VIRTUALBOY BLOG
It works!
OK, it's not native USB support, but, this piece of equipment will allow you to access USB devices from within your virtual machines, running on Hyper-V, Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 etc
There is an argument as to why you really need to give your servers access to any USB devices, but, I guess it's nice to have the option.
"AnywhereUSB is a network-enabled USB hub. It is the first remote networking solution to utilize RealPort® USB, Digi's patented USB Over IP® technology, making it easy to connect USB devices anywhere on a wired or wireless LAN, while eliminating the need for locally-attached host PCs."
Sounds useful to me, and at just over 300 EURO, it's not ridiculously expensive, and chances are, you may only need 1...
If you are thinking of adopting, deploying, or testing Windows Server 2008, these guides should prove very useful indeed:
The Windows Server 2008 Reviewers Guide provides a comprehensive technical overview of the innovative features and functions that make Windows Server 2008 the next-generation Microsoft Windows Server operating system and successor to Microsoft Windows Server 2003. This guide also provides information about the benefits Windows Server 2008 offers diverse users, as well as information about different scenarios.
This document supports the release of Windows Server 2008
Included in This Document
Download it from here: Reviewers_Guide.doc
The Windows Server 2008 Security Guide provides the following benefits:
You can find more information here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc264463.aspx and download the guide, here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fb8b981f-227c-4af6-a44b-b115696a80ac&displaylang=en
Credit where it's due:
"Blackle saves energy because the screen is predominantly black. "Image displayed is primarily a function of the user's color settings and desktop graphics, as well as the color and size of open application windows; a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen." Roberson et al, 2002"
There's also an energy saving tips page! http://www.blackle.com/tips/
I'm off to watch old episodes of Captain Planet (with the brightness turned down :-)) - "Every little helps" is the phrase, I believe... :-)
Image courtesy of Wikipedia - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/84/Captain.gif
I stumbled on this site pretty much by accident (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/default.mspx) - I was looking around for information about our next generation Small Business Server, and didn't realise so much information about it had been released! Well, in fact, SBS 2008 as it's being named, is just one part of a larger 'umbrella' brand; namely Windows Essential Server Solutions. WESS as I will refer to it as, encompasses not only Small Business Server 2008, but also the new Windows Essentials Business Server, designed for the mid-market. Are you curious as to where the 2 sit, side by side? Well, I think this graphic sums it up nicely:
As you can see, anything from 5 to 50 users can harness the power of SBS, but anything above 50, and realistically, you are looking at the Windows Essentials Business Server. You can compare where the two fit together in more detail, here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/choose-solution.mspx In Part I of this 2 part series, I'm going to focus on Small Business Server 2008, and the key changes/improvements over SBS 2003.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/default.mspx
So, what's the new SBS all about? Well, I'll be honest, I'm writing this before I've had chance to get my hands on any builds, so I'll no doubt adapt my views after this point, but, hey-ho, I'll carry on anyway! For those of you not familiar, the aim of SBS has always been to provide, almost like an office in a box. Rather than providing people with just the Windows Server platform, and asking them to bolt on their mail servers, firewall, security etc on top, SBS typically shipped with all that cool stuff built in, and made it easy (although timely) to install and configure. Once complete, you were left with a network infrastructure, with a mail system (Exchange), a database system, (SQL 2005 Workgroup Edition), separate firewall (ISA 2004), an Intranet (SharePoint Services) and more. All in all, this was a great solution for the smaller businesses, and gave them a great solution on which to base their business and drive forward. The concept for SBS 2008 is effectively the same - bring together a number of established technologies and create a solution in a box for the small business world out there. So, what's in there?
I'd say that sums it up nicely. Well, kind of. Firstly, the great thing is, SBS2008 is built on Server 2008 technology, which means you get to take advantage of the re-written networking and SMB stack, for optimal file and data transfers, self-healing NTFS, improved Server Manager, PowerShell support, modular IIS7 Web Server, reduced patching, and more. On top of that, you receive the new Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, for your intranet, along with Exchange 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange (1 year trial), OneCare Security (1 year trial) for the Server itself, and strong integration with the Office Live platform, for providing a web presence for your business. So, all that's in the Standard edition. Now, important point here. The Core Server, I.e the one on the left, has to be x64. I know. I'm sorry. Trust me, it'll be worth it, and besides, it's Exchange that's driving that change! The 2nd Server shown above, is available with the Premium version of SBS 2008. Now, this server can be x64 or x86. So, before you throw away that x86 box because you can't install the Core Server on there, you can install the 2nd copy of Windows Server 2008 on there, and then SQL 2008 Standard, and run your LOB app's on there. So, to summarise. Standard = 1 server and 1 server only, providing security, intranet, updates, mail and Office Live integration. Premium = 2 servers. 1st one as in Standard, 2nd is for your LOB App's.
Interestingly enough, both of the servers (should you choose x64 for both) will support Hyper-V, the next generation Hypervisor based virtualisation, built into Windows Server 2008. Now, if I were to buy a license of Windows Server 2008 Standard on it's own, and install the x64 version on a box, and enable Hyper-V, the licensing of Server Standard in 2008 allows me to run one instance of Server Standard 2008 (or downgraded, I.e. 2003, 2000) in a virtual machine, for free. Now I'm not sure how this license would apply to SBS 2008 - something I'm sure will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
So, I've talked about what's in SBS 2008, but what are the key pillars? What is it aiming to provide? Well, it centred around 3 key areas:
Read more on that, here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/overview.mspx
So, hopefully that's whetted the appetite as to what's coming in SBS 2008, and there are already testimonials online from those on the early adopter programs (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/testimonials.mspx)
Don't forget to get in touch if you have any questions.
Some links to some great videos, taken from a selection of IT Pro events around the world:
Windows Server 2008 Event Page: http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/event.aspx?id=87
Links to Session Videos:
Not my words - Jon Honeyball's words, over at PC Pro, in his review of Windows Server 2008 :-)
You don't need to wait for SP1 anyway Jon (as you state, later in the article), it already ships as SP1 to bring it inline with Vista SP1 :-)
"Fortunately for Microsoft, and in contrast to Vista, Server 2008 excels in just about every area. It doesn't matter which pieces of the functionality you use, you'll find it faster, easier to deploy, much more sensible in its defaults, and requires less work for more output."
You can read the full article, here: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/172530/microsoft-windows-server-2008.html
Other articles of interest include:
You may have attended a TechNet Roadshow in the past, and if so, you'll know that Steve, James and the team are demo-demons when it comes to presentations. Firm believers that to really understand the benefits within a product, you need to see it, James and Steve will be doing it all over again, this time, focusing on the 2008 wave of products.
TechNet 2008 Launch Roadshow
Following the 2008 Launch event in Birmingham on 19th March, TechNet will be going out on the road. The roadshow will be heavy on demos and light on PowerPoint. We'll look at various scenarios, such as managing Windows Server 2008 and how Windows Server 2008 works alongside Windows Vista. You'll have the opportunity to meet the Microsoft Community, our user groups and Most Valued Professionals, as well as experts with top technical information and real-world scenarios.
Agenda:
09:00 – 09:30 Registration 09:30 – 09:45 Keynote
Consider the way you work today. Think about what’s changed in the last few years. You can be sure that there are plenty of changes along the way. How can you best position yourself to help your business make the most of change and improve your career at the same time?
During this session we well take a look at the opportunities offered by key technologies including software plus services and innovative approaches such as virtualisation and Infrastructure Optimisation. Change seems to be the only constant in our industry. Keeping ahead of the curve brings benefits to everyone. This session will help you plan for the next generation of infrastructure and your own personal development.
09:45 – 11:00 Windows Top Features
So many features. So little time. Where should you focus? This session will help you to decide where to invest your time and effort.
People’s expectations are changing. They expect to be able to work “their way”, free of the limitations of being “tied to a desk” or a particular device. Minimising the risk of security breaches while enabling flexible working can create interesting challenges. Windows Server 2008 can help – enter Network Access Protection.
Thankfully the days of one line of business application per server are numbered thanks to virtualisation. Lazy servers waste power, data centre space and maintenance charges. Windows Server 2008 can help – enter Hyper-V.
Traditionally ensuring consistent configuration of your web servers can be time consuming. Windows Server 2008 can help – enter IIS 7.
11:00 - 11:20 Break 11:20 – 12:35 How to Manage Windows Server 2008
Where should you use Windows Server Core instead of the full installation of the operating system? If you use “core” then how on Earth are you supposed to manage it? Regardless of whether you use “core” or “full” where should you use PowerShell and where does Windows Server Manager make more sense?
We’ll show you!
12:35 – 13:25 Lunch 13:25 – 14:40 How to Deploy and Manage the desktop? What’s in Vista SP1?
One desktop no cry? As anyone who’s ever managed a large number of desktops knows it’s well worth making the most of automation to ensure consistent user experiences and reduce support costs. We’ll dive into the range of operating system features available to you including WDS and WSUS plus we’ll investigate MDOP and SoftGrid’s application virtualisation.
Waiting for SP1 before deploying Vista? Wait no more! We’ll open the lid and explain exactly what’s in there.
14:40 - 15:00 Break 15:00 – 16:15 How to overcome the challenges of Small Office AND branch offices
It’s often less likely anyone would notice a server going “missing” in a small or remote branch office. These servers hold replica copies of user account credentials and your production data. Windows Server 2008’s Read Only Domain Controller features and BitLocker on the server can help!
Moving to a World where small/branch offices connect via the Internet to your main server resources can reduce both your attack surface AND expense/complexity. Windows Server 2008’s much improved Terminal Services can help!
16:15 – 17:15 Q&A with the full team of presenters throughout the day 17.15 Close
Places really are limited due to a high number of pre-registrations so register today
You can use the links above to register, or go to the Heroes Happen Here website, or call us on 0870 166 6620
<posh_Voice> It's all about the Dynamic Kernel Address Space, don't you know? </posh_Voice>
Read all about it here: http://www.thincomputing.net/articles/one-reason-why-windows-server-2008-terminal-server-will-allow-you-to-get-more-users-on-2.html
Great Article by Michael Roth - Definitely worth a read.
He's also got some interesting articles on the Terminal Services 2008 Architecture, Parallel Session Creation and Session Broker.
Looks like TS in 2008 is pretty good! :-)
For the techies among you, there's loads of great content on the whole suite of Virtualisation technologies here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/virtualization/default.aspx
It's a great one-stop-shop for all things technical, around Hyper-V, Application Virtualisation, Presentation Virtualisation, Solution Accelerators and more.
For the non-techies among you, this is your one-stop-shop:
http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/default.mspx
Loads of great information, including a host of case studies...
If you are interested in upgrading your current Windows Server 2003 Certifications, up to Windows Server 2008, this course may be of interest to you:
Windows Server 2008 Upgrade Skills & Certification (Accelerated Learning) (6 Days)
This course will allow you to upgrade your MCSE from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, as well as completing three Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist Certifications. It's being run by Firebrand, is a 6-day intensive course, and covers the following:
There are currently 2 available dates, March 10th and March 17th 2008, both located in Oxfordshire. You can get all the details from here:
Windows Server 2008 Accelerated Learning Course - 2 Day Technical Training
Upgrading, Migrating and Deploying Microsoft Windows Server 2008 - This course includes installation, configuration and using the Windows Server Deployment Solutions Accelerator. This course includes theory and hands-on labs.
There are currently 2 available dates for this course; March 3rd and March 25th 2008, both held in Oxfordshire. More details here:
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=240109&EventTypeID=2&page=/plc/search.aspx
Core Infrastructure Optimisation University - 2 Day Workshop
This course will provide attendees with the business context, technical strategy and sales technique required to drive growth and increase sales through the Core IO Framework. The Core IO University is a 2 day workshop that provides partners with the business context, technical strategy, and sales techniques / tools required to drive growth and increase sales pipelines through the Core Infrastructure Optimisation Framework and OSCI Campaign. Core IO & OSCI provides the basis of selling high value solutions to customers. Core IO University workshop is designed to enable partners to identify new opportunities through Core IO and to understand successful sales strategies close opportunities. Delegates will be taken through a highly interactive workshop that ends with the real world sales opportunity scenario, defining a Strategic Technology Roadmap, and delivery of an Core IO briefing to the customer.
There are 3 dates available for this one, 13th, 17th and 29th March 2008, here at Microsoft Campus in Reading. More details here:
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=240213&EventTypeID=2&page=/plc/search.aspx#
Online Training
All the following training is available via the Partner Learning Centre, 24 hours a day :-)
Go here: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/ and search for the terms below!
You can always access the Microsoft Learning Portal too, for even more training, webcasts and certification information. A lot of the stuff is free for a limited time, so worth checking out!