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Greg Shields recently posted an article on TechTarget's SearchServerVirtualization.com site listing the "five best free tools for Microsoft Hyper-V management".
Greg included Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V - Express Edition on his excellent list of Hyper-V tools -
Best Free Tool 5: Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V, Express Edition
Citrix hasn't traditionally been known for free software, but in recent months, it has been changing its pricing for virtual products. After announcing that it would make its flagship virtualization product XenServer free, Citrix has upped the ante by recently announcing a limited version of its virtualization management product Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V.
Why use this product over Hyper-V's management tool sets? Simply put, Citrix is known for its high-end management systems. Now that hypervisors in virtualization software are approaching feature parity, many in the industry are asking, "How do I best manage my virtual infrastructure?" Citrix has offers enterprise-ready solutions that wrap around existing systems to improve management workflow.
The Express Edition of Citrix Essentials will support up to two servers, which are both connected to a single storage array. It adds capabilities for the easy provisioning of storage through Citrix's StorageLink technology for iSCSI and Fibre Channel storage.
Read Greg's entire list here.
Express Edition Download
http://www.citrix.com/ehvexpress
Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V Step by Step Part 1
StorageLink Deep Dive Webinar - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/04/13/StorageLink+-+Essentials+for+Hyper-V+Deep+Dive+Webinar
StorageLink Demo Videos
http://www.citrix.com/ehv
StorageLink Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/02/23/StorageLink+in+Essentials+for+Hyper-V
Provisoning Services Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/20/Provisioning+for+Hyper-V+with+Citrix+Essentials
Lab Manager Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/19/Essentials+for+Hyper-V+with+Lab+Management
StorageLink Install Install Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120789
StorageLink User Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120791
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The launch of Windows 7 fills me with dread and excitement. The dread comes from coordinating Citrix Global Platinum sponsorship of this launch with North America Roadshows, Virtual Live Events, TechEd EMEA and local launch events. The excitement comes from the promise of Windows 7 after the relative disappointment of Vista (I must stress the word "relative"), as the performance of Windows 7 is definitely promising to live up to the hype.
So, why would Microsoft invite Citrix to be a Global Launch Partner for an operating system launch?
Normally when you want a new OS, you just go on the web, buy a new PC, and use the CD to install the OS or, if you are like me and technologically incompetent, you get your IT Department to install it. However, the technology landscape has shifted. Now there is an alternative way to get your instant Windows 7 desktop with Citrix and Microsoft Desktop Virtualization, which delivers Windows desktops as an on-demand service to any user, on any device, anywhere.
The combination of Citrix and Microsoft gives customers the fastest way to deliver Windows 7 realizing benefits of increased efficiency and simplified IT Management. In addition Citrix HDX Technology offers up to 10X better Flash multimedia performance compared to alternative solutions, delivering a user experience that is indistinguishable from a local PC.
7 Ways to get up to speed on Citrix and Microsoft Desktop Virtualization for Windows 7
1. Check out the Citrix Desktop Virtualization Live, "Secrets, Lies and VDI" event on the 20th October - register here
2. Attend the "Harness The Power of Virtualization" events with guest speakers from Citrix, Microsoft, Intel and HP - register here
3. Microsoft New Efficiency Virtual Live Event
4. North America Windows 7 Roadshows in 65 Cities for Technical Decision Makers and IT Professionals
6. Check out your local events
7. Check out Win7 Community Central to see how the Citrix Partner Ecosystem helps deliver Windows 7 - Click here
The release of Windows Server 2008 R2 brings many new features to Hyper-V.
Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2 includes five core areas of improvement for creating dynamic virtual data centers:
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Increased availability for virtualized data centers
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Improved management of virtualized data centers
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Increased Performance and Hardware Support for Hyper-V Virtual Machines
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Improved Virtual Networking Performance
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A simplified method for physical and virtual computer deployments by using .vhd files
A new release of Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008 also means that a new of release of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V is coming.
Citrix just made the beta version of Citrix Essentials 5.5 for Microsoft Hyper-V available for download.
Citrix Essentials 5.5 for Hyper-V, otherwise known as the 'R2' release of Citrix Essentials, supports the latest Hyper-V and System Center enhancements now available in Windows Server 2008 R2 (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv-main.aspx ). In addition to supporting R2, Citrix Essentials adds new disaster recovery capabilities to Hyper-V with StorageLink Site Recovery.
Here's a glimpse of some of the new goodies available in Citrix Essentials 5.5 for Microsoft Hyper-V:
Site Recovery
Why put a bunch of idle physical hardware at remote recovery sites when you can accomplish your DR objectives with virtualized servers using Hyper-V? Server virtualization with Hyper-V gives your IT organization an extremely cost-effective approach to disaster recovery, while the new Site Recovery capabilities included with Citrix Essentials gives you the control you need to implement, manage, and test your DR solution.
Site Recovery uses StorageLink technology (http://community.citrix.com/display/ocb/2009/07/20/Essentials+for+HyperV+-+StorageLink+Step+by+Step+Part+1 ) to unlock underlying storage array replication services, giving you the toolset you need to enable remote fail-over strategies for their Hyper-V environments. You can use StorageLink Site Recovery to set up native storage remote mirroring services, then test the recoverability of virtual infrastructure at remote sites through the staging capabilities included with Site Recovery. Instant clones of recovery VMs can be created and placed in isolated networks where you can test recovery without impacting ongoing data replication or access to critical Hyper-V infrastructure.
Additionally, you can use workflow orchestration tools in Citrix Essentials and Windows Server 2008 Clustering to build out a completely automated DR solution for your Hyper-V infrastructure.
R2 Integration
This release of Citrix Essentials coincides with the R2 release of Windows Server 2008 to ensure you can take full advantage of advanced management and automation included with Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. It supports the latest Windows Server® technologies, including the R2 releases of Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager. Citrix Essentials integration with the R2 release of Hyper-V and System Center includes the simplified setup and administration of shared storage assets required for Microsoft Failover Clustering and Live Migration.
Windows 7 Support
Most IT organizations will spend the coming months testing Windows 7 in their labs as they prepare to roll it out to their users. Citrix Essentials 5.5 for Hyper-V includes updates to its lab management capabilities, including support for Windows 7. Automated lab management in Citrix Essentials automates the setup and tear-down of unique workload configurations, including builds of Windows 7, using self-service template libraries for rapid provisioning and enables cross-team collaboration on common virtual environments. With automated lab management, organizations can accelerate the process of moving workloads through development and testing, and into the live production environment, while reducing virtual machine sprawl and minimizing setup or configuration errors and delays.
Grab the beta and go for a test drive.
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A new FREE self paced online training class for Essentials for Hyper-V is now available.
h2.CEV-100-1W Getting Started with Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V
In this course, learners will be introduced to Citrix Essentials™ for Hyper-V™ and gain the knowledge needed to perform basic installation and configuration tasks. Through online simulations, students will install and configure key features and explore product capabilities, such as virtual storage management, provisioning services, lifecycle management and workflow studio.
Audience
This course is designed for IT professionals, architects, systems engineers, server administrators, engineers, Citrix Partners and Microsoft Partners.
Preparatory Recommendations
Prior to taking this course, it is recommended that students possess the following knowledge/experience:
• A basic knowledge of the purpose and goals of virtualization technology
• An intermediate familiarity with Microsoft® Hyper-V
• An understanding of computing architecture, including network and storage devices, device drivers and operating systems
• Basic experience installing and administering Windows Server™ 2003 or Windows Server 2008
• Intermediate knowledge of network devices and site architecture, including configuring vLANs
• Basic knowledge of storage terminology and technologies, including partitions, SANs, LUNs, iSCSI, and NFS and CIFS file shares
Key Skills
Upon successful completion of this course, learners are able to demonstrate the following objectives:
• Identify requirements and process for a basic implementation of Essentials for Hyper-V
• Describe the key features including:
o Dynamic provisioning
o StorageLink
o Lab management
o High availability
• Execute basic functions including product installation, and demonstrate familiarity with the Administrative consol and user interface for basic operations and maintenance
• Describe the high-level concepts of Workflow Studio
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Between speaking at Microsoft Tech Ready, a much needed vacation and travel for some meetings, I have not had the opportunity to close out this series of posts. Here is the next one.
In this section of the StorageLink Step by Step Series, Steve takes you through how to add storage to existing Hyper-V virtual machines using StorageLink.
In Part 1, Steve Umbehocker reviewed the installation of the StorageLink component of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. In Part 2, Steve reviewed the initial configuration of StorageLink after it has been installed. In Part 3 of the StorageLink Step by Step Series, Steve covers connecting to Storage Systems via the StorageLink Manager console. In Part 4, he covers how to create storage repositories (SRs) with the StorageLink console. Next, on Part 5 Steve takes you through how to create Hyper-V virtual machines from storage templates.
Express Edition Download
http://www.citrix.com/ehvexpress
StorageLink Deep Dive Webinar - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/04/13/StorageLink+-+Essentials+for+Hyper-V+Deep+Dive+Webinar
StorageLink Demo Videos
http://www.citrix.com/ehv
StorageLink Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/02/23/StorageLink+in+Essentials+for+Hyper-V
Provisoning Services Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/20/Provisioning+for+Hyper-V+with+Citrix+Essentials
Lab Manager Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/19/Essentials+for+Hyper-V+with+Lab+Management
StorageLink Install Install Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120789
StorageLink User Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120791
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Best Practices for Deploying and Managing Hyper-V Infrastructure
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern; 11:00 AM Pacific
Join Microsoft and Citrix as they explore best practices for deploying and managing Hyper-V. Learn how to rapidly provision Hyper-V infrastructure, reduce your Hyper-V storage footprint by over 50%, increase I/O performance by up to 30%, and much more.
Discover how Microsoft System Center together with Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V helps you effectively manage and automate the delivery of virtual and physical infrastructure for your Hyper-V deployments, including how the solutions:
- Rapidly provision virtual and physical infrastructure
- Improve storage utilization with the seamless storage integration
- Conquer VM sprawl and take back control of virtual labs
- Maximize performance and resource utilization
About the Presenters:
Gordon Mangione; VP, Emerging Virtualization Products; Citrix Systems, Inc.
Gordon Mangione leads the Advanced Products group at Citrix, where he is specifically focused on building products for the Microsoft platform. Previously, Mr. Mangione was responsible for product operations with a focus on engineering, support and services at XenSource before its acquisition by Citrix. Prior to that, Mr. Mangione held several VP roles at Microsoft, where he was responsible for Exchange, SQL Server and incubating the security business.
Dai Vu; Director, Virtualization Solutions Marketing; Microsoft Corporation
Dai Vu leads the team responsible for Hyper-V product marketing and marketing solutions built on Microsoft virtualization products and technologies. His team works closely with solution partners to define, develop, and market joint solutions to drive horizontal and business solution scenarios enabled by virtualization technologies. Previously, Dai was responsible for mid-market/channel strategic initiatives on the Server and Tools Strategy and Planning Team. Prior to Microsoft, Dai was Program Director at IBM and Engagement Manager at McKinsey and Company.
I moved to California from London just over 11 months ago. Obviously there is a significant cultural and climatic shift involved and a settling in period is a necessity to find your feet. Having travelled all over the world I have embraced as many aspects of different cultures and enjoyed experimenting.
One such aspect I have noticed here in California and in fact right throughout the US is the love of cheese. A meal smothered in cheese is normally accompanied by a side dish of, guess what, MORE cheese. Normally I reserve this dairy delight for a cracker or with some wine but 'Here' it is on everything.
Ordering a Cheeseburger with no cheese always raises a quizzical look from the waitress and a thought process which starts with "You are weird" and progresses to "Is he a serial killer?". Even the lactose intolerant demand that their lunch, dinners and daily snacks have heavy cheese content. Asking colleagues, "why do they have so much cheese on their food?" the simple answer was, "it tastes so good with cheese".
One technically gifted colleague decided to explain this using the analogy that Citrix XenApp and Microsoft Remote Desktop Services(the technology formerly known as Terminal Services) have the same relationship as cheese and hot meals(zzzz). The hot meal is the platform, Microsoft, and the cheese is the value-add, XenApp, which brings the meal to life. Beating this analogy to a quick death, then Citrix has a number of cheeses, Citrix XenDesktop, Essentials for Hyper-V and Branch Repeater which embrace and extend the Microsoft Platform to supply a sumptuous meal.
All of these great combos can be found here at the New Microsoft/Citrix Community Portal where we've consolidated all related news, blogs, articles, videos, etc... into the feeds section of this page. We've also created an area that highlights all related forum threads and postings. Look for answers to your burning questions, participate in an existing discussion, or you can tell us if our cheese is good or if it stinks - let me remind you that all the best cheeses stink 
PS Does eating cheese in the evening give you nightmares?
In this section of the StorageLink Step by Step Series, Steve takes you through how to create Hyper-V virtual machines from storage templates.
In Part 1, Steve Umbehocker reviewed the installation of the StorageLink component of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. In Part 2, Steve reviewed the initial configuration of StorageLink after it has been installed. In Part 3 of the StorageLink Step by Step Series, Steve covers connecting to Storage Systems via the StorageLink Manager console. In Part 4, he covers how to create storage repositories (SRs) with the StorageLink console.
Express Edition Download
http://www.citrix.com/ehvexpress
StorageLink Deep Dive Webinar - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/04/13/StorageLink+-+Essentials+for+Hyper-V+Deep+Dive+Webinar
StorageLink Demo Videos
http://www.citrix.com/ehv
StorageLink Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/02/23/StorageLink+in+Essentials+for+Hyper-V
Provisoning Services Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/20/Provisioning+for+Hyper-V+with+Citrix+Essentials
Lab Manager Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/19/Essentials+for+Hyper-V+with+Lab+Management
StorageLink Install Install Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120789
StorageLink User Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120791
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In this installment of the StorageLink Step by Step Series, Steve Umbehocker covers how to create storage repositories (SRs) with the StorageLink console.
In Part 1, Steve Umbehocker reviewed the installation of the StorageLink component of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. In Part 2, Steve reviewed the initial configuration of StorageLink after it has been installed. In Part 3 of the StorageLink Step by Step Series, Steve Umbehocker covers connecting to Storage Systems via the StorageLink Manager console.
Express Edition Download
http://www.citrix.com/ehvexpress
StorageLink Deep Dive Webinar - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/04/13/StorageLink+-+Essentials+for+Hyper-V+Deep+Dive+Webinar
StorageLink Demo Videos
http://www.citrix.com/ehv
StorageLink Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/02/23/StorageLink+in+Essentials+for+Hyper-V
Provisoning Services Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/20/Provisioning+for+Hyper-V+with+Citrix+Essentials
Lab Manager Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/19/Essentials+for+Hyper-V+with+Lab+Management
StorageLink Install Install Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120789
StorageLink User Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120791
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In this installment of the StorageLink Step by Step Series, Steve Umbehocker covers connecting to Storage Systems via the StorageLink Manager console.
In Part 1, Steve Umbehocker reviewed the installation of the StorageLink component of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. In Part 2, Steve reviewed the initial configuration of StorageLink after it has been installed.
Express Edition Download
http://www.citrix.com/ehvexpress
StorageLink Deep Dive Webinar - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/04/13/StorageLink+-+Essentials+for+Hyper-V+Deep+Dive+Webinar
StorageLink Demo Videos
http://www.citrix.com/ehv
StorageLink Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/02/23/StorageLink+in+Essentials+for+Hyper-V
Provisoning Services Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/20/Provisioning+for+Hyper-V+with+Citrix+Essentials
Lab Manager Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/19/Essentials+for+Hyper-V+with+Lab+Management
StorageLink Install Install Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120789
StorageLink User Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120791
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In Part 1, Steve Umbehocker reviewed the installation of the StorageLink component of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. In this next installment, Steve reviews the initial configuration of StorageLink after it has been installed.
The Enterprise Edition includes the full version of StorageLink, Dynamic Provisioning Services for Server Operating Systems, and complete WorkFlow Orchestration.
The Platinum Edition of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V adds in Lab Manager to provide a complete cost effective virtual lab solution, and Stage Manager to automate the process of migrating newly tested and verified configurations from the virtual lab directly into production. You can download a evaluation copy of the Platinum Edition of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V at http://www.citrix.com/ehv.
Express Edition Download
http://www.citrix.com/ehvexpress
StorageLink Deep Dive Webinar - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/04/13/StorageLink+-+Essentials+for+Hyper-V+Deep+Dive+Webinar
StorageLink Demo Videos
http://www.citrix.com/ehv
StorageLink Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/02/23/StorageLink+in+Essentials+for+Hyper-V
Provisoning Services Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/20/Provisioning+for+Hyper-V+with+Citrix+Essentials
Lab Manager Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/19/Essentials+for+Hyper-V+with+Lab+Management
StorageLink Install Install Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120789
StorageLink User Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120791
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StorageLink is one of the components of the new Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V product.
Citrix StorageLink™ technology lets your virtual server infrastructures fully leverage all the resources and functionality of existing storage systems. StorageLink supports all third party storage architectures and delivers deep integration with leading storage platforms allowing you to switch seamlessly between XenServer and Microsoft Hyper-V™ platforms. Citrix StorageLink provides organization with:
- Reduced cost and complexity by leveraging existing investments in storage systems.
- One click access to native storage services.
- Simplified, wizard-driven storage setup and maintenance.
Steve Umbehocker of the StorageLink Development team recently recorded a series of videos that guide you step by step through installing and configuring StorageLink. The first video, Installing StorageLink, is below.
The Enterprise Edition includes the full version of StorageLink, Dynamic Provisioning Services for Server Operating Systems, and complete WorkFlow Orchestration.
The Platinum Edition of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V adds in Lab Manager to provide a complete cost effective virtual lab solution, and Stage Manager to automate the process of migrating newly tested and verified configurations from the virtual lab directly into production. You can download a evaluation copy of the Platinum Edition of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V at http://www.citrix.com/ehv.
Express Edition Download
http://www.citrix.com/ehvexpress
StorageLink Deep Dive Webinar - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/04/13/StorageLink+-+Essentials+for+Hyper-V+Deep+Dive+Webinar
StorageLink Demo Videos
http://www.citrix.com/ehv
StorageLink Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/02/23/StorageLink+in+Essentials+for+Hyper-V
Provisoning Services Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/20/Provisioning+for+Hyper-V+with+Citrix+Essentials
Lab Manager Overview - http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/barryf/2009/03/19/Essentials+for+Hyper-V+with+Lab+Management
StorageLink Install Install Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120789
StorageLink User Guide - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX120791
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I'm sure you are all familiar with the iPhone commercials and the ubiquitous "there is an app for that" phrase that has seemingly become the catch phrase of this decade. Previous catch phrases include --but not limited to -- The 70s-"Heeeey" , The 80s-"Where's the Beef?" The 90s-"Doh!".
All kidding aside, "there's an app for it" reflects the current state of consumerization and customization that is becoming commonplace in today's on-line experience. It is no longer acceptable to have generic applications and content. We all know what we need/want for our apps and we need them now!
Citrix Community Updates
In that same spirit, today I have the pleasure of sharing some of the upgrades we have made to the Citrix community sites. Need a community for discussing Citrix and Microsoft products, "there's a community for that", need a community for the latest and greatest on Citrix and Oracle, "there's a community for that", need a community for finding cool communities "there's a community for that" , need a community where you can geek out (both online and local), "there are 2 communities for that" (gotta spice it up a bit 
, the first is here and the second is here)... well, I think you get the idea. You should check out the Citrix Community home page and in particular the new partner community module.
My team and I are continually looking for ways to connect with the Citrix community of customers, partners, Citrites and anyone interested in the latest in virtualization of applications, desktops and servers. We are continually soliciting feedback and update the site based on direct comments and industry trends.
Now it's your turn....
Let us know what types of communities you need and (you guessed it) "there will be a community for that", we are open to all types of ideas... here's a few to get the ball rolling (and maybe a peek at the future 
)... How about a Citrix and Windows 7 community? Or a Citrix and Desktop Virtualization community? Or (heaven forbid!) a Citrix and VMware community?
Also, let us know what type of content you are looking for in your communities. Check out the partner communities or even XenServerCentral for our real time multi-media feeds. Let us know how we can make them better for you...
Now I need to get back to my favorite iPhone App (an oldie but a goodie) ....
john
Microsoft, Intel & Citrix: Dynamics of Enterprise Virtualization
An interactive discussion led by Doug Brown
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Attend this lively discussion with virtualization experts David Greschler, Iddo Kadim & Simon Crosby on the dynamics of enterprise virtualization. Register here.
Topics include:
• Virtualization in the enterprise & upcoming technologies
• Moving beyond consolidation & getting to Dynamic Datacenters
• Cloud computing & how does virtualization fit in
• Desktop Virtualization opportunities, barriers & adoption challenges
Date: Monday, June 22, 2009
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern; 10:00 AM Pacific
Don't miss this opportunity to hear perspectives on the current & future virtualization landscape and what this means for the enterprise.
Register here now.
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Citrix XenDesktop is a finalist in the Virtualization category for the "Best of TechEd" award from Windows ITPro magazine.
If you are attending TechED 2009 in Los Angeles, please vote for XenDesktop as the "Best of TechED" at this link -
http://windowsitpro.com/awards/teched_finalists_2009.html
(you must be logged into to MSTechEd.com and attending the event to vote).
Follow the Twitter feed for "Best of TechEd 2009" here.
Follow the official TechEd 2009 Twitter feed here
SharePoint Template
AppExpert Templates are nothing new for NetScaler. However, with a new release of NetScaler comes an updated, new and improved NetScaler AppExpert Template for use with Microsoft SharePoint applications.
AppExpert Templates are a simple approach to configuration management for complex enterprise applications. In one simple view, you can view what is most important to you in terms of application delivery. No more confusing and complex rules to define, reducing the time to deploy, easing management and improving the bottom line.
Improvements to the template include additional optimizations for Image Management, Scripts, SOAP and FrontPage. Caching and Compression policies have been optimized, along with the addition of a section for rewrite. There is a redirect policy for converting HTTP to HTTPS on the fly, to enable secure traffic to/from the Microsoft SharePoint applications.
All of these improvements can be found in the new Microsoft SharePoint template, and a description of the template can be found in the updated SharePoint Deployment Guide.
Download the updated Microsoft SharePoint AppExpert Template here (NS v9.0 b66 required).
Download the updated Microsoft SharePoint Deployment Guide here.
Its Powerful - AppExpert!
StorageLink is one of the components of the new Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V product that was just released last week.
Citrix StorageLink™ technology lets your virtual server infrastructures fully leverage all the resources and functionality of existing storage systems. StorageLink supports all third party storage architectures and delivers deep integration with leading storage platforms allowing you to switch seamlessly between XenServer and Microsoft Hyper-V™ platforms. Citrix StorageLink provides organization with:
- Reduced cost and complexity by leveraging existing investments in storage systems.
- One click access to native storage services.
- Simplified, wizard-driven storage setup and maintenance.
I recently recorded a technical deep dive presentation and demo with Pete Benoit, the Senior Director of Engineering for StorageLink. You can watch the hour long presentation and demo below -
You can download the StorageLink Install Guide here. The StorageLink User guide is here and you can download the Powershell guide here.
UPDATE: I added the Deep Dive webinar video to my SkyDrive on Windows Live. You can download it here
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VDI Expert Series: Microsoft and Citrix - Exploring VDI's Myths, Limitations and Benefits
If you're considering Desktop Virtualization or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), join Microsoft and Citrix to discover how to minimize the cost of a VDI implementation with the most comprehensive solution.
Hear about:
•Top 5 VDI Myths
•XenDesktop Technical Differentiators & Testing Metrics
•Minimizing the cost associated with a VDI implementation
•Enhanced security
•Increased business agility
Register for the Exploring VDI's Myths, Limitations and Benefits Webinar
Webinar Speakers
Scott Woodgate
Director of Windows Business Group
Microsoft Corporation
Scott Woodgate is the Director at Microsoft® in the Windows® Business group. He owns the enterprise version of Windows Vista® and Windows 7, Software Assurance Business, and Windows virtualization strategy including new ways to deploy windows on a variety of form factors such as laptops, desktops, and thin clients. Scott created the Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop (VECD) license for the virtual desktop infrastructure space. He was involved in the creation of the desktop optimization product and in particular the acquisition of Kidaro (MED-V) and SoftGrid (App-V).
Scott has eight years of experience at Microsoft across both enterprise servers and clients. Before joining Microsoft, Scott was project manager in New Zealand building projects for enterprise customers. Scott holds 5 degrees including a PHD in chemistry.
Sumit Dhawan
Vice President, Product Marketing
Citrix Systems, Inc.
Sumit Dhawan is responsible for leading the go-to-market strategy for the Citrix desktop virtualization product line including evangelizing and developing the rapidly emerging application and desktop virtualization markets.
Prior to his current role, Dhawan was director of product management for the company's flagship product, Citrix XenApp™ (the new name for Citrix Presentation Server®), and led the growth of this product line to generate $1 billion in revenue in 2007. Since joining Citrix in 1998, he has held product management, product development and product marketing leadership positions for a variety of product lines and markets.
Dhawan holds degrees in both business and science, with a master's degree in business administration from the University of Florida and a master's degree in computer science from the University of Minnesota. Dhawan graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Technology.
Exploring VDI's Myths, Limitations and Benefits Webinar
In my post last post before VMWorld Europe, I embedded a new demo video on the StorageLink functionality with the recently announced Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. Another component of Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V is Lab Management. In the next video, Peter Blum takes about five minutes to review the capabilities of this new feature inside Essentials.
Here are the requirements for Lab Manager -
Lab Manager host (Platinum Edition only):
- CPU: Intel or AMD x86 or x64 compatible; 1 GHz minimum; 2 GHz preferred
- RAM: (will vary by number of managed physical hosts, number of users and number of deployed VMs)
- Disk space: 10 GB minimum for small labs and 30 GB for large labs (disk usage will vary by number of templates, ISOs, scripts and software packages)
- OS: Windows Server 2003
- Database: PostgresSQL 8.3 for data store installed locally on LabManager host
Lab Manager agent for Hyper-V (Platinum Edition only):
- One agent required per Hyper-V Host
- Installed on the Hyper-V host
- RAM: 512 MB minimum
- Disk space: 1 GB minimum
- OS: Windows Server 2003
Learn more here.
Yesterday Citrix announced the newest Citrix product that builds on top of the Microsoft Windows Server platform - Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V. Essentials for Hyper-V has four primary components -
- Automated lab management enables Hyper-V customers to develop, test and deliver applications faster by automating and simplifying the entire virtual machine lifecycle, including movement across virtualization platforms.
- Advanced storage integration using Citrix StorageLink™ technology makes it easy for Hyper-V and Microsoft System Center customers to fully leverage all the native power of their existing array-based storage systems.
- Dynamic provisioning services lets customers centrally manage a common set of master images which can be streamed on-demand into Hyper-V virtual machines or physical servers.
- Hypervisor interoperability makes it easy for customers to manage virtual machines across heterogeneous Hyper-V and XenServer environments.
This short video below by Peter Blum reviews the Advanced StorageLink capability built into Essentials with Hyper-V.
I will post more videos and info on Essentials from Hyper-V from VMWorld Europe.