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Abstract
Through the use of automation, compliance, self-service portal, and standardization, Microsoft's System Center Service Manager can support the best practices found in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) and the Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF). Service Manager also has built-in processes for Incident and Problem management, Change and Configuration management as well as Asset Lifecycle Management.
Sample
Exciting times are on hand for those who work in the IT field and especially in datacenters. Server virtualization along with private and public clouds are revolutionizing datacenters. Businesses will have new opportunities in where and how data is stored and used with their business applications. Remote workers will have access to new environments for their work and data analysis. There are three pillars in Microsoft's Cloud OS vision: Windows Azure, Microsoft System Center 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2012 R2.
System Center
Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 is a suite of integrated management products. These products can be used to automate processes; and configure, deploy, manage, and monitor on-premises and cloud-based environments.
System Center 2012 R2 is composed of eight separate products that can be used by themselves or some or all of them can be integrated into one environment. The components are: App Controller, Configuration Manager, Data Protection Manager, Endpoint Protection, Orchestrator, Operations Manager, Service Manager, and Virtual Machine Manager.
System Center 2012 Suite
App Controller - App Controller uses a web browser to manage applications, services, and virtual machines that are deployed in a public or private cloud environment as a self-service portal. While App Controller is a separate System Center product it first requires that the Virtual Machine Manager console be installed on the server.
Configuration Manager - Configuration Manager is used to increase efficiency and productivity through reducing the number of manual tasks and increased automation. Configuration Manager provides for change and configuration management, compliance and remediation control, device and software management, endpoint protection, patch management, and operating system deployment. Configuration Manager uses Active Directory Domain Services for a variety of purposes including device and user discovery and security. You can integrate Configuration Manager with Certificate Services, Exchange Server, and Exchange Online, Group Policy, Windows server Update Services, Windows Automated Installation Kit, and User State Migration Tool. You can also use SQL Server Reporting Services to have detailed reports on your Configuration Manager environment.
Data Protection Manager - Data Protection Manager is an enterprise backup solution that can be used to create backups and restore from local systems and from the cloud. You can create bare-metal, differential, full, and incremental backups to restore a system.
Endpoint Protection - Endpoint Protection is used with Configuration Manager and requires a separate license. Using Endpoint Protection you can create and configure antimalware and firewall policies on systems in your configuration manager hierarchy.
Orchestrator - Orchestrator is used to create automated tasks sequences and workflows in your cloud and datacenter environments. Orchestrator uses runbooks that you create to perform end-to-end automation and management operations. Using Orchestrator, you can connect disparate systems to perform complex tasks and processes.
Operations Manager - Operations Manager is used to provide real-time monitoring of applications, devices, operating systems, and services. Operations Manager uses Management Packs that extend the monitoring and reporting information for specific applications, devices, and services. Management packs come from Microsoft or third-party providers.
Service Manager - The whole reason for this article, Service Manager is used to give organizations a single, integrated platform to deliver IT as a Service (ITaaS). The ITaaS is a model whereby the IT department runs and acts as distinct business entity that provides a product (in this a service) to the other line of business entities within the organization.
Virtual Machine Manager - Using Virtual Machine Manager you can create, manage, monitor, and provision virtual machines and networks in your on-premise, cloud, and hybrid environments. Virtual Machine Manager can be integrated with Data Protection Manager, Operations Manager, Orchestrator, and Service Manager.
Service Manager
As mentioned earlier in this white paper, Microsoft's System Center Service Manager is designed to provide an organization with a single, integrated platform to support their IT Service Management (ITSM) and ITaaS environment. Through the use of automation, compliance, self-service portal, and standardization Service Manager can support the best practices found in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and the Microsoft Operations Framework. Service Manager also has built-in processes for Incident and Problem management, Change and Configuration management as well as Asset Lifecycle Management.