IT Pro Tips

February 2008 - Posts

• SQL Server 2008: Declarative Management Framework (DMF)

  By Ronald Barrett Day to day management of SQL Servers can be a time consuming task, especially in large data intensive environments. SQL Server 2008 has introduced a management tool to help alleviate some of the Administrative overhead associated with database management. Before we move into the Virtual Lab let’s define what DMF is and then we will look at what the Virtual Lab will teach us. To begin with, Declarative Management Framework (DMF) takes the approach of using polices to manage a database rather than using tasks. The Microsoft SQL Server TechNet Virtual Lab: Declarative Management Framework (DMF) takes the user thru three aspects of DMF. They are: 1. Policy Enforcement 2. Monitoring Changes to the System 3. Creating a Policy / Facets Once the Virtual Lab is launched you will see a desktop with the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) icon on the desktop. This is where we will be working. The lab manual takes you through the three examples of using DMF. Let’s first look at the Policy enforcement exercise: The exercise takes you through the process of trying to create a table in the database. The first one fails, the second succeeds. Then you view the table naming policy to see why you achieved the results to each query. In the next exercise we’ll see how to monitor system changes using DMF. To begin the exercise you check the Auto settings of the database. Next you make changes and go back to check the results. As the results quickly show, the policy has been violated on the database. When the policy is first changed, notification is given at the top level of the Database server by flagging the database instance , the database, etc. with a red “X”. For the final exercise the lab explains how to set policies and use facets for databases. The exercise finishes by showing you how to test to make sure the applied policy is working correctly. This was an interesting lab. It definitely gives DBAs and IT Managers the power to implement controls to not only monitor but even prevent unwanted database changes easily. Declarative Management Framework (DMF) is a welcome database tool, and this virtual lab is worth the time to get to know how this worthwhile tool works. Posted Feb 29 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with 1 comment(s) Filed under: SQL Server 2008

• SQL Server 2008: Database Mirroring

  By Ron Barrett We have reached a point in business where recovery from failures needs to happen in seconds not minutes. When I was an IT Director for a Financial Services firm in NYC, partners would remind me daily that every time the databases for our CRM, Financial Applications or Time and Billing system where down that we would be losing tens of thousands of dollars an hour. I mention this because it has been my experience that the idea of highly available systems only now seems to be taking hold in the SMB market. Many enterprises know and acknowledge the need for availability. Sadly even some of these networks run with little or no thought of what happens if the system simply stops working. The nature of today’s business makes it vital to ensure that you can not only continue business, but continue with little to no interruption to the end users. Although SQL Server 2008 provides several methods of meeting this goal, Database Mirroring, provides a solution that is easily managed and responds fast to a failover, with zero loss of committed data. The Microsoft SQL Server TechNet Virtual Lab: Database Mirroring takes us through the process in two steps: 1. Establishing the Mirror 2. Simulating a Failover Unlike some labcasts this lab does not give an overview of the tools you will work with, rather it allows the user to jump right in and begin working. By default it opens the “Database Engine” for “SQL08DEMO”. However, it is important to be sure you’re working on the correct Server Type and Server Name before clicking Connect. Once the SQL Server Management Studio is launched, users are faced with three panes: the Object Explorer, Object Explorer Details pane and the Solution Explorer. Resizing the Object Explorer allows for better views of the scripts to be run in the Object Explorer Details pane. The lab next takes you through the process of opening and executing the 5 preset scripts. These scripts will setup the Primary, Secondary, and a third “Witness” server to act as a mediator in case of failure to ensure a quick failover response. TIP: Script number 4 and 5 will show an error after they are executed.  This is because the Adventureworks database has not been refreshed yet.  Next you’ll run through setting up the mirror server instance and adding it to the object explorer. TIP: The lab tells you to go to the registered servers view to find SQL08DEMO\MIRROR.  You will first need to add the registered server before it appears in the registered servers.  Finally you need to check that the Secondary database has been created in the mirror database before moving on to the SQL Server Failover Test. In the failover test the lab simulates both the failure and failback. The performance monitor shows the simulated load on the systems. This lab, Database Mirroring, was a quick and fun way to get a grasp on how to prepare your database for high availability. As I said before SQL Server 2008 has several high availability options but as you will learn in this lab, Database Mirroring can be set if needed by a newcomer to SQL Server. There you go; no more excuses for database downtime. Posted Feb 28 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: SQL Server 2008

• Introduction to the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 Tools (Part 2)

  By Orin Thomas Labcasts are combinations of traditional screencasts and virtual labs. The first part of the labcast involves watching a presentation on a particular technology, including a demonstration of how to use its functionality to perform common tasks. The second part of the labcast involves performing the same steps yourself, so that you get a hands-on feel for the information in the lesson you’ve just viewed. This labcast, Introduction to the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 Tools, explores the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 tools, which can help simplify the deployment of Windows Vista in your environment. The first part of the labcast presents information about the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) tools. The exhibit below shows the Windows System Image Manager, which is one of many components available in the kit. By watching the labcast you will learn what Windows PE 2.0 is and how you use it during the deployment process. The labcast also covers how you can customize the Windows PE 2.0 environment to best suit your organization’s needs. The exhibit shows a list of Windows PE 2.0 components that can be added to a Windows PE image. The labcast introduces Windows Image (.wim) files and explains their purpose. You’ll be shown how to manipulate .wim files using the ImageX utility. You’ll see how to mount content using the utility, allowing you to then manipulate images using Windows Explorer. The exhibit shows how the winpe image is mounted using the read and write option so that it can be modified. The labcast finishes by covering other tools that are available in the Deployment Workbench. The exhibit shows the tools from the Deployment Workbench. A big advantage of the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 tools is that they are all available for free download from Microsoft’s website. For those of you looking towards Windows Server 2008, you’ll be happy to know that the WDS role, included with all versions of Windows Server 2008, allows for the automatic deployment of WIM image files to multiple clients using multicast technology. So not only will you learn about Business Desktop Deployment 2007 tools by watching this labcast, you’ll also have a primer on how to set up. To access this labcast, navigate to the following address: Introduction to the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 Tools (Part 2)   Posted Feb 25 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: Vista

• Microsoft Office Performance Point Server 2007: Excel Dashboards

  By David Chernicoff TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Office Performance Point Server 2007: Excel Dashboards is one of a series of “Virtual labs” designed to walk the user through the actual process of using Performance Point Server tools, in this case the Dashboard Designer, to build tools linking to Excel data. These labs don’t give you an overview of the components that you will be working with; they jump right into actually using the component tools directly from the Designer Workspace. The Excel Dashboard creation task is very straightforward. Starting with creating the Excel 2007 Data source, the lab works through creating the Excel 2007 Scorecard and editing your existing Scorecard, each as its own exercise in the accompanying lab manual, using the actual Dashboard Designer tools for these processes. While there are some wizards involved at different points in the process, using the lab manual is essential to getting the most from the lab and making sure you reach the necessary points in the lab to move onto the next step. You can open a PDF version of the lab manual or work with the manual that appears on the right side of the virtual console. I found that the lab manual download for this lab was corrupted, but that doesn’t make the lab unusable. The manual that appears in the task pane on the right side of the screen is sufficient to work through this lab. The lab only creates very simple dashboards and barely touches on the surface of what can be done with dashboards and the Performance Point Server. It does give the user a good hands-on introduction to the administrator in using the Dashboard Designer to develop dashboard applications that can deliver real and useful data to them that they can use in their daily routine. Five quick report types can be added to the dashboard you’ve created, along with a selection of custom reports and web pages. These reports can make it possible to see, at a glance, the data you’ve designed the Dashboard to report on. The information presented in TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Office Performance Point Server 2007: Excel Dashboards is very specific to a very simple, basic task. It makes an excellent starting point for the administrator looking for tools that can give them easier access to data that is stored in Excel data files. TIP: If you don't have Adobe Acrobat installed on the computer the lab is being run from, you can click on the Internet Explorer icon in the manual task pane to download an HTML version of the lab manual.  Posted Feb 22 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: PerformancePoint Server 2007

• Optimizing Your Remote and Branch Office Infrastructure with Microsoft System Center

  By Mark Burnett I really don’t need to worry much about remote infrastructure or branch offices because the networks I manage just aren’t set up that way, mostly because of the difficulty in managing multiple remote networks as one. But today I watched a TechNet webcast called Optimizing Your Remote and Branch Office Infrastructure with Microsoft System Center that made me realize that maybe having isolated networks isn’t the best solution. The webcast starts off acknowledging the many challenges administrators face when managing remote networks. I think these are exactly the reason I have avoided remote networks altogether. The webcast goes into detail about how each component of the System Center suite can help administrators manage remote networks. Data protection and backup is obviously a big component here. The webcast also talked about network access protection and the role that System Center has in security and compliance. Even virtualization has an important new role in branch offices and remote networks. SoftGrid and Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop both play a big role in this infrastructure. Virtualization allows for centralized deployment, administration, and support of remote applications.   TIP: Use virtual machines to ease the transition to new application while still allowing access to older versions.   The best part of all TechNet webcasts is the live demos that really give you a real feel for how everything comes together. I have watched a number of webcasts on System Center now and while I’m normally not the type of person to sit through anything more than a few minutes, these TechNet webcasts will certainly make my transition to System Center go so much smoother. You can watch this webcast online at Optimizing Your Remote and Branch Office Infrastructure with Microsoft System Center. Posted Feb 21 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: System Center

• Microsoft Office Performance Point Server 2007: SharePoint List Dashboards

  By David Chernicoff TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Office Performance Point Server 2007: SharePoint List Dashboards is one of a series of “Virtual labs” designed to walk the user through the actual process of using Performance Point Server tools, in this case the Dashboard Designer, to build tools utilizing SharePoint data. These labs don’t give you an overview of the components that you will be working with; they jump right into actually using the component tools directly from the Designer Workspace. Starting with creating the Microsoft Office SharePoint list, then the SharePoint List data source and scorecard, and finally the creation of a SQL Server data source and scorecard, each has its own exercise in the accompanying lab manual. The actual tools for these processes are laid out in front of the user. While there are some wizards involved at different points in the process, using the lab manual is essential to getting the most from the lab and making sure you reach the necessary points in the lab to move onto the next step. You can open a PDF version of the lab manual or work with the manual that appears on the right side of the virtual console. The lab only creates very simple dashboards and barely touches on the surface of what can be done with dashboards and the Performance Point Server. It does give the user a good hands-on introduction to the SharePoint administrator in using the Dashboard Designer to develop dashboard applications that can deliver real and useful data to them that they can use in their daily routine. The information presented in TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Office Performance Point Server 2007: SharePoint List Dashboards is a starting point for the SharePoint administrator looking for tools that can give them better and faster utilization of the data residing in their SharePoint farms.   TIP: The lab manual makes an excellent reference document when you need to do this on your own.  Posted Feb 20 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: PerformancePoint Server 2007

• Advanced Group Policy Management

  By Orin Thomas Labcasts are great combinations of traditional screencasts and virtual labs. When you access a labcast, you first watch a presentation on a particular technology, including a demonstration of how to use its functionality to perform common tasks. The second part of the labcast involves you then performing the same steps as you just saw in the first part of the presentation. This allows you to get a “hands on” feel for the information in the lesson you’ve just viewed. This labcast explores Advanced Group Policy Management, a technology that can be used to extend group policy management in Windows Server 2003 environments. In the first part of the demonstration, you will learn about the change control node of the extended group policy management console. The exhibit shows how to use the change control node to configure domain delegation. This involves assigning administrative roles to user accounts. You’ll learn about each role’s rights and permissions and how you can leverage that to manage group policy by listening to the labcast. TIP: You'll learn about each role's rights and permissions and how you can leverage that to manage group policy by listening to the labcast.    By watching and participating in the labcast, you’ll learn how to use the console to submit group policy change management requests to users that have the appropriate permissions to edit group policy objects. Part of this process is shown in the exhibit. A key concept of Advanced Group Policy Management is that rather than apply group policy changes directly, the tool allows modifications to be done on checked out copies of GPOs. It is only users that have been delegated the approval role who are able to deploy a modified GPO copy to the production environment. During the labcast, you will learn how this administrative role separation allows one set of administrators to perform the grunt work of editing group policy objects without having the ability to actually apply those edits directly to the production environment. You will also learn in the labcast how to view an audit-trail so that you can see specifically which users have created, checked in and deployed specific group policy objects in your Active Directory environment. This audit-trail is shown in the next exhibit. Although the release of Windows Server 2008 is just around the corner, it will be some time before most organizations begin to make the transition to the new technology. In the meantime, you can use tools like the AGPM console to better implement group policy change management operations within your organization. To learn more about the AGPM console, access this labcast by navigating to the following link for a lesson in Advanced Group Policy Management  Posted Feb 19 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: Windows Server 2008

• Desktop Error Monitoring with System Center

  By Michael K. Campbell It’s no secret that desktop management is very costly. Especially in a day and age of increasing application complexity coupled with an increased dependence upon desktops. Therefore, Microsoft’s System Center Desktop Error Monitoring Lab provides a decent overview of a great way to increase IT efficiency by mitigating help desk costs. In addition to outlining some of the major pain points (and cost centers) associated with desktop management and troubleshooting, the introductory labcast also does a great job of outlining some of the true impacts of the failure to accurately assess errors, their sources, and implications. Of course, since this lab is geared towards showcasing how to use Microsoft’s Desktop Error Monitoring solution, there’s also some great information on how DEM works, along with some background information about its architecture.   TIP: One of the best things about DEM is that it doesn't require desktop agents in order to collect error reports - and the lab is really geared around showcasing how that works in conjunction with Group Policy. A key component, or feature, of DEM is its ability to provide reporting and analytical features that help foster dynamic IT that by allowing admins to collect, analyze, and pro-actively correct common problems and issues within their desktop infrastructures. Microsoft’s Desktop Error Monitoring solution also works in conjunction with a well-established knowledge base that administrators can use to help troubleshoot their desktop problems. The benefit of this approach, of course, means that admins are less likely to be stuck looking up KB articles, talking with vendors, or doing their own ‘sleuthing’ to get at solutions. More importantly though, DEM also provides the ability to let administrators transmit selected error details to Microsoft, where Microsoft can help coordinate solutions with vendors, other end-users, and their own product teams – all in a spirit to help alleviate some of the costs associated with managing modern desktop infrastructures. Once the lab establishes a background, or overview of what Desktop Error Monitoring provides, it then jumps into a brief overview of what you’ll deal with in the lab itself. The lab is well structured and getting a handle on what you’re doing doesn’t take long, thanks in part to the pre-lab overview and the great documentation, or background, information that accompanies the lab. TIP: This lab contains lots of detailed information about what happens during application and system crashes - which provides a lot of detail on what kinds of things are captured in dump files and, subsequently, DEM.  During the lab, you’ll be busy creating a new Administrative Template (through the use of a specialized System Center wizard designed for use with DEM), and the incorporating it into your Group Policy.     From there, you’ll then look at modifying, and configuring policy objects to meet your needs and configure what kind of information, or error details, that you’d like to transmit to Microsoft. All in all though, System Center Desktop Error Monitoring Lab provides a great overview of an easy way to become much more proactive with desktop management and does a great job of showing you the ropes on how to get set up and running with Desktop Error Monitoring. Posted Feb 18 2008, 12:01 PM by itprotipsadmin with 4 comment(s) Filed under: System Center

• Troubleshooting SoftGrid Applications

  By Michael K. Campbell  Following on the heels of a previous tip, Microsoft SoftGrid General Troubleshooting is a great lab that provides great insights into SoftGrid troubleshooting. Taken together, these two labs represent one of the best quick-starts into application virtualization with Microsoft SoftGrid. In fact, I wish that I had known about these resources when I started learning about SoftGrid – as they would have saved me hours of time trying to figure things out on my own and setting up my own testing environments. Designed primarily for administrators who are just getting started with application virtualization with SoftGrid, this Lab starts off with a labcast that provides a brief recap of what SoftGrid is and then leaps right into an overview of some of the best practices for using SoftGrid.   TIP: While the labcast doesn't directly state it, following best practices (and accompanying explanations) outlined in this labcast can represent a great way to hopefully avoid needing to troubleshoot in a number of cases.    Once the best practices overview is complete, the introductory labcast then turns its attention to a technical overview of some of SoftGrid’s limitations. This is a hugely valuable section of the labcast – as it helps provide a lot of context around what you need to know about SoftGrid from a troubleshooting standpoint. The labcast also outlines a ‘best practices’ flow, or approach to troubleshooting. By following this flow, administrators can frequently identify simple issues and problems while learning a bit more about the sequencing process in general. Then, in the case of simple issues, administrators can simply apply fixes, or re-sequence applications as needed. Of course, in many cases, troubleshooting is obviously going to require a bit more effort – and the best way to direct that effort is what this lab is all about. A big key, therefore, in troubleshooting, is setting up a viable environment that lets you view what’s going on – something the introductory labcast outlines in the form of using logging resources along with some great tools (which you’ll end up using yourself in the lab): The labcast also provides some insight into some of the most common sources of problems before turning its attention to an overview of the lab.   The lab itself is very well set up and throws you up against a couple of problems immediately. In my mind, not only does the lab do a great job in showing you how to solve some ‘actual’ problems – but it really does a great job in showing administrators just what kinds of tools and techniques are at their disposal when it comes to solving real-world problems they might run into. For example, to solve the first problem this lab throws at you, you’ll end up ‘injecting’ a highly-privileged command-prompt into the start-up of your sequenced application. Doing so lets you get around the fact that end-users on client machines don’t have direct access to locations that would be needed during troubleshooting. Frankly, if for nothing else, being able to see how to ‘inject’ your own debugging code and processes into a sequenced application makes this lab totally worth it. But that’s just one of the things this lab has to offer. Other things that it addresses includes how to re-sequence applications to correct problems (meaning that this lab provides a start-to-finish approach to troubleshooting), as well as examples of how to remove features and functionality that might end up being ‘confusing’ to typical end-users. All in all, the lab is well worth the time it takes to complete (most users should be able to complete it in 40 minutes or less), and provides a great overview of some of the tools and techniques available for troubleshooting applications. As such, I can heartily recommend Microsoft SoftGrid General Troubleshooting to anyone who is either interested in learning more about application virtualization with SoftGrid in general, or to anyone who is looking to troubleshoot their own applications. Posted Feb 15 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: virtualization

• Sequencing SoftGrid Applications

  By Michael K. Campbell Application Virtualization is something everyone in IT should be excited about. It’s really going to change the way that IT manages and deploys applications. And if you haven’t heard much about, or if you’ve heard lots about it and haven’t really seen any good ‘hands-on’ demonstrations of what it can really do, then you need to go check out Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization: Sequencing Lab. I’ve played around with SoftGrid a bit in the past and written a bunch of different white-papers and other content extolling its virtues, but I haven’t really bumped into anything that does as great of a job of offering hands-on experience as this lab. In fact, I really wish I had had this lab around when I first started learning about SoftGrid. The lab is primarily intended for people with virtually no background or experience on SoftGrid, and therefore starts out pretty basic with a review of some of the problems that we encounter in IT that would really necessitate a solution like SoftGrid – including a review of some of the pros and cons of various approaches to dealing with application complexity.     Following a review of why SoftGrid is needed, the labcast introduction to the lab then continues on with a quick overview of what SoftGrid is and how Application Virtualization typically works. One thing I liked about the introductory labcast was the way the presenter used some great analogies to help viewers get a feel for what’s going on at various stages of application sequencing – which is the primary focus of this labcast and its associated lab.       In fact, the little ‘down to earth’ touches like the use of great analogies really helped to improve the approachability of this lab for anyone who’s curious about SoftGrid, or just wants to see how it works.   TIP: This introductory labcast to this lab lays out some great tips and guidance on what kind of system you want to configure for application sequencing - which is something that's left out of most other tutorials and approaches out there.    I also liked the way the introductory labcast did such a great job of providing a comprehensive overview of not only what you’ll be doing in the lab itself, but in describing a lot of what’s going on and why. In other words, not only did the introduction to this lab spend a decent amount of time in PowerPoint outlining key concepts and explaining some of the background and technology behind what’s going on during the sequencing process, but it also provided some great guidance in terms of the best way to think about different types of applications being sequenced, and how to best account for any special circumstances associated with different types of applications.     Best of all though, the introductory labcast also provides a very high-level walkthrough of the exact steps that you’ll be performing in the lab yourself. And, as these steps are presented, there’s more background information and guidance provided by the speaker. Being able to see what you’ll be doing, before you start doing it yourself, makes the lab very easy to execute on. As for the lab itself, I found it to be very straight-forward – something that just about anyone could complete in 20-30 minutes in most cases. I also really appreciated how the lab walks you through sequencing on an XP box and then shows you how to deploy, or run, the sequenced application (Visio) on a Vista box. That was a cool touch that helps showcase just how powerful application virtualization can be.   So, if you’re curious to learn a bit more about SoftGrid, or haven’t heard much about it and want to know what all the ‘buzz’ is about with SoftGrid and Application Virtualization, then I guarantee that there’s no better way to jump-start the learning process than with this Lab: Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization: Sequencing Lab. Posted Feb 14 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: virtualization

• Prepare Yourself for Windows Server 2008 – Part 2 of 8: New Tools to Streamline the Imaging and Deployment Process

  By Orin Thomas In this webcast, Prepare Yourself for Windows Server 2008: New Tools to Streamline the Imaging and Deployment Process, John Baker takes us through the new operating system deployment features of Windows Server 2008 known as the Windows Server Deployment, or WDS role. Baker starts by explaining that the new deployment technologies for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista are all based on the Windows Image Format, which uses the WIM file extension. The webcast shows that each WIM file can contain multiple operating system images. Baker’s first demonstration in the webcast is to show you how to manipulate operating system images using the IMAGEX command line tool. He shows how to mount an image in an empty directory using the IMAGEX, adding content to the image by dragging it to the directory using Windows Explorer and then how you can commit the changes to the image so that the image with the new content can be deployed using WDS. Once the webcast finishes with the manipulation of images, Baker covers how you set up the WDS role on a Windows Server 2008 computer. He shows how to configure PXE options so that computers without operating systems but compatible network cards can contact the WDS server to receive their images. You will learn also how you can configure a WDS server with an automatic naming scheme.   TIP: Automatic naming schemes allows each computer that has its operating system deployed by WDS to have a unique name on the network.     Next in the presentation, Baker shows you how to add boot files for each processor architecture. These boot files are used to boot an environment which allows the operating system to begin installing when booted off a PXE compliant network card. By accessing the screencast you’ll also learn about creating capture images, which allows you to capture an existing configuration. You see how you can use the wdsutil command line utility to perform all of the functions that can be completed using the Windows Deployment Services console. This will be an area of interest for those of you that are considering how to automate the WDS process using scripting and scheduled tasks. The webcast also explores the process of creating and applying an unattended installation file to a specific image. This type of file allows the automation of responses to common installation prompts such as time zone, domain membership and all of the other questions that administrators must answer when performing a standard operating system deployment. From WDS the webcast moves to the tools that you will use for more complex deployment scenarios. The primary tool covered is System Center Configuration Manager 2007, which is the successor to the Systems Management Server line of products. By reviewing the webcast, you’ll learn about the specific tasks that SCCM 2007 can be used for and how deploying the product will help you as a systems administrator. This part of the webcast will be very useful if you aren’t entirely sure what the practical differences are between what you can accomplish in terms of OS deployment with SCCM2007 versus the WDS Role that is available with Windows Server 2008. I came away from the webcast with an understanding of the types of network environment where WDS would be enough and the types of environments where SCCM2007 would really make a difference. You can learn more about operating system deployment options with Windows Server 2008 by accessing this interesting and informative webcast at: Prepare Yourself for Windows Server 2008: New Tools to Streamline the Imaging and Deployment Process Posted Feb 13 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Windows Server 2008

• Managing Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and Windows Vista using Group Policy

  By Mark Burnett Although I have seen links to virtual labs on TechNet for some time now, I never felt like I had the patience to actually do one. It turns out I was wrong—a virtual lab is perfect for someone like me. The lab I tried out was Managing Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and Windows Vista using Group Policy. The best thing about the virtual lab format is that you essentially work in one or more remote terminals that you can just exit out of and restart if things get too messed up. The instructions are on the right side to follow as you configure the machines. In this particular lab, you walk through the process of configuring and testing Group Policy. It shows you how to use multiple local policies, a new feature in Windows Vista. In Vista and Windows 2008, you can create different policies for different users. In this case, we create a new policy that applies only to non-administrative users. TIP: Use multiple local policies to tightly lock down machines without limiting any capabilities for Administrators. Another Group Policy feature the lab demonstrates is the new Administrative Templates XML file format, referred to as ADMX. One nice feature with ADMX files is that you can have separate ADML files for different languages. The Virtual Lab then goes on to demonstrate how to set some of the new desktop management policies, such as device restriction, printers, and power settings. While whitepapers and webcasts can be useful, sometimes you can just learn more by jumping right in and doing it yourself. The Virtual Lab format is perfect for doing that and is a very cool way to play around with software without ever having to install it. I definitely recommend running through this particular lab, which you can find at Managing Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and Windows Vista using Group Policy. Posted Feb 12 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Windows Server 2008

• Deliver Actionable Insight with Data Mining

  By Michael K. Campbell As I mentioned in a previous tip, one of the things I’ve finally decided to look into a lot more this year is Business Intelligence and Business Performance Management. Mostly just to get a feel for what kinds of benefits these ‘disciplines’ provide, but also to help round out my SQL skills. In Deliver Actionable Insight Throughout Your Organization with Data Mining (Part 3 of 3), I gained some great insights into how to add predictive analysis into existing solutions in order to help improve business intelligence. This webcast starts off with an overview of the differences between typical ‘retrospective’ KPIs, and then contrasts them with predictive KPIs to help show the difference between a pro-active, rather than re-active, approach to business intelligence.   An example of the difference would be a report telling a business they missed a sales goal (retrospective), versus a dashboard or report that tells a business that they’re GOING to miss a sales goal. TIP: This webcast tells you how to use status expressions to normalize the variances between actual and anticipated KPIs to make them easier to digest by end-users and data consumers.     Then, after mentioning three likely areas to consume predictive KPIs, this webcast drops into a discussion of how to take advantage of existing functionality within SSIS in order to predict, or forecast, an outcome based on existing trends within the data. Of course, after explaining that kind of functionality, the logical next step for this webcast was to turn to a demonstration. By showing how to create value expressions based on the percentage of customers pulled from various clusters, the first demo in this webcast showed how to contrast actual values against a goal – and then evaluate the difference in the form of indicators that can be provided as visual cues about how well a given measure is performing against a stated goal or prediction. What was cool though, was then showing how an end-user would be able to see this within a typical scorecard (in this case, expressed in SharePoint) – as this really helped make everything that much more clear. From this point the presenter began heavily focusing on the notion of prediction tables – something that was new to me. But the way this information was presented made a lot of sense – as it showcased how the use of prediction tables provided an easy way to add predictive, or pro-active, KPI functionality to existing business intelligence solutions. Best of all, the presenter really helped put everything into perspective by showing a typical workflow that showcased how prediction tables can be used in real-world situations. Then, to make everything even more clear, the webcast delved into another demonstration showing how to actually execute on the data flow for this solution. The demonstration shows a sample SSIS package that utilized a Data Mining Query transform along with a conditional split to create a new prediction table that could be added to an existing Data Source View. This is then bound into an existing model as an easy-to-use resource that can be harnessed to provide predictive capabilities or KPIs in reports and dashboards.   Amazingly though, this webcast still had more to give, and provided a third demo that showcased ways to use Excel, embedded in SharePoint Reports, to provide similar predictive functionality for different users. TIP: This webcast provides links to detailed information on how to use Excel and SharePoint to provide predictive reports.  It also provides links to Data Mining Add-Ins that can be used to give Excel specialized Data Mining and predictive capabilities. I’m not quite sure why Microsoft used a title as awkward and bulky as Deliver Actionable Insight Throughout Your Organization with Data Mining (Part 3 of 3) for this webcast, but if you’re interested in learning about ways to bridge the gap between BI and BPM, then you should definitely check this webcast out for some great options and ideas. Posted Feb 11 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: SharePoint

• IIS 7.0 (part 4 of 4): Diagnostics

  By David Chernicoff Internet Information Services 7.0 (Part 4 of 4): Diagnostics is the last of a four part series of presentations on getting the most from IIS 7.0. This section, called “Diagnostics” does a good job of standing on its own, and the presenter reviews a couple of key IIS concepts germane to the topic to make the presentation useful in and of itself. The presentation does a good job of explaining how and where the tracing and status tools and API set apply and can be used by the IIS developer. A high level overview of how these pieces work is the key to this presentation. It puts everything into context and gives the application developer and IIS administrator a clear idea of how to troubleshoot applications running on their web servers. The information presented in Internet Information Services 7.0 (Part 4 of 4): Diagnostics makes it very clear that a properly coded application running on IIS can be fairly simple to troubleshoot if the appropriate tools are used.   TIP: Look for the quiz-type review slides to help differentiate between similar sounding techniques and problem areas. Posted Feb 08 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with no comments Filed under: IIS 7.0

• Virtual Server and HP: Better Together

  By Michael K. Campbell A recent Ziff Davis study points out that 90% of companies today are talking about server consolidation and virtualization, while over 50% are currently implementing server consolidation. In other words, virtualization is taking the world by storm – and if you haven’t started evaluating its benefits, then it’s time to do so. Likewise, if you have started evaluating the benefits or have even started the consolidation process, then you need to be apprised of the types of options available. The webcast Virtual Server and HP: Better Together helps capture some of the expediency behind the move to virtualization being considered by many companies today, and also, obviously, showcases some of the ways that HP can provide additional benefits for customers looking to use Microsoft’s Virtual Server. Starting off with an overview of Microsoft’s current virtualization offerings, this webcast points out that Virtual Server 2005 R2 is currently Microsoft’s consolidation solution – at least until the imminent release of Hyper-V when Windows Server 2008 goes live. Of course, even once Hyper-V goes live, Virtual Server will still remain in service (and supported until 2014), and will remain an option for consolidation for many companies. As you would expect, this webcast makes sure to provide some slides of Virtual Server in action – helping to explain some of its key benefits as well. One thing I really liked about this webcast was how the presenters took a few minutes to point out some of the changes and features that have been added in recent versions to help meet customer demand, such as VSS integration. Following the introduction, however, is where this webcast starts to get really interesting. The first thing it addresses is a special ‘sizing’ application that HP has produced to help companies easily target, or plan (i.e. size) the kinds of hardware they’ll need in order to consolidate workloads with virtualization. As you would expect, the sizing application has lots of cool features that let you specify the kinds of hardware you’ll be using (including things like specifying what kind of disk you’ll be using, how many processors, how much RAM, and so on), along with what kinds of workloads you’ll be virtualizing. You can then set parameters for how aggressive or conservative you want your workloads consolidated, along with a lot of other options. TIP: The website tells you how to gain easy access to the sizing application on HP's website. Of course, since the sizing application is provided by HP, it also provides you the option to specify which HP servers you’d like to host your consolidation efforts on, and will ultimately even give you a parts manifest once you fine tune the solution to your needs. Frankly, that’s not a bad option if you’re getting serious about consolidation – as it can give you a quick insight into how much it would cost to virtualize your datacenter. Following the overview of the sizing tool, this webcast then takes a look at some of the benefits of HP’s line of ProLiant servers and showcases some of the ways they’re well suited for not only virtualization, but consolidation as well. Initially I was pretty skeptical of this section of the webcast, but as it progressed, I had to agree that HP does provide some great features that will benefit companies looking to consolidate their servers – things that I really hadn’t thought about too much since my own experience with virtualization typically lies in the ‘digital’ realm instead of in the realm of laying cables and provisioning hardware. Where I really got interested though was when HP started talking about management options – which actually took up close to half of this webcast. The reason I found this interesting though is because I personally think that Virtual Server’s user interface is currently just plain unacceptable. System Center Virtual Machine Manager will make that problem go away, but HP also provides a lot of different options as well. The webcast also provided a good overview of some of the ways that HP’s Insight Manager has been designed to work with virtualization. The webcast also went into decent detail on a bevy of other pertinant topics, such as automatic discovery and policy enforcement, P2V and V2V (as well as P2P) migration options, and even an overview of how HP’s solutions that build upon Virtual Server can give companies the abililty to ‘fast-move’ virtual machines in order to ensure high availability (in similar manner to what VMware’s VMotion offers – but at a fraction of the cost and complexity/difficulty). But, if you’re interested in those kinds of important details, then you’ll need to drop your own skepticism and go watch Virtual Server and HP: Better Together for yourself. Posted Feb 07 2008, 12:01 AM by itprotipsadmin with 1 comment(s) Filed under: virtualization