Provides a visual reference for understanding key private cloud storage and virtualization technologies in Windows Server 2012 R2.

Download a free poster (or mini-poster) on Windows Server 2012 R2 Private Cloud Virtualization & Storage: http://spr.ly/6183evq5

Microsoft has released System Center 2012 R2 to the public via MSDN and Volume licensing. Check out the following link for more details:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/system-center/system-center-2012-r2.aspx

“System Center 2012 R2 effectively manages the scale and performance that Windows Server 2012 R2 offers.  Building on System Center 2012, this release enables at-scale management of major Windows Server 2012 R2 capabilities, including running VM snapshots, dynamic VHDX resize, and Storage Spaces.   System Center 2012 R2 also extends software-defined networking in Windows Server 2012 R2 with provisioning and management support for a multitenant VPN gateway to enable seamless extension of datacenter capacity.  System Center 2012 R2 will continue to help you provision and manage a flexible hybrid IT environment that adapts dynamically to changing business needs, including migrating workloads to Windows Azure Virtual Machines and managing them consistently.”

Important note: You need to perform the update before installing Windows 8.1 from the store. If the system is bricked during the 8.1 upgrade and you don’t have a recovery disk. Then you need to contact Microsoft or a friend who has not update yet.

Before starting you will need to have a USB disk between 4 GB to 16 GB depending on the applications on the system.

Follow these steps to create a USB recovery disk on a Surface RT:

1. From the Start screen, tap the Desktop tile to open the Windows Desktop.

2. Slide your finger in from the right to fetch the Charms bar and then tap the Settings icon.

3. On the Settings Pane, tap the words Control Panel from the pane’s top edge.

4. On Desktop Control Panel, tap the System and Security section and then tap File History.

5. On File History window, tap Recovery in the bottom, left corner.

6. Tap Create a Recovery Drive when the Recovery window appears.

The program walks you through inserting a USB flash drive of 4GB or larger into the Surface RT’s lone USB port. Then it copies the Surface’s recovery partition to the flash drive, creating a recovery drive.

Reboot from the recovery drive

If your Surface won’t load properly, follow these steps to boot from the recovery drive:

1. Turn off your Surface and then insert the recovery drive into your Surface RT’s USB port.

2. While pressing the Volume Down switch, press and release the Surface RT’s Start button.

After a minute or two, the Surface RT wakes up and loads from the USB recovery drive, leaving you at the opening screen.

Follow the steps to reset your Surface RT to factory conditions, just like the Surface’s Reset command. Use this as a last resort.

Infographic by Veracode Application Security

Born to learn have just posted some helpful information for those going for an MCSA in SQL 2012. Check out the following link;

http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2013/03/04/90-days-to-mcsa-sql-server-2012-edition.aspx#fbid=ZAegHI_Wg3A

90 Days to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Edition

At the start of 2013, many database pros in the global Microsoft Certified Professional community reviewed 2012 accomplishments and set new goals for earning or upgrading certifications in the new year. In my conversations with MCPs on various forums and social networks, I heard many questions about exam prep resources and saw several requests for support from peers. Our team then took these points and discussed with several Microsoft Certified Trainers, and together, we have assembled a new package of resources just for you. Modeled after the success of last year’s “60 Days to MCSE for Private Cloud,” please meet “90 Days to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Edition.”

All the information and links can be found at 90daystoMCSA.com.

There has been a number of posts on when to use Sysprep and even if it is required. Based on the Microsoft TechNet document here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824816.aspx, it is still required.

A Sysprep image is the best used when cloning or reimaging a computer. There are a number System Administrations out there who are still using cloning without running Sysprep /generalize. The sysprep /generalize removes unique information from your Windows installation so that you can safely reuse that image on a different computer.

So before cloning, taking an image or duplicating a disk, run SysPrep.

Sysprep is including in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 2012. It is located in the %WINDIR%\system32\sysprep directory.