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August 2024 Newsletter

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What’s the Buzz at eGroup Enabling Technologies?

Following the Broadcom acquisition, VMware transitioned from perpetual licensing to a subscription model in December 2023. Since then, we have seen some customer’s renewals increase 2-3 times the amount of their last renewal. Check out the following resources to better understand your options and help you choose the best path forward for your organization:

On-Demand Webinar: 

– VMware Renewals – Evaluating Options to Make Informed Decisions

Blog Posts:

– How to Handle Hypervisor Disruption

– Navigating the VMware License Increase

– Cloud-First vs On-Premises Computing: Contrasting Views

– Azure VMware (AVS) vs Data Center/Azure Native

What’s New in the Hybrid Data Center?

Cisco

  • The recommended code for NX-OS has been updated, with 10.3(5) becoming the current recommended maintenance release. 
  • Cisco Umbrella for Government achieves FedRAMP “Authority to Operate,” bringing DNS threat intelligence and Protective DNS to customers requiring FedRAMP.   

Cohesity

  • Maintenance and Security patches were recently released for both 6.8.2 and 7.1.2 U1, including both Security/CVE and product patches.   
    • On-Prem customers: 
      Customers running 6.8.1_u4 and earlier software versions MUST upgrade to 6.8.1_u7 software version prior to 6.8.1_p17/6.8.1_p17s1 and later patch application 
    • Oracle Adapter Customers: 
      Oracle Adapter customers with Replication configured are advised not to apply patch 6.8.2_u1p20240709 to your cluster at this time. Please await the release of the next patch for the 6.8.2 branch. 
  • Check out this solid article from Cohesity on their approach to backing up EPIC systems, with a multi-faceted approach to the different modules, focusing on Cache, Clarity and Caboodle, and other EPIC sources. Cohesity’s ability to backup the EPIC Cache database using MegaFile helps dramatically decrease backup times and speed up recovery!

Nerdio

  • Making its inaugural appearance in the Hybrid Data Center newsletter is Nerdio! A must-have addition to any AVD deployment, don’t miss Nerdio’s great features to extend and optimize AVD. 
  • Starting with release 6.2.1, Nerdio now supports downgrading the FSLogix agent, which wasn’t previously possible, extending the feature released in 6.2.0, which allowed for FSLogix version management, giving administrators the ability to select the desired version. 
  • In preview now with 6.3.0, Nerdio is bringing AVD Mult Entra ID Support, allowing the ability to link multiple Entra ID tenants to an AVD host pool, as well as an offline mode and greater insights into auto-scale and capacity reservations. 

Nutanix

  • Customers with G9 (and some G8) nodes should be aware that LCM has a bug that does not show any available updates for Redfish modules. This will be fixed in an upcoming release of LCM, but for now, follow KB-15172 to upgrade the BMC and BIOS to recommended versions manually. 
  • Nutanix Files 5.0.0.2 was also released; while only a maintenance release, it does remediate issues that have impacted performance on certain workloads. 
  • It’s great to see Nutanix really diving into the AI world, leveraging NC2 and Nutanix Files to integrate with Azure OpenAI. Check out the video showing Nutanix Files and Data Factory in Azure here. 

Pure Storage

  • Security incidents always hold a dark cloud over operations, and ensuring organizations have disaster recovery capabilities available in their time of need, Pure continues to expand on the Pure Protect / DRaaS capabilities with clean room and isolated environments—bringing confidence to secured data!   
  • Over the last few weeks, many organizations have suffered from outages that had widespread impacts, from Microsoft Azure and M365 outages, to CrowdStrike to highlight the big ones. While measuring downtime in dollars lost to the organization is important, Pure highlights some of the hidden costs of downtime and disruption—don’t miss this read! 

VMware

  • Still in Technical preview, vSphere 8.0 U3 now allows for NVMe tiering to leverage onboard NVMe devices as tiered memory. This now helps extend the performance of nodes by using NVMe devices to add additional memory to a host.  
  • With lots of questions about Broadcom’s direction, Azure VMware Solution (AVS) is getting traction. Check out info from Microsoft, including licensing portability and locked-in pricing. Our Field CTOs wrote a recent blog post about the options as well. 

Windows Server

  • Starting October 15, 2024, the Enforced by Default phase of Kerberos PAC signature validation mitigation begins. Updates released on or after this date will move all Windows domain controllers and clients in the environment to Enforced mode, enforcing the secure behavior by default. Note that during this phase, the Enforced by Default settings can be reverted to Compatibility mode by an Administrator. 
  • Windows Server 2025 preview is now available, providing advanced security, performance increases, and modernized experiences. 

Zerto

  • Hot off the press is Zerto 10.0 U5, which brings some nice enhancements to both on-premises and Azure/AWS deployments to simplify deployments using code. With U5, site settings are now configurable as code and via the Management Console REST API, allowing for consistent settings and maintaining configuration drift. 
  • Also, new with U5 is the addition of the Linux-based ZVM to Azure VMware Solution deployments, which now have consistent deployments across all environments! 

What’s New with Microsoft?

Azure

  • The existing Azure Support offer has been discontinued. Customers who do not already have a paid support plan (eGroup Enabling Technologies’ Managed Services, Microsoft Unified, ProDirect support, etc.) will need to purchase a support plan if they wish to maintain technical support coverage.  
  • Lifecycle management rules in Blob Storage and Data Lake Storage now provide more control over returning rehydrated objects back to archive tier with support for daysAfterLastTierChangeGreaterThan. 
  • Vaulted backup for Azure Blob Storage, now generally available, can help you comprehensively protect your data in Azure Blob Storage against data loss. 
  • A new VM disk capability, Azure Premium SSD V2 feature allows you to change your existing Standard SSD/HDD, or Premium SSD V1 disks to PV2 disks in a few clicks. This avoids disk destruction, eliminates the need to use snapshots as a staging resource, and doesn’t require background data copying. 
  • Azure Monitor Basic Logs plan now extends the included interactive retention period from 8 days to 30 days, and allows full KQL on a single table and lookup of additional data in Analytics tables. 
  • Azure Monitor now supports three plans—Analytics, Basic, and the new Auxiliary plan. Auxiliary Logs are verbose logs that can be stored inexpensively. All logs can be retained in one place, cost effectively. 
  • EDU Customers: Azure Lab Services will be retired on June 28, 2027. 
  • ExpressRoute Traffic Collector can now be enabled on ExpressRoute provider circuits, and support is now available for ExpressRoute FastPath V-net peering and User Defined Routes (UDR) connectivity. 
  • Azure Virtual Network Manager mesh and direct connectivity enables a group of virtual networks to directly communicate to each other without an additional hop, reducing latency and management. 
  • Azure Cost Management will provide more details in estimations and in visualizing actuals.  See details.  

Copilot for Microsoft 365

  • Outlook mobile will include Copilot features by default for users with a Copilot license, by early September. The Copilot button will appear next to Mail and Calendar, or in the Apps section. 
  • A ‘scheduled prompts’ feature for Copilot in M365 automates Copilot prompts at set times. It requires a Copilot license and a Standard Power Automate license by October 2024. Admins manage via the Optional Connected Experiences admin setting. 

Defender XDR

  • If you’re burdened with independently managing permissions of different security tools, Unified RBAC for Defender is going to be a relief! See Microsoft Defender XDR Unified role-based access control (RBAC). 
  • Defender for Identity will introduce new recommendations to Microsoft Secure Score. These recommendations include Azure SSO account configurations and actions for Entra Connect accounts.  
  • Look for an enhanced session control app onboarding experience for Defender for Cloud Apps, with GA in mid-August. This update automates the application of session and access policies, eliminating manual onboarding and allowing direct selection from the Entra catalog. 
  • Classic Outlook for Windows will integrate new reporting buttons, allowing users to report emails as phishing, junk, or not junk. Admins can customize these buttons and actions via the Defender portal. 

Edge for Business

  • Edge will change its hardware requirements, no longer supporting devices without SSE3 starting from version 128. By the end of August 2024, devices need to be upgraded to continue receiving updates.

Entra ID

  • Microsoft Entra Suite, the industry’s most comprehensive secure access solution for the workforce is available, as is Microsoft Sentinel within the Microsoft Unified security operations platform, which delivers unified threat protection and posture management. 
  • The Insider Risk condition, in Conditional Access, is a new feature using signals from Purview’s Adaptive Protection capability. If Purview detects unusual activity from a user, Conditional Access can enforce extra security measures such as requiring MFA or blocking access. This is an Entra P2 feature.  
  • The Attacker in the Middle detection is now GA for users in Identity Protection (P2 feature). This high precision detection will be triggered on a user account that has been compromised by an adversary that has intercepted the user’s credentials. It’ll include tokens that were issued to the user. The High risk will trigger the configured Conditional Access policy. 

Excel

  • Python in Excel will be generally available by October, offering Python formulas in Excel for Windows users. It includes standard compute and a self-purchase option for premium compute. 

Exchange Online

  • Starting October 1, 2024, Microsoft will enable IPv6 for Accepted Domains in Exchange Online for security and performance. Organizations should update network allow-lists to include Exchange Online IPv6 endpoints. Opt-out details will be provided in September for those needing to remain IPv4-Only. 
  • Exchange is updating to support inbound SMTP DANE with DNSSEC by late October. This will be off by default and can be enabled using Exchange PowerShell. There are specific supported and unsupported domain configurations to consider. Read more about it here.  
  • Exchange admin center has new troubleshooting workflows to help resolve common issues. Admins will be able to access the new Troubleshoot option on the left navigation of the Exchange admin center. The new workflows gather logs and data to provide relevant information. 

Intune

  • Cloud-managed devices are getting a boost with features in the areas of AI, automation, and reach. Adopting a “growth mindset” on how routine maintenance will continue to be automated is critical for future success.  Leverage a pilot today to incrementally roll out these capabilities. Read more here. 
  • Admins can offer MacOS users downloads of unmanaged applications (in PKG and DMG format) via the Intune Company Portal app. More info at unmanaged PKG apps and LOB DMG apps. 
  • Now in public preview, administrators can ask Copilot for device data. If the question can be answered with device query, Copilot will generate a KQL string that can be pasted into Intune Advanced Analytics to get the answer without admins needing knowledge of KQL. 
  • In October, Intune will only support Android 10 and later for user-based management methods. Devices on Android 9 or earlier will not receive technical support, bug fixes, or guaranteed feature functionality.  

Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center Planner

  • Starting August 30, 2024, the ‘Send Password in Email’ feature will be retired from the Microsoft 365 admin center. Admins should use the ‘Print’ option to securely share user account details. 
  • Microsoft Teams’ Office 365 Connectors are retiring, with new connector creation blocked. Existing connectors will function until December 2025, but require a URL update by December 31, 2024. Users are advised to migrate to alternatives like Power Automate or Microsoft Graph. 
  • Microsoft 365 admins will receive notifications for self-service purchases made by users. This feature provides awareness, actionable insights, and is on by default. Admins can manage or cancel subscriptions and should familiarize themselves with the self-service purchase FAQ and policy.  

OneDrive

  • OneDrive will update storage policies for unlicensed (business and enterprise) accounts in early 2025. Unlicensed accounts over 90 days will be archived and inaccessible to users but visible to admins. Actions include archiving, deletion, or renewal. Education tenants are currently exempt. 

Outlook (New)

  • The new Microsoft Outlook for Windows went GA on August 1st for commercial accounts. 

Outlook Mobile

  • Heads up to ensure iPhones continue to work with Outlook Mobile. Once iOS 18 (in beta) is released to GA, Apple will stop supporting iOS 16, and Outlook for iOS app will require iOS 17 at minimum. 
  • Outlook mobile apps will soon allow sign-in via QR code, rolling out by mid-November. This feature will be on by default but can be disabled by admins. 
  • The Dictation feature in Microsoft Outlook for iOS and Android will be retired in September. 

Power Apps

  • A public preview of coauthoring within Canvas Designer is coming, allowing multiple makers the ability to author and edit the same canvas app in real time. GA is end of 2024.  
  • You can undo and redo while you build cloud flows in the designer feature. You can now build flows with Copilot, or otherwise experiment, knowing that you can undo any of your actions. 

Purview Information Protection

  • Data Loss Prevention for Mac devices will now include OCR to detect sensitive content in images. Users with specific roles can configure OCR settings in the Purview portal. Charges apply for OCR usage. 
  • By October 2024, there will be a tenant-wide Hold Report in eDiscovery (Premium) to provide information on all hold policies for eDiscovery cases. Access it under the ‘Reports’ tab. 
  • Purview DLP on Windows devices will support over 100 file types by November, including sensitive content in metadata, PDF form fields, and files within Office files. No existing policy changes needed. 
  • Four new Purview DLP predicates for Exchange are introduced, enabling detection of unlabeled messages and attachments, and content containing specific sensitive information types or labels.  
  • By late October, Purview (Communication Compliance) will release a feature enabling Viva Engage (Yammer) users to report policy-violating posts and comments. 
  • New roles for accessing Purview AI Hub will be available for Microsoft E5 or Compliance E5 license holders. The Purview Compliance Administrator and Purview Security Reader roles will come in November.  

SharePoint

  • The Lists app will soon introduce a drag and drop feature to reorder list items, with rollout phases starting in August 2024. This feature will be on by default and requires no admin action prior to rollout.  
  • Copilot is being integrated into SharePoint’s Rich Text Editor, enabling content authoring assistance. 

Stream

  • By late September, people can record and insert Stream video recordings in Outlook on the web and the new Outlook. If the policy is enabled or not configured, users can record themselves and/or their screen. If the policy is disabled, users can’t record videos within supported M365 applications. 

Teams

  • Teams will soon bring Power Automate Workflows for files shared in Teams chat or channels to the 3-dot menu. Users select the 3-dot menu on such files, then choose Workflows to configure and run. 
  • A new ‘Workflow builder’ feature will allow users to describe the automation they need, which will then generate a matching workflow. The rollout will be completed by mid-October. 
  • Classic Microsoft Teams for Mac will be automatically removed in early August and will occur after users update to the latest version of new Teams. No admin action is required for the uninstallation. 

Teams Chat and Channels

  • Team owners can rename the General channel by late September. 
  • The “Files” tab in Teams Chat will be renamed to “Shared” and will include files, links, and upcoming features like image previews and keyword search. Rollout will complete by late September 2024. 

Teams Meetings

  • Town Hall events will soon allow organizers, presenters, and external presenters to engage in private chats before, during, and after their virtual events. 
  • Teams will require explicit consent from participants for transcription during meetings if admins turn on the ‘get recording and transcription consent’ policy. If it is, participants who do not consent cannot unmute, turn on their camera, or share content during the meeting. Roadmap ID 389368. 

Teams Phone

  • By September 30, 2024, call queues will be switched from Transfer to Conference mode for faster connections. Organizations should update their Call queues in the Teams admin center to use these improvements. 
  • Teams app update 1449/1.0.94.2024071104 offers new features like explicit consent for recording, rich call history, enhanced call transfer, simplified contact management, and a private line feature. Update! 

Teams Admin

  • Global admins will be able to assign several roles to Administrative Units, allowing delegates to manage only the users and groups assigned to the specific AU. 
  • Updates for Android-based Microsoft Teams devices will be more flexible, allowing for stand-alone app updates. Rollouts start in August and will enable updates via the Teams admin center for individual components like Microsoft Intune and Authenticator, with automatic updates for certain apps. 

Teams Premium

  • The new Queues app for Microsoft Teams will complete by late October. Teams Premium users can access real-time statistics, historical reporting, and improved call handling features.  
  • For people with Premium (or Copilot) licenses, Outlook will integrate AI-Powered Intelligent Recap feature from Microsoft Teams, allowing users to access AI-generated meeting notes and tasks directly from the Outlook calendar.  
  • The Teams Premium feature usage report will be available in the Teams admin center, providing insights into user benefits and feature utilization. It will roll out in August. 

Viva

  • Viva Engage will soon introduce a new community to support the adoption of Copilot for Microsoft 365, offering features like one-click community creation and a setup checklist. 
  • Viva Connections is now available on the web with the same functionalities as in Teams.  
  • Starting September 1st, Microsoft will retire the Feed for Viva Connections web part and Video news link.

Windows

  • On October 8, 2024, Windows 11, version 21H2 (Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise will go out of service.

Conclusion

If any of these updates or changes pose as a challenge for your team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We will be happy to work with you to navigate these changes. Feel free to fill out the form below to get in contact with our team.

We Want to Hear From You!

Like any good partner, we’re listening! Since the latest advancements and announcements are coming in quickly, we’ve separated the list into subcategories below. Let us know what you’d like to see more of! 

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