Windows Azure and Server 2012

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I recently attended Microsoft’s Cloud OS Signature Event Series in Denver, CO.  The main focus of the event was their new cloud service called Azure and Server 2012 which launched last month.  While there are tons of new changes and features to play with from a technical standpoint, my main question was what does this mean for the small business?

From the get go, Microsoft made it clear this is one of the biggest updates to their server operating system thanks to the heavy focus on cloud computing and their new service Azure.  This new cloud service will allow you to host anything from servers to web sites.  From your primary server you can easily manage servers whether it is on your network, Azure, or a 3rd party hosting such as Rackspace.

Its also apparent Microsoft is setting their sights on solutions like Citrix and trying to offer a simpler and more integrated solution for virtual desktops.  If you organization uses Citrix, does it mean that you should move to Server 2012?  Maybe.  Citrix definitely has a place still depending on how your organizations needs and work flow of employees.

Like most things new in the world of computers I would recommend holding off as Microsoft and early adopters iron out the bugs.  Speak with your IT administrator or follow the link below to find out more.

http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/

 

 

 

 

Coming soon to a business near you - Windows Server 2012!

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Windows Server 2012 is scheduled to be released to manufacturers this and will be for sale to the public in September! Are you excited yet? Here are some reasons why we are.

Microsoft will be making a big push in the realm of virtualization, attempting to take a bigger slice of the pie from industry leader VMware. Among the many new features of Windows Server 2012, one that has a lot of people talking, is the increased performance of virtual machines. VMware can currently deliver 300,000 input/output operations (I/Os) per second from a single virtual machine, and Microsoft has stated that Windows Server 2012 will be able to deliver over 1,000,000 I/Os. To put that in perspective, imagine that your flight time from LA to Tokyo was reduced from 10 hours to 3.5? Think of all of things you could do with that extra time.

Another new feature promising big speed increases over what is currently available is called offloaded transfer (ODX). Using ODX, a 10GB demo file was moved into storage in approximately 10 seconds, and without a corresponding spike in network utilization. So instead of having to wait until after hours to download software updates or run backups, they can happen during the day without having anyone’s work interrupted.

These are just two of many new features that are coming with Windows Server 2012 and we will be keeping a close eye on it when it gets released. If you have questions about virtual servers or Windows Server products, call us at 888-244-1748 to talk to one of our network engineers.

What is Virtualization?

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by Stephanie Spino | www.everonit.com

In the early 90’s, virtualization emerged as a term known only to the most advanced tech professionals. Virtualization has been gaining popularity, recently becoming an everyday buzzword to even the “not-so-tech-savvy” - namely you and me. I must admit I have heard the term on more than one occasion and was unclear of its meaning until conducting research for this article. Although this piece will only scratch the surface on this complex subject, it’s a good introduction to a topic that will most likely be resurfacing in your future conversations.

Virtualization in lay terms

Wikipedia defines virtualization as the abstraction of computer resources. In basic terms, it creates a virtual version of a device or resource. Virtualization makes it feasible for hardware to be converted into software; when managed properly, it can introduce more efficient ways for users to manage technology.

Are there different types?

Three common categories of virtualization are: Network, Server, and Storage. All of these types can offer ways to improve upon the functionalities of your technology. From increasing the amount of available data space, to expanding memory and enhancing backups, the various types of virtualization have much to offer those who sensibly implement it into their businesses operation.

An example of virtualization that most of us can relate to: Multiple user profiles on a single operating system (when you log into a computer with your user name, the unit loads all of your personal settings while “hiding” the settings of its other users.) On a higher technological level, virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run on a single machine (just as Mac’s do.)

What are businesses doing with it?

I would like to pinpoint a few reasons that certain businesses have turned to virtualization: Disaster recovery – In the event that one system goes down, the back up will be ready to start running applications virtually; Desktop virtualization – Enables you to run two operations systems on one unit; and Application virtualization – Allows you to effectively minimize, isolate, or even eliminate conflicts related to your operating system.

A number of businesses that are already using virtualization to some capacity have expressed certain benefits. For starters, virtual memory is complex, allowing computer software access to more memory than is actually physically installed. Virtualization makes it possible for users to “fool” their operating systems into believing that a group of servers is a single pool of computing resources. Most businesses implement virtualization with hopes of achieving new ways of managing/storing certain data, etc. For these benefits and others, we suspect more businesses will begin turning to virtualization in the future.

Where do I go from here?

As businesses continue exploring the possibilities and various applications of virtualization, it’s very likely that new ways of increasing productivity and efficiency levels in the workplace will continue surfacing. Only time will tell what significant changes virtualization may hold for businesses. If you have any questions concerning this article, please contact [email protected].