Vol. 13, #24 - Jun 16, 2008 - Issue #678 News From Tech.Ed 2008 Orlando This issue of WServerNews is sponsored by Editor's Corner News From Tech.Ed 2008 Orlando Sunbelt Exchange Archiver Webcast June 24 at 1pm EST Quote of the Week Admin Toolbox Admin Tools We Think You Shouldn't Be Without Tech Briefing TechEd Session Report: What's Coming in Windows PowerShell V2? Optimizing Virtual Hard Disk Performance In Hyper-V VIPRE Consumer Goes Into Beta 7 Free Desktop and Application Virtualization Seminar Tip: Hacking SQL Databases With Free Tools Windows Server News New Windows Server 2008 Power Management Whitepaper Released Windows Server 2008 RemoteApps Boost Terminal Services WServer Third Party News Beta-1 Of VIPRE Enterprise Is Now Available Double-Take Announces Extensive Product Line for W2K8 Hyper-V WServerNews FAVE Links This Week's Links We Like. Tips, Hints And Fun Stuff. WServerNews - Product of the Week myPassword, Self-Service Active Directory Password Reset Product Customers call rDirectory "The perfect system; it does everything we need and more!" rDirectory leverages and showcases your Active Directory investment increasing the value, accuracy and consistency of your directory data. It is pre-configured with applications that securely deploy out-of-the-box and quickly customize. rDirectory has provisioning of automated Home Folders, Cascading and Dependent Picklists up to seven levels deep, email notice policies and improved integration with portals like Sharepoint. Lower IT cost and increase security and productivity for your Help Desk. Explore the potential of rDirectory, all editions: Standard, Professional, Enterprise. Installation only takes five minutes. Evaluate rDirectory today. http://www.wservernews.com/080616-rDirectory Editor's Corner News From Tech.Ed 2008 Orlando If you would ask 10 people how Tech.Ed was, they would all tell you something different, as this is a BIG show! Hard to get a good idea of everything that is going on, so I'm giving you the perspective of the system admin that is trying to get up-to-speed on the latest knowledge and tools to keep their networks running and secure. There were 10,000 of us there! This year, for the first time, Developers and IT Pros were scheduled on separate weeks and quite a few people seemed to like that new setup. It does make for a more focused audience. Microsoft was pushing their 'Dynamic IT' theme, all boiling down to 'you have to be flexible' in this changing world. And as always, they pushed the products that allow you to deploy that vision. In this case, W2K8 with Hyper-V, SoftGrid (renamed to Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 and from now on MAV), a lot of noise about Identity Lifecyle Manager 2 (ILM), Visual Studio 2008 and of course SQL Server 2008. The beta for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 is also available and it allows the management of both Hyper-V and VMware's ESX Server. And when will we get these goodies? Hyper-V will ship in the next month or so. MAV will be available as an RC in the coming month, but is available as beta now, link below) ILM 2 is available in Beta 3 and SQL 2008 was announced as RC at the show. They are getting their ducks in a row pretty close, so that is good timing. And for people that want to sell going 'green' in IT, W2K8 promises to reduce the consumption of power by about 10 percent compared to W2K3. I have a link further down with more on that. Here is the MS-Application Virtualization 4.5 Beta - download: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-MS-Application-Virtualization-BETA The Expo Evening Reception on Tuesday was packed and started TechEd off with a bang. Companies like HP, Dell, Intel and VMware had big booths. Like last year, there were a lot of third party vendors for SharePoint, and that product has now gone mainstream in a big way. Redmond Magazine's Editor Lafe Low was the one that correctly located the interesting new Third party product announcements at Tech.Ed. He found three good ones: VIPRE Enterprise from Sunbelt Software docBlock for SharePoint from Black Blade Associates, and GroupID from Imanami I'll just give you the link to the article instead of repeating him: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Tech-Ed-Third-Party Gates is known to poke fun at himself, and he showed a funny video about his last day as Chairman with lots of superstar cameo appearances like George Clooney and Matthew McConaughey, musicians Bono and Jay-Z, and politicians Hilary Clinton, Barak Obama, John McCain, plus Al Gore. Here is a video tribute of former Redmond spoofs at NetworkWorld: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Gates-Video Sunbelt's Creative Director Robert Lafollette was at the show and created a nice Tech.Ed Photo Gallery with more than just shots of the Sunbelt Booth. If you could not make it, this will give you an idea: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-TechED-Gallery Last but not least, Microsoft makes a lot of stuff available via their 'PressPass' site. There are lots of videos about the new releases, blogs, keynotes, white papers, and more. Start here and stay on the right side of the site for the IT PRO section, and click on More Press Resources: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Microsoft-PressPass Sunbelt Exchange Archiver Webcast June 24 at 1pm EST Join us for a look at Sunbelt Software's Exchange email archiving and compliance solution, Sunbelt Exchange Archiver. If you need a powerful, easy to use, enterprise-class email archiving tool that automatically enables you to comply with all requirements, and allows you or your end-users to transparently retrieve any archived email, then don't miss this webinar! The webinar will explain the features and benefits of implementing a powerful email archiving solution on your Exchange Server at an affordable price. Learn how Sunbelt Exchange Archiver can help you: Improve Exchange performance Eliminate PST headaches Dramatically reduce backup times Use up to 80% smaller message store Meet compliance requirements And more http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Sunbelt-Exchange-Archiver-Webcast Quote of the Week "There is no moment like the present. The man who will not execute his resolutions when they are fresh upon him can have no hope from them afterwards: they will be dissipated, lost, and perish in the hurry and scurry of the world, or sunk in the slough of indolence". -- Maria Edgeworth (1767-1849, British Writer) Warm regards, and thank you for being a WServerNews subscriber. Please tell your friends about us. They can subscribe here: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Subscribe Hope you enjoy this issue of WServerNews! Warm regards, Stu  |   Email me: feedback@wservernews.com Sunbelt Exchange Archiver Wins 'Most Valuable Product' Award The in-depth review of SEA in Redmond Magazine said: "Sunbelt Exchange Archiver makes e-mail archiving and retrieval accessible to the rest of us. In particular, the installation and user documentation are among the best I've seen, and help make the product very usable. If you have a good reason for ensuring your e-mail archives are accurate and easily accessible, Exchange Archiver may be the best way of achieving those goals." Read the full review: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-SEA-Review Register for a one-on-one product walk-through over here: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Sunbelt-Exchange-Archiver Admin Toolbox Admin Tools We Think You Shouldn't Be Without New! PerfectDisk 2008 defragger w/ unattended defrag & exclusive VMware and ESX support. Vista Certified by Microsoft. Free evals. http://www.wservernews.com/080616-PerfectDisk-2008 Download new Active Directory ebrief-Active Directory Operations. Click here for more details: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-ScriptLogic Free Web-based Online Directory, Self Service Editing, LCS/OCS Presence! Want more? Check out the other editions with Self-Service Password Reset. http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Web-Based-Online-Directory See an iPrism Web Filter demo; get a T-Shirt & Win a Plasma TV! http://www.wservernews.com/080616-iPrism-Web-Filter-Demo Tripwire(r) ConfigCheckTM is a free utility that assesses the security of VMware ESX 3.5 configurations compared to the VMware I3 Security Hardening guidelines: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Tripwire-ConfigCheck Tech Briefing TechEd Session Report: What's Coming in Windows PowerShell V2? The famous Bink.nu site reported on all the new goodies in the next version of PowerShell. If you use it, this is a must-read. And when you are done with the article, click HOME and there is more valuable Tech.Ed stuff, there is an interesting one called: "Microsoft IT: How Microsoft Does IT: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-PowerShell-V2 Optimizing Virtual Hard Disk Performance In Hyper-V Anil Desai, Contributor, at SearchServer wrote: "When it comes to managing performance, CPU and memory resources seem to get all the attention, possibly because these parameters are relatively easy to monitor. But are these squeaky wheels the real source of performance limitations? In many real-world deployments, storage performance is a common bottleneck that reduces scalability and decreases performance. This tip describes ways to optimize the performance of your virtual hard disks in Hyper-V. Story At: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Hyper-V-Virtual-Hard-Disk-Performance VIPRE Consumer Goes Into Beta 7 This beta version is now so solid that it might even get promoted to RC1. You can get the beta at the link below. This is a product that combines antivirus + antispyware in one. It's high-performance, uses half the memory during scanning compared to other AV tools and has blistering scan speeds: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-VIPRE-Beta-7 Free Desktop and Application Virtualization Seminar Independent expert Barb Goldworm will review the current state of desktop virtualization, application streaming and thin client computing, and offer a road map for IT managers who are developing strategies for the future. This event is coming Houston on July 29, and Atlanta and Washington D.C. in October. Seating is limited, register today! http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Virtualization-Seminar Tip: Hacking SQL Databases With Free Tools It only takes a few free security tools, a little luck and a malicious intent to put your SQL Server database at risk. SearchSQLServer.com contributor Kevin Beaver walks you through a real-world scenario of how a network insider can hack seemingly harmless databases. (registration required) http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Hacking-SQL-Databases Windows Server News New Windows Server 2008 Power Management Whitepaper Released I'm not sure if you are aware of the Windows Server Division Blog. But there is one, and it has good stuff now and then. This week, they came out with the following: "Customers tell us that energy-efficient computing is a top priority for them as they look to control energy costs and reduce their impact on the environment. With Windows Server 2008 we feel we have some very compelling technologies such as Server Virtualization with Hyper-V and the native Power Management capabilities of the platform, that are on by default, which will allow organizations to realize true power savings benefits." "Windows Server 2008 has the native ability, turned on by default, to throttle the amount of voltage to the CPU based on load. Ten times every second, Windows Server 2008 is evaluating the workload on the processor and adjusts the P-States accordingly. Our testing has shown up to a 10% power savings increase from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 while maintaining a comparable level of throughput." The whitepaper is linked in this interesting blog: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Windows-Server Windows Server 2008 RemoteApps Boost Terminal Services RemoteApps in Windows Server 2008 give Terminal Services administrators the ability to create a published desktop -- without the desktop. Independent expert Greg Shields shows you how in this tip. http://www.wservernews.com/080616-RemoteApps WServer Third Party News Beta-1 Of VIPRE Enterprise Is Now Available You are invited to download Beta-1 of VIPRE Enterprise. This is an exciting new product that's the End Of AV As You Know It. Note: Do not upgrade your current installation of CounterSpy Enterprise to VIPRE Enterprise at this time. If you upgrade your current version of CSE to VIPRE, it will revert to a status of expired trial mode. Check VIPRE's speed in your test-bed. VIPRE Enterprise FEATURES: POWERFUL, COMPREHENSIVE SCANNING AGENT TECHNOLOGY The VIPRE agent is based on the same technology as VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware for consumers. VIPRE Enterprise utilizes a high speed threat scanning engine that can scan large volumes of information for malware threats in a short period of time with limited performance impact on the end user's machine. With its optional agent user interface, users can stop and start scans and manage their own quarantine. REAL-TIME MONITORING WITH ACTIVE PROTECTION VIPRE's Active Protection delivers real time monitoring and protection against known and unknown malware threats. Active Protection works inside the Windows kernel, watching for malware and stopping it before it has a chance to execute on a user's system. ACTIVE PROTECTION INCORPORATES THREE METHODS TO PROTECT YOUR USERS: Signature matching comparing a file for an exact match against VIPRE's definition database Heuristic analysis, which looks at the internal characteristics of a file to determine the likelihood that it is malware Behavioral analysis, observing the actual actions of a program to determine if it is possibly malware MULTIPLE METHODS OF DEPLOYMENT VIPRE Enterprise supports multiple methods of agent deployment to allow you flexibility in how agents are pushed to your users' systems. Within the Admin Console, an agent deployment wizard helps you select a deployment option and assists you with your deployment configuration. (Silent push install, MSI file, AD Policy based on OU's, IP range and machine lists) POLICY-BASED MANAGEMENT VIPRE Enterprise has sophisticated policy creation and management functionality that gives you the flexibility to control scheduling of quick scans and deep scans, set scan options (including scanning of known locations, whether to scan cookies, and whether to scan running processes), and allow specific threats from the database. FLEXIBLE REPORTING VIPRE Enterprise's reporting features make it easy for you to schedule and customize its library of reports. A report scheduler allows you to easily schedule any report to run at a designated time with the ability to email reports to specified users; simplifying report distribution to management. Additionally, a custom report editor enables you to modify existing reports or create your own reports. VIPRE Enterprise is designed to replace both your antivirus and antispyware desktop applications. However, it is not recommended during the beta to do a full production rollout (for obvious reasons). VIPRE builds upon the existing mature and stable CounterSpy Enterprise platform with a series of significant improvements. Check out this microsite and click on the request beta button to get to the beta site and download the approx. 40Mb file. http://www.wservernews.com/080616-VIPRE-Enterprise Double-Take Announces Extensive Product Line for W2K8 Hyper-V Double-Take Software will release an edition of Double-Take specifically designed for Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, allowing IT administrators to easily and continuously replicate and failover entire virtual machines between Hyper-V hosts for V2V disaster recovery and remote availability. Support includes real-time physical-to-virtual (P2V) full system replication for migration and failover, and virtual-to-virtual (V2V) replication and failover for maximum uptime. "As customers begin to adopt Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, we want them to know that Double-Take Software offers the tools they need to successfully migrate to and then protect their Hyper-V based virtual infrastructure," said Dave Demlow, chief technology officer, Double-Take Software. Evals: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Double-Take WServerNews FAVE Links This Week's Links We Like. Tips, Hints And Fun Stuff. Steve Jobs's Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 107 minute keynote speech summarized in 60 Seconds - Introducing the iPhone 3G. OK, now I want one: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Jobs-in-60-seconds FAQ: Meet the new iPhone 3G. And do not count on a ZUNE Phone! http://www.wservernews.com/080616-iPhone-3G And here is the new ad for the iPhone 3G. "Twice the speed and half the price ($199). It also features "Assisted GPS": http://www.wservernews.com/080616-iPhone-3G-Ad But there always is a 'BUT' isn't there? iPhones are creating an increased security threat to businesses, especially when used with Wi-Fi networks, an Australian expert has warned. More of this article at InfoWorld: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-iPhone-Security-Threats High Speed Camera footage of a bullet passing through several items. We have all seen the apple, but how about a glass of milk or a Ketchup bottle? http://www.wservernews.com/080616-High-Speed-Camera A peregrine falcon reaches 180 mph (290 km/h) "skydiving" from a hot air balloon at 10,000 feet. http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Skydiving-Falcon How to destroy $1.4 billion in a matter of seconds. Watch the video and then read HOW it happened. It's the second bomber you want to watch for! http://www.wservernews.com/080616-B2-Crash Catching SPIT (spam over Internet telephony) is a lot harder than catching SPAM. A team of German scientists explain why: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Catching-SPIT Shape That Body! No, this is not an aerobics video. We are talking car body here. Instead of a metal or plastic body, BMW's latest concept car, the GINA Light Visionary Model, drapes a flexible fabric material over a moveable wire mesh frame, allowing the surface itself to be reshaped according to the owner's desire: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-BMW-Concept-Car Redmond's 'deep zoom' zeroes in on web images. Try the memorabilia section of the hardrock.com site, and see if you can find Madonna's high-school class picture, which thanks to deep zoom can fill your whole screen (you do need the SilverLight Beta 2 installed for this, but it's worth it) http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Deep-Zoom Need to calculate how much money you could save by turning off the power of lots of workstations? Here is the ready-made calculation sheet with definitions how they did it: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Power-Calculations These guys have coined the concept 'Sport Flying Revolution' and built the vehicle for it! Production is scheduled for 2010. I want one. Now: http://www.wservernews.com/080616-Sport-Flying-Revolution WServerNews - Product of the Week myPassword, Self-Service Active Directory Password Reset Product myPassword, our self-service Active Directory Password Reset product, works effortlessly with rDirectory, adding an Email based verification. Can be configured to send an email to a user to verify identity and provide an easy means of resetting passwords, unlocking accounts, or edit the password reset profile. We also added OWA Support where a link can be added to the outlook web access login prompt, providing users an easy way to reset their password then return to the OWA page. Enforced enrollment at logon tightens security as users struggle to remember their growing collection of ever-changing credentials. Eliminate Help Desk calls by 70%. Quick ROI. Purchase myPassword today! http://www.wservernews.com/080616-myPassword