System Center Technical Resources

System Center 2012 R2 is available

See what's new in System Center 2012 R2

Evaluate the Cloud OS: From this page, you can download all the evaluations for the Cloud OS, or select specific evaluations for

• System Center 2012 R2
• System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager & Endpoint Protection
• Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server

Automate Configuration Manager tasks with Windows PowerShell

• Get started with Windows PowerShell and Configuration Manager: If you aren't already familiar with Windows PowerShell, you'll want to start here. Then you can take a look at the Configuration Manager cmdlets and decide which of them you need to work with to accomplish your task.
• Integrate Orchestrator Runbooks with Configuration Manager cmdlets: If you use Configuration Manager to start Orchestrator Runbooks, see how to use cmdlets in Configuration Manager to automate that process.

Give users access to their work from any device

• Deploy and Manage Virtual Applications and Settings with System Center Configuration Manager 2012 and MDOP: Learn how you can integrate System Center 2012 Configuration Manager and MDOP to provide users access to the data and applications they need, including their custom applications and Windows settings.

Remote client management

• Use Windows BranchCache with System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: If you use Configuration Manager, you might have heard about BranchCache, but wonder if it's right for your business. Use the resources here to help you evaluate it.
• Create a Dynamic Collection in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: Dynamic collections are the life blood of Configuration Manager. But creating the necessary queries to define a dynamic collection can be challenging. Here's help with the most difficult part of creating useful collections - building the query.

Using SQL Server and System Center together

• SQL Server in System Center: All System Center server components require SQL Server as a database. Here is a compilation of resources to help you figure out the SQL Server requirements across the System Center components - VMM, DPM, Operations Manager, Service Manager, Orchestrator, and App Controller.

Private and public cloud management

• Use System Center 2012 to help manage virtual machines in Windows Azure: Use the resources featured here to understand how you can best use System Center to manage your public cloud virtual machines in Windows Azure. It's a list of System Center + Azure = Better Together!
• Cloud Terminology: When it comes to the cloud, nothing beats clarity. Cloud terminology is confusing and the definitions evolve. Here are links to industry-standard definitions, product-specific terms, and a forum where you can quickly clarify terms and definitions.