Since I’m currently working with System Center Operations Manager 2012 (also often referred to as SCOM 2012 or OpsMgr 2012), I needed a testing environment.
Because time is precious, I want to minimize the time and effort needed to set it up. This is what I did:
- Install and configure Hyper-V on my Windows 8 laptop.
- Deploy a VM with Server 2012 Datacenter edition.
Configure a static IP address.
Configure AD DS / domain controller role.
Configure DHCP server role.
Configure DNS server role (if desirable, include DNS forwarder for internet DNS queries).
- Download and extract the pre-configured SCOM 2012 SP1 beta VHD (running Server 2012 Datacenter edition). System Center 2012 SP1 adds Windows Server 2012 SQL Server 2012 Support.
- Create a new VM for SCOM and configure it to use the downloaded pre-configured VHD.
Configure it with sufficient virtual CPUs and memory for the DB and the SCOM components.
- Start the SCOM VM, and follow the onscreen instructions. NOTE: First time configuration took about 1-2 hours, but this might be related to my hardware. Still it might be smart to plan the installation.
- Convert the Server 2012 Datacenter edition from ServerDatacenterEval to ServerDatacenter by running an elevated CMD as administrator and issuing the following command:
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter> ProductKey:<productkey> /AcceptEula
Reboot.
- Replace the SCOM 2012 evaluation license with your own license using Operations Manager Shell:
Set-SCOMLicense -ProductId “yourlicensekey“
Reboot
Check the license using the Operations Manager Shell:
Get-SCOMManagementGroup | ft skuforlicense, version, timeofexpiration –a
- Shut down your SCOM 2012 VM.
- Shut down your AD DS / domain controller VM.
- Create a snapshot and/or export of both VM’s so you can more easily revert to a good starting point.
Also be sure to read Stefan Stranger’s blog post that goes into more detail with regards to the domain controller and automating the task for setting it up. It also includes screenshots to give you a better idea of the process.
PS: I love how Microsoft provides these pre-configured VHD’s. This has been great in the past, but now with client Hyper-V 3.0 in Windows 8 it saves me even more time because I don’t have to boot to Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012 for Hyper-V.
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Tags: Beta, blog, Hyper-V, Hyper-V 3.0, ICT, lab, Microsoft, Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2012, operations management, operations manager, Operations Manager 2012, OpsMgr, OpsMgr 2012, OpsMgr2012, SCOM, SCOM 2012, SCOM 2012 SP1, SCOM 2012 SP1 Beta, SCOM2012, Server 2012, service pack 1, SP1, System Center, System Center Operations Manager, System Center Operations Manager 2012, test, testing environment, virtual lab
In the past I’ve used Microsoft’s virtual labs many times and found them really useful.
VMware has also created Hands-On Labs Online (HOL) now as well and you can sign up for the open public beta now. These online labs are ideal for people:
- Who don’t have the hardware to create these labs themselves.
- Who don’t have time to create these labs themselves.
- Who want to have a properly tested and defined lab environment with guidance and documentation.
Read more about the VMware HOL and the labs that are being provided. Also be sure to check out their blog and Twitter account.
I’ve signed up as well and I hope to get access soon.
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Tags: Beta, Cloud, Hands-On Labs, Hands-On Labs Online, HOL, ICT, public beta, sign up, virtual labs, VMware, VMware HOL
Last week I got a beta exam invite for exam “70-688 Managing and Maintaining Windows 8” (in beta it is 71-688). As with most beta exams lately, you only have max two weeks to prepare and there are no books available yet that you can use to study. Therefore I start with looking at what skills are being measured and if there are preparation guides available. From there on I start looking for relevant learning resources for each subject and adding them to the skills that are being measured for easy future reference.
I hope it is useful for you as well.
Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Office 365, Exam, Beta, Learning, System Center Configuration Manager 2012, SCCM2012, Windows 8, Windows, Skydrive, Powershell, Windows store, wireless, network, virtualization, Hyper-V, Storage Spaces, authentication, security, multifactor authentication, backup, certificate, System Center, study, 070-688, 071-688, 70-688, 71-688, hardware, Managing and Maintaining Windows 8, learning resource, learning resources, prep guide, prepare, preparation, preparation guide, Windows To Go, client hype-rv, native boot, virtual hard disk, vhd, bcdboot, bcdedit, upgrade, upgrade path, windows 8 upgrade path, usmt, user state migration tool, high-touch, lite-touch, zero-touch, deployment strategy, migration, migrate, rdp, remote desktop protocol, RemoteApp, shim, application compatibility toolkit, ACT, App-V, Application Virtualization, Microsoft Application Virtualization, group policy, Windows Intune, System Center Configuration Manager, System Center 2012, SCCM 2012, ConfMgr, ConfMgr 2012, ConfMgr2012, RDS, Remote Desktop Services, VDI, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, sideload, metro application, windows 8 application, sideloader, DISM, SRP, Applocker, Packaged App, Software Restriction Policies, Skydrive Pro, Azure, Microsoft Azure, Windows Azure, folder redirection, offline files, roaming profiles, roaming user profiles, windows easy transfer, wet, microsoft account, local account, live service, live services, UE-V, User Experience Virtualization, name resolution, IPv4, IPv6, DNSSEC, Firewall, Windows Firewall, off-network, DirectAccess, VPN, metered network, network metering, metering, remote access, CMAK, Connection Manager, Connection Manager Administration Kit, DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant, DCA, Remote Server Administration Tools, RSAT, PowerShell Remoting, workgroup, domain, two-factor authentication, smart card, picture password, biometrics, trust, trust relationship, BranchCache, EFS, Encrypting File System, Encrypted Hard Drive, EHD, BitLocker, removable storage devices, MBAM, Microsoft Bitlocker Administration and Monitoring, hardware and devices troubleshooter, find and fix problems with devices, Action center, Sync center, print management, printer, mobile, mobile device, NFC, Near Field Communication, Secure SIM, mobile device management, Exchange Activesync, Exchange Active Sync, EAS, PC refresh, PC reset, Windows 8 PC refresh, Windows 8 PC reset, Recimg, Recimg.exe, image, Windows 8 Image, Windows 7 file recovery, disk image, disk image backup, recovery drive, recovery media, system restore, Windows Recovery Environment, WRE, file history, Windows 8 FIle History, Windows Defender, Endpoint Protection, System Center Endpoint Protection, Windows Update, WSUS, System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection, System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection client, application reputation, asset, asset inventory, report, computer inventory report, Desktop Error Monitoring, DEM, Agentless Exception Monitoring, AEM, System Center Desktop Error Monitoring, MDOP, Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, DaRT, DaRT 8, Diagnostic and Recovery Toolkit, Office 365 Desktop Setup, Trusted PC, Live Mesh, LiveMesh, App-V 5.0, MDOP 2011 R2
Yesterday I received an e-mail that I was eligable to register for the beta exam:
“71-688 Managing and Maintaining Windows 8”
The beta exam period runs from Oct 17 – Oct 31 and I will personally take the exam next week. It is free for those who received the beta invite. If you didn’t receive the beta invite,you can still register through the prometric website, but it will not be free. If you want to get access to future beta exams, read one of my previous blog posts.
Normally the preparation guide is published on the microsoft learning website, but apparently they’re experiencing a delay. Therefore the preparation guide has now been posted on the born to learn blog:
http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2012/10/16/where-39-s-the-71-688-prep-guide.aspx
For all people taking the exam, good luck!
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Tags: 070-688, 071-688, 70-688, 71-688, Beta, certification, Exam, MCSA, mcsa windows 8, Windows, Windows 8
Besides getting “MCSA: Windows Server 2012” certified , I also passed my Windows 8 exam “70-687 Configuring Windows 8“.
I’m still waiting for the results of 4 beta exams and hope I can pass them and get these certifications:
To be continued ……
PS: For more information about Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, be welcome to check my “Microsoft Information Flood” post. I’m a bit behind on updates, but it should still prove to be a valuable resource.
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Tags: 070-410, 070-411, 070-412, 070-413, 070-414, 070-415, 070-416, 070-687, 071-410, 071-411, 071-412, 071-413, 071-414, 071-415, 071-416, 071-687, Beta, certification, Exam, MCSA, MCSA Windows Server 2012, MCSE Windows Server 2012, Prometric, Windows, Windows 2012, Windows 2012 Server, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012
After desperately checking if my results were in for the beta exams I took, I finally got the great news that I passed the first three beta exams for Windows Server 2012. This means I’m now officially “MCSA: Windows Server 2012” certified.
I’m still waiting for the results of the other 5 beta exams *fingers crossed*, but I couldn’t have wished for a better start 🙂
PS: For more information about Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, be welcome to check my “Microsoft Information Flood” post. I’m a bit behind on updates, but it should still prove to be a valuable resource.
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When Microsoft creates new (versions of their) software, they also create new exams to become certified. Part of this process includes testing the exams, determining the passing score, getting feedback and improving the exams based on the feedback (deciding which questions to use, removing questions, re-phrasing, etc.). More information can be found here.
To get feedback, Microsoft offers access to these beta exams for free. They do this publicly using by example the born to learn blog or privately using mail to select subject matter experts (SME) based on their profiles on Microsoft Connect. So if you’re interested in taking beta exams, update the information on the Microsoft Connect site to get private invites to the latest beta exams that are relevant to you. More information about the invite procedure can be found on the Born To Learn blog. Also keep in mind that public invites might be limited using a first-come, first served principle so check on a regular basis.
Advantages and disadvantages of taking beta exams:
+ It is free if you received an invite. Nowadays you can also take beta exams if you haven’t had an invite, but then you need to pay for the exam.
+ You have a chance to become one of the first people to become certified for the new software.
+ If you pass a beta exam, you passed it legitimately because there are no answers to download online.
+ Even if you fail the beta exam, you’ve still learned a lot about the new (version of the) software.
– In general there are no books available yet and you have to get all your information from hands-on experience, blogs, technet, websites, etc.
– The time frame you have to prepare for the exams can be (very) limited. For example with the last invites for the Server 2012 beta exams I had only 2 weeks to prepare for multiple exams.
– After you’ve taken a beta exam, it might take 2-3 months before you get the result.
Beta exams I’ve taken recently include those for Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 and Office 365. I expect the next beta exams to cover mainly Office 15/Office 2013 related products like by example Sharepoint, Exchange, Lync. So if you’re interested in these beta exams be sure to keep a close eye on the beta exams and start working with and learning about the products already.
I hope this was informative and that it well help you and/or your company gain a competitive advantage.
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Tags: Beta, certification, certified, certify, Exam, Exchange, Learning, Lync, Microsoft, microsoft learning, Office, Office 365, Sharepoint, sme, subject matter expert, System Center, Windows, Windows 2012, Windows 2012 Server, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012
Tags: 70-243, Beta, Cloud, Exam, ICT, Learning, Microsoft, Private Cloud, SCCM, SCCM2012, System Center Configuration Manager 2012
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Tags: 70-321, 70-323, Beta, Cloud, Exam, Exchange online, ICT, Learning, Lync online, Microsoft, Office 365, Sharepoint online
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