TechNet Flash - Volume 10, Issue 16: August 6, 2008
Note from the Editor
Welcome to TechNet Flash,
The wait is over. SQL Server 2008 has been released and is ready to deliver a rich set of integrated services that enable you to do more with your data, such as query, search, synchronize, report, and analyze. Many of you have been evaluating the SQL Server 2008 betas, and may be ready to try out the RTM version. TechNet Plus subscribers can find RTM versions now available for download. Speaking of TechNet Plus, read Keith Combs’ Blahg for his take on the UI improvements for the newly revamped TechNet Plus Subscriber Downloads page.
TechNet Magazine recently published an overview of the key changes and what you can expect from SQL Server 2008. You can also get a rundown of the various editions and components of SQL Server 2008 and take part in SQL Server 2008 tutorials.
For more overview resources, check out:
" Webcasts: 24 Hours of SQL Server 2008 for IT Professionals
" Webcasts: 24 Hours of SQL Server 2008 for Developers
If you are looking for assistance with SQL Server 2008 planning and installation, here are some helpful links:
" Planning a SQL Server Installation
Once you’ve installed SQL Server 2008, these resources can help you optimize your database environment:
" Database Engine Tuning Advisor Overview
You can also find guidance for upgrading to SQL Server 2008 or migrating to SQL Server 2008. If you are upgrading, be sure to check out Using Upgrade Advisor to Prepare For Upgrades.
From our partners, you can find local partners offering SQL Server 2008 solutions or find training partners near you offering official Microsoft courses that will help you get certified on SQL Server 2008. In addition, you can search for local in-person events and online webcasts on SQL Server 2008.
And finally, from the August edition of TechNet Magazine, Paul Randal answers your SQL Server questions, showing you how to perform consistency checks, how to handle an accidental upgrade, and more in the SQL Q&A column.
Mitch Irsfeld
Editor, TechNet Flash
Your Featured Content
Ensure that the content most relevant to you is presented in this section.
Mark’s Blog - Pushing the Limits of Windows: Physical Memory
Mark Russinovich’s first in a series of blogs that describes how Windows and applications use a particular resource, the licensing and implementation-derived limits of the resource, how to measure the resource’s usage, and how to diagnose leaks.
Download the 30-Page Hyper-V Planning and Deployment Guide
This guide describes the considerations you should take into account when planning to deploy Hyper-V, and provides installation and configuration details to help you.
Review: Ready or Not, VMware, Here Comes Hyper-V
eWEEK - July 16, 2008
Based on eWEEK Labs’ tests, Hyper-V is worthy of consideration as a virtualization option at sites of all sizes, and particularly those already running or planning on upgrading to Windows Server 2008.
TechNet Magazine: Windows PowerShell in System Center Operations Manager
Windows PowerShell has been integrated into System Center Operations Manager 2007, offering a powerful way to perform and automate common administrative tasks. Get an overview of how you can use Windows PowerShell in OpsMgr to perform routine maintenance, manage agents, and more.
Customizing Windows Home Server
In the July issue of MSDN Magazine, Chris Gray discusses custom applications he’s developed for Windows Home Server, and explores applications for energy savings.
Windows PowerShell: A Sneak Peek at Remote Management in Version 2.0
Windows PowerShell 2.0 is in the works, and the latest CTP provides some great new capabilities. TechNet Magazine takes a look at remoting - one of the most exciting new features you'll find in Windows.
TechNet Spotlight: Building a Security Infrastructure with Microsoft Forefront
Security MVP Ronald Beekelaar provides an in-depth technical overview of Forefront Client Security, Server Security, and Edge Security. Download the videos or watch on-demand.
Free Microsoft Office Live Add-in for Microsoft Office XP, 2003, and 2007
With the Office Live add-in, users can open and save documents directly from within Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to their online workspace. Office Live Workspace is the password-protected extension to Office that lets people access and share documents remotely, and is available for free from Microsoft.
Advanced Microsoft SQL Server PowerShell Tips and Tricks
This Tech·Ed video session delves into the details of how to use SQL Server PowerShell and its cmdlets to optimize SQL Server administration. It also describes the architecture and implementation of the SQL Server PowerShell.
How to Protect SQL Server with System Center Data Protection Manager 2007
Are you deploying or migrating to Microsoft SQL Server 2008? If you depend on Microsoft SQL Server to manage and deliver information within your company, see how System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 can help you protect your business critical data.
Microsoft Adds Workflow to Cloud-based SOA Platform
InfoWorld – July 17, 2008
Microsoft has added workflow capabilities to BizTalk Services, the company's platform-in-the-cloud project for services-oriented architecture (SOA) and business process management.
August 15, 9:30 A.M. Pacific Time
In this webcast, we cover the recommended strategies for protecting Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 messaging service and data, with an emphasis on the ultimate disaster: a full site failure. Join us as we dive deep into standby continuous replication (SCR), which was designed with these disasters in mind.
Get the free framework for quickly creating a new generation of more efficient and interactive Web experiences that work across all the most popular browsers.
Evaluation Center Updates
Evaluate Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Public Preview
Windows Essential Business Sever 2008 is an integrated and affordable solution that offers the Microsoft software midsize businesses require - preconfigured, integrated, and manageable from a single administrative console, and at a significant discount compared to standalone products. Once you have registered, you will have access to valuable public preview resources assembled in one convenient location.
Evaluate Windows Small Business Server 2008 Public Preview
Designed for small businesses, Windows Small Business Server 2008 is an affordable, integrated server solution that helps you protect your business data, increase productivity, and present a more professional image to customers – giving you the tools you need to help grow your business capacity. Once you have registered, you will have access to valuable public preview resources assembled in one convenient location.
Scripting for IT Pros
Hey Scripting Guy...
" How Can I Load a Drop-Down List From a Text File?
" How Can I Read the MAC Address From a Text File?
" How Can I Prevent Excel From Turning My Imported Numbers Into Dates?
See previous comics in the TechNet Flash Web-based archive.
Support and Troubleshooting
How-to Articles
Hotfixes
Knowledge Base Articles
" Windows Server System software not supported within a Microsoft Virtual Server environment
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.
Featured Downloads
Download the Infrastructure Update for Microsoft Office Servers
The Infrastructure Update for Microsoft Office Servers (KB951297) includes several new Enterprise Search features for SharePoint Server 2007 and the latest performance updates and fixes for the Microsoft Office Servers listed in the system requirements section.
Try the Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 Public Beta
App-V 4.5 offers dynamic virtualization, extended scalability for enterprise deployments, increased support for local language applications, improved reporting, new manageability tools, and much more.
Upcoming Webcasts
Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management (Level 200)
August 8, 11:30 A.M. Pacific Time
Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) provides a workflow process for offline Group Policy Object (GPO) creation that integrates role-based delegation, review, and approval of Group Policy before deployment to a live environment. These roles can be delegated according to the supervisory needs of the enterprise.
SQL Server Data Services Launch (Level 200)
November 14, 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time
Microsoft SQL Server Data Services (SSDS) are highly scalable, on-demand data storage and query processing Web services. Businesses use storage resources as needed when transforming large upfront capital and operations expenditures into much smaller, on-demand costs.
Security
Download the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool and Discover Your IT Security Posture
Gain great insight into where your security issues lie and get detailed reports with prescriptive guidance to help you reduce security threats that can impact your business. Download the free Microsoft Security Assessment Tool.
Are your organization’s desktops vulnerable to security attacks? Do they have anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed? Are their Windows Firewall settings turned off without your approval? Use the network-wide Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit and discover these PC security vulnerabilities now.
Learn More about Forefront Codename “Stirling,” Dynamic Response and Get the Free Beta Software
Dynamic response, an innovative feature of the “Stirling” integrated security system, saves IT staff considerable time by automatically responding to incoming threats.
On Demand
How Microsoft SQL Server Helps You to Lower Your Cost of Storage
This Tech·Ed video session reviews new storage cost-saving functionality in Microsoft SQL Server 2008, including data compression, backup compression, and minimal logging, which can lead to 50% or more reduction in storage requirements for typical applications.
Managing Hyper-V Virtual Machines with WMI and Windows PowerShell (Level 300)
In this webcast, you learn how to automate the most common management tasks, how to create a delegation model using Windows Authorization Manager, and how the power of WMI can pick up where Virtual Machine Manager leaves off.
Virtual Labs
Designing Anti-Spam Defenses Using Intelligent Message Filter
After completing this lab, you will be better able to configure the Exchange Intelligent Message Filter (IMF) to filter unsolicited commercial e-mail, also known as spam. You will also configure the Junk E-mail folder settings in Outlook 2003, including the Safe Senders, Safe Recipients, and Blocked Senders lists.
After completing this lab, you will be better able to configure maintenance windows on collections, verify software distribution behavior to a client in a collection with a maintenance window to allow distribution, and verify software distribution behavior to a client in a collection that is configured with a maintenance window to restrict distributions.
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