Kurt Shintaku's Blog

What is Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF)?  MOF 4.0 provides relevant, practical, and accessible guidance for today’s IT pros. MOF strives to seamlessly blend business and IT goals while establishing and implementing reliable, cost-effective IT services. MOF is a free, downloadable framework that encompasses the entire service management lifecycle. (More information can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc506049.aspx)

Just one aspect of MOF is the MOF Technology Library.  The MOF Technology Library provides guidance and best practices to help IT pros better understand how to use MOF with Microsoft technologies. The first component of the library is a new series of reliability workbooks. These resources provide the knowledge, specific tasks, and schedules needed to keep technologies running smoothly so IT can deliver the services an organization expects. Each workbook includes maintenance and monitoring tasks, common risk areas, and standard changes for the ongoing care of specific technologies.   The workbooks can be found at (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee923724.aspx ). 

Downloadable Workbooks: (.ZIP files)

• MOF Reliability Workbook for SQL Server® 2008
• Administrator’s Guide for Reliability Workbooks.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Active Directory.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Active Directory Certificate Services.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Hyper-V.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Internet Information Services.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Microsoft Application Virtualization.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Network Load Balancing.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for System Center Operations Manager.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for System Center Virtual Machine Manager.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for User State Virtualization.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Windows Server 2008 DNS Server.
• MOF Reliability Workbook for Windows Server 2008 R2.

We are pleased to announce the availability of the first version of the SharePoint 2010 Administration Toolkit. In this toolkit we’ve included a couple of tools that were shipped releases and are now adapted to SharePoint 2010, along with two new tools.

• User Profile Replication Engine 2010 (UPRE2010): this tool got a complete overhaul and was converted to PowerShell. It now allows you to replicate Profile and Social data between SharePoint 2010’s User Profile Application (UPA), as well as backward compatibility with SharePoint 2007’s SSP. You can replicate between SSP’s or UPA services, as well as across versions. (Note that only Profile data can be replicated across versions, as SSP contains no Social activity tracking).
• The Security Configuration (SCW) Manifest: SCW is an attack surface reduction feature in Windows Server. This manifest adds roles for SharePoint 2010 Products to Windows Server 2008 with SP2 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
• The Content Management Interoperability Services (CMIS) Connector: enables SharePoint users to interact with content stored in any repository that has implemented the CMIS standard, as well as making SharePoint 2010 content available to any application that has implemented the CMIS standard.
• The Load Testing Kit (LTK): LTK generates a Visual Studio Team System 2008 (VSTS) load test based on Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 IIS logs. The VSTS load test can be used to generate synthetic load against Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 as part of a capacity planning exercise or a pre-upgrade stress test.

The toolkit can be downloaded from here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=718447d8-0814-427a-81c3-c9c3d84c456e&displaylang=en

The toolkit documentation can be found here:

• SharePoint Foundation 2010: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc508986.aspx
• SharePoint Server 2010: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc508851.aspx

You Don’t Want to Miss Out on 24 Hours of SQL Server Training
It’s that time again…24 Hours of PASS is upon us with 24 free live webcasts focused on the hottest SQL Server topics — due to be showcased at PASS Summit 2010 in Seattle this November. 

Join us for 24 Hours of PASS on September 15 and 16 and enjoy our Summit Preview.  This installment is set up with a twist. Instead of running continuously for 24 hours, the September event divides the webcasts across 2 days, with each day beginning at 12:00 GMT (UTC).

The roster of phenomenal speakers features many MVPs and top rated presenters who will give you a taste of what’s on offer at PASS Summit 2010. Check out all the great SQL Server sessions you can attend for FREE. 

We’re looking forward to having you join us. Please contact us at 24hrs at sqlpass dot org with any questions.

REGISTER NOW:
https://www323.livemeeting.com/lrs/8000181573/Registration.aspx?pageName=l1w1cffs73tjt5hn

Rather than reinvent the wheel, here’s the Exchange product groups announcement of SP1 from their blog:

The Future of Exchange Starts Here: Exchange Server 2010 SP1 Is Now Available

You have been eagerly waiting, and we have been working hard over the summer to deliver the latest Exchange Server 2010 enhancements as soon as possible. I am extremely happy to announce the availability of Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1, ready for download here.

We released the SP1 beta at Tech Ed North America in June. We also shared some of the SP1 enhancements in Yes Virginia, there is an Exchange Server 2010 SP1 back in April. Since then, almost 500,000 SP1 mailboxes have gone into production in Technology Adoption Program (TAP) customer environments.

Rather than recap all the SP1 features, I want to let a few of our Exchange TAP customers tell you what they loved.

…

[READ MORE AT: http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2010/08/25/455861.aspx]

If you’ve ever used the XBox 360 Kinect for any decent amount of time and thought about what it’s potential is, you surely have thought about the “spellcaster” scenario where through a mixture of voice/verbal commands and hand gestures one could literally cast a spell within an Xbox 360 game providing all the realism that fantasy game players have wanted for so long.

Well, it’s being worked on.  Meet Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows for Xbox 360 Kinect:

…

The new game is an adaptation of the upcoming movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) and it lets you perform spells with just your hands. For example, players can use stupefy, expelliarmus, protego, windgardium leviosa, and others by moving their arms and hands in particular motions. (No actual magic wand is required).

For Harry Potter fans, this one’s going to be a must-have.  For everyone else, there are plenty of other Kinect titles to choose from. You can keep track of the growing list here.

[READ MORE AT: http://on10.net/blogs/sarahintampa/Magical-Kinect-Demoed-by-Harry-Potter-Actors/]

The photo above is an actual screen shot of the game in progress per the Electronic Arts web site at http://harrypotter.ea.com/UK/

The latest release in the Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta review program is a new security baseline for Microsoft^® Exchange Server 2007.

This resource is an exciting new addition to the security baselines released earlier this year that can be used in combination with the Security Compliance Manager tool. The Exchange Server 2007 Security Baseline represents some of the most prescriptive and detailed security guidance to date from Microsoft for Exchange Server 2007. It works within the Security Compliance Manager tool, which allows you to use automated tools based on Windows PowerShell^TM to set, customize, and monitor computers running Exchange Server 2007 for compliance with organizational policies.

• To download the beta release of the Exchange Server 2007 Security Baseline, join the Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta review program in Microsoft Connect: https://connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx? ProgramID=5758&InvitationID=SOL-D2BR-VFJ2&SiteID=715

Once you’re a member, use the Download link in the upper left hand corner of the page. For detailed instructions about how to import the downloaded file into the Security Compliance Manager tool, refer to the program description page: https://connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=17624&SiteID=715

Note: The Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Security Baseline requires Security Compliance Manager (SCM) v1.1. If you are running SCM v1.0, you must upgrade SCM before importing the baseline. Otherwise, the import process will fail.

Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta Review Program
The Security Solution Accelerators team is developing new baselines and settings, all of which are designed to help your organization plan and deploy security baselines with ease and confidence. These new baselines and supporting best-practice guidance are available as part of the Security Compliance Manager Baseline Beta review program. The scope of this program includes baselines for Exchange Server 2007, Office 2010, SQL Server® 2008, SQL Server 2008® R2, and Windows Server 2008® R2; and setting packs for Windows® 7 and Internet Explorer® 8.

The beta releases in this program are formatted to be imported for use in the Security Compliance Manager tool, which released in early 2010. This powerful tool provides guidance to work with other tools and features of Microsoft products to help you plan, deploy, and monitor your security baselines. The tool enables you to access and automate all of your organization’s baselines in one centralized location, balancing your needs for security and functionality.

To learn more about the Security Compliance Manager tool, visit the TechNet Library: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113940

To download the tool, click here: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/? LinkId=182512

Remote Desktop Services Component Architecture Poster
This poster provides a visual reference for understanding key Remote Desktop Services technologies in Windows Server 2008 R2. It explains the functions and roles of Remote Desktop Session Host, Remote Desktop Virtualization Host, Remote Desktop Connection Broker, Remote Desktop Web Access, Remote Desktop Gateway, RemoteFX and Remote Desktop Licensing.

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/9/5/795935E3-C3BE-4F63-A621-513858951911/Remote-Desktop-Services-Component-Architecture.pdf

Windows Server 2008 R2: Hyper-V Component Architecture
This poster provides a visual reference for understanding key Hyper-V technologies in Windows Server 2008 R2. It focuses on architecture, snapshots, live migration, virtual networking, storage, and import/export.

• http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=5567b22a-8c47-4840-a88d-23146fd93151

Windows Server 2008 R2 Feature Components Poster
This poster provides a visual reference for understanding key technologies in Windows Server 2008 R2. It focuses on Active Directory Domain Services, Hyper-V, Internet Information Services, Remote Desktop Services (including Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)), BranchCache, and DirectAccess technologies. In addition, updates to core file services and server management are illustrated. You can use this poster in conjunction with the previously published Windows Server 2008 Component Posters.

• http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=64A5CC28-F8A1-4B30-A4A2-455C65BDA8D7&displaylang=en

Windows Server 2008 Component Posters
These two posters, originally published in the July 2007 issue of TechNet Magazine, provide a strong visual tool to aide in the understanding of various features and components of Windows Server 2008. One poster focuses exclusively on powerful new Active Directory technologies, while the other provides a technical look at a variety of new features available in Windows Server 2008 (such as Server Core, Network Access Protection, and more).

• http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=C2B9E44E-0BBD-47CB-BC09-B3D48BE7F867&displaylang=en

Windows Server 2008 R2 Virtual Hands On Lab:
BranchCache, Remote Desktop Services, Direct Access, and Power Management

Overview
Windows Server 2008 R2 provides a productive server platform because it offers cost-effective virtualization, power saving capabilities, and a superior experience for end users. In this Hands-on Lab we will focus on the Windows Server 2008 R2 features that enable Administrators to streamline access to data and applications, especially from remote locations: BranchCache, Remote Desktop Services and Direct Access. We will also review how IT administrators can better measure and manage power consumption. Topics include:

• Branch Cache
• Publishing application using Remote Desktop Services RemoteApp
• DirectAccess and Power Management

Register Now:
This special, no charge training event will fill quickly and space is limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible to reserve your seat.
This is a private training.  If you are a customer of mine, please contact me for registration information.

What is a virtual hands-on-lab:
This isn’t your typical IT class. A hands-on lab online is an invite only event that combines LiveMeeting with a virtual lab. Attendees and presenters login from anywhere. Attendees watch a brief LiveMeeting presentation, then spend most of the time getting hands-on experience working through all, or just self-selected modules of the entire lab – at their own pace, and receive real–time, personal, one-on-one attention from the presenter. In addition, there’s a proctor available for technical support and to answer more attendee questions.

Date:
September 1^st 2010

Time:
9:00am – 1:00pm Pacific Time

Location:
Virtual Hands On Lab Classroom.

Target Audience:
IT Pro, IT Manager

Before the Event:

• Check virtual lab for your computer http://test.vlabcenter.com/hv/default.aspx
• Install the ActiveX control. The Microsoft "Virtual Machine Remote Control" ActiveX control is required to start the virtual lab.
• Review system requirements.
• If you have any issues, please contact support.

Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Access is a tool for migrating databases from Microsoft Access to SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2. SSMA 2008 for Access also supports migrating to SQL Azure.

SSMA for Access converts Access database objects to SQL Server database objects, loads those objects into SQL Server, and then migrates data from Access to SQL Server. You can also link Access tables to SQL Server tables so that you can continue to use your existing Access front-end applications with SQL Server or SQL Azure.

SSMA for Access supports migration from Access 97 and higher to any edition of SQL Server.

Requirements for the SSMA for Access:

• Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 or a later version.
• The Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 or a later version. The .NET Framework version 2.0 is available on the SQL Server product media. You can also obtain it from the .NET Framework Developer Center Web site.
• The ability to access the computer that hosts the target instance of SQL Server.
• DAO provider version 12.0 or 14.0. You can install DAO provider from Microsoft Office 2010/2007 product or download it from Microsoft web site.
• Microsoft SQL Server Native Client (SNAC) version 10.5 and above for migrating to SQL Azure. You can install SNAC from Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 product or download it from Microsoft web site (SQL Server 2008 R2 Feature Pack).
• At least 1 GB RAM.

DOWNLOAD: Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access v4.2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5abe098d-c7e1-46c6-994a-09a2856eef0b&displaylang=en

I seriously think I caught that salmonella thing when I ate at a bunch of small dishes at a restaurant downtown that I won’t mention.  The incident left me sick enough that I had to cancel a weeks worth of meetings while trying to get back on my feet.

Lemme tell you – I wouldn’t wish that experience on my worst enemy.

Then I had a offsite business meeting Mon-Wed this week so I’ve been simply unable to post for 10 days.

But I’m back.  So here we go again.