TechNet Flash - Volume 11, Issue 19: August 26, 2009

Note from the Editor

Greetings, and welcome to TechNet Flash.

Summer is winding down and if you were able to get away for a vacation, consider yourself envied. We’ve been busy getting ready for a few noteworthy product launches. And since you already know what products I’m talking about, here’s some updates:

Windows Server 2008 R2 Trial Software
The Windows Server 2008 R2 trial bits are now available for download to start your 180-day evaluation of the new features, including new virtualization tools, Web resources, management enhancements, and Windows 7 integration. Tools such as Internet Information Services (IIS) version 7.5, updated Server Manager and Hyper-V platforms, and Windows PowerShell version 2.0 combine to give you greater control, increased efficiency, and the ability to react to front-line business needs faster than ever before. And the virtualization capabilities can help save time and reduce costs.

Speaking of virtualization, hear from a panel of experts how virtualization tools can help you with application compatibility concerns whether you’re migrating from Windows Vista or Windows XP. On September 24 at 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time, join the Springboard team’s webcast on Windows 7 Application Compatibility Part 2. They’ll cover the latest desktop virtualization technologies from Microsoft, including App-V, MED-V, and XP Mode for Windows 7.

Then check out the current issue of TechNet Magazine to find out how the R2 version of Virtual Machine Manager 2008 can help you manage your organization’s virtual machines more easily and efficiently. Paul Schnackenburg’s Overview of System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 RC explains how a key feature is the support for new functionality in Microsoft’s Hyper-V hypervisor.

Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate Ready to Download
The Exchange Server 2010 RC is now feature-complete and available for download. New in the RC release is support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, co-existence with Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange Server 2003, and an in-place upgrade from Exchange Server 2010 RC to Exchange Server 2010 RTM, so you won’t need to reinstall your servers or reconfigure your Exchange settings once you have deployed the RC. Visit “What’s new in Exchange 2010” on TechNet for additional technical details.

Microsoft SQL Server StreamInsight and SQL Azure Database August CTPs
We’re excited to announce that SQL Server StreamInsight is officially shipping as a component of SQL Server 2008 R2, which is scheduled to be available in H1 2010. StreamInsight brings a low-latency complex event processing (CEP) platform to SQL Server, and will enable organizations to derive insights from streaming data in near real-time in scenarios such as Web analytics, algorithmic trading, and industrial process control. Get the free trial.

Also available today is the first community technology preview of SQL Azure Database, a cloud-based relational database service built on Microsoft SQL Server technologies. SQL Azure Database enables you to provision and deploy relational database solutions to the cloud, and take advantage of a globally distributed data center that provides enterprise-class availability, scalability, and security with the benefits of built-in data protection, self-healing, and disaster recovery. Register for the free trial.

Thanks for reading,
Mitch Irsfeld
Editor, *TechNet Flash

View the*TechNet Flash Mobile edition. Subscribe to theTechNet Flash Feed blogfor news updates as they happen, often several times a day.


Update Your Selected Topics

Ensure that the content most relevant to you is presented in this section.

Start Planning for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with MAP Toolkit 4.0

Are you getting ready for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 hardware upgrades? How about Hyper-V virtualization planning? Download the newly released Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 4.0 to determine if your desktop and server infrastructure meets hardware and device compatibility requirements.

Streamline Infrastructure Design Processes for Windows Server 2008 R2

Updated guides include Active Directory Domain Services, Internet Information Services 7.5, File Services, and Print Services. Download the guides individually, or the entire IPD Guide Series and streamline your design processes for Windows Server 2008 R2.

Free Planning and Deployment Tools for Windows Server 2008 R2 Available Now

Simplify Windows Server 2008 R2 planning and deployment with the proven guidance and automated tools in these Solution Accelerators to assess your hardware, deploy, and securely operate Windows Server 2008 R2.

" Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides

" Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 4.0

" Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010

" Service Level Dashboard 2.0 for System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2

" Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool

" Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF)

Plan the Right Desktop Infrastructure Technology for Your Business Needs

Now updated to reflect functionality available in Windows 7, the Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios help simplify desktop user-requirements gathering and automate desktop technology selection, providing you with the IT manageability you require, while giving users the varying levels of power and flexibility they need.

Webcast: BizTalk Server 2009 Performance on Hyper-V and Physical Deployments (Level 300)

September 1, 2009, 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time
If you would like to understand the performance differences of BizTalk Server 2009 on Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Windows Server 2008, and Hyper-V platforms before the official guides are published, then this webcast is for you.

Webcast: Technical Overview of System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 (Level 300)

September 9, 2009, 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time
In this webcast, we discuss the new features of Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2, including support for Windows Server 2008 R2 capabilities like live migration, hot addition and removal of storage, and optimized networking technologies.

On Demand: Saving IT Costs with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Virtualization Technologies (Level 300)

The session will explore how Windows Server 2008 R2 saves IT costs by using virtualization technologies to consolidate servers, improve availability, and improve manageability of Hyper-V servers, and by simplifying deployment methods for virtual machines and physical machine deployments.

Configuring Exchange Server 2010 Unified Messaging and OCS 2007 R2 Integration Virtual Lab

After completing the exercises you will be able to configure interoperability between Office Communications Server 2007 R2 and Unified Messaging, and also experience the features of Microsoft Unified Communications.

Video: Building Windows 7 Installation Images for Multiple Audiences

Do you have limited resources to deploy Windows 7 in your organization? Learn how Microsoft IT optimized its enterprise Windows 7 image to maximize end-user productivity and provide a seamless client experience.


New Videos for IT Pros

How Do I: Build and Prepare a Windows XP Virtual Machine Image for Use with Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization 1.0?

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/ee355216.aspx

13 minutes, 22 seconds
In this, the third in a five-part series, Gordon Ryan shows how to build and prepare a Windows XP virtual machine that will be deployed to MEDV clients. In this series he will show how to configure MEDV so that when users access an intranet Web site it will load in IE6 within a virtual XP image.

TechNet Edge: New File Classification Infrastructure in Windows Server 2008 R2

8 minutes, 48 seconds
The File Classification Infrastructure (FCI) is a new Windows Server technology included within the File Server Role with Windows Server 2008 R2. FCI is used to define file classification properties, automatic classification policies, rules, and triggers, and develop custom extensions. In this episode, learn how an IT admin would use FCI to identify and manage stale data within the file system.

More “How Do I?” Videos


Get the SQL Server StreamInsight and SQL Azure Database CTP

The SQL Server 2008 R2 August Community Technology Preview (CTP) rollout continues. Download the SQL Server 2008 R2 August CTP today and register for the free SQL Azure August CTP.


Scripting for IT Pros

Hey Scripting Guy...

" Hey, Scripting Guy! Can I Download Multiple Files at Once with Internet Explorer in Windows 7?

" Can I Update More Than One Text File?

" Can I Search a Text File to Work with Specific Text?

See More Scripting Tips


Support and Troubleshooting

Hotfixes

" Cumulative update package 5 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3

" FIX: You receive the error message "Underlying connection was closed: Either there was a fatal error on the server or client authentication failed" in the Application event log when you use BizTalk Adapter for Oracle Database in BizTalk Server 2006

" FIX: A performance issue occurs when you run a query by using a Fast Forward cursor in SQL Server 2005

" FIX: The execution of the "xp_readerrorlog" command in SQL Server 2005 stops responding and the usage of the CPU that is running the command increases to 100 percent

Knowledge Base Articles

" The Windows Server 2008 system stops responding (hangs) when an application or a driver triggers an NMI to generate a memory dump file forcibly

" A blank screen appears when you restart a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 after you reinstall the driver for a graphics device

" A disabled Hyper-V virtual network adapter is re-enabled after you install Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2

" The print output shows black rectangles if you print a document that contains some images on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

 Also available via RSS


IT Management

Microsoft IT’s Best Practices Revealed in New Facebook Expertise Center

If you’re not one already, become a fan of the Microsoft IT Showcase’s Facebook site. In our new Expertise Center, you can explore Microsoft IT’s early adopter experiences, initiatives, and solutions along with your peers both inside and outside of Microsoft.

How Microsoft Does IT: Microsoft Consolidated Business Intelligence Portal Lowers Costs

A single, consolidated business intelligence portal helps Microsoft streamline business processes and lower costs. Users can share business information securely across the enterprise, and can view and organize reports with ease.

To stay updated on the next installment for IT Managers, visit the IT Management Hub.


Upcoming Webcasts

Thrive Live Chat! Virtualization (Level 200)

September 2, 2009, 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time
Join Kevin Remde, Senior IT Professional Evangelist, and Shanen Boettcher, General Manager in the Server & Tools Division on the U.S. team at Microsoft, as they discuss Hyper-V in Windows Server & System Center and how Microsoft Virtualization solutions can cost less and help you maximize the return on your virtualization investment.

Using Visio 2007 Professional to Document IT Infrastructure

September 8, 2009, 8:00 A.M. Pacific Time
In this webcast, we focus on using Visio 2007 Professional to document resources and solve IT challenges.

More Webcasts


Identity and Security

Download Forefront Unified Access Gateway Beta 2

Forefront UAG Beta 2 provides an easy and secure remote access solution with a focus on application intelligence and granular access control. Forefront UAG is the one solution to fit all of your remote access needs, as it provides centralized management and policy control across all users, devices, and network resources.

Webcast: Information About Microsoft September Security Bulletins (Level 200)

September 9, 2009, 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time
On September 9, 2009, Microsoft releases its monthly security bulletins. Join us for a brief overview of the technical details of the September security bulletins.

Security Center


On Demand

Protecting Your Data with Windows 7 BitLocker and BitLocker To Go (Level 300)

In this webcast, we examine BitLocker enhancements and capabilities, we set up and configure Trusted Module Management personal identification numbers (PINs) using Windows Platform Trusted Module Management, and we configure startup key storage.

How Windows Server 2008 R2 Affects Your IT Infrastructure (Level 300)

In this session we will be taking a closer look at specific technologies that will improve administration, data center, and branch office deployments. The features in this session will include: Branch Cache, Server Core new features, file system improvements for branch office deployments, and Windows PowerShell.

More on-demand webcasts...


Virtual Labs

System Center Operations Manager 2007: Management Pack Authoring – Advanced (IT Pro)

After completing this lab, you will be better able to understand ways that an IT Pro can create an OpsMgr management pack to customize their monitoring experience, show how to use AD computer group population to power a group membership, and much more.

System Center Operations Manager 2007: Authoring Management Packs – Introduction (IT Pro)

After completing this lab, you will be able to introduce the authoring console, create the class and discovery required to manage a Windows application, monitor a Windows application through monitors, collect data about a Windows application through rules, and more.

More Virtual Labs


Received TechNet Flash from a Friend?

The TechNet Flash is full of pointers to in-depth technical information that we encourage subscribers to forward to friends and co-workers. If you’ve received this issue from someone via e-mail and would like to receive the freeTechNet Flash newsletter biweekly, all you have to do is register.