kdubois's WebLog

Microsoft.com Operations Virtualizes MSDN and TechNet on Hyper-V

kdubois — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:09:00 GMT

So, it has been a really long time since I have blogged on my site. Many of you may have wondered where I went. I am still here and still passionate about delivering technical information to you. That being said, there has been a lot of buzz recently about Hyper-V™, and perhaps that buzz raised the same interest for you as it did for us. More specifically, you may have asked yourself questions, such as:

"Is Hyper-V up to the task of production server virtualization?"

"Does Hyper-V have the stability and performance required to meet our needs?"

Microsoft.com Operations (MSCOM Ops) already had designs about how Hyper-V would reshape our lab operations, but we were really interested in how it might transform our production hosting of high visibility Web sites that service from tens of millions to several billion requests per day.

If you were at MMS 2008 and heard Bob Muglia’s Keynote, you already know that MSDN.microsoft.com (MSDN) and TechNet.microsoft.com (TechNet) have been successfully running on Hyper-V. Specifically, we migrated MSDN March 31 2008, and then followed up with TechNet April 18 2008. Microsoft plans to share further details about testing and deployments as we virtualize other high scale sites (such as www.microsoft.com) and smaller sites, by leveraging the consolidation benefits of virtualization.

Hyper-V is installed as a Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2008 role. For more information about Hyper-V, see Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Product Overview – An Early look and the Hyper-V Team Blog.

More on NT 4.0

kdubois — Thu, 10 Mar 2005 21:58:00 GMT

As we begin to wrap up our discussion on NT 4.0, keep in mind that in a nutshell, Domain upgrade is a process designed to maintain as much of your current environment as possible, including your domain structure. Domain restructure, on the other hand, is a process designed to allow you to redesign the forest according to the needs of your organization. Though restructure can result in any number of different outcomes, typically the result is some rationalization of the current structure, and perhaps a move to fewer larger domains.

Supported Applications

Application compatibility information on the World Wide Web http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/suppapps/appdetails.mspx
Applications Supported on Windows Server 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/suppapps/appdetails.mspx
Third Party Products http://www.ntcompatible.com
LOB Application Compatibility Testing at Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=58bc8791-6fe6-42aa-820e-67ce7bf38196&DisplayLang=en
The Windows Server Catalog Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server

System requirements: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/sysreqs/default.mspx.

Virtual Server 2005

A Technical Overview of Microsoft Virtual Server 2005: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/events/vpc/tnt1-97.mspx
TNT1-97: A Technical Overview of Microsoft Virtual Server 2005: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tnt1-97

Windows Server 2003:

Ever thought of joining an IT Professional group and not been aware of any in your area? Well here are a few in the southern part of Virginia:

Association of Information Technology Professionals - Hampton Roads www.aitp-hr.com
Information Technology Professionals Association of Hampton Roads www.itpa-hr.org
Hampton Roads SQL Server User Group www.hrssug.org
Project Management Institute www.pmihr.org
Association of Information Technology Professionals - Richmond chapter http://www.aitprich.org/
BDPA-Richmond http://www.bdparichmond.org/

Upcoming events:

Spring Training Seminar

The Richmond, ODU, and VCU Chapters of BDPA are hosting a Microsoft Training Seminar. Kelley DuBois of Microsoft and James Tenney of Prodigy Associates will deliver presentations on Windows XP Service Pack 2 w/Advanced Security Technologies, Understanding Patch Management, and New features of Windows 2003 Server Active Directory. Take this opportunity to meet other IT professionals throughout the Richmond and Hampton Roads area!

Where: The Session will be held at the Williamsburg Marriott

50 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185 (757) 220-2500

When: Saturday, March 19th, from 12:30 PM to 4 PM.

Cost: $25 per BDPA Members and $35 for non-members. BDPA Student price is $15 and non-BDPA student price is only $20.

Snacks will also be provided.

What's that? You're not a member of BDPA? Join now and receive

the member discount for the seminar!

Register Today!

But hurry! Space is limited to the first 100 registrants. Register today!

Win great door prizes including copies of Windows XP w/SP2.

Register at: http://www.bdparichmond.org

Is there really more to consider to migrating from NT4.0?

kdubois — Wed, 23 Feb 2005 15:46:00 GMT

While some of you may wonder why I am addressing NT 4.0 migration, others of you are secretly thanking me as you are trying to cnvince the powers that be within your ogranization that the time to migrate is now and that it wont be as difficult or as disruptive to productivity as they think. That being the case, remember that:

When migrating objects from NT4 to Active Directory, the first thing to be aware of is how the Security Principals are affected.

Determining Whether to Upgrade Existing or Deploy New Domains; Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/dssbc_logi_mseq.asp
Documenting the Migration Plan for Windows NT 4.0 Master User Domains http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/dssbc_logi_vmzq.asp
Documenting the Migration Plan for Windows NT 4.0 Resource Domains; Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windowsserv/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/dssbc_logi_tdao.asp
Upgrading from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/whyupgrade/nt4/nt4tows03-2.mspx

Active Directory

Active Directory Migration Tool http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windowsserv/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/dssbg_rent_gcrd.asp
How to Use Active Directory Migration Tool Version 2 to Migrate from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326480

And finally, here are some Step-by-step instructions for small and medium-sized organizations planning a migration from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 NT 4.0 and Windows 2003 Active Directory Interoperability.

For more information, check out some of the webcasts associated with this migration as well

How to Accomplish Familiar Windows NT 4.0 Tasks in Windows Server 2003 (Level 200) on Februrary 25th

How to Accomplish Familiar Windows NT 4.0 Tasks in Windows Server 2003 (Level 200) on demand

Migrating from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 - Level 200 archived

By the way keep in mind that the week of February 28th, I will be delivering another set of TechNet briefings on this very same topic as well as the others listed below...in Bowie, MD and Richmond Va.

Migrating NT4 to Windows 2003 Server
Migrating Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange Server 2003
Migrating NT4 LOB Applications

http://www.technetbriefings.com to register

Time to talk about NT 4.0 migration

kdubois — Mon, 21 Feb 2005 18:37:00 GMT

So here we are in the second week of me blogging and we are going to focus on NT4.0 this week...as this is another session that we are delivering until the end of March int he Technet briefings. First you might want to start with the Microsoft Windows NT Web site.

Migration

Why Upgrade From Windows NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2003
Top 10 Features of Windows Server 2003 for Organizations Upgrading from Windows NT Server 4.0
Moving Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows 2000 Applications to Windows Server 2003
Migrating from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=e92cf6a0-76f0-4e25-8de0-19544062a6e6&displaylang=en
Key Archival and Management in Windows Server 200 http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/maintain/operate/kyacws03.asp

Windows Server 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/deploy/confeat/ws03crtm.asp

Windows Server 2003 PKI Operations Guide http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/maintain/operate/ws03pkog.asp
This session’s resource pages http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tnt1-99
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/welcome.asp

One final thing...Have you registered for TechEd 2005 yet? Its just a few short months away

Microsoft Tech·Ed 2005 | Orlando, FL | June 5–10

Register by April 15, 2005, and get the Tech·Ed 2005 early registration rate of just $1,695. That's 15% ($300) off the regular rate of $1995. http://www.microsoft.com/TechEd

More Exchange Information for ya

kdubois — Thu, 17 Feb 2005 17:57:00 GMT

Well it seems that I am not the only one new to blogging...Most people emailed me directly via the contact link....with comments/feedback and questions...wow!!! The response was great!! So here is more information on one of the topics (Migrating Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange Server 2003) that I am delivering in the January, February and March TechNet briefings (http://www.technetbriefings.com). Dont forget, feel free to use the feedback link at the bottom of the page to offer feedback, comments...or whatever

What’s New in Exchange Server 2003

The functionality built into the Exchange Deployment Tools and Exchange Setup should remove obstacles to ensure a successful deployment; however, don’t let these tools replace your own research in Exchange Server 2003 and understanding of the deployment process

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=84236bd9-ac54-4113-b037-c04a96a977fd&DisplayLang=en

Exchange Management Guide for MOM 2000 SP1 - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=006d653a-f4e8-4790-a95f-7e128fe85ead&DisplayLang=en
Mixed mode vs. native mode in Exchange Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829577
Overview of the Differences Between Mixed Mode and Native Mode in Exchange Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822446
Exchange Server 2003 Deployment Guide http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/2003/Library/DepGuide.mspx
Support Tools - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e0f616c6-8fa4-4768-a3ed-cc09aef7b60a&DisplayLang=en
Deployment Tools - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=271e51fd-fe7d-42ad-b621-45f974ed34c0&DisplayLang=en
Exchange Server 2003 Interoperability and Migration Guide http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0d197721-4b9f-4b96-8549-cc822bd16071&DisplayLang=en

To ensure that all of the required tools and services are installed and running properly, you are required to run Exchange 2003 Setup through the Exchange Server Deployment Tools. To ensure a successful implementation, it is highly recommended that you follow the deployment tools step by step and some parts are required for setup to run. This process helps to verify that your organization meets the Exchange Server 2003 requirements.

Planning an Exchange Server 2003 Messaging System - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9fc3260f-787c-4567-bb71-908b8f2b980d&DisplayLang=en
This session’s resource page: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tnt1-100
Considerations when you upgrade to Exchange Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822942
System Requirements for Exchange Server 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/sysreqs/2003.asp
Prerequisites for upgrading Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange 2000 Server or to Exchange Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/259912

By the way, the next TechNet briefings that I will be delivering are:

March 1st

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Welcome Time: 8:00 AM

Theater - Regal BOWIE 14
15200 Major Landsdale Blvd
Bowie Maryland 20716

http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032260743&EventCategory=1

March 3rd

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Welcome Time: 8:00 AM
Theatre - Regal Shortpump Stadium 14

11650 West Broad Street
Richmond Virginia 23233

http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032260759&EventCategory=1

I finally did it!!

kdubois — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 18:45:00 GMT

Well I finally created my blog. I have been promising several people for a very long time that I would do this...especially since I wanted to post my monthly newsletters so that those of you attenting TechNet sessions have my version of supplemental reading. I have to wonder though, what makes blogs so successful? Why do so many people read and post to blogs? This is really new to me so the first thing I want to do is to post some data from the february edition of the Kelley's Update newsletter...then we will see where it leads us.

One of the topics that we are covering this month is Migrating Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange Server 2003 so with that in mind, I have a few links you might want to check out

Exchange http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/sysreqs/2003.asp

Installing Exchange Server 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/techguide/msa/solacc/msaem/Bldguide_5.mspx
Downloads for Exchange Server 2003
www.microsoft.com/exchange/downloads/
Active Directory: What an Exchange Server 5.5 Administrator Needs to Know http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/techinfo/administration/55/ActiveDirectoryAdmin.asp
Exchange Server 2003 Technical Documentation Library
www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/e xchange/2003/library/
Synchronizing Active Directory with Exchange Server Directory Service http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/deploy/part5/chapt-20.mspx
Migrating from E2K KMS to Windows 2003 CA: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/maintain/operate/kyacws03.asp
How to roll back a failed migration from Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange 2000 Server or to Exchange Server 2003
How to install and use the Archive Sink utility in Exchange Server 2003
Accessible via "Technical Resources" and "Deployment" section at: http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/techinfo/deployment/2000/default.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/2003/library/sp1rn.mspx

Webcasts