You might already know that I am together with my my colleague Dave Northey the track owner for the Windows Server track at TechEd IT Professional EMEA.
On Tuesday we had our track owners meeting in London where every track owner had to present their track. We spent the hole day going through all the tracks one by one, reviewing the proposed content and speakers. I must admit that most of the track owners did a hell of job and that this years conference will be one with high quality sessions and speakers. It’s always great to see with how much dedication and passion all the track owners are working onto the event to give you the attendees the best possible experience.
This years Windows Server track will have a lot of focus onto the Virtualization technology with Hyper-V, SCVMM and Terminal services. Beside the virtualization focus we will also host sessions around clustering, server core, server deployment and much more. Next to that we plan to have different talks around future technology. I can’t disclose much now but stay tuned to this blog and as soon as I get the green light I will let you know. Dave and I try to find the right mix between current and future technology.
Feedback is always welcome, if you have an idea or any topic suggestion please feel free to send them to arlindo.alves@microsoft.com
Don’t forget that the Early bird registration ends on July 31th.
I’ve been using Live Mesh for a while now and loving it. I synchronize my favorites folders between my computers so I don’t have to worry about having all my favorites available at each computer. Once configured you don’t have to do anything to get your files synchronized, if you add a favorite onto one computer it automatically gets synchronized to all other computers that you configured. When you sign up for Live Mesh you get 5GB online storage to synch files with your Live mesh desktop. You can add devices to the live mesh and configure which folder should be synchronized with which device. If you don’t want to synchronize files onto the live mesh desktop you can change the synchronization settings and only synchronize between the devices. You don’t consume any of the 5GB online space when synchronizing between devices only. You can also add other people to a synchronized folder, so they can the get access to everything you want to share with them.
Until recently the Live Mesh beta program was a private beta but some days ago I came across the following announcement:
“We are now accepting new customers on Live Mesh!
Signing up for Live Mesh now!
The Live Mesh team is pleased to announce that we have simplified the signup process for our US customers. We are doubling the upper limit of our technology preview program. Our technology preview is still limited to ensure great performance and experience for our customers. You can now use Live Mesh just by signing in to www.mesh.com with a valid Windows Live ID. No waiting list at this time!
International Customers
With Live Mesh open to more people in the US, our international friends can join in the fun early as well - with one caveat: you must be willing to change your Windows operating system region and language setting to EN-US. Once you do this you will be able to immediately sign in to Live Mesh with a valid Windows Live ID. Please be aware that this may cause other applications that specifically require your native country region and language settings to encounter problems.
Feedback
Once you've begun using Live Mesh, we'd love to hear from you! We are working hard to create the best experience and appreciate any feedback you have. Please send us feedback using our online form. You can also submit (and view others’) feedback and bugs here on the Microsoft Connect website.
While writing this blogpost I received a mail from my colleague with the message that we also opened up the mobile mesh portal to beta users. So you can access your synched folders or even upload files to the folders from your mobile.
Read more about the mobile mesh portal
Today I finally found the time to update my demo environment which was still based on Hyper-V RC0 and SCVMM 2008 Beta. I want to share all the steps needed to perform the upgrade and updates. My demo environment consists out of 3 physical servers, one dc and two Hyper-V machines all in the same domain. My SCVMM 2008 Beta is running as a virtual machine on Hyper-V.
First of all I’ve deleted all my snapshots and then updated my Hyper-V machines to RTM by installing the KB950050 which is now available through windows update. Installing this update requires a reboot and also make sure to take the following guidelines into consideration:
- Saved state files are not supported between the Release Candidate (RC) and the release version of Hyper-V. All virtual machines should be shut down correctly before you install the release version of Hyper-V.
Note If you have already applied the release version of Hyper-V, virtual machines in a saved state will not start.
- Snapshot files are not supported between the Release Candidate (RC) and release version of Hyper-V. All virtual machine snapshots should be deleted by using the "Delete Snapshot Subtree" option for each virtual machine.
Note After you delete the snapshots and after you shut down the virtual machines, the changes that exist in the snapshot files (.avhd files) will merge into the parent virtual hard disk file (.vhd).
This operation can take a while. To verify that the snapshots have merged into the parent virtual hard disk file, locate the snapshots, and then verify that no .avhd files exist.
Note The saved state and snapshot files are compatible if you are upgrading from Release Candidate 1 (RC1) to the release version of Hyper-V.
The next step is to install the same patch onto my Domain Controller so I have the new Hyper-V management tools installed.
So I have now updated my 3 physical machines to the latest updates and in the next steps I will update all my virtual machines.
The last step in the process is to install the SCVMM 2008 patch, unfortunately I found out that I had an older version of SCVMM Beta (2.0.3193.0) running and I had to upgrade this one to the latest beta version (2.0.3194.0) and then apply the patch needed to support Hyper-V RTM. The SCVMM patch can be found onto connect.microsoft.com
The upgrade process is pretty straightforward and takes not much time but be aware of the reboots needed.
Application Request Routing for IIS7 is a proxy based routing module that forwards HTTP requests to content servers based on HTTP headers and server variables, and load balance algorithms. Application Request Routing can be used to:
- Increase application availability and scalability.
- Better utilize content server resources.
- Facilitate application deployment including pilot management and A/B testing.
- Lower management costs and create opportunities for shared hosters.
Application Request Routing relies on URL rewrite module to inspect the incoming HTTP requests to make the routing decisions, and therefore, the URL rewrite module is required to enable Application Request Routing features.
Download the modules:
Features:
- HTTP based routing decisions
Unlike hardware load balancers that make the routing decisions at the IP level, Application Request Routing makes the routing decisions at the application level. Working with URL rewrite module, powerful routing rules can be written based on HTTP headers and server variables. - Load balance algorithms
A user selected load balance algorithm is applied to determine which content server is most appropriate to service the HTTP requests. Six algorithms are provided. - Health monitoring
Both live traffic and specific URL test are used to determine the health of content servers. A set of configuration parameters are provided to define the meaning of server health. - Client affinity
Using a cookie, Application Request Routing can affinitize all requests from a client to a content server. It differentiates the clients behind NAT, so each client is treated independently. This feature requires that the clients accept cookies. - Host name affinity
“Host name affinity” is a specific feature for shared hosters. It changes the deployment topology to minimize and streamline administration and to create additional business opportunities. For more information on this scenario refer to Overview of Shared Hosting Deployment Using Application Request Routing. - Multiple server groups
Application Request Routing can manage multiple server groups, which are logical groupings of content servers in an environment. This feature allows Application Request Routing to be used in pilot management and A/B testing scenarios. - Management and monitoring via UI
All configuration settings and aggregated runtime statistics of Application Request Routing are managed and viewable via IIS Manager. - Failed Request Tracing Rules
Specific traces have been added to quickly troubleshoot and diagnose Application Request Routing.
Using the module
These articles explain how to configure and achieve the core scenarios using Application Request Routing. It is recommended that the articles are read in the following order as the scenarios get richer with each article:
SQL Server: Top Tips for Effective Database Maintenance
Far too often, people who are not trained database administrators somehow end up responsible for a database. They lack the proper training and knowledge to maintain their database, and problems begin to develop. Here’s a primer for all those involuntary DBAs who need a crash course in database maintenance best practices.
Windows Administration: Taking Your Server’s Pulse
Your users are complaining that a server is running poorly—do you know where to look to diagnose the problem? PerfMon can be an indispensable tool for this as it has numerous diagnostic capabilities. Get an overview of the key indicators you should use to diagnose a variety of common bottlenecks that can slow down your servers.
System Center: Windows PowerShell in System Center Operations Manager
Windows PowerShell has been integrated into System Center Operations Manager 2007, offering a powerful way to perform and automate common administrative tasks. Get an overview of how you can use Windows PowerShell in OpsMgr to perform routine maintenance, manage agents, and more.
Internet Information Services: Scaling ASP.NET Applications: Lessons Learned
The key to successfully scaling an ASP.NET application is having a collaborative effort between developers and network administrators, starting at the beginning of the application’s lifecycle. Find out what factors are necessary to scale an application, and see how this collaboration can help ensure the application will run as intended.
Last week 9 User Groups, Belgian Dynamics Community, Biwug, IT-Talks, Pro-Exchange, SCUG, SQLUG, Visug, Winsec, and XNAbug have decided to combine their efforts again and organized another joint-event called Communityday.
We took the time to record 6 of the 9 sessions and published them onto our Chopsticks platform.
Community Day 2008 Session Recordings
Filed under: BIWUG, Event, Exchange 2007, IT-Talks, MOSS 2007, ProExchange, SCUG, SQL Server, SQL Server 2008, Windows Server 2008, Winsec, SQLUG, Community
Because a lot of you provided us with the feedback that you wanted to have the RDP client 6.1 as standalone version we have released the Remote Desktop Connection client (RDC 6.1) for Windows XP SP2 on x86 platforms.
You can download RDC6.1 for Windows XP SP2 from the Microsoft Download Center (KB 952155)
We have also released the MUI package for RDC6.1 on Windows XP SP2 from the Microsoft Download Center (KB 952230).
These are some of the supported features of Remote Desktop Client 6.1 for Windows XP SP2:
- Windows Server 2008 & Windows Vista feature support
- TS Web Access support
- TS Easy Print support
- TS Remote Programs support
- TS Gateway support
Please review the complete list of features and details about RDC6.1 for Windows XP SP2 in this Knowledge Base article.
RDC6.1 is now available on the following platforms:
Last Saturday I presented at an event in Croatia called KulenDayz (aka Cool’n’days). Kind of funny to present at a Sausage (salami) event. Sausage? Yes Kulen means sausage and actually it’s a local spicy sausage, tastes nice.
This event is organized by the community for the community. So my journey towards Croatia started with a short flight to Zagreb where I spent a few hours into the Microsoft office. Then we had to travel for almost 4 hours towards the event location in Beli Manastir.
I really enjoyed to be there I must say that the community did a tremendous job organizing this event. The location is perfect, I have a very nice hotel room with my personal steam bath :).
There are several MVP from the region that came to the event to talk to other members of the community and to my surprise I was not the only Belgian guy in the room, one of our own MVP’s Marc Gregoire also traveled to Croatia to join the event.
I had quite some attendees at my Hyper-V session and I told them at the end of my session that I would be around during the day and if they had any questions around Hyper-V they just could grab me and buy me a beer. I had to drink many beers :)
I hope they will invite me back next year.
Learn About Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
Get answers to your questions about Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Hear how Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 activation has changed, why these changes were made, and how these changes affect your deployment effort. We also discuss common activation scenarios, recommend best practices, and provide troubleshooting advice for common deployment issues.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9151215
Exchange Server in Depth: Master Concepts and Optimize Your Server Environment
Deepen your knowledge of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 so that you can maximize the effectiveness of your server environment. Tune in and learn how IP networks and Active Directory Topologies enable e-mail routing in the Exchange Server 2007 environment. Hear about recommended topologies and deployment best practices. You also learn strategies to help you protect your Exchange Server 2007 messaging service and data. In addition to the webcasts, you can participate in a virtual lab for hands-on experience with Exchange Server 2007 and you can download the latest audio podcasts about Exchange Server.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9151380
Data Mining and Business Intelligence for Enterprises
Available Videos
Data Mining and Business Intelligence for Enterprises:
http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/event.aspx?id=99
Links to Session Videos:
No IT project can be successful unless the specific network environment is well understood. To help IT professionals and Microsoft Partners solve common migration issues and assist them in planning their virtualization efforts, the Microsoft Solution Accelerators team is proud to announce the release of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 3.1 Beta .
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (or MAP) is the next-generation version of the agent-less assessment platform from Microsoft. In this new version, MAP has expanded its capabilities into assessment areas of Hyper-V server virtualization, desktop security, and SQL 2008 migration. In summary, MAP 3.1 assessment areas now include:
- Server Migration Reports and Proposals (Windows Server 2008)
- Server Consolidation Reports and Proposals (Virtual Server 2005 R2 and Hyper-V) (NEW!)
- Desktop Security Assessment to determine if desktops have anti-virus and anti-malware programs installed or if the Windows Firewall is turned on (NEW!)
- Application Virtualization Assessment Reports (Microsoft Application Virtualization, formerly SoftGrid)
- SQL 2008 Migration Assessment Reports (NEW!)
- Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 Hardware Assessment Reports and Proposals
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit performs three key functions - including hardware and device inventory, compatibility analysis, and readiness reporting.
MAP is based upon an agent-less infrastructure scanning technology that allows users to conduct a network inventory of their servers, desktops, applications, and devices - all without installing any software agents on each machine being assessed. This tool has the ability to discover machines within Active-Directory managed domains and forests as well as workgroups.
With the new user interface and enterprise-scale inventory engine, users can generate multiple technology migration reports and proposals for their OS migration and virtualization projects in a matter of hours.
Fast and Zero-Touch. MAP provides secure network-wide assessment of a typical environment in a matter of hours instead of days, all without the deployment of any software agents on each inventoried machines.
Saves Pre-Sales and Planning Time. For most IT consultants and Microsoft Partners, a detailed network inventory and assessment of servers and desktops would typically take days of manual labor. With MAP, they can now drastically reduce the time it takes for the same inventory to a matter of hours; allowing them more time to focus their efforts on critical pre-sales engagement tasks. For IT professionals, it significantly reduces the time it takes to gather the information to make the business case for client and server migration as well as for their upcoming virtualization projects.
Actionable Recommendations and Reporting. MAP offers valuable inventory and readiness assessment reports with specific upgrade recommendations and virtualization candidate reports that make it easier for IT migration and deployment projects to get off the ground and running.
From Desktops to Servers. MAP provides technology assessment and planning recommendations for many Microsoft products including Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V, Virtual Server 2005 R2, Microsoft Application Virtualization (SoftGrid), Terminal Services, System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007, SQL 2008, and also desktop security.
Try the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 3.1 Beta now.
Download Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
IIS: Going Live with IIS 7.0
The release of Internet Information Services 7.0 sets new standards, offers fundamental improvements, and brings new capabilities for consolidating Web environments. Explore the most important enhancements and get an in-depth guide to testing, staging, and migrating your Web app's to IIS 7.0.
Communications and Collaboration: Planning Your Migration to Unified Messaging
Moving from a legacy voicemail system to a unified messaging platform can be done fairly easily and with little disruption to your end users—as long as you have a solid plan in place. Here’s what you need to know to plan your migration, test your new systems, and implement unified messaging in your organization.
Communications and Collaboration: How Voice Powers OCS 2007
Microsoft Office Communication Server brings important changes to enterprise telephony. Examine how voice calls are made layer by layer, learn how calls can be routed to various endpoints, and explore the importance of conversations in OCS communications.
Communications and Collaboration: Create Powerful Connections with Groove and SharePoint
Microsoft Office Groove and SharePoint Server both provide powerful collaboration capabilities. Compare how they differ from and complement one another, and find out how you can integrate Groove and SharePoint to provide an easy and flexible collaboration solution that will support users at different locations.
Windows Administration: Introducing Windows Server 2008 Failover Clustering
Users have complained for years that clustering in Windows Server is too complicated. With the release of Windows Server 2008, clustering received a complete facelift. Explore some of the most significant advancements found in the new Failover Clustering, and see how this new implementation makes clusters much easier to set up and maintain.
Install this update to enable Virtual Machine Manager 2008 Beta (VMM) to function with Release Candidate 1 (RC1) to the Hyper-V role. After you install this update, you may have to restart your computer. Once you have installed this update, it cannot be removed
Download: http://connect.microsoft.com
Note: Before installing this hotfix your Hyper-V needs to be RC1. With this update you cannot manage Hyper-V RC0 hosts.
