Harold Wong's Blog Site

On a regular basis, I am asked the following question: “Where can I download the trial software of {product x}?”

With that in mind, I have decided to post the links to some of these products below:

Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9701662

Windows Server 2008 R2 Trial Software: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9701666

Forefront Server Security Management Console: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9701670

Microsoft System Center Essentials 2010 Beta: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9701674

System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9701678

Windows HPC Server 2008: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9701682

Exchange Server 2010 120-Day Trial: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=168905

Office Communications Server 2007 R2 180-Day Trial: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/bb684921.aspx 

I realize that I did not list every Microsoft Server product available.  I chose to list the ones I’ve been receiving the most requests for.  Enjoy.

Harold Wong

PS: If you want to test out Microsoft products in your lab and need more than the 90 to 180 days available with these trials, you really should consider getting your hands on a TechNet Plus Subscription.  You can subscribe now and take advantage of a 28% discount: http://blogs.technet.com/haroldwong/archive/2010/01/15/technet-subscription-promotion-update-12-months-for-251-28-28-off.aspx.

I delivered a Momentum Webcast on January 12, 2010 on the Top Five Reasons to Upgrade to Exchange Server 2010.  My goal was to post the Q&A Log by Friday, January, 15, 2010.  I was on target, then got caught up with a few things and just totally forgot (Senior moment).

Now that I finally remembered, here are the few questions that were posted and my answers to them.  If I missed something or my answer(s) weren’t clear, please let me know.  Thanks!!

Harold Wong

Questions and Answers Log

Momentum Webcast: Top Five Reasons to Upgrade to Exchange Server 2010

Question: Hello Harold, is there a reason why I must save the Launch.rtc file locally then double click to open it? I did not have this issue until running Windows7. Suggestion to be able to open directly from IE8?

Answer: I am also running Windows 7 with IE8 and do not have that issue. I’m guessing you have a setting in IE8 that is forcing you to do that.

Question: Has Exchange 2010 more easy to integrate with ASP and ASP.net code? By that I mean, can the calendar, contact information including Emails accessible via an intranet application we have already? If I am not clear, I will be happy to speak to you about that. Thanks for your response.

Answer: You can easily integrate using the Exchange Web Services: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb204119.aspx.

Question: In a small business environment, can you only have one exchange server run all roles for exchange 2010? Have one server in production and one server at the DR site?

Answer: For the first question, the answer is Yes. If you want to implement a DR site, currently, you will need a minimum of two servers in the production site before you can add a server at a remote site into the DAG.

Question: Where can I go to get the differences between Exchange 2010 Standard and Enterprise?

Answer: The only difference is that Enterprise Edition can have up to 100 databases while Standard only supports up to 5: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb232170.aspx.

Question: How does Exchange 2010 deal with "whitespace?" In Exchange 2003 you had to perform an offline defragmentation, is it still the same with 2010?

Answer: This is still true with Exchange Server 2010.

Question: When databases are replicated, from that point forward, is only change data replicated?

Answer: We use Log Shipping to replicate. As each Transaction Log (1 MB in size) is closed, it is then copied to the other nodes and replayed into the copy of the database maintained by that server. This is essentially the same process / architecture as CCR, LCR and SCR in Exchange 2007.

Question: This is a great presentation. I really enjoyed it. Do we get PDU's for this class?

Answer: Not sure what a PDU is, but I’m guessing no.

Question: How do voice mails get received within your email? Does you phone system have to have this capability? Is there a compatibility list for this?

Answer: Your PBX or whatever phone system you are using has to send the call to the Exchange Unified Messaging (UM) Server Role. If your phone system cannot communicate directly with Exchange UM, then you will need to purchase a gateway to connect the two systems. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124084.aspx, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125141(EXCHG.80).aspx and http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc164342(EXCHG.80).aspx.

Question: What makes Exchange 2010 an easily hosted application?

Answer: As soon as Microsoft Online is upgraded to Exchange 2010, organizations will be able to integrate their On Premise Exchange deployment with mailboxes hosted in the Cloud (Microsoft Online).

Question: does exchange 2010 has new feature to easily integrate with virtual servers and to play a role in cloud computing. what are those new features. will it support for virtual server in production environment.

Answer: We do support the CAS, HT and Mailbox Roles in a virtual environment (Hyper-V, etc.). Depending on the usage, this may not make sense. Exchange 2010 can be integrated with on-premise and hosted in one organization and have seamless administration. Our hosted solution is currently still running on Exchange 2007 so that was not something I could demonstrate today.

Just wanted to let everyone know that there has been an update to the TechNet Subscription Promotion.  The previous code of TMSAM04 is NO longer valid – it has been discontinued.

I have been given a new code to use  and it is TNITE01 (The first five characters are letters and the last two characters are the number zero and the number one).  This code will allow you to get a NEW TechNet Direct Subscription for $251.29 which is 28% off the MSRP of $349.  This code is valid between the dates of January 18, 2010 and March 31, 2010.

[UPDATE on 1/19/10]: Another note (a.k.a. disclaimer) about this code.  It is only valid for redemption of New subscriptions (not valid for renewals) in the United States between 1/18/10 and 3/31/10.  The terms of this offer are subject to change.  [End UPDATE]

Please note that this code is not valid for renewals – sorry.

To place your order now, click this link.

Harold Wong

Just received word that we have scheduled two TechNet Events in February.  The first one is in Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at the AMC Desert Ridge (Tatum Blvd and Deer Valley) from 8 AM – 12 PM.   The second one is in Burbank, CA on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at the AMC Burbank 16 from 8 AM – 12 PM.

The event information can be found at www.technetevents.com.  I am also including the direct registration link for each of the cities.

Phoenix, AZ: February 23, 2010

Burbank, CA: February 25, 2010

We are still working to add additional ones (likely held in Microsoft offices) so stay tuned and I will get word out as soon as we finalize the details on that.

The topics are as follows:

SESSION 1: The Next Wave: Windows Azure

The future of highly available, high-performance, secure, dynamically scalable, hosted computing is here.  It’s Microsoft’s new online service computing platform: Windows Azure.   In this session, we’ll discuss and demonstrate the basics of Windows Azure and how you can leverage it in your work.  We’ll show you real-world examples of how companies are using Azure today, help you think about applying it for customer-facing applications, or quickly and dynamically add horsepower to your own computing infrastructure.  We’ll also touch on the exciting future of the platform – including what you can expect to see in the coming months and years.

Highlights include:

· What exactly is “Cloud Computing”?  What applications are best suited to the cloud?

· Microsoft’s commitment to the Cloud:  The virtualization platform and data centers

· The Azure architecture: How it all fits together

· How to get started in the cloud: Deploying and managing applications

· Will I save money by doing this?  (Using the Azure TCO tool)

· What will Windows Azure look like a year from now?

SESSION 2:  Hyper-V: Tools to Build the Ultimate Virtual Test Network 

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V version 2.0 provide a powerful base upon which you can build a highly realistic, effective test bed for servers, clients, and networks. In this session, you’ll learn how to use the resources of a TechNet subscription, Windows Server 2008R2, Hyper-V, and a new, free sysinternals tool called Disk2vhd, to build the ultimate test or training environment.  We’ll show you how to import existing virtual machines and export virtual hard disks. You’ll see how to take point-in-time snapshots, and to build snapshot hierarchies that allow you to move both backward and forward to specific points in the time of a VHD.  We’ll also demonstrate how to create a virtual machine from a running physical machine, and then import that VHD into Hyper-V.  By the end of this session, you’ll have a solid understanding of the tools and techniques currently available for building a great virtual environment in Hyper-V.

Highlights include:

· TechNet subscription: What is it? How do I get one? What does it cost?

· Virtual Hard Disks: format interoperability and disk types

· Working with virtual networks and network connections

· Connectivity with legacy network adapters and network adapters

· Using wireless interfaces

· Importing and exporting VHD files

· Effects of importing and exporting a VHD in Hyper-V

· How to take, apply and consolidate snapshots

SESSION 3: Windows 7 Deployment

Deploying Windows 7 is easy if you’re using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010.  This session will walk you through the various tools that can help simplify your deployments.  We’ll drill down in the MDT Workbench and look at how the MDT process helps you create a reference image, which can then be easily deployed to the target computers.  We’ll look at how to configure the deployment environment, show how you can add operating systems, applications, drivers, and language packs using the Deployment Workbench, and then finish up by creating a task sequenced deployment to a target computer.

Highlights include:

· Microsoft Deployment Options

·  Review the MDT 2010 Deployment Process

· Deployment Tools

o Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK )

o Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010

· Configure MDT 2010 to perform a Lite Touch Installation (LTI) of Windows 7

Harold Wong

Sign up to join the Toolbox.com IT Windows 7 Community so you can enter the Windows @ Work contest, discuss issues that arise during the implementation, configuration, administration or daily use of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. Be a part of the Toolbox.com Windows 7 Community!

Link:  http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9702401

Just found out today that Microsoft Office 2010 Beta is now freely available to the public to download and test.  Along with Office 2010 Beta, you can also grab SharePoint 2010 Beta!

Get Office 2010 Beta here: www.microsoft.com/office2010 

Get SharePoint Server 2010 Beta here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/ee388573.aspx 

Harold Wong

Today is the official “Launch” day of Exchange Server 2010.  With that great news, comes other news.  The Exchange Server 2010 Bits will be available on the TechNet subscriber download site sometime today.  Also, the evaluation bits for Exchange Server 2010 and Forefront will be available for download around 10 AM PST today.  I would highly encourage you to go grab the bits and give them a try.

Exchange Server 2010 trial: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9694893

Forefront Protection 2010 for Exchange: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9694679

Since I am posting this a little early in the day, the above links may not be live just yet.  If that is the case, come back some time after 10 AM (PST).

Harold Wong

I know that there have been quite a few people who have already visited the Microsoft Store in Scottsdale since it opened on October 22, 2009.  However, I was out of town on the grand opening and have been either sick or out of town since then and have not had a chance to go visit until today.  I took the family with me for the visit today and thought I would share my thoughts and impressions.

Upon walking into the store, I was welcomed by a friendly employee with a smile on his face.  I walked around to all the different stations that were setup in the store to see what was being displayed.  There were Zunes, Dell Laptops, XBox 360 consoles, Surface consoles and more.  One of the more impressive items in the store was along the walls as you can see in the following three photos.

What you see along the walls are essentially TV monitors / computer screens that are driven by multiple Windows 7 computers.  The entire wall is essentially a nice big computer screen with lots of changing items and fluid backgrounds.  My son thought that was one of the coolest things in the entire store.

As I was walking through the store, I ran into a former team mate by the name of Talon Morris who is now the Store Trainer.  Talon was kind enough to give me (and the kids) a quick tour of the store – including the “back office”.  What I realized I didn’t take a picture of was the huge touch screen flat screen TV at the back of the store.  I definitely want that in my house!!!!!

I of course asked the question that my friends have been asking me - “What is special about the computer systems sold at the Microsoft store??”  Talon informed me that the systems here are pretty much a “plain” install.  What this means is that the systems don’t have all the wonderful “extras” that you would normally find on an OEM system.  It just has Windows 7 installed with all the drivers, Security Essentials (http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/), Adobe Acrobat Reader and perhaps just a few more utility type programs.  The store also offers the customer the ability to apply a skin to their systems.  You can bring your own photo in and within a few minutes a skin will be printed which can be applied to the computer (nice sticker essentially).  This is a great way to really personalize the outside of your machine.  I will have to revisit the store in the future to see if I can get a skin created for my existing laptop.  I know this is not free, but even if I had to pay $20 - $30, I still think it would be totally worth it.

I was very happy with my experience at the store and found every employee that I spoke with to be very friendly and helpful.  If you live in the Valley or near the Mission Viejo location, I would highly encourage you to visit and let me know what your experience was like.

Harold Wong

On November 3, 2009, I posted the Launch slide decks for the Exchange Server 2010 Track to my SlideShare site.  I was informed by a couple of my team mates that they have posted the Launch slide decks for the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 tracks to their SlideShare sites as well.

Windows 7 Decks: http://www.slideshare.net/keithcombs 

Windows Server 2008 R2 Decks: http://www.slideshare.net/chenley 

Enjoy.

Harold Wong

Mahalo!

I wanted to get the word out to the IT Pros in Honolulu, HI that there will be a TechNet Event taking place on December 7, 2009 from 1:30 PM – 5 PM at the Hawaii Prince Hotel located at 100 Holomoana Street, Honolulu Hawaii 96815.

I will be delivering a quick 45 minute presentation on Windows 7 at the Angelbeat Event in the morning (http://www.angelbeat.com/?p=260).  Following the Angelbeat event (which is free by the way), we will take a lunch break and then start the afternoon TechNet Event at 1:30 PM.

I will be delivering three of the twelve sessions from the IT Pro New Efficiency Launch.  I chose to deliver the Overview sessions from each of the three tracks (Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Exchange Server 2010) since they cover all of the key components.  The descriptions of the three sessions are as follows:

Introducing Windows 7 and the Windows Optimized Desktop

Today’s knowledge workers expect to be able to access data and applications from anywhere and from a wide array of PCs. This challenges IT Professionals, who are responsible for protecting sensitive data and reducing costs.  The Windows® Optimized Desktop—Windows 7 Enterprise and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack—can help relieve this tension between end users and IT Professionals by providing the tools to balance the needs of both groups. This session will provide an overview of the Windows Optimized Desktop and the key features that help:

• Make people productive anywhere
• Manage risks through enhanced security and control
• Reduce costs by streamlining PC management

What's in Windows Server 2008 R2 for IT Administrators: A Technical Overview 

Come learn about the great new features in Windows Server 2008 R2 with a focus on the benefits for IT Administrators.  This session will cover many new features included in Windows Server 2008 R2 that improve the cost of ownership and IT administrator improvements.  The overview session will cover the Best Practice Analyzer (BPA), Active Directory, Windows PowerShell, Power Management, Group Policy enhancements, Scalability, Server Core enhancements  and new Remote Desktop Services features and capabilities.

Introducing Exchange Server 2010

This session offers an overview of Exchange Server 2010, the cornerstone of Microsoft's unified communications solution, and demonstrates how this latest release helps achieve new levels of reliability and performance, by delivering features that help simplify administration, protect communications, and delight users.  The session will highlight key innovations and enhancements made in Exchange 2010 across three product investment areas: "Flexible and Reliable", "Anywhere Access", and "Protection and Compliance". We will also touch on high-level options around migration from previous releases of Exchange, and illustrate the significant "Software + Services" opportunities delivered with Exchange Online.

To register for the event, please go here: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032430135&Culture=en-US.  If you know of a friend that would be interested but does not follow my blog, please pass this along so we can have a packed house.  Thanks and I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Harold Wong

I just made a separate post for the Exchange Connections in Las Vegas next week.  This post is for the Windows Connections that is running at the same time.  Over the past few years, I’ve been delivering sessions on Exchange or OCS at the Exchange Connections in Las Vegas (and Orlando), but since we are “Launching” Exchange Server 2010 at the conference this year, the Exchange Product Group is out in force to deliver the Exchange sessions.

Luckily, I did still get asked to help out with Connections, but with the Windows side of it.  I will be delivering 4 sessions this year along with my team mates, Chris Henley and Chris Avis.  We will be speaking on “Microsoft Day”, November 10, 2009.  The schedule is as follows:

The three of us will also be doing booth duty on November 11th and 12th so we will be around for the entire conference.  Just like with the Exchange Connections event, there will be great speakers (such as Steve Riley and Jeremy Moskowitz) delivering great sessions around Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 on November 11th and 12th as well.

I know there are still openings if you haven’t registered, but are interested.  Here is the registration link if you are interested: http://www.devconnections.com/shows/FALL2009WIN/registration.asp?s=139.

I hope to see you there.  Please do stop by and say hello.

Harold Wong

Doh!!!  I totally forgot to blog the fact that the upcoming Exchange Connections Event will be taking place in Las Vegas, NV from November 9 – 12, 2009: http://www.winconnections.com/default.asp.

Rajesh Jha, Corporate Vice President of Exchange, will be one of the keynote speakers at the event.  The Exchange team will be truly launching Exchange Server 2010 at this event since the product went RTM in early October.  If all goes well, the bits should be available by the time the keynote is delivered on November 9th or shortly thereafter.

Kristian Andaker, Jason Mayans, Jeremy White, Ross Smith, David Claux and Ankur Kothari from the Exchange Product Group will be delivering the key sessions on “Microsoft Day” (November 10, 2009).

Of course there will also be a bunch of other great sessions on Exchange 2010 and OCS 2007 R2 delivered on November 11 and 12 by industry experts / MVPs such as Lee Mackey, Jim McBee and William Lefkowitz to name a few.  As far as I know, there are still seats available, so go register now if you are interested: http://www.devconnections.com/shows/FALL2009EXCH/registration.asp?s=140.

Harold Wong

I know I’m a little late getting this post out, but I figured I would wait until I delivered all the launch events on the West Coast so I can do one big follow up post.  For those who attended my first event in Denver on September 24th, I’m very sorry.  For those who attended in Burbank on October 28th, this is fairly timely.

Following are the few Exchange Server 2010 Questions that I did not have a definitive answer for during the first few events.

Question 1: Now that all Outlook (MAPI) clients connect to the Client Access Server (CAS), how does this work with Outlook 2007 and 2003 clients?

Answer 1: All CAS servers have a new RPC Client Access Service which serves as the MAPI endpoint for internal Outlook clients to connect for Mailbox access.  If clients are accessing Public Folders, they will still connect directly to the Mailbox Server that is hosting the Public Folders.  This is true for all Outlook clients.  I’m sure some of you have already noticed that I am calling out Outlook 2007 and 2003 specifically and not mentioning any of the older ones.  The reason for this is that we only “officially” support Outlook 2003 and 2007 since the older ones are now out of the official support window.

Question 2: With Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft stopped supporting Single Label Domains.  Do we plan to support Single Label Domains in Exchange Server 2010?

Answer 2: With Exchange Server 2007 SP1, we supported Single Label Domains (again).  We have tested SLDs in Exchange Server 2010 and I expect we will officially support them.  That has not been announced (that I’m aware of) nor have I found a TechNet article on it yet, but I suspect it is forthcoming.

Question 3:  Do we need to have Outlook 2010 to use the new Database Availability Groups (DAG) feature?

Answer 3:  No.  Since internal Outlook clients now connect to the CAS, even current (and older) clients will be able to connect to their Mailbox in the event of a failover since the CAS is “proxying” the connection.

Of course, there were the Frequently Asked Questions that I received in almost every city and was able to answer.  I thought I would include those here as well.

Question:  To access the Online Archive Mailbox in Exchange Server 2010, do I have to use Outlook 2010?

Answer:  Currently, you can use Outlook Web App (OWA) or Outlook 2010 (Beta).  Outlook 2007 and earlier clients cannot access the Online Archive Mailbox.

Question:  To use DAGs, what version of Windows Server do I need?

Answer:  You will need to have the Enterprise Edition of Windows Server since DAGs does depend on the Cluster Service of Windows and that is only in the Enterprise Edition of Windows Server.

Question:  Can an Exchange 2007 Server be part of the DAG?

Answer:  No.  DAGs are new to Exchange Server 2010 and requires Exchange Server 2010 so only Exchange 2010 servers can be a member of the DAG.  Exchange 2007 and earlier do not “understand” what a DAG is and how to participate.

Question:  Since OWA now has the IM client “built in”, does that mean that Exchange Server 2010 provides IM capabilities on the Server side like Exchange 2000 did?

Answer:  No.  The OWA client has the code integrated in to connect to an Office Communications Server (OCS) infrastructure for IM access.  We did not build IM capabilities into Exchange Server 2010 – you still need to deploy OCS as well to use that client side feature.

Question:  With DAGs, do I still have to backup my Exchange servers?

Answer:  For this question, I am giving my opinion which may or may not be the same as Microsoft’s.  YES, I would still perform backups of the Exchange databases.  You may have 16 copies of the database, but all 16 copies will be the “same”.  What happens if your CFO “accidentally” deletes some email from 3 months ago and you have the deleted item retention window set to 30 days???  How are you going to “recover” that?  Now, if the company policy states that you are only able to recover back 30 days, then I guess you are safe, but most executives I know don’t like those types of answers.  So you decide.

Question:  How does Licensing work?

Answer:  Purchase the edition of Exchange Server for the features on the server.  Example: You need more than 5 databases on the server, then you would need Exchange Server 2010 Enterprise Edition.  You will ALWAYS need an Exchange Standard Client Access License (CAL) for every user that uses Exchange.  You will add the Enterprise CAL for each user that uses Enterprise level features (such as, but not limited to, Unified Messaging, Online Archive, Per Mailbox Journaling, etc.).  Example: You have 100 users who access Exchange for email and calendaring.  Of those 100, 50 also use UM and Online Archive.  You will need to purchase 100 Standard CALs plus 50 Enterprise CALs.  The Edition of the CAL has nothing to do with the edition of the Server.  For more details, you really should contact a Microsoft licensing person / expert as I am not a Licensing guru at all.

Lastly, I received two non technical questions on a frequent basis as well.  I am listing those two here with their respective answers.

Question 1:  Will the slides be available for download and if so, what is the link?

Answer 1:  I just recently posted the 4 decks on Slide Share and blogged it here: http://blogs.technet.com/haroldwong/archive/2009/11/01/exchange-server-2010-launch-slides-on-slideshare.aspx

Yes, I’m going to make you look at that blog post as well.  :-)

Question 2:  I received the 32 bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate, can I please get a 64 bit copy instead?

Answer 2:  If you have a TechNet or MSDN subscription, then you have access to the 64 bit ISO and can use that.  Otherwise, we did indeed give out a 32 bit version in EVERY launch city so you are not alone.  If I could turn back the wheel of time and had known the giveaway would be 32 bit, I would have spoken up and told them to provide a choice.  Unfortunately, my time machine is no longer working so that is not an option.  Please look at it in a positive light.  You did get a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate – albeit 32 bit.

Harold Wong

For all those who attended my Exchange Server 2010 Sessions during the West Coast Launch Tour, I received approval to post my slide decks to SlideShare.  My main SlideShare page is: www.slideshare.net/harold.wong.

The links to the individual presentations are below:

Introducing Exchange Server 2010

Exchange Server 2010 Unified Messaging

Exchange Server 2010 High Availability

Exchange Server 2010 Archiving and Retention

Let me know if you have any questions.

Harold Wong

We are in the middle of our New Efficiency Launch of Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008 R2 / Exchange Server 2010.  Since it just isn’t possible to hit every city in the US (or around the world), I realize not everyone was able to make it to the event and get the great information.

If you are interested in viewing the sessions but don’t live in one of the cities where we are delivering the content live, I have GREAT news for you.  On October 26th, 2009, we are streaming the sessions live from San Diego all across the world.  To get more information about this Streaming session, please visit: http://www.thenewefficiency.com/live.

If you click the “Save the date 10/26” box on the right, you will get the option to put the meeting on your calendar.  To actually hit the live stream site use the first option along the right - “Visit the Virtual Experience”.  Unless I’m missing something, there is no need to register to participate.  Keep in mind that San Diego is on Pacific Standard Time and the first Developer session starts at 9 AM (PST).  Enjoy!!!

Harold Wong