17:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Windows Server Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=13995</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Welcome to our new Demo Tuesday series. Each week we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform. Server operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Server, have traditionally been all-inclusive. When you install it, you get everything you might possibly want, baked into the OS image. That made complete sense in an <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/24/nano-server-the-tiny-server-that-could/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Welcome to our new Demo Tuesday series. Each week we will be highlighting a new product feature from the Hybrid Cloud Platform. </strong></p> <p>Server operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Server, have traditionally been all-inclusive. When you install it, you get everything you might possibly want, baked into the OS image. That made complete sense in an on-premises datacenter model. Today, with organizations having much larger-scale deployments, things have changed. Size, scalability, and security have become critically important. Many of you have been asking for a different optionsomething small, light, and optimized for todays larger scale, both on-premises and in the cloud. With Windows Server 2016, that something is here and its called Nano Server.</p> <h2>Nano Server is tiny</h2> <p>In the cloud, every gigabyte not used is money saved. So, rather than 13.2 GB, Nano Server has a ridiculously small disk footprint of 500 MB. Its a new installation option designed specifically to provide infrastructure services for the cloud. You get only what you need and nothing more. We call it just enough OS and its ideal for many cloud scenarios. Take a look:</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/65jyjWMrWVo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h2>Built of the cloud, for the cloud</h2> <p>Nano Server lets you build slimmed-down images tailored to specific workloads, like a compute host for Hyper-V, a DNS server, or for apps using containers. No bulky extras. No unnecessary processes. Its essential for cloud scalability and will help you achieve real benefits:</p> <ul> <ul></ul> <li>Lower storage costs</li> <li>Less network traffic</li> <li>Smaller attack surface</li> <li>Easier to configure and manage</li> <li>Much faster boot times</li> </ul> <p><a target="_blank" href="https://info.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2016VirtualLabs.html">Try it out for yourself in our virtual lab</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver">head to the Windows Server website</a> for even more information.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Three ways to better secure your hybrid environment</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/04/three-ways-to-better-secure-your-hybrid-environment/</link>
<comments>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/04/three-ways-to-better-secure-your-hybrid-environment/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2017 17:00:37 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=13955</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As more organizations adopt a hybrid cloud model for IT, its no surprise theyre encountering new security challenges. With more surface area to cover, more mission-critical assets to protect, and more sophisticated threats to defend against, security issues become increasingly complex. And with the average cost of a data breach to a single company now <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2017/01/04/three-ways-to-better-secure-your-hybrid-environment/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As more organizations adopt a hybrid cloud model for IT, its no surprise theyre encountering new security challenges. With more surface area to cover, more mission-critical assets to protect, and more sophisticated threats to defend against, security issues become increasingly complex.</p> <p>And with the average cost of a data breach to a single company now <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cybersecurity-ibm-idUSKBN0OC0ZE20150527">$3.8 million and rising</a>, its easy to understand why security remains top of mind.</p> <p>To help, weve created a webinar that provides suggestions on addressing these new security challenges in a hybrid cloud environment. The webinar also offers a high-level overview of the changing role IT operations management plays in security.</p> <p>There are essentially three areas where hybrid cloud management and security can make a real difference for your organization.</p> <h2 style="padding-left: 30px">1. Bring IT and security operations together</h2> <p style="padding-left: 30px">Often IT operations are working with one set of tools and procedures while security teams use an entirely different set. This lack of integration between the systems that detect threats and the systems that respond to them means it now takes <a target="_blank" href="https://www2.fireeye.com/rs/848-DID-242/images/Mtrends2016.pdf">146 days</a> for organizations to discover a data breach.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px">Bringing IT and security together can have a profound impact on your efficiency in fighting security threats. For example, IT may be investigating a performance issue that, at its root, really turns out to be a security issue like a brute force attack. With an integrated approach, you can quickly pass off that information and take action.</p> <h2 style="padding-left: 30px">2. Ensure good security hygiene</h2> <p style="padding-left: 30px">Once you have your team in place, its time to get your data in line. With your data in one place, you can more easily tackle the basics that sometimes get overlooked. Things like identifying systems that have missing or outdated security updates and incomplete configurations, and taking a hard look at anomalous network traffic and user behavior.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px"><img width="610" height="384" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13975" alt="FY17_HYB-OMS_3Ways-BlogImagery_FINAL_112916_thumb.jpg" src="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/FY17_HYB-OMS_3Ways-BlogImagery_FINAL_112916_thumb.jpg" /></p> <h2 style="padding-left: 30px">3. Enable rapid threat detection and response</h2> <p style="padding-left: 30px">The advantage of having your teams integrated and your data in one place is that you can become more efficient in how you handle security events. You can improve your threat detection capabilities and reduce the amount of time it takes to investigate and recover from attacks. With the right tools, you can quickly search data, see a map of suspicious traffic, understand a single threat, or get a comprehensive picture of your entire system.</p> <h2>Watch Three Ways to Better Secure your Hybrid Cloud Environment</h2> <p>We cover these points in greater detail and a whole lot more. Learn about all the steps you can take to get better visibility of your security posture and how Operations Management Suite can help.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="https://info.microsoft.com/Hybrid-Cloud-Security-Webinar.html">Watch the webinar</a></p> ]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Managing StorSimple virtual arrays in the new Azure portal</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2016/12/21/managing-storsimple-virtual-arrays-in-the-new-azure-portal/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2016 16:00:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Update]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=13925</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This post was authored by Manu Aery, Senior Product Marketing Manager, ECG Were happy to announce that the management of the StorSimple Virtual Device Series is now available in the new Azure portal. You can use the StorSimple extension in the new portal to create Azure Resource Manager based StorSimple managers to manage your virtual <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2016/12/21/managing-storsimple-virtual-arrays-in-the-new-azure-portal/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This post was authored by Manu Aery, Senior Product Marketing Manager, ECG</em></p> <p>Were happy to announce that the management of the StorSimple Virtual Device Series is now available in the <a target="_blank" href="https://portal.azure.com/">new Azure portal</a>. You can use the StorSimple extension in the new portal to create Azure Resource Manager based StorSimple managers to manage your virtual arrays.</p> <h2>Whats new?</h2> <ul> <li>Enhanced user experience and improved navigation</li> <li>Optimized and multiple workflows for efficient task completion</li> <li>Integrated Support and Diagnostics experiences</li> <li>Support for inbuilt Azure roles and ability to <a target="_blank" href="https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/role-based-access-control-custom-roles/">manage access through custom roles</a></li> </ul> <h2>How to get started</h2> <p>You can create a new StorSimple Device Manager in the Azure portal to manage your virtual arrays by navigating to: <strong>+ NEW > Storage > StorSimple Virtual Device Series</strong>.</p> <p><a href="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/StorSimple-Device.jpg"><img width="674" height="1086" title="StorSimple Device" style="padding-top: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;border: 0px" alt="StorSimple Device" src="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/StorSimple-Device_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> <p>You can register one or more virtual arrays to this newly created StorSimple Device Manager by navigating to the specific <strong>Manager > Resource menu > Quick start</strong> to download and register a new virtual array.</p> <p><a href="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/ContosoStorSimpleManager.jpg"><img width="1082" height="609" title="ContosoStorSimpleManager" style="padding-top: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;border: 0px" alt="ContosoStorSimpleManager" src="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/ContosoStorSimpleManager_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Additionally, by navigating to <strong>Browse</strong> > Filter on <strong>StorSimple Device Managers</strong>, you will be able to:</p> <ul> <li>View and manage all StorSimple Device Managers created in the new portal.</li> <li>View all StorSimple Device Managers created in the classic portal. However, you will continue to manage these resources through the classic portal, until we migrate them to the new portal. More information on migration to the new portal is covered further in this article.</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/StorSimple-Device-Manager-Filer-items.jpg"><img width="1049" height="363" title="StorSimple Device Manager Filer items" style="padding-top: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;border: 0px" alt="StorSimple Device Manager Filer items" src="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/StorSimple-Device-Manager-Filer-items_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> <h2>Managing your StorSimple virtual arrays in the new Azure portal</h2> <p>The enhanced user experience makes it easy to manage your virtual arrays within the new Azure portal.</p> <ul> <li>The resource menu contains all the options to manage, monitor and troubleshoot your virtual arrays.</li> <li>Some of the frequently performed operations on the virtual array are easily accessible through the top-level command bar.</li> <li>The StorSimple service summary blade provides aggregated information across the virtual arrays in a particular resource. This blade is designed to give you a quick summary on usage, alerts, etc., and serve as the starting point to deep dive into further details, both from the tiles on the blade as well as from the resource menu on the left.</li> <li>Additionally, you can diagnose and potentially resolve common issues with your virtual arrays through the troubleshooting content that is available right within the Azure portal. You can also log a support ticket to request assistance from Microsoft Support.</li> </ul> <p>To learn more about how to manage your StorSimple Virtual Arrays in the portal, please refer to the <a target="_blank" href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storsimple/storsimple-virtual-array-manager-service-administration">product documentation</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/StorSimple-Manager.jpg"><img width="1023" height="942" title="StorSimple Manager" style="padding-top: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;border: 0px" alt="StorSimple Manager" src="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/StorSimple-Manager_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> <h2>Migration of StorSimple Virtual Device Series resources from the classic portal</h2> <p>Your existing StorSimple Virtual Device Series resources in the classic portal will be migrated to the new Azure Portal in the coming weeks. We will reach out to you with more details on the date as well as the details of the migration. Stay tuned!</p> <p><strong>Please note this migration will be seamless and there will be no downtime to your virtual arrays.</strong> Once the migration is complete:</p> <ul> <li>All your StorSimple Virtual Device resources in the classic portal will be managed through the new Azure portal.</li> <li>The StorSimple Virtual Device Series management will no longer be available on the classic portal.</li> <li>The StorSimple Physical Device Series will continue to be managed via the classic portal. You will be able to view your StorSimple Physical Device Series resources in the new portal, but you will continue to manage them from the classic portal. We will keep you posted about the transition of the physical device series to the new Azure portal.</li> </ul> <p>For more information on the new portal, refer to the <a target="_blank" href="https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/storsimple-transition-to-newazureportal">blog post</a>, which compares and contrasts the user experience in the new Azure portal and the classic portal.</p> <p>To learn more about how to manage your StorSimple virtual arrays in the portal, please refer to the <a target="_blank" href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storsimple/storsimple-virtual-array-manager-service-administration">product documentation</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Introducing Windows Server Premium Assurance and SQL Server Premium Assurance</title>
<link>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2016/12/08/introducing-windows-server-premium-assurance-and-sql-server-premium-assurance/</link>
<comments>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2016/12/08/introducing-windows-server-premium-assurance-and-sql-server-premium-assurance/#comments</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2016 17:00:56 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Microsoft Windows Server Team]]></dc:creator>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/?p=13805</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New offerings and Software Assurance essential to your ongoing digital transformation This post was authored by Mark Jewett, Senior Director of Cloud Platform Marketing, and Tiffany Wissner, Senior Director of Data Platform Marketing. IT today is in a fundamental state of change, spanning between enabling digital transformation to make their company more competitive, while also <p><a class="read-more" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/hybridcloud/2016/12/08/introducing-windows-server-premium-assurance-and-sql-server-premium-assurance/">Continue reading</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><em>New offerings and Software Assurance essential to your ongoing digital transformation</em></h3> <p><em>This post was authored by Mark Jewett, Senior Director of Cloud Platform Marketing, and Tiffany Wissner, Senior Director of Data Platform Marketing.</em></p> <p>IT today is in a fundamental state of change, spanning between enabling digital transformation to make their company more competitive, while also maintaining stable and secure operations of existing systems. As part of this changing transformation, many applications are moving fast to the cloud, taking advantage of the agility, scale, and innovation it offers. Some applications arent ready to move yet, but require modernization to better utilize more agile development processes and further the organizations digital goals. Some mission critical and legacy applications just need to keep running without disruption. Your portfolio of applications has a diverse set of needs that will continue to evolve over time.</p> <p>To provide you with further flexibility as your needs evolve, today we are announcing two new offerings to help you run applications even longer without disruption: <a target="_blank" href="http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/5/1/C51D8E55-5538-4F21-8C9D-A66DB31C4B46/SQL_Server_and_Windows_Server_Premium_Assurance_Datasheet.pdf">Windows Server Premium Assurance and SQL Server Premium Assurance</a>. These offerings add six more years of product support for Windows Server and SQL Server, allowing for a minimum of 16 years of total support (five years each of Mainstream and Extended Support, plus the new Premium Assurance period). The additional support period provides Security Updates and Bulletins rated Critical and Important (see the <a target="_blank" href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/gg309177.aspx">Security Bulletin Severity Rating System</a> for definitions) for both products. This helps you continue to meet compliance requirements and ensure security on systems you arent ready to update. Furthermore, greater peace of mind on those applications allows you to focus your energy on the applications more core to your digital transformation.</p> <p><img width="610" height="174" title="PremiumAssurance_1" class="aligncenter" style="float: none;padding-top: 0px;padding-left: 0px;margin-left: auto;padding-right: 0px;margin-right: auto;border: 0px" alt="PremiumAssurance_1" src="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2016/12/PremiumAssurance_1.jpg" border="0" /></p> <p style="text-align: center">Premium Assurance extends the product lifecycles for Windows Server and SQL Server</p> <p>You can purchase Windows Server Premium Assurance and SQL Server Premium assurance separately or together, and both offerings will be available starting in early 2017. Premium Assurance pricing will start at 5% of the current product license cost, and will increase over time (up to 12%). Buying before the end of June 2017 means you will save nearly 60% on the cost of Premium Assurance. The first versions covered by Premium Assurance will be SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 (Extended Support ends in July 2019) and Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 (Extended Support ends in January 2020).</p> <p>Windows Server Premium Assurance and SQL Server Premium Assurance are purchased as add-ons to active Software Assurance for each product. In fact, Software Assurance is an essential investment in the journey to more broadly transform your application portfolio, providing the following notable benefits (and more!):</p> <ul> <li>To help modernize applications, Software Assurance gives you access to the latest Windows Server and SQL Server innovation at no additional cost. The next version of Windows Server is currently in planning, and will further advance the Windows Server 2016 capabilities around hybrid cloud, multi-layered security, containers, Nano Server, and software-defined datacenter technology. The <a target="_blank" href="https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2016/11/16/announcing-sql-server-on-linux-public-preview-first-preview-of-next-release-of-sql-server/">next version of SQL Server</a>, already available in preview, brings the performance and security of SQL Server to Linux.</li> <li>For applications moving to the cloud, Software Assurance provides unique flexibility and savings benefits. The <a target="_blank" href="https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/hybrid-use-benefit/">Azure Hybrid Use Benefit</a> provides up to 40-50% savings on Windows Server virtual machines in Azure. Similarly, <a target="_blank" href="https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/license-mobility/">License Mobility</a> provides the flexibility to deploy existing SQL Server licenses in the cloud without additional fees.</li> </ul> <p>To learn more about Windows Server Premium Assurance and SQL Server Premium Assurance, and the six additional years of product support they provide, read the <a target="_blank" href="http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/5/1/C51D8E55-5538-4F21-8C9D-A66DB31C4B46/SQL_Server_and_Windows_Server_Premium_Assurance_Datasheet.pdf">datasheet</a>. The new offerings will be available early next year. In the meantime, buying and renewing Software Assurance with all your Windows Server and SQL Server purchases continues to be the best way to get the latest innovation and most flexibility for your application portfolio.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
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