New AWS for Windows qwikLABS and New Training Page

Amazon Web Services (AWS) helps you build, scale, and manage Microsoft applications in the cloud quickly, easily, more securely, and cost-effectively. Customers get value in running Microsoft applications on AWS in a myriad of ways – from meeting compliance requirements, to improving their security posture, becoming more agile, and reducing costs, just to name a few. And they run all types of Microsoft applications, including new applications built with .NET and SQL Server; to corporate applications like SharePoint Server, Dynamics, and Exchange. There are several ways to integrate Windows applications in AWS with Active Directory.

AWS qwikLABS – Learning Quests

AWS has collaborated with qwikLABS to develop four Learning Quests about Windows areas of interest:

• Corporate Apps on AWS for Windows: Learn how to deploy Microsoft Exchange, Dynamics CRM and SharePoint on AWS
• Databases on AWS for Windows: Learn how to deploy and administer SQL Server databases running on Microsoft Windows Server in Amazon EC2 and Amazon RDS.
• SysAdmin on AWS for Windows: Learn how to leverage PowerShell, Storage Spaces and Microsoft System Center for AWS
• Programming Windows on AWS: Learn how to develop applications for AWS in Microsoft Visual Studio

Each Quest consists of about six hands-on labs taking about six to seven hours to complete. Some qwikLABS (e.g. AWS Tools for Windows PowerShell: Getting Started) are in more than one Quest, so you only have to take them once to get credit for them in each Quest.

We’re continuing to expand the list of Windows qwikLABS that are available, including these that were recently published:

• Import Windows Server and Bring Your Own License in Amazon EC2 – this lab shows you how to use Windows PowerShell to import a HyperV or VMware image, configure KMS and launch a Dedicated Host.
• Microsoft Skype Server on AWS: Getting Started – this lab builds a Skype Server applicable for a dev, test, or demo environment.
• Oracle Database on AWS for Windows: Getting Started – this lab installs a dev/test Oracle database and shows you how to import an on-premises database to AWS.
• Microsoft DirectAccess on AWS: Getting Started – learn how to setup DirectAccess, the powerful VPN built into Windows Server, with DNS in Amazon Route 53.

New Windows Training Page

Check out our new AWS for Windows Training page to help you navigate all the Learning Quests and qwikLABS on AWS for Windows topics. Please try our qwikLABS and give us feedback. Let us know any topics you’d like to see covered in the future: microsoft@amazon.com.