August 14, 2022
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

MVPLAB Serie Installing SCOM 2022 monitoring with SQL Cluster #SCOM #MVPBuzz

System Center 2022 Operations Manager (SCOM)

Before we can install Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2022 in my mvplab.local domain, I installed the following:

Installing Operations Manager creates a management group. The management group is the basic unit of functionality. At a minimum, a management group consists of a management server, the operational database, and the reporting data warehouse database.

The management server is the focal point for administering the management group and communicating with the database. When you open the Operations console and connect to a management group, you connect to a management server for that management group. Depending on the size of your computing environment, a management group can contain a single management server or multiple management servers.
The operational database is a SQL Server database that contains all configuration data for the management group and stores all monitoring data that is collected and processed for the management group. The operational database retains short-term data, by default 7 days.
The data warehouse database is a SQL Server database that stores monitoring and alerting data for historical purposes. Data that is written to the Operations Manager database is also written to the data warehouse database, so reports always contain current data. The data warehouse database retains long-term data.

When Operations Manager reporting functionality is installed, the management group also contains a Reporting server which builds and presents reports from data in the data warehouse database.

These core components of a management group can exist on a single server, or they can be distributed across multiple servers, as shown in the following image.

In my Test LAB mvplab.local I will install the Management Server on a Windows Server Insider member Server and the Operational Database with the Data Warehouse Database on the SQL Cluster Instance. Here you find more Microsoft Information about System Center 2022 Operations Manager

Architecture SCOM 2022

IMPORTANT : In my MVPLAB I’m working with Windows Server Insider Preview Builds and with SQL Server 2022 CTP2.1 Preview version on a Cluster and is not supported yet for Production workloads, then you have to wait for Microsoft to make it General Available!

Now we have a SQL Cluster Instance running in my mvplab.local domain, I’m going to install Microsoft System Center 2022 Operations Manager (SCOM) for monitoring in the following step-by-step guide :

Run SCOM_2022 as Administrator

Click on Next

Click on Accept the Agreement.
Click on Next

Extract the files to your location.
Click on Next

Click on Extract

Completed Click on Finish

Run Setup

Click on Install

I’m installing only the Management Server and Operations Console.
When this was Production I would install every feature on separated Servers with
two Management Servers.
Click on Next

Select installation location
Click on Next

Click on Next

Give your Management Group a Name.
Click on Next

Agree with the License Terms.
Click on Next

Select de SQL Instance and Port.
Set Database Size.
and Data File Folders.
Click on Next

Here you can select de Instance for data warehouse database.
Click Next

Select the Service accounts
Click on Next

Click on Next

Check the Summary.
Click on Install

SCOM 2022 Installation in Progress.

Processing

SCOM License we set later.

I have installed both databases in one SQL Instance for in my MVPLAB.

System Center 2022 Operations Manager (SCOM)

Now you can Configure the Management Packs in SCOM for your environment and set the Alerts. More information about System Center 2022 Operations Manager can you find here :

What’s New in Operations Manager

What is in an Operations Manager management pack?

Microsoft System Center Blog on MS Tech Community

In the following MVPLAB Serie Blogpost I will Install Microsoft System Center Operations Manager Web Server 2022 for Monitoring with your web browser.

March 2, 2021
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Today is Microsoft Ignite 2021 Event of the Year #MSIgnite #Azure #Cloud #AzureStackHCI #Winserv and More

JOIN Microsoft Ignite 2021 Event

You don’t want to miss this Live Awesome Virtual Global Event of Microsoft 😉

December 23, 2020
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Happy Holidays and I wish you a Healthy 2021 #Azure #Cloud #MVPBuzz #Winserv #Security #Healthcare

It’s a year full of misery with the Covid-19 virus around the world. People who lose their loved one, It’s a very sad time for all of us! Microsoft technologies are still going on strong with new features in Azure Cloud Services but also supporting the people who are working in the healthcare, data analytics, Microsoft Teams for Collaboration and much more. But what I want to say to all HealthCare people over the world : THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO 👍
I have deep respect for you all !
Community, Microsoft Product Teams, MVP Lead, WIndows Insiders, I wish you and your family happy holidays and a Healthy 2021 with lot of Success! 🎄😍

November 1, 2019
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Don’t miss this Awesome #Microsoft Ignite 2019 Event of the Year #MSIgnite

Microsoft Ignite 2019

LEARN | CONNECT | EXPLORE

You don’t want to miss this Awesome Microsoft Ignite 2019 Event of the Year in Orlando, Florida !
If you can’t attend, don’t worry you can follow the Live Stream of MS Ignite here
Or here on Microsoft Ignite YouTube Channel

Have a look at the Microsoft Ignite 2019 Agenda

Plan your sessions for Microsoft Ignite 2019 ( More 1000+)

Download the Microsoft Events Mobile App for MS Ignite 2019 here

Follow @MS_Ignite on Twitter here

Use #MSIgnite on Social media

JOIN the Community on LinkedIn

Backup – Restore – DR strategy in a Fast changing World #Data #Management

The world of data is moving and changing a lot with new IT technologies coming up like leaves on a tree.
Data is everywhere, on Servers, workstations, BYOD Devices in the Cloud but how do you keep your data save and protected for your business today and in the future? There are a lot of reasons why you should Backup your data :

One of your employees accidentally deleted important files for example.
Your data got compromised by a virus.
Your Server crashed
You have to save your data for a period of time by Law
And there will be more reasons why you should do backup…………….

A lot of Enterprise organizations are moving to the Cloud with workloads for the Business, but how is your Backup and Disaster Recovery managed today? A lot of data transitions are made but what if your Backup and Disaster Recovery solution is out dated or reaching end of Life? You can have a lot of Questions like :

What data should I backup?
Should I just upgrade the Backup Solution?
How can I make my Data Management Backup -DR Solution Cheaper and ready for the future?
How can I make my new Backup-DR Solution independent? ( Vendor Lockin)

And there will be more questions when you are in this scenario where you have to renew your Backup – DR Solution.
Here we have the following Great Backup Solution from 2014 :

Offsite Microsoft DPM Backup Solution since 2014

Here we have 3 System Center Data Protection Manager Backup Pods with a Tape library and One DPM pod connected with a Microsoft Azure Backup Vault in the Cloud. You do the Security updates and the Rollups for Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center Data Protection Manager 2012 to keep the Solution save and running.

Long Time Protection to Tape

DPM 2012 Server with direct attached Storage for Short time protection

The four DPM Backup Pods have the same Storage configuration for short time protection with a retention time of 15 days. After that Longtime protection is needed with Backup to tape and Backup to Microsoft Azure Backup Vault.
Since 2014 the Backup data is depending on these solution configurations.

Tape Management cost a lot of time and money

The fourth DPM Backup pod got a Azure Backup Vault in the Cloud to save Tape Management time.

DPM Backup to Microsoft Azure Cloud Backup Vault.

So this is the Start of the Journey to a New Data Management Backup – DR Solution transformation. The next Couple of weeks I will search for the different scenarios and solutions on the Internet and talk with the Community looking for Best Practices. I will do Polls on Social Media and a Serie of blogposts for the Data Management Backup – DR Solution to keep the business continuity.

Magic Quadrant for Data Center Backup and Recovery Solutions

Will it be a Cloud Backup – DR Solution?
Will it be a Hybrid Cloud Backup – DR Solution?
Everything in One Management Console?
Or More then One Backup -DR Solution for the right Job?

We will see what the journey will bring us based on Best Practices 😉

March 15, 2019
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

#Microsoft System Center 2019 GA – Whats New #Sysctr #SCVMM #SCOM #SCDPM #Azure

Download Microsoft System Center 2019 Now

Hybrid Integration

As enterprise environments now span on-premises to the cloud, customers look to leverage the innovation in Azure services using their on-premises tools. To enable this, Microsoft has integrated System Center with a set of management services in Azure to augment the on-premises tools.

With Service Map integration with System Center Operations Manager (SCOM), you can automatically create distributed application diagrams in Operations Manager (OM) that are based on the dynamic dependency maps in Service Map.
With Azure Management Pack, you can now view perf and alert metrics in SCOM, integrate with web application monitoring in Application Insights, and monitor more PaaS services, such as Azure Blob Storage, Azure Data Factory, etc.
Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2019 enables simplified patching of VMs by integrating with Azure Update Management.

What is New in Microsoft System Center 2019

Read here what is new on Microsoft System Center 2019 for your IT Management :

New features in VMM 2019
See the following sections for detailed information about the new features/feature updates supported in VMM 2019.
System Center 2019 – Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) supports rolling upgrade of a Hyper-V host cluster from Windows Server 2016 to Windows Server 2019. Versions earlier to VMM 2019 supports rolling upgrade to 2016 from 2012 R2 This article provides the upgrade information for System Center 2019 – Virtual Machine Manager (VMM).

New features in DPM 2019
See the following sections for detailed information about the new features/feature updates supported in DPM 2019.

Modern Backup Storage (MBS) was introduced in System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2016 to deliver 50% storage savings, 3X faster backups, and more efficient, workload-aware storage. DPM 2019 introduces further performance improvements with MBS resulting in 50-70% faster backup with Windows Server 2019. This article provides the upgrade information for System Center 2019 – Data Protection Manager (DPM).

New features in Operations Manager 2019
See the following sections for detailed information about the new and updated features in System Center 2019 – Operations Manager. Features and updates introduced in Operations Manager version 1801 and 1807 are included in version 2019. Plan your Upgrade to SCOM 2019

Service Map integration
Service Map automatically discovers application components on Windows and Linux systems and maps the communication between services. It automatically builds a common reference map of dependencies across your servers, processes, and third-party services. Integration between Service Map and System Center Operations Manager allows you to automatically create distributed application diagrams in Operations Manager that are based on the dynamic dependency maps in Service Map.

System Center Configuration Manager Documentation

New in System Center Orchestrator

New in System Center Service Manager

New in System Center Service Management Automation

New in System Center Service Provider Foundation

September 24, 2018
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Watch the Live Stream Today of #Microsoft Ignite 2018 in Orlando 24 – 28 September #MSIgnite #Azure #Cloud #DevOps and More

Don’t miss the Live Stream of Microsoft Ignite 2018

Get the latest insights and skills from technology leaders and practitioners shaping the future of cloud, data, business intelligence, teamwork, and productivity. Immerse yourself with the latest tools, tech, and experiences that matter, and hear the latest updates and ideas directly from the experts.

Watch live https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ignite as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella lays out his vision for the future of tech, then watch other Microsoft leaders explore the most important tools and technologies coming in the next year. After the keynotes, select Microsoft Ignite sessions will stream live—take a deep dive into the future of your profession.

More then 700+ Sessions and 100+ Expert-led and self-paced workshops

#MSIgnite

May 18, 2018
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

NEW Buy Now THE System Center Configuration Manager Current Branch Book #SCCM #ConfigMgr #Sysctr #MVPbuzz

System Center Configuration Manager Current Branch provides a total systems management solution for a people-centric world. It can deploy applications to individuals using virtually any device or platform, centralizing and automating management across on-premise, service provider, and Microsoft Azure environments. In System Center Configuration Manager Current Branch Unleashed, a team of world-renowned System Center experts shows you how to make the most of this powerful toolset.

A Great Book and a Must have for every System Center Administrator, the book has more then 1100 pages with the following Chapters :

Configuration management basics
Configuration manager overview
Looking inside configuration manager
Architecture design planning
Network design
Installing and updating system center configuration manager
Upgrading and migrating to configmgr current branch
Using the configuration manager console
Client management
Managing compliance
Creating and managing applications
Creating and using deployment types
Creating and managing applications and packages
Distributing and deploying applications and packages
Managing software updates
Integrating intune hybrid into your configuration manager environment
Managing mobile devices
Conditional access in configuration manager
Endpoint protection
Configuration manager queries
Configuration manager reporting
Operating system deployment
Security and delegation in configuration manager
Backup, recovery, and maintenance
Configuration manager log files
Extending hardware inventory
Co-managing windows intune and configmgr
Reference urls

The System Center Configuration Manager Current Branch Unleashed is written by the following world wide Experts :

Kenneth van Surksum
Kerrie Meyler
Gerry Hampson
Saud Al-Mishari
Greg Ramsey
Michael Wiles
Byron Holt
Garth Jones

You can order this Awesome System Center Configuration Manager Current Branch Unleashed here

Thank you for the Great work !

February 11, 2018
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

What is New in Microsoft System Center version 1801 #Sysctr #SCOM #SCVMM #SCDPM

What is New in Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager version 1801 ?

Nested virtualization
Migration of VMware VM (EFI firmware-based VM) to Hyper-V VM
Performance improvement in host refresher
Enhanced console session in VMM

Networking :

Configuration of guest clusters in SDN through VMM
Configuration of SLB VIPs through VMM service templates
Configuration of encrypted VM networks through VMM

Security :

Support to Linux shielded VM
Configuration of fallback HGS

Azure Integration :

Management of ARM-based and region-specific Azure subscriptions

SCVMM 1801 supports management of ARM-based VMs, Azure Active Directory (AD) based authentication that is created by using the new Azure portal and region-specific Azure subscriptions (namely, Germany, China, US Government Azure regions).

Download here System Center Virtual Machine Manager version 1801 VHD

What is New in System Center Data Protection Manager version 1801 ?

The following features are either new to DPM, or are improved for DPM 2016.

Modern Backup Storage – Using Resilient File System (ReFS) block-cloning technology to store incremental backups, DPM 2016 dramatically improves storage utilization and performance. The storage consumed by backups grows and shrinks with the production data source, and there is no over-allocation of storage.
Resilient change tracking (RCT) – DPM uses RCT (the native change tracking in Hyper-V), which removes the need for time-consuming consistency checks. RCT provides better resiliency than the change tracking provided by VSS snapshot-based backups. DPM also uses RCT for incremental backup. It identifies VHD changes for virtual machines, and transfers only those blocks that are indicated by the change tracker.
Continued protection during cluster aware updates – Windows Server 2016 comes with the cluster OS rolling update, where a cluster can be upgraded to Windows Server 2016 without bringing it down. DPM 2016 continues to protect VMs during the upgrade, maintaining the backup service level agreement (SLA).
Shielded VM Backups – Shielded VMs in Windows Server 2016 help protect sensitive VMs from inspection, tampering, and data theft by malware and malicious administrators. DPM 2016 backups retain the protections provided by shielded VMs to ensure they can be recovered seamlessly and securely.
Hyper-V with Storage Spaces Direct – DPM recognizes and protects Hyper-V VMs deployed on Storage Spaces Direct, delivering seamless backup and recovery of VMs in disaggregated and hyper-converged scenarios.
Hyper-V with ReFS SOFS Cluster – DPM 2016 can back up Hyper-V VMs deployed on ReFS-based SOFS clusters. Backup and recovery of RCT-based VMs and non-RCT VMs is supported.
Upgrading a DPM production server to 2016 doesn’t require a reboot – When you upgrade to DPM 2016, you are not required to reboot the production server. To avoid rebooting the production server, upgrade to DPM 2016 and upgrade the DPM agent on the production servers. Backups continue and you reboot the production server when you want.

DPM to Azure Backup Vault.

Download here System Center Data Protection Manager version 1801 VHD

What is New in System Center Operations Manager version 1801 ?

Enter product key from the Operation Console
Linux monitoring
Improved HTML5 dashboarding experience
System Center Visual Studio Authoring Extension (VSAE) support for Visual Studio 2017
Enhanced SDK Client performance
Updates and recommendations for third-party Management Packs
Linux Kerberos support
Service Map integration

Microsoft Service Map automatically discovers application components on Windows and Linux systems and maps the communication between services. It automatically builds a common reference map of dependencies across your servers, processes, and third-party services. Integration between Service Map and System Center Operations Manager allows you to automatically create distributed application diagrams in Operations Manager that are based on the dynamic dependency maps in Service Map.

The Microsoft System Center Operations Manager Team published a great blogpost on the New SCOM Web Console version 1801

Download here System Center Operations Manager version 1801 VHD

Download here System Center Orchestrator version 1801 VHD

Download here System Center Service Manager version 1801 VHD