The big news that’s been making the rounds is that Microsoft has acquired BlueStripe Software.
If anything this should lead to enhancement to the visualisation side of SCOM, fingers crossed this will be in time for the release of v2016.
A question I’ve often posed regarding SCOM is, “Why do should we be using 3rd party utilities to perform certain functions?” and the one that comes up most frequently is scheduling maintenance mode.
Well it’s finally here and i’m not surprised to see it as the first feature cropping up in the community blogs, as it is exciting, we’re finally getting the ability to create maintenance mode schedules from inside the product.
You can find this feature under the administrators node in the console.
I for one am certainly looking forward to see what other surprises are in the System Center goodie bag, more to follow.
A new tool released by Microsoft to help with MP Authoring.
The Microsoft Platform Ready Test Tool for System Center 2012 R2 is designed to help test your Operations Manager Management Pack for compatibility and compliance to best practices. Use this tool to achieve Application Logo Certification for System Center and qualify testing status as part of the Microsoft Partner Network Competency program. The MPR Test Tool is a wizard style tool that implements technical requirements described in the Microsoft Platform Ready Test Requirements Criteria document. • More information about the System Center Application Logo Certification Program can be found at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=241671
Download here
Silect has released SP3 of their MP Author, the new version comes with a host of new features.
Product information page – here
Request a free download – here
New features:
Oktagonal, a company that specialises in infrastructure automation has released a Maintenance Mode scheduler tool for SCOM 2012.
Go here for additional information and pricing. A 30 day trial is also available.
Features:
I particularly like the ability to convert the tech heavy SCOM object names into easy to identify object names and the ability to restrict who can schedule maintenance for which object without requiring console access and we all know how useful auditing is when it comes to maintenance mode.
Definitely a useful tool, I look forward to seeing later iterations.
The Maintenance mode scheduler tool written by Tim McFadden has been updated to version 4.
Here are the new features:
More information is available here
I came across a great article on TechNet which is essentially a compilation of useful SCOM information, it includes everything from the basics and key concepts, to deployment guidelines and information on how to configure and use different features.
This is definitely one to keep in your favorites
Go here for the full article
Silect has released the SP1 version of their MP Author tool.
It is a free product which enables wizard driven management pack authoring which means you no longer have to be a developer to create a Management Pack.
Go to http://www.silect.com/mp-author for more information.
“Complex. Multi-layered. Too many unnecessary rules and monitors. Applications without management packs. We get it. But you don’t have to be a developer anymore to build your own System Center Operations Manager management packs (MPs). With MP Author you get to be the author, designer and the developer. Our intuitive and intelligent wizard-driven designer lets you build completely new MPs or even customize existing MPs for single or distributed applications—without needing XML skills. And best of all, it’s FREE.” – Silect
A new web based maintenance mode tool has been released by Tim McFadden and is available for purchase here (with a 30 day free trial)
From the site “The new web based scheduler simplifies the process of scheduling maintenance mode for SCOM administrators and IT staff. You can easily schedule a computer group or any object to maintenance mode in seconds.”
The tool looks very polished and comprised a web based interface as well as a windows 8 app. There is also a really nice feature included which allows a shortcut to be placed on any server desktop which when used will place that specific server into maintenance, now that’s cool.
Cost:
Site License with one year free updates $99
Site License with two years free updates $149
We’re all familiar with the Maintenance mode tool created by Ryan Andorfer, well Stefan Roth has created a utility for SCOM 2012 using the same look and feel. Well done Stephan.
I do need to note that this utility comes with a disclaimer to use at your own risk.
I’ve included the tool below, if you run into any issues or unexpected results the utility page is here leave Stephan a comment so he is aware of it.