Need some help to test/pilot the latest Microsoft infrastructure technologies list here? Windows Server 2008 SQL Server 2008 IIS7 Forefront Edge (ISA) Forefront Client & Server Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 or Windows Server Virtualization...

ITPros out there!!! If you don't have a TechNet Subscription then now is the time to sign-up for one!!! Click here to purchase and use the promotional code TMSAM05 to get $100 off. See below for the great resources this gets you!!!! Subscribe...

Which version of SQL has Log parser 2.2? Log Parser doesn't come with SQL it's a free download. Can logparser be used to analyze performance monitor logs stored in CSV format? Yes, CSV formatted files are supported for input, click here for details on...

Virtualization is hitting high gear so if you're interested in the subject then this is a MUST see series!!!! Virtualization and Windows Server 2008 (Level 300) On-demand In this webcast we provide an overview of the virtualization role, the scenarios...

Click here to sign-up for the Microsoft Deployment Connection - Deployment 4 Beta 3 for Desktops & Servers Microsoft Deployment Connection is a program for sharing infrastructure deployment content, tips, tools, and experiences. This site is managed...

I was asked in today's event in Nashville, "What ports are used by System Center Configuration Manager?", as the attendee wanted to manage clients behind a firewall. I didnt know off the top of my head, but did find the information located in the Online...

Several attendees to our live TechNet events these past few weeks have asked if there is a list of ports for the different components of Operations Manager 2007 that need to be opened if going through a Firewall. Although there is a slide in Session 1...

If you're upgrading from SMS 2003 to System Center Configuration Manager 2007 you have a couple of choices.  What should you do, an in-place upgrade or a side-by-side migration?  The answer is, it depends.  Both options are available to...

For those of you that manage IT infrastructure and want to maintain your certification in the Systems Management area, register for one of these webcasts (same webcast, different times) that discuss the future System Center certifications. Session...

At todays event in Ronkonkoma, NY several of you asked what the licensing costs are for the various System Center products we discussed. Below are some charts with the basic numbers, but to get more detailed information click on the links below: ...

This month one the core topics we are talking about at the TechNet Live Events is System Center Essentials . Many times we have attendee overlap with the TS2 Partner Seminar in the afternoon. It was during a break from the TS2 sessions that I had an interesting...

I'm on the road this week visiting New Jersey and staying at a hotel which has free wireless Internet connection. (I hate paying $9.95 a day at full-service hotels) I boot up my laptop, actually I bring it out of hibernation, and proceed to make my...

We had a thread going around my team last week talking about the different GPS solutions people are using. My teammates are all road warriors, with most of us being on the road at least 50% of the time, sometimes more. My colleague, Kevin , has been using...

During the demonstration a task was created and the default management pack was selected. When do you want to use the default management pack and when do you not want to use it? Always. By default, customizations are saved to the Default Management...

We did this promotion last year and it was a hit, from the website: For a limited time, you can get a free, second shot at any IT professional, developer, or Microsoft Dynamics certification exam. Just register for this offer before your first exam...

Are these same reporting capabilities also available in System Center Essentials? No. System Center Essentials has built-in reports with the management packs, but data storage is fixed at 40 days. Also, there is no report authoring capability. ...

It’s time to get ready to update your certifications to Windows Server 2008. The upgrade exams will be available on October 29, 2007. Listed below are the topics covered in the exam. If you want more drill down into the topics go to Exam 70-648: Upgrading...

I've been playing a video before the start of my TechNet events, but usually cut it off at 8am when I start my presentation. Many of you have asked if there’s somewhere it can be accessed to view it in its entirety. The good news is it is!!! ...

This question has come up a few times in the last few events I've had. Ideally, all the System Center Operations Management servers and the monitored machines are in a trusted boundary, i.e. same domain or forest. But what if you want to monitor machines...

Part of the content of our current live TechNet event seminars is System Center Operations Manager. Many of the attendees have asked if there is any documentation or books on the product. There aren’t any MSPress books out yet, but I did find this one...

Here’s my live event schedule through the end of the year. I’ve listed the abstracts of the sessions below, so if you’re looking for an information packed seminar on deplying Windows Vista with Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or want to get up to speed...

It always amazes me how many people fall for these phishing emails. This one describes how they're using the IRS to get your info. The comment at the end of the article which says ".....because of this experience, he’s become a little more skeptical about...

Question 1: What are some of the differences between System Center Operations Manager, System Management Server, and System Center Essentials? Answer 1: Microsoft System Center Operations Manager is a software solution to meet the need for end-to-end...

A number of you asked during my TechNet event in Atlanta today where you can get demo virtual machines to do some work with Forefront Client Security. Well guess what!!! You can download it from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID...

I was asked the question, at a recent TechNet event, whether the Central Store for the new ADMX admin template files requires Windows Server 2008. I said it did not and that I would post some info in my blog to show how the Central Store is created. ...

Yes its time to get up to speed on Windows Server 2008. And what better way to start that with a few FREE, yes FREE, online e-Learning classes!!!! Official Microsoft E-Learning Courses for Windows Server 2008 provide a simple and effective way to learn...

Well folks, we didn't want Charlotte to miss out on all the fun in June so we've added an ad-hoc MSDN and TechNet event at the Microsoft Office in Charlotte. At the TechNet event you’ll get an information packed morning on topics such as Security and...

If you’re working with System Center Operations Manager 2007 you will probably want to take advantage of the ability to automate and extend Operations Manager features. The SDK Documentation has everything you need to do this. You’ll find information...

Question: Is Active Directory is required for installation? Answer: Yes, Operations Manager 2007 now has tight integration with AD for functions such as user authentication and agent discovery. Operations Manager custom user roles link to AD groups...

On the subject of getting yourself ready to the "Longhorn" Server upgrade exams, if you're already Windows Server 2000 certified your best path to "Longhorn" certification is to take the upgrade exams to get you to Windows Server 2003. ...

Are you Windows Server 2003 cetrtified yet? What are you waiting for?? Get certified on Windows Server 2003 by June 30th, 2007 you'll be able to get a 40% savings voucher for the Longhorn Upgrade Exam!!! Need help getting certified by June 30th? Go...

(Blog post title plagiarized directly from Glen’s blog J ) We have just started the new quarter and do not have an official TechNet event in Charlotte, (see Glen Gordon’s blog for reason ). Let me know if you’d be interested in attending an ad-hoc...

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) Event Overview In this session, we explore the new reporting features and benefits in Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007. We describe the new functionality for...

Friday, May 04, 2007 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) Event Overview In this session, we take a closer look at Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007, the next version of the Microsoft end-to-end service management solution...

Sign up for the TechNet events in Atlanta and Raleigh: Atlanta: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 8:00 AM at AMC Phipps Plaza 14 Raleigh, NC: Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:00 AM at Regal Brier Creek Stadium 14 High-Octane Solutions for Critical Systems...