Improvements to the Windows Server 2012 OS

With Windows Server 2012 becoming available in the coming days, it's important to take a look at the changes to the OS to support networking. The primary purpose of the OS is to support private cloud implementations, as well as to take Microsoft's virtualization technologies to another level. To accomplish these goals, Microsoft has had to address a couple of issues that have limited the Windows Server OS in the past.

First of all, Microsoft has introduced NIC Teaming as a software solution. Historically, NIC teaming has been a feature brought to the data center by the hardware vendor, and I expect that to continue. Personally, my experience has been to stick with certain hardware-based solutions rather than jump in up to my neck with software-based solutions. That said, there have been times that Microsoft has provided an adequate vendor-agnostic solution. Time will tell if they've achieved that goal with their NIC Teaming solution. One of the better articles on this feature can be found here: http://blogs.technet.com/b/privatecloud/archive/2012/06/19/nic-teaming-in-windows-server-2012-brings-simple-affordable-traffic-reliability-and-load-balancing-to-your-cloud-workloads.aspx. Essentially, it comes down to fault-tolerance and load-balancing, and the advantages of being able to mix and match hardware from different vendors.

The other aspect of Windows Server 2012 networking features that you should look at is the VLAN support in Hyper-V. It's no secret that Microsoft is tackling a number of challenges in the virtual network and virtual machine space to challenge the industry leader in network virtualization and "Infrastructure as a Service" with this release. To do that, Microsoft has had to beef-up their virtualized network offerings. Once again, time will tell if they have succeeded or not, but for those intrepid souls willing to take the leap, at least in a lab environment, I'd point you at this article by one of the more respected folks in on the MS side of the table, Deb Shinder. Her in-depth analysis can be found here: http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Windows-Server-2012-Network-Virtualization-IaaS-On-Premises-Hosted-Private-Cloud-Infrastructure-Part2.html

These two features are merely a starting point for one's exploration of the networking features, but these two should be enough to pique the interest of the Data Center admins. Have fun in the lab!

Do the Splits! See 2 Different Parts of the Window!

Do the splits!

Sometimes it is useful to be able to view the beginning of a document as well as the middle or end so that you can compare the content, formatting, etc. This is easily accomplished by splitting the Window. 

1.    From the View tab, in the Window group, choose Split.

2. Your mouse pointer will now have the split (which appears as gray bar with a double arrow), attached to it. Simply click where you want to split the Window into two, generally somewhere near the middle. You can move the split later if you wish!

 

The Window will now be divided into two separate panes, each having individual scroll bars and zoom settings!

 

You can move the split by clicking and dragging it with your mouse, or double click the split to remove it.

OK - Now that you are convinced this is a useful view, here is the shortcut!

Cloud Intelligenece Conference: Keynote Speaker Announced!

Centriq Training is pleased to announce Paul Mattes, Microsoft U.S. Director of the Windows Azure Platform and Technical Computing, as the 2012 Cloud Intelligence Conference Keynote Speaker!

This one day conference will be held on April 12, 2012 at the Overland Park Convention Center. 

Mr. Mattes' Microsoft teams are responsible for working with customers and partners to identify and deliver solutions based on Microsoft’s cloud computing assets and High Performance Computing software. He has over 25 years experience in a diverse set of disciplines including software architecture and engineering, data center operations, enterprise sales management and strategic business consulting. Learn more about him here.

This event is ideal for IT professionals, business decision makers and executives from all types of technology backgrounds. Some topics will include Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Strategies, Cloud Security, Virtualization, Migration and Information Architecture. Seating is limited. To learn more or register for this event, please visit www.centriq.com/CloudIntelligence.

For questions or more information on the event contact your Account Executive at 913-322-7000.

- Jessica Oliver, Director of Operations LinkIn with Jessica

New Year, New Changes in Security Training!

As the new year comes upon us, vendors are rolling out some new or updated courses for the beginning of 2012, but what type of training is right for you or what new courses are worth the time and money?  The answer depends on what area of security you want to pursue.  I always recommend having a very sound understanding of the basics in networking and operating systems if you are getting into security for 2012. As for those of you who already work in security, there are some new and updated courses coming out for 2012 that are very exciting.


One of the things you need to look at is does the course help me understand the security concepts and does the course provide a hands on example for reference.  Some courses discuss a concept but then nothing to really help solidify the concept such as an example.  Also, if you are looking for the latest and greatest in concepts and examples, most vendor classes are about  6 months to a year behind.  It is up to the instructor to provide up to date examples for current concepts.  The instructors background and experience play a major role in filling in the gaps.


So what are the up to date and new courses for 2012? 


Updated Courses


Network+ - 
CompTIA has update the Network+ for 2012 with a more of an emphasis on technologies and how they relate to the OSI model.  I like the fact that they have made more of an emphasis on the areas of SANS and WANS.  However I would say that the course still covers 85% of the previous objectives.  It is not really a huge upgrade, more of an incremental update.


CEH version 7.1


Eccouncil has brought out new revision from their version 7.0 of this class.  This is a major update with even more update labs and content than the previous version 7. 


New Courses


CSAP


This is a new course from CompTIA intended to focus on the 10 year security veteran.  It focuses a lot on Enterprise LAN and WAN security.  As of this writing not to much is known about the CSAP and it may be a while before we know anything more definitive.

Good luck in 2012 and hope you have a great year.

- Tom Pruett, Cisco & Security Expert; MCT, CTT+, CISSP, CWNA, CEH, CHFI, CCSI, CCNA, MCSE LinkIn with Tom

Centriq Announces Cloud Intelligence Conference

We at Centriq are pleased to announce, along with Microsoft,  it will host the 2012 Cloud Intelligence Conference to be held at the Overland Park Convention Center on April 12, 2012. 

This one day conference will cover a variety of powerful network computing information management strategies for businesses of all levels. Some topics will include Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Strategies, Cloud Security, Virtualization, Migration and Information Architecture.

Attendees will have the choice of four tracks, with 4 sessions each, in the 2012 Cloud Intelligence Conference including:

• Cloud Roadmaps and Overviews for Executives
• Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS)
• Software as a Service (SAAS)
• Platform as a Service (PAAS)

This event is ideal for IT professionals, business decision makers and executives from all types of technology backgrounds. Seating is limited. To learn more or register for this event, please visit www.centriq.com/CloudIntelligence.

For questions or more information on the event contact your Account Executive at 913-322-7000.

- Jessica Oliver, Director of Operations LinkIn with Jessica

How To: Custom AutoFill Lists in Excel 2007 or 2010

Do you need to type the same list of departments, names, regions, etc. over and over again in Excel? Create a custom list and use AutoFill to do the job!
 

Excel 2007
1. Click the round Microsoft Office button in the top left corner of the Excel Window.
2. Click the Excel Options button at the bottom of the menu. The Excel Options dialog box will open.
3. In the Popular group, click the button to Edit Custom Lists…

4. In the Custom List dialog box, NEW LIST is already selected. Type the list entries you would like, touching ENTER after each entry.


5. When you are done typing the list items, click the Add button. Your new Custom List will appear below the built-in lists.



6. Click OK to close the Custom Lists dialog box and return to the Excel Options dialog box.
7. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.
8. Try it out! Type a list entry into a cell. Select the AutoFill handle in the bottom right corner of the cell. The mouse pointer will change to a skinny plus sign (+); click and drag down or over to complete the list.



Note: Although you cannot change or delete the built-in Custom Lists, you can delete any list you create or add other lists at any time.


Excel 2010
1. Click the File tab in the top left corner of the Excel Window to enter the Backstage view.
2. Click the Excel Options button near the bottom of the menu. The Excel Options dialog box will open.
3. In the Advanced group, click the button to Edit Custom Lists…


 4. In the Custom List dialog box, NEW LIST is already selected. Type the list entries you would like, touching ENTER after each entry.



5. When you are done typing the list items, click the Add button. Your new Custom List will appear below the built-in lists.



6. Click OK to close the Custom Lists dialog box and return to the Excel Options dialog box.
7. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.
8. Try it out! Type a list entry into a cell. Select the AutoFill handle in the bottom right corner of the cell. The mouse pointer will change to a skinny plus sign (+); click and drag down or over to complete the list.

 

Note: Although you cannot change or delete the built-in Custom Lists, you can delete any list you create or add other lists at any time.

- Irene Heckert, Microsoft Office Expert; CTT, MCAS, ITIL Certified, MOS LinkIn with Irene