Malcolm Bullock - Optimising Infrastructure for business benefit

Bootable VHD disk with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

2009-05-19T17:14:46Z

I’ve discussed this functionality widely over the last few weeks since it was publically disclosed. What we are talking about here is the ability to boot Windows 7 or 2008 R2 from a VHD file. To ‘deploy’ the Windows 7 RC build that I’m currently using I followed the following – highly complex! – steps: 1) Downloaded from an internal site a single VHD file and stored in on my physical HDD. This was a ~5gb download and gave me effectively a sys-prepped 7100 build on a ‘Hard Disk’ 2) I then ran a simple...(read more)

#2 Hyper-V V’s VMware ESXi – The Case Studies

2009-05-19T16:06:26Z

This is part two in our look at Hyper-V. In this post we’ll look at some of the Case Studies that are available for Hyper-V, look at some of the key SI’s who have delivered the results and provide you with resources to do your own analysis. One of the things that has interested me most in the case studies we have on Hyper-V is the number of hosting providers that have switched to use Hyper-V. Not that they are more important than ‘customer’ usage but a hosting providers business is based upon them...(read more)

#1 Hyper-V V’s VMWare ESXi – Let the comparison begin…

2009-05-18T14:35:02Z

Hi, I’ve been spending a fair bit of time talking to customers recently about Hyper-V and Datacentre Virtualisation (or Datacenter Virtualization for any US readers :) ). What I’m finding is that folks have been fed a story that leads them to believe that VMware are far ahead in the Server virtualisation market and that Hyper-V is a ‘toy’ in comparison. Now I would expect this from VMWare, we are a very serious competitor for them after all, but it seems that hardware vendors and some SI’s who a...(read more)

Internet Explorer Security Patch

2008-12-18T20:15:55Z

This isn't something that I would normally bother blogging on - and from the lack of recent posts you can glean that I'm pretty busy - BUT I've just had an e-mail from my better half's Mother (and a fine woman she is - just in case she ever reads this!!) asking if she 'should do anything' as an article had made the Daily Mail. Therefore I think the hysteria on this one must have reached fever pitch and I'll chip in the calm it down. FIRST - There is a patch was released last night and my machines...(read more)

Hyper-V Host "Needs Attention" after SCVMM 2008 RTM install

2008-12-03T14:19:30Z

This post is as much for my reference as yours! I've just had to find these patches again in order to update a host that I have in my 'production' VMM install. If you see the error that a host needs attention I suggest you reads Keiths post and install the two components linked. http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/archive/2008/10/26/hyper-v-server-needs-attention-after-scvmm-2008-rtm-install.aspx ...(read more)

Application Virtualization 4.5 Documentation

2008-11-11T15:24:22Z

There has been a host of documentation and announcements around Application Virtualisation recently. I would suggest that you read the App-V team blog here . Of note though are several whitepapers that have been produced to help you evaluate, and deploy App-V and integrate it with SCCM R2. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/appvirtualization/cc843994.aspx for more details....(read more)

Do you want a demo of Virtual Machine Manager?

2008-11-05T14:19:28Z

Virtual Machine Manager is a member of the System Center family of Management tools and is responsible for managing Virtualised Server environments, such as Hyper-V, Virtual Server and now VMWare... Watch a demo here......(read more)

Concerned by Sinowal?

2008-11-05T12:50:06Z

Like me you may have read on the BBC's web site today about a ' Trojan virus steals banking info ' ....now I normally pass these articles by knowing the truth BUT I'm aware that to some they will take this as 'read' and worry. So here's the background. It seems that the BBC and other sources ( The Register for example) are quoting this RSA article . I tend to look to CERT for my data and their page HERE is very informative (and without vendor attacking hyperbole!). So, what to do? Well, don't panic...(read more)

New Infrastructure Planning & Design guides issued

2008-10-31T15:07:12Z

SOLUTION ACCELERATORS - Act faster . Go further . Infrastructure Planning & Design Release Announcement www.microsoft.com/IPD I repeatedly forget to mention these in my talks - and that's bad because these documents are excellent. For each topic you get a ppt and doc. Here's the approach behind each document: This guide is one in a series of planning and design guides that clarify and streamline the planning and design process for Microsoft® infrastructure technologies....(read more)

Save money - Decommission your RAS architecture!

2008-10-31T12:58:07Z

Ok, so I'm exaggerating but I have been using a Microsoft implementation of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services a *lot* recently. It's effectively meant that I don't need to remote into the Microsoft Corporate network when working away from the office anymore. The functionality and implementation are documented here . There is full documentation on the web describing the implementation, which includes the use of Smart Cards for strong authentication when I want to access corporate data or remote...(read more)

Out of Band Security Bulletin released

2008-10-24T16:35:10Z

Folks, just in case you've not picked this up elsewhere you should know that we have released an out of band security update . As you know this isn't usual and therefore you should carefully review the information here . It's worth noting that for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 this is a Critical level patch, whilst for Vista and Windows Server 2008 this is an important release. I appreciate this isn't the time or place but this does support the 'secure by design' implemented in Vista and Server...(read more)

Watch This: Windows Vista Performance…under the hood

2008-10-07T15:16:15Z

Vista performance is something that I often discuss with customers that I meet. Therefore, let me recommend good use of one hour and suggest that you watch this webcast from the Springboard series of Vista Resources. Springboard Series Virtual Roundtable Under the Hood: Windows Vista Performance...Need Answers? Join Mark Russinovich and a panel of industry experts for a LIVE virtual roundtable to explore your top of mind performance issues, common misconfigurations, and tips on how to fix them. From...(read more)

Technet Magazine for November is published online

2008-10-04T15:29:44Z

As reported HERE Novembers Technet magazine is available. And as you can see below there’s quit a few interesting articles to read. FEATURE ARTICLES ...(read more)

Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 RTW – Download Now

2008-10-04T15:25:41Z

As Keith writes - Microsoft® Hyper-V™ Server 2008 is a stand-alone product that provides a simplified, reliable, cost-effective and optimized virtualization solution enabling organizations to improve server utilization and reduce costs. It allows organizations to consolidate workloads onto a single physical server and is a good solution for organizations who want a basic and simplified virtualization solution for consolidating servers as well as for development and test environments. Low utilization...(read more)

WebCast: Securing Branch Office User Accounts

2008-10-03T14:59:35Z

I came across this webcast recently and thought that it might be useful to you. The Webcast is basically a 12 minute demonstration of technologies such as Read only domain controller, BitLocker and fine Grained Password Policies in Windows Server 2008. Something that’s often of interest to those of you I meet. View the Webcast from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/windowsserver/2008/cc441413.aspx . You can stream it using Silverlight or download a WMV file....(read more)