leedesmond’s blog

Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 client for Windows XP SP2 enables users of this still very popular OS to gain access to the enhanced and new exciting Terminal Services features via RDP on Windows Server 2008 (on top of legacy remote desktops or terminal servers). RDC 6.1 for XP SP2 adds to a similarly named client for Vista SP1, Windows Server 2008 and Windows XP SP3 released recently*.

Check out KB952155 for details and download information.

* search for “Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Available” on this blog

Technorati tags: Windows Server 2008, Windows XP

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Today marks a great milestone with the official announcement of Hyper-V going RTM*, Microsoft’s highly anticipated server virtualization platform shipped as part of or separate from x64-only editions of Windows Server 2008 / Server Core.

Grab the final bits at the Microsoft download site now (KB950050) or if you are patient enough, wait till 8 July 2008 for its general availability on the Windows Update site. RTM version will show up as 6.0.6001.18016 in Hyper-V Manager. Click here to learn more about Virtualization and Consolidation with Hyper-V.

Thinking of using Hyper-V to virtualize your Exchange Server 2007 infrastructure? Then read more here.

* official press release

TIP
—–
Commit or discard all snapshots then shutdown your VMs prior to upgrading to Hyper-V RTM (VM saved states are incompatible). Recommended to run setup in the VMs to put on the released version of Hyper-V Integration components.
—–

Es ist offiziell angekündigt. Hyper-V ist für die x64 Ausgabe von Windows Server 2008 / Server Core bereits als RTM Version zum Download erhältlich (KB950050). Falls Sie darauf noch warten wollen, wird Hyper-V am 8.7.08 auf Windows Update verfügbar. Die RTM version wird in Hyper-V Manager als Version 6.0.6001.18016 gezeigt. Mehr über das Thema Virtualisierung und Konsolidierung mit Hyper-V erfahren Sie hier (nun Englisch).

Haben Sie Interesse, Ihre Exchange Server 2007 Infrastruktur zu virtualisieren? Dann bitte wenden Sie sich an diesen Beitrag hier.

Technorati tags: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server Virtualization, Hyper-V

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A short video showing the essential steps for a basic setup and configuration of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 SP1 on Windows Server 2008 RTM.

Eine kurze Videoaufnahme, die über die Installation und Konfiguration Anleitung von Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 SP1 auf Windows Server 2008 RTM zu zeigen.

[ click for Flash version ]

Created with TechSmith’s Camtasia Studio 5.

Technorati tags: Windows Server 2008, Windows SharePoint Services, WSS

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Windows SharePoint Services comes as a separate, free download for installation on Windows Server 2008 RTM. Simply running the original release of WSS 3.0 executable (download) will not work:

[Window Title]
Program Compatibility Assistant

[Main Instruction]
This program is blocked due to compatibility issues

[Expanded Information]
You must install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 with the most recent service pack. Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 without service packs has a known compatibility issue with this version of Windows.

[^] Hide details [Check for solutions online] [Cancel]

Without WSS 3.0 already installed, executing the standalone SP1 for WSS 3.0 (download) will fail as well:

—————————
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
—————————
There are no products affected by this package installed on this system.
—————————
OK
—————————

The only supported scenario is to download WSS 3.0 with SP1 already integrated. To successfully run the setup on Windows Server 2008 RTM, ensure that .NET Framework 3.0 is installed beforehand to avoid the error here:

—————————
Setup Errors
—————————
Setup is unable to proceed due to the following error(s):
This product requires at least Windows Workflow Foundation version 3.0.4203.2, which is part of the .NET Framework 3.0.
Correct the issue(s) listed above and re-run setup.

—————————
OK ?
—————————

Using the command line version of Server Manager, the syntax to install the .NET Framework and all sub features looks like this:

servermanagercmd -install NET-Framework -allSubFeatures

Technorati tags: Windows Server 2008, Windows SharePoint Services, WSS

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A lot of heated community discussions were recently raised regarding the way PowerShell is implemented in the upcoming Microsoft SQL Server 2008. This is largely due to what Jeffrey Snover termed as MiniShell, a new but closed, non-extensible, re-produceable PowerShell environment with certain defined cmdlets and providers.

The idea of MiniShell is to allow execution of ad-hoc operations that can assist in isolation of application specific issues due to .NET versioning or plug-in conflicts from different programs, for example, to help PSS pinpoint the root cause. The SQL team’s implementation, however, failed to meet the original intent of correctly deploying MiniShell to keep the database platform safe and reliable for real-world production use.

Apparently it is already too late to make any changes at this RC0 stage of SQL Server 2008. Jeffrey mentioned that the PowerShell and SQL teams endeavor to address this shortcoming “at their next opportunity”. As a workaround, it is possible to launch PowerShell at the MiniShell prompt by adding the desired snap-ins manually (including SQL ones) or through the use of a console file.

Keep those feedback coming but please maintain constructive criticisms, so Jeffrey.

Technorati tags: PowerShell, SQL Server 200x/2008

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In a single-site or multi-site remote access topology, there are variations of the basic remote access topology you can consider adopting in the deployment of the various OCS 2007 Edge Server roles.

Whether you implement dedicated roles on standalone machines, consolidate roles (collocation) onto one physical box or build a bank of Edge Servers, dedicated or collocated roles, sandwiched by Hardware Local Balancers design for scalability and performance in the perimeter network, this chart should give you a good idea of what are the recommended and supported remote access topologies for OCS 2007.

Technorati tags: LCS/OCS, OCS 2007, Unified Communications

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Join us at our last monthly event for IT Pros by IT Pros before the annual August summer break. One of the most anticipated and hottest topic this year, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Release Candidate 0 (RC0) is now available for TechNet Subscribers so its a good time to look at what’s new!

If you were around when SQL Server 2005 launched, you would have been overwhelmed with the new features and enhancements that were presented there, and this version stays true to the relative awe and wonder of its predecessor.

Come listen to our resident SQL Server expert, Charley Hanania, on the evening of Tue 1 July 2008 in Zurich. Registration and more information here.

This free monthly event would not be possible without the continuing support of our sponsors Digicomp, Microsoft Schweiz, speakers and volunteers for the IT Pro community.

Technorati tags: User Group, SQL Server 200x/2008

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Found a great post that explains how to determine if your server box meets this mandatory hardware criteria (Intel VT or AMD-V) in order to support Hyper-V. See a related post here.

 Dieser Beitrag sollte Ihnen helfen, Ihren Serverkisten ihre Hardwarevirtualisierung Fähigkeit (Intel VT oder AMD-V) zu überprüfen. Sehe ein ähliches Dokument hier.

See also:
- Intel Processor Identification Utility (link)

Technorati tags: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server Virtualization, Hyper-V

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Always wanted to do something sensationally different and still no plans yet for the summer? Interested to explore the vast open waters of mother-earth but have no idea where to start under safe, fun conditions and good company? Want to stay away from the computer and spend some quality time getting wet? No time to exercise those lazy muscles of yours?

I would like to share this piece of news I received with all of you out there. A well-established dive-shop in Zürich is planning to organize the PADI Open Water Diver course this summer. Depending on demand, this scuba diving course run by certified instructors will be specially conducted in the English language, with the first session scheduled to start sometime mid July 2008 (subject to change).

If you answer Yes to any of the above questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with me for more details. You can also register for a free account on this blog and post your comments (your email and other details remain private).

As always, I am keen to get to know new people anywhere in the world who are looking for diving mates / dive buddies, so write me soon. Next on the list would be the dry-suite course around Zurich, a must for the challenging continental European diving conditions (lakes, sea, oceans, ice, etc.). Any one like to join?

Technorati tags: Scuba Diving

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The Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 client update enables access to the new Terminal Services features shipped on Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP1. Highlights include TS Web Access (for published TS RemoteApp*), TS Easy Print, Plug and Play device redirection and enhanced security with support for Network Level Authentication and Server Authentication.

You can only deploy RDC 6.1 (already shipped as part of) on supported operating systems running Windows Server 2008, Vista SP1 or Windows XP SP3 in order to make use of the new features. This update continues to support classic use of connecting to remote Windows desktops or legacy terminal servers via RDP.

About Remote Desktop Connection will indicate 6.0.6001 for both Shell Version and Control Version, with Network Level Authentication supported and Remote Desktop Protocol 6.1 supported.

More details and download at source.

* at the last TechNet and MSDN 2007/2008 Roadshow in the gulf region, I showed RDC 6.1 that was included in Windows Vista SP1 beta to run the live demo of WS08 TS RemoteApp

Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 ist ab sofort erhältlich, mit dennen steht die neue Terminal Services Funktionalität wie TS Web Access, TS Easy Print, usw. auf Windows Server 2008 und Vista SP1 zur Verfügung. Verbindung mit alten Windows Versionen wird weiter unterstützt. Der Einsatz von RDC 6.1 auf Windows Server 2008, Vista SP1 oder Windows XP SP3 ist jedoch erforderlich. Mehr dazu hier.

Technorati tags: Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Vista

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