- System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 FAQs
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I thought I would share some Q and A now that we have R2 at RTM.
Q: Is the OpsMgr 2007 agent supported on Server 2008 SP2, Win7 client and Server 2008 R2 (Win7 Server)?
Answer: As of November 2008 Server 2008 SP2, Win7 client and Server 2008 R2 (Win7 Server) are supported by OpsMgr 2007 SP1 and R2.
Q: Is the MOM 2005 agent supported on Server 2008 SP2, Win7 client and Server 2008 R2 (Win7 Server)?
Answer: The MOM 2005 agent is supported on Server 2008 SP2. There are no plans to support the MOM 2005 agent on Win7 client or Server 2008 R2.
Q: Will Management Packs work on Server 2008 SP1, Win7 client and Server 2008 R2?
Answer:
For Server 2008 SP2: No management pack updates should be required for support of Server 2008 SP2 – Just install an agent and you’re up and running.
For Win7 client and Server 2008 R2 (Win7 Server): Many management packs require updates to support Win7.
Q: Are there known issues?
Answer:
For Server 2008 SP2, if you are running OpsMgr 2007 R2 then there are no known issues at this time. If you are running OpsMgr 2007 SP1 then the OpsMgr infrastructure still needs to be patched as detailed at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953141. The OS level patches are no longer needed as those fixes are built into Server 2008 SP2.
- Live Mesh
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Live Mesh is a way to link data across several devices using a virtual desktop hosted on the web.
So, if you have a laptop, a PC at home and another one in the office, you can share data, through a Desktop, across all the machines. In addition, your ‘mesh’ will be able to include a Windows Mobile device and a Mac.
As well as data, you can even access a machine on your ‘mesh’ in much the same way as using Remote Desktop.
In this view I have used the internet to connect to a machine in the office. This view can be maximised to take full advantage of the resolution of the target machine.
In part, this particular scenario was made possible by DirectAccess which allowed me to seamlessly connect to the office network without having to establish a VPN. More on that another time.
- Windows 7
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It’s been interesting to see the reaction of the public and the IT community to Windows 7. Users love it and say how fast it is and how pretty it looks. IT Pros like it because it’s more reliable and more secure. However, they all seem united in their dislike of Vista which is a shame as, without Vista, there wouldn’t be Windows 7.
Take Bitlocker for instance. In Vista we had 
the opportunity to protect data on laptops (for instance) by encrypting the whole disk. Admittedly it could be a bit fiddly but this is now a lot easier in ‘7’. In addition, we can now protect USB sticks and the like with Bitlocker by simply right-clicking in the Explorer window – this is known as BitlockerToGo and you supply the passphrase when you read the USB stick on anything from XP SP3 on up.
I watched click at the weekend and they reviewed it very favourably. An IT journalist couldn’t resist comparing it to Linux and Mac but even he had nothing bad to say about it. The fact is Windows 7 is fast, easy to use and makes using your PC fun again.
More soon and be sure to check out the Technet Virtual Conference on June 19th to hear more about Windows 7, Server 2008 R2 and other great technologies.
- Operations Manager 2007 R2 hits RTM
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Late yesterday the RTM of Operations Manager 2007 R2 was approved, which immediately initiated the next stage of the process ... getting this latest version of Microsoft's end-to-end monitoring product for IT environments and datacenters out to YOU! Read more in our overview whitepaper, What's New datasheet, or download the trial, and see customer stories and more information on our pages on Microsoft.com and TechNet.
The trial version of Operations Manager 2007 R2 RTM (build 7221) is now available via the Microsoft Download Center. General Availability of the product will be 1st July 2009, at which point new and existing customers will be able to obtain the bits from their respective customer download centers, such as MVLS.
In addition to the updated product documentation, our overview whitepaper, and what's new datasheet, newly released collateral includes a number of new datasheets that include:
Some of you have also have the opportunity to try our new hands on labs at our MMS and TechEd events this year, which cover topics such as installation, introduction, management pack authoring, and more. We're busily upgrading these with the RTM bits, and they will be available for you to use via the TechNet Online virtual labs next month (June).
In addition to downloading the trial (or if you're waiting for the upgrade or full product bits to arrive in your customer portal):
- Technet Virtual Conference-June 19 2009
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We’re pleased to announce the launch of the very first TechNet Virtual Conference taking place on 19 June 2009.
You told us that time and budget pressures make attending in person events difficult – so to help both you and the environment we decided to take the TechNet Conference virtual. Now you and your colleagues can join us to get a flavour of some key Microsoft technologies from the comfort of your own desks.
The Technology sessions, selected by the readers of the UK TechNet Flash, feature key products including:
| • | Windows 7 – Deployment and Management | | • | Windows Server 2008 R2 - 10 things to make life easier for IT Pros | | • | An overview of Office Communications Server R2 and voice capabilities | | • | The trials and tribulations of SharePoint implementation | | | | |
We are also really pleased to announce an exclusive Keynote featuring Mark Russinovich, Microsoft Technical Fellow specialising in the Windows platform.
And that’s not the only difference this year. In addition to Microsoft technology news and product overviews from the experts, the TechNet Virtual Conference will also feature a second auditorium focused on IT Management, including:
| • | How IT will change over the next 10 years and why you should care - an exclusive session delivered at TechEd EMEA | | • | Growing the Business and Managing Costs at Microsoft – An Insider’s View, presented by Asif Jinnah, IT Manager, Microsoft UK | | | | |
Be sure to get the most out of your day by getting involved and asking our speakers questions via live chat. But if you can’t make it on the day, all the content will be available after June 19th for you to watch on demand.
The conference goes live on Friday June 19th. You can view the full agenda and register here www.microsoft.com/uk/technet/govirtual
Competition – Enter the free prize draw to win one of 500 goody bags, which is a snazzy laptop bag with some great event swag, terms and conditions apply.
I will be available on the day to answer your questions on Windows 7 so I look forward to seeing you there.
![clip_image002[7]](http://blogs.technet.com/blogfiles/andrewdr/WindowsLiveWriter/TechnetVirtualConferenceJune192009_9DEE/clip_image002%5B7%5D_3.jpg "clip_image002[7]")
- System Center-It’s all about Control
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This may seem like a strange question to be asking but I think it is valid. Management is vital to any organisation wanting to achieve optimum efficiency and performance and if you look at Virtualization … Well, having effective management is a ‘no-brainer’.
I have recorded a video to try and explain the overall concept of System Center, specifically the four products we now refer to the Server Management Suite for the Enterprise. I will be posting more videos to talk about the individual products and their capabilities.
- Become a System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2007 Hero
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We have now launched a new readiness campaign in the UK aimed at educating and creating awareness around the System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 (DPM) solution and related business opportunities. Participants become a Data Protection Hero (DPH) by educating themselves on the DPM solution and how they can take that business opportunity to customers. System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 delivers the following expanded services:
- Protection of Hyper-V virtualization platforms
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- Enhanced SQL Server 2008 protection
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- Index protection, catalog optimization, and support for mirrored content databases running in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
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- Added protection for Exchange Server 2007 Standby Cluster Replication (SCR).
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For more information please visit: What’s new in DPM SP1 resource page
http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/dataprotectionmanager/en/us/whats-new.aspx
What are the requirements to participate in the DPH campaign?
The DPH campaign is open to all members of the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) and for all levels – registered, certified and gold in qualifying geographies. However to win one of the campaign prizes, you must be eligible under and comply with the DPH Challenge Official Rules http://microsoft.mrmpslc.com/dpmassessmenttool/rules.aspx
Which MSPP partners can participate?
If you are an MSPP member, you can participate. The DPH campaign is of most interest to MSPP partners that focus on backup and recovery or re-sell existing Microsoft applications such as – SQL Server, SharePoint, Exchange, Windows Server and Essential Business Server (EBS). DPM provides an excellent attach story for partners to increase their business opportunities and complement their sales motion by expanding on customer requirements around backup and recovery and protecting Microsoft applications.
How does it work? What do participants need to do?
There are several ways to get to the DPM Partner Hero site:
1. The primary way is to go directly to the site is: http://www.dpmpartner.com then select a geography to start. 2.
2. For those who access the IT Pro site that we have: www.dpmheroes.com , they can also follow the DPM Partner Hero link to the DPH site.
3. Members of the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) can access the DPH site link from the MSPP DPM product web page at http://partner.microsoft.com/DPM. The link will direct them towards http://www.dpmpartner.com and from there partners will need to select their geography to begin.
From the DPH Site, an MSPP participant will have to log-on to the site using their MSPP/Windows Live ID and follow the two step process.
Step 1: View Video – DPM 2007 Partner Overview video for Channel Partners (duration 38 minutes). The video discusses DPM 2007 overview, licensing models, sales motion and business opportunity.
Step 2: Take the assessment. This assessment test will cover 10 questions and passing score is 8 or 80%.
Once an eligible MSPP partner participant passes the assessment – they qualify to be a DPM Partner Hero. In the event that a partner does not pass the test – correct answers are reflected back and the option to re-take the test is given. The questions are randomized so the next set of questions will be different.
What do qualified DPH participants receive? Why should they become a DPH?
As part of the campaign and subject to the DPH campaign Official Rules,
http://microsoft.mrmpslc.com/dpmassessmenttool/rules.aspx ), MSPP partners (limit one per entity) who qualify for DPH will receive a free DPM 2007 License (1 DPM 2007 Server and 1 Enterprise Management License). Typically, our campaigns offer promotional copies. However, for this campaign the DPM 2007 Server with one Enterprise Management License is not promotional which means that it is not limited to evaluation and is not labeled as “Not for Resale”. Subject to your employer’s policies and applicable laws, you have the option of including the DPM you receive in one of your sales opportunities. It is up to you.
As a bonus, for every qualified MSPP partner (see DPH campaign Official Rules
http://microsoft.mrmpslc.com/dpmassessmenttool/rules.aspx )that passes the assessment test, their name is put into a random monthly drawing for a Samsung SPF-83V digital picture frame. The SPF-83V can play video, audio, and MP3 music. It also uses Wi-Fi to sync and update new pictures using Windows Live Space.
How many DPM 2007 licenses can a DPH win?
Only one DPH per entity can win a free DPM 2007 Server and Enterprise License. However, there is no limit on the number of DPHs per entity that can win a Samsung SPF-83V digital picture frame.
When will DPH campaign be available? Where do MSPP partners go to become a DPH? For Worldwide MSPP partners – the global site (English only) will be available January 15, 2009 to June 30, 2009.
Data Protection Manager Partner Hero (DPH): http://www.dpmpartner.com
Questions? Email: dpmhero@microsoft.com
- Missing mail
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So there I am, trying to rationalise my Inbox. Now, as many of you will know, rationalise is often a euphemism for delete but, in this case, I was simply trying to sort things in a “woods over here, trees over here” kind of way.
- Open Outlook 2007 and click on Inbox
- Select all messages
- Right-click and select ‘move to folder…’
- In the dialog box click on New and create a new folder under the root of your mail (I called mine oldmail)
- Click OK and then click OK again
- Realise that somehow you changed the destination to the root
- Find that Undo does not do it for you
- Ponder …..
I know the name of one of the items contained ‘#99’ in the title so I searched all mail and found it – the smart label said it was in a folder called ‘IPM_SUBTREE’. This is a hidden folder so there was no way I could access it. Or was there?
This is the Search Bar 
as seen normally. Just to the right of the drop down box are two arrows. click on them and you get an expanded dialog box.
As long as you include the folder ‘IPM_SUBTREE’, you can find what you need.
I searched by the date and found all the mails I had moved.
- Windows 7 all the rage at BETT 2009
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Everybody wants to see it and everybody who does loves it. That’s the overwhelming message from BETT 2009. As the world’s largest education technology exhibition it is a great showcase for vendors to show off their products. BETT is still on until Saturday 17th of January.
Windows 7 offers a fast, intuitive and, frankly, fun way to use your PC. Tim Sneath (director of the Windows and Silverlight technical evangelism team) has written about some of the ‘secrets’ in W7, as has Brandon Paddock from the Explorer team. Certainly from a user’s perspective it is a great experience.
Jump lists provide a great way to keep track of items you have worked with. For instance click on the Word icon on the taskbar (the new place to anchor frequently used programs) and see the most recently used folders.
The way programs can be anchored to the taskbar provides an quick and intuitive way to access them as you can see here.
We had a huge range of questions about Microsoft products as far back as Windows 98. One scenario a partner had was around live collaboration. Sounded like a case for Live Meeting so Eileen Brown and myself set it up on the fly, installed everything from scratch and hep presto. Gratifying when the response is “That’s just what I need. Where can I get it?”
The Microsoft Surface demo was a lways busy. Check out the videos online and you will be hooked.
- Microsoft Research songsmith
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You have got to download this . I was put onto it by Eileen Brown who has also written about it. Basically, sing any song you like and songsmith puts a backing track in a style to match your voice. You can also choose various styles and do some recording - download it now.
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- Webcast - Managing SharePoint with System Center
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| Microsoft System Center helps IT take control of the unmanaged growth of SharePoint throughout their enterprise by offering knowledge-based solutions to effectively ensure a reliable SharePoint experience with System Center end-to-end monitoring which proactively assures services availability – up to 99.94 percent. System Center’s data protection and recovery can limit the window of liability for data loss by 98 percent for your SharePoint environments. Tune in to this webcast on Thursday, January 22nd, 2009, from 9-10am PST and listen to a partner discuss his experience covering: · Key trends that are driving customer behaviour · Solutions that you can provide to address these pains · Common sales scenarios and best practice strategy to sell across the organization · Sales tools to help you identify and close deals Presenters: Doug Miller – Microsoft Practice Architect for CDW’s Microsoft Monitoring and Management Practice Kelly Wagman – Microsoft Senior Product Marketing Manager
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
This 200-level webcast is intended for the all partners who are deploying SharePoint. The session will be conducted via LiveMeeting and will be available on-demand after the event. There is no cost to attend this event. |
- Lenovo – 8GB of RAM and still no smoke …
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Well, after reading Keith Combs blog I was encouraged to find suitable RAM myself, hopefully without having to sell vital parts of my anatomy to fund it. I found just the place here and purchased 2 4GB chips.
The difference has been incredible. Just being able to allocate 2GB of RAM to a virtual machine without having to do a “wonder what else I have to turn off” exercise has been great. To enhance the overall experience further I bought a 320GB SATA HDD to replace the standard 80GB one (come on Lenovo – what were you thinking?).
I am building a demo environment to show off System Center and Forefront. I will update this with more details on the build and its progress as soon as I can.
- Long Time No See …
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It has been a while since I blogged anything, in particular, anything to do with System Center and Forefront, which is kind of the point of this blog. So, this is a heads-up that there will be more coming soon, such as;
- Deployment with SCCM
- Management Packs are your friends
- DPM – what’s all the fuss about?
- Virtualization – what you need to know
Watch this space. In the meantime, I am at TechReady7 and, whilst I can’t say too much about the technology, I can say it will be worth the wait. Come along for the ride and let’s get going!
- Licensing the Server Management Suite Enterprise (SMSE)
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This is an interesting and informative piece on the licensing discussed at MMS.
http://www.buit.org/2008/05/08/server-management-suite-enterprise-smse-call-licensing-model/
Not mentioned in this article are the required Server 200X Standard, Enterprise and Data center licenses. But when your are running a lot of VM’s take al look at the Data center value proposition with the unlimited amount Virtual Machine options!!!
So, a small recap to see if SMSE is the licensing for your organization:
- Your running a big number of virtual machines and want SCOM for monitoring
- Your using SCOM and SCCM to manage your complete environment, running some virtual machines
- Your using SCOM and SCCM to manage your complete environment and want to use DPM or VMM
- Your using DPM and SCCM, SCOM or VMM running some virtual machines
- You want to use SCOM and VMM
For more information visit the Microsoft System Center License Site and save yourselves some money.
- SCOM goes Cross-Platform
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On Tuesday 29th, at the Microsoft Management Summit Summit in Las Vegas, Bob Muglia announced the Operations Manager 2007 Cross Platform Extensions Beta (Ops Mgr Cross Plat) – more here http://blogs.technet.com/systemcenter/archive/2008/04/29/operations-manager-2007-goes-cross-platform.aspx
“What does mean? Well, with Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 Cross Platform Extensions Beta organizations can see how they will be able to extend the best-of-breed monitoring capabilities of Operations Manager 2007 to the HP-UX, Sun Solaris™, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server environments.
Some of the key benefits include:
- Improves service levels across Microsoft, Unix and Linux platforms.
- Enables administrators to more easily manage cross-platform environments.
- Accelerates incident resolution through expert knowledge issues and causes.
- Enables detailed heterogeneous performance analysis and reporting.
- Automates routine administration for non-Microsoft platforms
To help introduce you to this exciting new solution, we've created new resources and communities where you can learn more:
- Download the Cross Platform Extensions data sheet.
- "Read all about it" in our new white paper.
- Download the Cross Platform Extensions Beta (see below).
- Visit the Cross Platform Extensions Team Blog (see the first posting here!)
- Join the new Cross Platform Extensions Beta newsgroup (available through the System Center TAP/Beta program under Microsoft Connect).”
You can download the Cross Platform Extensions Beta through Microsoft Connect. To help you navigate to the right spot, follow these directions:
- Go to Microsoft Connect, and log in.
- Click on Connection Directory at the top menu.
- Scroll down the list of categories to System Center TAP/Beta.
- Within this category you will see the Program, "Operations Manager Public Beta (Cross Platform and Interop)". Click Apply Now.
- Complete the survey, and then you're in and can download the Ops Mgr Cross Plat Beta!
More information will soon appear on the Operations Manager 2007 TechCenter
