Tag: Solution Accelerator

Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 2012 Final Version is out

Microsoft release final version of Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 2012 designed to work with System Center 2012 –Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), System Center 2012 Configuration Manager and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 SP2. With this free tool you will be able to update your offline virtual machines, templates, and virtual hard disks with the latest operating system and application patches.

Download the tool from here.

Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter Release Candidate Available for download

Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter is part of Solution Accelerator tools. The release candiadate was just released for download on Microsoft Connect site. Here are the details about this version:

What is New in the Release Candidate?

In addition to the capabilities delivered as part of the Beta release, the Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter release candidate:

  • Converts and deploys virtual machines from VMware hosts to Hyper-V hosts running:
    • Windows Server® 2012 Release Candidate
    • Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 Release Candidate
  • Adds virtual network interface cards (NICs) to the converted virtual machine on Hyper-V.
  • Configures dynamic memory on the converted virtual machine.
  • Supports migration of virtual machines that are hosted on a vSphere cluster.
  • Supports migration of virtual machines to a Hyper-V host that is part of a failover cluster.
  • Enables Microsoft partners to cobrand the tool so that it incorporates their logos.

About This Solution Accelerator

The Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC) provides a Microsoft-supported, freely available, standalone solution for converting VMware virtual machines (VMs) and VMware virtual disks (VMDKs) to Hyper-V virtual machines and Hyper-V virtual hard disks (VHDs). MVMC supports converting virtual machines using the following guest operating systems:

  • Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2003 R2 with Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Windows Server 2008
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Vista

System Requirements

The Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter converts VMware virtual machines created with:

  • VMware vSphere 4.1
  • VMware vSphere 5.0

To virtual machines for:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Hyper-V
  • Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 SP1
  • Windows Server® 2012 Release Candidate
  • Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 Release Candidate

Details

The Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter:

  • Provides a quick, low-risk option for VMware customers to evaluate Hyper-V
  • Converts the virtual disks and the VMware VMs configuration, such as memory, virtual processor, and other machine settings from the source
  • Uninstalls the VMware tools on the source VM and installs the Hyper-V Integration Services as appropriate
  • Includes an easy-to-use wizard-driven GUI simplifying VM conversion
  • Supports offline conversions of VMware virtual hard disks (VMDK) to a Hyper-V based virtual hard disk file format (VHD)

  • Includes a scriptable Command Line Interfaces (CLI) for performing machine conversion and offline disk conversion which integrates with datacenter automation workflows, such as those authored and executed within System Center Orchestrator. The command line can also be invoked through PowerShell.

Application Approval Workflow solution for SCCM2012 and SCSM 2012

The Application Approval Workflow (AAW) extends your application approval process. End users can easily request applications on-demand directly through the Configuration Manager Application Catalog or via redirection from the Service Manager Self-Service Portal. Application requests requiring approval are routed to Service Manager where custom approver lists and activities can be configured based on user and application properties.
AAW uses System Center 2012 – Orchestrator between Configuration Manager and Service Manager to sync Configuration Manager applications, leverage Service Manager workflows, and post the approval status back to Configuration Manager. We created wizards in Service Manager to configure custom service request template-matching criteria. User and application properties received in the approval request from Configuration Manager are used to select a service request template containing an approver list and activities that best fit your business process.
Key features:

  • Sync Configuration Manager applications data into the Service Manager database.
  • Monitor and transport Configuration Manager Application Catalog requests requiring approval to Service Manager and open a service request.
  • Return the completed approval workflow status to Configuration Manager for handling.
  • Allow administrators to define and maintain application selection criteria for specific applications or application groups and specific users or user groups.
  • Track service application requests and view application catalog contents in Service Manager.

Download Application Approval Workflow