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Announcing Windows Server 2008 Foundation

If you read this blog, you should be familiar with the Windows Essential Server Solutions (WESS) family that includes:

Windows Server 2008 FoundationOn April 1, 2009, Microsoft announced the NEW
“Windows Server 2008 Foundation” (WSF).

Dude, where's WHS?

Here is the official blurb:

Windows Server Foundation provides organizations with a foundation to run most business applications. It’s an affordable platform for the core portfolio of IT capabilities, including file and print sharing, remote access and security features. A familiar Windows experience makes it easy for organizations to get up and running. As the heart of a true local area network, Windows Server Foundation lets employees exchange data very securely, without requiring email or the Internet. An easy upgrade path to higher-end versions of Windows Server allows your IT solution to grow as your business grows.

Design structure of this product:

  • Designed for small businesses
  • Limited to 1-15 users (total company users)
  • There are no CALs to install
  • Only available through OEMs: Acer, Dell, HP & IBM (right now)
  • Single processor limit (can be multi-core though)
  • Maximum RAM 8 GB
  • Does NOT come with Exchange
  • Cannot be virtualized (must be installed on the physical hardware)
  • Ideal for a first-server in an organization moving from a workgroup
  • Can be used as a file or print server
  • Can be used as an Active Directory server or domain controller
  • You can run Line of Business Applications (LOBs) on it
  • Supports Terminal Services (but you need to buy TS CALs)
  • Can join a domain in an SBS network (<=15 users total)
  • Can be a branch office server in an SBS network (<=15 users total)
  • You can install Windows SharePoint Services or WSUS on it.
  • Languages – English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish.
  • Distribution – will be available in 40 countries to start
  • Pricing has not been set, and will be determined by the OEMs.

“CAN I INSTALL ‘XYZ’ ON WSF?”

If an application runs on Windows Server 2008 Standard, it will work on Foundation. Just remember that virtualization is not supported and there is a 15-user limit company wide.

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T LIKE TO READ:

Here’s a short video about WSF and the partner perspective:
(1 minute 25 seconds)

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:8423bc3b-c3de-4b99-9557-3c46cca91027&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Windows Server Foundation">Video: Windows Server Foundation</a>

And here’s a video from Iain McDonald, the GM of Windows Server:
(2 minutes 38 seconds)

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:06833065-c7a5-451c-a3ed-844ba0994b79&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Ask Iain World Premiere">Video: Ask Iain World Premiere</a>

For more info, visit the Windows Server 2008 Foundation home page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/foundation.aspx

UPDATE: If you need some more technical information on WSF, check out the “Windows Server 2008 Foundation Network Guide.doc” (51 pages – 0.5 MB)

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Conficker Redux

Conficker is gonna steal ur dataz and eat ur house! Everybody is all excited about the return of Conficker on April 1, 2009, and the news media is whipping the general public up into a froth about it. Even my mom called me to ask about it.

Here’s the low-down…

PREVENTION:

  1. Apply the security update associated with MS08-067 (Windows 2000, XP, Vista & 2008).
  2. Make sure you are running up-to-date antivirus software.
  3. Check for updated protections for security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. The Microsoft Active Protection Program (MAPP) provides partners with early access to Microsoft vulnerability information. For a list of partners and links to their active protections, please visit the MAPP Partners page.
  4. Isolate legacy systems using the methods outlined in the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 98 Threat Mitigation Guide.
  5. Implement strong passwords as outlined in the Creating a Strong Password Policy whitepaper.
  6. Disable the AutoPlay feature through the registry or using Group Policies as discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 967715.

    Microsoft released Security Advisory 967940 to notify users that the updates to allow users to disable AutoPlay/AutoRun capabilities have been deployed via automatic updating channels.

    NOTE: Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 customers must deploy the update associated with Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 967715 to be able to successfully disable the AutoRun feature. Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 customers must deploy the security update associated with Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-038 to be able to successfully disable the AutoRun feature.

CLEANING INFECTED SYSTEMS:

Source: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/dd452420.aspx

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KYSBSUG 5-Year Anniversary

Kentucky Small Business Server User Group (KYSBSUG)This week, Thursday March 19, 2009 marks the 5-Year Anniversary of the Kentucky Small Business Server User Group (KYSBSUG). Where did the time go?

It’s pretty amazing to look back at all the events and topics we’ve covered in the last 60+ months. Some of the highlights we’ve met on include:

  • Backup & Disaster Recovery
  • Linux for SBSers
  • Vista Loadfest
  • FolderShare for Remote Workers
  • SBS Hacks
  • SQL 2005 Launch Event
  • Windows Mobile Boot Camp
  • DD-WRT
  • Office 2007 / Vista Road Show
  • Windows 7
  • SBS 2008
  • Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008
  • Windows Home Server (WHS)
  • Windows SharePoint Services (WSS)
  • Response Point
  • And vendor presentations like ConnectWise, Level Platforms, eFolder, New Horizons, etc., just to name a few.

Over the years we’ve had numerous well-known speakers, including: Amy Luby, Ronald Grattopp (Microsoft), Brian Von Axleson (Microsoft), Chris Rue [MVP], Kevin Royalty [MVP], Allen Miller, and many more. We’ve had study groups, round table meetings, and Live Meetings with visitors from all around the USA, Canada, and even as far away as Belgium.

In short, we’ve really done a lot in the last 5 years, and we’d like to invite you to celebrate with us! There will be food, door prizes, and lots of networking opportunities. Please register today!

Evening – KYSBSUG 5-Year Anniversary
Date: Thursday March 19, 2009
Time: 5:30 PM Eastern (GMT –5)
Venue: Fifth Quarter Steakhouse
Address: 1241 Durrett Lane, Louisville, KY 40213
Phone: (502) 361-2363
Map: http://tinyurl.com/bhrmqb
Registration Link: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=136756

IMPORTANT: This venue was chosen because it’s only a few blocks away from the Microsoft events that are happening earlier that day (which you should also attend):

Morning – Microsoft TS2 – 03/19/2009, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern
Topics: Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), EBS 2008 & SBS 2008
Venue: Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport (formerly Executive West Hotel)
Register: http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032402683

Afternoon – Microsoft SB2 – 03/19/2009, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM Eastern
Topics: Solution selling w/ Vista, EBS 2008 & SBS 2008
Venue: Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport (formerly Executive West Hotel)
Presenter: Ronald Grattopp
Register: http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032402690

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Invitation – KYSBSUG 2009 Feb Live Meeting

KYSBSUG SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 have been out for several months, but are you using it yet? Are your customers?

Join us for this presentation and learn what’s new in SBS 2008, where the pricing sweet spots are, and gotchas to watch out for. We’ll talk about the training that’s available to get you up to speed, books, and a little bit about Hyper-V and SBS. Time has been allotted at the end of this presentation for extensive Q&A.

The good news is that you don’t even need to get in your car – we’re bringing this meeting to you via Microsoft Live Meeting so as many people that want to can attend!

Date: Wednesday 02/18/2009
Start time: 6:30 PM Eastern (GMT -5)
End time: 8:00 PM Eastern (or whenever there are no more questions)
Presenter: Tim Barrett
Topic: SBS 2008 / EBS 2008
Seating in the Live Meeting is limited to the first 50 people, so sign up ASAP!

Registration URL: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=135942

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So What DO You Blog About?

I ask myself that question a lot.

Using a tool from www.wordle.net here’s the answer to what I’ve been blogging about lately:

My latest blog topics 

Looks kind of like a brain, doesn’t it? And that list is pretty accurate, considering it’s only cataloging what you’re blogging about now. And lately we’ve been talking about the new Microsoft certifications.

And this is my Delicious feed – i.e. stuff I bookmark but don’t necessarily blog:

My Delicious bookmarks

So how does this stack up against other SBS / SMB space bloggers?

Wordle is a pretty interesting tool. I was a little surprised that the SBS content on my blog lately wasn’t higher. And for me that’s a bit of a wakeup call because I’ve been ‘talking’ (face-to-face and over the phone) about SBS a lot with co-workers, partners, customers, user group members. I just haven’t been blogging it. So that’s a good opportunity for me to refocus my writing a bit.

As for the other blog pictures listed; take the images with a grain of salt. This sampling isn’t meant to pigeon hole any blog or blogger into a certain category, or to attempt to define that person. It’s just a visual representation of a mathematical word count of the RSS feeds on their main page.  I also think that items being closer to the top of the page seem to rank higher. Run your blog (or your personal favorite) through Wordle – you might be surprised too. 🙂

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Hacks – Hacker Chip Clip

This idea came to me today while having lunch at my desk (don’t know why I didn’t think of it before).

After putting the smack down on some tasty potato chips, I couldn’t find a chip clip to close the bag to keep it from going stale. However, I did have an ample supply of hard drive magnets lying around. I put one on each side of the bag, and viola! Life hack!

hacker_chip_clip

The only trick is not smashing your fingers while placing the magnets near each other. These magnets are so strong that I can hang the bag from a file cabinet or the side of the fridge.

image

Sometimes I crack myself up. 🙂

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Webcast – Changes to the Microsoft Partner Program

Microsoft Small Business Specialist logoEvent Title: 5W/50 Series – New Generation Certifications: Program Overview & Certification Resources Available for the SBSC Community
Date: Monday April 20, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM Eastern (GMT –5)
Duration: 1 hour
Presenters: Deborah Vosler (Microsoft) & Mark Crall (Tech Care Team, Inc.)
Cost: Free
Registration: Click here (Microsoft Partners Only)

Description:
Learn why Microsoft developed the New Generation of Certification, as well as what certification exams and resources are currently available for Microsoft partners, including the SBSC community. Find out more about the value of certification, including how it can benefit your business.

(Personal Note: I’m interested to hear the fate of the 70-282 and the SBSC program.)

Source: Mark Crall’s blog

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Windows 7 SKUs Announced

image Today Microsoft announced the SKUs for Windows 7.

The version lineup is different than Vista. Home Basic is now only available in “emerging markets”, and a new “Starter” edition has been added for lower-powered PCs (think netbooks). That’s a bit of a reversal compared to Vista where “Home Basic” was on just about every PC at big box stores.

Also noteworthy is that the “Ultimate” version won’t be sold directly to businesses or consumers, and will only be offered as an add-on. Here are the highlights of the different versions of Windows 7:

  • Windows 7 Starter
    – Broad app and device compatibility with up to 3 concurrent applications
    – Ability to join a Home Group
    – Improved taskbar and JumpLists
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
    – Available in Emerging Markets only
    – Unlimited applications
    – Live thumbnail previews & enhanced visual experience
    – Advanced networking support (ad-hoc wireless networks and internet connection sharing)
    – Mobility Center
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
    – Unlimited applications
    – Aero Glass & advanced windows navigation
    – Easy networking & sharing across all your PCs & devices
    – Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To
    – Multi-touch and improved handwriting recognition
  • Windows 7 Professional
    – Unlimited applications
    – Ability to join a managed network with Domain Join
    – Protect  data with advanced network backup and Encrypting File System
    – Print to the right printer at home or work with Location Aware Printing
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
    – Available through Microsoft Volume Licensing only
    – Unlimited applications
    – BitLocker data protection on internal and external drives
    – DirectAccess provides seamless connectivity to your corporate network.  (requires Windows Server 2008 R2)
    – Decrease time branch office workers wait to open file across the network with BranchCache. (requires Windows Server 2008 R2)
    – Prevent unauthorized software from running with AppLocker
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
    – Unlimited applications
    – Includes all Enterprise and all Home Premium features, including multi-language packs

Source: PC Magazine and Microsoft Press Release

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Windows 7 vs Ice Storm

This picture was taken in front of my house the morning of 01/28/2009 Tonight the Kentucky Small Business Server User Group (KYSBSUG) is scheduled to have our 59th consecutive monthly meeting. The topic is “Windows 7 – First Look”. Unfortunately, we’re in the midst of an ice storm in Louisville, which makes driving (and even getting electricity) rather difficult. I checked in on Kevin Royalty up in Cincinnati and apparently they’ve got even worse conditions than we do (they’ve got 10” of snow and ice so far).

Here are some pictures of the conditions near my house in Louisville:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timbarrett/sets/72157613043239653/

The show must go on though, if possible. And to be on the safe side, instead of risking life and limb on the icy roads tonight, we’re switching to a Microsoft Live Meeting format. Here’s the registration link:
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=135145

The Live Meeting seats are limited and will be made available on a first-come first-served basis. The actual Live Meeting URL will be emailed out to all registered attendees at 6:00 PM Eastern (GMT –5). If you don’t get an email at 6:00, we don’t have power. 🙂 We hope to see you there!

02/02/2009 UPDATE: You can now download a ZIP file with the entire Windows 7 presentation. Instructions:

  1. Simply right-click and save this file (40.5 MB) to your hard drive.
  2. Unzip the file.
  3. Double-click the ReplayMeeting.htm file to replay the meeting.
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Free Microsoft Virtualization E-Book

Microsoft Press is celebrating their 25th anniversary with “Free E-Book of the Month” offers. The current offer is:

E-Book Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions Title: Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions
Author: Mitch Tulloch with the MS Virtualization Team
ISBN: 9780735693371
File size: 14.4 MB
Pages: 452
Download URL: Click here

Description: This guide will teach you about the benefits of the latest virtualization technologies and how to plan, implement, and manage virtual infrastructure solutions. The technologies covered include: Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2009, Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5, Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization, and Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Source: Microsoft Learning and Keith Combs blog

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