Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Improving how businesses deliver applications in a dynamic world

If you missed Citrix iForum then you haven’t heard the latest!

Attend this seminar and hear what’s new in Windows Terminal Services and Citrix Presentation Server™ solutions. Citrix and Microsoft will share how their solutions will enable your business to keep up with the pace of change in a dynamic world.

Join us and learn how Windows Terminal Services 2008 and Citrix Presentation Server will enable your company to meet demands for end-to-end application delivery and virtualization. Spend the day with Microsoft and Citrix and learn the latest about their strategic alliance, new product enhancements and innovative solutions that improve the delivery of Windows applications throughout your organization.

Join us and learn more about…

• The Citrix & Microsoft strategic partnership
• Our joint commitment to delivering best overall application virtualization
• Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services and beyond
• Citrix Presentation Server™ application Delivery Infrastructure
• Delivering applications in a dynamic world

Get the information you missed at Citrix iForum 2007.
…be the lucky one to walk away with a Microsoft Zune!  (1 winner at each event) 

REGISTER NOW

• IRVINE, CA – January 22, 2007
  (http://www.registerandcompute.com/btsirv)
• SAN DIEGO, CA – January 23, 2007
  (http://www.registerandcompute.com/btssd)
• LOS ANGELES, CA – January 24, 2007
  (http://www.registerandcompute.com/btsla)

Sign up and join us!

Looking to transform the way you manage your desktops?  The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) for Software Assurance will enable you to better control the desktop, accelerate and simplify desktop deployments and management, and create a dynamic infrastructure by turning software into centrally managed services.

Join us for the day as you’ll learn how to improve PC manageability, accelerate and simplify desktop deployments and migrations, and enhance change management process and roll backs. 

Lab seats are limited! Register today!

Workshop topics include:

• Overview of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance
• System requirements for Microsoft Application Virtualization
• Installation of Microsoft Application Virtualization server and clients
• Packaging and deploying applications with Microsoft Application Virtualization               
• Microsoft Application Virtualization client overview
• Microsoft Application Virtualization management console overview
• License tracking with Microsoft Application Virtualization
• Questions & Answers

Audience:
This hands-on lab is for IT Professionals in job roles like infrastructure specialists, network administrators, directory administrators, management specialists, storage and data administrators and client support. This hands-on workshop is limited to 30 attendees.

Date:
Irvine – January 22, 2008
Los Angeles – January 23, 2008

Time:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration begins at 8:30 AM
(Breakfast, lunch and parking included)

Registration:
If you are a customer of mine, please contact me for registration information and details.  Space is limited to 30 customers therefore only invited and registered customers will be admitted.

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Solution Accelerator is an integrated platform with tools and guidance that make it easier for you to assess your current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for your IT needs.

It offers easy inventory, powerful assessment and actionable recommendations for:

• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server Virtualization (Hyper-V)
• Terminal Services
• SoftGrid
• System Center Virtual Machine Manager
• Windows Vista
• 2007 Microsoft Office

The popular Windows Vista Hardware Assessment readiness tool will be integrated into this platform.

This automation tool helps IT professionals and consultants like you establish a clearer understanding of your infrastructure, desktop and virtualization needs through network-wide assessment of your assets including desktops, laptops, servers, applications and network devices. Actionable recommendations are provided through the auto-generated migration proposal reports and documents.

In addition, the new MAP user interface also offers a "resource center" where users can download other relevant tools and useful resources such as white papers and technical guidance from Microsoft and other sources from the IT community.

REGISTER:  http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7949201

December 12 – Wednesday, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd announced the release of its new 8” Digital Photo Frame based on technology developed by Microsoft Research and licensed from Microsoft. 

The first will be a 8-inch Digital Photo Frame called the SPH-72H with an optional wireless network-ready version dubbed SPH-72V.  The optional wireless adapter edition will enable the frame to display photos stored on either Windows Vista-based PCs in the home, pictures stored on a Windows Live Space, or graphics from any RSS feed-enabled photo site.  This collaboration follows a patent cross-licensing agreement by the two companies last April. 

Interestingly, the SPH-72H will feature a built-in speaker to play MP3 music and movie clips through the capabilities of the Microsoft technology built into it.  The digital frame will also offer in-built memory, a 4-in-1 memory card reader and the ability to connect a USB drive.

Available for $249 from eCost.
http://www.ecost.com/Detail.aspx?EDP=38467589

It’s a big day for Microsoft virtualization! Today, we are announcing the public release of Windows Server 2008 RC1 with Hyper-V Beta!

A few highlights include:

1. Quick Migration and high availability providing solutions for planned and unplanned downtime
2. Support for running Hyper-V with Server Core in the parent partition
3. Import/Export of virtual machines
4. Hyper-V now integrated with Windows Server Manager
5. Integration components are now included in Windows Server 2008 meaning that when you install Windows Server 2008 in a Hyper-V virtual machine, Windows will automatically install the ICs.
6. VHD Tools support (compaction, expansion and inspection)
7. Emulated video card has changed from an S3 Trio video card to a more generic VESA compatible device. (This change resolves numerous video issues with non-Windows operating systems like Linux).
8. Support for up to four virtual SCSI controllers per virtual machine
9. Numerous fixes for compatibility, performance and scalability

For further details including migrating virtual machines from the CTP release to the Hyper-V Beta, see attachment. The build number for the official Hyper-V Beta is: 6001.17119.071210-1916_amd64fre_Server_en-us-KR1SXFRE_EN_DVD. In case you’re wondering this build is a slight update from the build we provided internally last week, however, the Hyper-V Beta bits are IDENTICAL…

In addition to the Hyper-V Beta release today, we are also releasing Beta integration components for Linux, specifically SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 through connect.microsoft.com!

Windows Server 2008 RC1 with Hyper-V Beta is publicly available here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=8F22F69E-D1AF-49F0-8236-2B742B354919&displaylang=en

Beta Integration Components for Linux available through connect.microsoft.com:

1. Login to https://connect.microsoft.com/default.aspx
2. Click on Available Connections in the left panel.
3. Review the available programs and apply for the Linux Integration Components for Microsoft Hyper-V.

Want to see some demonstrations of Hyper-V support in Windows Server 2008?

Symmetric Multiprocessing with Windows Server virtualization (Hyper-V) (0:56)
One of the features of Hyper-V is the support for SMP, which allows customers to run Virtual Machines configured for either 1, 2, and 4 processors on a single server. And that server can be running both 32-bit and 64-bit server OSes, both Windows and Linux. This demo was recorded in October 2007.

Virtual networking with Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V (0:57)
This demo discusses integrated virtual switches within Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V (formerly called Windows Server virtualization), and support for V-LANs. This demo was created in October 2007.

Virtual storage for Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V (1:02)
Do you wonder how much storage can be attached to a virtual machine? If so, this demo of Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V is for you. The demo shows how you can add a virtual SCSI controller and virtual disk drive. Note that Hyper-V is the final feature name; codename was Windows Server virtualization. This demo was created in October 2007.

A customer pointed this out to me the other day:

Excel 2007 Bug Displays Wrong Result
September 26th, 2007
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/005532.html

The issue is that in some situations, running certain calculations involving a resulting sum of 65535 can result in incorrect results.  Obviously, this has been patched since September and was documented on the Excel blog along with the release of the patch on October 9th.

Calculation Issue Update (Fix Available)
October 9th, 2007
http://blogs.msdn.com/excel/archive/2007/10/09/calculation-issue-update-fix-available.aspx

It is noted by some folks online that the hotfix will not install correctly unless you have Windows Installer 3.1 v2 on your machine.

Windows Installer 3.1 v2 (KB893803)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893803

In case you’re interested, a 3rd party literally disassembled Excel 2007 and has written a paper about what originally caused the bug and how the hotfix fixes the problem.

Chris Lomont’s Analysis of the Q943075 bug
"I show why precisely the 12 values format incorrectly, what changed from earlier versions, and how the hotfix corrects the bug."
http://www.lomont.org/Math/Papers/2007/Excel2007/Excel2007Bug.pdf

The hotfix is of course available as part of Office 2007 Service Pack 1.

2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (218.3MB)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9EC51594-992C-4165-A997-25DA01F388F5&displaylang=en

Just posted, the software for Windows Media Services 2008 is now online.  Of note is the fact that all first wave languages have been released for this RC:  English, Spanish, Japanese, French and German.

There are two key new features.  (There’s more but here’s the primary features)

1. Cache/Proxy Plug-in
   The built-in WMS Cache/Proxy plug-in can be used to configure a Windows Media server either as a cache/proxy server or as a reverse proxy server so that it can provide caching and proxy support to other Windows Media servers. By caching and proxying your digital media content, you can reduce operating costs and provide a better viewing experience for users by conserving network bandwidth, decreasing network-imposed latency, and offsetting the load on the origin server. For more information about this very useful feature, see the online help page on Cache Proxy Plug-in
2. Windows Server 2008 Server Core Support
   Support for the Server Core installation option. A server running the Server Core installation option of the Windows Server 2008 operating system now supports the Streaming Media Services role, which includes Windows Media Services. A Server Core installation provides a minimal environment for running a Windows Media server, which reduces the maintenance and management requirements and the attack surface. For more information about the Server Core installation option, see online Server Core Step-by-Step Guide.

There’s a few primary benefits.

Microsoft Windows Media Services is an industrial-strength platform for streaming live or on-demand audio and video content over the Internet or an intranet. Use Windows Media Services to configure and manage one or more Windows Media servers that deliver your content to clients.

Your clients can be:

• Computers or devices that play the content using a player, such as Windows Media Player.
• Computers running Windows Media Services that are proxying, caching, or redistributing your content.
• Custom applications that have been developed using the Windows Media Software Development Kit (SDK).
• Silverlight-based web applications also support streaming from Windows Media Services 2008. Please refer to Silverlight documentation to get up-to-date information on the level of support included.

The new built-in Cache Proxy plug-in enables the edge servers in the network to be Cache Proxy servers. This allows these edge servers to cache the content for on-demand streaming and split the stream for the live streaming events. This reduces network traffic and results in significant bandwidth savings and improved network and origin server performance. For more information, see the online help page on Cache Proxy Plug-in

The Server Core installation support allows you to have Windows Media Services deployed on servers that have minimal servicing needs and reduced attack surface. This also reduces the overall server footprint and thus allows to run Windows Media Services on a server with lower hardware configuratoin. This feature combined with the Cache/Proxy plug-in serves as a great edge server solution.

Windows Media Services 2008 can be used with IIS7 to enable web sites to have enhanced streaming media capabilities.

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DOWNLOAD:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=a7c2f438-90ee-4220-81d9-fc9965b2155d

IIS DOWNLOAD CENTER:
http://www.iis.net/downloads/default.aspx?tabid=34&g=6&i=1481

WINDOWS MEDIA INFORMATION PAGE:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/serve/prodinfo2008.aspx

KNOWLEDGEBASE ARTICLE:  "How to Install Windows Media Services for Windows Server 2008"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934518

<taken from http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2007/12/11/announcing-the-release-of-wss-3-0-sp1-and-office-sharepoint-server-2007-sp1.aspx>

—————————

I’m excited to announce the release of SP1 for WSS 3.0 and Office SharePoint Server 2007.  Before you install the service pack there are some very important things to understand.  In this post I’ll try to provide you with the resources you need to be successful in updating to the latest service pack.  Please do NOT simply drop to the bottom and find the links and download and install directly on your production environments.  It is essential that you understand the appropriate guidance and test out the patch in a separate test environment.  For this purpose we have put together a special SP1 page on TechNet to guide you through the process.  The more you know the better prepared you’ll be for updating your environment.

Overview and What’s Included
For information on what’s included in the service pack view the Announcing WSS 3.0 and MOSS SP1 article from TechNet.  This information will be important from both a business and technical perspective to support installing SP1.  The KB "Description of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 and of Windows SharePoint Services Language Pack 3.0 Service Pack 1" in addition is a must read.  It includes a link to a list of fixes included in WSS SP1.  For Office SharePoint Server 2007 SP1 another KB has been posted with a downloadable Office Servers list of fixes.

Note: On SharePoint Server 2007 environments, WSS 3.0 SP1 should be installed before SharePoint Server 2007 SP1.

Critical Planning and Deployment & Installation Information
Next before installing each service pack please read the corresponding planning and deployment guidance which is critical to a smooth update:

• Deploying software updates for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
• Planning and deploying SP1 for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server

How to obtain and to install the service packs
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 SP1 and Windows SharePoint Services Language Pack 3.0 SP1 are located at the Microsoft Download Center. To download the service packs and to obtain installation instructions and deployment strategies, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

WSS 3.0 SP1

• SP1 existing deployments:
• Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 SP1, 32-bit edition and 64-bit edition
• Windows SharePoint Services Language Pack 3.0 SP1, 32-bit edition, 64-bit edition
• WSS 3.0 with SP1 for new installations:
• WSS with SP1 Slipstream – Not to confuse you, but to simplify installation we have created a special WSS with SP1 slipstream which essentially it is the full WSS 3.0 with SP1. It is designed to make installs, especially on Windows Server 2008, easier.  Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 with Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 SP1 32-bit edition, 64-bit edition

Office SharePoint Server 2007

• Office SharePoint Server 2007 SP1 (includes SP1 for Project Server, Forms Server, and Groove) 32-bit edition and 64-bit edition
• Office SharePoint Server 2007 Language Pack 3.0 SP1 32-bit edition, 64-bit edition

SharePoint Designer 2007

• · SharePoint Designer SP1
• · SharePoint Designer Language Pack SP1

Patches for all Office System products are available on Microsoft Update (recommended), Office Update and the Download Center with a few exceptions. Windows SharePoint Services and the WSS Language Packs are live on Windows Update and Microsoft Update. For those customers with low bandwidth, CDs will be available for order after January 15th for a small shipping and handling fee from a link off the Download Details page.

The doozy is that first Service Pack – the 218MB download for the traditional Office suite install that covers ALL editions of Office 2007 including Basic, Enterprise, Home & Student, Professional, Ultimate, etc. along with the individual suite-based products:

• Microsoft® Office Access® 2007
• Microsoft® Office Excel® 2007
• Microsoft® Office InfoPath® 2007
• Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2007
• Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2007
• Microsoft® Office Publisher® 2007
• Microsoft® Office Word 2007
• Microsoft® Office OneNote® 2007
• Microsoft® Office Groove® 2007

DOWNLOAD: 

• 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (218.3MB)

For all other products, there are individual downloads for each.

DOWNLOAD:

• Visio 2007 Service Pack 1
• Project 2007 Service Pack 1
• SharePoint Designer 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
• Microsoft Office Servers Service Pack 1 (SP1)
  Supports the following Server products:
  (Requires the installation of Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0 Service Pack 1)
• Sharepoint Server 2007
• Project Server 2007
• Forms Server 2007
• Groove Server 2007
• Calendar Printing Assistant for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1)