Microsoft Virtualization Launch Event

Just saw this on Microsoft’s website, you can register here: http://www.getvirtualnow.com/usevents/cityselect.aspx

Here are the sessions:

Session I: Server Virtualization and Management
An inside look at Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager from an architectural and a real world point of view. Complete with live demo’s of real life scenarios, and even a look at SCVMM managing VMWare ESX servers.

Session II: How Microsoft IT builds Dynamic Data Centers
A look at the current and future Microsoft Data Center. See how Microsoft IT, one of the world’s largest IT organizations, uses Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V to provide dynamic, scalable, and real-time adjustment to business needs.

Session III: Understanding Virtualization at the Desktop Level
The future of the Enterprise Desktop is very exciting, and Microsoft Virtualization technologies like Softgrid (App-V), Med-V, MDOP, VECD and Terminal Services are in the middle of it all. This session will provide an understanding of the directions of the industry, and highlight the capabilities of the technologies available, as well as look at what the future will bring.

I’m planning on going to the one in New York on November 3 if my manager approves it.  If not, then I’ll take a day off so I can attend the event .

PowerEdge SC440 starting at $199!

I just ordered one of these last night, looks like a pretty good server for a very good price.

I’m planning on installing VMware ESXi on here and this will pretty much replace my current server at home (which is over 4 years old so this will be a pretty big upgrade for me) which I’m using as a Domain Controller/DNS/DHCP/Print Server/Apache Web Server/File Server/Mail Server.

You won’t see this model in the VMware ESXi HCL but according to some posts in the VMware Forums it should work fine.

Here are the specs for my order which came out to $388:

PowerEdge SC440

• Dual Core Intel Xeon 3040, 2MB Cache, 1.86GHz (+$100)
• 4GB DDR2 667MHz (4×1GB) RAM (+$69)
• No OS
• Onboard SATA Controller (4 connectors)
• 1 x 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5in Hard Drive(+$20)
• 48x CD-ROM Drive
• Comes with 1Yr Basic Hardware Warranty

This deal expires tonight.

Roller Coasters!

I had to go to Ohio this week to take care of some stuff for work, so I decided to go a couple of days earlier to check out the Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, OH.

It was on a Saturday so the park was packed, wait time for the rides is between 15 minutes to 2 hours.  The really good rides usually have a wait time of at least 1 hour.  One day is definitely not enough to get on all the rides, I only got on to about 8 of them, there are 17 roller coasters in this park.

My favorite one was the Magnum XL-200, best roller coaster I’ve ridden so far.  Their “top thrill” coaster is the Dragster, but I skipped this one because of the long wait.  I’m definitely coming back here again so that gives me something to look forward to .

If you’re ever in Ohio and you like roller coasters, make sure you check out Cedar Point.  I promise you you’ll have a lot of fun .

Some pictures below: