Life of an IT Pro Advisor @ Microsoft Canada

I got a post from Richard @ CGI asking if anyone was interested in starting up a user group in my hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick (CANADA).  We didn’t have any NB stops this time around (maybe next time) but I am very interested to see if we can get something started down that way.

If you are interested in starting up a User Group or community of some sort in Saint John, NB, please use the FEEDBACK / Comments link at the bottom of this post to indicate your interest and I will be sure to hook you up with other interested parties.  You should also subscribe to our Canadian TechNet Flash to keep current on Canadian TechNet events and the Canadian IT Pro team (of which I am a member).

By the way – if you see a box or two of printouts in the Saint John McAllister Place mall, they were intended to be shipped to St. John’s TechNet event – would you mind sending them along to St. John’s? Those Upper Canadians have problems with the St. John’s / Saint Johns thing - no matter how much I reminded them.

:)

One of the larger crowds for Halifax – 204 attendees or so – not bad  - thanks for coming out! What can I say – you were certainly talkative! 

There was a great mix of both IT Professionals and up and coming IT Professionals in the audience.  NSCC Institute of Technology, Dal and St. Marry’s,  CompuCollege – great to see you out there and checking out the industry. I have a question for you – Would you be interested in something on campus from an IT Infrastructure perspective? Click on the Feedback/Comments link at the end of the post to give me some info. I can’t promise anything, but I can take your feedback to the team.

I always enjoy taking the time to talk to individuals and small groups at break and lunch. It appears from your comments that you liked the new format and new content approach. Less slides, more demo and connected sessions all paid off. This was a direct response to your feedback from the last tour. Your comments count!

There were quite a few questions about Small Business Server from the crowd – is this a trend? Are you looking for more resources with SBS 2003? 

I was happy to see the level of interest in kicking off and developing local community user groups. The inaugural/kick off meeting on Wednesday the 23rd was great.  We’re looking for individuals who will step up to a more active position to get this started!  If you have checked off the #14 checkbox to be included – Melvin Hart (he was at the Ask the Experts booth) or I will be in touch.

I had an awesome time in Halifax. You guys rock!

Looks like my flight is still on for heading back home from this eastern leg. That snowstorm / blizzard didn’t really hit after all. I shouldn’t say that out loud – the weather could still change, this is Halifax. Don’t like the weather? Wait 30 minutes and check again. :)

My co-worker Bruce Cowper and I have been creating an ongoing list of links that are directly related to the TechNet Winter Tour. On this list you will find Eval software, full downloads, utilities and virtually anything that we talked about during the show.  I am not normally a lilnk blogger - but these are very handy!

Post Event reference page - you'll find the slide decks and other important info here.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/wintertour2005/postevent/default.asp

TechNet Virtual Labs - try out the software online for free! (including RPC over HTTPS setup and config)

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/traincert/virtuallab/default.mspx

The Virtual Server 2005 Evaluation Kit:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/evaluation/trial/default.mspx

Virtual Server Migration Toolkit (VSMT)

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/evaluation/vsmt.mspx

Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit (inc sysprep)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=aaf0a7a4-71c1-4ee9-b974-66214651a23b&displaylang=en

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 2

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.mspx

ISA 2004 Trial download

http://www.microsoft.com/isaserver/evaluation/trial/default.asp

Remote Access Quarantine Tool for ISA 2004

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3396c852-717f-4b2e-ab4d-1c44356ce37a&DisplayLang=en

Sample VPN Quarantine Scripts

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a290f2ee-0b55-491e-bc4c-8161671b2462&displaylang=en

Intellegent Message Filter for Exchange Server 2003

http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/downloads/2003/imf/default.mspx

Article on how to move IMF UCE mail directory and discusses 2 different IMF message Management (viewer) utilities

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/IMF-Managers.html

Microsoft Support Article on how to configure RPC over HTTPS and troubleshoot if required.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;833401

RPC over HTTPS update required for Windows XP (not including XP SP2)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=8670CFF6-3D95-496E-8DF4-13D8F38715FA&displaylang=en

Exchange Best Practice Analyser

http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/downloads/2003/exbpa/default.mspx

I hope you find these links useful but if you have any more that you would like to share, please send them to me.

Enjoy!

I love coming down East – it’s coming home for me.  The air is a little cleaner, the people seem friendlier – everybody talks to ya – from the stranger on the street, Taxi cabbie to the person next to ya in the bar. Maybe I am a little biased - I’m originally from Saint John NB, not St. John’s NL (the two get confused by “upper Canadians” quite frequently).

When I heard that the TechNet Winter Tour was heading out to Newfoundland for the first time in a while – I said “sign me up b’y!”.  Local passion and initiative got the request in to Microsoft Canada to have the tour expanded to include an extra East Coast stop – am I ever glad we came!

I was really exited to try out our new approach of More Demo, Less Slides and our interwoven story that carried through from the first session to the last. I firmly believe what we say is true – “You asked for change and relevancy, we provided it”.  I made sure I talked with as many individuals as I could on breaks and lunch to get their comments on the new format – the overall answer – a resounding “Fantastic! – don’t change a thing!”

A side benefit of talking with a lot of people is learning what is important to the local IT Pro Community. Did I mention Newfoundlanders like to talk? Time, managing change, patching systems, upgrading from legacy, testing – it all came up. The crowd had a large X-Wave presence and Memorial university participants – the balance was made up of small and medium sized business and entrepreneurial IT Pros that support them. It was a nice mix.

The day wrapped up with our first ever Question Forum. It appeared to be quite a hit. People were staying right through to the end asking all sorts of questions. A number even stayed after to continue to talk – it was great.

Here’s the link to the post event Slide Decks.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/wintertour2005/postevent/default.asp

It turns out that the Evaluation Virtual PC machines included in your kit bag have time lapsed and expired.  Not to worry - check back to my blog in a bit – I’ll have links to eval software for all the technology and tools we have talked about in this leg of the tour. Stay Tuned!

I was surprised you haven’t heard of the TechNet online Labs. Here’s the link to the current content that’s available online. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/traincert/virtuallab/default.mspx

Thank you for all the comments on the evaluation forms – we review each one and take them very seriously. It was your opportunity to tell us how we’re doing. If you forgot something or have something to add, click on the FeedBack/Comment link at the bottom of this post.  I’ll personally make sure it gets included in the Post Event discussion.

For all my new friends in Newfound – please keep in touch.  I promise to do the same!

Besides the new format and content of the tour - we're trying out a couple of new things this time around: Kick Off webcasts and Followup chats.

We're having the kickoff WebCasts today! It's your best opportunity to find out more about the Canadian TechNet Winter Tour 2005. You'll have a first hand look at the content (beyond the descriptive paragraph in the flash and TechNet Canada website) as well as talk to the presenters (Myself and Bruce Cowper).

Take this opportunity to get informed and ask some questions about the tour, custom demo network and the integration of the Windows Server System. We'll respond to your questions during the call and quite possibly they'll come up in conversation during the events as well! Sign in to the TechNet Canada Webcast/WebChat schedule page today (http://www.microsoft.com/canada/technet/chats/default.mspx)

Follow up chats are something new - it's an informal way to chat with us a couple of days after each of the cities. It's a great opportunity to ask some "follow up" questions you might have after the information has "sunk in". Tuesday shows have their chats the following Friday, Thursday shows have them the following Monday. Same link as above for the chat schedule (http://www.microsoft.com/canada/technet/chats/default.mspx)

My first week has me in St. John's (22nd Feb) and Halifax (24th), Bruce is out west in Winnipeg (22nd) and Regina (24th).

Here's the tour signup link - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/wintertour2005/default.asp

Anyone in St. Johns looking for a drink or conversation on the evening of the 21st? Drop me a line! I fly in Monday afternoon.

J’avais beaucoup de questions dans mon courriel électronique au sujet d’intégrer les nouveaux *.ADM fichier qui sont en place avec Windows XP SP2 dans une environnement Active Directory. Peut-être j’aurai beaucoup d’autre question maintenant que les personnes travaillent avec Windows Server 2003 SP1.  Les deux systèmes changes la longueur des « strings » au point qu’ils sont incompatibles avec un MMC qui est utilisé sur un system au niveau précédent de Windows XP SP2.

J’ai déjà écrit un article qui explique la méthode que les *.ADM fichier se mis a niveau automatiquement dans un environnement d’Active Directory et comment tu as besoin d’évaluer et choisir la procédure qui est correct pour votre environnement.  (La manière défaut fonctionne pour presque tous les gents)

Pour essayer de répondre au question la plus simple et le plus court que possible :
Si tu crée ou change un GPO avec un MMC sur un system de Windows XP SP2 ou Windows Server 2003 SP1, la réaction défaut est que les fichiers seront télécharger au Domain Controllers et en effet remplace les versions plus ancienne. Pour éviter les erreurs de « [strings] too long », toutes les systèmes utilisés pour gérer les GPO a besoin d’un patch pour mettre a niveau un DLL qui est utiliser par le MMC.

(Cette réponse est simple et court?)

Regarder l’article KB842933.  Il est trouvé ici.  Tu n’as pas besoin beaucoup d’analyse pour cette patch. Les systèmes n’ont pas besoin d’être redémarré après l’application du patch si tu fermes le MMC avant de commencer.  Seulement les systèmes utilisés pour gérer les GPO on a besoin du patch. Les systèmes au niveau de :

• Windows XP sans SP2
• Tous les systèmes Windows 2000 Professional
• Windows Server 2003 sans SP1
• Tous les systèmes Windows 2000 Server

Si tu décide de ne pas appliquer le patch – c’est OK – tu ne casse pas ton GPO si tu les changes avec un MMC plus ancien. Tu dois tous simplement « clicker » un vingtaine fois sur le « ok » bouton. ;-)

I've had a number of questions around the *.ADM templates that come with a Windows XP Service Pack 2 machine and what they do to the GPOs in an Active Directory Domain. With people using Server 2003 SP1 systems, I might get more questions being asked.  Both systems increase the length of strings beyond what the MMC console can take on a older OS (by older I mean PRE-XP-SP2).

I've already wirtten an article outlining the ADM template update process, how they get copied up to the domain controllers AND about how you need to choose the right process for your organization - default works great for almost all situations.

To make a long blog post shorter and to come to the point:
If you edit a GPO with an XP-SP2 or Server 2003 SP1 management console with the updated *.ADM templates, the default action is that the templates will be copied up to the Domain Controllers and overwrite the old ones. As a result of this action - all admin workstations (and servers) that are NOT XP-SP2 or Server 2003 SP1 need to be patched with the appropriate patch if they are going to be used to manage GPOs.

(that was short?)

You might want to read the details contained in Knowledge Base article 842933. It can be found here. Not to worry - no major testing require of this patch. No reboots are required (unless the GPO MMC or GPMC is open at the time of the patch - in which case, close it and patch again). Only the systems used to manage GPOs need to be patched. They apply to workstations that are running:

• Windows XP PRIOR to Service Pack 2
• All Windows 2000 Pro systems
• Windows Server 2003 PRIOR to SP1
• All Windows Server 2000 systems

 If you don't patch them - don't worry - you won't "break" your GPO by editing it with an older version of the console. You'll just have to be proficient at clicking 20 or so times on the OK button. ;-)

Nous vous avons demandez comment améliorer la tournée de TechNet ici au Canada. Votre réponse – « plus d’information profonde et applicable a mon travail. » Qu’a ton fait pour adresser vos commentaires?

• Les séance sont a propos des technologies de Virtual Server 2005, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2004 et Microsoft Exchange 2003
• Un thème qui est consistant et applicable pendent les quatre séances. « La gestion de changement et sécurité dans votre environnent »
• Changer le format des sessions a 70% demo et 30% diapositives
• L’inclusion des trucs et outils et dans chaque séance
• Un forum a la fin de la journée pour les questions et discussions. 

Je suis super excité de présenter cette journée de TechNet.  J’étais a Toronto la semaine passer pour collaborer avec mon équipe sur la création des scénarios et demos.  Je peu dire une chose avec certitude – on a écoutez!

On a augmenté le nombre de ville qu’on va visiter de 10 à 12.  Je vais visiter l’est avec St. John’s, mon collègue est a l’ouest pour visiter Regina.  On va aussi parler avec de nouveau groupe d’usager à Québec et Montréal (et le reste du Canada) pour les aider a connecter avec la communauté.

Vous êtes vous déjà enregistré?  C’est GRATUIT! Voici le site web avec plus d’information. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/wintertour2005/default.asp

Notez-bien : Je vais faire la présentation à Québec en Français avec les diapositives en Français. SVP – comme la dernière fois - aide moi avec ma grammaire et mon vocabulaire.  La séance de Montréal est en anglais avec les services de traduction.  Je vais répondre à vos questions dans la langue de votre choix – anglais ou français.

• Choosing more relevant and timely content - Virtual Server 2005, Server 2003 SP1, ISA 2004 and Exchange 2003
• A common theme throughout the day "Managing change and security in your environment"
• Changing the format to 30% slide deck and 70% demo.
• Including Tips, Ticks and Tools in each of the sessions
• An end of the day questions and answer forum

I am really pumped up about this tour! I've been in Toronto this past week working with the whole team to finalize the content and overall feel of the next Canadian TechNet tour. I can say one thing with certainty - We've Listened!!!

We've also expanded the number of cities we're presenting to from 10 to 12. I'll be heading out east to St. John's, my team mate Bruce Cowper is heading out west to include Regina. We're including a UserGroup tour to check in with the new groups that have sprung up and continue to foster further growth.

Have you signed up yet? It's FREE! Here's a link to the signup page. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/wintertour2005/default.asp

I hope to see you there!