TechNet Flash - Volume 10, Issue 24: November 26, 2008

Note from the Editor

Greetings and Welcome to TechNet Flash,

Still thinking that taking advantage of online services entails a trade-off between the rich features of an on-premise client and the convenience of a cloud-based browser application? It might be time for another look. Check out the new software-plus-services offering from Microsoft Online Services: the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), which includes Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Live Meeting, and Exchange Hosted Filtering - enterprise-class software delivered as a subscription service. Here’s a great Technical Overview of the Business Productivity Suite from Microsoft Online Services (Level 200) delivered via a webcast. You can also get an Online Services Demo and read up on the Security Features in Microsoft Online Services. A new suite of Solution Accelerators for Microsoft Online Services has also been launched to help you plan for and deploy these cloud-based services.

With the recent unveiling of Windows Azure, we’re very interested in your thoughts about cloud computing. Take this short survey and tell us what you think about cloud computing. Your opinion counts.

Speaking of opinions, read some third-party assessments of Windows Azure and Windows 7:

" Microsoft's Cloud Vision
Redmond Developer, November 18, 2008
Why Windows Azure and Windows 7 will change the way you work.

" Windows 7 In-Depth Review and Video: This Time Microsoft Gets It Right
Computerworld, November 12, 2008
In his hands-on review of the Windows 7 pre-beta, Preston Gralla decides that Microsoft's upcoming operating system shows great promise.

" Windows 7: The Five Most Talked-About Features
CIO, November 17, 2008
A look at the five features of Windows 7 generating the most discussion and what they'll mean to you.

Finally, there’s a new guide, available as part of the complete Infrastructure Planning and Design file: the Exchange Online: Evaluating Software-plus-Services guide provides a clear comparison of e-mail technologies across on-premises, standard hosting, and dedicated hosting scenarios. Check it out.

Have a great Thanksgiving,

Mitch Irsfeld
Editor, TechNet Flash

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Free Copy of SQL Server 2008 with Select Training Courses

Receive a free copy of SQL Server 2008 when you attend select SQL Server 2008 courses with Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions. This is a limited-time offer.

Build an Environmental Savings Report for Virtualization Projects

Quantify the environmental benefits and cost savings of virtualization technology by building a simple environmental savings report for virtualization projects you are considering, and get to the set of tools (including a deeper scenario-based ROI analysis and infrastructure assessment) that can help you get started on realizing that value.

Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 2.0

This popular Solution Accelerator for Virtual Machine Servicing has been updated to support Hyper-V and the latest versions of Virtual Machine Manager, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and System Center Configuration Manager. You can obtain this free accelerator on TechNet.

InformationWeek: VMM 2008 Delivers on Cost over VMware

InformationWeek, October 21, 2008
Read how VMM 2008 measures up against the competition and how virtualization will help you manage your IT environments. Also find out what VMM 2008 can do for you.

TechNet Edge Video: Application Virtualization Technology and the R2 Release

Jeff Wettlaufer, technical product manager in System Center marketing, chats with Brad Anderson, GM of the Management Services Division, about the latest desktop virtualization innovations that are a part of the R2 release of System Center Configuration Manager 2007.

Try Out the Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios – Beta

To help you make the best technology choices for your desktop users, Microsoft has classified user needs in five different scenarios based on user profiles. This new accelerator helps you choose the right scenario for your organization. Try it out on Microsoft Connect.

On-Demand Webcast: How Microsoft Technologies and Windows Vista Improve Supporting and Maintaining the Desktop (Level 300)

In this webcast, we explore how to take advantage of the advanced capabilities in Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008, and the Microsoft System Center application suite to reduce disruption, minimize help desk calls, and ensure maximum uptime for desktop users.

Still using MOM 2005? Compare it with Operations Manager 2007

Discover the important upgrades in Operations Manager 2007 and find out why it may be time for you to upgrade from MOM 2005.

What’s New in the Upcoming Release of DPM SP1

Find out about the important updates to Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager in the upcoming DPM 2007 SP1 release.

Webcast: Microsoft Office Project Server 2007: Network Communication (Level 300)

December 3, 2008, 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time
In this webcast, we present network considerations when deploying Project Server and Project Professional 2007, including an overview of the Project Professional Active Cache mechanism.

TechNet Radio: Migrating from SharePoint 2003 to SharePoint 2007
WMA | MP3
Hear Dan Lozovatsky answer some of the most common questions customers have asked about how Microsoft IT upgraded and migrated from Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 to Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. We also cover the November 2008 Microsoft Security Bulletins.

On-Demand Webcast: An Application Envisioning Proof of Concept Experience with Microsoft Expression Blend

By using Expression Blend to quickly create compelling application interfaces for Windows and Web applications, the user interface designs created in Expression Blend can be directly associated with development code. As a result, non-technical users can deliver graphical mockups of applications to software developers.

Get the System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 Trial

Manage your company's mobile devices the same way you manage the rest of your technology infrastructure. Download the trial and see how easy it can be.

Access Files from Anywhere with Microsoft Office Live Workspace Beta

Save documents to the Web for free and stay productive no matter where you are. Sign up for the free beta experience.

Learning Paths for Security: Securing Business Intelligence

Use this learning path to help you take security into consideration when developing a business intelligence strategy.

Attend a User Research Study for the Essential Business Server Admin Console

During December, on the Redmond campus, Microsoft’s User Research Team will share prototypes of the new Essential Business Server Admin Console. Your feedback will help shape the look, feel, and behavior of the new product. E-mail itusable@microsoft.com with EBS in the subject line to participate. We will be offering all participants a gratuity option in appreciation of your time.


IT Management

Assess Your Infrastructure’s Health and Maximize Your IT Investments

Microsoft’s Core Infrastructure Optimization can help you evolve your IT infrastructure to become more agile and secure, while reducing overall costs. Take this simple survey for a comprehensive report highlighting your IT maturity, with peer comparison and steps for optimization across critical aspects of your IT infrastructure.

IT Manager Webcast: Platform Solution Blueprints: Virtualization and Infrastructure Management

December 3, 2008, 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time 
In this webcast, we discuss how the platform capabilities of Microsoft’s virtualization solutions enable organizations to expand their infrastructure options without sacrificing existing investments. If you need to do more with less, tune in to this webcast.

Microsoft Licensing Series: Save Time, Look Smart

Get the “how to” licensing information you need, from the basic concepts to the product specific details, each less than 15 minutes. These webcasts will help you learn about the tools and resources available to help you track your Microsoft software licenses, purchasing strategy, and the Software Asset Management processes.


Scripting for IT Pros

Hey Scripting Guy...

" How Can I Find Expiring Passwords?

" How Can I Find Old Computer Accounts?

" How Can I Find Locked-Out Accounts?

See More Scripting Tips

See previous comics in the TechNet Flash Web-based archive.


Support and Troubleshooting

How-to Articles

" How to find computer serial number

Hotfixes

" FIX: A memory leak in the ole32!CAsyncCall DCOM object may occur when a Windows XP-based client computer connects to a server by using an asynchronous RPC

" FIX: Nothing is updated when you run the Report Preparation DTS task in Incremental mode in Commerce Server 2007

" FIX: Error message after you install Service Pack 2 for Commerce Server 2007 Developer Edition on a computer that is running Windows XP: "MFC80u.dll cannot be found"

Knowledge Base Articles

" MS08-069: Description of the security update for XML Core Services 6.0: November 11, 2008

" Mandatory user profiles do not work as expected on Windows Vista-based and Windows Server 2008-based client computers when the %LogonServer% environment variable is set in the profile path

" The reseed process is unsuccessful on the CCR passive node after you restore one full backup and two or more differential backups to the CCR active node

See a selection of new Knowledge Base articles on the TechNet Web site. KB articles feature an Article Translations box in the right column. You can select a language from the drop-down list and read the article in the selected language.

Also available via RSS 


Download Operations Manager 2007 R2 Beta

The Beta announced at TechEd EMEA is now available for download. This release includes cross-platform monitoring and service-level monitoring capabilities.

Sign Up for the Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) Beta

MED-V provides an enterprise solution for desktop virtualization, enabling customers to upgrade to the latest OS while supporting legacy applications in a previous version of Windows. MED-V Beta will be publicly available in Q1 2009. The product is targeted for final release in the first half of 2009.


Upcoming Webcasts

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

December 3, 2008, 9:30 A.M. Pacific Time
We cover many new features included in Windows Server 2008 that reduce the cost of ownership, and we take a close look at specific technologies that improve administration, data center, and branch office deployments.

Introduction to Windows PowerShell (Level 200)

December 8, 2008, 11:30 A.M. Pacific Time 
Learn how to automate client administrative activities in the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista operating systems. We explore the features and capabilities of Windows PowerShell, describe customer scenarios, and discuss command-line syntax usage.

More Webcasts


Security

Download Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager “2” Release Candidate

Identity Lifecycle Manager (ILM) “2” RC delivers powerful self-service capabilities for Office end-users, rich administrative tools and enhanced automation for IT professionals, and .NET and WS-* based extensibility for developers. Learn more. Also catch this ILM 2 webcast series: Part 2: Expressing and Enforcing Business Policy (Level 300); Part 3: Extensibility and Provisioning with ILM "2" (Level 300).

Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for November 2008

Download the November security updates, including updates for Microsoft Windows.

Security Center


On Demand

TechNet EDGE Video: What’s New in System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 (DPM) Service Pack 1

It isn't quite released yet, but still tracking really well for December. So, to get a taste of what’s in SP1, check out this video. And look for a weekly podcast on Edge, each showing one new SP1 feature between now and the end of the year.

TechNet Edge Video: HP’s Partnership with System Center

Learn about the history of the partnership and integration between HP and Microsoft. Then hear about the new System Center announcements at TechEd EMEA – Pro management packs and HP patching catalog.

More On-Demand Webcasts


Virtual Labs

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services: Pervasive Analysis through 2007 Microsoft Office Excel

After completing this lab, you will be able to browse a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services cube by using Microsoft Office Excel 2007, use Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) formulas in Office Excel 2007, and display Analysis Services Key Performance Indicators in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007

After completing this lab, you will be better able to provide a hands-on experience on Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007, demonstrate the potential usage scenarios of the product, and use ILM 2007 to also provision certificates as part of the ID lifecycle process using the certificate lifecycle management features.

More Virtual Labs


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