Swiss IT Professional & TechNet Blog : Interoperability

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 JDBC Driver 1.1 Community Technology Preview June 2006

MJDorner — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 15:11:00 GMT

Download the Community Technology Preview (CTP) version of the SQL Server 2005 JDBC Driver 1.1, a Type 4 JDBC driver that provides database connectivity through the standard JDBC application program interfaces (APIs) available in J2EE (Java2 Enterprise Edition).

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=f914793a-6fb4-475f-9537-b8fcb776befd&displaylang=en

BizTalk Server 2006 Documentation Update

mtruempy — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 11:20:00 GMT

check out the latest and greatest documentation material for BizTalk Server 2006 including an updated .chm file, updated config/install guides, new code samples and links to the BizTalk Dev/Tech Center and to other interesting related content.

Core Documentation | Download

For this release, we are publishing a .chm file for download. Among the many things you will find:

Complete documentation for all BizTalk Server Line of Business Adapters, including new tutorials, one for each adapter. See the section "Using Adapters."
Troubleshooting guidance for each of the native BizTalk adapters. See the section "Troubleshooting Adapters."
Troubleshooting Instructions for how to capture a memory dump. See the section "How to Capture a Memory Dump of a BizTalk Process."
Disaster recovery instructions for backing up and restoring your BizTalk Server and databases. See the section "Backing Up and Restoring BizTalk Server"
Updated Tutorials. See the section, "BizTalk Server 2006 Tutorials"
Information for improving fault tolerance. See the section "Planning and Architecture"
Updated Developer's Reference that now includes the BAM namespaces that were not included in the RTM documentation. See the section "Developer's Reference"

Updated Installation, Configuration, and Upgrade Guides | Download

The installation instructions explain how to install BizTalk Server 2006 on Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, or Windows Server 2003 in a single server or multiserver environment.

New BizTalk Server 2006 Code Samples | Download

We have posted 31 new code samples to the BizTalk Server Developer Center since RTM.

Publishing and Consuming Web Services with SOAP Headers
BAM and HAT Correlation
Consuming Web Services with Array Parameters
Extending the BizTalk Server Administration Console
Viewing Failed Tracking Data
Inserting XML Nodes from Business Rules
Using the Mass Copy Functoid
Using Role Links
Split File Pipeline
Using Enterprise Library 2.0 with BizTalk Server
Consuming Web Services
Console Adapter
Delivery Notification
Using Long-Running Transactions in Orchestrations
Using the Looping Functoid
Mapping to a Repeating Structure
Parallel Convoy
Policy Chaining
Recoverable Interchange Processing Using Pipelines
Using the Table Looping Functoid
Using the Value Mapping and Value Mapping (Flattening) Functoids
Direct Binding to an Orchestration
Direct Binding to the MessageBox Database in Orchestrations
Using a Custom .NET Type for a Message in Orchestrations
Writing Orchestration Information as XML Using the ExplorerOM API
Correlating Messages with Orchestration Instances
SSO as Configuration Store
Atomic Transactions with COM+ Serviced Components in Orchestrations
Exception Handling in Orchestrations
Implementing Scatter and Gather Pattern
Using the SQL Adapter with Atomic Transactions in Orchestrations

BizTalk Server 2006 Developer Center and TechCenter

On, May 1st, we launched the BizTalk Server 2006 Developer Center. This project constituted a complete rebuild of the previous BizTalk Server 2004 Developer Center. For May and June we featured orchestrations. This included new code samples, an FAQ paper on orchestrations, and in-depth content surfaced from the core documentation. With the re-design of the site it’s easier than ever to learn to develop, deploy, administer, and use BizTalk Server 2006. For July we will be focusing on Adapters!

In addition to the Developer Center, we also launched the BizTalk Server 2006 TechCenter. The TechCenter provides easy access to BizTalk Server 2006 technical documentation, downloads, and community, as well as to IT Pro favorites such as the Events & Errors Message Center. Each navigation page within the technical library includes quick access to search BizTalk Server newsgroups and knowledge-base articles as seen, for example, on the Getting Started page. Among many things, the site contains:

Virtual labs
The end-to-end tutorial as downloadable Word docs
New content on Clustering BizTalk Server
Links to the Installation Instructions
Links to the Production Documentation published on MSDN

Other Content

In addition to the fixes introduced, we have also been busy over the past few months producing, updating, and publishing other valuable content. This includes:

Business Process Management & Integration Conference - Oct 3-6 2006 - Redmond, WA (MS Campus Conference Center)

mtruempy — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 08:59:00 GMT

The registration website just opened for the upcoming BPM&I conference, Oct 3-6 in Redmond. The agenda is still being finalized, but the technical tracks, keynote by David Chappell, and networking opportunities with partners, customers, MVPs and MS field make this conference worth checking out.

http://www.impactevents.com/biztalkconference/

Overview

Microsoft’s Business Process Management and Integration Conference is the event for our partners, customers and field personnel to get up to speed on new and updated solutions for Business Process Management (BPM), SOA and Workflow. Over 4 days, attendees will learn about the strategies and technologies that Microsoft is delivering over the next year, such as BizTalk Server, WinFX, and Office 2007. Three technical tracks will provide depth and detail into best practices for building BPM solutions, SOA guidance, and implementing BizTalk Server. A business development track will focus on the business value of BPM for both customers looking to optimize their processes and for partners looking to expand their practices. Whether you need to get up to speed, or are ready to dive deep, this is the event for technical training, networking, and business development for partners and customers interested in BPM, SOA, and Workflow.

Registration

Join Microsoft staff, valued partners, customers and industry thought leaders at the Microsoft Conference Center from October 3-6, 2006. Registration is $199.00, with an early bird discount price of $149.00 if you register by July 21st.

Agenda & Sessions

Each session, meeting, and program event at the Microsoft Business Process Management and Integration Conference is designed to expand your knowledge of key emerging technologies, demonstrate proven strategies for implementing solution, explain Microsoft’s long-term strategy and roadmap, and add value to your organization’s integration and workflow solution portfolio.

The conference consists of four tracks. One track will be focused on BizTalk Server 2006 and the roadmap for 2007 and beyond. Two of the technical tracks will center on Service Oriented Architecture and Business Process Management. The fourth track will discuss the business value of BPM for customers and market opportunities for partners.

Keynote presentation from industry expert David Chappell
Discussion focused "Chalk Talk" sessions
Hand-On-Labs
Partner Expo

Much, much more!
Click here for details on the agenda.

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Over 20 Microsoft partners are expected to showcase their latest solutions and technologies demonstrating their newest innovations- allowing attendees to test-drive key technologies and receive one-on-one, informed answers to questions.
If you are interested in sponsorship, please contact Robert Bannerman at robann@microsoft.com.

Community & Networking

Beyond the structured sessions, the Microsoft Business Process Management and Integration Conference will also provide many networking opportunities with people who share your professional interests. We will be hosting several evening events to help encourage and foster community-building activities between partners, customers, and Microsoft employees. Throughout the year be sure to check out the community sites to access the most current information.

Instructor Lead Training

Conference sponsor and BizTalk Server training partner, Quicklearn, is offering a series of classes before and after the conference for the convenience of attendees. Furthermore Quicklearn is providing a 35% discount for conference attendees. Use the links below to find out about the specific classes and to register. Make sure to include the discount Registration code: ‘BPI06’ when you register for one of these classes.

9/25-9/29 (5-days) – BizTalk Server 2006 Deep Dive
9/30-10/2 (3-days) – BizTalk Server 2006 - Service Oriented Architectures (SOA)
10/9-10/13 (5-days) – Double Header - Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) & Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)

Quicklearn contact:
Greg Bulette gregb@quicklearn.com
Quicklearn "Technology Training Solutions"
www.QuickLearn.com 425-256-2573

Virtual Server 2005 R2 now available as a free download

MJDorner — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Today we announced that Virtual Server 2005 R2 is now available as a free download. This policy applies to all users of Virtual Server 2005 R2, and will apply to the forthcoming service pack 1 of Virtual Server 2005 R2.

Resource management has always been part of the operating system, and over the years you have been able to obtain this functionality as an integrated part of the operating system platform. As we will release our Windows hypervisor technology in the Windows Server “Longhorn” wave, you will be receiving the benefits of virtualization as part of the Windows Server operating system. Today’s price change makes it easier for you to access and experience the benefits of virtualization technology.

With Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition, you can run up to four virtual operating systems on one physical server at no additional cost. Today’s announcement enables you to easily and cost-effectively run Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition with Virtual Server 2005 R2 for server consolidation, application re-hosting, disaster recovery, and software test and development.

Virtual Server 2005 R2 service pack 1 is scheduled for a beta release in Q2 and general availability in early 2007. This service pack will support the hardware virtualization capabilities developed by AMD and Intel. By supporting both AMD Virtualization and Intel Virtualization Technology, you will be provided better interoperability, strengthened isolation to prevent corruption of one virtual machine from affecting others on the same system, and improved performance for non-Windows guest operating systems. The service pack also will support Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service, providing better support for backup and disaster recovery. Finally, this service pack also will provide existing Microsoft Virtual Server customers an important transition to the Windows hypervisor, which will be delivered in the Windows Server “Longhorn” wave.

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 is a key deliverable for Microsoft’s Dynamic Systems Initiative (DSI), a commitment from us and our partners to deliver self-managing dynamic systems. Customers deploying Virtual Server 2005 R2 can drive up hardware efficiencies, create flexible disaster and recovery environments, and rapidly provision new applications to better align IT with their business needs.

New Virtual Machine Add-ins and Technical Support for Linux Guest Operating Systems

MJDorner — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Starting today, you can consolidate your Linux-based applications on Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 and receive 24-hour support from Microsoft. To improve the interoperability of Linux guest operating systems and Virtual Server 2005 R2, Microsoft is releasing virtual machine add-ins that can be installed in the Linux guests to improve the following capabilities:

Guest and Host synchronization for time sync, heartbeat and coordinated shutdown
Mouse and display driver
SCSI disk emulation

The virtual machine add-ins are available as a free download, and will be supported for an initial set of nine Linux distributions listed below:

Enterprise distributions:
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 (update 6)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 (update 6)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
Novell’s SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9

Standard distributions:

Red Hat Linux 7.3
Red Hat Linux 9.0
Novell’s SuSE Linux 9.2
Novell’s SuSE Linux 9.3
Novell’s SuSE Linux 10.0

Microsoft is committed to ensuring a good customer experience when running supported Linux operating systems as guests in Virtual Server 2005 R2. Therefore, the product support model for these configurations will be consistent with the way that customers receive support for Virtual Server products today. Customers who report interoperability issues with Linux guests or virtual machine add-ins will be routed to a team that is specially trained to troubleshoot issues related to Linux guests within Virtual Server 2005 R2.

The Identity Management Seminar (by Rafal Lukawiecki)

MJDorner — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 12:13:00 GMT

Make sure you're there. Book now

Date: May 4, 2006
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Event Location: Casino Zug, CH-6300 Zug
Attendance Fee: CHF 90.00 excl. VAT / Person
More information: Click here
Registration: Click here

WP: IDoc based adapterless communication between SAP Netweaver Application Server and Microsoft BizTalk Server

mtruempy — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:44:00 GMT

Check out this interesting Whitepaper describing an adapterless IDoc communciation between SAP NetWeaver Application Server and BizTalk Server 2004 SP1 -or- 2006, as long as you are running SAP NetWeaver AS 6.20 -or- 6.30 -or- 6.40 as an alternative in using the existing BizTalk Adapter 2.0 for mySAP Business Suite SPA (aka BTS SAP adapter) for SAP versions SAP 4.6D and below. This Adapter which is available for BizTalk Server 2004 with additional pricing, is free with BizTalk Server 2006 (as all the other adapters from Microsoft are free respectively included in the BizTalk Server 2006 price as well). That adapter builds upon the SAP .NET connector 1.0 and leverages RFCs to communicate with SAP. This integration is SAP certified via the SAP integration scenario CA-ALE 4.0.

Download Whitepaper: "IDoc based adapterless communication between SAP NetWeaver Application Server and Microsoft BizTalk Server, by Jürgen Daiberl and Tilo Böttcher, Global SAP-Alliance, Microsoft" at http://www.microsoft-sap.com/pdf/CollaborationBrief.pdf

Download Whitepaper using SAP XI and Microsoft BizTalk Server with reliable messaging thru SOAP: https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/7521a237-0701-0010-499b-b3285b789c0d

more information on BizTalk Server in an SAP environement can be found at: the Microsoft SAP Alliance website under BizTalk http://www.microsoft-sap.com/technology.aspx and also check out our SAP teams blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/saptech/

regards
-Marcel

How to get BizTalk Server 2006 Beta 2

MJDorner — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:43:00 GMT

Log into https://beta.microsoft.com using your Microsoft Passport Network Account.
Click on “Sign in as Guest” and use the Guest ID “BizTalkBetaTeam”
On the top navigation under "Enrolled Betas" navigate through "BizTalk Server 2006" and click on "Program Info". Then on the left side click on “Survey” and complete the “BizTalk Server 2006 Open Beta Nomination Form”
Complete and submit the form.

Within 1-2 business days you should receive a confirmation letter from Microsoft welcoming you to the BizTalk Server 2006 Beta Program. This letter will contain additional information on where to download the Beta and access the support newsgroup.