Hello Automaters! 
I wanted to make everyone aware of a couple of cool new connect beta programs available from the Solution Accelerator Team that focus on System Center Private Cloud Automation.
The Solution Accelerators team has started two new beta programs focused on tools, automation, and knowledge for System Center products. One program will provide Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) service templates and a SCVMM add-in to help you discover them. The other program will provide datacenter automation for private clouds using System Center Orchestrator. Datacenter automation for System Center Orchestrator enables you to automate operations of private cloud workloads such as SharePoint and Windows Server.
Here’s a bit About the Programs
System Center Virtual Machine Manager Service Templates and the Service Templates Explorer Beta Program
The System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) Service Templates Explorer enables you to search for and download service templates that are published by Microsoft. The Service Templates Explorer is an add-in the runs within the SCVMM console. It is simple to install and use.
The first release of the Service Templates Explorer will make these service templates available for you to download and use:
- Windows Server 2012 - Domain Controller
- Windows Server 2012 - DNS
- Windows Server 2012 - DHCP
- Windows Server 2012 - IIS
- Window Server 2012 - File Server
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 - Domain Controller
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 - DNS
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 - DHCP
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 - IIS
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 - File Server
These service templates are tested and supported by Microsoft. They provide you with a simple and quick way to deploy Windows Server virtual machines with key roles enabled. In the future, more service templates will be published. Some of these new service templates will provide you with private cloud application deployment capabilities.
Datacenter Automation for the Cloud Beta Program
The datacenter automation for the cloud enables you to automate operations of private cloud workloads such as SharePoint and Windows Server.
The first release of the datacenter automation make following available for you to download and use:
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Orchestrator Runbooks for quick SharePoint farm back-up and recovery scenario
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Easily pluggable PowerShell 3.0 workflows for SharePoint basic daily, weekly and monthly operations automation. For example:
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Back up a Web application
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Back up a service application
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Trace logs
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Checking Disk Space, CPU and RAM
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SharePoint WMI scan for perf/alerts
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Scan for missing patches / WMI
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Want More Information on what these Programs are Supporting?
To learn more about VMM and service templates, see the System Center 2012 Virtual Machine Manager documentation and Using Service Templates in System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012.
To learn more about System Center 2012 Orchestrator and System Center 2012 SP1, see the System Center 2012 Orchestrator documentation and System Center 2012 SP1 Beta available - evaluate with Windows Server 2012.
Here’s how to Get Involved and Start Shaping the Roadmap with Your Feedback!
We invite you to join and participate in these beta programs.
To learn more about SCVMM service templates, join the beta program.
To learn more about datacenter automation for System Center Orchestrator, join the beta program.
We would also like invite you to join us for two Live Meeting sessions to learn more about these beta programs and provide the opportunity for you to give us feedback. Here is the information you need in order to join us for these Live Meetings sessions.
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SCVMM Service Templates Session Details Date: Thursday, October 18, 2012 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT Audio Information: Telephone conferencing First Time Users: To save time before the meeting, check your system to make sure it is ready to use Microsoft Office Live Meeting. Troubleshooting: Unable to join the meeting? Follow these steps: 1. Copy this address and paste it into your web browser: 2. Copy and paste the required information: If you still cannot enter the meeting, contact support. |
Datacenter Automation Session Details Date: Thursday, October 25, 2012 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT Audio Information: Telephone conferencing First Time Users: To save time before the meeting, check your system to make sure it is ready to use Microsoft Office Live Meeting. Troubleshooting: Unable to join the meeting? Follow these steps: 1. Copy this address and paste it into your web browser: 2. Copy and paste the required information: If you still cannot enter the meeting, contact support. |
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Notice: Microsoft Office Live Meeting can be used to record meetings. By participating in this meeting, you agree that your communications may be monitored or recorded at any time during the meeting. |
We welcome your participation in these beta programs and look forward to you joining us for these two Live Meeting sessions.
Sincerely,
Solution Accelerators Team
Microsoft Corporation
Solution Accelerators Background Information
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, and Security Compliance Manager provide tested guidance and automated tools to help you plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost. All are freely available, and fully supported by Microsoft.
That’s it for now! Happy Automating!