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Another plethora of news stories to share on this week’s AzUpdate show.  News includes: What’s new for IT Pros in Windows 10 version 20H2, Designing Azure Modular Datacenters, Azure AD provisioning updates that include attribute mapping and improved performance, newly announced plans for Microsoft to establish its first cloud region in Austria and as always, the Microsoft Learn module of the week.


 


 


What’s new for the System Administrator in Windows 10 version 20H2


The Windows team has been busy to say the least to further evolve Windows 10 to meet the demands of working remotely through the pandemic.  Officially referred to as the Windows 10 October 2020 update, devices running Windows 10 version 2004 will receive the update via an enablement package. As mentioned at Microsoft Ignite, a ton of new features have been added to address the management and security needs of IT Professionals.  Some of these features include:


 



More information surrounding a summary of some of the Windows 10 version 20H2 IT Pro enhancements can be found here: What’s new for IT pros in Windows 10, version 20H2


 


Microsoft Introduces the Azure Modular Datacenter


Microsoft has designed the Azure Modular Datacenter (MDC) for customers who need cloud computing capabilities in hybrid or challenging environments and remote areas. Scenarios requiring mobile command centers such as humanitarian assistance, mineral exploration, and other use cases requiring high intensity secure cloud computing can benefit from this offering. As in all hybrid offerings, this solution provides a path to migrate apps to Azure while still running workloads on-premises with low-latency connections to their own datacenter. Further details regarding this offering can be found here: Microsoft Azure Modular Datacenter


 


New Attribute Mapping and Improved Performance in Azure AD Provisioning


Several recent changes have been made to identity provisioning in Azure AD based on feedback provided by you.  These changes include:


 



  • Manage provisioning logs and receive alerts via Azure monitor

  • Map attributes between on-premises AD and Azure AD with ease

  • Significantly improved Azure AD connect sync performance 

  • On-demand user provisioning to Azure AD including SaaS apps


An overview of each change can be found here: New Azure AD Provisioning Changes


 


Microsoft announces plans to accelerate local innovation and growth in Austria by establishing its first Datacenter in the region


Microsoft will bring its global-scale and trusted cloud to Austria’s broad ecosystem of startups, SMBs, enterprises and government. The investment will also see a continued investment in new community resources to boost innovation and digital skilling for approximately 120,000 Austrians by 2024.  Additional details surrounding Microsoft’s latest datacenter investment can be seen here: Accelerating local innovation and growth in Austria


 


MS Learn Module of the Week


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Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates use a declarative code syntax


enable you to define the infrastructure requirements for your deployments. Treating your infrastructure as code enables better tracking of changes to your infrastructure requirements and makes your deployments more consistent and repeatable.  This MS Learn module will provide the foundations on harnessing this methodology. Complete the MS Learn module here: Deploy and manage resources in Azure by using ARM templates


 


Let us know in the comments below if there are any news items you would like to see covered in next week show. Az Update streams live every Friday so be sure to catch the next episode and join us in the live chat.


 


 

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.