Kevin Remde's IT Pro Weblog
Today we’re launching a new opportunity for web developers in small companies (10 or fewer employees) who would like a free “leg-up” from Microsoft.
“Visibility, support and software for professional Web Developers and Designers - at no upfront cost!” is what the heading on the site reads.
Here is a good summary straight out of the official Program Guide:
WebsiteSpark is a new global program, designed by Microsoft to help small professional Web development and design service companies succeed, by providing new business opportunities through connections with global partners and customers, support and training, and software tools – at no upfront cost. WebsiteSpark provides professional Web development and design companies with an innovative vehicle to get access to: Business Opportunities: Opportunities to expand their customer base and drive new business, by showcasing their capabilities and connecting with partners via the WebsiteSpark Marketplace and other Microsoft marketing and business networking vehicles. Support and training: Professional support from Microsoft and connections with WebsiteSpark Network Partners, Hosting Partners, and other Web developers and designers with complementary technologies or business models—an entire ecosystem that can provide a wide range of technical and business resources for every Web professional need. Software and solutions: Fast, easy, and immediate access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and Web server production licenses at no upfront cost, to build, design and bring to market differentiated, innovative, and rich Internet sites.
WebsiteSpark is a new global program, designed by Microsoft to help small professional Web development and design service companies succeed, by providing new business opportunities through connections with global partners and customers, support and training, and software tools – at no upfront cost. WebsiteSpark provides professional Web development and design companies with an innovative vehicle to get access to:
“Hey Kevin.. that’s a developer opportunity, isn’t it? I thought this was an IT Pro-focused blog.”
Yes, it is. And yes, it is. But I know that small company developers are also the IT guys and gals. Maybe they read this blog. And it’s just such a great opportunity for free stuff to support the birth and growth of a small business that it’s news that’s definitely worth spreading.
Go to the Microsoft WebsiteSpark site for all the details.
Today, September 24, 2009, in three cities in the U.S. we’re holding our first of what we internally are calling the “trifecta launch” events, launching Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010. In fact, this morning I was up bright and early and in front of a movie theater in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, plugging in my laptops and making sure that all audio and video were working well.
“Were they?”
Yep.
So now I’ve got some time to kill before my first of four sessions on Windows 7 begin this afternoon. It’s a full house, and we’re going to ROCK IT!
And hey.. if you want the resource page that I put together to hand out to attendees, you will find it attached to this post, and well as online HERE.
Enjoy!
Sure.. today is a big day for Beatles fans. (My wife is out right now picking up the pre-ordered deluxe Rockband set.) And I’m not sure if I want to pay extra money for re-mastered “mono” recordings, when God gave me two perfectly good ears. (PS – I also enjoy colorized B&W movies.***)
Also, at this moment, Steve Jobs is on stage talking up new iTunes features that sound suspiciously like features that a ZunePass and Windows 7 homegroups will give you.
But – Hey! Let’s talk deployment!
Microsoft yesterday RTW’d (Released to Web) the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. (MDT 2010) This is the version that is all set and ready to support the deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available, as well as release notes and documentation.
GET ‘EM ALL HERE
or visit the Microsoft.com/deployment page for more documentation and news around all-things-deployment.
“What’s new?”
Here’s the text from the download page:
Overview Deploy Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with the newly released Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. MDT is the recommended process and toolset for automating desktop and server deployment. MDT provides you with the following benefits:
Unified tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment in a common deployment console and collection of guidance. Reduced deployment time and standardized desktop and server images, along with improved security and ongoing configuration management. Fully automated Zero Touch Installation deployments by leveraging System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 Release Candidate and Windows deployment tools. For those without a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 infrastructure, MDT leverages Windows deployment tools for Lite Touch Installation deployments. What’s New in MDT 2010 Improvements to the newest version of MDT allow you to: Access deployment shares from anywhere on the network and replicate files and settings across organizational boundaries or sites. Organize and manage drivers, operating systems, applications, packages, and task sequences with an improved UI. Automate UI functionality using the Windows PowerShell command line interface.
Go get it!
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***Just Kidding
Hey IT folks,
Back on July 30th, 2009, I presented what ended up being a pretty highly rated webcast on Windows Server 2008 R2 entitled “How Windows Server 2008 R2 Affects Your IT Infrastructure”. And as I’ve done in the past, I promised that soon after I would record the demos and get them up on TechNet Edge as screencast demo recordings. Well, they’re up there now!
“Hey Kevin.. that was July 30th? And here it is September 4th? That not very ‘soon after’, dude.”
Sorry “dude”. I got busy with other things.
“I forgive you.”
Thanks. (Wow.. they’re going to lock me up someday.)
Anyway.. as I said, I finally got them recorded and they are now up and online for your viewing pleasure, entertainment, or.. well.. just plain learning-goodness.
And as a side benefit, I was able to expand out the demos to their full glory, and was even able to add a couple that were in the original session as created. For example, you didn’t see the demo of Fine Grained Password Policies on the webcast. And I didn’t have time to show BOTH the “distributed mode” and “hosted server mode” implementations of BranchCache.
So.. here they are:
Also, for your benefit, HERE is a link to the webcast itself. And I posted the resources relating to the webcast HERE.
I sincerely hope you’ll find these useful! (And please let me know in the comments, either there or here, if you do!)
As promised, here are the “Best of Q&A” from the live chat I helped to deliver on September 3, 2009, entitled “IT Manager Community Chat with Kevin – Virtualization”
A BIG THANK YOU to my guest, Shanen Boettcher, for such a wonderful conversation around Virtualization and the value that businesses can gain through it.
And THANK YOU to all of the people who attended the session LIVE! You asked some fantastic questions. That’s what these chats are all about!
Also - Here the RESOURCES I pulled together for this webcast.
I hope you find these useful!
Kevin
Questions and Answers
“When you look at a small business environment of 5 - 10 users running SBS2008 and Office 2007 can you technically run Office 2007 as a virtual application and does it cost more money than just running it on the 5 - 10 desktops?”
Short answer: Yes, but not by much.
Longer answer: Shanen did a good job answering this one during the chat; talking about how of course you’re not saving money on the license of Office. Whether running installed on the native OS or running as an App-V hosted application, you’ve still purchased a copy of Office. However, App-V requires SA and the MDOP, which add a small amount per-desktop. You’ll find that it’s far less-per-desktop than other similar stand-alone solutions out there.
“When will Microsoft support USB ports in VM's? (The main reason why some of our developers do not use Microsoft Virtualization for development and testing)”
Short answer: Not soon enough. (chuckle)
Longer answer: There is finally some limited USB device support (things such as USB connected storage) in the new version of Virtual PC that is coming along with Windows 7; particularly for the sake of XP-Mode hosted applications running on Windows 7.
There is also limited USB support in Remote Desktop (whether using the old “Terminal Services” kind of session, or a true VDI desktop connection). Those sessions can work with some plug-and-play devices that are on your client.
But as for true USB support of, say, a virtual machine running under Hyper-V; no, it’s not there. Not yet.
Believe me.. The day we do provide that will be the day that I start running my production workstation purely as a virtual machine from within a Windows Server.
(Of course.. we do have the ability to boot and run a .VHD (boot from VHD) on physical hardware.. so maybe I’ll just start doing that. THERE you get TRUE full-physical-machine access to your hardware, because the OS is just running on the hardware. It just happens to be running from within a .VHD file.)
“Windows 7 is the same code base as Windows Server 2008 R2 why not offer APP-V virtualization on the desktop as an option an phase out Virtual PC?”
Short answer: Because App-V isn’t related to Virtual PC. They solve two different problems.
Longer answer: This question required a very long answer, actually. Both Shanen and I talked about the difference between XP Mode and MED-V, and how the two both depend on Virtual PC as their foundation.
“For development and testing purposes, simulation of networks and testing distributed applications, would you recommend using Hyper-V within a Server, or a standalone Microsoft Hyper-V server? Is there a big difference whether we choose one or the other?”
As far as virtualization, no. It’s the same Hyper-V from the perspective of the machines you’re running virtually.
Running Hyper-V as the role installed into (actually under) Windows Server 2008 R2 is nice from the perspective of local administration. You can administer the machine directly, in addition to remotely.
Hyper-V Server pretty much requires you to manage it remotely. It’s not something you would manage from the console.
Another option you have (that you didn’t ask about) would be kind of a middle-ground – where you install Windows Server 2008 as a Server Core installation, and add the Hyper-V role to that. That’s a nice, lean, high performing platform as well, and it has the benefit of being able to host some additional roles as well (not just Hyper-V), if you want to. (So.. Hyper-V server is JUST Hyper-V. It’s not also able to be an Active Directory Services Domain Controller or DHCP server or DNS server.)
“How are we doing in the exchange server 2010 w.r.t virtualization? Would we be able to use the UC facility which is not the case with Exchange 2007?”
Short Answer: Nope.
Longer answer: Sorry we didn’t have the answer for you during the chat. Further investigation shows that, similar to Exchange 2007, most of Exchange 2010 will be supported under certain kinds of virtualization, running on certain platforms – but not the Unified Messaging role. That one still needs to be installed on a physical box. I have to assume it’s because there is a connection to hardware that needs to be there.
For the full details, see this web page: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719(EXCHG.140).aspx
As promised, here are the “Best of Q&A” from the live chat I helped to deliver on September 2, 2009, entitled “TechNet Webcast: Thrive Live Chat! - Virtualization”
A BIG THANK YOU to my guest, Shanen Boettcher, for such a wonderful conversation and some great information for IT Pros around getting ready for Virtualization.
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“We are currently doing Server Virtualization with great success, but what does it look like from a desktop perspective?”
VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) is certainly a hot topic these days. As described in the chat, this is a new and exciting area that allows companies to have more choices around how they configure and distribute desktop operating environments to their users; either benefiting by saving money on hardware, or by giving them more control over the desktop environment.
For more information on VDI and what Microsoft provides in that area, check out the Desktop Virtualization page here: http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/products/desktop/default.mspx
But no matter what kind of virtualization you’re supporting, the goal is that the end-user is not required to do much (if anything) different. His virtualized application should behave as any application would. His desktop should have a full AERO interface, and perform well. And in some cases, you can even improve their experience (“Wow, the application was updated automatically for me… I didn’t need to install anything!”)
“Does the MS assessment and Planning toolkit make recommendations based on the 2008 Hypervisor or the 2008R2 Hypervisor?”
On the webcast we actually answered your question incorrectly! The new (4.0) of the MAP (Microsoft Assessment and Planning) Toolkit indeed is geared towards Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 scenarios.
Here is the landing page: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/dd537566.aspx?SA_CE=NOT-MAPBETA-SITE-VIRT-WINSVR-20090615
And you can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=67240b76-3148-4e49-943d-4d9ea7f77730&DisplayLang=en
“Are all the management tools supported in VM's?”
Yes.
“How many [virtual machine] migrations are supported at the same time?”
Only one migration can be taking place for each participating host (as either a source or destination hyper-V host). But if your hosts are in, say, a 16 node cluster, then you could potentially have as many as 8 Live Migrations happening at the same time.
“Is SCVMM integrated with Windows 2008 R2?”
SCVMM 2008 R2 was recently released to support the new functionality in Hyper-V that comes in Windows Server 2008 R2 (chief one being Live Migration). So, yes, it is ready to work with Server 2008 R2 virtualization.
http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/virtualmachinemanager/en/us/default.aspx
“Is all of the management in System Center? What if you don't have that in place?”
You can do management without System Center, but basically that limits you to running the Hyper-V Admin Console, which is mainly for basic configuration and “start/stop” functions. Yes, you can even do live migration and drive it using Windows Clustering. And if you’re good with PowerShell and WMI, you can build scripts to perform any bulk or frequently occurring administrative tasks.
However, for small-to-midsize companies who don’t want to invest in the System Center suite, we do recommend that you at least get System Center Essentials 2007 and the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 Workgroup Edition. (We even currently have a 37%-off deal if you buy those two together.)
If you’re curious about the differences between System Center Essentials 2007 and the System Center products (Operations Manager 2007 and Configuration Manager 2007), check out this great comparison page: http://www.microsoft.com/Systemcenter/essentials/en/us/compare-products.aspx
“If I was looking to specialize in virtualization, what training/certification is available and what advice would you give me?”
First of all, SORRY EMMANUEL! I referred to you as “Emma” in the webcast, because my small Q&A window cut off the rest of your name! (sigh) For Microsoft training and certification tracks, the best place to always go is http://www.microsoft.com/learning.
Here is the Microsoft Learning “Training Portal” for Virtualization: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/training/virtualization.aspx
“Why did the Terminal Services (TS) name change to RDS in the Server 2K8 R2 version?”
Sorry we ended the chat just before you asked this great question, Joseph.
I don’t have all the details, but I do know that the main reason for the change was because it really is more about a “remote desktop” experience now. As we talked about in the chat, you have remote desktop options of either a profile running on a terminal server (traditional Terminal Services), plus the added option of a unique OS running virtually under Hyper-V. Both appear as a desktop to the end-user.. but the technology underneath is different. Still, the beauty here is that many of the supporting technologies and much of the supporting infrastructure (Remote Desktop Gateway, Connection Broker, etc.) work on behalf of either the terminal-service-type desktop as well the remote desktop-that’s-really-a-virtual-machine desktop.
“Is the Virtual Machine Manager running on your desktop the same download VMM 2008 R2 that is a demo install?”
Yes. In order to drive Hyper-V Live Migration using System Center Virtual Machine Manager, you will use the newest version, which is SCVMM 2008 R2.
“Can you put up the blog again?”
Oops.. missed this one after we ended the chat. Well.. if you’re here, you’ve found it. (smile)
As promised, here are the additional resources that were mentioned on the IT Manager Webcast: IT Manager Community Chat with Kevin – Virtualization, occurring on September 3rd, 2009.
Hope you find these useful!
-Kevin
PS - Here is the "Best of Q&A" from the chat session.
General Virtualization Information www.microsoft.com/virtualization
“How Customers are Cutting Costs & Building Value with Microsoft Virtualization” Whitepaper http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/A/4/6A4A2529-F0E8-4100-81EE-187C9B026862/MicrosoftVirtCostSavingsWhitePaper.pdf
Virtualization Learning and Certification http://www.microsoft.com/learning/virtualization/default.mspx
Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit v4.0 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/dd537566.aspx?SA_CE=NOT-MAPBETA-SITE-VIRT-WINSVR-20090615
Virtualization ROI Calculator https://roianalyst.alinean.com/msft/AutoLogin.do?d=307025591178580657
HyperGreen Tool http://www.hyper-green.com/
Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides for Virtualization| http://technet.microsoft.com/library/cc196387.aspx
IT Manager Community Hubhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itmanagement/cc974293.aspx
Microsoft Virtualization Events http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/events/
Save 25% on a TechNet Plus Subscription! http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2009/08/21/TMSAM08.aspxIMPORTANT UPDATE: This promotion and promotion code have expired.Please CLICK HERE for the most current promotion.
Everyone – Meet Shanen Boettcher. Shanen is a General Manager at Microsoft, responsible for the strategy around Windows Server products in the U.S. He has a deep passion and background in product planning, technology and management including his role in Active Directory and Windows client product groups.
“Cool. Why do I want to meet him?”
Because today and tomorrow I’m interviewing him in two new Live Online Chat sessions. In both we’ll be discussing virtualization The first one from the perspective of IT Pros and helping them gear-up on the latest offerings from Microsoft (“How can I be more valuable to my company or to a perspective employer in the area of virtualization?”). The second being strictly for IT Managers, where we’ll discuss the business-beneficial reasons for virtualization (“How can my company maximize our virtualization ROI and save money?”).
“Are these Webcasts?”
Well.. not really, no. Yeah, we’re using LiveMeeting like we do on webcasts, but this is meant to be a live, interactive chat. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ATTENDEES TO ASK QUESTIONS, because we want YOUR questions to drive the conversation.
“Will they be recorded and available at a later date?”
Absolutely. These same registration links will bring you to the recording. Here they are:
Watch this blog for additional resources, as well as a Q&A summary, in case we want to answer any questions we didn’t get to or perhaps provide more resources to help answer your questions.
Hope to see you there!
As promised, here are the additional resources that were mentioned on the TechNet Webcast: Thrive Live Chat! Virtualization, occuring on September 2nd, 2009.
UPDATE: Here is the "Best of Q&A" from the session.
Microsoft THRIVE!http://www.microsoft.com/thrive
Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides for Virtualization http://technet.microsoft.com/library/cc196387.aspx
The Windows Team and the Springboard Series team have made a special evaluation edition of Windows 7 Enterprise Edition available for download. It’s a 90-day trial copy, just for IT Professionals who don't already have a Volume License or TechNet Subscription or some other way of evaluating Windows 7 Enterprise edition.
“Trial? Do I have to activate it?”
Yes, but the key is already built-in. Once activated, the evaluation will run for 90 days, after which time the system will shut down every hour.
“Will I be able to put a new key in if I decide to purchase it?”
No, unfortunately not. This is an evaluation-only copy. You’ll have to do a fresh install of the purchased product when you’ve decided to go with it.
(NOTE: Though this is the official word, I personally was able to install the evaluation and then change the product key. Entering a VL MAK key allowed me to activate it just fine. So while it does require a proper license and key to continue to use it, it doesn't necessarily require a fresh install.) (CORRECTION TO MY NOTE: I spoke too soon. The path I mention in my note above indeed is not a supported path for this evaluation software. We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Windows 7 evaluation trial, and I’m afraid that I may have added to the confusion. First, let me be clear: If you are a volume license customer, MSDN & TechNet subscriber or part of our partner programs, you already have access to the final bits – so the 90-Day Eval is really not for you anyway. It’s meant for those of you who want to look at and test Windows 7 Enterprise who don’t already have those other options. Please see Stephen Rose’s blog post here for more details on usage. “So why did you even try it?” I tried doing it because, well, that's the kind of geek I am. And I know that most you reading this blog would try this if you could, too. So, my apologies to anyone who read my note out of context and assumed it was a supported workaround. It is not; which is exactly why I had left the official verbiage in the original blog post as well. I sincerely hope that this update, plus Stephen's post, clears up any additional confusion.)
(NOTE: Though this is the official word, I personally was able to install the evaluation and then change the product key. Entering a VL MAK key allowed me to activate it just fine. So while it does require a proper license and key to continue to use it, it doesn't necessarily require a fresh install.)
(CORRECTION TO MY NOTE: I spoke too soon. The path I mention in my note above indeed is not a supported path for this evaluation software. We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Windows 7 evaluation trial, and I’m afraid that I may have added to the confusion. First, let me be clear: If you are a volume license customer, MSDN & TechNet subscriber or part of our partner programs, you already have access to the final bits – so the 90-Day Eval is really not for you anyway. It’s meant for those of you who want to look at and test Windows 7 Enterprise who don’t already have those other options. Please see Stephen Rose’s blog post here for more details on usage.
“So why did you even try it?”
I tried doing it because, well, that's the kind of geek I am. And I know that most you reading this blog would try this if you could, too. So, my apologies to anyone who read my note out of context and assumed it was a supported workaround. It is not; which is exactly why I had left the official verbiage in the original blog post as well. I sincerely hope that this update, plus Stephen's post, clears up any additional confusion.)
Here are the details straight out of the e-mail you will receive when you register for the download:
What you need to know before you begin. Before you get started with installation, we want to share some important points about this release: If you’ve installed the Windows 7 Beta or Windows 7 Release Candidate on your PC, you’ll need to back up your data and perform a clean installation of the 90-day Trial. The 90-day Trial is the full working version of the Windows 7 Enterprise, the version most of you will be working with in your corporate environment. The 90-day Trial will not require a product key (it is embedded with the download), but the product will time out after 90 days of activation. You have 10 days to activate the product. If not activated within 10 days, the system will shut down once every hour until activated. The 90-day Trial will shut down once every hour when you have reached the end of the 90-day evaluation period. The 90-day Trial is offered for a limited time and in limited quantity. The download will be available through March 31, 2010, while supplies last. After the 90-day Trial expires, if you wish to continue to use Windows 7 Enterprise, please note that you will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including drivers and applications. Please keep this in mind; Windows 7 Enterprise is not available through retail channels.
What you need to know before you begin. Before you get started with installation, we want to share some important points about this release:
Also note the part I highlighted. There are a limited number of downloads available, and only through March 31, 2010.
“Kevin, I already have a TechNet Subscription. Why do I want this?”
I’m glad you already have a TechNet Plus Subscription. Definitely one of the big benefits of that is that you don’t have to use time-out evaluation software. Windows 7 Enterprise is already available to you to try; without timing out. But there are many of you out there who do not (yet) have a TechNet Plus Subscription. This offer is specifically geared towards those of you IT Pros who don’t have any other way (Volume Licensing, TechNet/MSDN Subscriptions, or Software Assurance) of evaluating the Enterprise Edition of Windows 7.
For full details, check out Stephen Rose's Blog post about it.
“No need! You had me at ‘Free Evaluation’. Where is the download?!”
Ah.. Love the enthusiasm. You’ll find the download links there as well.
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So what do you think? Are you going to try it now?