So, I know I rarely mention anything NetApp specific (I’m too busy discussing other things, sure!)
But I thought I would make a specific mention of this!
Data ONTAP 7.2.5.1 is released! This is great news for a number of reasons!
But in other news, the NetApp Disaster Recovery Adapter for VMware Site Recovery Manager for Windows is released – Which is totally cool!
So, you’re planning to take the beta exams, but you want to have a LITTLE more hands-on to prepare yourself!
Well, look no further! (Well, do look further, but check this out as well)
Books! Read Read Read away!
SQL Server 2008 Books Online Release Candidate (RC0)
Virtual Labs – These are a wealth of information, labs and “live” systems to play with!
TechNet Virtual Labs: SQL Server 2008
TechNet Virtual Labs: Business Intelligence
Hopefully this gives you that headstart you’re looking for, outside of what you already know!
Fairly straight to the point – SQL 2008 Beta exams until July 31st!
These beta exams are for 71-432 (70-432) and 71-448 (70-448)
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-432.mspx
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-448.mspx
71-432 – Promotion code: 943F6
71-448 – Promotion Code: B6543
Beta available until July 31st
Thanks GerryO!
So, as seen here NetApp Expands Storage and Data Management Solutions Supporting Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Physical and Virtual Environments this can mean a lot for environments which want high resiliency, modern systems (Server 2008, Hyper-V) and helping to further consolidate Server sprawl as well as Storage sprawl.
But what does this mean for you or I?
Oh, this is where the fun gets started!
It’s one thing to have supported SnapManager products on the latest Apps:
But to also be able to support them instanced within Hyper-V, I have to add ‘coolerific’ to the equation. What this means is that even I in my lab/sandbox/testbed/Laptop ;) will be able to actually simulate any of these environments as well!
My testbed happens to be a Lenovo T61P, 4gb of ram, running Server 2008 (Enterprise), Hyper-V enabled, Also running the NetApp Data ONTAP Simulator for local-side simulated (yet real) storage!
I’ll be able to run rig with all scenarios of apps, dependencies and then replicated it back to my actual real filers, along with the older apps (while not mentioned, but not less important) such as MOSS, Exchange 2003, SQL 2005, and beyond!
Yea, I think it’s pretty damn cool that the support is there, and gives me something even *I* can take advantage of, let alone large scale enterprises!
*Update – Be sure to check out the free Training Courses for 70-652! *
5 Free Virtualization Training Courses for the Holidays! (HyperV)
and
How much does Free Microsoft Learning Cost? (Hint: Free!)
Now continue to this old post :)
You’re signed up, you’re in the beta! with 12 days left to take the test!
You get out there, study study study… wait, what am I supposed to study?
Well, first of all you decide to check out that Microsoft E-Learning I mentioned before here:
https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/courseDetail.aspx?courseId=92459
And let me tell you, this E-learning is very useful, if you’ve never touched ESX, XenServer, or Hyper-V.
If you’ve played with Hyper-V at all, and read the help file you will find it isn’t ALL that useful.
I’m not saying don’t give it a whirl, give it a try… But do NOT expect that to be your keys to the kingdom. You’ll be lucky if it can be used as a dowsing rod to find the moat!
(Wait, do castles even have keys?!)
Okay, so what do I do now?
Here is the first and most important thing you should do.
Read this: Test Information and Support
If ever there was a time in your life to read something like this, read it, look at it, read it again.
Go line by line, if there is something you do not understand (WTF? winrm?!) Learn about it, read about it, study it. Because that little bit of guidance there is one of the first things you ought to do, as you’ll be on a tough road without it.
Now it is pertinent that you get face time, hardcore time spent playing with the following:
Check out Blogs and other things ofcourse.
Definitely DO check out the SCVMM Videos (Thanks to Jeff Webb for mentioning the link)
If by trial, jury and virtue – You wholly understand each of these concepts, ideas and have a grasp of Virtualization, you should be fine. Just by installing Hyper-V, you’ll be set for 25% of the questions. The same can be said of the installation of SCVMM as well.
I’m not at liberty to share explicit details of the exam, which is why I reference back to the ‘study notes’, as these were more or less on the ball – Read each line if you don’t understand it, plan to do poorly on that question(s)!
Good Luck!