System Center Advisor Merged into Azure Operational Insights

System Center Advisor has become part of Azure Operational Insights, which is currently in preview. Operational Insights is a Microsoft-hosted service that uses local agents to watch for errors or configuration problems with Internet-connected server installations and alerts administrators via a Web portal and e-mail. It can track on-premises servers and virtual machines (VMs) for log messages, changes, antimalware status, and updates, allowing administrators to watch their systems with minimal on-premises infrastructure. The service can also be used in conjunction with System Center Operations Manager 2012 R2. Operational Insights is likely to be generally available in mid-2015.

Checking Server Configurations and Status

Operational Insights includes a Microsoft-hosted online service and local agents. The agents are installed on physical servers or VMs so that Operational Insights can track them. Agents connect to the online service directly or through Operations Manager.

The local agents scan installed updates, event logs, and configuration settings on servers running Microsoft software. The information is uploaded to Microsoft and analyzed for conformance with Microsoft-recommended best practices. The service then returns recommendations and relevant Microsoft support articles, which can be accessed by an organization’s internal support staff or Microsoft support. Microsoft does not have access to any of the information gathered by Operational Insights (unless the customer provides the information to Microsoft support).