AZ-303 Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies

A newer version of Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-303) will be available from  AZ-303 will be available on 28th April and the current exam AZ-300 will retire on 28th July 2020.

Refer here for more details.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/az-300#certification-exams

Windows Custom Image Creation in Azure

If you had already created a Virtual Machine in Azure, you might be aware that Azure Marketplace Images are used to deploy OS (Windows/Linux). What if you need custom Images (Templates in VMware World) with tools and applications that your Organization or Department use. 

Below are steps to create a Custom Image in Azure:

1. Spin up Virtual Machine using Azure Market Place Image.​
2. Install all the latest patches and service packs (Most of the time it is up to date)​
3. Install all the required Applications and Application Patches.​
4. Harden the server.​
5. Run Sysprep with Generalized and Shutdown the machine.​
6. Convert prepared VM into an image by using the Capture option.​
7. Deploy VMS using the image created.​

The Installation of CDF 64 bit has failed. Setup will exit now (Error PVS 7.15 Target device Installation)

Installation PVS Target device software component on PVS Image after installing VDA Agent you will see below error message,  this is because VDA installation got CDF (Citrix Diagnostics Facility). Below are two fixes available.

1) Uninstall CDF (Only CDF) using CDF cdf_x64.msi which comes with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops ISO (F:\x64\Virtual Desktop Components\cdf_x64.msi). Reboot the machine and install your PVS Target Device Software. In this approach, the Target Device software installation may through error (Installation Failed) of  CDF that can be discarded.

2) Another way of getting rid of this issue is to remove the VDA (From Add/Remove Programs) and reinstall it after installing PVS Target device software installation.