*** Updated – With a link to registration ***

Hiya Folks!   This is your last chance to get registered for the TechNet event that is taking place this Wednesday in Portland, OR. I will be at the Microsoft office in Portland  from 8:30-12noon delivering session on Windows Azure, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows 7 Deployment.

Here is a little more detail on the individual sessions --

SESSION 1: The Next Wave: Windows Azure

The future of highly available, high-performance, secure, dynamically scalable, hosted computing is here.  It’s Microsoft’s new online service computing platform: Windows Azure.  In this session, we’ll discuss and demonstrate the basics of Windows Azure and how you can leverage it in your work.  We’ll show you real-world examples of how companies are using Azure today and help you think about applying it for customer-facing applications, or to quickly and dynamically add horsepower to your own computing infrastructure.  We’ll also touch on the exciting future of the platform – including what you can expect to see in the coming months and years.

SESSION 2:  Hyper-V: Tools to Build the Ultimate Virtual Test Network

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V version 2.0 provide a powerful base upon which you can build a highly realistic, effective test bed for servers, clients, and networks. In this session, you’ll learn how to use the resources of a TechNet subscription, Windows Server 2008R2, Hyper-V, and a new, free sysinternals tool called Disk2vhd, to build the ultimate test or training environment.  We’ll show you how to import existing virtual machines and export virtual hard disks. You’ll see how to take point-in-time snapshots, and to build snapshot hierarchies that allow you to move both backward and forward to specific points in the time.  We’ll also demonstrate how to create a virtual machine from a running physical machine, and then import that VHD into Hyper-V.  By the end of this session, you’ll have a solid understanding of the tools and techniques currently available for building a great virtual environment in Hyper-V.

SESSION 3: Automating Your Windows 7 Deployment with MDT 2010

Deploying Windows 7 is easy if you’re using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010.  This session will walk you through the various tools that can help simplify your deployments.  We’ll drill down in the MDT Workbench and look at how the MDT process helps you create a reference image, which can then be easily deployed to the target computers.  We’ll look at how to configure the deployment environment, show how you can add operating systems, applications, drivers, and language packs using the Deployment Workbench, and then finish up by creating a task-sequenced deployment to a target computer.

You can read more and register for the event here – TechNet Presents Registration.

Hope to see you there!

Cheers!

Just a reminder that the next Windows Networking User group monthly meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 3, 2009 at Lincoln Square Center in Bellevue at 6:00PM.

Our guest speaker will be Vijay Sen. Vijay is a senior Program Manager on the Data Protection Manager (DPM) team. His presentation topic is "Say Goodbye to Data Loss with Microsoft DPM 2010.”

Come learn how you can use Microsoft Data Protection Manager 2010 to easily and cost-effectively protect your data on Exchange, SQL, Hyper-V, SharePoint, laptops and much more. He will have demos on how you can use Microsoft Data Protection Manager 2010 to protect, monitor and recover your critical business systems! Also get an opportunity to tell us what you think the next version of DPM needs to do to better meet your needs.

Vijay's bio is available here.

New Members
If you are a new member, please go to Links on our Web site for directions to the Lincoln Center. Meeting agenda and other details are available under Announcements. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Food
We will be providing pizza and soft drinks so please make sure that you RSVP so we know how much pizza to order.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Cheers!

· EMEA case study resources

· Unified Communications Retired Devices Optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator

· Open Specifications Preview Specifications

· Local Engagement Team Partner Overview

· Local Engagement Team Overview

· Windows Server 2008 R2 Licensing Overview

· First Break- Mike Sternesky

· Local Engagement Team and Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce Overview

· Microsoft Power and Utilities Solutions Overview

· IbarraReal font download for Windows Users

· Microsoft Pre-Split and Post-Split Closing Stock Prices

Cheers!

Security, Policy & Compliance

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Content Series - SharePoint Publishing Solution Guide

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Content Series- Dynamics CRM Publishing Solution Guide

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Content Series - Array Design and Deployment Guides

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Access Control Guides

· Install Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 with pre created custom named security groups

· Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP 802.1X Enforcement in a Test Lab

· Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Group Policy Field Guide

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Content Series - Client Endpoint Component Guides

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Content Series - Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Publishing Solution Guide

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Content Series - Infrastructure Planning Guide

· Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Design and Deployment Guide

· FOPE & EHA Support Escalation Path and Service Level Objective

· Step By Step Guide: Demonstrate DirectAccess in a Test Lab

· Microsoft Forefront Protection 2010 for SharePoint RC

· Microsoft Forefront Server Protection 2010 Privacy Statement

Cheers!

Solutions & Solution Development

· Outlook Synchronization in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

· Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio 1.1 (February 2010)

· Windows Azure Software Development Kit (February 2010)

· MSF-Agile plus Security Development Lifecycle Process Template for VSTS 2008

· Simplified Implementation of the Microsoft SDL

· Microsoft BizTalk Server Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

· Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle training content

· Windows Embedded NavReady - Cumulative Product Update Rollup Package (through 12/31/2009)

· Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Cumulative Product Update Rollup Package (through 12/31/2009)

· Windows CE 5.0 Cumulative Product Update Rollup Package (through 12/31/2009)

· Code Name Dublin Tutorials

· SQL Server 2008 R2 Update for Developers Training Kit

· IIS Database Manager (x64)

· IIS Database Manager (x86)

· Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 White Paper: Integrating a Third Party Version Control System into Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

· Developing a Streaming Pipeline Component for BizTalk Server

· Microsoft Small Basic

· ASP.NET MVC 2 RC 2

· Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 White Paper: Hosting Guide: Overview and Planning

· Symbol Names for Microsoft Office 2007

· DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

· DirectX End-User Runtimes (February 2010)

· DirectX Software Development Kit

Cheers!

Infrastructure Development, Operations & Maintenance

· DFS Namespaces Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

· Microsoft Host Integration Server 2006 Service Pack 1

· SharePoint 2010 Products Deployment

· BranchCache Design Guide

· Microsoft Online Services Migration Tools (64 bit)

· Microsoft Online Services Migration Tools (32 bit)

· Microsoft Online Services - Enterprise Network Services Overview

· Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2 Help

· Microsoft Online Subscription Program Datasheet

· System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2008 R2 Documentation

· Risk and Health Assessment Program for Exchange Server – Scoping Tool v1.2

· Hosted BlackBerry Service Onboarding Guide

· Microsoft Online Services Mobility Solutions Description

· Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Trial Download

Cheers!

First, I would like to thank everyone that has provided me feedback on the Interesting Download postings over the last couple of years. The new format seems to be much better received than the HUGE posting I was doing before. I took the easy way out with the original long form post. It was just a cut and paste from a weekly email I receive. Easy for me, but pretty darn ugly for a blog post and especially so for those of us that consume the web with mobile devices. It is a little more work for me, but in the end, the postings look better and you have told me that you get more out of them.

I also received some feedback about breaking the posts up into more logical chunks. Fortunately, that work is pretty much done for me via the email I receive. This again makes for a much more viewable and somewhat filterable set of postings.

I also need to give credit where it is due. I do not make this list from scratch every week. I receive and email from a Technical Account Manager named David Lymburner every week with all of this great information that I pass on to you. I am sure there are others involved in the process as well so kudos to everyone that is involved. I can assure that our customers appreciate the information!

Finally, I would like to thank a long time blog reader and frequent TechNet event attendee - Robert Banghart - for keeping me on my toes. I have had some hyperlink issues that he has quickly caught and notified me about. This makes for a higher quality posts and speaks to the power of social media and feedback loops. Thanks Robert!

Get ready….here come the posts!

Cheers!

For those of you who attended this evening WNUG User Group (as well as ANY one who interested in the AD Recycle Bin feature of Windows Server 2008 R2), I have collected a few resources for you….

Active Directory Services Team Blog – Recycle Bin Post

Active Directory Recycle Bin Step-by-Step Guide

Joey Snow’s AD Recycle Bin Demo on TechNet EDGE

My own Post from Sept 2009 with answers to common AD recycle Bin questions…

Cheers!

On Wednesday, February 24th, I will be at the Microsoft sales office in Portland, OR to deliver a live presentation on the above topics. The event is completely free – you won’t even have parking fees!

Seating at the sales office is very limited so I encourage you to get signed up to attend as soon as possible. We fully expect this event to “sell out”.

TechNet Events presents: Windows Azure, Hyper-V and Windows 7 Deployment

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 8:30am – 12 noon

SESSION 1: The Next Wave: Windows Azure

The future of highly available, high-performance, secure, dynamically scalable, hosted computing is here.  It’s Microsoft’s new online service computing platform: Windows Azure.  In this session, we’ll discuss and demonstrate the basics of Windows Azure and how you can leverage it in your work.  We’ll show you real-world examples of how companies are using Azure today and help you think about applying it for customer-facing applications, or to quickly and dynamically add horsepower to your own computing infrastructure.  We’ll also touch on the exciting future of the platform – including what you can expect to see in the coming months and years.

Highlights include:

· What exactly is “Cloud Computing”? Which applications are best suited to the cloud?

· Microsoft’s commitment to the cloud:  The virtualization platform and data centers

· The Azure architecture: How it all fits together

· How to get started in the cloud: Deploying and managing applications

· Will I save money by doing this?  (Using the Azure TCO tool)

· What will Windows Azure look like a year from now?

SESSION 2:  Hyper-V: Tools to Build the Ultimate Virtual Test Network

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V version 2.0 provide a powerful base upon which you can build a highly realistic, effective test bed for servers, clients, and networks. In this session, you’ll learn how to use the resources of a TechNet subscription, Windows Server 2008R2, Hyper-V, and a new, free sysinternals tool called Disk2vhd, to build the ultimate test or training environment.  We’ll show you how to import existing virtual machines and export virtual hard disks. You’ll see how to take point-in-time snapshots, and to build snapshot hierarchies that allow you to move both backward and forward to specific points in the time.  We’ll also demonstrate how to create a virtual machine from a running physical machine, and then import that VHD into Hyper-V.  By the end of this session, you’ll have a solid understanding of the tools and techniques currently available for building a great virtual environment in Hyper-V.

Highlights include:

· TechNet subscription: What is it? How do I get one? What does it cost?

· Virtual Hard Disks: Format interoperability and disk types

· Working with virtual networks and network connections

· Connectivity with legacy network adapters and network adapters

· Using wireless interfaces

· Importing and exporting VHD files

· Effects of importing and exporting a VHD in Hyper-V

· How to take, apply and consolidate snapshots

SESSION 3: Automating Your Windows 7 Deployment with MDT 2010

Deploying Windows 7 is easy if you’re using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010.  This session will walk you through the various tools that can help simplify your deployments.  We’ll drill down in the MDT Workbench and look at how the MDT process helps you create a reference image, which can then be easily deployed to the target computers.  We’ll look at how to configure the deployment environment, show how you can add operating systems, applications, drivers, and language packs using the Deployment Workbench, and then finish up by creating a task-sequenced deployment to a target computer.

Highlights include:

· Microsoft deployment options

· Review the MDT 2010 deployment process

· Deployment tools

o Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK )

o Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010

· Configure MDT 2010 to perform a Lite Touch Installation (LTI) of Windows 7

Cheers!

*** Updated – 5:26pm Pac on Feb 3rd, 2010 – Corrected Hyperlinks ***

· Craig Hodges Presentation

· Microsoft Licensing Online Services Use Rights

· IHE 2010 Integration Statement

· Collaboration across the Extended Enterprise for Competitive Advantage

· IPMAvance2010GEF

· GEF2010 Cameron Presentation

· Microsoft Global Energy Forum Conoco Phillips

· Shell Keynote Jan 2010

· Virtual Consultation Whitepaper

· Hospital Discharge White Paper

· Health Plans: Thinking Beyond the Patient Centered Medical Home

· POSitive Technology Brochure

· Windows Embedded Retail And Hospitality Solutions

· Profit base Retail Business Solutions Flyer

· Torex Merchandise Planning Brochure

· Wincor Nixdorf iCash Data Sheet

· Odyssey Athena Comprehensive Mobile Device Management Brochure

· Escalate Store Kiosk Data Sheet

· Radiant Systems Retail Solutions Brochure

· Xterprise American Apparel Case Study

· Wipro Digital Customer Experience Platform Brochure

· Softechnics Solutions For Retail Overview

· Kronos Retail Workforce Management White Paper

· Epicor Retail Suite Brochure

· Revionics Retail Pricing Strategy White Paper

· Teradata Microsoft Solutions Overview

· IDC Virtualization White Paper

· Retail Anywhere Leveraging POS White Paper

· Reflect In Store Digital Media White Paper

· TVH MCC Distribution Brochure

· Bing Maps Retail Data Sheet

· Cactus Commerce Live Brochure

· Cegid Retail Solutions And Expertise

· CSG Digital Folio Overview

· Dynamics Connected Experiences For Retail White Paper

· Architecture For Ecommerce And Digital Marketing

· Microsoft Work Group Server Protocol Program License Agreement (No Patents) for Development and Product Distribution

· Microsoft Contoso BI Demo Dataset for Retail Industry

· Microsoft Work Group Server Protocol Program License Agreement (All IP) for Development and Product Distribution

· Microsoft Work Group Server Protocol Program License Agreement (Patent Only) for Development and Product Distribution

· Microsoft Power and Utilities Solutions Overview

· Microsoft Pre-Split and Post-Split Closing Stock Prices

Cheers!

*** Updated – 6:38pm Feb 3rd – 2010 – Corrected Hyperlinks ***

Security, Policy & Compliance

· Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) Content Series- Exchange Services Publishing Solution Guide

· Cloud Computing Security Considerations

· Microsoft Online Services Sign In

· Research paper: I can't go back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.

· Research paper: The cloud or the mist?

· A Guide to Data Governance for Privacy, Confidentiality and Compliance_Part 1: The Case for Data Governance

· A Guide to Data Governance for Privacy, Confidentiality and Compliance_Part 2: People and Process

· Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP DHCP Enforcement in a Test Lab

· Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP IPsec Enforcement in a Test Lab

· Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP VPN Enforcement in a Test Lab

Cheers!

*** Updated – 7:03pm Feb 3rd, 2010 – Corrected Hyperlinks ***

Solutions & Solution Development

· Microsoft Project Server 2010 Beta - Virtual Machine

· Workflow, Services and AppFabric for the Web Developer

· 2010 Information Worker Demonstration Virtual Machine (Beta)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows 7 (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Vista x64 Edition (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2003 (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows XP (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 Edition (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Vista (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows Server 2008 (KB978506)

· Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows XP x64 Edition (KB978506)

· HPC Pack 2008 SP1 MS-MPI Stand-alone Package

· Application Platform Optimization Connected Systems (SOA) QuickStart

· Microsoft Office Document: [MS-CTDOC] Supporting Documentation

· Windows Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List

· Microsoft Office Document: [MS-CTXLS] Supporting Documentation

· Silverlight 4 Training

· ADO.NET Data Services Update for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

· ADO.NET Data Services Update for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 for Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

· Windows User Experience Interaction Guidelines

· BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Service Pack 1

· Windows Server AppFabric Caching Beta1 Migration

· Microsoft Project 2010 “Ignite” training slide presentations

· Microsoft Dynamics AX Development Best Practices White Paper

· Web Deployment Tool (x86)

· Getting started with business intelligence in SharePoint Server 2010

· Articles on Parallel Programming with the .NET Framework 4

· Linux Integration Components for Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V R2

Cheers!

Infrastructure Development, Operations & Maintenance

· Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway Hotfix KB 979311

· Technical Overview of DirectAccess in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

· Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB976972) 

· Update for Windows 7 (KB974674) 

· Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 Edition (KB977074)

· System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB947821) [January 2010]

· System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008 (KB947821) [January 2010]

· Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 Edition (KB974674)

· Update for Windows Vista (KB970807) 

· Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB977074) 

· Update for Windows 7 (KB976972) 

· Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB970807) 

· Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems (KB977074)

· Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems (KB974674)

· Update for Windows 7 (KB977074) 

· Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB974674)

· System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 (KB947821) [January 2010] 

· System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [January 2010] 

· System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 Edition (KB947821) [January 2010]

· System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems (KB947821) [January 2010]

· Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals

· Windows 2008 R2 Direct Access Server Management Pack for SC Operations Manager 2007 SP1

· Prepare for Online Mailbox Move

· Step By Step Guide: Demonstrate DirectAccess in a Test Lab

· Step By Step Guide: Troubleshoot DirectAccess in a Test Lab

· Update for Microsoft Office Word 2003 (KB979045)

· Migrating Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 to Windows Small Business Server 2008

· IIS Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Toolkit 1.0

· Design and Deployment Guide for Windows HPC Server 2008

· Windows HPC Server 2008 Getting Started Guide

· Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 - Application Compatibility Toolkit Connector

· Remote Desktop Protocol Performance Improvements in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7

· Unified Communications Phones and Peripherals Datasheet

Cheers!