70-693 Resources

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

Thanks Robert

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.

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?

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?

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

Good luck!

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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.