System Center 2012 with SP1 is now available for MSDN and TechNet Subscribers.

“What’s new with Service Pack 1, Kevin?”

I’m so glad you asked.  Check out the “What’s New in System Center 2012 SP1” page for all the details.  But in a nutshell, SP1 adds capabilities to fully manage the new functionality that is in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. 

“Like what?”

Well, for example, Network Virtualization (which our team blogged about during our “31 Days of our Favorite Things” series this past October).  The idea is that, like virtual machines, a virtual network (that is, a defined subnet that allows computers to communicate with one another) can be defined that allows you maintain networks of computers that reside in many different physical locations and still maintain their network configurations.  Or place them on physical infrastructures without concern for the other “networks” that use the same wire, because they will never be able to see each other. 

SP1 for System Center 2012 updates Virtual Machine Manager to include support for creating and managing virtual machine networks. 

“What if I don’t have a TechNet or MSDN Subscription?  Can I get it to evaluate?”

I’m sure they will be releasing an evaluation version.  Keep watching this link: http://aka.ms/PvtCld (just think Private Cloud)