Enterprise Server Strategies for the CIOAs cloud and virtualization technologies enable administrators to extend the scalability of their systems, they also present a very real issue: How can these increasingly abstract and sprawling environments be managed?
Microsoft System Center is a systems management suite that aims to equip admins with the tools to monitor issues and automate management within their networks. Microsoft System Center 2012, the latest version, includes a revamped group of integrated offerings that reflect recent acquisitions and are focused around managing cloud deployments.
While all System Center products were previously offered in standalone versions, System Center 2012 will now only be available as a bundled offering -- in two editions, Standard (which can be deployed to a maximum of two virtual machines) and Datacenter (which allows for an unlimited number of virtual machines). The new licensing structure is seen as a move to compete with VMware's vCenter systems management product, which charges per VM, but it also brings up questions for any shops previously using only part of the suite.
The links below offer further details on Microsoft System Center 2012, reviewing licensing news, important features and suggested implementations. Check back for future updates as the story becomes clearer.
Table of contents:
Microsoft System Center 2012 release info and licensing news
System
Center 2012 SP1 hits GA, brings fixes for suite
The System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 hit general availability
and included the long-awaited support for SQL Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012. It also had
fixes for the products in the system management suite.
The enhancements and fixes in the SP1 beta can support Windows Server 2012, but it also offers increased support for PowerShell, Hyper-V and the cloud.
System
Center 2012 will manage Windows Server 2012 … eventually
The System Center 2012 SP1 beta supporting the latest Windows
Server version is out, but its timing frustrates IT pros.
Microsoft's Adam Hall details the significant changes made to the Operations Manager component in System Center 2012.
Microsoft
to VMware: Can you hear the footsteps?
The new, simplified licensing scheme for System Center 2012 puts Microsoft in a better
competitive position – but it's not going to be a bundle of joy for everyone.
Cost
considerations – or, a license to hyper-drive
Will the new System Center suite cost you more or less than what you're paying now? The short
answer: It depends. But here are the basic numbers, plus predictions on how the changes could
escalate adoption of Hyper-V.
Cloud,
consumerization can't be ignored in systems management
System Center 2012 might be the best evidence yet for Microsoft's purported "all-in" strategy
for the cloud, with management features that make both public and private deployments simpler. The
story gets stormier, though, when admins begin to think about BYOD.
Microsoft System Center 2012 features
SCVMM
2012 meets the need for (virtual) speed
The main selling point of Virtual
Machine Manager 2012 is efficiency -- rapid provisioning of virtual machines, centralized
infrastructure management, optimized workload placement -- and virtualization experts agree it
stands up to the competition. But VMware's vCloud Director still won the race to general release,
and that could be all that matters.
Virtual
Machine Manager and Hyper-V management
System Center's Virtual Machine Manager has made great strides in managing Hyper-V hosts.
Improvements in deployment, cluster and the removal of managing barriers are evaluated by our
expert.
Orchestrator
2012 offers more than automation
In the System Center family of products, Orchestrator is the industrious matriarch, managing to
do dozens of tasks at once while making sure no one breaks anything. In this case, it all
comes down to efficient scripting, and Don Jones explains how can PowerShell and System Center can
make GUI-ful music together.
Dear
System Center Advisor: What's wrong with my server?
Server monitoring isn't just about responding to momentary alerts. But don't take our word for
it: listen to System
Center Advisor, Microsoft's new cloud-hosted service that looks at things from more of a
long-term perspective. The alerts you'll receive through this service allow you to address issues
before they become chronic problems -- think of it as preventive care instead of emergency
surgery.
Platform,
schmatform: How System Center 2012 eases heterogeneous management
System Center 2012 is built for the multi-platform data center environment, with support for UNIX,
Linux, AIX, HP-UX and Solaris. Don't start cheering just yet, though; the promise comes with some
caveats.
Add-ons
in System Center 2012 attempt to solve management setbacks
The Service Manager, Operations Manager and Orchestrator add-ons in System Center 2012 can make an
IT pro's life easier in Windows data centers. Learn more about how these free tools can help
management.
A
peek at System Center's private parts
Looking to build a Hyper-V private cloud?
Microsoft hopes you are, and puts System Center at the, um, center of those efforts. Find out how
each piece of the suite – from the more obvious Virtual Machine Manager to the lesser known App
Controller – contributes to the development of an elastic, efficient environment.
On Configuration Manager
Configuration
Manager SP1 Beta supports deployments, network detection
System Center Configuration Manager will get its first service pack in early 2013, but the beta
is currently available for download. SP1 will support the deployments of Windows 8 and Windows 2012
as well as Windows USB To Go. Other features administrators can expect include PowerShell
automation of administrative tasks and 3G and 4G network detection.
Configuring
the consumerized workplace with SCCM 2012
Tablets, smartphones, desktops, laptops -- the amount of endpoints in your system is growing
every day. You can't stop this sprawl, you can only hope to contain it. Configuration Manager
2012 offers a revamped application delivery model that should enable more flexibility and
customization, which should help keep those pesky employees off your back for at least a little
while.
Test your System Center 2012 knowledge
You've read the guide, now see how much you know about a wide variety of topics in System Center.