Windows Server 2008 R2 "For You"

Hello Friends this time I am going to provide you some basic useful information on Windows Server 2008 R2 (It's my favourite Topic after all :)  so be attentive) .I think every time a question might arise in your mind that what is this all Windows Server ,Windows Xp ,Windows 7 ,Vista ,Windows Azure.Don't Worry I will tell you all about this just concentrate on the blog.

Guys These are the operating systems developed according to the usage and requirements.Like Windows 7,Vista ,Xp are basically used as a client operating systems and Windows Server is developed for the server environment .It can be a DHCP server or DNS Server or WINS server as per your need.Now lets talk about  Windows Server 2008 R2 .

The Windows Server 2008 R2 is a Server Operating system which Provides you a Server environment and Platform.Till now Microsoft has released 4 Major Windows Server Versions i.e

1.) Windows server 2003(Released in 2003)

2.)Windows Server 2003 R2(Released in 2005)

3)Windows Server 2008(Released in 2008)

4)Windows Server 2008 R2(Released in 2009)

Now you might be thinking that What is this "R2"?

So the R2 is basically used for the 64 Bit Windows Server OS means Release Refinement.

So Windows Server 2003 R2 and Windows Server 2009 R2 is basically for the 64 Bit Versions.

Now whats new in Windows Server 2008 R2.( Please give attention on this section as this will cover the major portion of the Windows Server 2008 R2)

Virtualisation 

Hyper-V with Live Migration

Hot Add/Remove Virtual Machine Storage

Remote Desktop Services

The new Hyper-V is an enabling technology for the marquee feature of Windows Server 2008 R2: Live Migration. This allows virtual machines to be moved between failover cluster nodes without interruption of services provided by the virtual machines. The users connected to the virtual machine being moved will notice only a slight drop in performance for a few moments. Otherwise, they will be unaware that the virtual machine was moved from one physical computer to another.

In a typical live migration a user is connected to a VM on cluster node 1. An administrator begins the live migration which copies the VM’s config data from node 1 to node 2. It then takes an initial memory snapshot and moves that to node 2. But because users are still connected and interacting with node 1, this memory state changes. To keep the migration seamless, node 1 and node 2 must perform a memory sync. When the two are completely in sync, node 1 goes offline and user 1 is instantly connected to node 2 with no service interruption or perceived downtime.

While not a requirement, Live Migration can make good use of the new Cluster Shared Volumes feature in failover clustering. The Cluster Shared Volumes feature supports a file system that is shared between cluster nodes. The Cluster Shared Volumes feature is implemented as a filter driver in Windows Server 2008 R2. Live Migration allows you to perform maintenance on the original physical computer by moving the virtual machines on that computer to another physical computer. Because you have no disruption of service, high user uptime is maintained.

Scalability Features in Hyper-V

*Hyper-V can use 64 of the logical processor presented to the host server

*Increases VM server density and means an easy time assigning multiple CPUs to VMs

*Allows Live Migration across different CPU versions in the same processor family (AMD-to-AMD; Intel-to-Intel).

*Supports new CPU features to improve overall Hypervisor performance (NPT; EPT)

*Improves memory management and heavy workload performance (SQL).

Hot Add/Remove Storage 

Overview 

 Add and remove storage to virtual machines on the fly without requiring a reboot.Hot 

Add/remove disk applies to VHDs and pass-through disks attached to the virtual SCSI

controller

Benefits

Adds to the dynamic IT infrastructure

Enables storage growth in VMs without downtime

Enables additional datacenter backup scenarios

I know its very boring now but the interesting topic will begin now so stay connected :)

Combined values With Windows 7

The Windows Server 2008 R2 Provides us two new Features which can be only used if the clients are using Windows 7 OS.

1)Branch Cache

2)Direct Access

 Branch Cache

The situation toady is as following:

*Application and data access over WAN is slow in branch offices

*Slow connections hurt user productivity

*Improving network performance is expensive and difficult to implement 

With Branch Cache Feature  

*Caches content downloaded from file and Web servers

*Users in the branch can quickly open files stored in the cache

*Frees up network bandwidth for other uses.

Direct Access

 

      Situation Today

*Difficult for users to access corporate resources from outside the office

*Challenging for IT to manage, update, patch mobile PCs while disconnected from company network.

  

With Direct Access 

*New network paradigm enables same experience inside & outside the office

*Seamless access to network resources  increases productivity of mobile users 

*Infrastructure investments also make it easy to service mobile PCs anddistribute updates and polices

     

 

    











  
        So I am assuming that you have got a clear snapshot of the Windows Server 2008 R2   and its Features. Dont hesitate to ask me any question about the Windows Server 2008  or Cloud Computing.Do mail me  your doubts I will try to clarify it.

Jayesh Maduskar

jayesh.maduskar@msptechrep.com

 

Volvo uses Microsoft cloud for Twilight

Volvo Cars is a premium global car manufacturer recognised for its innovative safety systems and unique designs. Volvo was written into the original books that became the Twilight franchise, so there was a natural marketing partnership for movie releases.

As part of the latest movie, Eclipse, Volvo wanted to create a virtual world resembling the Twilight story where users from around the globe could participate in a chance to win a new Volvo XC 60. However, the existing technology infrastructure could not provide the scalability or level of security required.

After consulting with Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Lost Boys International and evaluating other cloud services, Volvo selected the Windows Azure platform. Volvo has now successfully delivered an exciting, secure online gaming experience that scaled to meet demand and had a rapid time to market, all at a fraction of the previously expected costs.

Cloud Computing using Windows Azure

Hello again ,
I was going through my old web application that I build for a single datacenter I heard about the term Windows Azure .So I planned to develop my web application compatible for this platform.I made my application using windows azure platform now I am pointing to your side .The very first question that might be arising in your mind that how to develop a cloud computing application right? so for that question i have an answer :).Follow the blog no no no don't leave it lots of interesting things are on the way .

Now we will have a look on the power of cloud computing.
How cloud computing is different from a single server computing for an application?
If you can do google for this term then you will get many definitions for this term but thats not all don't mess up with the terms as they will be cleared in the blog as well.
The simple and accurate meaning of cloud computing is distribution of your application on multi server environment which is provided by a standardized company like Microsoft,google,amazon etc. It is the services which focuses on pay according to your usage.Yes think if your servers goes down and you paid your hosting company a big amount for there services and there is merely 5-6 hits per day then why are you paying a big sum just for that much usage :-O so now the cloud service provider are concentrating on the term pay according to your usage so you need to pay for the services only according to your web application usage .you don't need to pay when your web application is not in use.

So now think that
First of all we will look on the platforms that are available for us.
# Google (GOOG) - Apps Engine
# Amazon.com (AMZN) - EC2
# Microsoft (MSFT) - Windows Azure
# SAVVIS (SVVS) - Symphony VPDC
# Terremark Worldwide - The Enterprise Cloud
# Salesforce.com (CRM) - Force.com
# NetSuite (N) - Suiteflex
# Rackspace Cloud - cloudservers, cloudsites, cloudfiles
# Metrisoft - Metrisoft SaaS Platform

these are the main service providers.

Now focus on Windows Azure platform for your web application.

There are local cloud server environment present for the Windows azure platform .You just need to download it and run your web application on that local server.
The available windows azure application is Windows Azure Local Dev-Fabric

The Software Development Kit that is available is:

1)Windows Azure SDK 1.2 (You need IIS7 with ASP.NET Support)
2)Windows Azure SDK According to your application platform like .Net or Java

The platform that are available for your application on windows azure is
1).Net
2)Java
3)PHP
4)Ruby

The backend you can use with is the Development storage or MS Acces(Later you can migrate it to SQL Azure easily).

For more information on application development for cloud kindly contact me

Jayesh Maduskar
jayesh.maduskar@msptechrep.com
j.maduskar@gmail.com

IPv4 Depletion ,New era of IPv6

According to the Cisco study there is only 203 days (as of 14/11/2010) remaining for the last block of IPv4 is allocated .After 203 days there will be no IPv4 address left for the users .The private IP addresses will work as usual but there will be no IPv4 address left for the internet i.e Public IP.
Today many   organizations are using NAT for the proper utilization of the of public IP address But this technique cant be used after 203 days.So the only option left is the transition from IPv4 to IPv6.

Ok fine just assume now we are on IPv6 now ,Windows 7 and Windows vista users will automatically get IPv6 address from there ISP DHCP but what will happen to the Windows XP users? They need to configure there PC for the IPv6 address allotment ..Now a question 'How to do it ?:( '.Ok so dont worry I have a solution for them just read the whole blog carefully.

Now I am concentrating to my view of transition of IPv4 to IPv6 over the Internet. I think there is no need of transition of IPv4 to IPv6 for the ISP Backbone and the old setup.The ISP DHCP should be upgraded to Windows Server 2008 or Linux based IPv6 compatible servers and & allocate the IPv6 to the Users now the Border Router should use ISATAP or TEREDO or 6to4 Protocols for tunneling of IPv6 to IPv4 .By using this method the IPv6 users will easily communicate with the IPv4 based stations and over the Internet.

Now For the Windows XP users How to Activate IPv6 on Windows XP machine? See the process below :)

1.	Open Network Connections
2.	Right-click any local area connection, and then click Properties.
3.	Click Install.
4.	In the Select Network Component Type dialog box, click Protocol, and then click Add.
5.	In the Select Network Protocol dialog box, click Microsoft TCP/IP version 6, and then click OK.
6.	Click Close to save changes to your network connection. Now the Windows XP users are ready to  receive IPv6 address. Your views are welcome .