I received a few quick questions on Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and thought to share my answers.

1) Do the new remote desktop enhancements in Srv2008R2 & Windows7Ent/Ult require the upgrade of Active Directory to 2008R2 Native Mode?

The Domain functional level needs to be in 2008 R2 to take advantage of the VDI capabilities.

In Active Directory User Object with Windows Server 2008 R2 domain functional level, we now have a tab for Personal Virtual Desktop, for example.

2) Regarding publication of the server with ISA, since the authentication is now forms based, how is this done?

I have not had a chance to do this myself yet. However the process should be very similar, if not identical, with publishing Terminal Services Gateway  (TSG) in Windows Server 2008 to an ISA external interface. There are a great TechNet Magazine article, Enhance TS Gateway Security with ISA Server 2006, and a TechNet page, Configuring the TS Gateway ISA Server Scenario, explaining the process well.

As Microsoft is reaching a key development milestone in the Microsoft Office 2010 release cycle, a number of video clips introducing the product suite and new features are now available. With this preview, Microsoft is also introducing a new product lineup for Office and reduces the number of editions from eight to five while enhancing each edition with new applications and features. Also Microsoft will be delivering Office Web Applications to consumers at no cost through Windows Live, while mid- and enterprise-level customers can based on their Office licenses possibly host Office Web Applications on premise.

Brought to you by your US East Microsoft IT Pro Evangelist: Blain, Dan, John, and Yung!

Reservations are required, so register today for a seat at this free and fun technology event.

• Session 1 - Migrating Windows XP to Windows 7: Get it Done with the Microsoft Deployment Tools
• Session 2 - DirectAccess™ With Windows 7: No More VPN!!
• Session 3 - Optimizing Your Environment with Remote Desktop Services™ and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

The following is a list of 23 event cities which we will deliver the content from August 19, 2009 to October 6, 2009. Look forward to seeing you all there.

RTM is the release to manufacturing, meaning the code is final and has been delivered to PC and server makers, who are preparing to deliver great new Windows 7 PCs and servers with Windows Server 2008 R2 for our mutual customers when Windows 7 is generally available on October 22^nd, with Windows Server 2008 R2 available on or before that date. Here is the official press release. 

Existing Volume Licensing customers as well as TechNet and MSDN subscribers will be able to download Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in the second half of August.

Quick facts:

• The Windows 7 RTM build is 7200. The Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM build is 7600.
• The changes between the Windows 7 RC and RTM codes are minimal. And there are no feature changes between the Windows 2008 R2 RC and RTM.
• The Windows 7 system requirements are
• 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1GB RAM (32-bit) / 2GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX® 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
• Here is the information of Windows 7 Editions and Widows Server 2008 R2 Editions.
• Key technical resources:
• Windows Team Blog
• Windows Desktop Springboard Series
• Windows Server Division Blog
• Windows Server 2008 Technical Resources