70-693 Resources

mrmcmint

Hi All.

I have put together a couple of links to get started, I will keep adding to this as I go along. As usual any other links/comments/criticisms welcome.

Microsoft Learning Details:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-693#tab2


Designing a Virtualization Strategy

APP-V
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/appvirtualization/bb676739.aspx
Microsoft Application Virtualization Technical Overview
Microsoft Application Virtualization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 Documentation

Med-V
Microsoft Windows Enterprise: Improving Virtual PCs with Med-V
https://partner.microsoft.com/40112059

App-V Vs Med-V
http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/101136/q-when-should-i-use-microsoft-application-virtualization-app-v-as-opposed-to-microsoft-enterprise-desktop-virtualization-med-v.html

VDI
Desktop Virtualization| Virtualized Desktop Products and Technology
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/solutions/virtualization/improve-flexibility.aspx

MDOP
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/mdop/default.aspx

10 Tips For Building a Virtualization ready Infrastructure
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/Features/Ten-Tips-for-Building-a-Virtualization-Ready-Infrastructure.html

Hyper-V R2 Resources
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv-R2.aspx

Licensing
Microsoft Volume Licensing - Microsoft Licensing for Virtualization
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/rds-product-licensing.aspx

Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services) Team Blog : Remote Desktop Connection 7 for Windows 7, Windows XP & Windows Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/rds-product-home.aspx




Designing the Physical and Virtual Infrastructure

SLAT
Second Level Address Translation Benefits in Hyper-V R2
AMD-V Rapid Virtualization Indexing and Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V Second Level Address Translation - Doing IT Virtual

CPU Core Parking
The Lazy Admin : What?s New in 2008 R2 ? Core Parking
How to enable and control CPU core parking

LUN
Logical Unit Number - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
LUN management at the heart of SAN configuration

TCP Chimney
Information about the TCP Chimney Offload, Receive Side Scaling, and Network Direct Memory Access features in Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Enterprise Networking Team : The effect of TCP Chimney offload on viewing network traffic

VM Queue
http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/102471/q-what-are-virtual-machine-queue-vmq-and-vm-chimney-in-hyper-v-r2.html
http://www.ravichaganti.com/blog/?p=379
Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ)

Virtual Network Types
Understanding and Configuring Hyper-V Virtual Networks - Virtuatopia

Jumbo Frames
Jumbo frame - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TechNotes! | VM Chimney and Jumbo Frames

VHD Disks
http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/102562/q-does-a-pass-through-disk-with-hyper-v-have-to-be-direct-attached-storage-on-the-hyper-v-host.html
http://www.virtualizationadmin.com/articles-tutorials/microsoft-hyper-v-articles/installation-and-deployment/virtual-machine-disk-options.html

Checkpoints
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc956044.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd277881.aspx
http://www.systemcentercentral.com/BlogDetails/tabid/143/IndexId/12747/Default.aspx




Designing a Highly Available Virtual Environment

Cluster Shared Volumes
Q. How do Cluster Shared Volumes work in Windows Server 2008 R2?
The Lazy Admin : What?s New in 2008 R2 ? Cluster Shared Volumes
Windows Server 2008: Deploying Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV) in Failover Clustering
http://blogs.msdn.com/clustering/archive/2009/02/19/9433146.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.geekofalltrades.aspx?pr=blog

Clustering Whitepapers
Download details: Windows Server 2008 Clustering Documents

NLB
Network Load Balancing (NLB) in Windows Server 2008 | Media | TechNet Edge
http://blogs.msdn.com/clustering/archive/2009/03/09/9468109.aspx

Migrations
Hyper-V Live Migration vs. Quick Migration | Virtualization Team
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=fdd083c6-3fc7-470b-8569-7e6a19fb0fdf&displaylang=en
http://edge.technet.com/Media/Demo-Hyper-V-Server-and-Live-Migration/



Designing a Deployment Strategy

SCVMM
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 (SCVMM) ? Virtualization
Evaluate System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2
https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/courseDetail.aspx?courseId=128541&tab=overview
Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager: Top 10 Benefits of System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2

VMM Self Service Portal
Installing the VMM Self-Service Portal
Deploying a VMM 2008 Self-Service Portal - Virtuatopia
Installing and Configuring SCVMM 2008 Self-Service Portal

Physical To Virtual Conversions
Performing Physical to Virtual (P2V) Conversions using VMM 2008 - Virtuatopia
Offline P2V Migrations using SCVMM 2008

Bare Metal To Live Migration Ms Video
http://mschnlnine.vo.llnwd.net/d1/ed...r_2MB_edge.wmv

VDI - Difference Between Static & Dynamic Deployments
http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/101274/q-what-is-the-difference-between-a-static-and-dynamic-vdi-architecture.html

Managing Hyper-V with PowerShell Video
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/cc952342.aspx

Infrastructure Planning & Design
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc196387.aspx




Designing a Management Strategy

Operations Manager
System Center Operations Manager 2007 (SCOM) ? Platform Monitoring
Configuring Operations Manager Integration with VMM
Microsoft System Center Operations Manager: Learning Resources

Image Servicing
Walkthrough: Servicing an Applied Windows Image Offline
Walkthrough: Servicing an Applied Windows Image Offline

Walkthrough: Servicing a Mounted Windows Image Offline
Walkthrough: Servicing a Mounted Windows Image Offline

DISM
Prepare and Service Windows Images Using the New DISM Tool
4sysops - Windows 7 DISM – how to mount, manage, and service WIM images

Authorization Manager
Authorization Manager How To...: Authorization Manager
http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Authorization-Manager-Role-Based-Administration-Windows-Server-2003-Part2.html

Backing Up Virtual Machines
http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/archive/2008/08/29/backing-up-hyper-v-virtual-machines.aspx

RobertKaucher

I don't know if this would be a valid sticky for the forum but this certainly deserves a *bump*. Good work!

mrmcmint

Thanks Robert

Hyper-Me

Thanks, man.

I was gonna sit around and make one of these but I really needed to devote time to studying for the 647.

Thanks again.

hypnotoad

mrmcmint wrote: »

TCP Chimney
Information about the TCP Chimney Offload, Receive Side Scaling, and Network Direct Memory Access features in Windows Server 2008

"If you are using the Microsoft Hyper-V technology to run virtual machines, no operating system will take advantage of TCP Chimney offload."

Is that all we need to know for the exam?

RobertKaucher

hypnotoad wrote: »

"If you are using the Microsoft Hyper-V technology to run virtual machines, no operating system will take advantage of TCP Chimney offload."

Is that all we need to know for the exam?

I would bet that it is. But can you explain why?

hypnotoad

RobertKaucher wrote: »

I would bet that it is. But can you explain why?

Im guessing because the NIC has no way of knowing which machine its trying to use chimney offload for. Am I right? I wish I knew.

RobertKaucher

Might want to add this to the list. It has a chapter or two on Hyper-V
http://download.spiceworks.com/share/microsoft_windows_server_2008_e-book.pdf

RobertKaucher

hypnotoad wrote: »

Im guessing because the NIC has no way of knowing which machine its trying to use chimney offload for. Am I right? I wish I knew.

I suspect that your conclusion is correct. With the Hypervisor between the host OS and the hardware I imagine there is no way for the NIC to natively communicate with any of the OSes, let alone the true VMs. But I am seeing so much contradictory information out there...

http://www.bit.lv/?cat=424&lang=en

[FONT=verdana,geneva]Improved Virtual Networking Performance[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]The new Hyper-V leverages several new networking technologies contained in Windows Server 2008 R2 to improve overall VM networking performance. Two key examples are the new VM Chimney (also called TCP Offload) and the use of Jumbo Frames.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]VM Chimney allows a VM to **** its network processing load onto the NIC of the host computer. This works the same as in a physical TCP Offload scenario, Hyper-V now simply extends this functionality into the virtual world. This benefits both CPU and overall network throughput performance, and it’s fully supported by Live Migration.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]VM Chimney is disabled by default in Windows Server 2008 R2, primarily for short-term hardware compatibility reasons. But combined with compatible hardware, currently including vendors like Intel, VM Chimney significantly reduces the host server’s CPU burden when dealing with VM network traffic. This translates into better host system performance and a simultaneous boost to VM network throughput.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]Like TCP Offloading, support for Jumbo Frames [/FONT]

---

Perhaps the MS article is for pre-R2 versions of Server 2008 and Hyper-V?

RobertKaucher

I just found this http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv-R2.aspx

I think the other link should be removed from the resource list as it is most likely out-of-date.

mrmcmint

Thanks Robert! Link added.

stupidboy

RobertKaucher wrote: »

I suspect that your conclusion is correct. With the Hypervisor between the host OS and the hardware I imagine there is no way for the NIC to natively communicate with any of the OSes, let alone the true VMs. But I am seeing so much contradictory information out there...

::Baltijas Inform?cijas Tehnolo?ijas::

[FONT=verdana,geneva]Improved Virtual Networking Performance[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]The new Hyper-V leverages several new networking technologies contained in Windows Server 2008 R2 to improve overall VM networking performance. Two key examples are the new VM Chimney (also called TCP Offload) and the use of Jumbo Frames.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]VM Chimney allows a VM to **** its network processing load onto the NIC of the host computer. This works the same as in a physical TCP Offload scenario, Hyper-V now simply extends this functionality into the virtual world. This benefits both CPU and overall network throughput performance, and it’s fully supported by Live Migration.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]VM Chimney is disabled by default in Windows Server 2008 R2, primarily for short-term hardware compatibility reasons. But combined with compatible hardware, currently including vendors like Intel, VM Chimney significantly reduces the host server’s CPU burden when dealing with VM network traffic. This translates into better host system performance and a simultaneous boost to VM network throughput.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,geneva]Like TCP Offloading, support for Jumbo Frames [/FONT]

---

Perhaps the MS article is for pre-R2 versions of Server 2008 and Hyper-V?

There is a small 25 minute video at the end of the 70-652/70-403 CBT Nuggets exam pack. This final nugget covers the what's new in R2 and there is mention that a new feature is this support for TOE for host and guest.

For those with streaming accounts it is worth a watch.

RobertKaucher

I'm actually watching the videos in prep for this exam and had not gotten that far.

Thank you for the post. I have found it informative and I'd like to thank you for writing!

stupidboy

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Thank you for the post. I have found it informative and I'd like to thank you for writing!

You know it

I am up on Thursday morning, I'll post anything useful that I can. This obviously means keeping well when the line of the NDA.

mrmcmint

Good luck!

hypnotoad

R2: Bare-metal to live-migration in about an hour (48 minute video from MS)

http://mschnlnine.vo.llnwd.net/d1/edge/3/0/8/3/HVS2008R2BareMetalToLiveInAnHour_2MB_edge.wmv

mrmcmint

hypnotoad wrote: »

R2: Bare-metal to live-migration in about an hour (48 minute video from MS)

http://mschnlnine.vo.llnwd.net/d1/edge/3/0/8/3/HVS2008R2BareMetalToLiveInAnHour_2MB_edge.wmv

Thanks, link added

stupidboy

stupidboy wrote: »

You know it

I am up on Thursday morning, I'll post anything useful that I can. This obviously means keeping well when the line of the NDA.

Seems like my brain is turning to mush! I had the 70-659 beta today not the 70-693 ... I've booked that in January (according to my candidate history).

Thank god the pain ends today for a couple of weeks, I need a break my head is ready to explode.

mrmcmint

stupidboy wrote: »

Seems like my brain is turning to mush! I had the 70-659 beta today not the 70-693 ... I've booked that in January (according to my candidate history).

Thank god the pain ends today for a couple of weeks, I need a break my head is ready to explode.

I bet that took you by surprise when the test appeared!

mrmcmint

More links added.

Has anyone taken this exam yet?

MentholMoose

Some more Hyper-V screencasts...


Hyper-V R2: Initial Installation and Configuration

Hyper-V R2: Dynamic Storage

Hyper-V R2: Building a Hyper-V Cluster

Hyper-V R2: Making Highly Available VMs

Hyper-V R2: Introducing Cluster-shared Volumes

Hyper-V R2: Failover & Live Migration

Hyper-Me

Thanks menthol.

Ive got this exam next tuesday and havnt gotten a chance to even start studying.

I need to seriously get into some VDI/App-V reading and brush up on whats new in R2.

MentholMoose

I'm reading Mastering Microsoft Virtualization, and it seems really good for this exam (note: I haven't taken it yet). It was published last month, so it has the 2008 R2 stuff. It covers Hyper-V, App-V, RDS, MED-V, and VDI, so most of the key areas of the exam.

mrmcmint

Just been looking at the book. Looks like a good read! Might order this one

Thanks Menthol

bowulf

I took the exam on Tuesday, and while I have no clue how I did (pass or fail), the exam was certainly doable. The bar setting activity for this exam will be interesting and probably determinant if I passed or not. I have a feeling the bar will be set higher than perhaps it was on Windows 7.

Hyper-Me

I will have very little time to study before going into this one so im hoping that elementary overview of VDI/Med-V/App-V and breezing the new features in R2, coupled with my experience with Hyper-V/SCVMM 08 will eek out a pass for me

MentholMoose

Here are more screencasts from Matt McSpirit.

Windows Server 2008 R2: Remote Desktop Services Demo Episodes

1. RDS Session Host - Installation & Configuration

2. RDS Web Portal- Installation & Configuration

3. RDS Broker - Installation & Configuration

4. RDS Gateway - Installation & Configuration

5. RDP7 Deep Dive & User Experience

desktop virtualisation episodes

1. Microsoft VDI Part 1 - Server Side Configuration

2. Microsoft VDI Part 2 - Client Side Configuration

3. Microsoft VDI Part 3 - Client Side Experiences


EDIT: Fixed RDS links to point to high-res versions.
EDIT2: Fixed VDI links...

Hyper-Me

Had this scheduled for tuesday and didnt end up being able to get away from work to sit it

Oh well, you cant win em all

mrmcmint

Unlucky Hyper. Will you be doing this once it's live?

hypnotoad

Took this sucker today. Seems like if you havent rolled out some real honest enterprise-level Hyper-V and some SANs, along with a fair amount of VDI/App-V and SCVMM R2, you might as well forget about.

After I dredged through 75 virtualization questions, I passed 646 (MCITP: SA). Piece of cake.

RobertKaucher

I hate to admit it but I bailed on this exam. I did not feel well when I woke up on the Saturday I had the exam scheduled for and said f'it!