This question seems to be coming up more often these days: Is PowerShell a requirement for the installation of SQL Server 2008 Express Edition?

Well, it depends on the Edition of SQL Server 2008 Express you are wanting to install.

• SQL Server 2008 Express – No. Has no GUI or PowerShell, only the SQL Server Engine and SQLCMD (replacement for OSQL and ISQL tools). Download.
• SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools - Yes – In the edition “with Tools”, a management GUI (similar to SQL Server Management Studio) and PowerShell scripting are included. Download.
• SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Options – Yes – In the edition “advanced option”,  a management GUI (similar to SQL Server Management Studio) and PowerShell scripting are included, as are Reporting Services and Full Text Search. Download.
• SQL Server 2008 Workgroup Edition, SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition, SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition, SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition, SQL Server 2008 Evaluation Edition – Yes.

Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1 und Windows Installer 4.5 are a requirement for all editions. To download PowerShell, visit this the PowerShell 1.0 download page.

The beta of the Remote Server Administration Tools, specifically for Windows 7 is available for download. The toolset for Windows Vista has been around a long time and is very popular among administrators.

For those who have never used it, you may ask yourself what does the toolset do?

Well, It  enables administrators to manage roles and features that are installed on computers that are running Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2003, from a remote computer that is running Windows 7. Hyper-V Virtual Machine Manager (VirtMgmt.msc)  is one of the most popular tools in the toolset. For Windows Server 2008 R2, you can manage server-core and full installations.

Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions from Microsoft Press is available as a FREE download.  By Mitch Tulloch with the Microsoft Virtualization Teams. ISBN: 9780735693371.

This guide will teach you about the benefits of the latest virtualization technologies and how to plan, implement, and manage virtual infrastructure solutions. The technologies covered include: Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2009, Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5, Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization, and Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

The book also provides insight into the Core Infrastructure Optimization model, and how implementing virtualization technologies can help move a company further along toward the goal of building an efficient, reliable Dynamic IT infrastructure.

How to get it: Register at http://csna01.libredigital.com/?urmvs17u33

NOTE: Once you’ve authenticated using your Passport/Live ID the only required fields for registration are:  name, country, role, and an email address. You’re taken directly to the download from there (you will need to temporarily allow Pop-Ups for the download window).

The DirectAccess Early Adopter’s Guide is now live for public download here.

Working outside the office is about to become a lot simpler. DirectAccess in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 enhances the productivity of mobile workers by connecting them seamlessly and more securely to their corporate network any time they have Internet access—without the need to VPN. DirectAccess marks the beginning of the shift to thin-edge networking and a continuation of policy-based security. By implementing DirectAccess, your organization is deploying the foundation for connectivity and security that will carry it into the future.

As well as authenticating the computer, DirectAccess can also authenticate the user and supports multifactor authentication, such as a smart card. IT administrators can configure which intranet resources specific users can access using DirectAccess. DirectAccess uses IPv6-over-IPsec to encrypt communications transmitted across the Internet. With DirectAccess, IT administrators can manage mobile computers by updating Group Policy settings and distributing software updates any time the mobile computer has Internet connectivity, even if the user is not logged on. This flexibility gives IT the opportunity to service remote machines on a regular basis and ensures that mobile users stay up-to-date with company policies.

The Web Site and Registration is now open for Swiss TechDays 2009. http://www.techdays.ch

In Bern (German and English), 8 and 9 April, there will be 5 tracks, role specific:

• IT Pro’s (2 Tracks)
• Development (2 Tracks)
• Architecture (1 Track)

For the IT Pro’s, Current and interesting topics like Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization, System Management, SQL Server, Access Control, ForeFront are covered by by both Microsoft and External Experts.

In Geneva (French), 1 and 2 April, there will be 3 tracks, role specific:

• IT Pro’s (1 Track).
• Development ( Track)
• Architecture (1 Track)

So, visit, http://www.techdays.ch and register now!