Microsoft Virtualisation Free eBook Offer

Learn about the latest Microsoft Virtualisation technologies, including Hyper-V and Windows Azure. Download Understanding Microsoft Virtualisation R2 Solutions, written by industry expert Mitch Tulloch along with the Microsoft Virtualisation team.

Register to download Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions, Second Edition (updated for Windows Server 2008 R2) from Microsoft Press.

Here's info from the eBook:

The primary target audience for this book is IT administrators, implementers, and decision makers of large and mid-sized organizations who want to learn about the benefits of the latest Virtualisation technologies and how to plan, implement, and manage virtual infrastructure solutions based on these technologies.

The topics covered by the various chapters are as follows:

Chapter 1: Why Virtualisation?

This chapter provides an overview of Microsoft’s integrated Virtualisation solution and how it plays a key role in Dynamic IT, Microsoft’s strategy for enabling agile business. The chapter also describes the benefits businesses can achieve through Virtualisation and how Microsoft’s Virtualisation platforms, products and technologies can help these businesses move their IT infrastructures toward the goal of Dynamic IT.

Chapter 2: Server Virtualisation

This chapter covers the Hyper-V role of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 and how these platforms can be used to manage Virtualisation server workloads in the datacentre. The chapter explores features of Hyper-V including the new Live Migration feature of Windows Server 2008 R2. It also describes the benefits of deploying Hyper-V, and various usage scenarios.

Chapter 3: Local Desktop Virtualisation

This chapter describes various Microsoft Virtualisation technologies that enable client operating systems and applications to run within a virtualised environment hosted on the user’s computer. The platforms and products covered in this chapter include Windows Virtual PC and the Windows XP Mode environment, Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation (MED-V), and Microsoft Application Virtualisation (App-V).

Chapter 4: Remote Desktop Virtualisation

This chapter describes various Microsoft Virtualisation technologies that enable client operating systems and applications to run within a virtualized environment hosted on a server located in the datacentre. The platforms and products covered in this chapter include Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), and App-V for Remote Desktop Services.

Chapter 5: Virtualisation Management

This chapter describes how System Centre Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2008 can be used to centrally manage all aspects of a virtualised IT infrastructure. The chapter explains how VMM works and explores how to use the platform to manage virtual machines running on Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V servers. The chapter also describes the benefits of the other members of the System Centre family of products.

Chapter 6: Cloud Computing

This chapter examines Microsoft’s emerging cloud computing platform, how it works, and what benefits businesses can obtain from it. The chapter examines both private and public cloud solutions including Windows Azure, and describes how Microsoft’s Dynamic Data Centre Toolkit can be used to integrate cloud computing as a part of your virtualised IT infrastructure.