Where System Builders Talk Shop... : Windows Server 2008

Q&A from Windows Server 2008 Basic Administration using Server Manager webcast

BOBblog — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:37:00 GMT

Below are the follow-up questions & answers from the Thursday, December 13, 2007, webcast “Windows Server 2008 Basic Administration using Server Manager” (http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6739). To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit BOB Wired at: http://oem.microsoft.com/bobwired. Look for BOB Decks: US System Builder Webcast Slide Decks to find a link to a number of BOB Team documents.

Q: If you have a Windows Server 2003 machine do you recommend do an upgrade or a clean install of Windows Server 2008?

A: Both methods are available and supported, so the choice will depend on your specific requirements. As always, backup your data completely before doing either method.

Q: What are forwarded events?

A: Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista can forward events typically viewed in the Event Viewer to one or more machines for centralized management. Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/better-together.mspx, particularly in the More Efficient Management section for more info on forwarded events.

Q: Can you get events from Windows Server 2003 R2 or just from Windows Server 2008?

A: Please see http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/f550cac0-5344-41cb-8e89-6e5c932368861033.mspx for information on new management features available with Windows Server 2003 R2.

Q: I tried to join my Windows Server 2008 RC1 box to a Windows SBS 2003 domain using the "ConnectComputer" wizard, which didn't work. I was able to join manually through Server Manager, but will the wizard be updated?

A: I am not currently aware of when an update for the Connect Computer wizard will be made available, but based on a new version being released to support Windows Vista, I believe it is possible that we will see an update for Windows Server 2008 as well.

Q: Does Windows Server 2008 include a pre-configured, Windows SBS-like "server performance report" that can be emailed to network administrators on a daily basis?

A: Because Windows Server 2008 is targeted at a more general audience, there aren’t the same types of pre-configured functionality as with Windows Small Business Server. However, there is a wealth of new monitoring and reporting functionality in the Diagnostics node of the Server Manager console.

Q: Could you get events forwarded from servers on different domains via the internet?

A: Yes, because the mechanism is WinRM, which uses firewall-friendly protocols, that would be possible. For more information, please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/newswire/winrm.mspx.

Q&A from Windows Server 2008 Technical Overview, Part 2 of 2 webcast

BOBblog — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:57:00 GMT

Below are the follow-up questions & answers from the Thursday, November 8, 2007, webcast “Windows Server 2008 Technical Overview, Part 2 of 2” (http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6737). To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit BOB Wired at: http://oem.microsoft.com/bobwired. Look for BOB Decks: US System Builder Webcast Slide Decks to find a link to a number of BOB Team documents.

Q: Will Windows Server Virtualization cost extra?

A: Windows Server Virtualization will be included with Windows Server 2008 as a role that you can choose to install—it will not cost extra.

Q: For the new version of Terminal Services Gateway using RDP over secure HTTP, does this require an SSL certificate?

A: Yes, either a self-signed or 3rd party certificate can be used.

Q: When will the RDP 6.1 client be available?

A: The client is included with the Windows Server 2008 RC0 release, which is available now.

Q: What is the difference between SoftGrid & Terminal Services RemoteApp?

A: The primary difference is where the actual application code runs. With SoftGird, the application binaries are streamed to the client and run locally in a “sandbox” environment. With RemoteApp, the application runs remotely on the centralize Terminal Server machine.

Q: Will SoftGrid support 32-bit applications running on a 64-bit Windows Vista machine?

A: Yes.

Q: Is an application running using SoftGrid recognizable to an end user as being "different"?

A: No, the experience is seamless for the user.

Q: Is Network Access Protection available without ISA Server?

A: Yes

Q: How is the "IT-defined health policy" defined/updated?

A: Once the Network Policy and Access Services role has been installed on a Windows Server 2008 machine, NAP can be managed using Server Manager. For more detailed webcasts on NAP, please see http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/windowsserver2008.aspx?tab=webcasts&id=42529.

Q: How does Network Access Protection interact with anti-virus products?

A: Anti-virus products will need to include a Security Health Agent that can report its status when the client computer is determining its Statement of Health. For a current list of partners and descriptions of how their products integrate with NAP, see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/partners/nappartners.mspx.

Q: In your Network Access Protection example, you used at least 4 different servers. In smaller businesses, can the NPS, Policy Server, Remediation Server and Corporate network all exist on fewer boxes?

A: In order to segregate network access into a “restricted” segment and a “full access” segment, at least two physical servers will be required for your NAP deployment.

Q: How will Windows Essential Business Server differ from the upcoming Windows Small Business Server code named “Cougar”?

A: Windows SBS is specifically targeted at small businesses having up to 75 users. Windows Essential Business Server is a more comprehensive solution targeted at mid-market businesses having between 50 and 250 users.

Q: Will there be a significant difference in the licensing of the Windows Server 2008 family?

A: Pricing and licensing information is not available at this time and will be announced in the future.

Q: Where can I find more information about Terminal Services Easy Print?

A: Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/terminal-services/default.mspx and register for the upcoming webcast at http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032355422&EventCategory=4&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US.

Q&A from Windows Server 2008 Technical Overview, Part 1 of 2 webcast

BOBblog — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:19:00 GMT

Below are the follow-up questions & answers from the Thursday, October 11, 2007, webcast “Windows Server 2008 Technical Overview, Part 1 of 2” (http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6736). To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit BOB Wired at: http://oem.microsoft.com/bobwired. Look for BOB Decks: US System Builder Webcast Slide Decks to find a link with a username & password to access a number of BOB Team documents.

Q: Will PowerShell completely replace the command line (cmd.exe)?

A: No, the command line will still be available.

Q: Is Windows Deployment Services the same as Business Desktop Deployment 2007?

A: They are not the same, but they work together. BDD 2007 uses Windows Preinstallation Environment 2.0 and can also use Windows Deployment Services as well.

Q: Can the 32-bit version of Windows Server 2008 RC0 be installed as a virtual machine using Virtual Server 2005 R2 hosted on a Windows Server 2003 machine?

A: Yes, I am running both the full install as well as the Server Core install as virtual machines.

Q: How much of the IIS 7 error report does an anonymous Internet visitor see?

A: By default, detailed diagnostic error messages are not displayed to anonymous users—but this is configurable, e.g., in a test environment.

Q: Is there any added functionality with Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 in Windows Server 2008 that isn't available with the downloadable version of WSS 3.0?

A: No, it is the same version of WSS 3.0.

Q: Can you use PowerShell on Windows Server 2008 Server Core?

A: No, at this time PowerShell has dependencies that are not installed as part of Server Core.

Q: Will Windows Server 2008 support the FAST TCP congestion avoidance protocol?

A: Yes, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/platnetworking/default.mspx and http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/cableguy/cg1006.mspx.

Q: Are there any books available on IIS 7.0 yet?

A: Yes, there are several, both from MS Press and other publishers.

Q: When Windows Server 2008 releases, will you be able to perform all necessary functions through the GUI or will you need to use the command line and/or PowerShell to complete certain tasks?

A: All necessary functions will be available through the GUI. However, for advanced scripting and automation tasks, PowerShell and the command line will be very powerful tools.

Q: Have there been any fundamental changes to Group Policy management and creation in Windows Server 2008?

A: There have been several enhancements made to Group Policy, please see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/grouppolicy/default.aspx.

Microsoft 2008 Launch Wave Partner Marketing Day

BOBblog — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:19:00 GMT

You are cordially invited to join us for the Microsoft 2008 Launch Wave Partner Marketing Day!

This event is the best opportunity prior to the launch of Microsoft Windows Server® 2008, Visual Studio® 2008 and SQL Server™ 2008 for our North America-based partners to learn about the Microsoft plans and partner programs that will enable you to take advantage of what promises to be the biggest IT Pro, Developer and Partner outreach in our company's history.

Partner Marketing Day is a non-disclosure, invitation-only event that will provide the critical marketing information you’ll need to plan and profit from the upcoming launch. It is for Microsoft top OEM, system builder, software, hardware, channel, distribution, and service partners. Microsoft executives and product experts will lead presentations and conversations to provide you with a look at Microsoft product and launch strategies, including:

Industry trends and how the new Microsoft products will affect the marketplace
The business opportunity for Partners
An overview of the launch strategy and worldwide launch plans
A look at marketing plans by product
Launch opportunities including branding, web, PR, advertising, campaign, event and training programs

Partner Marketing Day is the primary event to give you the information you need to take advantage of the launch and to answer questions about how you can engage most effectively with Microsoft.

When: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 (Welcome Reception on October 29)
Where: San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina
333 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Agenda: (subject to change – please refer to registration website)

Monday, 10/29
5:00pm – 8:00pm		Registration
6:00pm – 8:00pm		Welcome Reception

Tuesday, 10/30
7:00am – 8:30am		Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30am – 10:00am		General Session: Partner Opportunity and the Microsoft 2008 Launch Wave Presented by Bob Kelly, Corporate Vice President, Infrastructure Server Marketing
10:00am – 10:15am		Morning Break
10:15am – 11:30am		General Session: The Roadmap to Launch and How to Engage with Microsoft Presented by Bob Visse, Senior Director, 2008 Launch Wave Team
11:30am – 1:00pm		Lunch and Side Meetings
1:00pm – 5:00pm		Partner-Specific Breakout Sessions · Independent Software Vendors · OEMs, System Builders and IHVs · System Integrators · DMR/LAR · Distributors · Hosters

Who should attend: Marketing professionals including Microsoft alliance or account managers, VP and director-level marketing, PR and advertising managers, product managers, and channel training managers.

NOTE: This is not a technical event.

How many people per company should attend: We anticipate that 1 to 5 people per company would attend, but there is no limit. This invitation is transferable within your company.

Register on-line or by phone:

· http://microsoft.crgevents.com/partnermarketingday2008

· Toll-Free (US & Canada only) 1-888-491-9043 or 206-829-1376

Registration Codes:

· Independent Software Vendors................................... ATTVENDOR

· OEMs, System Builders and IHV ................................. ATTOEM

· System Integrators.................................................... ATTSYSINT

· DMR and LAR............................................................ ATTDMR

· Distributors............................................................... ATTDIST

· Hosters..................................................................... ATTHOST

Special Notes:

Attendees will be responsible for their own travel and hotel expenses for this event.
This is a first come, first-served event. Please register ASAP as space is limited.
This event is intended for Microsoft partners in North America. If you reside outside of the U.S. and are interested in getting involved in the upcoming launch, please contact your local Microsoft office.

Content from this event will be made available online. Archival wmv files of each session will be posted within a week after the event. A URL to the content will be posted at the registration site and emailed separately in late October.

We believe you will find this event extremely useful and would strongly encourage you to attend in person. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego for a rich and interactive experience!

Sincerely,

The 2008 Launch Wave Team

Sponsored by