It might be hard to match the excitement of the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix Race this last weekend, but for the more technically-minded, I’m happy to report that I’ll be co-presenting at a free Windows Server 2012 Roadshow.  The event is scheduled for Thursday, November 29th, 2012 and is from 8:30am to 12:30.  I’ll be co-presenting with fellow Microsoft MVP and Windows IT Pro Technical Director, Sean Deuby. 

Here’s some additional information to give some more details about the event:

Where’s this happening?

Microsoft

10900 Stonelake Blvd., #225, Austin TX  78759

Map

What’s going to happen?

8:00 -   Doors open

8:30 -   Introduction and overview

8:45 -   Presentation 1: Managing Your Core Infrastructure

10:00 – Break

10:15 – Presentation 2: Server Virtualization

11:15 – Presentation 3: Remote Access, Active Directory, & Dynamic Access Control

11:45 – Conclusion / Q&A

To sign up for the event, visit http://ws2012rocks.msregistration.com/.  We hope to see you there!

It seems that with every new leap in technology, organizations put a greater load on their existing infrastructure.  Networking is no exception.  From the need to support a broad variety of different types of traffic (including VoIP, mobile devices, video streaming, and good ol’ “standard” network activity), network administrators need to consider their options.  Often, the key trade-off with the constraints of standard Gigabit Ethernet is the complexity of managing different types of network traffics.  Data centers often have to use a layered approach that can increase management complexity.  That’s where 10Gb Ethernet comes in.  This technology allows organizations to keep their network flat while provided support for high-throughput applications and network segments.

On that topic, I’ll be co-presenting in the Focus Webcast titled Simplicity Itself: A New Vision for 10 Gigabit Campus Design.  Lance Carr, Product Marketing Manager from Juniper’s Fabric and Switching Group will be providing technical details on their solutions and recommendations.  Here’s a brief overview of the topic:

Today’s increasing Ethernet network bandwidth demands can easily lead IT organizations towards a path of network topologies that lower performance, reliability, and manageability. When the right network design approach is followed, however, performance and reliability are easy to achieve.

In this live webinar, you’ll hear from a panel of experts as they explain how you can use 10 Gigabit Ethernet to simplify your network topology and make it more supportable than intrinsically complex solutions. You’ll discover:

• High performance simplified Network infrastructure that enables uniform user experience.
• Enabling events for a 10 Gigabit network infrastructure
• How to reduce your operational costs, while scaling your network for today and tomorrow’s business needs

The webcast is free, so be sure to register if you’re interested in new network technology.

One of the more common questions I get are those related to career advice and suggestions for getting started (or moving up in) the field of IT.  These questions are really important for those that are trying to make the most of their careers in rather trying times.  On that topic, Michele P. Rouse from the SQL Certification Blog recently provided me with some great content that will provide some information on the new SQL Server Microsoft Certified Master qualification.  Be sure to check out Michele’s site for more information and advice on various database certifications. – Anil

Will you get advantages from the new easy to get SQL server master qualification?

By Michele P. Rouse (SQL Certification Blog)

In my experience the most notable DB platforms are Microsoft and Oracle. I have come to find that MySQL is trusted in start-up companies and DB people who know this platform will make higher salaries, but I honestly rarely ever run into MySQL in job searches.

One reason I favor MS SQL Server is because it also includes the SSRS BI platform which is powerful and popular. DB folks who know SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) have become very sought-after candidates in several companies. Typically, companies end up needing to buy licenses for third-party BI (Business Intelligence) applications which could cost a lot of extra money.

With SQL Server, BI and ETL (extract, transform, load) tools come with the original license. I know that maybe the interest in databases is especially to understand DB construction, however you can’t say for sure when or if you branch out and find out more.

The advantage of SQL is that the language itself is fairly universal. I say fairly because each vendor has added their very own functions and syntax. Microsoft and Sybase both use T-SQL, Oracle uses PL/SQL and MySQL uses ANSI-SQL. Ultimately everything you start learning on one platform could be applied to other platforms.

Becoming a SQL Server Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) is no small task now. Lower than 1 percent of certified professionals hold a Master certification, and even for good reason: In addition to having difficult minimum competencies (5 years SQL Server experience and deep knowledge in all facets of SQL Server), practicing a SQL Server MCM has always come at a significant cost. In fact, that cost has been about $18,500, once you accumulate the necessary three week training and four exams.

The SQL Server MCM certification is the highest technical certification that Microsoft offers to SQL Server professionals. It’s suitable for individuals with five years of hands-on SQL Server experience in critical environments. Competencies include designing and implementing high-performance, scalable enterprise environments and troubleshooting the most challenging SQL Server issues.

Well, at PASS (The Professional Association for SQL Server) this week, Microsoft announced all that is changing. Based on the company, the changes will be in reply to requests from experienced SQL Server professionals who need to earn MCM’s but (go figure) do not have $18,500.

Now, candidates can earn the certification by passing just two exams: the four-hour Knowledge Exam, and a six-hour hands-on Lab Exam, which is obtainable in early 2011.

Fortunately, Microsoft has made some significant changes to the program, including:

• The 3-week in-person training has stopped being required. So, if you think like you have what it takes, you’ll be able to march right up and go ahead and take the certification exams. You pay the price of the exams, which can be about $2,500.
• There are now only two exams rather than four: 88-970 (Knowledge Exam) and 88-971 (Lab Exam).
• To aid SQL Server professionals plan for the exams at a lower cost, Microsoft now offers some free MCM videos.

And you? Do you think the newest MS SQL Certification will assist you in your job?

Who am I ?: Michele P. Rouse is writing for the sql certification path blog, her personal and non-commercial in nature hobby blog targeted at recommendations to offer free info for data base beginners/professionals to enable them to get a new profession.

Virtualization technology has come a really long way in the last few years.  Products and features are much more mature, and lessons learned from early adopters have lead to solutions to some of the most common and important problems that IT departments tend to encounter.  Still, the majority of existing servers in most environments are not virtualized. 

The Focus Interactive Summit on Virtualization – The Ongoing Revolution  is an all-day online event that brings speakers and thousands of online attendees together for presentations and live Q & A chats on a variety of topics related to virtualization.  Here’s a brief description of the event:

Join us to learn about the latest trends and advances in virtualization, including; server, storage, desktop, and network virtualization and best practices for each.

Many of us find it difficult to attend live conferences due to budget, travel, and other issues.  This free online event will be help on Thursday, November 18th, 2010.  I’ll update this post with more details as soon as they’re available online.

You can also view my Focus Expert profile on Focus.com to get some more information about my topic.

Update: The agenda is now available on the event web site from the link above (note that all times are stated in the Pacific time zone)