SBS & EBS - Terminal Services CAL's for Partners Internal Use
Additional Windows Server (WS) 2008 Terminal Server (TS) CAL's were not distributed for specific use with Windows Small Business Server or Windows Essential Business Server. If partners require additional WS TS CAL's, they will contact the Regional Service Center.
If SBS, Certified partners are entitled to 10 WS TS CAL's and Gold Certified partners are entitled to 25 WS TS CAL's. If EBS, Certified partners are entitled to 25 WS TS CAL's and Gold Certified partners are entitled to 75 WS TS CAL's.
SBS & EBS - Availability
What’s New: Windows Small Business Server 2008 (SBS) and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS) will be published in Microsoft’s price lists commencing on October 1st 2008 for SBS and November 1st for EBS. Normally, when product becomes available on our price lists, it also becomes available for download from eOpen and VLSC. However, SBS and EBS will not be available for download.
Why are we doing this: There are a number of reasons behind this decision, including the size of the files for downloading.
Timelines: SBS will be published on the October 1st pricelist, EBS will be published on the November 1st pricelist. Both products will be available for fulfillment by calling the local ROC Fulfillment center once these products appear on the pricelists, in addition a link to allow ordering online will be available on eOpen and VLSC commencing November 17th.
Additional Information: Partners can visit the volume licensing site to learn more about ordering these products. We wanted to share this information with you in the event Partners call the RSC’s to enquire about the availability of these products or the whereabouts of the products they ordered. If you do receive these calls, please apologize to the Partner for the inconvenience and point them to the volume licensing site or their local ROC Fulfillment Vendor for the information they require.
Licensing Updates
What’s New: Gold and Certified Partners now have licensing entitlement to the following products:
· Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 Standard Edition (software available via MSDN subscriber download only; product keys are posted to PMC).
· Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition(software available via MSDN subscriber download only; product keys are posted to PMC).
· Microsoft Search Server 2008 (software shipped physically in the October toolkit and available via MSDN subscriber download; no product key required).
· Microsoft Expression Studio 2 (software shipped physically in the October toolkit; software is not available for download from MSDN; product key is not required). *Note this may be delayed until the January Toolkit. Please check with the vendor supply chain in early October.
· Office PerformancePoint 2007 Management Reporter (software shipped physically in the October toolkit and available via MSDN subscriber download; no product key required).
· Windows HPC Server 2008 (available via MSDN subscriber download only; partners are to use the key posted to MSDN for all their program licensing entitlement)
o Note partners who have earned the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, SOA and Business Process, Custom Development Solutions, or ISV/Software Solutions competency will receive additional internal-use right rights.
· Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007—Japanese, French, German, Simplified Chinese (software shipped physically in the October toolkit and available via MSDN subscriber download; no product key required). *Note: SCCM 2007 is already available to partners. These are just new languages versions that will be shipping n the October toolkit.
Timeline: The Software License Benefits table on the Partner Portal is in the process of being updated by mid-October.
Additional Information: The latest software license benefits can be found at: https://partner.microsoft.com/40029254. Software is available for download from MSDN at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/subscriptions.
Please also reference the SBS and EBS FAQ. The plan is to have the FAQs posted to the portal.
Frequently Asked Questions: Windows Essential Business Server 2008
1. What is the difference between the Standard and Premium editions of Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008? The Standard Edition will run on three (Management, Security, and Messaging) hardware servers and the Premium Edition will run on four. The fourth hardware server in the Premium Edition is the Database Server and includes Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition. Visit the Windows Essential Business Server Editions page for more information.
2. Where do I find the Microsoft Partner Program licensing entitlement for Windows Essential Business Server 2008? For the most current licensing entitlements, please refer to the licensing table.
3. Why are Certified and Gold Certified partners receiving Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard edition instead of the Premium edition? Because Certified and Gold Certified partners already have internal, demo, and training use rights to both Windows Server 2008 Standard/Enterprise and SQL Server Standard/Enterprise, partners were granted licenses for Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition. Partners may experience the Premium Edition by using their development and test licenses through MSDN. Additionally, partners who want to experience the Premium Edition in a production environment may utilize the Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition internal-use licenses received through the Microsoft Partner Program.
4. Where can I find the software to install Windows Essential Business Server 2008? You may download Windows Essential Business Server 2008 from the MSDN Subscriber Download site.
5. Do the hardware servers need to be installed in a particular sequence? Yes, the servers must be installed in the following order:
a. Management Server
b. Security Server
c. Messaging Server
Note each server component must be installed on separate servers. If you attempt to install out of order, you will be prompted to insert the correct server software.
6. Where can I find my product keys for Windows Essential Business Server 2008? The product keys for Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition can be obtained at the Partner Membership Center. Please note there are two (one physical and one virtual) product keys for each server—there are a total of six product keys for Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition.
7. Where can I find my EBS CALs? EBS CALs shipped to partners in their October 2008 Toolkit. New Certified and Gold Certified partners will receive the EBS CALs in their Welcome Kit. Certified partners who upgrade to Gold Certified will receive incremental EBS CALs in their Gold Upgrade Toolkit. If you have earned either the Licensing Solutions Competency or the Network Infrastructure Solutions Competency, the EBS CALS were either included in your October 2008 Toolkit or your competency WK if you earned the competency after shipment of the October 2008 Toolkit.
8. How can I receive Windows Server 2008 Terminal Server CALs for use with Windows Essential Business Server? Windows Server 2008 Terminal Server CALs were provided to partners in March* 2008 with the distribution of Windows Server 2008. These same CALs are valid for use with Windows Essential Business Server. As such, additional Windows Server 2008 Terminal Server CALs are not being distributed for specific use with Windows Small Business Server or Windows Essential Business Server. However, if you don’t have any of these CALS remaining, then we can send you a new set. *Note: if you joined the program after the March 2008 toolkit was shipped to partners, you would have received the Windows Server Terminal Server CALs in your Welcome Kit.
Frequently Asked Questions: Windows Small Business Server 2008
1. What is the difference between the Standard and Premium editions of Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008? Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition will run on one hardware server, and Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition will run on two hardware servers, with the second server running Windows Server and SQL Server for line-of-business applications. Visit the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Editions page for more information.
2. Where do I find the Microsoft Partner Program licensing entitlement for Windows Small Business Server 2008? For the most current licensing entitlements, please refer to the licensing table.
3. Why are Certified and Gold Certified partners receiving Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard edition instead of the Premium edition? Because Certified and Gold Certified partners already have internal, demo, and training use rights to both Windows Server 2008 Standard/Enterprise and SQL Server Standard/Enterprise, partners were granted licenses for Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard. Partners may experience the Premium Edition by using their development and test licenses through MSDN. Additionally, partners who want to experience the Premium Edition in a production environment may utilize the Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition internal-use licenses received through the Microsoft Partner Program.
4. What is the license limit for Windows Small Business Server 2008? Windows Small Business Server 2008 is designed for use with up to 75 desktops.
5. Where can I find the software to install Windows Small Business Server 2008? You may download Windows Small Business Server 2008 from the MSDN Subscriber Download site.
6. Where can I find my product keys for Windows Small Business Server 2008? The product keys for Windows Small Business Server 2008 can be obtained at the Partner Membership. Please note there are two (one physical and one virtual) product keys for Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition.
7. With SBS 2003, CAL packs were distributed in the program toolkits. Where can I find my new SBS 2008 CALs? The copy of Windows Small Business Server 2008 provided to you as a Microsoft partner includes the CALs that you are entitled to as part of your Microsoft Partner Program membership. These Windows Small Business Server 2008 CALs no longer need to be activated. If you need additional CALs, you will need to purchase them through a Microsoft Authorized Distributor or Reseller.
8. How can I receive Windows Server 2008 Terminal Server CALs for use with Windows Essential Business Server? Windows Server 2008 Terminal Server CALs were provided to partners in March* 2008 with the distribution of Windows Server 2008. These same CALs are valid for use with Windows Small Business Server. As such, additional Windows Server 2008 Terminal Server CALs are not being distributed for specific use with Windows Small Business Server or Windows Essential Business Server. However, if you don’t have any of these CALS remaining, then we can send you a new set. *Note: if you joined the program after the March 2008 toolkit was shipped to partners, you would have received the Windows Server Terminal Server CALs in your Welcome Kit.
Oh my...it's been a long time since I posted anything here. Work has kept me pretty busy and my blog activity is indicative of that.
I've been revamping my home network - the centerpiece is an Intel quad core server with 10GB of RAM running Hyper-V. It's nice to get back to some hands on and figure out how some of this amazing technology can work for me in my own home/test environment.
I've got a Server 2008 VM running Terminal Services RemoteApp. I'm doing a bunch of virtualization road shows and am putting together a end-to-end demo system and ran across a great whitepaper on how to set this up.
Customizing TS Web Access by Using Windows SharePoint Services
You can grab all of the Windows 2008 Step-By-Step Guides HERE.
Anyway, very easy to do...
Couple things to take note of:
- Server HAS to be 2008. Installing on a 2003 will not work
- You'll need to install the TS Web Access feature on the 2008 server. It doesn't have to be a full blown Terminal Server - but just needs those components on the server running WSS.
- On your Terminal Server (if it's not the same server as where you are installing SharePoint...and probably not unless you are in a demo environment) you'll need to add the machine account for the SharePoint server to the "TS Web Access Computers" security group.
Couple Screen Shots of what this looks like...
Join the Microsoft Deployment Connection program on Microsoft Connect.
Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. It unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with current Microsoft deployment technologies – System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Windows Deployment Services, and the Windows Automated Installation Kit – to create a single path for image creation and automated installation. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:
- System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
- Windows Automated Installation Kit
- Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
- Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
- User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
- 2007 Office system
- Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition
An exclusive offer for Microsoft Certified Partners!
Create a learning plan on the Microsoft Partner Portal and get a free voucher to take a Microsoft certification exam.
There are limits on the number of vouchers partners can utilize depending on your MSPP level (Registered, Certified, Gold).
Check this site out for more details - you'll need your MSPP login to view:
https://partner.microsoft.com/us/40045537?msp_id=backtoschool
I made it through my third WPC, this time in the beautiful city of Denver, CO. Once again, a great event...executive keynotes, solid sessions and the chance to network with partners. Throw in a few exceptional evening activities (The US party was at Invesco Field with Huey Lewis headlining...the WW party on Thursday night was at Coors Field with food, fun and 3 cover bands that were all very good) and WPC 07 was truly a success!! I'm looking forward to following up with all my NSI partners on what they took from this years WPC.
Here's a pic I snapped from my phone at the Thursday night WW party...The ABBA cover band was playing...
If you weren't able to make it - check out a ton of archived content on DIGITAL WPC!
Media Coverage
For those who don't know - the next iteration of Microsoft Certification depricates the "MCSE" in favor of the new "Microsoft Certified IT Professional".
You can get all the details on the "Next Generation of Microsoft Certifications" HERE.
That said, read up HERE for all the details on what those of you who are MCSA/MCSE certfied need to do to stay current when Windows 2008 certifications are available. For those that are 2003 MCSE's, you will have the single test upgrade option (similar to 70-240 if you were Win2k moving to Win2k3) or you can take 3 seperate exams.
You can also check out this LIVE MEETING to learn more about the Windows 2008 certifications.
Finally, don't forget to register for your 40% off voucher (and other discounts) HERE.
I've been looking for one of these for Vista for awhile and I stumbled across this one that seems to work quite well with both XP/2000 as well as Vista.
This one is called Yod'm 3D.
Check it out for yourself!
Well, after quite a bit of hardware shuffling...I have finally got all the pieces in one box to successfully get WSv up and running.
I have to say - it was pretty easy and for a very early beta - it works quite well.
It's pretty cool to finally be able to run x64 VM's with multi-CPU support.
My system specs:
ABIT AL8 Motherboard
Pentium D 930 CPU (3.0GHz x 2 CPU w/VT support)
8GB DDR 2 RAM
2 x 200GB SATA II HDD's in RAID 0 configuration
I've got a Windows 2003 VM going up right now that I'm going to use to install the Beta 2 of Virtual Machine Manager 2007. I'm also going to move my only DC into a VM. My goal is to utilize this great technology to have a very productive lab at home as well as host a few 'production' systems.
Good Times!
Previously known as Codename "Tahiti", SharedView is now in public beta!
Think of SharedView as a free, lightweight version of Microsoft Office LiveMeeting that supports up to 15 participants sharing and collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations and whatever else. Another cool feature is the ability for the participants to share handout's which eliminates the need to email during/after the session.
I've used SharedView several times now to help/remote control PC's for friends and family - it works extremely well. Very easy to send an invitation using email, IM, or VOIP.
Download the latest beta code from here.
Argh!
So, I got a little sidetracked last night when I did a little digging and realized that my Pentium D CPU is not VT enabled.
The Pentium D's are weird. Some of them are VT enabled and some aren't. Basically, if it's a 9xx with an even number, like 920, 930, etc... then it supports VT.
This chart provides more detail.
I had the 915 and while plenty fast for what I want to do here at the house - no dice on the VT. No wonder the Intel rep gave it to me after a partner event last year. ;-)
Fortunately, I'm using the Abit AL8 board which supports a variety of Pentium D chips. So, I found a cheap 930 and should be good to go next week.
For grins, I went ahead and installed the WSV components. Very cool stuff. Just a simple MMC that allows you to manage the VM's.
One more tidbit worth mentioning...if you didn't already know...WSV is supported on x64 only and of course, only those chipset's that support NX and VT technology.
More next week when I get the new CPU installed....I'm going to just swap it and then boot the already installed WS2008 and just see what happens. :-)
I'm taking some time over the Memorial Day holiday to upgrade some of my gear at the house - namely my main home desktop which I use for a variety of things - digital photo editing with Photoshop, playing games (AOE3 and FS "X" mainly) but I also work quite a bit from it as well. Our internal IT folks have had a farm of 2008 Servers running TS Gateway for awhile so I'll occasionally connect to them for access to the intranet and various WSS sites.
I'm essentially gutting my old Pentium D and replacing/upgrading with an Athlon x64 5600+ dual core, adding 2GB of RAM for a total of 4GB, two 500GB SATA3 drives striped and a nVidia 8800GTS w/640MB RAM.
If I'd have gone whacko on the CPU, I might have achieved the "Windows Experience" Holy Grail of 5.9 across the board. Quad core looked appealing but was out of my budget this time around.
For what it's worth, I'm using the Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe board and had some bluescreen issues trying to get Vista x64 running. I realized after I had just decided to go ahead with x32 that I had a few USB devices (including a USB hub) that I probably shouldn't have had plugged in during the install - but nothing that should have bluescreened before the setup even completed. That said, other than the x64 issue - I really like this board. Everything worked with Vista out of the box - only drivers I needed to install were for my video card. I installed ASUS's 'probe' utility which is very handy. Typical sensors and such that give you an idea as to what's going on inside the case. I also like the ease of the RAID configuration with this MB. It was very easy to setup my 2 drives in a stripe and even better Vista had the SiLi32 RAID controller .inf's in-box so I didn't have to go digging for a driver to get Vista to see my RAID array. Finally, I'm not much of an overclocker...but with this board it doesn't get any easier. They have an 'auto' overclock feature in the BIOS which basically lets you specify the percentage that you want to overclock - from 3%, 5%, 8% and 10%. I selected 5% and my machine is happy as pie. I've got a decent Antec case and an aftermarket heat sink on the CPU that keeps things nice and cool inside.
So, I'm back to x32 using the PAE switch to get Vista to see all 4GB of my RAM...
In the same boat? Simple...
Open a CMD prompt elevated and use the BCDedit tool in Vista by typing:
c:/>BCDedit /set PAE forceenable
Now, my older x64 machine just received a fresh install of Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and I'm in the process now of getting WSV (Windows Server Virtualization) up and running. I'm also going to just bite the bullet and move my domain off a very old box running 2003 R2 to the new WS2008 box. I've already completed the ADPREP to get my 2003 schema ready for WS2008...which in of itself was a little adventuresome. I had originally downloaded the x64 ISO and my 2003 R2 install is x86. So, the adprep didn't work because it was for the wrong architecture.
So, I download the 2008 public beta from HERE
Notice how it says doesn't specifically say 64-bit? Well, they are there but you just have to be careful when picking which ISO you download. I inadvertently selected "DE" (German) instead of EN for English and wasted 1.8GB of bandwidth downloading the wrong one.
Careful!!!
Next...I'll make the WS2008 box a DC in my existing 2003 domain and then simply run DCPROMO on the 2003 and let it move all the necessary domain 'stuff' to the 2008 server. Let's hope it works!
*Hopefully*, WSV works on my older box...It's almost finished downloading and I'll fire it up and see...
It's finally here - public beta of the next version of Windows Server...http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/longhorn/audsel.mspx
There's plenty to do - check out the product overview here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/longhorn/evaluation/overview.mspx
For those of you doing a 'server core' install - updated step-by-step guide for beta 3 is posted here.
ENJOY!
Just a heads-up: MS has released a new patch for Outlook 2007. The patch is "designed to speed up the communication software’s much-criticized sluggishness. The 8.3 MB update should accelerate the download of messages from the Exchange e-mail server and reduce temporary freezes resulting from deleting messages or copying them from one folder to another as well as allow faster switching between messages and enable faster program startup. 'I can’t say that this will 100 percent solve the latency issues, but users should see a big improvement,' said Jessica Arnold, Outlook’s program manager."
Link to Neowin's page.
Link to Micosoft's download page
During the software development process, the developer often goes through multiple installations, rebuild and reimaging of their systems oth natively and virutally. For images that include Windows Vista, the genuine software initiative requires few planning and deployment considerations. This document outlines those essential planning and deployment elements in a summary form.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2e58724d-7ffc-4a00-a062-1b68a4108a45&DisplayLang=en
