Interesting Downloads for Week Ending 09-18-2009…. - chris e. avis - writing about microsoft and technology.... - Site Home

The Active Directory® Management Gateway Service provides a Web service interface to Active Directory domains and instances of Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) or Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) that are running on the same server as the Active Directory Management Gateway Service.
You can download and install the Active Directory Management Gateway Service on servers and domain controllers running the following operating systems:

Windows Server® 2003 R2 with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Windows Server 2003 SP2
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 SP2

Virtual Machine Manager traces
Virtual Machine Manager database
Windows event logs and virtual server event logs
IP address
Virtual Machine Manager setup logs
SQL Server setup logs
Registry information
Open ports information
System Information (msinfo)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4e3dc013-c299-4b80-9735-64a8b9fa60c7

Windows Easy Transfer for transferring from Windows Vista (32 bit) to Windows 7

Windows XP to Windows 7 Hard-Link Migration of User Files and Settings

Brief Description

Explains options for moving users' files and settings from a Windows XP operating system to a Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating system.

Overview

This guide explains options for moving your users’ files and settings from a Windows XP operating system to a Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating system. This guide also introduces how the User State Migration Tool (USMT) 4.0 can be used on multiple computers to expedite file and setting migration when installing Windows 7 or Windows Vista to an existing Windows XP computer.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e90ebead-7b48-4d1e-9461-be5f07b83468

Microsoft Search Server 2008 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

Brief Description

Downloadable CHM version of Search Server 2008 content on TechNet.

Overview

Important, before you download:

If the topics in this file do not appear as you expect (you see "Page cannot be displayed" or "Action canceled," for example), see the Instructions section on this page.
This guide is a compiled Help file and opens in HTML Help.
This content is also available on the Web.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=483919dd-2feb-4f8c-9d6e-a97a417e3e8e

Microsoft Online Services Release Notes

Brief Description

Release Notes for the current version of Microsoft Online Services

Overview

Release Notes for the current version of Microsoft Online Services

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=f297f10c-de9b-4c3e-8aa4-60d7f1baef55

System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 and 2008 R2 Configuration Analyzer

Brief Description

Virtual Machine Manager 2008 and 2008 R2 Configuration Analyzer (VMMCA) is a diagnostic tool that you can use to evaluate important configuration settings for computers that either are serving or might serve VMM roles or other VMM functions.

Overview

Important

You must install and run the VMMCA on the computer that either currently is or will become your VMM 2008 server.
You should use this version of the VMMCA with VMM 2008 and VMM 2008 R2 only. To download the VMMCA for VMM 2007, go tohttp://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=132136.

The Windows Server Operating System Management Pack consists of the following five management packs: Microsoft Windows Server Library, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Discovery, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Monitoring, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. The Microsoft Windows Server management packs monitor the performance, health, and availability of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 Server.
By detecting, alerting on, and automatically responding to critical events and performance indicators, management packs reduce resolution times for issues and increase the overall availability and performance of your Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 Server operating systems, thereby helping to reduce the total cost of ownership.
NOTE: You need to install the English MP before you import localized language packs.
Feature Summary

Availability
- Key Operating System Services: Required services are checked for status (for example, running, not running, or paused).
- Storage: Logical hard drives are checked for availability, sufficient free space, and integrity of the NTFS partition.
- Network: Network adapters are checked for connection health, name and IP address conflicts.
Performance
- Processor: System processor(s) performance is checked system-wide. Processors can optionally be monitored on a per processor basis.
- Memory: Memory consisting of physical memory and virtual memory (also known as page files) is monitored using the following performance indicators:
  - Available memory (in MB)
  - Pages per second
  - Page file percent usage
- Disks and Partitions: Logical disks/partitions and physical disks are monitored, and performance data is collected for average disk seconds per read, disk seconds per write, and disk seconds per transfer. Depending on which version of the operating system is being monitored, either logical or physical monitoring is enabled by default. Refer to the MP guide for more detail.
- Network Adapter: Network adapters are monitored for the number of bytes received per second, the number of bytes sent per second, and the total bytes per second. In addition, the health state of the network adapter is evaluated and is set to Healthy if connected and Critical if disconnected.

Management Pack Release History:

3/23/2007 - Initial Release, version 6.0.5000.0
9/28/2007 - Updated release, version 6.0.5000.25
10/23/2007 - Updated MP Guide - Software Version still 6.0.5000.25
11/8/2007 - Updated MP Guide - Software version still 6.0.5000.25
1/15/2008 - Updated MP Guide - same version
2/22/2008 - Updated release, version 6.0.6278.0, and released on SP1 media
5/27/2008 – Same version as released on SP1 media, version 6.0.6278.0, and released on Microsoft Download Center.
7/27/2008 - Updated version, 6.0.6278.22: Introduced support for the Windows Server 2008 Operating System and addressed some issues from the previous release. Refer to the MP guide for further details.
10/20/2008 – Updated release, version 6.0.6321.35. Refer to the MP guide for further details.
9/18/2009 - Updated release, version 6.0.6667.0, introduced support for the Windows Server 2008 R2 Operating System and made a series of updates. Refer to the MP guide for further details.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=3529d233-5e3e-4b51-8f66-5d6f27005ec3

Step By Step Guide: Demonstrate DirectAccess in a Test Lab

Brief Description

This paper contains an introduction to DirectAccess and instructions for setting up a test lab to demonstrate DirectAccess with a simulated Internet, intranet, and home network.

Overview

DirectAccess is a new feature in the Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2 operating systems that enables remote users to securely access intranet shared folders, Web sites, and applications without connecting to a virtual private network (VPN). This paper contains an introduction to DirectAccess and instructions for setting up a test lab to demonstrate DirectAccess with a simulated Internet, intranet, and home network using the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) and Release Candidate (RC) versions of Windows 7 and Window Server 2008 R2.

ARR Version 2 Beta 2 is an incremental release that includes all of the features from Version 1, and adds support for disk-based cache. More specifically, ARR Version 2 Beta 2 can be used to:

Enhance ARR Version 1 scenarios with disk cache.
Use ARR as a cache proxy as a cache node in a CDN/ECN environment.
- Use ARR as an edge/child cache node.
- Use ARR as a parent cache node.

The ARR version 1 and ARR version 2 beta 2 cannot be installed side-by-side.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=85fc3a02-5b38-4271-b590-ad91bb9a446b

Microsoft Application Request Routing Version 2 for IIS 7 Beta 2 (x64)

Brief Description

Overview

Microsoft Application Request Routing (ARR) for IIS 7.0 is a proxy-based routing module that forwards HTTP requests to application servers based on HTTP headers, server variables, and load balance algorithms. ARR Version 2 Beta 2 is an incremental release that includes all of the features from Version 1, and adds support for disk-based cache. More specifically, ARR Version 2 Beta 2 can be used to:

Enhance ARR Version 1 scenarios with disk cache.
Use ARR as a cache proxy as a cache node in a CDN/ECN environment.
- Use ARR as an edge/child cache node.
- Use ARR as a parent cache node.

The ARR version 1 and ARR version 2 beta 2 cannot be installed side-by-side.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=ed922306-0d35-4764-8c2c-a378b54e90e1

Business Productivity

Overview

Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX APIs.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3

Office SharePoint Server 2007 Technical Library in Compiled Help format

Brief Description

Downloadable CHM version of SharePoint Server content on TechNet.

Overview

Important, before you download:

If the topics in this file do not appear as you expect (you see "Page cannot be displayed" or "Action canceled," for example), see the Instructions section on this page.
This guide is a compiled Help file and opens in HTML Help.
This content is also available on the Web.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=916c5c12-b13f-4f6f-80d3-dc09fce4b890

BizTalk Accelerator for SWIFT 2009 Message Pack

Brief Description

Provides schema updates for BizTalk Accelerator for SWIFT to comply with SWIFT worldwide 2009 Standards Release Guide Specification.

Overview

BizTalk Accelerator for SWIFT Message Pack 2009 includes the following features:

The repackaging of all SWIFT FIN FF message types and of all business rules
Updates to schemas and to business rules to make the schemas and the business rules fully compliant with the SWIFT 2009 certification requirements
All the hotfixes that are related to schemas and to business rules but that are not superseded by the SWIFT 2009 certification requirements

BizTalk Accelerator for SWIFT Message Pack 2009 does not contain any components other than schemas, business rules, and Microsoft Office InfoPath forms.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=f18dd828-ad19-4aa3-9fa1-c6b1bb3e27ed

Microsoft® SQL Server® StreamInsight CTP2

Brief Description

Microsoft® SQL Server® StreamInsight is Microsoft’s new Complex Event Processing technology to help businesses derive better insights by correlating event streams from multiple sources with near-zero latency.

Overview

Microsoft® SQL Server® StreamInsight is a platform for the continuous and incremental processing of unending sequences of events (event streams) from multiple sources with near-zero latency. These requirements, shared by vertical markets such as manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, financial services, health care, web analytics, and IT and data center monitoring, make traditional store and query techniques impractical for timely and relevant processing of data.
StreamInsight allows software developers to create innovative solutions in the domain of Complex Event Processing that satisfy these needs. It allows to monitor, mine, and develop insights from continuous unbounded data streams and correlate constantly changing events with rich payloads in near real time. Industry specific solution developers (ISVs) and developers of custom applications have the opportunity to innovate on and utilize proven, flexible, and familiar Microsoft technology and rely on existing development skills when using the StreamInsight platform.
Some of the key feature areas are:

Derive meaningful and relevant information from data/events streams through complex patterns. These patterns can be defined using a declarative query paradigm based on well-defined streaming semantics with LINQ as query language.
For the development of applications, adapters, and analytics, the user can rely on well-established and powerful development frameworks and tools such as .NET, LINQ, and Microsoft Visual Studio.
The platform integrates with various data sources and sinks through input and output adapters. The framework to build domain-specific adapters utilizes a .NET API to make adoption of the platform easy. Independence between adapters and queries facilitates seamless integration of real-time and historical analysis.
The platform architecture supports a variety of deployment options, from scenarios with a low-footprint embedded option to high-end server deployments.
A rich set of manageability features such as a management interface, a diagnostic interface and a debugging tool are provided as part of the platform.

The Microsoft® SQL Server® StreamInsight CTP2 has two different methods to complete the installation process:

Attended Installation – an interactive user interface will guide you through the set-up process and obtain all of the information and consent required to complete the installation. This includes the displaying, acknowledgement, and archiving of the applicable SQL Server license terms.
Un-attend Installation – this is a DOS command line set-up process that does not have an interactive user interface to guide you through the set-up process. In this case, you will be required to enter a parameter during installation that indicates your acceptance of the license terms.
Here is the copy of the Microsoft® SQL Server® StreamInsight license terms for your review.

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.

The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by Application Request Routing:

Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0
Microsoft Web Farm Management Version 1 for IIS 7.0
Microsoft Application Request Routing Version 1 for IIS 7.0
Microsoft External Cache Version 1 for IIS 7.0
Hotfix (KB 954438)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=497e9910-ca94-4771-af08-751420fab5f0

Microsoft Application Request Routing Version 1 for IIS 7 (x86)

Brief Description

Microsoft 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.

Overview

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.

The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by Application Request Routing:

Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7.0
Microsoft Web Farm Management Version 1 for IIS 7.0
Microsoft Application Request Routing Version 1 for IIS 7.0
Microsoft External Cache Version 1 for IIS 7.0
Hotfix (KB 954438)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=ecd52702-d850-4a18-b18e-d46128967462

Microsoft URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7 (x86)

Brief Description

URL rewrite module provides a rule-based rewriting mechanism for changing requested URL’s before they get processed by web server.

Overview

The Microsoft URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7 provides flexible rules-based rewrite engine that can be used to perform broad spectrum of URL manipulation tasks, including, but not limited to:

Enabling user friendly and search engine friendly URL with dynamic web applications;
Rewriting URL’s based on HTTP headers and server variables;
Web site content handling;
Controlling access to web site content based on URL segments or request metadata.

The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by URL rewriter. Refer to the KB articles for the hotfixes to get more details. In order to apply the hotfixes correctly without restarting the server, it is recommended that the WAS service is stopped before installing URL Rewrite Module. The following hotfixes will be installed with URL Rewrite Module:

Update for IIS 7.0 FastCGI module (KB 954946);
Hotfix for IIS 7.0 SetUri function (KB 949172)
Hotfix for ASP.NET System.Web.dll (KB 957660)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=dba94a96-e513-4f87-9082-8cb04b743793

Microsoft URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7 (x64)

Brief Description

URL rewrite module provides a rule-based rewriting mechanism for changing requested URL’s before they get processed by web server.

Overview

The Microsoft URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7 provides flexible rules-based rewrite engine that can be used to perform broad spectrum of URL manipulation tasks, including, but not limited to:

Enabling user friendly and search engine friendly URL with dynamic web applications;
Rewriting URL’s based on HTTP headers and server variables;
Web site content handling;
Controlling access to web site content based on URL segments or request metadata.

Update for IIS 7.0 FastCGI module (KB 954946);
Hotfix for IIS 7.0 SetUri function (KB 949172)
Hotfix for ASP.NET System.Web.dll (KB 957660)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d05111c1-b4f7-45f3-8f60-a8f2b9d49ed1

FSX Mission Building: Part 3

Brief Description

In this new series, we will examine just how you go about creating your very own Mission to share with others.

Overview

Step-by-Step Guide to Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management 2.5: This guide describes a sample scenario for installing AGPM and performing Group Policy management by using the Group Policy Management Console and AGPM. This guide is designed for people are evaluating AGPM 2.5 and for Group Policy administrators who are installing AGPM 2.5 or are using AGPM 2.5 for the first time. You can also view this document online at Step-by-Step Guide for AGPM 2.5.
Operations Guide for Advanced Group Policy Management 2.5: This guide provides step-by-step instructions for performing tasks by using AGPM 2.5. It includes all of the information in the Help for AGPM. This guide is designed for Group Policy administrators of all levels who are using AGPM 2.5. You can also view this document online at Operations Guide for AGPM 2.5.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=ba69e774-f0d1-4b6d-be81-a8c5f27d1b8a

Advanced Group Policy Management 4.0 Documents

Brief Description

These guides provide an overview of Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) 4.0 and step-by-step guidance for installing AGPM 4.0, managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using AGPM 4.0, and planning and deploying AGPM 4.0.

Overview

The following documents about AGPM 4.0 are available for download.

Overview of Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management: This white paper provides an overview of AGPM and describes its benefits, how it works, and the next steps for evaluating it. This document is designed for people evaluating AGPM.
Step-by-Step Guide for Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management 4.0: This guide describes a sample scenario for installing AGPM and performing Group Policy management by using the Group Policy Management Console and AGPM. This guide is designed for people are evaluating AGPM 4.0 and for Group Policy administrators who are installing AGPM 4.0 or are using AGPM 4.0 for the first time. You can also view this document online at Step-by-Step Guide for AGPM 4.0 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=153505).
Operations Guide for Advanced Group Policy Management 4.0: This guide provides step-by-step instructions for performing tasks by using AGPM 4.0. It includes all of the information in the Help for AGPM. This guide is designed for Group Policy administrators of all levels who are using AGPM 4.0. You can also view this document online at Operations Guide for AGPM 4.0 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=159872).
Planning Guide for Advanced Group Policy Management 4.0 (Available in October 2009): This guide provides an in-depth description of the processes, procedures, and decisions for planning the deployment of AGPM in a production environment. This guide is designed for administrators. Available in English only.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=58fd6cda-0210-4da0-91d2-8c3cc2817df8

Advanced Group Policy Management 3.0 Documents

Brief Description

These guides provide step-by-step guidance for installing Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) 3.0, managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using AGPM 3.0, and planning and deploying AGPM 3.0.

Overview

The following documents about AGPM 3.0 are available for download.

Step-by-Step Guide for Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management 3.0: This guide describes a sample scenario for installing AGPM and performing Group Policy management by using the Group Policy Management Console and AGPM. This guide is designed for people are evaluating AGPM 3.0 and for Group Policy administrators who are installing AGPM 3.0 or are using AGPM 3.0 for the first time. You can also view this document online at Step-by-Step Guide for AGPM 3.0 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=132706).
Operations Guide for Advanced Group Policy Management 3.0: This guide provides step-by-step instructions for performing tasks by using AGPM 3.0. It includes all of the information in the Help for AGPM. The English version of this guide has been updated to include a list of best practices for version control and instructions for backing up the archive, restoring the archive from a backup, and moving the AGPM Server and archive to a new server. This guide is designed for Group Policy administrators of all levels who are using AGPM 3.0. You can also view this document online at Operations Guide for AGPM 3.0 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=132707).
Planning Guide for Advanced Group Policy Management 3.0: This guide provides an in-depth description of the processes, procedures, and decisions for planning the deployment of AGPM in a production environment. This guide is designed for administrators. Available in English only.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=80bb67f2-864c-4f4c-9f0d-a118ef607f1a

MiniFuzz File Fuzzer

Brief Description

MiniFuzz is a very simple fuzzer designed to ease adoption of fuzz testing by non-security people who are unfamiliar with file fuzzing tools or have never used them in their current software development processes.

Overview

MiniFuzz is a basic testing tool designed to help detect code flaws that may expose security vulnerabilities in file-handling code. This tool creates multiple random variations of file content and feeds it to the application to exercise the code in an attempt to expose unexpected and potentially insecure application behaviors.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=b2307ca4-638f-4641-9946-dc0a5abe8513

BinScope Binary Analyzer

Brief Description

Overview

BinScope is a Microsoft verification tool that analyzes binaries on a project-wide level to ensure that they have been built in compliance with Microsoft’s Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) requirements and recommendations. BinScope checks that SDL-required compiler/linker flags are being set, strong-named assemblies are in use, up-to-date build tools are in place, and the latest good ATL headers are being used. BinScope also reports on dangerous constructs that are prohibited by SDL.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=90e6181c-5905-4799-826a-772eafd4440a

Whitepaper: Manual Integration of the SDL Process Template

Brief Description

This paper outlines the steps for manually extracting the key elements of the SDL Process Template and integrating them into an existing Team Project.

Overview

This paper outlines the steps for manually extracting the key elements of the SDL Process Template and integrating them into an existing Team Project. By completing each of these manual steps, you have integrated the key elements of the SDL into your project and are ready to implement security best practices into your code.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=639a3784-a6f4-4d47-9750-b79bd789ba58

BranchCache Security Guide

Brief Description

Overview

This document provides guidance to help organizations understand and manage the security of the Microsoft® BranchCache™ feature introduced in Microsoft Windows Server® 2008 R2 and Microsoft Windows® 7. BranchCache is a wide area network (WAN) bandwidth optimization technology. To optimize WAN bandwidth, BranchCache copies content from your main office content servers and caches the content at branch office locations, allowing client computers at branch offices to access the content locally rather than over the WAN.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=449be4b1-5f87-47f1-945b-ccd4b196b34f

Microsoft Windows Key Management Service Management Pack for Operations Manager 2007

Brief Description

The KMS MP monitors core Key Management Service offered by Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 and Vista

Overview

The Key Management Service is used to activate computers running Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Each activation request is logged on the KMS host. The KMS Management Pack collects data from the event logs of defined KMS hosts, and monitors those hosts for availability. This monitoring provides visibility into the activation traffic and the license status of volume activation clients on the network. This management pack monitors uptime and operational health of the KMS host(s) under management.
Feature Summary

Health of the KMS host
- Service Installed
- Service has no access to DNS server
- Server has a valid license
- Service is running
Key Management Service product
- Activation count insufficient
- Activities are idle
Expanded support
- Enables support for non-Windows KMS applications
- Extends support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Release History

July 25, 2008 - Initial release, version 6.0.6278.9.
Sep. 16, 2009 - Update release, version 6.0.7234.0, extended support for newer OS and decommissioned reports.

FSX Acceleration Wallpaper Images

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=648d1e2e-1827-4788-95ea-cd294b2a7302

Brief Description

List of weekly closing stock prices.

Overview

List of weekly closing stock prices, including unadjusted prices and prices adjusted for all stock splits.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4c0b1e02-adf3-4e79-9534-f8b664d3f84c