SuperSite Blog : Servers

Microsoft warns of Google Apps Sync for Outlook issue

pthurrott — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:27:10 GMT

Microsoft has responded, sort of, to Google's delivery of a free Exchange migration tool for Outlook users by trying to poke holes in the end result. More specifically, the company claims that the tool has a "bug/flaw" that causes Outlook search to stop working. Obviously, the solution is to stop using Outlook, but I'll let Google communicate that. Here's the post:

The Outlook team has recently been made aware of a serious bug / flaw with the recently announced Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook, and as a result we wanted to provide the Outlook user community with additional details around this problem as well as information on how to address it.

The installation of the Google Apps Sync plugin disables Outlook’s ability to search any and all of your Outlook data. When a Google Apps user installs the sync plugin for Outlook, the plugin modifies a registry key which disables Windows Desktop Search from indexing and providing search functionality for all Outlook data, not just the Outlook data being synchronized from GMail. Because Outlook search relies upon the indexing performed by Windows Desktop Search, Outlook search functions are broken as a result. It is also important to note that uninstalling the plugin may not fix the issue.

The presentation of this information is eerily reminiscent of the "Windows Secrets" newsletter (not to be confused with the "Windows Vista Secrets" books). At least Microsoft provides a solution.

Announcing Windows Storage Server 2008

pthurrott — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:00:01 GMT

From Microsoft:

Today, Microsoft announced the release of Windows Storage Server 2008 to OEM partners.

Windows Storage Server 2008 (WSS08) is built on the strength of Windows Server 2008 file serving. It is delivered by partners as an appliance, and helps customers achieve a simplified deployment and management experience while complementing their existing infrastructure technology.

Windows Server team blog:

I’m pleased to announce the release of Windows Storage Server 2008 (WSS08) to our OEM partners. WSS08 is built upon Windows Server 2008 – the industry-leading file services platform. WSS08 includes additional advanced storage capabilities such as file de-duplication and an iSCSI software target for unified file- and block-based storage. We deliver WSS08 through our partners as a storage appliance so that the hardware and software are delivered and supported as a complete solution that is optimized for its storage role. Microsoft customers benefit from enterprise-class storage capabilities without sacrificing the flexibility, reliability and familiarity that they expect from Windows Server. This release is a continuation of Microsoft’s commitment to deliver innovative file and storage solutions to our customers through our partners.

Beginning May 7^th, you can learn more with the on-demand TechNet Webcast: Introducing Windows Storage Server 2008.

Our OEM partners will be announcing their Windows Storage Server appliances over the next several weeks. While they are gearing up for release you can learn more about the file services in Windows Server 2008 that WSS08 is built on and get ready for the best storage appliance that we’ve ever delivered!

Forefront 'Stirling' update

pthurrott — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:49:16 GMT

Microsoft has provided the following update about its next generation Forefront security product, codenamed "Stirling."

Today, Microsoft is providing an update on release timing for Forefront code name "Stirling," an integrated security suite that combines the next-generation Forefront solutions for endpoint, messaging & collaboration, and network protection with a central management console for easy administration and enterprise-wide visibility.

We will begin the release of the "Stirling" security suite with the delivery of Forefront Server Security for Exchange and Threat Management Gateway (the next generation of ISA Server) in the fourth quarter of 2009.

"Stirling" management, Forefront Client Security 2.0 and Forefront Security for SharePoint will be released in the first half of 2010.

We will ship Beta 2 of "Stirling" soon and in the second half of this year we will deliver a release candidate.

We have been working closely with customers in our Technology Adoption Program to gather their feedback about how we can deliver the best experience and value with "Stirling." One of the top customer requests was adding interoperability with third party security solutions. To this end, we plan to increase our focus on one of the unique features of "Stirling", Security Assessment Sharing (SAS.) SAS correlates security events from different Forefront products and third party solutions, enabling administrators to quickly investigate and remediate security events. We will provide information about interoperability partners in the near future.

Additionally, we are investing significantly in a behavior-based technology called Dynamic Signature Service. This will complement advanced heuristics, dynamic translation and real time application scanning for kernel level malware in "Stirling," helping deliver a comprehensive approach to endpoint protection for zero day attacks.

We encourage customers to download and try out the current "Stirling" beta to learn more about the benefits of an integrated security suite. Customers investing in Forefront solutions today will have an easy migration path to "Stirling."

Exchange 2010?

pthurrott — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:25:50 GMT

Has Microsoft announced that the next version of Exchange will be called Exchange 2010? I don’t believe so, but that name appears in the Download Center now, so it must be true.

Thanks Karen.