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Jason's blog is All Backed Up
From the System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM), AVIcode and Operations Manager (OpsMgr) dude
also a Husband, Father, Gamer, Geek, Scout leader, Christ follower and Microsoft marketeer.
Add a Dash of Giggles Another Dash of Loud Laughter Plus a Dash of "No, don't eat my truck with your dinosaur"
Add a Dash of Giggles
Another Dash of Loud Laughter
Plus a Dash of "No, don't eat my truck with your dinosaur"
That's how you get a "Dash of Destruction" -- and now you know what my house has sounded like since my sons and I downloaded this free Xbox Arcade title from the Xbox Live Marketplace.
Doritos ran a game designing contest, and this was the winner - submitted by Mike Borland, a medical software programmer. Evidently, this also shows the power of the building your own games with Xbox's development tools (cool, eh?). You can also check out 'behind the scenes' of the game and the Doritos promotion at www.unlockxbox.com.
In the game, you can be either a Tyrannosaurus Rex or drive a Doritos delivery truck.
As a T-Rex, you can plow through buildings as you chase the delivery trucks As a truck, you run around hotspots picking up Doritos, while avoiding the dinosaurs who are chasing you.
As a T-Rex, you can plow through buildings as you chase the delivery trucks
As a truck, you run around hotspots picking up Doritos, while avoiding the dinosaurs who are chasing you.
There are probably some profound parenting lessons in this around the truck being faster and more nimble, though the T-Rex is much bigger and stronger. But so far, I am just enjoying being Godzilla-like and chasing my kids. And like the commercial says, "you can't eat just one".
Its good for an easy 150 or so achievement points. The full 200 points is a little tougher (though one of my gamer sons has done it, while his brother and I haven't yet).
And if you have kids who are getting a little stir-crazy during the cold days of their Christmas break, it also includes a multiplayer mode where 4 people on the same console can each choose to be either T-Rex's or Trucks -- and chase each other.
To the kind folks at Doritos and their parent company, Frito-Lay -- THANK YOU for some innovative marketing and a fun little game! By the way, how about a way to to register your gamertag to show you completed the full 200 points -- and receive a coupon for a free bag of chips? You get some opt-in mailings, and we get free food? (cuz' so many Doritos executives read my blog ?)
To the rest of you, please go buy an extra bag of chips. And in case you are ever asked why, mention this game so that they might promote another gaming contest. (it could happen)
As always, thanks for reading...
PS> gratuitous and obligatory thanks to my gamer buddy, Matt Hester, for letting me know about this game.
As we continue our podcast series for DPM 2007 (now with Service Pack 1) -- here is a new TechNet Edge podcast on how to do individual item level restore with DPM 2007 and Exchange 2007.
This particular topic is not "SP1 specific", but is one of the most common questions that we hear about DPM, and was suggested by some of you blog-readers since watching others in the series. Please keep the suggestions coming on what else you'd like to see highlighted on DPM via podcast.
This podcast installment is actually from Ilse Van Criekinge, an Exchange MVP, who I had the privilege of meeting and watching at TechEd IT Forum 2008 in Barcelona last month. Thanks Ilse, for letting us share it !!
DPM 2007 SP1 -- how to do individual item restore for Exchange -- on EDGE
For more detail on how DPM 2007 protects Exchange Server, check out www.microsoft.com/DPM/exchange.
By now, you hopefully have heard that Service Pack 1 was released on December 19th (Merry Christmas) -- but our videos will continue throughout January as we have more DPM 2007 SP1 goodness to share. Please let us know what other topics.
For the official announcement of SP1 -- please check out Service Pack 1 for DPM 2007 is now available on the DPM Product Team blog (yes, I wrote that one too).
Here are some good links on Service Pack 1
What is new in Service Pack 1 http://www.microsoft.com/SystemCenter/DataProtectionManager/en/us/WHATs-NEW.aspx DPM 2007 SP1 x86 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=125991 DPM 2007 SP1 x64 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=125992 SP1 videos on TechNet Edge http://edge.technet.com/tags/DPM Upcoming Webcast on SP1 on January 8, 2009 http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032399151
Now ... let's talk about what it all really means ...
SQL Server now does 2008, can back up databases in parallel, and supports mirrored instances
SharePoint got HUGE optimizations, between the catalog improvements and that the index/search is now in the UI Exchange can now be protected from the SCR node - something truly unique to DPM Hyper-V is now protect-able, which is probably the most requested feature from those requesting access to the beta bits. And that makes sense, since Microsoft customers that were standardizing on Hyper-V over another hypervisor have been looking for a Microsoft backup solution for their platform.
SharePoint got HUGE optimizations, between the catalog improvements and that the index/search is now in the UI
Exchange can now be protected from the SCR node - something truly unique to DPM
Hyper-V is now protect-able, which is probably the most requested feature from those requesting access to the beta bits. And that makes sense, since Microsoft customers that were standardizing on Hyper-V over another hypervisor have been looking for a Microsoft backup solution for their platform.
Branch Offices Local Data Source Protection (LDSP) means that your branch office file server can now be your branch office "File Server + Hyper-V host + DPM client-backup" server. DPM 2007 SP1 can now protect data residing on its own platform. This means that it can back up your client desktops/laptops on premise, whatever files are on file serving volumes, and any VM's running as guests. This opens up some cool scenarios for customers with distributed branches. And since DPM can replicate from one DPM server to another, your new File-HyperV-DPM branch servers can replicate the key data back to the DPM server at headquarters = Disaster Recovery of the branch office data and Centralized Backup because the remote servers can be disk-only, with tapes still being managed centrally. Disaster Recovery DPM 2007 SP1 now enables protection to the cloud. Look for more details on this in January/February, but SP1 customers will notice new options in the UI around 'Online Protection' which will lead you to a landing page, where you can enroll in off-site data protection before replicating your data from your DPM server to an offsite data center. You'll see more detail on that early next year, as our partner makes their announcements.
Local Data Source Protection (LDSP) means that your branch office file server can now be your branch office "File Server + Hyper-V host + DPM client-backup" server. DPM 2007 SP1 can now protect data residing on its own platform. This means that it can back up your client desktops/laptops on premise, whatever files are on file serving volumes, and any VM's running as guests. This opens up some cool scenarios for customers with distributed branches.
And since DPM can replicate from one DPM server to another, your new File-HyperV-DPM branch servers can replicate the key data back to the DPM server at headquarters = Disaster Recovery of the branch office data and Centralized Backup because the remote servers can be disk-only, with tapes still being managed centrally.
Disaster Recovery
DPM 2007 SP1 now enables protection to the cloud. Look for more details on this in January/February, but SP1 customers will notice new options in the UI around 'Online Protection' which will lead you to a landing page, where you can enroll in off-site data protection before replicating your data from your DPM server to an offsite data center. You'll see more detail on that early next year, as our partner makes their announcements.
Client Protection Protecting Windows XP and Vista is about to be more cost effective. DPM customers will notice in the UI that alongside the Standard DPML and Enterprise DPML counters, there are new counters for Client DPML. Yes, on the February 2009 price list, Microsoft customers and partners will find Client DPML's that are the same price as the other Client ML's from System Center (OM & CM). To be clear, client machines were already protect-able by the Standard DPML from DPM2007. But based on customer-demand, we are releasing a more economical SKU. Customers who are already protecting desktops with Standard DPML's should likely re-purpose those to Windows Servers, and acquire less expensive DPML's for their clients. The other client requirements still apply: 1) must be joined to a domain - so no 'home' editions of Windows and 2) must be routinely connected - ideal for desktops, less so for the laptop that never connects. Cross-Forest Protection Whereas before, the DPM server could be in different domains but the same forest -- now we can protect across forests. This was especially in response to Microsoft customers who had grown through acquisition and often had separate forests. As long as there is a trust, you can protect from one to the other.
Client Protection
Protecting Windows XP and Vista is about to be more cost effective. DPM customers will notice in the UI that alongside the Standard DPML and Enterprise DPML counters, there are new counters for Client DPML. Yes, on the February 2009 price list, Microsoft customers and partners will find Client DPML's that are the same price as the other Client ML's from System Center (OM & CM).
To be clear, client machines were already protect-able by the Standard DPML from DPM2007. But based on customer-demand, we are releasing a more economical SKU. Customers who are already protecting desktops with Standard DPML's should likely re-purpose those to Windows Servers, and acquire less expensive DPML's for their clients. The other client requirements still apply: 1) must be joined to a domain - so no 'home' editions of Windows and 2) must be routinely connected - ideal for desktops, less so for the laptop that never connects.
Cross-Forest Protection
Whereas before, the DPM server could be in different domains but the same forest -- now we can protect across forests. This was especially in response to Microsoft customers who had grown through acquisition and often had separate forests. As long as there is a trust, you can protect from one to the other.
There is a new Management Pack for DPM 2007 that will allow you to monitor the DPM servers across your enterprise from System Center Operations Manager. We have a Best Practice Analyzer coming A new Infrastructure Planning & Design Guide is currently in beta And more in 2009
There is a new Management Pack for DPM 2007 that will allow you to monitor the DPM servers across your enterprise from System Center Operations Manager.
We have a Best Practice Analyzer coming
A new Infrastructure Planning & Design Guide is currently in beta
And more in 2009
So, if you are running Microsoft application, file or virtualization servers (or desktops), there has never been a better time for take a look at Data Protection Manager 2007.
And speaking of 'taking a look' - check out our podcast series on DPM and SP1 on EDGE.TECHNET.COM.
As always, thanks for reading ... and Merry Christmas.
For those that are unfamiliar with DPM 2007 licensing, I just recorded a licensing podcast on Edge.Technet.com
This is the 3rd of many installments on point topics over DPM 2007 SP1 - and I will continue to blog here as new ones post every week or so. Check out the series of podcasts on Edge.
In the licensing podcast on Edge, after we talk about the DPM licenses themselves, we talk about some cool benefits of acquiring your DPML's within the SMSE, instead of as 'standalone' licenses. And now, it gets even better !
With the acquisition of 200 or more System Center Server Management Suite Enterprise (SMSE) licenses between December 1st 2008 and June 30th 2009, a Select, Select Plus or Enterprise Agreement customer will be deemed to have:
Use of the above software licenses will be governed by the terms and conditions of the customer’s license agreement and the product use rights for the above products.
The customer’s right to use the above referenced products under this offering is evidenced by their license agreement, evidence of their qualifying SMSE licenses, and this product condition note. The right to use the above referenced server licenses expires upon expiration or termination of the qualifying SMSE licenses. The customer has the option to acquire Software Assurance for the server licenses granted under this offering. That coverage must be acquired by no later than June 30th, 2009. Customers without media for any of the above products should contact their reseller for media fulfillment options. Media fulfillment charges may apply.
The customer’s right to use the above referenced products under this offering is evidenced by their license agreement, evidence of their qualifying SMSE licenses, and this product condition note. The right to use the above referenced server licenses expires upon expiration or termination of the qualifying SMSE licenses.
The customer has the option to acquire Software Assurance for the server licenses granted under this offering. That coverage must be acquired by no later than June 30th, 2009. Customers without media for any of the above products should contact their reseller for media fulfillment options. Media fulfillment charges may apply.
So, as you are looking at acquiring DPM 2007 (with SP1 eminently), if you are also looking at other management technologies from Microsoft, the SMSE is the right way to go -- and make sure you take advantage of this offer, if you can!
Thanks for reading
We are just a few days away from releasing Service Pack 1 for DPM 2007, and part of the release is updating our existing content and adding new materials.
The DPM Team has been working with the Microsoft Solution Accelerators group to develop this IPD, which goes into beta this week - so please tell us what you think !!
Open Beta for IPD Guide-Now Available for Download -- Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 SP1
This guide leads the reader through the process of planning a Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2007 SP1 infrastructure. Work through the infrastructure design process in a logical, sequential order. This IPD guide enables the reader to quickly identify what types of data will be protected, what the recovery goals are, and the protection strategy to achieve those goals. Other benefits of using this guide include best practice design guidance from the product group and an optimized infrastructure to best meet the business requirements.
Please tell us what you think! Download the beta guide and send us your honest feedback. We appreciate your input and will work to make each guide as helpful and useful as possible.
Infrastructure Planning and Design streamlines the planning process by:
Get the beta IPD by visiting the Connect Web site at http://connect.microsoft.com (invitation code embedded).
--jason
It's actually a rhetorical question -- effective December 1st, Xbox.com has retired the 'Xbox Dad' persona/column on family gaming.
My sincerest thanks to the original Xbox Dad (Duncan) for sharing his column with me this year -- and to the folks at Xbox.com for the opportunity to contribute. It was a great experience to have this outlet for my passion on video gaming with your children.
Xbox.com does have other resources for family-friendly gaming:
The 'Family Games Blog' where the other community voices are offering snipits on what they and their kids are playing In the Xbox Forums, check out the 'Gamer Parents & Family Gaming' forum
The 'Family Games Blog' where the other community voices are offering snipits on what they and their kids are playing
In the Xbox Forums, check out the 'Gamer Parents & Family Gaming' forum
If you'd like to see more info on Xbox family gaming, please give them your suggestions.
If you are looking for any of my 2008 family-friendly gaming commentaries, here they are:
Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer Fathers Day 2008 - what one Xbox Dad got this year LEGO : Star Wars -- the best kids' game that I know of My Xbox360 has its own blog Naruto - Rise of the Ninja New Xbox Experience (NXE) is here - my kids are loving the avatars Scene It - Lights, Camera, Action Viva Piñata - Party Animals Viva Piñata - Trouble in Paradise Windows Home Server and Xbox360
Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer
Fathers Day 2008 - what one Xbox Dad got this year
LEGO : Star Wars -- the best kids' game that I know of
My Xbox360 has its own blog
Naruto - Rise of the Ninja
New Xbox Experience (NXE) is here - my kids are loving the avatars
Scene It - Lights, Camera, Action
Viva Piñata - Trouble in Paradise
Windows Home Server and Xbox360
I took a few days off before Thanksgiving (eating turkey, playing a lot of games, and breaking 15,000 on my gamerscore), so beyond the games above, here are some glowing endorsements (hopefully to be blogged here) -- for the some great Christmas presents:
Fable II -- yes, it is as awesome as most of the hype. If you are a role-playing fan, this is a must have (and get it before December 14th, so that you will be ready when the first downloadable content is added). A Kingdom for Keflings - a very innovative and addictive Xbox Live Arcade game that takes advantage of the new NXE avatars. All of my kids enjoyed it, and it was even more fun in Co-Op across Xbox Live. If Xbox Live Marketplace keeps coming out with little Co-Op's like this, I may need a 3rd Xbox360 so that my boys and I can co-op. LEGO : Batman -- perhaps my new favorite Lego video game (which is saying something). There is less source material than the Star Wars trilogies, but you get to play the same levels not only from the hero (Batman) point of view, but also as the villains' (Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face, Catwoman and Poison Ivy). Star Wars : The Force Unleashed -- not for kids, but definitely for Dad !!
Fable II -- yes, it is as awesome as most of the hype. If you are a role-playing fan, this is a must have (and get it before December 14th, so that you will be ready when the first downloadable content is added).
A Kingdom for Keflings - a very innovative and addictive Xbox Live Arcade game that takes advantage of the new NXE avatars. All of my kids enjoyed it, and it was even more fun in Co-Op across Xbox Live. If Xbox Live Marketplace keeps coming out with little Co-Op's like this, I may need a 3rd Xbox360 so that my boys and I can co-op.
LEGO : Batman -- perhaps my new favorite Lego video game (which is saying something). There is less source material than the Star Wars trilogies, but you get to play the same levels not only from the hero (Batman) point of view, but also as the villains' (Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face, Catwoman and Poison Ivy).
Star Wars : The Force Unleashed -- not for kids, but definitely for Dad !!
Perhaps Xbox.com will offer another persona for family game recommendations in 2009 -- or maybe another online gaming site will offer me a podium to write from :-).
But in the meantime, I will start posting my game feedback back on this blog, when I can.