Analyze your portfolio of applications for a move to the Windows Azure Platform.

Are you considering a move to the public cloud for your portfolio of applications? The application evaluation process for migration to the public cloud involves many tools and considerations. The MAP 6.0 Beta Windows Azure migration portfolio analysis makes the process easier by providing the ability to quantify and label applications and services in your organization’s IT environment for Windows Azure migration consideration.

The Windows Azure migration portfolio analysis helps you:

· Catalog all of the applications in your environment

· Estimate the needed capacity to run your applications on the Windows Azure platform

· Evaluate applications based on migration difficulty

· Stack rank applications in terms of migration suitability

· Obtain a TCO-ROI analysis for the application

Accelerate planning to private cloud with Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track onboarding.

Planning your private cloud just got easier. Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track onboarding, a new assessment available with MAP 6.0 Beta, provides consolidation guidance and validated configurations with preconfigured Hyper-V Fast Track infrastructures including computing power, network and storage architectures. Get a quick analysis of server consolidation on Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track infrastructures to help accelerate your planning of P2V migration to Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track. Each assessment also provides guidance on next steps forward using Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track.

Identify migration opportunities with heterogeneous server environment inventory.

MAP has expanded its heterogeneous server environment inventory to include VMware Server, vSphere and VMware vCenter. Inventory and reporting on the number of servers and guests deployed and managed by VMware infrastructure helps you identify migration opportunities and accelerates the migration planning process. Because SQL Server, SharePoint and Exchange run better on Hyper-V, MAP 6.0 Beta has the added capability of identifying Microsoft workloads deployed on VMware guests.

Assess your client environment for Office 365 readiness.

If you are considering a move to the cloud with Microsoft’s award-winning business productivity solutions, MAP 6.0 Beta can help make your planning process easier and faster. MAP 6.0 Beta includes an Office 365 client assessment which evaluates the compatibility of Office suites deployed in your environment with Office 365, via a hardware and software readiness assessment. This assessment helps you quickly determine which client machines in your environment are ready to use Office 365. The tool obtains machine level detail about why a given machine is not capable of using Office 365, and identifies whether the Office suites currently being used in your environment are compatible with Office 365.

Determine readiness for migration to Windows 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 9.

Simplify your organization’s migration to Windows 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 9 with MAP 6.0 Beta. The MAP Internet Explorer migration assessment—now updated for Internet Explorer 9 migration—inventories your environment and reports on deployed web browsers, Microsoft ActiveX controls, and add-ons, and then generates a migration assessment report and proposal for easier migration to Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 9.

Discover heterogeneous database instances for migration to SQL Server.

MAP 5.5 brought you heterogeneous database inventory and reporting capability to help you accelerate migration to SQL Server from MySQL, Oracle, and Sybase instances. MAP 6.0 Beta adds to this capability with Oracle schema discovery, and reporting on the size and use of each schema. Reporting also provides an estimate of the complexity of migration and suggests candidates for migration to SQL Server. Use this information to determine total cost of ownership for maintaining Oracle and the potential ROI from switching to SQL Server.

Successful data classification management programs require proper planning around these key critical areas:

• Identification of applicable IT GRC documents

• Identification of appropriate data classification taxonomy

• Implementation of appropriate controls

What is the Data Classification Toolkit?

The Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server® 2008 R2 works in conjunction with the Windows Server 2008 R2 File Classification Infrastructure to help provide insight to stored information and how to manage file storage more efficiently and effectively. The Data Classification Toolkit contains classification knowledge and scripted processes that help automate the file classification process and help make file management more efficient.

The Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 only works with files stored in Windows Server 2008 R2 with File Classification Infrastructure. Files stored in other technologies or products, such as Microsoft® SharePoint® 2010, are not supported.

Note   The Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 requires Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1). Unless otherwise specified, all references to Windows Server 2008 R2 imply Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1.

Install and Import the IT Compliance Management Library Management Pack (optional)

The Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 contains an IT Compliance Management Library Management Pack for the IT GRC Process Management Pack for Microsoft System Center Service Manager 2010. This pack contains the manual control activities for Windows Server 2008 R2 File Classification Infrastructure that support control objectives in the IT GRC Process Management Pack. This Management Pack is imported into System Center Service Manager.

Note   If you are not planning to integrate the Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 with the IT GRC Process Management Pack for Microsoft System Center Service Manager 2010, you may skip the installation instructions that relate to the IT Compliance Management Library Management Pack.

For more information about the IT GRC Process Management Pack, see IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance

MDT 2012 Beta 1 provides new capabilities, such as:

· Support for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012 Beta 2, including the new application model and user device affinity (UDA).

· Improved Lite Touch partitioning, supporting the preferred partition layouts described in the Windows Automated Installation Kit.

· Support in Lite Touch for deploying 64-bit Windows® to computers that support Unified Extended Firmware Interface (UEFI) (without requiring compatibility support for legacy BIOS).

· New Lite Touch “Deploy to VHD” task sequence templates that support deploying a Windows 7 or Windows Server® 2008 R2 image into a virtual hard disk (VHD) file that can then be used for booting the OS (“boot from VHD”).

· Added support for deploying Windows ThinPC and Windows POSReady 7.

· Improved Lite Touch wizard look and feel.

· Continued support for System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 and all operating systems supported by MDT 2010.

· Many bug fixes and other small improvements.

This release supports the deployment of the Windows 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2003 operating systems. See the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Documentation Library, which is included with MDT 2012 Beta 1, for the complete documentation for this release.

This brochure discusses how to work with kids to set clear limits for mobile device use, and responsible use as well as how to get help from technology and what to do if there are problems.

Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (view content)

Video- Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (view content)

In July 2010, Microsoft announced a shift in philosophy on vulnerability disclosure, reframing its practice of Responsible Disclosure and moving to adopt Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure as its new approach. The purpose of this shift was to move away from the endless and often unproductive debate between responsible and full disclosure proponents, and focus instead on the heightened role that coordination plays in minimizing risk to customers.  Microsoft believes that the process of vulnerability disclosure is a shared responsibility best practiced in strong coordination between finders, vendors, and protection providers working together to protect customers, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

Adding Usable Security to the SDL (view content)

Adam Shostack blogs about adding usable security to the SDL- “Lately, I’ve been focused on how we bring the engineering of usable security into the SDL. When I say usable security, I mean that for those times when we need to ask a user for input on something only they know. (For example, are you connecting to a coffee shop network or your work network? Are you trying to print to a printer you’ve never used before?) We want to ensure that those questions enable users to make security decisions in accordance with their preferences and goals”.

National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Partnership (view content)

Microsoft has partnered with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) since its inception nearly a decade ago. Founded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NCSA’s mission is to help increase awareness of Internet safety and security, and to educate people about how to best protect themselves and their devices. Microsoft works with the NCSA on many issues and activities, including strategic programs and projects, market research and industry and public outreach.

Beware of bin Laden malware on the web and in email (view content)

Cybercriminals are quick to put up fraudulent websites that people will find when they’re searching for popular news topics. These sites often contain fake security software that tries to trick you into to downloading malware by making you think that your security is at risk.

Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) uses a majority of votes to establish a quorum for determining cluster membership. Votes are assigned to nodes in the cluster or to a witness that is either a disk or a file share witness. You can use the Configure Cluster Quorum Wizard to configure the clusters quorum model. When you configure a Node Majority, Node and Disk Majority, or Node and File Share Majority quorum model, all nodes in the cluster are each assigned one vote. WSFC does not let you select the cluster nodes that vote for determining quorum.
After you apply this hotfix, you can configure a cluster node that does not have quorum votes.

• The NodeWeight common property for nodes
  This property can be configured by using either the Get-ClusterNode Windows PowerShell cmdlet or the Cluster.exe command. For example, you run the following command at a command prompt:

  Cluster.exe . node <NodeName> /prop NodeWeight=0

  To query the NodeWeight common property, you can use the following PowerShell cmdlet command:

  Get-ClusterNode “NodeName” | fl *

  To modify the NodeWeight property, you can use the following PowerShell cmdlet command:

  (Get-ClusterNode “NodeName”).NodeWeight = 0

  A new NodeWeight property is added to the MSCluster_Node WMI class to let you manage node weights by using WMI.

• The PreventQuorum (PQ) switch
  This switch starts the Cluster service (ClusSvc) and prevents a node from reaching quorum. The Cluster service can be started by using the PQ switch. For example, you can run the following command at a command prompt:

  NET START ClusSvc /PQ

  The PQ switch can be used to enforce the cluster owner and to maintain consistency in the Cluster database.

6.0.600 2 . 22xxx Windows Server 2008 SP2

Get the Hotfix http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2494036

Well maybe you hit a bug , yes I was surprised to where is my DGW ? try bing and you find more of the same problems but easy to fix with a hot fix but why one server does this and others don’t ?

See in google / Bing / Yahoo

The default gateway setting is lost when you reboot the server

for some reason my LAN just suddenly lost its Default Gateway

No Default Gateway  ?

Default Gateway Missing After Reboot

my tcpip default gateway gets reset on reboot

It looks like this after a reboot your Ip and subnet and DNS is there but no default Gateway

And if you looked it up in the registery

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Para
meters\Interfaces\<GUID>\DefaultGateway
Where <GUID> is the interface value for the network card.

It is not there , sure you can put it in but after a reboot it is gone.

Yes a scheduled task No there is a hot fix for this.

Or you can reset the IP stack.

netsh int ip reset

netsh: this is a Windows utility that allows one to display or change network settings locally or remotely.

int: this argument specifies that you wish to use the “interface” context within the netsh utility.

ip: this argument specifies that you wish to use the “ip” context within the “interface” context of netsh. An example of another context that could have been specified here instead would be “ipv6.”

reset: this argument is an instruction within the previously-specified context and subcontext means what it says, to reset to default.

Consider the following scenario:

• You use the netsh command to enable a network interface on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista. The computer retrieves IP addresses from a DHCP server.
• You use the netsh command to set a default gateway for the network interface.

In this scenario, the default gateway is set successfully. You can verify it by running the ipconfig /all command. However, the default gateway of the network interface is missing after the computer restarts. If you double-click the following registry entry, you find that a null character exists in the value data of the DefaultGateway subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\<GUID>\DefaultGateway

Note <GUID> is the interface value of the network card.

To work around the issue, use the following command to set the default gateway on the interface:

Netsh int ipv4 set address <Interface Name> source=dhcp

Go here to get the HOTFIX :

Article ID: 973243 – Last Review: February 16, 2011 – Revision: 6.0

The default gateway is missing on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista after the computer restarts if the default gateway is set by using the Netsh command

Technorati Tags: Lost,Default,Gateway,Windows,Yahoo,Reboot,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,SYSTEM,CurrentControlSet,Services,Tcpip,Para,Interfaces,GUID,DefaultGateway,Where,interface,display,argument,context,Consider,scenario,computer,Server,Vista,DHCP,double,data,Parameters,Note,issue,Netsh,Name,HOTFIX,Article,Last,Review,February,Revision,same,subnet,find,reset,value,network,card,specifies,wish,within,here,command,restarts
WordPress Tags: Lost,Default,Gateway,Windows,Yahoo,Reboot,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,SYSTEM,CurrentControlSet,Services,Tcpip,Para,Interfaces,GUID,DefaultGateway,Where,interface,display,argument,context,Consider,scenario,computer,Server,Vista,DHCP,double,data,Parameters,Note,issue,Netsh,Name,HOTFIX,Article,Last,Review,February,Revision,same,subnet,find,reset,value,network,card,specifies,wish,within,here,command,restarts

Desktop Virtualization offers a broad portfolio of solutions that empower companies to choose the technologies that best address their unique business and IT challenges while preserving their existing IT investments. Microsoft delivers desktop virtualization offerings for a wide range of situations—from always connected workers to those requiring more flexibility such as mobile workers. For connected workers, Microsoft and its partners, including Citrix, deliver a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution that allows organizations to centrally manage desktops in the datacenter while providing a personalized desktop experience for end users.

VDI or RDS ? Well if RDS is not working for you then you can use VDI below are a couple of screenshots of the VDI Session.

You can see this online in a few weeks on the microsoft site Websession on demand

In the basic it is just Opsmgr 2007 but it gives advise what error you have , missing updates, All the thing you want to know if there is something wrong. So why pay an external company for hosted opsmgr. most of them are only money collectors. reading the screen and send by email the error. Now you can use Microsoft KB and the best off the SCOM package.  I tested it now for a while and is handy to get a first impression what kind of errors are there , updates,status etc.

For those who know MRAS Performance and Reliability this was way before scom and you get indepth reports.

Microsoft System Center Advisor provides:

System Center Advisor (http://www.systemcenteradvisor.com) is an online service that analyzes installations of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (and later versions) and Windows Server 2008 (and later versions). Advisor collects data from your installations, analyzes it, and generates alerts that identify potential issues (such as missing security patches) or deviations from identified best practices with regard to configuration and usage. Advisor also provides both current and historical views of the configuration of servers in your environment.

Advisor is developed by the Microsoft System Center Advisor product group in partnership with Microsoft Support engineers to ensure that the issues customers report to Microsoft are detected before they affect your environment. Advisor is regularly updated to reflect the most recent experiences of these engineers, who support customers around the world.

The Alert overview , This server needs SP1 and other updates , Yes Wsus does this to.

The Configuration overview Servers. Lots of info here.

And the options of the errors , what to do with it or jumb to the configuration of the server.

To see if there are changes in the hardware or software.

Easy access and to use, the installation is less than 5 min , setup , next next , done.

We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2011 Microsoft® Worldwide Partner Conference! We value your partnership and we invite you to join us at this premier Microsoft and partner event. Come learn about Microsoft’s roadmap for the upcoming year, network and build connections with Microsoft employees and other partners, share best practices and experience the latest products.
There’s great value in attending this important event and WPC 2011 is an even bigger value now: Register between March 23 and April 25 and you’ll save US$300 off your WPC 2011 registration!
WPC provides a unique, five (5)-day event for thousands of partners from more than 130 countries. In addition to planning your business strategies for the upcoming year, there are numerous reasons for you to attend WPC 2011, including:

• Learning how to expand your possibilities with investments in integrated cloud services, Windows® 7, and Windows Phone.
• Getting an in-depth look at innovative cloud platforms and services, such as Office 365, Windows Azure™, Windows Server® 2008 R2 Hyper-V™, and Dynamics® CRM Online.
• Gaining new insights from senior Microsoft leaders about our business vision and industry leading products. You’ll hear from executives Steve Ballmer, Kevin Turner, our new channel chief Jon Roskill and more.
• Taking your business to the next level and win against the competition.

MICROSOFT PARTNER AWARDS AND SPONSOR / EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to attending WPC 2011, consider two related opportunities:

• Showcase your great solutions and submit a nomination for a prestigious Microsoft Partner Award. Winning an award – or placing as a finalist – can generate new business and customer opportunities, increase your press coverage and provide market recognition. Submit your nomination by April 15, 2011.
• Build your brand through sponsorship, an exhibition booth or Marketing Promotional Opportunities. With an estimated 15,000 worldwide partners, Microsoft executives, press and analyst attendees, sponsoring or exhibiting at WPC 2011 provides an excellent opportunity to achieve your sales and marketing objectives.

More than 95% of Microsoft’s revenue comes through our partners and we’re committed to winning together.
We hope you’ll join us in Los Angeles in July!
Best regards,
The 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Team
mswpc@microsoft.com

<>>Extra

These are testing machines ( snapshot of production ) and the screenshot are showing you what can go wrong. It was hard to make a blog post about this there was so much to fix and to do and to explane how to solve things.  At the end I deside to create a fresh cluster ;-(

<>>

I use a 2 node cluster windows 2008r2 with SQL 2008 on it 2 named sql instances.

Lesson 1 be prepared and no rush during de upgrade.

Lesson 2 Make sure your current SQL cluster is fine if not do not upgrade !

In my post http://robertsmit.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/clustering-sql-2008-on-windows-2008-r2-what-can-go-wrong/ and I guessed it would be fun to do this with SQL Denali.

Well It is fun but the things I want to fix and to make sure the I can fix it and write a blog about this was not easy.

Well this blog is holding a lot of screen shots to see what and how the installation can be done.

So my 2 node cluster that I used for the SQL 2008 what can go wrong is up and running and ready for the beta sql 11.

I downloaded the SQL denali beta mounted the ISO in my hyper-V and started the splash.

But first let me test this on a brand new cluster and see how things are going.

Except I use the Same IP for the SQL instance ( typo on perpes )

Ok I needed a reboot package after the reboot I’m ready to go

Fill in your key or leave it this way ( give your key later )

Give the file location and name the instance

I give the disk and the IP number ( make sure it is a free IP )

Put in the service account

Some new screens

  Well All set and ready to go But during the install there was this error, What is it and why ?

Well It seams that I used a Ip adress that was not Free but why this error and why not installing and leave the resource off line. So what is the status of the install.

Well there is no cluster good that this was not the production SQL so lets remove it an reinstall

Can’t find the SQL , yes the setup did not install it but why ?

But on more error messages to go there is no clean fix and this is just for not putting in a right Ip adress. next step clean out the register and delete the files, and rerun the setup again.

After playing with denali and upgrading , deinstall , install, fresh install , Win2008R2 Sp1

If you are beta testing denali on a cluster do not use the setup for cluster node install but choose the prepare for cluster install and after that use the finish cluster install. this works fine and fast.

Both my test clusters are broken during the upgrade It is all my fault I did this and not all the errors are SQL denali problems. but the main problem is make sure you have a plan and if something goes wrong make sure you can fixit or do a rollback.

In my case the only thing I did was a taken IP address and running an instance that is clustered and running a non clustered instance on both nodes.  seems not logical at all. But have you seen crappy sql clusters ? Or are all your Clusters in excellent shape ?

dumb questions do not exist, but have you ever worked on a helpdesk ?

http://www.rinkworks.com/stupid/cs_calls.shtml

Windows Live Tags: Wrong,Beta,Denali,Cluster,node,Lesson,Make,installation,Except,Same,instance,typo,Fill,Give,location,disk,account,Some,error,Free,resource,status,production,setup,messages,files,Both,problems,instances,seams,errors,blog,reboot
WordPress Tags: Wrong,Beta,Denali,Cluster,node,Lesson,Make,installation,Except,Same,instance,typo,Fill,Give,location,disk,account,Some,error,Free,resource,status,production,setup,messages,files,Both,problems,instances,seams,errors,blog,reboot

Rich graphics and responsive performance immerse you.

Without hardware acceleration, browsers only use about 10% of the processing power your PC has to offer. Internet Explorer 9 unlocks that other 90%. With Internet Explorer 9, we’re tapping into your graphics processor through Windows to harness the full potential of your PC. High-definition videos are smooth, graphics are clearer and more responsive, colors are truer, and websites are more interactive. Combined with our new JavaScript engine, the web now performs like an application installed directly on your computer.

Pinning is simple:

Just grab the tab of the site you’re on and pull it down into the taskbar.

Now you try it.

Drag one of the tabs from above.

Sites are instant

No browser puts you closer to your favorite sites.

Not only do sites load incredibly fast in Internet Explorer 9, sites can also be pinned to your taskbar for one-click access. To pin a website, just grab the tab and drag it down to your Windows 7 Taskbar!

Jump Lists

Once a site is pinned, you can right-click on the icon to get a list that directs you to particular content on the site.

Notifications

Some pinned sites can also notify you that content has changed on the site, so you know immediately.

Tracking Protection helps you stay in control.

Some of the content, images, and ads that you see on websites are provided by third-party websites. While this content can be useful to both you and your favorite websites, it allows third-party websites to potentially track your behavior across multiple sites. Tracking Protection in Internet Explorer 9 provides an added level of control and choice about the information that third-party websites can potentially use to track your browsing activity.

  To use this feature, simply go to the Settings menu (under the gear), select Safety and then Tracking Protection. Then enable your personalized list. Once you’ve enabled a Tracking Protection List, the settings apply to all the sites you browse to and are preserved each time you begin a new browsing session. Tracking Protection stays on until you decide to turn it off.

What’s the high-level overview?

· This cutting edge course will feature expert instruction and real-world demonstrations of Hyper-V and brand new releases from System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 Beta (many of which will be announced just one week earlier at MMS).  Register Now!

· Day 1 will focus on “Platform” (Hyper-V, virtualization architecture, high availability & clustering)

o 10:00am – 10:30pm PDT:  Virtualization 360 Overview

o 10:30am – 12:00pm:  Microsoft Hyper-V Deployment Options & Architecture

o 1:00pm –   2:00pm:  Differentiating Microsoft and VMware (terminology, etc.)

o 2:00pm –   4:00pm:  High Availability & Clustering

· Day 2 will focus on “Management” (System Center Suite, SCVMM 2012 Beta, Opalis, Private Cloud solutions)

o 10:00am – 11:00pm PDT:  System Center Suite Overview w/ focus on DPM

o 11:00am – 12:00pm:  Virtual Machine Manager 2012 | Part 1

o 1:00pm –   1:30pm:  Virtual Machine Manager 2012 | Part 2

o 1:30pm –   2:30pm:  Automation with System Center Opalis & PowerShell

o 2:30pm –   4:00pm:  Private Cloud Solutions, Architecture & VMM SSP 2.0

· Day 3 will focus on “VDI” (VDI Infrastructure/architecture, v-Alliance, application delivery via VDI)

o 10:00am – 11:00pm PDT:  Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Architecture | Part 1

o 11:00am – 12:00pm:  Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Architecture | Part 2

o 1:00pm –   2:30pm:  v-Alliance Solution Overview

o 2:30pm –   4:00pm:  Application Delivery for VDI

· Every section will be team-taught by two of the most respected authorities on virtualization technologies: Microsoft Technical Evangelist Symon Perriman and leading Hyper-V, VMware, and XEN infrastructure consultant, Corey Hynes

Who is the target audience for this training?

Suggested prerequisite skills include real-world experience with Windows Server 2008 R2, virtualization and datacenter management. The course is tailored to these types of roles:

· IT Professional

· IT Decision Maker

· Network Administrators & Architects

· Storage/Infrastructure Administrators & Architects

How do I to register and learn more about this great training opportunity?

· Register: Visit the Registration Page and sign up for all three sessions

· Blog: Learn more from the Microsoft Learning Blog

· Twitter: Here are a few posts you can retweet:

o Mar. 29-31 "Microsoft #Virtualization for VMware Pros" @SymonPerriman Corey Hynes http://bit.ly/JS-Hyper-V @MSLearning #Hyper-V

o @SysCtrOpalis Mar. 29-31 "Microsoft #Virtualization for VMware Pros" @SymonPerriman Corey Hynes http://bit.ly/JS-Hyper-V #Hyper-V

o Learn all the cool new features in Hyper-V & System Center 2012! SCVMM, Self-Service Portal 2.0, http://bit.ly/JS-Hyper-V #Hyper-V #Opalis

What is a “Jump Start” course?
A “Jump Start” course is “team-taught” by two expert instructors in an engaging radio talk show style format.  The idea is to deliver readiness training on strategic and emerging technologies that drive awareness at scale before Microsoft Learning develops mainstream Microsoft Official Courses (MOC) that map to certifications.  All sessions are professionally recorded and distributed through MS Showcase, Channel 9, Zune Marketplace and iTunes for broader reach.

Please join us for this fantastic event!

Check out the The Internet Explorer 6 Countdown to solve your problem or use a different browser

Bet they support anything that runs on vmware , If it runs than it works.

But Put in Windows 8 is a bit premature IMHO

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?action=search&deviceCategory=software&advancedORbasic=advanced&maxDisplayRows=50&key=&productId=1&gos_vmw_product_release%5B%5D=31&datePosted=-1&partnerId%5B%5D=-1&os_bits=-1&os_use%5B%5D=-1&os_family%5B%5D=-1&os_name%5B%5D=Windows+8&os_type%5B%5D=-1&rorre=0

Today the keynote was with Steve Balmer and guess what I was in de slidedeck

		MVP Summit 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

these are the errors and the errors are not fixable ! there is a work around with a *

Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\servicing\TrustedInstaller.exe

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: APPCRASH

Application Name: TrustedInstaller.exe

Application Version: 6.1.7600.16385

Application Timestamp: 4a5bc4b0

Fault Module Name: cbscore.dll

Fault Module Version: 6.1.7601.17514

Fault Module Timestamp: 4ce7c541

Exception Code: c0000005

Exception Offset: 000000000005bc2e

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: CbsPackageServicingFailure2

Stack Version: 6.1.7601.17514

Package: Package_for_KB976932

Version: 6.1.1.17514

Architecture: amd64

Culture: unknown

Status: 800705b4

Failure Source: CBS Other

Start State: Partially Installed

Target State: Installed

Client Id: SP Coordinater Engine

If you have the errors above and you are trying to logon to your server it is pending for uninstalling the Service pack and stays there forever. What can you do ?

Well you can boot in safe mode or get the ownership of the pending.xml and rename it.

mm sounds easy connect to your server  \\servername\windows\winsxs\pending.xml

take ownership if you need and rename this file.  Poweroff your server and you can logon again.

Easy but your server is fucked up beyond any repair

Now you think you can start the setup again and yes you can but the next error is “ Wait for the Windows Modules Installer  “ ?

yes see where the pending.xml file is ? well it is not there anymore. Just poweroff the server start in safe mode and reboot.

But what now ? This server is fried I have not found a solution to fix this or to recreate this issue. Next week I’m in redmond and will ask the Team how to solve this.

The problem is the HKLM\components hive is still loaded in the register. and you can’t do a unload. So therefor any update will fail. I has not finished the update the machine thinks it is still pending

well I tired another setup with out the auto reboot I do this manual

Service Pack installation failed with error code 0x80070bc9. and Initiating changes for package KB976932. Current state is Partially Installed. Target state is Absent. Client id: SP Coordinater Engine.

Well this means I need to reboot the server.

So there is direct fix but you can use your server everything works but there is still a problem with this server.

hope this helps if I find a solution I will let you know.

Technorati Tags: Service,Pack,Ends,features,Hyper,server,disaster,Make,backup,Application,Path,TrustedInstaller,Problem,signature,Event,Name,APPCRASH,Version,Timestamp,Fault,Module,Exception,Code,Offset,Stack,Package,Architecture,Culture,Status,Failure,Source,Start,State,Target,Client,Coordinater,Engine,boot,mode,ownership,Poweroff,Easy,setup,error,Wait,Installer,Just,solution,Team,HKLM,components,machine,auto,installation,Current,Absent,errors,Modules,rename,reboot
WordPress Tags: Service,Pack,Ends,features,Hyper,server,disaster,Make,backup,Application,Path,TrustedInstaller,Problem,signature,Event,Name,APPCRASH,Version,Timestamp,Fault,Module,Exception,Code,Offset,Stack,Package,Architecture,Culture,Status,Failure,Source,Start,State,Target,Client,Coordinater,Engine,boot,mode,ownership,Poweroff,Easy,setup,error,Wait,Installer,Just,solution,Team,HKLM,components,machine,auto,installation,Current,Absent,errors,Modules,rename,reboot

The  Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for Malware Response empowers readers to take action quickly in the event of a malware incident by matching the technology solution to the business need and aligning business and IT from the beginning. This guide discusses three primary recovery methods: cleaning the system, recovering system state, and rebuilding the system. Each method presents different risks and benefits to the organization. The guide also describes approaches to investigating outbreaks and cleaning infected systems. Read this guide to make an informed decision about how to return the systems to operation while limiting the likelihood of the malware infecting additional systems.

The guide empowers readers in the following ways:

• Shortens the time required to recover from a malware outbreak by describing the decisions to be made.
• Provides a cost-effective and straightforward solution by matching the most suitable technologies to the business needs.
• Prompts decisions to be made in choosing one of three courses of action: clean, restore, or rebuild a system.

To learn more aboutInfrastructure Planning and Design Guide for Malware Response click  here. To download the guidance, click here.

Service Pack 1 is now available on Technet for subscribers.

Consumer end-users can find general information about Windows 7 SP1 at the following Microsoft website:

http://windows.microsoft.com/windows7sp1

Public downloads will be here

Windows 7 Service Pack 1

To obtain Windows 7 SP1, visit the following Microsoft website:

http://windows.microsoft.com/installwindows7sp1 (http://windows.microsoft.com/installwindows7sp1)

Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

To obtain Windows 2008 R2 SP1, visit the following Microsoft website:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=199583

The following documentation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 is provided here.

Deployment Guide for Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 and Windows 7 with SP1.doc 213KB Download

Hotfixes and Security Updates included in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1.xls 465KB Download

Installing Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1.doc 94KB Download

Release Notes for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1.doc 87KB Download

Release Notes for Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1.doc 87KB Download

MS KB Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Gear Up eToolkit Gone Mobile – UPDATE

You are receiving this email to clarify communication about Gear Up Mobile sent on January 27th. The intended audience for the Gear Up email are partners who have registered in the Gear Up program managed by the US Partner team.

New for US Microsoft Partners — Gear Up Mobile application for Windows® Phone 7!

In addition to other popular Gear Up modalities, we’re excited to offer content to you via our new Gear Up Mobile application for Windows Phone 7!
To install from your Windows Phone 7 search Marketplace for "Gear Up USP", locate the app, then install the free application directly to your phone. See new streamlined reading, navigation and full text search plus integration with Outlook for simple mailing of customer ready content. Watch these short video guides to the Gear Up Mobile app to see: how to search; and simple steps for sending customer ready content by Outlook email.

NOTE: On February 28, "Gear Up WWP" will launch in Marketplace to serve partners outside the US.

Having trouble logging on to Gear Up?
Contact us

WordPress Tags: Gear,Mobile,UPDATE,communication,January,audience,partners,Partner,team,Microsoft,addition,Marketplace,navigation,text,integration,Outlook,customer,Watch,steps,NOTE,February,Contact,eToolkit

Windows Home Server is part of a long-term vision by Microsoft to create a new platform for the home. Windows Home Server helps families and home-based businesses with multiple computers to organize, share, and automatically back up photos, videos, music, and other important documents. With over 130,000 registered Microsoft Connect users, there is a strong and vibrant community of enthusiasts helping to improve Windows Home Server software.

Windows Home Server code name "Vail" is the version 2 release of Windows Home Server, now based on Windows Server ® 2008 R2.  There are some exciting new features that you can try out if you choose to join the Windows Home Server Connect program such as:

• Extending media streaming outside the home or office
• Improvements in multi-PC backup and restore
• Simplified setup and user experience
• Significantly expanded development and customization tools for partners
• Much, much more!

Today we are pleased to announce the availability of the Release Candidate for Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 (formerly Windows Home Server Code Name “Vail”). Affordable and easy-to-use, Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 (WHS) is the ideal solution to help families keep their important digital files and PC’s automatically backed up, organized, and accessible.

The Release Candidate (RC) signifies our last mile efforts for releasing this product to our customers, and prepares our network of software and hardware partners for its release.  Along with the RC, we have also released an update to theWindows Server Solutions SDK which provides tools and information to develop add-ins and extend the functionality of Windows Home Server 2011.

This WHS RC is the first public release to include changes in the storage features, so let’s look at some of the changes you can expect. All existing technologies such as server and client backup, health monitoring, remote web access, streaming media, and simplified dashboard management are still included.

A new Move Folder Wizard makes it easy for you to move data from one drive to another. As Hard Drives are added to the Home Server, your health alerts will notify you that a new Hard Drive is available. From here, you can automatically format and configure the new drive for additional storage.

Once configured, you can easily use the Move Folder Wizard to move your data to the new drive as needed.

To see this in action, please watch our Windows Home Server Move Folder Wizard Learning Bite.

Data protection also includes daily Server and PC backup, Previous Versions via Shadow copy which lets you return prior versions of existing files (without needing to restore from backup), and a protection feature for pre-defined folders (such as Recorded TV, Videos, Photos) in case these are accidently deleted.

We are also excited to announce Acer is in the final testing phase of Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011.  Irene Chan, Senior Business Manager from Acer America Corp. stated this morning  “We’re excited to offer this new and improved, easy-to-use OS on our Aspire easyStore Home Server this Spring.  Designed for households and small businesses with multiple PCs, Aspire easyStore offers a simple way to network computers, centralize, share and protect digital data as well as access it remotely from anywhere in the world." stated

WordPress Tags: Home,Server,vision,Microsoft,platform,music,documents,Connect,code,Vail,version,features,office,backup,setup,user,development,tools,partners,Release,Candidate,Name,Affordable,solution,files,efforts,product,customers,Along,storage,client,health,dashboard,management,Move,Folder,Wizard,data,Hard,Drive,From,Once,action,Bite,protection,Previous,Acer,phase,Irene,Chan,Senior,Manager,America,Corp,Aspire,world,computers,photos,users,enthusiasts,Improvements,Solutions,technologies,Versions,software,digital

Go to the server manager and check the computer Choose Configure Remote Desktop.

Yeb nice but now I can’t connect with my Windows ( eXtra Prehistoric) version with SP3. I put in the Beta RDP 7.1 that came with Windows 2008R2/Windows 7 Sp1 but still I can’t connect.  ( Windows XP users should download RDP 7.0 )

Yeb that is By design In Windows ( eXtra Prehistoric) Network Level Authentication ( NLA ) is turned off by default. You should use windows 7 or follow the steps below.

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then press ENTER.
2. In the navigation pane, locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
3. In the details pane, right-click Security Packages, and then click Modify.
4. In the Value data box, type tspkg. Leave any data that is specific to other SSPs, and then click OK.
5. In the navigation pane, locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders
6. In the details pane, right-click SecurityProviders, and then click Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type credssp.dll. Leave any data that is specific to other SSPs, and then click OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor.
9. Restart the computer.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa]

"Security Packages"=hex(7):6b,00,65,00,72,00,62,00,65,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,00,\
  00,6d,00,73,00,76,00,31,00,5f,00,30,00,00,00,73,00,63,00,68,00,61,00,6e,00,\
  6e,00,65,00,6c,00,00,00,77,00,64,00,69,00,67,00,65,00,73,00,74,00,00,00,74,\
  00,73,00,70,00,6b,00,67,00,00,00,00,00

By default, CredSSP is turned off in Windows XP SP3 , To turn it on here is the key.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders]
"SecurityProviders"="msapsspc.dll, schannel.dll, digest.dll, msnsspc.dll,credssp.dll"

More info about this :

Description of the Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 client update for Remote Desktop Services (RDS) for Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1, and Windows Vista SP2

Credential Security Support Provider (CredSSP) in Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3).

WordPress Tags: connection,Network,Level,Authentication,Where,option,server,manager,computer,Choose,Configure,Remote,Desktop,Prehistoric,version,Beta,steps,Click,Start,ENTER,navigation,pane,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,SYSTEM,CurrentControlSet,Control,Packages,Modify,Value,data,Leave,SSPs,SecurityProviders,Exit,Registry,Editor,Restart,CredSSP,info,Description,client,Services,Vista,Credential,Support,Provider,Service,Pack,users,subkey

Netsh.exe is a tool an administrator can use to configure and monitor Windows-based computers at a command prompt. With the Netsh.exe tool, you can direct the context commands you enter to the appropriate helper, and the helper then carries out the command. A helper is a Dynamic Link Library (.dll) file that extends the functionality of the Netsh.exe tool by providing configuration, monitoring, and support for one or more services, utilities, or protocols. The helper may also be used to extend other helpers.

If You want to set your IP on a server or changed it quickly.

netsh interface ip set address name="Local Area Connection" static 10.20.30.10 255.255.255.0 10.20.30.253
netsh interface ip set dns name="Local Area Connection" static 10.20.30.100
netsh interface ip add dns name="Local Area Connection" 10.20.30.253

Or Do a Wireless connection reset

netsh interface set interface "Wireless Network Connection" DISABLED
netsh interface set interface "Wireless Network Connection" ENABLED

Play with Netsh If you want to setup a windows 2008R2 Core server you must(better) use Netsh.

Simplify planning for migration to the latest Microsoft products and technologies with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.5. This multifaceted tool is now even better—with assessment for easier migration to the Windows Azure platform,heterogeneous database discovery for SQL Server migration projects, Windows Internet Explorer migration assessment, and much more—MAP 5.5 includes new features to help you streamline planning for your next migration project.

Desktop migration projects are easier with the hardware assessment for Windows 7 and Internet Explorer. The MAP 5.5 Internet Explorer migration assessment inventories and reports on deployed web browsers, Microsoft ActiveX controls, and add-ons—and delivers the findings in a convenient migration assessment report and proposal.

Enhanced server consolidation features help users save time and effort when creating virtualization assessments and proposals. Enhancements include updated hardware libraries with the latest CPU models, data collection and store every five minutes, customized server selection, and greater scalability and reliability requiring less effort and oversight of the data collection process.MAP also helps accelerate SQL Server migration projects with heterogeneous database discovery for MySQL, Oracle, and Sybase instances.

Enjoy quicker, easier migrations and upgrades—saving your organization time and money—when you take advantage of the agentless, automated discovery and detailed infrastructure assessments from MAP.

Learn more

Visit the MAP home page:http://www.microsoft.com/map

WordPress Tags: Microsoft,Assessment,Toolkit,Download,Simplify,migration,products,tool,Azure,platform,database,discovery,Server,Internet,Explorer,features,Desktop,reports,ActiveX,findings,proposal,effort,data,collection,selection,MySQL,Oracle,Sybase,Enjoy,organization,money,advantage,infrastructure,Learn,Visit,technologies,inventories,users,assessments,proposals,Enhancements,instances,migrations,easier,hardware

Source :http://blogs.technet.com/b/vm/

Another significant milestone for Microsoft virtualization’s way – release of the first Service Pack for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

For Hyper-V, this package is primarily the emergence of the long-awaited features dynamic memory and RemoteFX capabilities. We have reviewed both deep enough in the past articles, we’ll talk about another. In addition to encoded two innovations in Service Pack 1 includes all updates previously released for Hyper-V R2. Support for new processors Nehalem and Westmere, correction of VSS, and so on. Combo box will be available tomorrow on the Microsoft website.

Unexpected but enjoyable ad was an increase of rating relations possible aggregate number of virtual processors to the number of logical processors on the system. As we remember, support was previously set to 8: 1. With the release of the first service pack that contains this value increased to 12: 1 for VDI if used on servers virtualized guest systems exclusively with Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Details can be seen in the following Microsoft TechNet articles. What this gives? Now the dual server with new dual Xeon Westmere can run up to 144 virtual machines! Not in vain at TechEd commented that density in VDI objectives increased by 40% with SP1. Draw attention-change only affects client SKUS. This modification support relations sum of virtual processors to the number of logical processors does not affect the maximum possible value for the number of virtual processors per virtual machine, no change here.

Pack will be publicly available in the first quarter. For installing you should uninstall prerelease versions of this package, if installed on your PC or server. The first time for download will be available "zero wave", which includes support for English, but not containing the Russian language. If you can’t wait to install it on a system that will deliver the English interface, make it the default, remove Russian, to pack, and then return the Russian language.

Updated: Microsoft’s official position is that Microsoft has not released SP1 to OEMs at this time, comment.though we are on track for a Q1 release, as we previously announced. The comments made in this blog entry included some inaccuracies.

You will probably install more than one DHCP server so that the failure of any individual server will not prevent DHCP clients from starting. However, DHCP does not provide a way for DHCP servers to cooperate in ensuring that assigned addresses are unique. Therefore, you must carefully divide the available address pool among the DHCP servers to prevent duplicate address assignment.

For balancing DHCP server usage, use the 80/20 rule to divide scope addresses between DHCP servers. below is an example of the 80/20 rule.

80/20 Rule Model

DHCP Server 2 is configured to lease most (about 80 percent) of the available addresses. DHCP Server 1 is configured to lease the remaining addresses (about 20 percent).

This scenario allows the local DHCP server (DHCP Server 2) to respond to requests from local DHCP clients most of the time. The remote or backup DHCP server (DHCP Server 1) assigns addresses to clients on the other subnet only when the local server is not available or is out of addresses. This same rule can be used in a multiple-subnet scenario to ensure the availability of a DHCP server when a client requests a lease.

But how to install this DHCP server. In windows 2003 it was a lot of work but now with windows 2008R2 is is much better,install one serve and get one for free, ok almost. Let me show you how to do this.

First you need two servers in the same domain with the DHCP role on it. Sure You can cluster the DHCP and the management is done on one console and if one dhcp server fails the failover will take place and the scopes are running on the second node.

Now two single servers with any scope rule you want.

After the add role the wizard popsup and want to configure the DHCP server , the listener address

If you don’t want to configure the scope right now do not add scope. fill in the domain and use ip6,wins if you want it

Now that the DHCP server is running we do a SPLIT Scope.

just right click on the scope and do a split-scope again the wizard pops-up

Fill in the second DHCP server with or without scopes and select your scope range I choose for the common 80/20 or better 73 /27 scope bet you are all using this.

In the delay time you can make sure that one server is a faster listener than the other.

As you can see there is no scope on the secondary node , now that the wizard is finished the scope is auto configured on the other node.

If you do this make sure all the settings and reservations are set on the first node there is no wizard that syncs the servers.

If you want one console for all DHCP servers checkout the clustering robertsmit.wordpress.com/…/windows-2008-r2-dhcp-cluster-setup

http://robertsmit.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/windows-2008-r2-dhcp-cluster-setup/

WordPress Tags: DHCP,Server,Rule,failure,clients,assignment,usage,scope,example,Model,scenario,requests,backup,client,domain,role,Sure,management,node,SPLIT,Fill,auto,setup,servers,subnet,scopes,wizard,listener,robertsmit

http://smbnationadmin.com.dnnmax.com/Home.aspx

www.MVPnation.org

1. Microsoft MVPs. This technical community constituency will already be in Seattle for the annual Microsoft MVP Summit from February 28 to March 2, 2011. Microsoft predicts 1,500 MVPs from around the world will attend and 200 MVPs will attend MVPnation. Product groups we anticipate participating include Server Solutions (e.g., Windows Small Business Server, Windows Server), Client Operating Systems (e.g., Windows 7), Communication and Collaboration (e.g., Microsoft Exchange), Business Management (e.g., Dynamics CRM), Business Productivity (e.g., Office), Virtualization, Data Center Management, and many more groups. The MVPs will be the speakers at this event.

2. Community members. Customers, channel partners, consultants, and members of the public will be in attendance to learn from the MVPs. View it this way. A mid-level IT administrator at a Fortune 1,000 corporation (say Weyerhaeuser or Boeing) would attend to meet his favorite Windows Server MVP!!!!  A Microsoft Partner who is a consultant would attend to learn from her favorite Exchange Server MVP! A member of the public will be thrilled to attend a panel discussion hosted by Microsoft Office MVPs. Hopefully you get the point – this is an amazing opportunity for the public to meet the infamous MVPs!
3. Community sponsors. I’ve been amazed at the enthusiasm and excitement already displayed by the technology ISV, and vendor community to embrace and extend their budding relationship with the MVPs. It’s like the old Texas saw, “Strangers are just friends who you haven’t met yet,” and such is the case herein. MVPnation is positioned as a connection catalyst to bring this important third-leg to the stool. And it shouldn’t be lost on anyone that the generosity of the underwriting sponsors has made MVPnation possible.

WordPress Tags: Nation,March,Seattle,Home,MVPnation,Microsoft,MVPs,Summit,February,Product,Server,Solutions,Windows,Small,Client,Systems,Communication,Collaboration,Exchange,Management,Dynamics,Office,Virtualization,Data,Center,speakers,Customers,View,Fortune,Weyerhaeuser,meet,Partner,panel,Texas,Strangers,haven,made,communities,already,from,attend,groups,members,public,learn,favorite,sponsors

Meld u nu aan!

Super Early Bird: schrijf u in vóór 16 januari en krijg €100 korting.

http://openstack.org/

If you build a portal than it is completely based on silverlight and the provisioning can be done with SCCM.

As an Sample of a hosted Cloud it could look like this. Below are samples of servers that are in a hosted cloud. And screen shots of the SQL cloud beta. ( my private Cloud )

Server overview with perf counters  ( SCVMM )

Graphics of Perf counters.

Provisining and task sumary

Microsoft Atlanta SQL Cloud After the Setup you can bring your server to the management cloud.

Altanta software and the Opsmgr 2007 agent will be installed on the server.

Currently my new server has issues

And there is a server list of all the servers in de cloud and the gateway is sending the data to the management server. Create user accounts to connect to the management site

So you can easy build your own hosted sites and resell it but building it and test it takes some time but when it runs it makes fun.

The Microsoft® Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit helps you understand your current information technology (IT) infrastructure and determine the Microsoft technologies that best fit your IT needs. The MAP Toolkit is a powerful inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that can securely inventory small or large IT environments without requiring the installation of agent software in your environment. The data and analysis that this toolkit provides can significantly simplify the planning process for a wide range of migration projects.

Computer Discovery Methods

MAP can discover computers in your environment, or you can specify which computers to inventory using one of the following methods:

· Active Directory® Domain Services (AD DS). Use this method if all computers and devices you plan to inventory are in AD DS.

· Windows® networking protocols. Use this method if the computers in the network are not joined to an AD DS domain.

· Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager. Use this method if you have System Center Configuration Manager in your environment and you need to discover computers that System Center Configuration Manager servers manage.

· Import computer names from a file. Use this method if you have a list of up to 120,000 computer names that you want to inventory.

· Scan an IP address range. Use this method to target a specific set of computers in a branch office or specific subnets when you only want inventory performed on those computers. You can also use it to find devices and computers that cannot be found using the Computer Browser service or AD DS.

· Manually enter computer names. Use this method if you want to inventory a small number of specific computers.      

What’s new with MAP Toolkit 5.5?

Assess your environment for upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8 (or the latest version). Are you looking for a tool to simplify your organization’s migration to Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8—and, in turn, enjoy improved desktop security, reliability and manageability? The MAP 5.5 Internet Explorer Upgrade Assessment inventories your environment and reports on deployed web browsers, Microsoft ActiveX controls, plug-ins and toolbars, and then generates a migration assessment report and proposal—information you need to more easily migrate to Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8 (or the latest version).

Identify and analyze web application, and database readiness for migration to Windows Azure and SQL Azure. Simplify your move to the cloud with the MAP 5.5 automated discovery and detailed inventory reporting on database and web application readiness for Windows Azure and SQL Azure. MAP identifies web applications, IIS servers, and SQL Server databases, analyzes their performance characteristics, and estimates required cloud features such as number of Windows Azure compute instances, number of SQL Azure databases, bandwidth usage, and storage.

Discover heterogeneous database instances for migration to SQL Server. Now with heterogeneous database inventory supported, MAP 5.5 helps you accelerate migration to SQL Server with network inventory reporting for MySQL, Oracle, and Sybase instances.

Enhanced server consolidation assessments for Hyper-V.

Enhanced server consolidation capabilities help you save time and effort when creating virtualization assessments and proposals. Enhancements include:

· Updated hardware libraries allowing you to select from the latest Intel and AMD processors.

· Customized server selection for easy editing of assessment data. 

· Data collection and store every five minutes for more accurate reporting.

· Better scalability and reliability, requiring less oversight of the data collection process.

· Support for more machines.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/bb819696.aspx

http://blogs.technet.com/b/mapblog/

Source : Microsoft vs. McAfee

How effective is free antivirus software? I had a chance to see a real, in-the-wild example just this month, and the results were, to put it mildly, unexpected. The bottom line? Microsoft’s free antivirus solution found and removed a threat that two well-known paid products missed. Here are the details. [Update: After I publlished this post, a second example appeared, courtesy of a rogue commenter in the Talkback section. See the results at the end of this post.]

I’ve had Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) installed on my main working PC for most of the past year. Mostly, I use it for real-time protection. I typically disable the scheduled virus scans on my PCs and instead occasionally do a manual scan just to confirm that nothing out of the ordinary has snuck through. Last month I decided to perform a scan using the Full option. Because I have 2.5 terabytes of hard disk space, with roughly 40% of it in use, I knew the scan would take a long time. So I scheduled it to run while I was out running errands.

When I came back, here’s a snippet of what I found:

Read More on Source : Microsoft vs. McAfee

The link leads to an executable file, which I downloaded (but did not execute) on a system that was not running any antivirus software and submitted to Virustotal.com. The result? 15/43 scanning engines detected it as malware. Microsoft Security Essentials was one of them. It identified the file as TrojanDownloader:Win32/Waledac.C, which was originally included in definition file 1.63.2017.0, released on August 27, 2009. The McAfee Gateway edition identified it as a suspicious file (and thus would have blocked it). McAfee’s consumer product line did not detect the threat at all.

To its credit, Sunbelt successfully identified this threat. On the list of companies that missed it? Symantec, Avast, and TrendMicro.

Read More on Source : Microsoft vs. McAfee

WordPress Tags: Microsoft,McAfee,Item,Zdnet,Essentials,Source,software,Here,details,Update,Talkback,Last,Full,disk,back,Read,file,Virustotal,TrojanDownloader,Waledac,August,Gateway,product,Sunbelt,list,Symantec,Avast,TrendMicro,free,antivirus,paid,real,example,just,month,results,line,found,threat

VIR309_Perriman.pptx

As servers are consolidated into VMs, the availability of those VMs is becoming increasingly important in providing disaster tolerance and business continuance. This session covers considerations of multi-site clustering, where virtual machines can be configured on a Hyper-V Failover Cluster that reaches across sites. This session also covers conducting live migrations across datacenters, and considerations of Cluster Shared Volumes with replication software.

WSV204-IS – Failover Clustering 101: Everything you Wanted to Know but were Afraid to Ask (Repeats on Friday)

WSV204-IS_Perriman.pptx

Want to learn about Windows Server 2008 R2 Failover Clustering for the first time?  We will show you how to build a highly-available File Server and Hyper-V cluster in just a few simple steps, while answering any and all of your questions.  We will cover planning, licensing, virtualization, support, validation, hardware, networking considerations, building a cluster, deploying workloads on a cluster, and deploying virtual machines on a cluster.  No prior clustering knowledge is needed!

WSV306-IS – Failover Clustering with Hyper-V Unleashed in Windows Server 2008 R2

WSV306-IS_Perriman.pptx

This is a free-form session that will demo, whiteboard and discuss what’s on YOUR MIND!  Share the pain you have using Failover Clustering with Hyper-V, ask difficult questions or let us know why some customers avoid clustering even when there is a need to implement a high availability solution.  Get the answers you need, directly from the world’s leading clustering experts.

WSV313 – Failover Clustering in 2008 R2: What’s New in the #1 High-Availability Solution

WSV313_Perriman.pptx

Learn about what makes Windows Server 2008 R2 Failover Clustering the top Server High-Availability solution! Clustering has changed in every area since 2003, so in this technical session you will learn about Hyper-V, Live Migration, validation, flexible hardware requirements, easy deployment, migration, Cluster Shared Volumes multi-site clustering and easier management. A live demo will deploy a 2008 R2 Failover Cluster from scratch. Clustering knowledge recommended.

WSV403 – Failover Clustering & Hyper-V: Planning your Highly-Available Virtualization Environment

WSV403_Nasslander.pptx

This technical session will discuss Hyper-V and Failover Clustering live migration, deployment considerations, licensing, upgrades, host clustering, guest clustering, disaster recovery, multi-site clustering, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, hardware and validation. What are the pros and cons of each virtualization solution? What’s right for my customers and their scenarios? What about combining physical and virtual machines in the same cluster? This session will include a live demo of a Hyper-V Cluster deployment and live migration.

• The security baseline for Microsoft® Office 2010 provides you with free Microsoft-recommended solutions to meet today’s security challenges. In combination with best-practice guidance and the Security Compliance Manager tool, the baseline is designed to help you plan, deploy, and monitor the security of Office 2010 applications. This release also includes a setting pack for Office 2010, enabling you to define baselines that include settings outside the scope of the security baselines from Microsoft.
• The Windows® 7 and Windows® Internet Explorer® 8 setting packs, in combination with the Security Compliance Manager tool, will enable you to define baselines that include settings outside the scope of the security baselines from Microsoft. Use these new resources to define custom baselines, meet business-critical needs, and elevate the security of Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8.

To learn more, visit the TechNet Library: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113940.
New users can access these releases by visiting the Microsoft Download Center to download the Security Compliance Manager tool: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113939. Existing users can access these releases by clicking the Tools menu, and then clicking Check for Baselines.

#teched #tee10

WordPress Tags: Compliance,Manager,Templates,Office,Baseline,Windows,Internet,Explorer,Together,Microsoft,meet,monitor,TechNet,Library,LinkId,Download,Center,Tools,menu,Check,Baselines,release,resources,combination,tool,packs,define,include,settings,outside,scope,from,fwlink,users,releases

http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/atlanta.aspx

Introducing Microsoft Codename “Atlanta”

Today, database administrators (DBAs) have to spend a great deal of time and effort dealing with problems related to misconfiguration of Microsoft SQL Server. Microsoft Codename “Atlanta” is a configuration-monitoring cloud service that will help customers to reduce downtime and improve the performance of Microsoft SQL server deployments. This secure cloud service will help DBAs to:

• Proactively avoid problems with Microsoft SQL Server through ongoing monitoring and alerting of configuration from the cloud

• Reduce downtime and improve performance of Microsoft SQL Server through proactive scanning for known configuration issues and comparison with best practices

• Resolve issues faster by providing Microsoft, or your own support staff, the ability to get a current view of your configuration, changes that have been made, and use the most up to date solutions to solve them

Key Messages and Themes

· We are pleased to announce the beta 1 release of Microsoft Codename Atlanta.

· Customers can sign up for the beta at http://www.microsoftatlanta.com.

· Microsoft Codename Atlanta is a configuration monitoring cloud service that helps customers to reduce downtime and improve the performance of Microsoft SQL server deployments.

· This secure cloud service monitors the configuration of SQL deployments to enable DBAs to proactively avoid configuration problems.

· Additionally Microsoft Codename Atlanta provides best practice guidance and helps customers to more rapidly resolve identified issues through step by step guidance and the ability for Microsoft support professionals to access the most up-to-date configuration data for their deployment.

Recommended Links

· http://www.microsoftatlanta.com – sign up for Microsoft Codename Atlanta Beta

· http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/atlanta.aspx – Atlanta official site

· http://blogs.technet.com/atlanta – The Atlanta team blog

· http://blogs.technet.com/b/atlanta/archive/2010/11/06/atlanta.aspx –

· Follow the Atlanta team! http://www.twitter.com/atlantateam

#tee10

lots off ne stuff and announcements of net versions new products service packs in the cloud out of the cloud. so what to do and why. well follow the marked is not always a good idea.

but the Cloud is one to stay. not SAAS this one is going to disappear I think. first and the big boom is the email in the cloud the easiest one and the management can see what the cost are for the “hosting” notes to exchange is common.

the keynote is all about the peptalk use windows 7 new system center products , cloud products, intune, aurora.

Did You checkout the Brickenridge produkt  “Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials

Cool check this out.

MPV dinners , Booth duty, beer, beer, food,beer, did I say Beer, I guess you have to bee here to see it for Your self. here is a breef impression.

		Teched 2010 berlin monday VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

For Demo and learning Sites you need often thing that takes only a minute but when you play with it it takes more time than you want.So with this in my mind I created 3 powershell scripts that you can use for building a cluster , NLB Cluster and a MSTDC cluster resource.So If you want to create a Cluster you can do this in the GUI or with a Powershell Script.

So make sure the disk are formatted and that Your network is ok. and if you running this script in a environment with a Windows 2003 DC with DNS. You may have to set extra security to get things working.

You can find the Scripts Here : Powershell Scripts

Powershell Create Cluster Teched 2010 Berlin #TEE10 #Teched

This Cluster creation script creates a two node cluster with a witness disk at your choice. First we do the import of the modules and add the feature for failover clusters this section you have to do this on every node. You can do this remote if you want. Or run the script on the other node and abort it on the input section.

#Importing Microsoft`s PowerShell-modules
Write-Host "Install System Modules" -ForegroundColor yellow
ImportSystemModules
#Add-WindowsFeature
Write-Host "Add Failover Clustering" -ForegroundColor yellow
Add-WindowsFeature Failover-Clustering
#Importing Microsoft`s PowerShell-module for administering NLB Clusters
Write-Host "Install ServerManager Modules" -ForegroundColor yellow
Import-Module ServerManager

Here we put the cluster names , netbios, clustername, IP etc.

#Variables for creating the new cluster
Write-Host "Cluster Properties Hostname / Node Names" -ForegroundColor yellow
$Clusternode1 = Read-Host "Enter ClusterNode 1 for the new cluster"
$Clusternode2 = Read-Host "Enter ClusterNode 2 for the new cluster"
$ClusterFqdn = Read-Host "Enter Cluster for the new cluster"
$ClusterIP = Read-Host "Enter cluster primary IP"
#Clear old Cluster info
Write-Host "Old Cluster Configuration Will Be ereased just to make sure" -ForegroundColor yellow
Clear-ClusterNode $Clusternode1 -force
Clear-ClusterNode $Clusternode2 -force

#Validating new cluster
Write-Host "Validate Windows 2008 R2 Cluster…" -ForegroundColor yellow
Test-Cluster $Clusternode1 -ignore network,inventory,storage

#Creating new cluster
Write-Host "Create Windows 2008 R2 Cluster…" -ForegroundColor yellow
New-Cluster -Node "$Clusternode1" -Name $ClusterFqdn -NoStorage -StaticAddress "$ClusterIP"

If you have multiple disks and you don’t know what is cluster disk 4 or 6 or what disk should be used for the Quorum disk ? Well I did make a selection that shows only the smallest disk that are available

#Show Cluster Disk Available
Write-Host "Show Cluster Disk Available…" -ForegroundColor yellow
Get-ClusterAvailableDisk
#Show Wittness Disk Capable
Write-Host "Show Wittness disk for Cluster Available…" -ForegroundColor yellow
Get-ClusterAvailableDisk | ?{ $_.Size -lt 1573741824}

Sure You can change this for not to put in “cluster disk 1” but use only the disk number.

# Place the Wittness disk
Write-Host "Choose a Wittness disk for the Windows 2008 R2 Cluster… Must be "Cluster Disk # "" -ForegroundColor yellow
$ClusterQuorumdisk = Read-Host "Enter Wittness disk Cluster Disk number"

# Add disks to the Cluster
Write-Host "Add disks to Windows 2008 R2 Cluster…" -ForegroundColor yellow
Get-ClusterAvailableDisk | Add-ClusterDisk

Here Is the mounting off the cluster disk and I put a sleep in it this way I make sure the disk is online

#Show Wittness Disk Capable
Write-Host "Show Wittness disk for Cluster Available…" -ForegroundColor yellow
Get-ClusterAvailableDisk | ?{ $_.Size -lt 1573741824}
Start-Sleep -Seconds 5
# Change the quorum model
Write-Host "Change the Quorum model Windows 2008 R2 Cluster…" -ForegroundColor yellow
Set-ClusterQuorum -NodeAndDiskMajority $ClusterQuorumdisk

The Second node is added If you have a four node cluster just add them here

Add-Clusternode $Clusternode2 ,$Clusternode3 , $Clusternode4

But you must also use the input section above

$Clusternode3 = Read-Host "Enter ClusterNode 3 for the new cluster"

$Clusternode4 = Read-Host "Enter ClusterNode 4 for the new cluster"

# Add Cluster node
Write-Host "Add Cluster node to Windows 2008 R2 Cluster…" -ForegroundColor yellow
Add-Clusternode $Clusternode2

You can find the Scripts Here : Powershell Scripts

Powershell Create Cluster 

Teched 2010 Berlin #TEE10 #Teched

For Demo and learning Sites you need often thing that takes only a minute but when you play with it it takes more time than you want. So with this in my mind I created 3 powershell scripts that you can use for building a cluster , NLB Cluster and a MSTDC cluster resource.

This powershell script is fully unattended an yes it is not complete it can be improved.  But you can always adjust this. Similar scripts are there for creating Exchange NLB.

This script runs on node 1 and is creating the NLB on the two or more nodes. ( tested only on two nodes )

You can find the Scripts Here : Powershell Scripts

Powershell Create NLB

The first thing you might want to change is the network adapter name I used adapter 3 and renamed it to NLB later in the NLB name is used as parameter,

#Set IP for NLB Write-Host "Set NLB IP and change Network adapter" -ForegroundColor yellow Netsh interface ip set address name="Local Area Connection 3" static 1.1.1.1 255.255.255.0 Netsh interface set interface name="local area connection 3" newname="NLB"

The Ip adress is needed to set the NLB don’t worry the IP will be removed when the NLB is complete.

The other part is the powershell script is connecting thrue powershell to the other node.

First give the netbios name from the second node ( make sure your DNS is OK )

#Adding additional cluster nodes based on user input
Write-Host "Give Second NLB host" -ForegroundColor yellow
$Node2Fqdn = Read-Host "Enter 2e NLB node"

Here with the “function EndPSS { get-pssession | remove-pssession } “
and “endpss “ I connect and disconnect to the other node. the problem here was. in the basic security you can only use 5 remote connections. I can adjust this or make a workaround so the script works in the default security template.

Now I connect from node 1 to node 2 and placed a IP and renamed the NIC

function EndPSS { get-pssession | remove-pssession }
#Set Network Adapter
#Enter-PSSession -ComputerName $Node2Fqdn
invoke-command -computername $Node2Fqdn -scriptblock { Netsh interface ip set address name="local area connection 3" static 1.1.1.2 255.255.255.0}
invoke-command -computername $Node2Fqdn -scriptblock { Netsh interface set interface name="local area connection 3" newname="NLB"}
Write-Host "Placed NLB IP and changed NIC to NLB" -ForegroundColor yellow
exit-PSSession
endpss

#Import-Module NetworkLoadBalancingClusters
Write-Host "Import-Module NetworkLoadBalancingClusters On Remote Node" -ForegroundColor yellow
Enter-PSSession -ComputerName $Node2Fqdn
invoke-command -computername $Node2Fqdn { Import-Module NetworkLoadBalancingClusters}
exit-pssession
endpss

#Add Remote Node To NLB
Write-Host "Adding cluster node $Node2Fqdn" -ForegroundColor yellow
Get-NlbCluster | Add-NlbClusterNode -NewNodeName $Node2Fqdn -NewNodeInterface NLB

#Remove Old IP
Remove-NlbClusterNodeDip 1.1.1.2 -Hostname $Node2Fqdn -force
Write-Host " Remove old IP node " -ForegroundColor yellow

Here I removed the IP that was needed to create the NLB.

You can find the Scripts Here : Powershell Scripts

Powershell Create NLB

For Demo and learning Sites you need often thing that takes only a minute but when you play with it it takes more time than you want.

So with this in my mind I created 3 powershell scripts that you can use for builing a cluster , NLB Cluster and a MSTDC cluster resource.

So If you want to create a MSDTC resource in your Cluster you can do this in the GUI or with a Powershell Script.

You can find the Scripts Here : Powershell Scripts

Powershell MSDTC cluster add in

First We load the powershell modules If it is a cluster you should do this on all the Cluster Nodes

Servermanagercmd -install Application-Server
Servermanagercmd -install AS-Dist-Transaction AS-Ent-Services –allSubFeatures

I Comment every line for what it does.

# Create a new HA Server Role – Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Add-ClusterServerRole -Name ServerDTC -Storage "Cluster Disk 6" -StaticAddress 192.168.1.1

Here we create the resource and chuck it to a disk and IP

# Add the MSDTC Service to the new Server Role
Get-ClusterGroup ServerDTC | Add-ClusterResource -Name MSDTC-ServerDTC -ResourceType "Distributed Transaction Coordinator"

Put in the MSDTC services.

# Create Dependencies for the DTC group
Add-ClusterResourceDependency MSDTC-ServerDTC ServerDTC
Add-ClusterResourceDependency MSDTC-ServerDTC "Cluster Disk 6"
# Start DTC group
Start-ClusterGroup ServerDTC

So Now that this is ready you can configure the MSDTC but remember the items that I mentioned in my previous blog.

http://robertsmit.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/msdtc-clustering-logfile-bug/

Just to day I drive to berlin There was not that much traffic so I was at 15:00 in berlin

Did Some sight seeing and I ready for this week. You can find me at the Windows 2008 R2 cluster booth.

		Teched 2010 The Arrival VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Teched 2010 Berlin #TEE10 #Teched

Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) 2011 will empower you with the insight, solutions and networking opportunities to succeed in your job today while preparing for the future. MMS is the premier event of the year for deep technical information and training on the latest IT management solutions from Microsoft, Partners, and Industry Experts. Reserve your place at Microsoft Management Summit 2011: Register Today!

REGISTRATION OVERVIEW

Registration for MMS 2011 provides more than just access to the rich set of breakout sessions and hands-on labs at the event – you will also receive:

• Continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments during conference dates
• All conference materials at the event, including conference bag, notepad and pen, water bottle, and software
• Complimentary post-conference DVD, including video of all available session content and demonstrations
• Entry to the tradeshow exhibition hall
• Full access to the Communications Network (CommNet) area, including the wireless lounge areas
• Two evening receptions: the Welcome Expo Reception on Monday and the Closing Party on Thursday

**You must be present at the event to receive your conference materials.

http://www.mms-2011.com/registrationoverview

How do I change the metric off my cluster shared volumes network ?

Well If you don’t want to use the autometric then you need to change it but where can I change it.

When you enable Cluster Shared Volumes, the failover cluster automatically chooses the network that appears to be the best for CSV communication. However, you can designate the network by using the cluster network property, Metric. The lowest Metric value designates the network for CSV and internal cluster communication. The second lowest value designates the network for live migration, if live migration is used (you can also designate the network for live migration by using the failover cluster snap-in).

When the cluster sets the Metric value automatically, it uses increments of 100. For networks that do not have a default gateway setting (private networks), it sets the value to 1000 or greater. For networks that have a default gateway setting, it sets the value to 10000 or greater. Therefore, for your preferred CSV network, choose a value lower than 1000, and give it the lowest metric value of all your networks.

Another property, called AutoMetric, uses true and false values to track whether Metric is being controlled automatically by the cluster or has been manually defined.

To set the Metric value for a network, use the Windows PowerShell cmdlet Get-ClusterNetwork as described in the following procedure. For more information about the cmdlet, see Get-ClusterNetwork (  http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143787 ) .

To designate a network for Cluster Shared Volumes

1. On a node in the cluster, click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Windows PowerShell Modules. (If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Yes.)

2. To identify the networks used by a failover cluster and the properties of each network, type the following:

   Get-ClusterNetwork | ft Name, Metric, AutoMetric, Role

A table of cluster networks and their properties appears (ft is the alias for the Format-Table cmdlet). For the Role property, 1 represents a private cluster network and 3 represents a mixed cluster network (public plus private).

1. To change the Metric setting to 900 for the network named Cluster Network 1, type the following:

   ( Get-ClusterNetwork "Cluster Network 1" ).Metric = 9000

The AutoMetric setting changes from True to False after you manually change the Metric setting. This tells you that the cluster is not automatically assigning a Metric setting. If you want the cluster to start automatically assigning the Metric setting again for the network named Cluster Network 1, type the following:

1. ( Get-ClusterNetwork "Cluster Network 1" ).AutoMetric = $true

2. To review the network properties, repeat step 2.

In this example, Cluster Network 1 is enabled for client communication, so it has a value of 10000, while Cluster Network 2 is internal only, so it has a value of 1000.

CSV traffic goes over the lowest metric cluster network that’s up

Note the 3 Role values:

Role: 1 for a private network, 0 for ignored by cluster, 3 for mixed traffic

Metric: the weight of the connection, generally in the 10,000 range for public networks, 1,000 for private ones. If a network has a default gateway, it is considered public; if not, private. Should there be more than one private or public network, the metric is incremented by 100 in order of enumeration (e.g. private network 2 will have a default metric of 1,100)

Autometric: 1 if the metric is set automatically by the cluster, 0 if you have set it manually.

WordPress Tags: Cluster,Volumes,want,Metric,Another,AutoMetric,Windows,PowerShell,ClusterNetwork,procedure,LinkId,Start,Administrative,Tools,Modules,User,Account,Control,displays,Name,Role,Format,Table,Network,True,False,Note,Should,order,change,failover,appears,communication,designate,lowest,value,designates,internal,migration,uses,networks,default,gateway,greater,values,cmdlet,click,properties,represents,public,traffic

It should been between 1 MB and 512 MB so I set my logfile setting to 512 Mb.

Invalid log file ? What ??  Why is 70 MB between 1 and 512 Mb  ?

So it turns out that 64 MB is the max logfile size for the MSDTC log.

Is it a bug ? Yes and No The error message is not clear for this You can’t set this in the GUI you can only set this in the Registery.

There is more diskspace so this can’t be the issue.

Set the LOG size above 64 MB

By default, the Maximum log file size is 64 MB. For general scenarios, one should not need more than that. But if you have a reason to increase the log file size past 64 MB, you can push this up to 512 MB provided you have a certain registry entry – MaxLogSize under MSDTC registry key.

For standalone servers, this is under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSDTC .

For Clustered DTC, it is at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Cluster\Resources\<ResID>\MSDTCPRIVATE\MSDTC

Create a DWORD entry MaxLogSize and set it to 512 (decimal)

But What about the security settings ? IF I look I the services than I see a domain account running this services.

But On the DCOMCNFG.exe I see no service account but when I change something here the service account is reset to the Networkservice.

This is also a GUI bug If you look in the register you can see the service account is there and in the services it is also there.

So be carefull If you change something in the cluster MSDTC gui your services account will go to the default settings !

the NETWORKService

Microsoft Professional Developers Conference 2010

Sinds 1991 is de Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) het epicentrum van Microsoft’s belangrijkste platformaankondigingen. Developers en architecten verzamelen zich bij de PDC om zich te informeren over de volgende generatie van Microsoft ontwikkeltechnologieën. Dit jaar is geen uitzondering.
Microsoft nodigt u graag uit om aan PDC10 deel te nemen, waar de virtuele experience naar u toe wordt gebracht. Dit jaar richt de PDC zich op de volgende generatie van Cloud Services, client & devices, en framework & tools. U kunt het evenement live bijwonen tijdens een speciale PDC-avond die Microsoft en de dotNed user group in samenwerking met Info Support organiseert. Onder het genot van een hapje en een drankje kunt u de keynote volgen en het nieuws bespreken met uw collega-developers, community-experts en met Microsoft developer-specialisten die daar aanwezig zijn.

De PDC is meer dan alleen inhoud en sessies – het is voor u een uitgelezen kans om te praten met en vragen te stellen aan de mensen die met de technologieën werken. En die u kunnen helpen de features en architectuur te plannen die u ondersteunen bij uw businessdoelen. Developers, architecten en leiders in technologie die betrokken zijn bij het maken van strategische technologische beslissingen van hun bedrijf of organisatie mogen deze PDC niet aan zich voorbij laten gaan.

Twitter

Microsoft zal 3 prijzen weggeven aan Nederlandse twitteraars rondom het PDC10NL evenement waarbij gebruik gemaakt zal worden van de hashtag #PDC10NL. Volg @msdnNL voor meer informatie en een kans om te winnen!
Waar en wanneer
De conferentie is gepland op 28 oktober 2010 in de seminarruimte van Info Support te Veenendaal.
De agenda is als volgt:
17.00 – 18.00 uur ontvangst
18.00 – 20.00 uur keynote
20.00 – 21.00 uur twitter prijsvraag, Windows Phone, Expert Panel
Schrijf u nu in. Aan deelname zijn geen kosten verbonden.

Als u geen informatie meer van Microsoft Nederland wilt ontvangen, geef dit dan aan via deze website. Dit is een automatisch gegenereerde e-mail. Reacties (reply) naar deze mailbox worden niet beantwoord. Heeft u vragen of opmerkingen? Neem contact op met het Microsoft Contact Center. Tel.: +31 (0)20 5001500 of via www.microsoft.nl/contact.
Microsoft Netherlands. Evert van de Beekstraat 354, 1118 CZ Schiphol, Nederland

WordPress Tags: Microsoft,Professional,Developers,Conference,Sinds,Cloud,Services,client,devices,framework,tools,user,Info,Support,Onder,features,Twitter,Nederlandse,Volg,Waar,Veenendaal,agenda,Expert,Panel,Schrijf,Nederland,Reacties,Heeft,Neem,Contact,Center,Netherlands,Evert,Beekstraat,Schiphol,architecten,zich,volgende,generatie,jaar,naar,kunt,zijn,meer,voor,kans,vragen,deze,niet,worden,informatie

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2294255

Windows Server 2008 R2 file information

• The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:
• 
• GDR service branches contain only those fixes that are widely released to address widespread, critical issues. LDR service branches contain hotfixes in addition to widely released fixes.
• The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2294255

Technorati Tags: Server,files,product,version,numbers,branches,addition,MANIFEST,environment,Additional,catalog,component,Microsoft,signature,disks
WordPress Tags: Server,files,product,version,numbers,branches,addition,MANIFEST,environment,Additional,catalog,component,Microsoft,signature,disks

Source : http://www.systemcentercentral.com

You know what can make or break a consulting engagement? Licensing costs. Being familiar with licensing costs can in some cases help you to uncover savings that tip the scales in favor of adoption of additional System Center products that will delivery additional ROI for your organization (or your customer) AND more interesting projects for you, as well as more $$$ for professional services and training to ensure successful implementation and adoption.

There were some changes to System Center licensing in recent months driven no doubt in part by new product releases, acquisitions and Microsoft initiatives in the data center and the cloud you need to be aware of. If you are not familiar with the System Center Server Management Suite Enterprise (SMSE) and System Center Server Management Suite Datacenter (SMSD) licensing options and the differences between them, the table below provides some answers.

SMSE and SMSD Licensing Details

* Price listed includes the license and two years of Software Assurance. Software Assurance coverage is required to license the Server Management Suites Enterprise and Server Management Suite Datacenter.

**Price reflects minimum two license requirement for System Center

Get Familiar with Your Licensing Options

Knowing you licensing options in a tight economy can help your IT organization deliver on their commitments to the business at a lower cost, facilitate greater System Center adoption resulting in greater improvements in service delivery to your organization. For more information, visit the System Center licensing area on the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/management-suites.aspx#Lic

Technorati Tags: System,Center,SMSE,SMSD,Source,engagement,professional,part,product,Microsoft,data,Server,Management,Suite,Enterprise,Datacenter,Details,Price,Software,Assurance,Suites,minimum,Familiar,Options,service,costs,some,adoption,additional,delivery,organization,license,greater
WordPress Tags: System,Center,SMSE,SMSD,Source,engagement,professional,part,product,Microsoft,data,Server,Management,Suite,Enterprise,Datacenter,Details,Price,Software,Assurance,Suites,minimum,Familiar,Options,service,costs,some,adoption,additional,delivery,organization,license,greater

To learn more, visit the TechNet Library: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=200483
New users can access this baseline by visiting the Microsoft Download Center to download the Security Compliance Manager tool: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113939
Existing Security Compliance Manager tool users can access this baseline by clicking the Tools menu, and then clicking Check for Baselines.

Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta Review Program

The Security Solution Accelerators team is developing new baselines and settings, all of which are designed to help your organization plan and deploy security baselines with ease and confidence. These new baselines and supporting best-practice guidance are available as part of the Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta Review Program. The scope of this program includes security baselines for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Office 2010, SQL Server® 2008, SQL Server® 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008 R2; and settings packs for Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8.

The beta releases in this program are formatted to be imported for use in the Security Compliance Manager tool, which released in early 2010. This powerful tool provides guidance to work with other tools and features of Microsoft products to help you plan, deploy, and monitor your security baselines. The tool enables you to access and automate all of your organization’s baselines in one centralized location, balancing your needs for security and functionality.
To learn more about the Security Compliance Manager tool, visit the TechNet Library: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113940
To download the tool, click here: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182512

Technorati Tags: Server,Baseline,addition,combination,Compliance,Manager,tool,Microsoft,guidance,scope,TechNet,Library,LinkId,Download,Center,Tools,menu,Check,Baselines,Beta,Review,Program,Solution,Accelerators,team,organization,Exchange,Office,Internet,Explorer,features,products,location,needs,solutions,users,fwlink
WordPress Tags: Server,Baseline,addition,combination,Compliance,Manager,tool,Microsoft,guidance,scope,TechNet,Library,LinkId,Download,Center,Tools,menu,Check,Baselines,Beta,Review,Program,Solution,Accelerators,team,organization,Exchange,Office,Internet,Explorer,features,products,location,needs,solutions,users,fwlink

Consider the following scenario:

• You install the Failover Clustering feature on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2.
• On this computer, you run some backup applications that use Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) in parallel.

In this scenario, the Cluster service stops responding.

Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes

Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.

• The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

• Brief Overview. Available online only on Microsoft TechNet. Summary for business and technical managers that briefly explains how this Solution Accelerator can fit into an organization’s IT infrastructure management strategy.
• VMServicing_x64 and VMServicing_x86. Setup files for the tool, for 64 bit and 32 bit versions of Windows with Microsoft® System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2008 or 2008 R2.
• Virtual Machine Servicing Tool Getting Started Guide. Provides information about how the tool works, explains prerequisites for the tool, and describes how to install and configure the tool.
• VM_Servicing_Tool_3.0_Release_Notes.rtf. Notes provide information about this release, describe known issues in the tool, and include feedback instructions.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc501231.aspx

Download now

Also included in Windows Live Essentials

Writer

Blog like a pro, adding photos, videos, maps, and more.

Family Safety

Parental controls to help parents keep their children safe online.

Windows Live Mesh

Access and synchronize photos, documents, and other files on all your computers.

Messenger Companion

See and comment on links your friends have shared as you visit websites in Internet Explorer.

Bing Bar

Get search results from Bing without leaving the website you’re on.

Outlook Connector Pack

Includes Microsoft

What’s New in Service Pack 2

The following features are new in Service Pack 2 (SP2).

• SQL Server Utility. After you apply SP2, an instance of the SQL Server 2008 Database Engine can be enrolled with a utility control point as a managed instance of SQL Server. For more information, see Overview of SQL Server Utility in SQL Server 2008 R2 Books Online.

• Data-tier Application (DAC). Instances of the SQL Server 2008 Database Engine support all DAC operations after SP2 has been applied. You can deploy, upgrade, register, extract, and delete DACs. SP2 does not upgrade the SQL Server 2008 client tools to support DACs. You must use the SQL Server 2008 R2 client tools, such as SQL Server Management Studio, to perform DAC operations. A data-tier application is an entity that contains all of the database objects and instance objects used by an application. A DAC provides a single unit for authoring, deploying, and managing the data-tier objects. For more information, see Designing and Implementing Data-tier Applications.

• Reporting Services in SharePoint Integrated Mode. SQL Server 2008 SP2 provides updates for Reporting Services SharePoint integration. SQL Server 2008 SP2 report servers can integrate with SharePoint 2010 products. SQL Server 2008 SP2 also provides a new add-in for SharePoint 2007 products. The new add-in supports the integration of SharePoint 2007 products with SQL Server 2008 R2 report servers.  For more information see the “What’s New in SharePoint Integration and SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)” section in What’s New (Reporting Services).

To download the SQL Server 2008 SP2 release please select from the links below:

• SQL Server 2008 SP2: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=196550

• SQL Server 2008 SP2 Express: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=196551

• SQL Server 2008 SP2 Feature Packs: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=202815

WordPress Tags: Microsoft,Server,Release,Notes,Beta,Service,Pack,features,instance,Database,Engine,Overview,Online,Data,tier,Application,DACs,client,tools,Management,Studio,objects,unit,Services,SharePoint,Mode,integration,products,supports,links,LinkId,Feature,Instances,operations,servers,fwlink

Yes there is support for SQL 2008 R2 , Soon all products are supported. But remember not all third  party’s are ready for SQL 2008 R2.

The support is divided into two phases. Phase one supports new installations of System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2. Phase two supports upgrading an existing System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 deployment to run on a SQL Server 2008 R2 database. The existing deployment has database roles hosted on a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (SP3) server or on a Microsoft SQL 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1) server.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2425714

There is a great document for SQL 2008 R2 Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2- The Best Data Platform on Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft Windows, Office and MDOP Deployment Workshops

Amsterdam – 25 Oct | Stockholm – 27 Oct | Helsinki – 29 Oct | Reading – 1 Nov | Rome – 3 Nov | Vienna – 4 Nov

The Microsoft Get On the Bus Tour is taking a winter hiatus to bring you a new tour – the Springboard Series Tour: Microsoft Windows, Office and MDOP Deployment Workshops!  Amsterdam marks our first stop on a 6-city European tour, en route to TechEd Europe, in Berlin, Germany. Are you looking to plan, pilot or deploy Windows and Office? Our workshops will cover the Office 2010, key deployment strategies for Windows 7, the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, as well as show you the value of getting trained and certified in these key products.

Learn why Windows 7 has received rave reviews from IT organizations and is setting records as the fastest selling operating system in history, and find out why so many IT Pros are ready to deploy Office 2010. Give us five hours, and you will have a clear understanding of the tools, tips and tricks you need now to jumpstart the successful deployment and management of your Windows desktop environment today. Come join members of the Windows and Office US Product Teams, as well as local Microsoft Technology Evangelists for technical training, professional networking, and real world guidance. Don’t miss your chance to attend a workshop in the 2010 Springboard Series Tour, register today at www.springboardseriestour.com.

Get your Tour updates first! Follow us on Twitter, @MSSpringboard

Technorati Tags: SPRINGBOARD,SERIES,TOUR,Microsoft,Office,MDOP,Deployment,Workshops,Beta,Amsterdam,Stockholm,Helsinki,Rome,Vienna,winter,hiatus,marks,European,Europe,Berlin,Germany,Desktop,Optimization,Pack,products,Learn,records,system,history,Give,tools,tips,tricks,management,environment,Come,Product,Technology,Evangelists,world,guidance,workshop,Twitter,MSSpringboard,strategies,organizations,members,Teams
WordPress Tags: SPRINGBOARD,SERIES,TOUR,Microsoft,Office,MDOP,Deployment,Workshops,Beta,Amsterdam,Stockholm,Helsinki,Rome,Vienna,winter,hiatus,marks,European,Europe,Berlin,Germany,Desktop,Optimization,Pack,products,Learn,records,system,history,Give,tools,tips,tricks,management,environment,Come,Product,Technology,Evangelists,world,guidance,workshop,Twitter,MSSpringboard,strategies,organizations,members,Teams

What is wrong ?

Step One : Cluster Validation Reports all fine no major errors here.

Could it be a GPO that meshup my install ? <> NO

Firewall / other local settings <> NO

In powershell “admin mode” I did create a cluster / error creating cluster access denied.

Event logging : there are special eventlogs for clustering So I checked them.

So It looks OK no errors <> Dive Deeper.

The Cluster service successfully formed the failover cluster ‘ClusterName’.

So I can create the Cluster but after that I rolls back Whay ?

The cluster service has been stopped and set as disabled as part of cluster node cleanup.

So Access is denied Event ID 4657 I could use http://www.bing.com but there must be a hint to solve this.

There is also a Event ID 6 kerberos issues ? MaxTokenSize OK checked the register on this server. NO MaxTokenSize there.

Do I need this key ? Well I checked the Key for my domain account that I used for creating this cluster and yes It is member of 700 Groups

Who need this kind of Groups this is Windows 2008 R2 beyond the Kerberos ticket eh yeh but your Domain controller is still a windows 2003 x32 Box. 

So I put in the MaxTokenSize key rebooted and created the cluster. Case solved.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\Kerberos\Parameters]

"MaxTokenSize"=dword:000186a0

How do I change the metric off my cluster shared volumes network ?

Well If you don’t want to use the autometric then you need to change it but where can I change it.

About CSV :

When you enable Cluster Shared Volumes, the failover cluster automatically chooses the network that appears to be the best for CSV communication. However, you can designate the network by using the cluster network property, Metric. The lowest Metric value designates the network for CSV and internal cluster communication. The second lowest value designates the network for live migration, if live migration is used (you can also designate the network for live migration by using the failover cluster snap-in).

When the cluster sets the Metric value automatically, it uses increments of 100. For networks that do not have a default gateway setting (private networks), it sets the value to 1000 or greater. For networks that have a default gateway setting, it sets the value to 10000 or greater. Therefore, for your preferred CSV network, choose a value lower than 1000, and give it the lowest metric value of all your networks.

Another property, called AutoMetric, uses true and false values to track whether Metric is being controlled automatically by the cluster or has been manually defined.

To set the Metric value for a network, use the Windows PowerShell cmdlet Get-ClusterNetwork as described in the following procedure. For more information about the cmdlet, see Get-ClusterNetwork (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143787).

To designate a network for Cluster Shared Volumes

1. On a node in the cluster, click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Windows PowerShell Modules. (If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Yes.)
2. To identify the networks used by a failover cluster and the properties of each network, type the following:

   Get-ClusterNetwork | ft Name, Metric, AutoMetric, Role

   A table of cluster networks and their properties appears (ft is the alias for the Format-Table cmdlet). For the Role property, 1 represents a private cluster network and 3 represents a mixed cluster network (public plus private).

3. To change the Metric setting to 900 for the network named Cluster Network 1, type the following:

   ( Get-ClusterNetwork "Cluster Network 1" ).Metric = 900

   Note

   The AutoMetric setting changes from True to False after you manually change the Metric setting. This tells you that the cluster is not automatically assigning a Metric setting. If you want the cluster to start automatically assigning the Metric setting again for the network named Cluster Network 1, type the following:

   ( Get-ClusterNetwork "Cluster Network 1" ).AutoMetric = $true

4. To review the network properties, repeat step 2.

This resource is an exciting new addition to the security baselines released earlier this year that can be used in combination with the Security Compliance Manager tool. The Exchange Server 2007 Security Baseline represents some of the most prescriptive and detailed security guidance to date from Microsoft for Exchange Server 2007. It works within the Security Compliance Manager tool, which allows you to use automated tools based on Windows PowerShell to set, customize, and monitor computers running Exchange Server 2007 for compliance with organizational policies.

This baseline will be available for beta review through September 13, 2010.

For detailed instructions about how to import the downloaded file into the Security Compliance Manager tool, refer to the program description page: https://connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=17624&SiteID=715

Note: The Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Security Baseline requires Security Compliance Manager (SCM) v1.1. If you are running SCM v1.0, you must upgrade SCM before importing the baseline. Otherwise, the import process will fail.

Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta Review Program
The Security Solution Accelerators team is developing new baselines and settings, all of which are designed to help your organization plan and deploy security baselines with ease and confidence. These new baselines and supporting best-practice guidance are available as part of the Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta review program. The scope of this program includes baselines for Exchange Server 2007, Office 2010, SQL Server® 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008 R2; and setting packs for Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8.

The beta releases in this program are formatted to be imported for use in the Security Compliance Manager tool, which released in early 2010. This powerful tool provides guidance to work with other tools and features of Microsoft products to help you plan, deploy, and monitor your security baselines. The tool enables you to access and automate all of your organization’s baselines in one centralized location, balancing your needs for security and functionality.

To learn more about the Security Compliance Manager tool, visit the TechNet Library: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113940
To download the tool, click here: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/? LinkId=182512

Today we’re releasing an update to Windows Live Essentials 2011 beta. One of the main reasons we release betas is to allow early adopters to enjoy our products and provide feedback on their experience. First, we want to say thank you for your help. For Messenger alone, we had over 3 million unique users, 3.5 million updates to display pictures, 6.2 million video calls, and 7.6 million updates to status messages.

Your beta feedback and usage has helped shape the many improvements we’ve made and continue to make across Messenger, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Writer, Mail, and Family Safety. Today I’d like to summarize some of the more visible changes you’ll see in today’s update, and we’ll follow up with more details in later posts.

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-beta

Recently I run in to the MAXUserPort issue I binged again to see if there are other bloggers that have this fixed.  I saw a good post from Tristan Kingston ( I could not find my own post ;-(

Source :http://blogs.technet.com/b/tristank/archive/2008/03/11/maxuserport-what-it-is-what-it-does-when-it-s-important.aspx

MaxUserPort controls "outbound" TCP connections

MaxUserPort is used to limit the number of dynamic ports available to TCP/IP applications.

It’s never going to be an issue affecting inbound connections. MaxUserPort is not the right answer if you think you have an inbound connection problem.

(I don’t know why, I just know it is. Probably something to do with constraining resource use on 16MB machines, or something.)

To further simplify: it’s typically going to limit the number of outbound sockets that can be created. Note: that’s really a big fat generalization, but it’s one that works in 99% of cases.

If an application asks for the next available socket (a socket is a combination of an IP address and a port number), it’ll come from the ephemeral port range allowed by MaxUserPort. Typically, these "next available" sockets are used for outbound connections.

The default range for MaxUserPort is from 1024-5000, but the possible range is up to 65534.

When You Fiddle MaxUserPort

So, why would you change MaxUserPort?

In the web server context (equally applicable to other application servers), you’d usually need to look at MaxUserPort when:

- your server process is communicating with some type of other system (like a back-end database, or any TCP-based application server – quite often http web servers)

And:

- you are not using socket pooling, and/or

- your request model is something like one request = one outbound TCP connection (or more!)

In this type of scenario, you can run out of ephemeral ports (between 1024 and MaxUserPort) very quickly, and the problem will scale with the load applied to the system, particularly if a socket is acquired and abandoned with every request.

When a socket is abandoned, it’ll take two minutes to fall back into the pool.

Discussions about how the design could scale better if it reused sockets rather than pooling tend to be unwelcome when the users are screaming that the app is slow, or hung, or whatever, so at this point, you’d have established that new request threads are hung waiting on an available socket, and just turn up MaxUserPort to 65534.

What Next? TcpTimedWaitDelay, natch

Once MaxUserPort is at 65534, it’s still possible for the rate of port use to exceed the rate at which they’re being returned to the pool! You’ve bought yourself some headroom, though.

So how do you return connections to the pool faster?

Glad you asked: you start tweaking TcpTimedWaitDelay.

By default, a connection can’t be reused for 2 times the Maximum Segment Lifetime (MSL), which works out to 4 minutes, or so the docs claim, but according to The Lore O’ The Group here, we reckon it’s actually just the TcpTimedWaitDelay value, no doubling of anything.

TcpTimedWaitDelay lets you set a value for the Time_Wait timeout manually.

As a quick aside: the value you specify has to take retransmissions into account – a client could still be transferring data from a server when a FIN is sent by the server, and the client then gets TcpTimedWaitDelay seconds to get all the bits it wants. This could be sucky in, for example, a flaky dial-up networking scenario, or, say, New Zealand, if the client needs to retransmit a whole lot… and it’s sloooow. (and this is a global option, as far as I remember).

30 seconds is a nice, round number that either quarters or eighths (depending on who you ask - we say quarter for now) the time before a socket is reusable (without the programmer doing anything special (say, SO_REUSEADDR)).

If you’ve had to do this, at this point, you should be thinking seriously about the architecture – will this scale to whatever load requirements you have?

The maths is straightforward:

If each connection is reusable after a minimum of N (TcpTimedWaitDelay) seconds
and you are creating more than X (MaxUserPort) connections in an N second period…

Your app is going to spend time "waiting" on socket availability…

Which is what techy types call "blocking" or "hanging". Nice*!

Fun* KB Articles:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319502/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328476

Sure you can wait till the NEXT version of windows in 201x. But can you wait ?, can you ? ,are you sure ? What about the security and all the benefits of windows 2008R2 you want to skip this? maybe now but I’m sure by the end of this year you need windows 2008R2 if you want to keep up with the market.

Do you still use IE6 ? no you are running the latest version because the security is better. And what about the migration/adoption time in your organization ? .

Think Proactive ! if you have software assurance you are already paying for the windows 2008R2 release so why not upgrading. Our company always waits for the service pack , well there is a service/feature pack it is still in beta but it brings new stuff for windows 2008R2 play with it and get ready and avoid a forced migration because you need some app that is only running on windows 2008R2.

Below are several links to the Windows 2008R2 resources.

Windows 2000 End-of-Support Solution Center

Support for Windows 2003 ends on July 13, 2010!

The Windows 2000 End-of-Support Solution Center is a starting point for planning your migration strategy from Windows 2000 to Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

For more information please see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy.

Planning and AssessingMigrating Server RolesMigrating SQL ServerNetworking Server RolesSmall Business ServerClient MigrationApplication CompatibilityAsk the CommunityAssisted Support

Planning and Assessing

Planning and Assessing a Migration or Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2

A direct upgrade from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2008 R2 is not supported. The resources below provide information about migration paths.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Product Home Page
Visit the Windows Server Home Page for product information, trial software, purchasing options, technical resources, case studies and more.

Windows Server 2008 R2 System Requirements
Before upgrading your system from Windows 2000 to Windows 2008 R2, be sure your hardware meets the Windows Server 2008 R2 system requirements. Assuming your hardware meets the requirements for Windows Server 2008 R2, upgrading is a two-step process. You must first upgrade your system to Windows Server 2003 SP2 (or later) and then upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Upgrade Paths
This document outlines supported and unsupported upgrade paths for editions of the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system.