Where System Builders Talk Shop... : SBSC

The Server Accelerator is Back!

BOBblog — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:22:00 GMT

The Server Business Accelerator is back with a choice of great new channel offers, new training modules, and new training incentives.

V2 of the Server Accelerator Program is now live and includes:

· A choice of four new SBS services rebate offers

· Three new training options- great for all OEM partner types

· New training incentives, including up to $50 for the OEM SalesCenter

The Server Accelerator ties together our server training programs with an exciting channel offer program. The program has two separate components:

1. A SBS Services Rebate offer for the System Builder channel

2. Accelerator Training incentive program

SBS Services Rebate Program Overview

When partners sell and deploy Small Business Server 2003R2 between now and December 31^st, they can be eligible to receive up to $325 in Services rebates or a SBS 5-CAL Pack. With these new and richer offers, the partners now have an even more compelling reason to call down to end customers or resellers and push the value of SBS. When partners deploy SBS they have a choice of the following offers:

o Both COEM and ROK licenses of SBS are eligible

o The rebate amounts have been aligned with volume licensing incentive levels to give a “One-Microsoft” message at Distribution

For more information on the Services Rebates go to: www.sbsoffer.com/us

Accelerator Training Program Overview

Partners now have three training options to choose from when getting trained on Small Business Server & Windows Server.

There is Sales & Technical training and the partner can choose which option is best for them (MPU Track, BOB Team Live Webcast Series, On-Demand Study Group).

Partners who complete one of three great training options receive:

· Up to $50 credit for the OEM SalesCenter: Can be used for purchasing SBS polo shirts, Server retail displays, and much more

· FREE Small Business Specialist Community Exam vouchers (70-282 Exam)

Note: Training is not required to be eligible for the rebate program

The Server Accelerator homepage is located at http://www.microsoft.com/oem/english/promotions/ServerAccelerator.mspx

Note for Account Managers: Widespread participation in the V1 version of the training program tripled the ROI of the marketing investment with Managed Accounts! Don’t forget to integrate the Server Accelerator into your account marketing plans.

Sales Team Action Items

Ø Drive partners to promote the SBS Services Rebate offer to their customers or resellers

Ø Encourage redeeming partners to use the incentives to offer free deployment services or free CAL packs to their small business customers

Ø Use the Accelerator program to get your partners and their resellers trained & engaged on Windows Server

Ø Use the training incentives to get partners taking advantage of the server sales tools on the OEM SalesCenter

Ø Integrate the Server Accelerator into your account’s marketing plans to boost your Marketing ROI

Resources Available

BOMs has been uploaded to the Disti Download Page and the PAM Share Site. The BOM includes To-Partner and Through-Partner Banners/Buttons, Email Templates, Flyers, Program Overview Decks for both the rebate program and the training program.

Disti Download Page

PAM Share SBS Services Rebate BOM

PAM Share Server Accelerator Training

What to Expect When Taking the 70-282

BOBblog — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:55:00 GMT

One of our partners has recently taken and passed the 70-282 exam, Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for the Small and Medium-Sized Business. Below he shares his experience and impressions on preparing for this exam.

“I think everyone is aware that this exam covers a very broad range of topics, but I was surprised by the depth of knowledge that most of the questions required. My primary study materials were those recommended by the BOB Team: the 12-part online study group (now available on demand at http://msreadiness.com/study70-282R2), the Small Business Specialist Primer & 70-282 Exam Preparation Guide by Mulzer and Brelsford, and the Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Administrator’s Companion by Russel, Crawford, and Gerend. Having just taken the test, I have to say that these resources are a good starting point, but you need to go further to be prepared.

The free webcasts are a good introduction, but they aren’t long enough to provide the depth you will need. Likewise, the Mulzer and Brelsford prep guide is a good overview, and it is very readable, so it can help you become more familiar with Windows Small Business Server 2003. Not surprisingly, the much more detailed Administrator’s Companion provides more of the nuts & bolts and esoteric minutiae that you’re going to be held accountable for on any certification exam. Study this one thoroughly!

But the thing that really prepared me, and the thing that saved my bacon when it came to passing the exam, was my real world experience. Do not underestimate the knowledge you have gained by working with the various server products in the field. I have to admit to making a lot of “educated guesses” as I was taking the test, but time-honored test-taking practices (such as eliminating incorrect choices so that only a couple of possibilities remain) helps to improve the odds!

For NDA reasons, I can’t be specific about the test contents, but I do have some observations especially as it relates to the webcasts. You need to know a lot more about Exchange Server than was covered; for example, I would spend some time researching the various tools available for performing management and migration tasks. You absolutely do need to understand Group Policy. You don’t need to memorize all 1,700 settings, but if you’re not already pretty confident in this area, then spend some time researching Group Policy—what it is, how it’s used, why it’s used, and how it’s managed. You need more than a cursory understanding of this topic. And finally, you need to know the details about backup and recovery, performance monitoring, and plain old core Windows Server management. Don’t just skim this stuff, study the material, work with it in a lab environment, and really get to know it!

The 70-282 is not an easy test, but I certainly don’t want to discourage anybody from taking it. I took it, I passed it, and with the proper preparation you can too. If you have a fair amount of previous experience with Windows Server, you just need to brush up on the “testable trivia” and then focus on the Windows SBS and Exchange Server specifics. If you’re just getting started in the Microsoft world, understand that you’re not going to climb this mountain in a week. You don’t need to get your MCSE before you’re ready to do this, but you will need to dedicate some serious time and effort to your studies.

As a final note, a lot of people have asked about whether or not the exam covers Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 and/or Windows Server 2003 R2. This question was answered in a previous post on this blog (see Q&A from Week 1 Practice of the 70-282 Online Study Group), and I found that information to be accurate.”

Q&A from Week 4 Practice of the 70-282 Online Study Group, June 1

BOBblog — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:53:00 GMT

Hello Everyone, below are the follow-up questions & answers from the Monday, May 29, 2007, online study group webcast. To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit BOB Wired at: http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=4078. There you will find a link with a username & password to access a number of BOB Team documents. At the bottom of the list, you will find a folder called "2007-May 70-282 Study Group". We will be making each presentation deck available in this folder.

Q: What is the link for purchasing the Self Test Software exam at a 30 percent discount?

A: http://www.selftestsoftware.com/bpc/?p=MSTrng70282&pr=70-282&t=1. This is an exclusive offer of Self Test Software.

Q: What is the link for purchasing the certification exam at a 40 percent discount?

A: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/offers/cert/default.mspx. To take advantage of this offer, you must take the exam by June 30, 2007.

Q: How do we find out if we qualify for a voucher to take the 70-282 exam for FREE?

A: If you qualify, you will receive an e-mail by Friday, June 8, 2007, with the voucher information.

Q: In reference to Question #1, can you initiate Remote Assistance from the Server?

A: Yes, you can use the Server Management console, Client Computers task pad, Offer Remote Assistance.

Q: For Question #11, what about Remote Web Workplace? Wouldn't that work for remote administration of the server? Which open ports on the firewall would be needed for that?

A: RWW uses port 4125 and 443 and yes you could use it to do administrative work on the server. Please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/secnews/articles/sec_sbs2003_network.mspx.

Q: For Question #14, does the DHCP server (DH1) provide IP information for the RAS clients?

A: Yes, the DHCP server would provide an IP address as well as the additional scope information (default gateway, DNS server addresses, WINS server addresses, etc.) to remote clients.

Q: Where do you configure the DHCP relay agent for a RAS server?

A: Open the Routing and Remote Access (RRAS) management console, right-click on the server and click Properties. On the IP tab, you can choose the desired method for obtaining remote client IP addresses.

Q: When would you use Microsoft Office Groove versus Windows SharePoint Services?

A: There are a couple of very informative webcasts you can view on the topic of selecting an appropriate collaboration tool: SB: Get your Microsoft Office Groove On and SB: Office OneNote 2007.

Q: Where is the "Previous Versions" client stored on the Windows SBS 2003 server?

A: The default location is \\<sbs-server>\ClientApps\ShadowCopy.

Q: What uses TCP port 3389?

A: This is the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and is used by Remote Desktop Connection, Terminal Server, etc.

Q: How many Remote Desktop Connections can you have at the same time?

A: You can only have two connections to the Windows SBS 2003 server and one to any of the Windows clients.

Q: Can the database for Windows SharePoint Services on Windows SBS 2003 be installed on a separate server?

A: Yes, please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sbs/2003/maintain/movedata.mspx.

Q&A from Session 8 of the 70-282 Online Study Group, Tuesday, May 30

BOBblog — Thu, 31 May 2007 01:05:00 GMT

Q: Can I select SQL Server databases for backup when running the Configure Backup wizard?

A: No, the wizard will perform the following tasks:

1. Back up to tape or hard disk

2. Specify folders to exclude from the backup

3. Define a backup schedule

4. Specify an onsite user to manage the backup media

5. Configure the server to retain deleted e-mails and files

You can, however, use NTBackup to protect SQL Server databases.

Q: When you use the Configure Backup wizard in Windows SBS 2003, what backup strategy does it use?

A: It performs a full backup every day.

Q: Can you do incremental, differential, or copy backups in a Windows SBS 2003 environment?

A: Yes, you can use NTBackup to perform these types of backups.

Q: When using the Configure Backup wizard, can I specify folders to include as well as folders to exclude?

A: No, for more granular control of backup selections, use NTBackup.

Q: For the first backup following a Full backup, what is the difference between an Incremental backup and a Differential backup?

A: There is no difference in the files that are selected for backup using either method in that scenario. However, the differential backup will not clear the archive bit on the files it backs up, while the incremental backup will—that is the difference between those two methods.

Q: Can you use NTBackup to backup to recordable CD or DVD media?

A: No, this is not currently supported.

Q: Does NTBackup begin with a shadow copy?

A: In order to backup open files, NTBackup makes a shadow copy. This is not the same thing as configuring Volume Shadow Copy for a volume.

Q: Can Windows XP Home PCs use Volume Shadow Copy?

A: If you makes files available via Shared Folders, and that folder is stored on a Windows Server volume for which Volume Shadow Copy is enabled, then it would not matter what client was used when accessing the files.

Q: Could you use NTBackup to backup files to a hard drive and then use a third-party remote service to upload the backup offsite?

A: Yes.

Q: Is there a way to emulate fax modems, extra NICs, and hard drives in Virtual Server 2005?

A: It is not possible to emulate a fax modem, but you can configure multiple NICs and hard drives.

Q: What is the best way to move users’ data from their current user profiles to the domain user profiles which get created when they join the Windows SBS 2003 domain? They are currently in a workgroup.

A: The Connect Computer wizard migrates user profiles automatically.

Q: Where can I find more information about testing my backups?

A: Please see http://blogs.technet.com/backroom/archive/2007/05/08/disaster-recovery-in-small-business-server-2003.aspx.

Q: Are there any good articles on Backup Troubleshooting?

A: Please see http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/4586ec82-25f6-468f-a857-19bc23eca2981033.mspx?mfr=true.

Q: Does the My Documents Folder Redirection include the folder where Outlook stores its archive files?

A: No. By default, Outlook archive files are stored in %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. You can configure this folder for redirection using Group Policy.

Q: Where can I download the Windows SBS 2003 Premium Edition Trial?

A: Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/evaluation/trial/privacy.mspx.

Q: Is Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition only available as 64-bit?

A: No. Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/pricing.mspx.

Q: Can you run Exchange Sever 2007 on a Windows SBS 2003 computer?

A: No, you must run Exchange Server 2003.

Q: Can you run Exchange Sever 2007 on a Windows Server 2003 R2 member server that is part of a Windows SBS 2003 R2 network?

A: Yes. Please note that your Windows SBS 2003 R2 CALs do not apply to Exchange Server 2007, so you would need additional CALs.

Q: Can you add additional Exchange Server 2003 Standard machines to a Windows SBS 2003 network?

A: Yes.

Q: Windows SBS 2003 must be the top of the Forest, but can this be changed when the Transition Pack is used?

A: Yes. You can move the FSMO roles to other domain controllers once you use the Transition Pack.

Q: I heard that a second domain controller CANNOT also be a DNS server, is that true?

A: It can be a DNS server, but make sure it is Active Directory integrated (which is the default).

Q: Are the DHCP scope options unique to Windows Server?

A: No. DHCP is defined by various RFCs, please see http://www.rfc-editor.org/.

Q: Where can I find more information about multiple DNS servers in a Windows Server 2003 environment?

A: Please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323417.

Q: Where can I find more information about multiple DHCP servers in a Windows Server 2003 environment?

A: Please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/cnet/cncb_dhc_ogjw.mspx?mfr=true.

Q: Is WINS still used in networks with only Windows XP/2000/2003 or later machines? If yes, why?

A: It is only necessary to support legacy applications you may have that are hard coded for WINS. DNS is used first for NetBIOS name resolution in current versions of Windows.

Q: Can you join a computer that resides on a different IP subnet to a Windows SBS 2003 domain?

A: Yes, but DHCP Relay has to be enabled on all intervening routers.

Q: Why are some of my workstations not showing up in Network Neighborhood after being joined to the doamin?

A: This is most likely caused by the client computer’s Windows Firewall settings.

Q: How do I set up networking with Virtual PC 2007?

A: You can use Loopback adapters to simulate simple network connections. Or you can download Virtual Server 2005 R2 (a free download), which allows you to create virtual networks.

Q&A from Session 7 of the 70-282 Online Study Group, Monday, May 29

BOBblog — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:17:00 GMT

Q: When exactly do you install the R2 Technologies when installing Windows SBS 2003 R2?

A: Typically, you would insert the R2 Technologies CD and install those components after installing the base Windows SBS 2003 SP1 CD’s (or DVD). Also, if you have the Premium Edition, you would install the Premium Technologies CD’s before installing the R2 Technologies.

Q: In the past couple months almost every system I monitor has been sending "Allocated Memory Alert" - A large amount of memory is committed to applications and processes. Consistently high memory usage can cause performance problems". I have reset the monitoring but the messages keep coming. How do you locate the cause and eliminte it without disabling?

A: You need to adjust.

Q: Can the SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition component of Windows SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition be installed on a member server?

A: No, it must be installed on the Windows SBS server.

Q: Is Windows SBS 2003 R2 a free upgrade from Windows SBS 2003?

A: No. You must purchase a Version Upgrade. Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/howtobuy/pricing.mspx.

Q: If I have purchased an additional 20 Windows SBS 2003 CALs, do I have to upgrade them when I upgrade to Windows SBS 2003 R2?

A: No. You can use the same CALs you previously purchased.

Q: If you run into the 75 CAL limit and upgrade to Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, do you need to upgrade all your CALs?

A: Yes.

Q: Does a member server running Windows Server 2003 always require a device CAL? If yes, then do the remaining four CALs in the package all have to be device CALs as well (not user CALs)?

A: No, not "always." And you can mix and match licenses (though not recommended). Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/priclicfaq.mspx.

Q: Can Windows SBS 2003 use multiple cores on multiple processors, such as a dual quad-core server?

A: Yes. Windows SBS 2003 is limited to two physical sockets, but is not limited in the number of CPU cores that can be used.

Q: What differences are there between Outlook Web Access (OWA) and Outlook over the Internet (RPC over HTTP)?

A: Outlook Web Access is a browser-based client for connecting to and interacting with your Exchange Server. Outlook over the Internet is a method of using the normal Outlook client application to connect to your Exchange server by “tunneling” RPC communications inside of HTTP packets which can be sent over the Internet.

Q: I understand that Outlook Web Access (OWA) for Exchange Server 2007 is "better" than the version of OWA for Exchange Server 2003 that is included in Windows SBS 2003. Is that true or merely subjective?

A: Exchange Server 2007 does provide many improvements for OWA. However, you cannot upgrade the version of Exchange Server used in Windows SBS 2003. Support for Exchange Server 2007 will be available in the next version of Windows SBS.

Q: Where can I find information about reconfiguring Windows SharePoint Services to use SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition instead of MSDE?

A: Please refer to the SQLINSTALLSTEPS.HTM file included on the Premium Technologies CD.

Q: Does Windows SBS 2003 Backup (NTBackup) support spanning multiple tape backups using a tape library or autoloader?

A: Yes. For more information, please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/239892 and http://support.microsoft.com/kb/248800.

Q: Can I use Group Policy to restrict users from browsing the world-wide web?

A: Please see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/28df04f8-f97f-7143-9536-5ca33b55d1a9.aspx.

Q: Will the Connect Computer wizard migrate a user’s profile on the client PC to a different partition? For example, currently it is on C: and I would like to move it to E:.

A: No.

Q: What is the URL for the step-by-step article, Using Windows Vista computers in a Windows Small Business Server 2003 network?

A: Please see http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=562932.

Q: When adding a client computer to the Windows SBS 2003 domain, do you need to create the computer account in Active Directory before running the Connect Computer wizard?

A: Yes. You can do this either when using the Add a User wizard or the Set Up Client Computers wizard. After you create the computer account, run the Connect Computer wizard on the client computer by accessing http://<sbs-servername>/connectcomputer.

Q: Any suggestions on setting up a wireless router as part of a Windows SBS 2003 local-area network?

A: For a comprehensive article on Securing Your Windows Small Business Server 2003 Network, including wireless networking, please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/secnews/articles/sec_sbs2003_network.mspx.

Q: How do I deploy the latest version of ActiveSync in my Windows SBS 2003 environment?

A: Please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sbs/2003/deploy/winm5.mspx.

Q: Which version of ActiveSync should I use with Windows Vista clients?

A: Windows Vista uses the Windows Mobile Device Center. Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx.

Q: Can Cached Exchange Mode be used by users who log onto multiple computers?

A: Yes.

Q: Where can I learn more about moving a PC from one domain to a new domain?

A: You would use the Active Directory Migration Tool (ADMT) v3.0. Please see http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6F86937B-533A-466D-A8E8-AFF85AD3D212&displaylang=en.

Q: Where can I find information about using Mac OS X clients in a Windows SBS 2003 environment?

A: Please see http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=89EE677B-0FF6-4558-A54B-6070E2C8CD65&displaylang=en.

Q: Can the version of Windows SharePoint Services included with Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 be upgraded to WSS 3.0?

A: Yes, please see www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0daafc81-efff-4f5b-a28a-8265f1e99f5b.

Q: Where can I find more information about the Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 client?

A: Please see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/925876.

Q: Where can I find information about deploying ISA Server 2006 in front of a Windows SBS 2003 R2 machine?

A: Please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/isa/2006/downloads/default.mspx. Also, please visit www.isaserver.org.

Q: In the past couple months almost every system I monitor has been sending "Allocated Memory Alert - A large amount of memory is committed to applications and processes. Consistently high memory usage can cause performance problems." I have reset the monitoring but the messages keep coming. How do you locate the cause and eliminate it without disabling?

A: For an excellent trouble-shooting walkthrough for this type of error, please see http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/archive/2005/05/22/48500.aspx.

Q: I have setup Windows SBS 2003 R2 with ISA Server 2004. After deploying the Firewall Client I do not have access to POP3 e-mail from outside my organization. What can I do to get POP3 access for the Windows XP Pro system?

A: Make sure your ISA Server 2004 policy rules allow for outbound POP3 traffic to your desired destinations.

Q&A from Week 3 Practice of the 70-282 Online Study Group, May 25

BOBblog — Sat, 26 May 2007 00:20:00 GMT

Hello Everyone, below are the follow-up questions & answers from the Friday, May 25, 2007, online study group webcast. To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit BOB Wired at: http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=4078. There you will find a link with a username & password to access a number of BOB Team documents. At the bottom of the list, you will find a folder called "2007-May 70-282 Study Group". We will be making each presentation deck available in this folder.

Q: Could you repost Question #11?

A: I apologize for the mistake on the answer slide for Question #11. Here is the question and the correct answers. Also, the PowerPoint presentation posted on the external BOB Team SharePoint site has been updated with the correct information.

You are the administrator for an SBS 2003 network. There are 12 client computers running Windows XP Professional. The Human Resources department has purchased a new printer and they want to make sure that only HR employees can print to it. However, they still want the IT staff to be able to assist them if there are problems with print jobs. Also, IT staff must not be able to print documents to the HR printer, and HR employees must not be able to alter other users print jobs. What should you do? (Choose all that apply, each correct answer is part of the solution.)

b. Assign the IT Department security group the Manage Documents permission for the HR printer.

c. Assign the HR Department security group the Print permission for the HR printer.

Q: How do you change the domain name on a Windows Server 2003 computer?

A: Please see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb405948.aspx.

Q: Where do you find the Exchange Migration Wizard?

A: Please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328871.

Q: Does the fax service have any type of roll-over built in for incoming faxes, so that it uses the second fax modem if the first one is busy?

A: This functionality would be provided by your local telephone company in the form of a hunt group for your fax telephone numbers.

Q: What Windows SharePoint Services permissions does a user need to change Web Parts?

A: In the Windows Small Business Server 2003 environment, you must have the Web Designer or Administrator role in WSS. Specifically, you need to have the Add and Customize Pages right.

Q: Where can I find information about using Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 with Windows SBS 2003?

A: Please see www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0daafc81-efff-4f5b-a28a-8265f1e99f5b.

Q: Is SharePoint Designer part of the Action Pack?

A: Yes. For complete details, see https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40013779.

Q: Can WSUS running on Windows SBS 2003 update Windows XP Professional computers in a different domain, but on the same network?

A: When using the wizards available in the Server Management console, only the client computers that are part of the Windows SBS domain will receive the Group Policies that control the WSUS functionality.

Q: When installing Windows SBS 2003 on a server that already has Windows Server 2003 installed, how do we recapture the license key and CALs for redeployment of Windows Server 2003?

A: It is not possible to “upgrade” a Windows Server 2003 machine to Windows SBS 2003.

Become a Microsoft Small Business Specialist

BOBblog — Tue, 08 May 2007 00:45:00 GMT

For all the information on becoming a Small Business Specialist, please visit: http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=555746

As a Small Business Specialist, you will enjoy a number of great benefits! Learn more here: https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40021562