One of the largest Virtualization conferences of the industry seems to happen this week in Barcelona, Spain. Microsoft Teched IT Forum. Obviously not a pure virtualization conference but the Microsoft technical event for IT professionals. But if you look at the number of sessions and the many different aspects of virtualization that are covered, IT Forum can easily compete with large industry events focusing exclusively on virtualization.

Below I compiled a list of sessions based on key technology areas in virtualization. Over 30 sessions, labs and Q&A sessions.

 

Presentation Virtualization

SRV01-PD Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services – Rapid Fire Demos   [Ranked 547]

Alex Balcanquall

Learn how to integrate and use many of the new presentation virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (TS). This session will show how a complete remote access solution can be configured in less than 5 minutes! We will then drill deeper with demos on the more obscure, but useful & cool presentation virtualization features of TS. For example, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) signing, single-sign on, using Internet Information Services (IIS) to configure the new Remote Desktop page of TS Web Access and show how to turn on the new RDP compression algorithm for increased bandwidth reduction. 

Thu Nov 15 12:15 - 13:00 Room 114

SRV06-IS Q&A: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services, RemoteApp™ and Application Virtualization   [Ranked 376]

Alex Balcanquall

This is your opportunity to ask deep dive questions about Terminal Services, RemoteApp™, Remote Gateway and SoftGrid Application Virtualization in Windows Server 2008. 100% driven by questions from the audience, this interactive session supports both the Deploying Terminal Services RemoteApp™ and Gateway and the Application and Presentation Virtualization breakout sessions. 

Wed Nov 14 15:45 - 17:00 Room 130 , Fri Nov 16 15:15 - 16:30 Room 128

SRV202 Application and Presentation Virtualization   [Ranked 289] 

Alex Balcanquall

The new and compelling presentation virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services enable customers to use remote applications and seamlessly integrate them on their users’ client desktop and mobile systems. This session will cover how the new Terminal Services features (TS RemoteApp™, TS Gateway & TS Web Access) can be used to provide new opportunities for remote working, branch offices and security and compliance. Discover how the new PnP Device Redirection Framework & TS Easy Print enables support for new hardware devices and improves printing in a Terminal Services session. This session will also cover how SoftGrid enables Terminal Services to become a truly dynamic system that is easy to manage.  

Tue Nov 13 15:15 - 16:30 Room 117

Application Virtualization

CLI402 Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization: SoftGrid Enterprise Scalability [Ranked 289]

John Sheehan

This session will review the different considerations and limitations that you will encounter in the Enterprise and how to design SoftGrid into these scenarios. More specifically, this session will cover deployment alternatives based on your environment, integration points with Electronic Software Delivery (ESD) systems, package management and enabling communication between dependent packages.

Thu Nov 15 09:00 - 10:15 Room 111

CLI311 Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization 4.5 Features and Futures [Ranked 289] 

Dustin Ingalls

Microsoft SoftGrid is driving new levels of efficiency in the Enterprise. With 4.2 released, the natural question is "what’s next?" This session will review Microsoft SoftGrid 4.5 and some of the exciting new capabilities that will be coming in the next release.

Wed Nov 14 13:30 - 14:45 Room 117

CLI07-IS Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Features and Futures [Ranked 289] 

Dustin Ingalls , John Sheehan

Microsoft SoftGrid is driving new levels of efficiency in the Enterprise. Bring your own questions, issues, and experiences to share with other participants. Interactive Sessions are designed as an opportunity for dialogue between presenter(s) and audience. Please come prepared with questions on the session’s topic to discuss with the presenter(s). Interactive Sessions will have less use of PowerPoint push out to the audience and more discussion.

Fri Nov 16 10:45 - 12:00 Room 130

CLI01-ILL Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization: Publishing Lab [Ranked 289] 

Sean Donahue

This lab will walk an attendee through publishing a virtual application and seeing the results on the end client. The goal of this lab is to have the attendee familiarize him / herself with publishing applications using SoftGrid.

Wed Nov 14 17:30 - 18:45 Room 123 , Fri Nov 16 09:00 - 10:15 Room 123

MGT12-IS Futures Discussion: How Can Microsoft Enhance System Center and SoftGrid to Address Your Emerging Needs? [Ranked 252] 

Bill Corrigan

SoftGrid 4.2 provides a revolutionary new way of delivering and managing desktop applications in the Windows world. As customers start to deploy dozens, hundreds or even thousands of applications with this technology, they realize that many of the same challenges faced with physically installed applications will appear in massive virtual application installations. In this session, we will solicit input from customers and partners to explore specific areas of integration between SoftGrid Application Virtualization and other components of the System Center products, including Configuration Manager, Operations Manager, Virtual Machine Manager and Data Protection Manager. During this session, you will have direct access to the product and program management teams who are building the 5 and 10-year roadmap for these technologies, so we invite all energetic and vociferous people to attend. (Wall flowers are welcome too, in case you just want to hear about some of the futures ideas for SoftGrid….)

Fri Nov 16 13:30 - 14:45 Room 132

Desktop Virtualization

CLI315 Virtualized Desktops: Windows Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop (VECD) Deep Dive [Ranked 376] 

David Kim

If virtual desktop clients are becoming a reality for your customer space or you would like to know more about OS virtualization, this session provides detailed information on new licensing rights for both PCs and Thin Clients for centralized client desktops. Announced this past April, Windows Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop (VECD) is an integral component to providing Flexible Desktop Computing options for Windows.

Tue Nov 13 09:00 - 10:15 Room 117

CLI05-PD The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack Exposed! [Ranked 376] 

Winni Verhoef , Jameel Khalfan , Mark Gray

Come to the “see it all, believe it all” product demo session of Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) and see it all work together. The MDOP technologies are of great value to you and your company. These are some of our more advanced technologies made available for our best customers. See the value of these technologies for managing the optimized desktop in your environment, from virtual applications, advanced group policy management and software inventory to troubleshooting and solving issues.

Tue Nov 13 12:15 - 13:00 Room 112 , Fri Nov 16 12:15 - 13:00 Tent 1

CLI03-IS Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and VECD: Hosted Desktop Models Chalk Talk [Ranked 289] 

David Kim

Are you considering hosting and centralizing your desktops via server virtualization (also known as VDI or Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop (VECD))? This session provides an interactive dialog with customers on why and why not deploy centralized desktop via virtualization.
Objectives:

1. Myth of VDI / VECD.
2. Benefits and draw-backs of VDI/VECD.
3. Describe technology components required to deploy VECD.
4. Describe Microsoft VECD SKU.
5. Identify alternative centralized desktop options.

Tue Nov 13 10:45 - 12:00 Room 133

Server Virtualization

SRV307 How to Implement and Manage Windows Server Virtualization [Ranked 574]

Corey Hynes

This session is designed for IT administrators who would like to know how to implement, manage, and maintain Windows Server virtualization. Through extensive demos and background information, learn how to perform everything from basic administration tasks on single server implementations, to complex automation of multiple Windows Server virtualization hosts. Learn how to perform tasks such as virtual machine management and maintenance, achieve high availability of virtual machines, as well as automate and provision using Windows PowerShell. In addition, learn how the most common administration tasks have fundamentally changed from Virtual Server to Windows Server virtualization. Finally learn best practices and techniques to ensure that your deployment runs smoothly. At the end of this session you will have the practical information necessary to successfully implement Windows Server virtualization in your environment.

Thu Nov 15 09:00 - 10:15 Auditorium

SRV08-IS Q&A: Windows Server Virtualisation [Ranked 376] 

David Greschler , Bryon Surace , Corey Hynes , Volker Will , Mike Neil , Mike Sterling

This is your opportunity to ask deep dive questions about all things relating to Windows Server virtualization (WSV). From Microsoft’s virtualization roadmap, through WSV features such as clustering to the VHD Test Drive programme. This session is 100% driven by questions from the audience.

Thu Nov 15 10:45 - 12:00 Room 132

SRV04-PD Windows Server Virtualization, Up Close and Personal [Ranked 376]

Bryon Surace , Mike Sterling

Come and see a quick pace and features packed demo of Windows Server Virtualization, from the benign to the beguiling capabilities, with real-life scenarios and real hardware, for beginners all the way to the “know-it-alls”. Microsoft technical staff will also be available for drill-down how-to questions.

Fri Nov 16 12:15 - 13:00 Room 112

SPN302 Citrix and Microsoft: Extending Virtualization [Ranked 376]

Simon Crosby

Citrix and Microsoft are uniquely aligned in joint product strategies in a variety of areas including virtualization. Citrix XenServer v4, which has been architected to fully interoperate with Windows Server virtualization, offers near native performance to virtualize Windows workloads, and extends the benefits of virtualization across servers, storage and other infrastructure components to make IT dynamic, responsive and efficient. Attend this interactive session to understand why and how you should start leveraging virtualization today, and get your tough questions answered from the founder of the Xen technology.

Fri Nov 16 10:45 - 12:00 Room 112

SRV322 Windows Server 2008 Virtualization and High Availability [Ranked 252] 

Bryon Surace , Mike Sterling

Windows Server 2008 brings together a set of complementary technologies including Windows Server Virtualization, virtual hard disk (VHD) and Failover Cluster to meet the IT needs for highly available deployments.
This session provides an architectural overview of these foundational technologies and features in Windows Server 2008, and describes how they integrate with each other to enable quick migration of virtual machines with minimal impact to the affected business workloads.
The talk also outlines the requisite system hardware features for a server to effectively participate in this highly available configuration.
It concludes with a series of observations on IT practicality issues related to these capabilities.

Wed Nov 14 17:30 - 18:45 Auditorium

CLI03-IS Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and VECD: Hosted Desktop Models Chalk Talk [Ranked 252] 

David Kim

Are you considering hosting and centralizing your desktops via server virtualization (also known as VDI or Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop (VECD))? This session provides an interactive dialog with customers on why and why not deploy centralized desktop via virtualization.
Objectives:

1. Myth of VDI / VECD.
2. Benefits and draw-backs of VDI/VECD.
3. Describe technology components required to deploy VECD.
4. Describe Microsoft VECD SKU.
5. Identify alternative centralized desktop options.

Tue Nov 13 10:45 - 12:00 Room 133

Storage Virtualization

SRV402 Windows Server 2008 iSCSI Deep Dive [Ranked 628] 

Paul Rambo

Through their inherent flexibility and availability, networked storage solutions offer greater opportunities for system reliability, consolidation and manageability than direct attached storage. This session presents an overview of iSCSI support and features in Windows Server 2008, including support for iSCSI boot and how these features make it possible for businesses to take advantage of existing network infrastructure to enable block-based storage over wide distances. This session also provides guidelines for implementation and deployment of Windows Server 2008 in iSCSI-only environments. A series of demonstrations of different iSCSI capabilities in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server-based iSCSI solutions are provided throughout this session.

Wed Nov 14 17:30 - 18:45 Room 111

SRV01-IS Q&A: iSCSI in Windows Server 2008 [Ranked 547] 

Paul Rambo , Son Voba , Bruce Grieshaber

This is your opportunity to ask deep dive questions about iSCSI in Windows Server 2008. 100% driven by questions from the audience, this interactive session supports the Windows Server 2008 iSCSI Deep Dive breakout session.

Thu Nov 15 09:00 - 10:15 Room 134

Management

SRV325 Managing Virtual Server using Scripts [Ranked 828]

Steven Adler

In this session, we will cover the scripting interfaces provided by Virtual Server using both VBScript and PowerShell. These interfaces can be used to fully administer the Virtual Environment including the creation, modification and deletion of Virtual Hard Disks (VHD), Virtual Machines, Virtual Network Interfaces, perform management tasks such as starting, stopping and pausing virtual machines, monitoring virtual machine performance and controlling access to the virtual environment.

Thu Nov 15 17:30 - 18:45 Room 113

SRV201 An Introduction to System Center Virtual Machine Manager [Ranked 783] 

Edwin Yuen

This session introduces the audience to what is in System Center Virtual Machine Manager and how this will redefine the management space for virtual machines and provide unification with the physical world under the System Center umbrella. The talk discusses real-life scenarios of physical to virtual migration, new virtual machine provisioning, centralized management of virtual machines. This talk builds the foundation for the "Under the Hood" of System Center Virtual Machine Manager session.

Tue Nov 13 09:00 - 10:15 Room 114

MGT90-HOL Introduction to System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 [Ranked 751]

In this lab, you will configure System Center Virtual Machine Manager to create, and manage virtual machines that can be used with Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1. Virtual Machine Manager also allows users to create additional virtual machines, without being administrator.

Tue Nov 13 08:00 - 18:15 HOL , Wed Nov 14 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Thu Nov 15 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Fri Nov 16 08:00 - 16:30 HOL , Mon Nov 12 08:00 - 21:00 HOL

SRV302 “Under the Hood” of System Center Virtual Machine Manager [Ranked 644] 

Edwin Yuen

Learn about the architecture and deeper technical details of the System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) and how to use that knowledge to better manage your virtual machines. Topics to be covered are technical review of the physical to virtual migration process, using Powershell with SCVMM, advanced deployment topologies, SAN integration.

Wed Nov 14 09:00 - 10:15 Tent 2

MGT323 Virtualization 360 [Ranked 644] 

David Greschler

Want to know why all the hype about virtualization? Want to understand how customers are using the various virtualization solutions? Wondered how Microsoft’s different Virtual endeavors integrate? This topic will focus on stories about how customers evaluated and selected Microsoft virtualization over competing technologies / vendors and why. This session will also provide insights into Microsoft’s overall virtualization strategy covering Microsoft SoftGrid, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Virtual Server 2005 R2 as well as Virtualization support in Windows Server 2008.

Mon Nov 12 17:45 - 19:00 Room 112 , Thu Nov 15 15:45 - 17:00 Room 125

SRV04-IS Q&A: System Center Virtual Machine Manager [Ranked 644] 

Edwin Yuen

This is your opportunity to ask deep dive questions about System Center Virtual Machine Manager. 100% driven by questions from the audience, this interactive session supports the "An Introduction to System Center Virtual Machine Manager" and "“Under the Hood” of System Center Virtual Machine Manager" breakout sessions.

Wed Nov 14 13:30 - 14:45 Room 134

SRV11-IS Q&A: Data Protection and Virtualization [Ranked 547] 

Edwin Yuen , Jason Buffington

Storage and Virtualization are two of the hottest technologies in IT right now – and they are even better together. In 2007, Microsoft is delivering new products into both spaces, between Data Protection Manager and Virtual Machine Manager. Bring your data protection and virtualization questions, and hear how Microsoft customers can protect their virtual environments, prepare for disaster recovery, and even scale hosted backup services.

Tue Nov 13 13:30 - 14:45 Room 130 , Fri Nov 16 15:15 - 16:30 Room 130

SRV307 How to Implement and Manage Windows Server Virtualization [Ranked 503]

Corey Hynes

This session is designed for IT administrators who would like to know how to implement, manage, and maintain Windows Server virtualization. Through extensive demos and background information, learn how to perform everything from basic administration tasks on single server implementations, to complex automation of multiple Windows Server virtualization hosts. Learn how to perform tasks such as virtual machine management and maintenance, achieve high availability of virtual machines, as well as automate and provision using Windows PowerShell. In addition, learn how the most common administration tasks have fundamentally changed from Virtual Server to Windows Server virtualization. Finally learn best practices and techniques to ensure that your deployment runs smoothly. At the end of this session you will have the practical information necessary to successfully implement Windows Server virtualization in your environment.

Thu Nov 15 09:00 - 10:15 Auditorium

SRV322 Windows Server 2008 Virtualization and High Availability [Ranked 403] 

Bryon Surace , Mike Sterling

Windows Server 2008 brings together a set of complementary technologies including Windows Server Virtualization, virtual hard disk (VHD) and Failover Cluster to meet the IT needs for highly available deployments.
This session provides an architectural overview of these foundational technologies and features in Windows Server 2008, and describes how they integrate with each other to enable quick migration of virtual machines with minimal impact to the affected business workloads.
The talk also outlines the requisite system hardware features for a server to effectively participate in this highly available configuration.
It concludes with a series of observations on IT practicality issues related to these capabilities.

Wed Nov 14 17:30 - 18:45 Auditorium

MGT02-PD Check out the New Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 [Ranked 376] 

Jason Buffington

In this product demonstration, you will see System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 – protecting SQL, SharePoint, Exchange, Virtual Servers, and even itself. With integrated disk-to-disk-to-tape. Come take a few minutes to see a new standard in protecting Windows servers and desktops with DPM 2007.

Tue Nov 13 12:15 - 13:00 Room 111

SPN211 Microsoft, Dell, Novell & XEN: Virtual Reality or Insanity [Ranked 376] 

Dan Homolka

Agreements between organizations such as Microsoft and Novell create plenty of controversial press speculation, but what are the facts behind the hyperbole? Will the deal between Microsoft and Novell ensure complete interoperability in the new virtual world? With Dell joining the Microsoft-Novell pact, does this signal the dawn of a new era of "commodity mainframes" built on Open Standards? Which technologies do these agreements cover, and how will the interoperability alliance help the end-user create and deploy a coherent cost-effective virtualization strategy across their whole enterprise that is fully supported?

Thu Nov 15 13:30 - 14:45 Room 116

KEY01 The Next Wave: Bringing Dynamic IT to Life [Ranked 376] 

Power up with the next wave of technologies coming from Microsoft and watch the benefits of Dynamic IT come to life at your organization. Join Corporate Vice President Bob Kelly as he discusses Microsoft’s vision for “Dynamic IT” and demonstrates the new technologies coming from Microsoft, such as Windows Server 2008, Microsoft’s virtualization technologies, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, System Center Configuration Manager, System Center Data Protection Manager, SQL Server 2008, and Windows Home Server.

Mon Nov 12 14:00 - 15:30 Auditorium

And don’t miss the opportunity and try some of the solutions live in a hands on lab.

HOL

SRV14-HOL Windows Server 2008 Presentation Virtualization [Ranked 289] 

After completing this lab, you will be able to:

• Implement a Terminal Services Gateway.
• Implement Terminal Services RemoteApp.
• Utilize Windows System Resources Manager on a Terminal Services Server

Tue Nov 13 08:00 - 18:15 HOL , Wed Nov 14 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Thu Nov 15 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Fri Nov 16 08:00 - 16:30 HOL , Mon Nov 12 08:00 - 21:00 HOL

SRV13-HOL Windows Server 2008 Web and Application Platform [Ranked 376] 

After completing this lab, you will be able to:

• Manage and modify websites and virtual directories in IIS 7.0.
• Use command-line and administrative tools to perform various tasks on your web server.
• Create and modify application pools.
• Create a shared web farm.
• Monitor your web server through local and remote tools.

Tue Nov 13 08:00 - 18:15 HOL , Wed Nov 14 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Thu Nov 15 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Fri Nov 16 08:00 - 16:30 HOL , Mon Nov 12 08:00 - 21:00 HOL

CLI61-HOL Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization: Sequencing Lab (basics) [Ranked 289] 

This lab will cover basic sequencing where the attendees will be able to sequence basic applications end-to-end for themselves and learn how to configure them before deployment. The goal of this lab is to get you familiar with SoftGrid application sequencing.

Tue Nov 13 08:00 - 18:15 HOL , Wed Nov 14 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Thu Nov 15 08:00 - 18:45 HOL , Fri Nov 16 08:00 - 16:30 HOL , Mon Nov 12 08:00 - 21:00 HOL

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