Windows 2008 Hyper-V Released today!!!

If you’ve be testing Hyper-V in your environment the last few months, then you’ll be please to know that Microsoft announced today the release of Hyper-V.  (To get the full details go here.)

Windows Server 2008 Security Guide

For those of you attending TechEd 2008, I will be presenting the session MGT56-TLC - Hardening Windows Server 2008 Deployments with the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide   It will cover the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide   as well as the GPOAccelerator v3.  If you can’t make it don’t worry, I’ll be posting a recording of it a week or so after TechED.

Here's a summary from the two website links above:

Overview

As an IT professional focused on security, you know firsthand how essential your servers are to keeping your organization up and running. It’s your job to stand guard over these essential assets, and to prevent them from going down. Windows Server 2008 is engineered from the ground up with security in mind.

The Windows Server 2008 Security Guide is designed to further enhance the security of the servers in your organization by taking full advantage of the new and improved security technologies and features in Windows Server 2008. Use the guidance to create, test, and deploy your security baseline quickly and reliably, harden your server workloads, and evaluate security setting recommendations to meet the requirements of your environment.

The Solution Accelerator for the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide includes the following components:

·         Executive Overview. A summary for business and technical managers that briefly explains how you can use the guidance and the tool for this Solution Accelerator.

·         Security Guide. Recommended guidelines and best practices in a series of chapters that offer detailed guidance on how to harden servers running Windows Server 2008 that handle different workloads, including those for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), DHCP, DNS, Web, File, Print, Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), Network Policy and Access Services, and Terminal Services.

·         Security Settings Recommendation Appendix. A comprehensive technical reference that explains every prescribed security setting in the security guide.

·         Security Settings Workbook. A resource that lists all prescribed settings for each of the preconfigured security baselines provided by the guide.

·         Attack Surface Reference Workbook. A resource that lists the changes that installed server roles introduce in Windows Server 2008.

·         GPOAccelerator. A tool that you can use to automatically create Group Policy objects (GPOs) recommended by the guide, which is available as a separate download. To learn more about the GPOAccelerator and download the tool, click here.

The GPOAccelerator automatically deploys the security recommendations in the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide, 2007 Microsoft Office Security Guide, the Windows Vista Security Guide and the Windows XP Security Guide. These guides recommend Group Policy configurations and, in the case of Windows Vista and Windows XP, Security Template configurations that are enforced via Active Directory® in your environment. Each of these guides contains prescriptive recommendations for two security baselines, Enterprise Client (EC) and Specialized Security – Limited Functionality (SSLF). These baselines have been thoroughly tested and validated. The tool provides you with the recommended EC and SSLF Group Policy objects (GPOs) for Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and the 2007 Office release in this download.

Active Directory Webcasts Series

Along with the two series I blogged about in the previous entries, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t include links to the Active Directory Series too!!  Although this is also Windows Server 2003 based, it’s still great series with very relevant information.

On-Demand Webcasts

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 01 of 11)—Active Directory Logical Concepts—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 02 of 11)—Active Directory Physical Concepts—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 03 of 11)—Active Directory Replication and the Operations Masters Role—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 04 of 11)—Installing and Managing DNS—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 05 of 11)—DNS Features and Configuration—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 06 of 11)—Interoperability and Migration from Novell Directory Services—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 07 of 11)—Migrating File Resources from NetWare to Active Directory 2003—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 08 of 11)—Deployment and Interoperability with NT 4.0 and Windows 2000—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 09 of 11)—Administration Features—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 10 of 11)—Replication Features and Forest to Forest Trusts—Level 200

TechNet Webcast: Active Directory Inside Out (Part 11 of 11)—Group Policy Management Console and Software Restriction—Level 200

Group Policy Webcast Series

I have listed below the Group Policy webcast series my team did a while back.  The information is as valid now as it was then for Windows Server 2003 environment and earlier.  We expect to put out a new Windows Server 2008 Group Policy series in the near future, in the meantime this is invaluable training to get yourself up to speed!!!!

Enjoy!

On-Demand Webcasts

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 01 of 14): Introduction to Group Policy (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 02 of 14): Applying Group Policy (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 03 of 14): Creating and Editing Group Policy Objects (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 04 of 14): Managing Group Policy with GPMC (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 05 of 14): Managing Group Policy Operations with the GPMC (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 06 of 14): Group Policy Processing Behavior-Initial Processing of GPOs (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 07 of 14): Group Policy Processing Behavior-Using Objects to Affect GP (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 08 of 14): Group Policy Administrative Templates (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 09 of 14): From Basic to Advanced: Security (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 10 of 14): From Basic to Advanced: Security Templates and IPSEC (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 11 of 14): Designing and Planning Group Policy (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 12 of 14): Managing Your Group Policy Environment with GPMC (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 13 of 14): Troubleshooting Group Policy (Level 200)

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy Fundamentals (Part 14 of 14): Group Policy Best Practices (Level 200)

24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 Webcast Series

What Changes Does Windows Vista SP1 Bring?

I was asked during a webcast today what changes in IIS 7.0 did Windows Vista SP1 bring.  If found this link that has some information about some key overall changes, and there is some specific IIS info near the middle/bottom.

Click here to see the Notable Changes in Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Migrating Physical-to-Virtual and Virtual-to-Virtual Machines with SCVMM

During one of my presentations the other day I had mentioned a tool that can migrate physical and VMWare machines to virtual machines for Virtual Server and HyperV (once SCVMM supports HyperV).  An attendee had emailed me to get more details, so here are the links to the information on System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) Converting Physical Computers to Virtual Machines in VMM (P2V Conversions)  and Converting VMware Virtual Machines in VMM (V2V Conversions) .

Windows Server 2008 Geo-Clustering (Multi Site Clustering)

A few of you that attended the launch event in Washington, DC asked if there was a whitepaper that detailed geo-clustering in Windows Server 2008.   Click the link to download the WS2008 Multi Site Clustering

Windows Server 2008: Want to win a Windows Home Server? Want to learn about Windows Server 2008?

Win a Windows Home Server!    (Sorry, MS FTEs are not eligible.)

Evalu’08 and you could win!  Download a free trial or take a Virtual Lab of Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008 or other Microsoft Server products and be entered for a chance to win an HP MediaSmart Server powered by Windows Home Server software.   To sign up and for the official rules, visit Evalu’08.    

Knowledge Base Article:  How to extend the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period

This article describes how to extend, or re-arm, the windows Server 2008 evaluation period up to 240 days.

Test Drive Windows Server 2008 

The Windows Server 2008 test drive allows you to try the latest release from Microsoft instantly. By simply logging onto our test-drive environment using your web browser, you will be able to experience Windows Server 2008 first hand through a collection of short virtual labs and video walk-throughs.

Webcast Series:  24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 

Watch these 90-minute Windows Server 2008 webcasts and learn how your organization can leverage the enhancements in Windows Server 2008 improve your organization's networking infrastructure and security, server performance and reliability, remote resource access, and client deployment. Subject matter experts break down what these upgrades mean for your environment and how to take advantage of them. Tune in for live webcasts and stream or download webcasts for on-demand viewing.

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 1 of 24): Overview (Level 200)

On-demand

Presenter:  Keith Combs

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 2 of 24): Server Virtualization with Hyper-V Features and Architecture (Level 200)

On-demand

Presenter:  Kevin Remde

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 3 of 24): Managing Hyper-V (Level 200)

On-demand

Presenter:  John Baker

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 4 of 24): Presentation Virtualization with Terminal Services RemoteApp (Level 200)

Friday, March 14, 2008, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM PST

Presenter:  Chris Avis

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 5 of 24): Terminal Services Gateway and Terminal Services Web Access (Level 200)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM PST

Presenter:  Blain Barton

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 06 of 24): Deploying and Migrating to Terminal Server (Level 200)

Friday, March 21, 2008, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM PST

Presenter:  John Baker

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 7 of 24): IIS 7.0 Overview and Architecture (Level 200)

Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Presenter:  Chris Avis

·         TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 8 of 24): IIS 7.0 Advanced Management (Level 200),

Friday, March 28, 2008, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM PST

Presenter:  Shawn Travers

Detailed Description of the First 8 Webcasts in the 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 Series (listed above):

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 1 of 24): Overview (Level 200)

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter:  Keith Combs, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation

In this session, we introduce the 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 webcast series which covers key pillars and goals for Windows Server 2008. We address the core scenarios for Windows Server 2008, around which the webcast series is designed, including: virtualization, Web and applications, server management, Active Directory, security and compliance, remote locations, and high availability. We also show key technologies that are used throughout the webcast series such as Server Manager, Server Manager roles, Server Core, and networking improvements in Windows Server 2008.

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 2 of 24): Server Virtualization with Hyper-V Features and Architecture (Level 200)

Friday, March 7, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter:  Kevin Remde

In this session, we introduce server virtualization with Hyper-V and discuss the evolution of server virtualization, explain the new architecture of Hyper-V, and examine new features and changes from previous Microsoft server virtualization solutions. We show you how to configure Hyper-V server, how to configuring networks, and how to configure virtual machines.

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 3 of 24): Managing Hyper-V (Level 200)

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter:  John Baker, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation

In this third session, we show how to manage Hyper-V server and virtual machines. We focus on management, resource allocation, and monitoring of virtual machines; importing virtual machines; and using virtual machine snapshots for backup and high availability. Finally, this session covers managing Hyper-V and virtual machines with Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager.

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 4 of 24): Presentation Virtualization with Terminal Services RemoteApp (Level 200)

Friday, March 14, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter: Chris Avis, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation

In this session, we show the new features of presentation virtualization with Terminal Services RemoteApp in Windows Server 2008. Learn how to configure Terminal Server Remote Programs, configure applications for Terminal Services RemoteApp, access and launch applications, and enhance your user experience with Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 6.1.

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 5 of 24): Terminal Services Gateway and Terminal Services Web Access (Level 200)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter: Blain Barton, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation

Join us as we show you how to configure Terminal Services (TS) Gateway, TS Gateway security and configuration options, and how clients connect to internal network resources through TS Gateway. We also show how to configure and publish applications on TS Web Access, configuration options for TS Web Access, and show the user experience connecting to applications through TS Web Access.

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 06 of 24): Deploying and Migrating to Terminal Server (Level 200)

Friday, March 21, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter: John Baker, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation

In this session, we explain how to deploy Windows Server 2008 terminal servers, and how to move applications from a Windows Server 2003 terminal server to a Windows Server 2008 terminal server. We show application compatibility tools and explain how to use the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit version 5.0 to test application compatibility with the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 7 of 24): IIS 7.0 Overview and Architecture (Level 200)

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter: Chris Avis, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation

In this session, we introduce users to Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0. We review the new architecture of IIS 7.0, as well as the new modular configuration. See how to install IIS modules, learn about the new XML-based configuration of IIS, and review where configuration data is started. Finally, this session explores the features of the new IIS Manager tool.

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 8 of 24): IIS 7.0 Advanced Management (Level 200)

Friday, March 28, 2008

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

Presenter: Shawn Travers, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation

In this session, we further examine Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0, and specifically address advanced automation and management features. First we look at command-line management, and task automation with the new AppCMD tool. Next, we review permissions delegation for Web site management by non-Web server administrators and discuss how delegation is configured. Finally, we explore the tools that can be used to remotely administer IIS 7.0 Servers and Web Sites.

Vista: Need a jump-start to help you deploying Windows Vista?

From my previous post, you may be putting off deploying Windows Vista for whatever reason.  Could it be you just need some help is jump-starting a pilot?   Go here for some helpful tools on How to Start a Windows Vista Pilot Deployment 

Remember if you're interested in doing a pilot you might want to get involved in the IT Pro Momentum program.

Vista: Still on the fence about deploying it????

Now that Windows Vista Service Pack 1 has been released will that trigger an increase in Vista deployments?  In the past many IT Pros have waited for the first service pack to release.  Is that still a valid practice?  Please check this article out http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/cc185656.aspx and let me know what your thoughts are.

Are you holding up your deployment of Vista? 

Does SP1 address the showstoppers to do this? 

Are there other reasons you havent deployed?  

Would love to hear feedback from you on what your thoughts are in this area.

Windows Server 2008: Infrastructure Planning and Design Documents

Windows Vista SP1: I want it! When can I get it!!!!!

Mike Nash just announced on the Windows Vista Team Blog some specific availability dates for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). 

As you probably know,

Windows Vista SP1 RTM'd the same day as Windows Server 2008 (Feb 4, 2008), but while Windows Server 2008 was made available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers, SP1 was not.  There were a bunch of reasons why, Mike’s blog posts will explain.

From feedback of the IT Pro community, the availability dates for the technical audiences were actually moved up from when they were originally scheduled for.

So... when can I get it?

If you were a Vista SP1 Beta tester for us, you can download it right now.

Volume Licensing customers will have the English version available on Friday of this week (February 15, 2008).  Other languages will be available soon after.

And those of you with an MSDN or TechNet Subscription will be able to get it later this month.  (Another really good reason why you should have a TechNet Subscription .)

You can read Mike Nash's posting about the announcement here.

BitLocker - Where can I get information on configuring Active Directory to backup BDE info as well as the BitLocker Password Recovery Viewer?

During our BitLocker session I talk about configuring Active Directory® to back up recovery information for Windows® BitLocker™ Drive Encryption and the Trusted Platform Module (TPM).  Many of you have asked where you can get more information on this and the Password Viewer tool I mentioned.

Check the following links to get the information that will help you in configuring Active Directory to Back up Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption and Trusted Platform Module Recovery Information as well as how to use the BitLocker Recovery Password Viewer for Active Directory Users and Computers tool to view recovery passwords for Windows Vista

TechNet Events in Burlington, VT and Providence, RI

If you’re in Burlington, VT or Providence, RI  make sure you sign up for the TechNet events taking place there last week of February.

Burlington, VT - Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:00 AM

Providence Rhode Island - Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:00 AM 

Session 1 | Lock it up: Stronger data encryption with Windows BitLocker

Have you ever had a computer stolen?  When laptops, desktops, and even servers are stolen, it’s not just the hardware that can be valuable to a thief. As an IT professional, you’re responsible for doing what you can to secure the data – including information on employee laptops, desktops, and the servers you manage.  If one is stolen or tampered with, are you sure that private or confidential company information won’t fall into the wrong hands?  In this session, you’ll learn how the new “BitLocker” disk encryption technology in Windows Vista allows you to strongly encrypt and enforce authentication for access to hard disk volumes and protect your data – even if it ends up where it shouldn’t. We’ll show you how BitLocker provides security and data integrity through drive encryption, and also how easy it is to deploy.  Finally, you’ll see how to encrypt and decrypt volumes with BitLocker, both through the management user interface as well as from the command prompt.

We’ll cover

•           Encryption and enforcing authentication for hard disk volumes

•           Deploying and using BitLocker to encrypt and decrypt volumes

•           Where BitLocker fits in the upcoming Windows Server 2008

•           Ensuring critical data is always safe and well protected

Session 2 | Get a network security check up with Windows Server 2008

In today’s networked world, it’s critical to know who’s connected to your network. Whether machines are physically wired, VPN’d or wirelessly connected, you’ll sleep better knowing that they’re all properly configured and up to date according to company policies, including proper firewalls, antivirus protection and antispyware. In this session we’ll introduce you to the Network Policy Server role in Windows Server 2008, and the many ways you can use it to configure and enforce Network Access Protection (NAP) – a new platform that ensures the health of your systems by performing policy validations and many other processes. We’ll start with an introduction to the Network Policy Server (NPS) role and how it can help maintain the integrity of an internal computer network. We’ll also show you several different ways to deploy and configure NAP, how it works, and how it employs the NPS. You’ll see how to enable debug tracing, and how to use it for monitoring and troubleshooting connectivity problems.

We’ll cover:

•           The Windows Server 2008 Network Policy Server role

•           How to configure and enforce Network Access Protection

•           Deploying NAP, debug tracing and troubleshooting connectivity issues

BONUS | Why Windows Vista? 10 Reasons to Upgrade in 2008.

Get the inside track on Windows Vista, including its powerful new capabilities for enterprise, small- and medium-sized business. You'll learn how Vista was designed from the ground up to maximize security, management and reliability. We'll also cover the latest features and improvements that you can expect in the forthcoming Service Pack 1 update.