John Howard - Senior Program Manager in the Hyper-V team at Microsoft : Events

WinHEC 2006 and Windows Virtualization

jhoward — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 17:23:00 GMT

The Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2006 being held in at the Washington State Convention and Trade Centre in Seattle on 23rd to 25th May this year will provide a lot of further information on Windows Virtualization.

There is a whole (sub-)track devoted to 'System Fundamentals - Virtualization' which includes in-depth information about the Windows virtualization platform architecture. You’ll learn about how your current and future products fit in and are extended by this technology, the future platform requirements, and best practices for implementing virtualized solutions.

Subject to change, these are the planned sessions and levels

How to Use the VMBus Interfaces (300)
This session discusses the configuration and communication application programming interfaces (APIs) for the Microsoft VMBus. Windows virtualization uses the VMBus to provide virtual device support for child partitions. The objective of this session is to provide independent software vendors (ISVs) and independent hardware vendors (IHVs) an understanding of how to write their own virtual service provider/virtual service client (VSP/VSC) virtual device drivers.

How to Use the WMI Interfaces with Windows Virtualization (200)
This session provides attendees all of the information that they need to take advantage of the Windows Management Infrastructure (WMI) interfaces that allow remote and local management of a server that is running with Windows virtualization enabled. This knowledge will enable attendees to build software management solutions on top of the Windows virtualization architecture.

HyperCall APIs Explained (300)
This session provides attendees a robust understanding of Windows hypervisor application programming interfaces (APIs) that are used to configure and communicate with the Windows hypervisor. Makers of third-party operating systems can use this knowledge to build solutions on the Windows virtualization infrastructure.

Hypervisor, Virtualization Stack, and Device Virtualization Architectures (200)
The powerful new Windows virtualization infrastructure will be a core capability in Windows Server Longhorn and in subsequent client releases. This session provides an architectural overview of the three pillars of Windows virtualization: the hypervisor, the virtualization stack, and device virtualization. Other Windows virtualization sessions build on the groundwork that will be laid during this session.

I/O Memory Management Hardware goes Mainstream (300)
I/O memory management hardware has been an essential component of mainframe and high-end server platforms for decades. Just as other technology components that were once confined to the high end of the computing space have moved into the mainstream PC, I/O memory management hardware is now poised to make its mainstream debut. This presentation introduces the AMD I/O memory management architecture, including details of the software interface, page table formats, and table walking algorithms. The potential usage and benefits of the AMD I/O memory management architecture are also discussed.

Inside Microsoft's Network and Storage VSP/VSC (300)
This session provides independent software vendors (ISVs) and independent hardware vendors (IHVs) an in-depth understanding of the architecture that is used in Microsoft's network and storage virtual device drivers and familiarity with the built-in capabilities of these drivers. IHVs can use the information from this session to build virtual service provider/virtual service client (VSP/VSC) pairs.

Intel Virtualization Technology: Strategy and Evolution (200)
This session presents the vision and strategy for virtualization in enterprise computing, for both client and server usage models. It then discusses how system virtualization is implemented today and describes the role and value of the first-generation Intel Virtualization Technology (VT). Finally, the session provides a deep discussion of future VT architecture directions and ends with a description of the Intel virtualization roadmap.

Microsoft Operating System Virtualization Strategy and Virtual Hard Disk Directions (100)
This session provides attendees with insight into the direction that Microsoft is taking with its operating system virtualization technologies. It covers virtual server, virtual PC, Windows virtualization, and Microsoft's virtual hard disk (VHD) direction. The session include a brief history of product releases to date, the current work, and the future direction for each of the these products.
Prereading about VHD is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/techinfo/vhdspec.mspx.

PCIe Address Translation Services and I/O Virtualization (200)
This session presents some of the evolutions from the PCI I/O Virtualization working group in the two key areas of PCIe Address Translation Service (ATS) and protocols to support multiple operating system instances. The PCIe ATS specification defines a new protocol to enable I/O endpoints to efficiently work with chipsets that implement address translation and protection table technology. This session provides a functional overview of the address translation and protection table, ATS terminology, ATS wire protocol operation, critical areas of attention, and what lies ahead.

The PCIe I/O Virtualization specifications define new protocols to enable I/O endpoints to be efficiently shared by multiple operating system instances and to break through the performance barriers that are currently gating virtualization solutions within the industry. This session covers the I/O virtualization terminology, a functional overview, I/O virtualization usage models, single-root and multi-root topologies, configuration, management, error handling, quality of service (QoS), and what lies ahead.

Windows Virtualization Best Practices and Future Hardware Directions (200)
This future-looking session gives attendees an understanding of the directions that Microsoft is taking with Windows virtualization and what independent hardware vendors (IHVs) can do to ensure interoperability between their hardware and Windows virtualization. Example topics include IOMMUs and direct memory access (DMA) remapping.

Here's the links:

WinHEC 2006 Home: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winhec/default.mspx
Registration: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winhec/reg06.mspx
Full Agenda: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winhec/sched06.mspx

Now being based in Redmond, there's a very good chance I'll be around helping out on the Ask The Experts booth for Virtual Server & Windows Virtualization, so be sure to drop by to say hello if you're attending.

Cheers,
John.

MMS (Microsoft Management Summit) San Diego - April 24th-28th

jhoward — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:30:00 GMT

Previously having been UK based, I haven't been directing people to US based conference information. However, given some of the announcments yesterday about Virtual Server, the fact that Steve B was the person who kicked off the Linux support under Virtual Server at MMS last year, and ClustrMap showing plenty of readership from the west-coast USA, it's worth mentioning this years MMS conference running from 24th to 28th April. Late to book, I know, but there are a few spaces left. In fact, I believe the cut-off for registration is today.

You can find the entire conference details at www.mms2006.com

Cheers,
John.

IT Forum Highlights in Reading

jhoward — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 17:58:00 GMT

For those of you who were unable to attend IT Forum 2005 in November, a quick reminder that there are two full-day events re-running some of the most popular content. This will be held on the Microsoft Campus in Reading. The registration links are below - I know they are close to filling up, but if you want to go, please add your name to the waiting list. Similarly, if you are already booked but know you won't be able to make the day, please make sure you cancel your place to allow someone else to attend instead.

31st January: Topics include SQL Server 2005, ISA Server, Windows Server 2003 R2, MOM Management Packs & Virtual Server 2005 R2

9th February: Topics include Exchange 12, Security Configuration Wizard, Monad, Mobility and Windows Vista

Where can I get hold of Windows Server 2003 R2

jhoward — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 18:58:00 GMT

I've had several emails today following last nights TechNet event - an Introduction to Windows Server 2003 R2. The most popular question by far is how can people get hold of it? The answer is on microsoft.com, where you can either register to receive an evaluation CD set or register to download (but bear in mind the downloads are not small). General availability for R2 is expected to be around Feb timeframe next year.

Windows Server 2003 R2 Evaluation Software Download Site

Windows Server 2003 R2 Event - Tomorrow in Reading

jhoward — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 20:21:00 GMT

Just realised I hadn't posted up info about this one before. With Windows Server 2003 R2 "RTM'ing" (Releasing To Manufacture) today, I'll be co-presenting a TechNet event, "An Introduction to Windows Server 2003 R2" with Samm DiStasio, Director of Windows Server Product Marketing Group based in Redmond tomorrow evening at the Microsoft Campus in Reading, starting 18:30.

Click here for free registration

Hope to see you there!

Planning and Deploying the Branch Office Technologies

jhoward — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 16:12:00 GMT

Just a quick reminder for another Windows Server 2003 R2 related webcast tomorrow (10th Nov) at 9.30AM Seattle Time, 5:30PM UK Time.

This session will cover the essential elements that are required for successful branch office planning and deployment. The session will help identify key requirements that will influence the design, highlight what the technology ought to be used for and key usage scenarios. We will also cover the essential process of building a proper test plan which is based on intended usage. Next the session will cover deployment, focusing on available tools and BP that will lead to successful production deployments.

To register and view, click here

Securely Publishing Exchange 2003 using ISA Server 2004 - "Zero to Hero"

jhoward — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 22:35:00 GMT

Thanks for everyone who attended todays security event in London. I hope you got a lot out of the demonstration I ran through today, plus of course the other sessions. It was certainly the scariest and possibly "riskiest" session I've ever considered - taking on 90 mins+ of unrehursed demo could have gone very very wrong, but fortunately it all worked out perfectly. I totally underestimated the time it would take - if you had the patience, I could have gone on another hour and more besides, so sorry about that! At least no-one was snoring at the end :-)

Anyway, several people asked me for the slide deck (albeit very short and sweet), so here it is (it won't be going on the event site for download). Not the best deck in the world (sorry), but considering half of it was written during the train journey this morning having been awake since just after 3AM (Steve originally said no slides, just real live uncut stuff, but I had to bottle out of that one especially considering the subject material), I hope it helps.

Cheers,
John.

Branch Office Technologies in R2

jhoward — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 22:12:00 GMT

We IT Forum preparations almost complete and the Windows Server 2003 R2 launch fairly soon, now would be a good time to get up to speed on R2 technologies. There's a series of online chats over the next few months - I'll hold off for the moment for those in december and beyond, but there's a chat on Branch Office R2 Technologies next week. The abstract a link are below.

This chat will focus on the introduction of the new DFS Replication engine. We will discuss the feature set that enables it to efficiently replicate large quantities of data over the WAN. We will discuss mechanisms designed to optimize replication in challenging environments.

Join here. 27th October 10AM PDT (6PM UK Time).

Turning off differencing disks, and a Virtualisation Live and Uncut rerun anyone?

jhoward — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 20:14:00 GMT

Thanks to everyone who attended the "Virtualisation Live & Uncut" TechNet evening at the Microsoft office in Reading last night - I had a fantastic time, and it was great to have such an interactive audience. I think I now understand a lot more about your concerns and areas to focus on. The unscheduled follow-on "unplugged" bit was great - if I repeat the event, I'll bring a guitar with me. So, in that vain, if you missed yesterdays event but would like a rerun, please add a comment to this entry - if there's enough interest (maybe in Birmingham/Manchester?), I have the means to get it organised.

So, back to a question asked of me, and also one which I've asked myself but never given an answer serious consideration. Suppose you use differencing disks to build say 20 virtual machines all from a single base image. You run them for months for testing purposes, but discover that the size of the differencing disk is growing huge - to the extent that you would have been better off (in terms of physical disk utilisation) using dynamically expanding or perhaps even fixed disks. One downside of a differencing disk is that there is no means to compact them as you can for a dynamically expanding disk - it just grows and grows.

A solution, although not perhaps the most trivial to implement, is to use VSMT to perform a V2V (Virtual to Virtual) migration, deploying the image back to a dynamically expanding or fixed disk. Not ideal, but exactly something I'll be doing this weekend (but only 5 machines in my case).

ADS 1.1 + VSMT Followup

jhoward — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 12:31:00 GMT

As I blogged at the end of last week, Automated Deployment Services, or ADS Version 1.1 was recently released. I spent a couple of hours upgrading my demonstration VSMT environment to see what was what. I can, as Dugie also confirmed, confirm that a migration of an NT4 Server worked flawlessly, also using the latest build of Virtual Server 2005 R2. I did like the way that I could now use Windows Server 2003 SP1 media to build the repository when installing ADS, and there's also an option, if you have it, to use Windows PE. I'll have to investigate that step a bit further....

I'm currently planning the free TechNet evening event at the Microsoft office in Reading on 13th October, "Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 and Virtual PC 2004 - Live and uncut!". You can register for that event here, where you'll also have a chance to ask me any of those awkward questions about Virtualisation in person, including where Microsoft is heading on its roadmap. I look forward to seeing you there!

Core Infrastructure at IT Forum in Barcelona this November

jhoward — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 09:45:00 GMT

So it's been a hectic few weeks for me. I'm nearing the end of pulling together the line-up for the core infrastructure track, so here's a a taster of some of the breakout session content you're going to see (subject to change, just to cover myself!).

Of course, in addition to the content below, there's another 9 tracks chock full of other sessions, plus plenty of "chalk-and-talks", hands on labs, lightning-demos and panel discussions. I'll leave them for another day. For more details of the conference, click the banner above. Note that time is rapidly running out for the early bird discount though! If you are attending, please drop me a line. I'd love to meet as many of you as I can this November. I'll post up a more complete list in a couple of weeks time as we "Dot the i's and Cross the T's".

What the Windows Server 2003 R2 Distributed File System can do for Branch/Remote Office Scenarios
As organizations expand to include more users and servers—whether they are located in one site or in geographically distributed sites—administrators find it increasingly difficult to provide users with intuitive, fast access to the files they need. Administrators who manage remote or branch offices face additional challenges, such as limiting network traffic over slow WAN connections, ensuring the availability of files during WAN outages or server failures, and ensuring that branch servers are backed up correctly. To help administrators address these challenges, the Distributed File System solution in Windows Server 2003 “R2” provides two technologies, DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication, which, when used together, offer simplified, fault-tolerant access to files and WAN-friendly replication.

UNIX Interoperability in Windows Server 2003 R2
This session will discuss the exciting new capabilities appearing in R2 for enabling greater interoperability with UNIX systems. We'll cover support for NFS, changes to the standard Active Directory schema, and the new Subsystem for UNIX Applications, including improved access to Oracle databases and to Win32 APIs and DLLs in general.

Windows Server 2003 R2 Efficient Storage Management
Windows Server 2003 R2 will include new tools that simplify the tasks necessary to set up an efficient storage environment for the Windows platform. Learn about the new quota management tools and SAN management tools. These new tools, coupled with the new management capabilities of DFS and the integration of Windows storage features by Microsoft partners, have made file server deployments and also SANs simpler than ever to deploy on Windows for both iSCSI and Fibre Channel. This session describes and demonstrates the new features and programs that make SANs accessible to a new class of users outside the data center environments.

Storage: Disaster Recovery
Deploying storage disaster recovery solutions for Windows successfully can be complex and expensive depending on the solutions customers choose. Learn about the various levels of failure and the kinds of products available for each kind of recovery solution needed.

Windows Hypervisor and Virtualization Futures
This session provides a technical overview of the Windows hypervisor. The Windows hypervisor will provide the foundation for Microsoft's Windows virtualization solutions in the Longhorn Server timeframe. This session discusses the hypervisor and related I/O virtualization layers.

Windows Hang and Crash Dump Analysis (Mark Russinovich)
Learn to analyze Microsoft Windows crash dumps, diagnose the cause, pinpoint a solution, a resolve the problem. This session for all systems administrators explains how crashes occur and what happens when you reboot a crashed system, and then leads you step-by-step through the crash dump analysis process, introducing the latest tools from Microsoft and handy tricks for isolating the cause of a crash.

Advanced Windows Troubleshooting with Sysinternals Filemon and Regmon (Mark Russinovich)
Learn advanced techniques for applying the Filemon and Regmon freeware tools from Sysinternals.com to troubleshoot a range of Windows system and application issues (DLL conflicts, permission problems, registry problems, etc). These tools are used on a daily basis by Microsoft Product Support and have been used effectively to solve a wide variety of desktop and server issues, so being familiar with their operation and application will assist you in dealing with different problems on Windows. Real world examples will be given that show successful application of these tools to solve real problems.

Printing with Windows Server 2003 R2
Huge improvements have been made to printing and print management in Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2. This session goes end to end with a technical drill down covering tips, tricks and the latest features. Learn how to deal with 64-bit print drivers, cluster improvements and advice for handling printing in branch offices. The Print Management Console (PMC) is new to Windows Server 2003 R2, bringing about significant improvements by allowing you for the first time to manage multiple print servers from a single interface. Through demonstration, find out how to make the most effective use of the PMC by building filters and sending notifications when printers or servers are unavailable. You will also learn how to use the PMC to deploy printer connections to your users through Group Policy.

Terminal Services Drilldown
Discover the new Terminal Services feature in Windows Server 2003 SP1 and how they help you to deploy and maintain your Terminal Services environment. This session will cover the new SP1 features, provide an introduction to x64 and Terminal Services. This session will cover the top support issues seen by Microsoft Product Support and provide a detailed discussion of the symptoms and causes to help you prevent having these issues within your organization.

Active Directory Disaster Recovery Parts 1 & 2 (John Craddock)
No Pressure! Your Active Directory has just failed… Can you pinpoint where it has failed? Do you have a disaster recovery plan? Do you know where to start? Join us for these two sessions and learn how to recover from different failure scenarios including failures of, the database, domain controllers, global catalogs, FSMO roles and SYSVOL. You will learn how to successfully recover domains, forests and perform authoritative restores. We will not only show you how to do it, but also point out any associated caveats. The sessions are backed up with comprehensive demos.

Branch Office Active Directory Deployment
This session will look at the Architecture and Design considerations of implementing Active Directory in a branch or satellite office scenario. The learning is based on recent work Microsoft UK have carried out in the design and deployment of some of the largest branch office domain controller deployments in the world. Expect detailed information regarding the architecture, key decision factors and implications of the design. This session will also look in detail at the Windows Server 2003 Branch Office Deployment Guide, including design and planning considerations (for example DC placement, bridgehead server load and DNS), key components such as KCC redundant mode and other tools such as ADLB and Ultrasound. The session aims to walk you through a branch office deployment picking up the key pertinent points along the way.

Security Policy Management and the Security Configuration Wizard (Jesper Johansson)
In Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, Microsoft shipped its first new security policy tool in six years. The Security Configuration Wizard (SCW) can help you author, tailor and apply policy. As with any security policy tool it can also completely disable your network. To learn more about how to manage security policies and how to use the Security Configuration Wizard, come to this session where Jesper Johansson discusses the internals of the security configuration wizard and how to make use of it to author policies in your organization. We cover how to use SCW as well as other security policy tools and resources, such as the Security Configuration Editor, Group Policy, and the Security Guides. We also discuss the idea of role-based security policy and how you can best leverage it to protect your Windows network.

Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 Drilldown: Deciding between it and Windows Server 2003 R2
This session will look under the hood of Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 focusing on the new features like single instance storage, text based search, file server performance optimization. How do they work? How do you deploy and implement the product? What are the scenarios in which Windows Storage Server is deployed? We also explore unique storage features of Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 versus Windows Server 2003.

You've decided to migrate off of Novell, now what?
As Novell Netware customers investigate their upgrade and migration options, they see there is a lot of work that needs to be done to make that migration as smooth as possible.
This session will provide an overview of the various methods of migrating from NDS to Active Directory. We will discuss the concepts and issues involved in such a migration (translating security principles, coexistence and data migration) and the main problems that the customer may encounter. We will then demonstrate Services For Netware, Microsoft Directory Synchronisation Service and Quest NDS Migrator and differentiate between methods to identify where each product set fits in a migration project.

Virtual Server - Advanced Scripting & Other Secrets
Virtual Server provides a powerful selection of COM interfaces for manipulating all facets of a virtual machine. This can support everything from provisioning to day-to-day management operations. In this session we will showcase the COM API and demonstrate a range of scripting examples. We will also demonstrate how partner offerings are using the API to productize key provisioning and management functionality.

Understanding & working with the Virtual Server VHD disk format
Microsoft has standardized on the Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file format for the running and management of virtual machines. This file format provides for a range of disk types, including dynamically expanding, linked, undo and differencing disks. In this session we will take a deep dive into the file format, and discuss best practices and partner offerings for disk image management and migration.

How MSIT Manages its AD Infrastructure
Ever wondered how Microsoft information technology (IT) manages and operates its Active Directory infrastructure? Do you think Microsoft employees are especially tolerant of downtime or performance issues? Microsoft has the oldest production Active Directory in the world (happily authenticating users since 1999). Come listen as Microsoft IT shares its best practices on everything from domain controller placement, performance monitoring and change management to disaster recovery, tools and 64-bit domain controllers.

IT Forum 2005 - Barcelona

jhoward — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 11:01:00 GMT

The Microsoft IT Forum 2005 web-site is now live to take registrations. The agenda is being formulated now and will be going live in the next few weeks. This is a major event for IT Professionals in Europe (or even further in many cases) with many high-profile speakers, plus an optional full day of in-depth pre-conference on Monday 14th November. Many more details to follow soon, but there will be (approx) 175 breakout sessions, 125 chalk and talk sessions, several panel discussions plus, of course, loads of hands on or instructor led labs. For now, here's the structure of the core tracks:

Microsoft Business Solutions
Messaging & Mobility
Data Management
Management & Operations
Connected Systems Infrastructure
Identity & Access Management
Office System
Windows Client
Security
Core Infrastructure

I'm the "track owner" for the Core Infrastructure track and am now putting together a great set of sessions for that track.

So now your part.... If you plan on attending and have a "must see" session under Core Infrastructure (eg Windows Server 2003, R2, Virtual Server, Longhorn Server, Storage etc), let me know pronto - most of the decisions will be made in the next 10 days! Click the banner to find out more information, including registration information and early-bird discounts. I look forward to seeing you there!

Active Directory Remote Administration

jhoward — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:41:00 GMT

There is a webcast on 22nd July at 17:30 (UK) about Active Directory Remote Administration - a topic I get many questions about. Hence, take this opportunity to ask your questions live. Here's the description of what's going to be talked about:

See the improvements in the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Domain and Forest functional levels. Join us in examining the special considerations for the designing and planning for a branch office environment, and the use of command line and GUI tools for remote management and scripting. In this webcast we show how to deploy a domain controller to support a remote branch office connected over a Wide Area Network link. We present the options available for remote management using the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-Line tools. Finally we cover other available remote management tools that administer Active Directory.

Click here to register

VMWare at TechEd Europe 2005 Day 1

jhoward — Tue, 05 Jul 2005 18:12:00 GMT

OK, so kind of an interesting topic for a Microsoft employee presenting at TechEd about Virtual Server and Virtual PC. However, if you're over at TechEd this week, drop into booth B29. They're a great bunch of guys - we had some interesting discussions comparing Virtual PC to VMWare Workstartion 5, Virtual Server to GSX, and finding out more about ESX and just a general chat. I gave one of them a keyboard brush with Virtual Server 2005 stamped on it which sits on top of your monitor, and was trying to persuade them to pop it on their monitor in the booth. Unfortunately, they bottled it once the stand opened this morning to the public, although I'm assured it will work its way back to their offices. I have another one, so I'll post up a photo of it when I can - however I only have the phone camera at the moment and don't think I have my USB lead to hook it up to my laptop over here. Maybe I should start something like the Channel 9 guy on his travels, but have the Virtual Server Keyboard Cleaner man instead. Maybe I could start his very own blog :-)

I haven't had much opportunity to attend sessions today as I've been busy manning the "Ask the Experts" stand and working on my presentations for Thursday and Friday. I did go through an interesting instructor-led hands-on-lab about VSTO - you can now write Managed Code to write add-ins for Outlook. This is way cool for me having a significant number of years dev background with Outlook and Exchange. If only it had have been around a couple of years ago.....

Teched Europe 2005 Pre-Conference Day

jhoward — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 11:54:00 GMT

So I'm over in Amsterdam right now on the Teched Europe 2005 pre-conference day. As much as I'd want to listen to some of the great full-day sessions today, including John Craddock talking about Active Directory Internals, Mark Russinovich talking about Advanced Windows Troubleshooting or a day in the company of Steve and Jesper talking security (my brain might fry before that one was over) to name but three, I've unfortunately got internal meetings over here most of the day. What's more unfortunate is that the pre-conference days aren't recorded.

Between you and me, I'll have to sneak out of the internal meetings, but please don't tell my boss ;-!!! I'm not speaking until Thursday and Friday, so I should get a chance tomorrow to listen in to the keynote and some of the other sessions. Just got to choose which ones now. I'll post up anything blog-worthy (which there's bound to be loads of).

BTW - my remote webmail and VPN connectivity back to home is working a treat from here - that is really cool. The VPN back to Microsoft CorpNet also works, but that isn't quite so cool as a) it means I can do some work and b) I didn't set it up