Powershell -DomainMode and -ForestMode

When you use PowerShell to install a new forest. The values for -DomainMode and -ForestMode are the following:

     -- Windows Server 2003: 2 or Win2003
     -- Windows Server 2008: 3 or Win2008
     -- Windows Server 2008 R2: 4 or Win2008R2
     -- Windows Server 2012: 5 or Win2012
     -- Windows Server 2012 R2: 6 or Win2012R2

You can use the numeric value or you can write it in text as shown above.

Azure IaaS Cost Estimator Tool

Until now, when evaluating datacenter compute resources and estimating costs in the cloud has been a challenge. Typically we’re looking at a physical or virtual machine configuration such as CPU size, memory, disk space and so on. However, there are other resources that are more difficult to estimate such as bandwidth usage, storage transactions, and estimated future capacity.

Imagine having 50, 100, or more servers. Performing estimates for 100’s of servers would not only be time consuming, it would be difficult because we’re only looking at a snapshot in time. We know over the course of a day or week a server’s consumption model of resources will change. We may end up missing critical information that could end up in underestimating the cost of a VM or service in the cloud. Underestimating resources could lead to unexpected charges. Not an ideal situation when we’re looking to either reduce costs or migrate resources to the cloud.


You will find the tool and more information here: http://blogs.technet.com/b/cbernier/archive/2014/08/05/microsoft-azure-iaas-cost-estimator-tool.aspx

Azure AD Connect

Microsoft created the Azure AD Connect to help you easily connect your on-premises Windows Server Active Directory to your tenant in Azure Active Directory with only 4 clicks!

To learn more visit our documentation at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn776280.aspx and the Active Directory Team Blog at http://blogs.technet.com/b/ad/archive/2014/08/04/connecting-ad-and-azure-ad-only-4-clicks-with-azure-ad-connect.aspx.

Difference between changing a password and reset a password

In all my years working with security there is a common misunderstanding about change a password and reset a password. The latter is also one of the big security issues in most companies - but they don't realize it...

Sanjay Tandon (Founder and CEO of Paramount Defenses Inc. And former MS blue badge) has written a great article about it. If you are working with AD and security, you should read this article, and the other ones he has published as well...

You find it here: http://www.active-directory-security.com/2014/06/Active-Directory-Account-Password-Security-101-For-Regulatory-Compliance-Auditors-The-Difference-Between-Change-Password-and-Reset-Password.html

Azure AD Premium - 90 day trial!!

http://blogs.technet.com/b/ad/archive/2014/06/24/news-free-90-day-trials-of-azure-active-directory-premium-now-with-2035-saas-app.aspx

From the above site:

Just a quick note today.  I'm happy to let you know that we've just turned on free trials of Azure Active Directory Premium. Now you can get a free 90 day trial of Azure AD Premium for up to 100 users.
....
And I've got one other bit of cool news to share.  As of last weekend, Azure AD is now pre-integrated with 2035 SAAS Applications.  The team has been kicking it over the past several month, adding on average 120 new apps a week!


Start to learn!

New ADMT version

The Directory Service Team has released the newest version of ADMT that now support Server 2012/2012 R2.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=19188

If you use Visio and PowerPoint and need Azure Symbols/Icon Set

Hi,

I use Visio and PowerPoint on a regular basis, there is a package with icons and symbols available on the MS Download site that contains Azure related Technologies that you can use.

You'll find it here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=41937

Password Write Back, New AAD Sync and Multi-forest support

There are new capabilities coming for Azure Active Directory synchronization!

Read more about it here:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/ad/archive/2014/04/21/new-sync-capabilities-in-preview-password-write-back-new-aad-sync-and-multi-forest-support.aspx

Latest Win 8.1 Update - the information you need

I've been searching about details about the latest Win 8.1 update. And the best reference I've found is here:

 http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/04/07/exploring-windows-8-1-update-start-screen-desktop-and-other-enhancements.aspx

It is great information and a "one-stop-shop" since it has links to further information.

Active Directory Windows Time Service Functions

A good PDF about Windows Time Service Functions.

http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Active-Directory-Windows-24014571

Software-Defined Networking with Windows Server and System Center Jump Start

Is your infrastructure outgrowing your current networking strategy? Want to simplify the process for managing your datacenter? Software-defined networking (SDN) can streamline datacenter implementation through self-service provisioning, take the complexity out of network management, and help increase security with fully isolated environments. Intrigued? Bring specific questions, and get answers from the team who built this popular solution!

More information: http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/liveevents/software-defined-networking-with-windows-server-and-system-center-jump-start#?fbid=pIqPeldRtsY

Windows Azure now allows to set fixed IP-addresses for virtual machines

Untill recently IP-addresses of Azure virtual machines were not static/fixed. A VM which had been shutdown (for example to reduce costs, think test/dev scenario’s) could receive a different IP-address at boot than orginally assigned at creation. This leads to all kinds of issues. A new Powershell for Azure version solves this issue.


Read more here:

http://up2v.nl/2014/03/05/windows-azure-now-allows-to-set-fixed-ip-addresses-for-virtual-machines/

Twenty-five years chasing the dream of enterprise social networking.

A very interesting read, made me think...

http://thoughtsofanidlemind.com/2014/03/04/twenty-five-years-chasing-the-dream-of-enterprise-social-networking/

Exchange 2013 SP1

Exchange 2013 SP1 is now available here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=41994

Read more on the Exchange Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2014/02/25/exchange-server-2013-service-pack-1-available.aspx

Service Pack 1 for Microsoft Office 2013 32-Bit Edition

Service Pack 1 for Microsoft Office 2013 32-Bit Edition contains new updates which improve security, performance, and stability. Additionally, the SP is a roll-up of all previously released updates. 

Download: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42017

IT Infrastructure Weekend - Teaser

Multi-Factor Authentication for Office 365

MS is adding Multi-Factor Authentication for Office 365 to Office 365 Midsize Business, Enterprise plans, Academic plans, Nonprofit plans, and standalone Office 365 plans, including Exchange Online and SharePoint Online. This will allow organizations with these subscriptions to enable multi-factor authentication for their Office 365 users without requiring any additional purchase or subscription.

Read more:
http://blogs.office.com/2014/02/10/multi-factor-authentication-for-office-365/

HP to begin charging for firmware updates and service packs for servers

HP server customers are about to get an unwelcome surprise when they need to update firmware or apply a service pack. Effective later this month, those downloads, which often fix critical bugs, will require either a current warranty or an extended support agreement.

http://www.techinvestornews.com/HP/HP-Enterprise/hp-to-begin-charging-for-firmware-updates-and-service-packs-for-servers#.UvsaodKx654.facebook

HP tar betalt för firmware-uppdateringar

Läs mer här:

http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.546432

Powershell event invitation

Powershell Event!
http://www.knowledgefactory.se/powershell-event/