Woody's Roundup

This post is in reference to the InfoWorld article released yesterday by

Have you thought of recommending Exchange Online to a customer to met with a road block around compliance issues, email in specific?  Well you are not alone.  There are several options to get around the issue like Exchange Hosted Archive (EHA), among others, but there is always a catch.  Extra money!

 

Now that money may be well spent with EHA or other solutions, but do forget about what we support with online services that you may not have looked into, journaling.

How to Request Journaling for Microsoft Online Services

Journaling is a feature of Microsoft Exchange Server that enables Exchange to record all the communications in an organization, including e-mail communications. Overview of Journaling is a good reference about what journaling is and why you would want to record your communications this way. For example, when your organization is in the financial services, insurance, or healthcare industries, journaling might be the best way to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

Microsoft Online Services offers journaling as a special request, and you must open a support ticket to request it. Please contact Technical Support to open a service request.

Note: Journaling for the Business Productivity Online Standard Suite applies to Premium Journaling only.

Microsoft Online Services supports journaling but it is up to you to see whether journaling works with your on-premises archiving or hosted archiving solution.

 

I pulled this from the Online Services Team blog.

 

A few tidbits on the note about premier journaling:

Premium journaling   Premium journaling enables the Journaling agent in Exchange 2007 to use rules that you configure to match the specific needs of your organization. You can create journal rules for a single mailbox recipient or for entire groups within your organization. To use premium journaling, you must have the Exchange Enterprise Client Access License (CAL). The following sections discuss the various attributes that you can configure to meet your organization's needs. See Here.

This is a great example video I pulled from the Microsoft Online Services Team Blog.

 

The video shows from start to finish all the steps required to add and verify a domain for use with Microsoft Online Services.  The example is registrar used is GoDaddy.  It is well worth the time if you are new to Microsoft Online Services or have never completed the process.

Watch the video

Thanks,

 

Woody

 

Hopefully you read my post on the newly released Microsoft Assessment an Planning Toolkit 4.0 Beta  If you signed up and submit feedback (READ BUGS), you could win a free Zune!

 

See details on the  Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit Team Blog

 

You can also view my two screencasts demonstrating the MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta below:

 

Part 1: Installation, Overview and Exchange Online Assessment

Part 2: Online Services Summary Report Details

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Woody

I realize this may be too late for lost of you, but it is always good to save a buck when you can!

 

SO, if you have nothing better to do tomorrow, you can call your local Prometric testing site and see if you can squeeze in to take that exam!

 

Several testing vouchers expire tomorrow, as it is the last day of Microsoft’s fiscal year.

 

So first thing tomorrow, dig through that pile (printouts or email) and kind that code and run down and take that test.  You will save money, demonstrate your skills, progress towards a competency, and build up an appetite for a nice lunch to celebrate passing that exam.

 

Info on the vouchers was in my post here.  It is too late to redeem for a voucher, but you can still use one if you still have it.

 

Keep in mind that the second shot offer expires tomorrow as well.

 

Better late than never!

 

Regards,

 

Woody

When I have time I read what my peers are writing out here in the blogosphere.  I noted two posts in recent days that I think bear mentioning.

 

The first and most recent post was by Ron Grattopp, one of TS2 brethren from Tulsa, OK. 

In his post MAC vs PC, the “unlevel playing field” points out what has been known to all of us for quite some time, but not the masses: MAC OS is not as secure as the current Windows platform (read Windows Vista, Windows 7), nor does Apple have mature process to ensure future products or updates will be any better, whereas Microsoft is the Model in this area with our SDL (Secure Development Lifecycle).  I do not want to steal Ron’s Thunder, but I should note the nucleus around which he builds his argument is this article:

 

Snow Leopard and Windows 7: Two flavors of the same GUI? by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes of ZD-BNET.  A good read!

 

The second post I would like to call out is one from Bryan Von Axelson. A little while back Bryan and I were talking on the phone about Google’s recent announcement around Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook.  Of course the Media treat Google as a darling most of the time and several article’s were posted by major trade rags that sensationalized the product as an Exchange killer.  Well, not so fast!!!

 

Bryan highlights the initial articles, the back peddling by Google, and puts the whole thing into perspective by demonstrating (using Google’s own FAQ), that Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook is a drastic difference from Outlook with Exchange and is nowhere close to being a contender (yet).

 

You can read Bryan’s post entitled Google Apps vs. Exchange Server. 

 

Great Read Bryan!!!

 

Cheers,

 

Woody

 

 

 

Before I had recorded screencasts, I has thought a lot of voodoo went into streaming video over the web and embedding that into a web page.  Not so! Anyone can do it free!  All it requires is a little time and few tools.

 

In this screencast I will go over the following:

 

1.)  Community Clips from Microsoft Office Labs – A simple recording and screen capture tool.

2.) How to create a Silverlight Streaming account, upload and authorize videos for streaming, and embedding those Silverlight apps into a webpage.

 

Remember, anyone can get 10 GB of space for free!   That is a lot of video, especilly at lower resolutions suitable for simple PowerPoint presentations.

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Woody

Hello All!

 

I my preparing for the other Windows 7 Boot to VHD screencasts I have completed in the past few weeks, I uncovered some documented, but seldom used/known capabilities that I thought would interest partners.

 

The two primary topics I hit on in this screencast are:

 

1.)  Use DISKPART.EXE  to  create a differencing disk, based on a parent.  This option is not native to the Disk Management UI.

EXAMPLE:  Create Vdisk file=C:\diffdisk.vhd parent=c:\parentdisk.vhd (you do not use the MAXIMUM or TYPE attributes when leveraging PARENT)

2.) Use BCDEDIT.EXE to create an entry in the Boot Manager in Windows 7 in order to boot a differencing disk of a parent VHD file. 

3.) Use the [Locate] syntax in BCEDIT.EXE /set when specifying the device and ocdevice paths instead of an explicit drive letter:

EXAMPLE: BCDEDIT /set {guid} device VHD=[LOCATE]\directory\file.vhd

as opposed to…

BCDEDIT /set {guid} device VHD=[c:]\directory\file

 

This lets the boot manager find the file even if the drive may be incorrect at boot or other drives are added/removed.  A nice inclusion IMHO.

Anyway the screencast covers it all.

 

Enjoy!

 

Woody

I had some feedback from my first screencasts on Windows 7 Boot from VHD, mainly that the way I did it was not supported.  So I put together this screencast to demonstrate the support way of doing it, namely using IMAGEX.EXE to apply a WIM file (windows image file format) to the attached VHD, followed by manipulating BCDEDIT.EXE

There are other screencasts out there that show this, but I believe mine is good too.  Take a look. 

 

I will be posting some more information on BCDEDIT.exe as it relates to booting from VHDs in next few days.  Some interesting lessons learned.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Regards,

 

Woody

PLEASE SEE my earlier post here for part one of this screencast.

In part two I walk through the assessment for Microsoft Online Services Exchange Online.  As a partner Online Services from Microsoft offer you new opportunities and choices for your customers and a way to make recurring revenue.  You can find out more about selling Microsoft Online Services here. The primary offerings are Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, LiveMeeting, and Office Communications Online; All can be purchased through a bundle called the Business Productivity Online Suite for $15.00 per user per month. I have many posts on online services and you can find them by clicking on the BPOS & Microsoft Online Services tags on the left side of my blog.

PART 2

 

I should be posting Part Three this weekend so stay tuned!

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Woody Walton

I posted on the newly released MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta last week (check it out and download here), and I wanted to follow-up with some screencasts on the subject. 

 

The first demonstrates how to obtain and install the MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta and calls out some details you should know.  For those comfortable with past versions of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit, you may want to skip to part 2. 

 

In part two I walk through the assessment for Microsoft Online Services Exchange Online.  As a partner Online Services from Microsoft offer you new opportunities and choices for your customers and a way to make recurring revenue.  You can find out more about selling Microsoft Online Services here. The primary offerings are Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, LiveMeeting, and Office Communications Online; All can be purchased through a bundle called the Business Productivity Online Suite for $15.00 per user per month. I have many posts on online services and you can find them by clicking on the BPOS & Microsoft Online Services tags on the left side of my blog.

 

I will be posting a part three to this series this weekend where I will walk through the inventory capabilities for the MAP Toolkit 4. Beta to include Windows 7 readiness and Windows Server 2008 (R2) readiness.  Stay tuned and enjoy!

 

PART 1

 

 

View Part 2 here.

 

 

 

 

Thanks and kind regards,

 

Woody Walton

 

I watched this Virtual Roundtable and learned quite a lot around Application Compatibility and Windows Vista and Windows 7.  REALLY GOOD STUFF, with a REALLY GOOD PANEL!

 

I have pasted the event description below. Note there will be a follow on Roundtable planned this fall!

 

Please take the time (1 hour) to watch this event hosted by Mark Russinovich.  You will be glad you did!

SNIP\

Date: Thursday, June 18th
Time: 11:00am Pacific Time 
Windows 7, is approaching fast and from the application standpoint is very similar to Windows Vista. We’re going to examine Windows 7 application compatibility not only from the perspective of moving from Windows Vista, but also for those coming from Windows XP. Join us to discuss the most common challenges around application compatibility when coming from a legacy operating system, why changes were made along the way, compatibility technologies inside the OS and methods for getting incompatible applications to run on Windows 7. Along the way we share tips and tricks, demonstrate free tools to analyze and fix applications and answer your specific questions about application compatibility live.

WATCH IT NOW »

In Part 2 of this Virtual Round Table discussion (planned for later this Summer/Fall), we’ll discuss the options and approaches for using virtualization tools In depth to address application incompatibilities – including presentation virtualization, desktop virtualization and application virtualization. We’ll be sending out more details and posting information to www.microsoft.com/springboard for part 2 as the dates are finalized.

 

-Woody

Seems everyone is talking about virtualization.  Whether it is Hyper-V, MED-V, App-V, or just plane “V” ;-)

 

One of the best places to learn about Microsoft Virtualization Solutions and Strategy is of course

Http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization.  That said there are other resources out there too.

 

I noticed one that might be useful.  Seems there is going to be a HYPER-V Unleashed event on July 21st.  It is sponsored by:

 

Citrix

Microsoft

Symantec

Certeon

 

Seems Windows IT Pro magazine has a hand in it as well due to their staff presenting and a free subscription being offered to attendees!

 

AGENDA:

 

All times Eastern Time
11:00 a.m.

Hyper-V In-Depth

This session would provide detailed information about Hyper-V. We will begin with the Hyper-V architecture and a discussion of the differences in the Hyper-V role and Hyper-V Server 2008 standalone edition. We also would cover storage and networking options; installing and managing Hyper-V on Server 2008 and Server Core; and advanced topics such as offline VHD access, backup and recovery, high availability options, and management.
12:30 p.m.

Partner Technical Presentations

1:45 p.m.

VMware ESX vs. Microsoft Hyper-V

This session would compare ESX server and Hyper-V, showing the differences between their architectures. We would look at the different features and management interfaces and compare the performance of the two products. In addition, we would look at the more advanced enterprise management capabilities offered by VI3 and SCVMM.
3:00 p.m.

Highly Available Hyper-V

This session would present the different high-availability features offered by Hyper-V. We would cover setting Failover Clustering at both the Hyper-V server and guest level and provide an overview of Live Migration, discussing how Live Migration works and then showing how to set up and use Live Migration with Hyper-V and Server 2008 R2

To register please go here.

 

Seems like a good event.  I am particularly interested in the VMware ESX vs. Hyper-V component.

 

You can learn much of what will be covered in this event and be better prepared by watching Rob Waggoner’s Hyper-V Screencast series here.  They are Excellent!!!

 

 

Let me know how the event goes.

 

Thanks,

 

Woody

I have posted on the benefits of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit before, and Baldwin Ng and team have delivered another fabulous upgrade to the toolkit.  Please see my blog post here for some background on the MAP toolkit and Online Services.

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 Beta Now Available!

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will be available in the near future. Are you thinking about deploying these new operating systems? Get a head start with Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 Beta. Over 680,000 Microsoft customers and partners including Costco Wholesale Corporation, Continental Airlines, and Banque de Luxembourg have already downloaded and used this toolkit to date.

Introducing Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 is an integrated planning toolkit that makes it easier for Microsoft customers and partners to quickly identify what servers, workstations, and network devices are in their IT environment. This agentless and scalable toolkit has the ability to discover all computers within Active Directory and workgroup environments. It performs key functions that include hardware and device inventory, hardware compatibility analysis, and generation of actionable, environment-specific IT proposals for migration to most major Microsoft technologies.

What’s New with v4.0?

Version 4.0 of this toolkit has the following new features:

· Windows 7 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment

 

· Windows Server 2008 R2 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment

· Virtualization Candidates Assessment for Hyper-V R2 Server Consolidation

· Integration with the Microsoft Integrated Virtualization ROI Calculator

· Inventory of VMware Server Hosts and Guests

 

· User Interface and Proposal Customization for Partner co-branding

· Enhanced Usability and Improved Inventory Performance

Additional Features

Other features from version 3.2 have also been carried over to version 4.0:

· Virtualization Candidates Assessment for Hyper-V Server Consolidation

· Windows Vista Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment

· Windows Server 2008 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment

· 2007 Microsoft Office Readiness Assessment

· SQL Server Instance Discovery

· Desktop Security Assessment for Anti-virus and Anti-malware Programs Installation

· Forefront Client Security/NAP Readiness Assessment

· Online Services (Exchange Online) Assessment

· App-V Infrastructure Readiness Assessment

· Power Savings “Green IT” Calculator

Benefits to Customers and Partners

Saves Planning or Pre-Sales Time. For most IT consultants and Microsoft Partners, a detailed network inventory and assessment of servers and desktops often takes days of manual labor. With Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit, you can now conduct an environment inventory of up to 100,000 computers in a matter of hours instead of days, giving you extra time to focus on critical planning or pre-sales tasks. For IT professionals, this toolkit can significantly reduce the time it takes to gather the information necessary to make the business case for client, server, and virtualization projects.

Provides Actionable Recommendations and Reporting. This toolkit provides valuable inventory and readiness assessment reports with environment-specific upgrade recommendations and virtualization candidate reports, making it easier for IT migration and deployment projects to get off the ground and running.

Covers Wide Range of Scenarios--from Desktops to Servers. This toolkit offers technology assessments and planning recommendations for many Microsoft desktop and server products including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Hyper-V R2, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V, Virtual Server 2005 R2, 2007 Microsoft Office, SQL Server 2008, Forefront Client Security, Network Access Protection, Microsoft Online Services, Microsoft Application Virtualization (or App-V), and more.

Next Steps--How can I get Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 Beta?

· Download Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 Beta and give us your feedback (Live ID login and registration required)

· View the Webcast on MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta (use Recording Key: fqX`%3t.X)

· Learn more about this toolkit and read case studies on TechNet

· To provide technical feedback on this Beta, please e-mail at MAPSBETA@microsoft.com

· Get the latest news from the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit Team Blog

 

You will definitely want to leverage this toolkit!  Check it out now!

 

-Woody Walton