In this video, we’ll go over the Bare Metal Recovery process before diving into the real-world demonstration where I’ll walk you through performing a Bare Metal Recovery in System Center Data Protection Manager 2010.

If you enjoy this video and would like to learn more, then make sure to check out my new System Center Data Protection Manager 2010 Training which is full of useful tips and tricks on how to best protect your organization from disasters with SCDPM 2010.

Between staying current with the never-ending update cycle to exploring new features in the latest software releases, simply keeping an environment running takes time, effort and talent.

On top of that, many IT groups need to ensure that all IT services stay available on a 24/7 basis and meet strict service level agreements, necessitating the need for a comprehensive end-to-end service management solution that can track individual SLAs, notify administrators when a server or service goes awry and provide ways to take immediate corrective action.

Enter Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2

System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 is Microsoft’s answer to the service management challenge and takes the form of a ground-up rewrite of the product formerly known as Microsoft Operations Manager.

With Operations Manager 2007 R2, organizations can take advantage of an extensive, extensible product framework that provides powerful, heterogeneous monitoring all in a single-pane administrative interface, complete with multichannel notification options, a myriad of alerting options and powerful reporting tools.

Not Just for Windows Anymore …

It’s important to note that Operations Manager 2007 R2 is not a Windows-only affair. Rather, with the R2 release of the product, Microsoft has significantly enhanced the product’s native cross platform (xplat) monitoring features by enabling inherent monitoring for multiple UNIX/Linux variants, including Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, HP-UX, and Sun Solaris.

Moreover, System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 has the ability to provide monitoring for SNMP-based network devices. Between Windows monitoring, cross platform monitoring and SNMP monitoring, you’d think that Operations Manager had it all.

But there’s more.

While the server and operating system are truly critical infrastructure components, more often than not, these services are a part of a larger whole. For example, you may have an e-commerce application that runs on dozens of servers, relies on a multitude of SNMP-based network devices and comprises many different IIS instances.

Operations Manager 2007 R2 can handle even the most complex service monitoring with ease. After all, it’s all well and good if all of the servers and network switches are running, but if something has gone awry and had brought down the e-commerce application, the company is still losing money.

When it comes to raw potential and complexity, few products match Operations Manager 2007 R2. However, out of the box, the product is dumb as a rock and needs some coaxing before you begin on your service monitoring journey. Through the strategic use of freely available add-ins called management packs, you can quickly extend the types of services that can be monitored with Operations Manager 2007 R2.

System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Training

I will be the first to say that working with Operations Manager 2007 R2 is an experience unlike one you’ll have with most products. Mastering the product takes time and more than a little bit of patience and it helps a lot if you have someone to help guide you in your initial efforts.

That’s where Train Signal and I come in! We’ve put together a comprehensive course designed to jump start your nascent Operations Manager 2007 R2 adventure while also helping you to prepare for exam 70-400, Configuring Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007.

In my new System Center Operations Manager 2007 Training you’re going to learn how to start with a blank slate and end with a fully operational Operations Manager 2007 R2 architecture capable of everything outlined above — cross platform monitoring (even VMware ESX!), multichannel notification, extensibility via management packs — and more, including monitoring of critical clients machines (think point of sale systems) and creation of service-based (as opposed to server based) monitoring rules.

I know that you will enjoy watching this course as much as I enjoyed developing it!

Our brand new System Center Operations Manager 2007 Training includes:

• 6 hours of hands-on, scenario based training
• Multiple file formats for training on the go
• Complete exam coverage for the 70-400 exam

Learn more and watch a demo of our new System Center Operations Manager Training.

We’ll talk about all of the features and options that are available on Windows Home Server including file storage and resource sharing, remote access, video and music sharing, and how to use add-ins to extend the capabilities of your Home Server.

Learn how to set up your own server network in your home, and manage all of your home computers & centralized data in one secure location with Windows Home Server Training.

I will also show you how to configure an IP address in both XP and Vista using DHCP.

In this video you will learn about your wireless networking options and security, power line networking, network adapter types and cabling your home. I will also provide you with a quick explanation of TCP/IP which is an integral part of your home network.

I will also walk you through setting up wireless networking on your Xbox so that we can connect the Xbox to our Windows Home Server.

Learn how to set up your own server network in your home, and manage all of your home computers & centralized data in one secure location with Windows Home Server Training.

This short introductory video will provide you with an outline of what my Windows Home Server training course covers. Other free Home Server videos on this site cover Windows Home Server lab setup, networking and TCP/IP, client computer configuration, ending with an introduction to Windows Home Server features.

Through the use of a plethora of add-ins, you can extend the already fantastic functionality provided by Windows Home Server.

In my course on Windows Home Server, you learn a lot about how add-ins are installed and managed.

However, coming soon to Windows Home Server is an update that Microsoft has dubbed Power Pack 1. Power Pack 1 brings even greater capability to Windows Home Server.

First and foremost, Power Pack 1 will fix a serious bug present in the original release of Windows Home Server. Under certain very specific conditions, this bug can cause data corruption in some files on your Windows Home Server.

Fortunately, most common programs are not affected so you will probably be fine, but any data corruption bug is generally bad news, thus the Power Pack 1 bug squash.

Beyond a serious bug fix, Power Pack 1 packs a plethora of powerful features into the update package. The list below describes some of the goodies coming your way.

A 64-bit Connector Package

If you’re running the 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you’ve been out of luck when it comes to the Windows Home Server party.
Although there are workarounds that allow the connector to install on 64-bit Vista, some significant features, such as computer backup, remain unusable.

With Power Pack 1, 64-bit connector connectivity along with the full feature set becomes available.

Backup Enhancements

One key feature of Windows Home Server is its ability to backup – and restore – entire client computers on your network. Related to this capability is Windows Home Server’s duplicated folder feature, which stores your files and folders on multiple hard drives to even further protect your data.

What was lacking, however, was a built-in way to make a complete copy of your Home Server to take off-site. In the Windows Home Server course, I explain to you how you can use a service called Keep Vault to backup your Windows Home Server to a safe location on the Internet.

With the initial release of Windows Home Server, you are not able to easily make offsite backup copies of your data unless you use a third party add-in such as the aforementioned Keep Vault.

Power Pack 1 enhances Windows Home Server by making it possible to back up your entire home server to an external hard drive that you can then take off site.

More Granular Remote Access Security

With Power Pack 1, you’ll be able to decide which features — the Computers tab and/or the Shared Folders tab — are accessible by each user.

Through this enhanced security, you don’t have to worry, for example, that junior is spending his time at school connected to your family’s home server and then forgetting to log off!

A Really Low Price Tag … Free!

Best of all, Power Pack 1 comes free of charge to all Home Server customers!

Once released, the update will be automatically downloaded and installed to your Home Server, ensuring that you always have the latest and greatest functionality.

So, there’s no need to wait for Power Pack 1 to be released before you take the Windows Home Server plunge. Dive on in! The water’s warm.

With Power Pack 1, Microsoft has taken an already fantastic product and made it even better by adding features that will make the product even more compelling to a broad audience.

By introducing the connector to Windows Vista 64-bit, Microsoft is finally bringing WHS to their most savvy customers and with the introduction of built-in backup features, even the most conservative user can rest assured that their data is safe.

Power Pack 1 is slated for a Spring 2008 release.

Get the Most Out of Your Home Server with Windows Home Server Training Videos!

Your instructor Scott Lowe will show you how to install and manage your Home Server and how to take advantage of all the great features!

Learn more about Windows Home Server Training and watch a sample video now!