Microsoft has released a new version of System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 for evaluation.  SCVMM 2008 is a piece of software that provides a management solution for virtualized environments.  Not only can you manage Hyper-V from SCVMM, but you can also manage other virtual hosts across multiple platforms.  This product lets you truly have a centralized management of your virtual IT infrastructure.

Microsoft Download Link
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=ED012990-6E86-4B43-9842-DA5C02FF1C83&displaylang=en#Overview

Microsoft has posted information on a beta version of Exam 70-403.  The test is on System Center Virtual Machine Manger 2008.  The main purpose of the exam is to validate that you know how to configure and administrate system center virtual machine manager.  Below are the list of skills that are being measured.  Currently the only training that is available is hands on training.

• Installing SCVMM
• Administrating SCVMM
• Maintaining and Monitoring VMs
• Deploying and Migrating VMs

Microsoft Learning Website
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exams/70-403.aspx

Virtual machine manager 2008 has been out in beta for a decent amount of time.  I have been working closely with it over the past couple of weeks.  One of the things that had me stumped is what Microsoft used for a refresh rate for the stats that virtual machine manager reports on.  Thankfully Cheng Wei took some time to write about the refresh rates in virtual machine manager.  You can find the post by following the link below.

Cheng Wei - All about the refreshers
http://blogs.technet.com/chengw/archive/2008/10/01/all-about-refreshers.aspx