All things SMS, System Center Configuration Manager, Active Directory, Group Policy, Virtualization, Security, Gadgets, Technology, and the Daily Thoughts of an SMS Engineer named Anthony Clendenen.

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Wanted! IT Administrators with Windows Server experience (Puget Sound Only) Microsoft User Research is conducting a study focusing on the next version of Windows Server between August 22 and August 28, 2008

August 13, 2008

This is a great opportunity for IT administrators who have experience with Windows Server to provide feedback and help improve the next version. You do not need to prepare anything for this. We want to learn from you, the experts. We highly value your feedback and will be offering you a gratuity option in appreciation of your time and participation.We are recruiting individuals who: • Have experience managing 3-16 Windows Servers. • Are available for a 2 hour study session during the week of August...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , ,

ConfigMgr SP1 Goes RTM

May 22, 2008

Update : Download link More Details . Overview Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 now offers full support for management with Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, integrates customer feedback, feature Integration with Intel vPro Technology and enhances Asset Intelligent features. Full Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 Support: Deploy and manage Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008—with full support for the latest Windows platforms, from planning through inventory, to deployment, and...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , , ,

ConfigMgr SP1 Goes RTM

May 22, 2008

Just made public today, it will take a day or so to get the bits available for download. Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Microsoft MVP System Center Configuration Manager http://configmgr.com © Anthony Clendenen Technorati Tags: ConfigMgr , service pack , SCCM  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , ,

XP SP3 Goes RTM

April 21, 2008

Windows XP SP3 went RTM today. It will be available to the public on April 29th. For ConfigMgr the biggest piece of this is that now you can use NAP on your XP clients as well. There is also a rumored 10% increase in performance - YMMV. Find out exactly what will be included when this link goes active in the next 24 hours or so. Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E http://configmgr.com © Anthony Clendenen Technorati Tags: SP3 , Windows XP , NAP , ConfigMgr , XP SP3  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , , , ,

Auto Site Assignment and Multiple IP's

March 28, 2008

Carol posted this over the the TechNet blogs site a couple of hours ago. I commented that I didn't think it was a huge change because the odds are pretty low that this would really happen in today. Essentially the rule that an SMS or ConfigMgr client will use first bound NIC for auto assignment is no longer true. If you think this is a significant technical change leave a comment and let her know. Auto-site assignment and multiple IP addresses It happens to all of us. Just when you think you...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , ,

WAIK for Vista SP1 and Server 2008 and XP SP3 Dates

February 06, 2008

Hopefully you have heard by now that Vista SP1 and Server 2008 went RTM on Monday . But can you use these with OSD or MD? Well of course you can with the new version of WAIK. Also it is being reported that Vista SP1 goes live on Feb 18th or 19th and Windows XP SP3 goes live on March 23rd or 24th. Download details here direct download here (1.1 GB). Overview The Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) is designed to help corporate IT professionals customize and deploy the Windows Vista and...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Windows Server 2008 RTM on Jan 16

January 04, 2008

If the other offerings RTM at the same time we should see server 2008, Vista SP1, Visual Studio 2008, and SQL Sever 2008 all in a few weeks. This means NAP, Hypervisor, multicasting... Source . If you would like to attend the launch event in Los Angeles on Feb. 27th or any of the other launch events you can register here . Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E http://configmgr.com © 2007 - 2008 Anthony Clendenen I Recommend These Books! SMS 2003 Administrator's Reference...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , , ,

Top Ten Events in Systems Management During 2007

December 31, 2007

First of all, Happy New Year, and may everyone find that in 2008 that your glass is more than half full, you and your loved ones are all very healthy and overly happy, that your careers are very prosperous, and that you gain all that you desire and more. As we welcome another year and reflect on the year ending it is always nice to note what was the highlights of the year. So below is my personal top ten of 2007 when it comes to Systems Management. 10. Thursday, October 23rd, System Center Partner...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Microsoft Deployment Release Candidate 1 Available for Download

October 24, 2007

The latest installment of BDD, code named Deployment 4, now named Microsoft Deployment (MD) is available for download on the Microsoft Connect site. This is the much anticipated version that integrates with ConfigMgr's OSD and is the next evolution of BDD. With this new version you can expect to have a single solution for the deployment of both desktops and servers as well as WDS, and ACT. See below for more details on what is included. Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is now Microsoft Deployment...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

Server 2008 RC0 Free Download

October 07, 2007

If you want to give Server 2008 a spin prior to its release next year you can download the release candidate zero here . Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc. http://configmgr.com © 2007 Anthony Clendenen Technorati Tags: Server 2008 , Beta , Download , ConfigMgr.com  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , ,

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 SCSI Driver Demystified

October 07, 2007

There seems to be a lack of information around the virtual SCSI driver in Microsoft Virtual Server 2005, or at least information that is easy to find so here are some tips on getting the most out of this driver and how it compares to the IDE driver. You don't have to have a physical SCSI card or SCSI hard drives to use SCSI in Virtual Server 2005. The SCSI driver is a virtual SCSI driver for a virtual SCSI bus, it does not need to use a real SCSI card. The SCSI driver only has limited support...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , , , ,

BDD 2008 Beta 3 Available On Connect

September 17, 2007

The ConfigMgr compatible version of BDD (Beta 3), which I will call BDD 2008 for now, is available through open beta on the Connect site. The RTM version is expected to be out in November of this year. In this version there is the previously discussed multicasting , USMT, WAIK, and ACT 5.0. On Friday October 5th there is also a webcast on deploying an OS with ConfigMgr, you can register for it here . Official announcement below. Deployment 4 is the code name for the next version of Business Desktop...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Microsoft ConfigMgr Community Forums Now Live

September 15, 2007

In another move to get away from the newsgroups Microsoft has opened up the System Center Configuration Manager Community that includes a web based forums section . On the front page you will find a link to the subforums of ConfigMgr, Microsoft employee blogs, MVP blogs (not mine however?), and links to related communities like myITforum.com . Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc. http://configmgr.com © 2007 Anthony Clendenen Technorati Tags: ConfigMgr , SCCM , CM , Config...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , , ,

SoftGrid SMS Connector Discontinued

September 12, 2007

The SoftGrid connector will be deprecated in the near future and replaced with Windows Installer Application Virtualization Extension or WIAV. The reasons they are moving away from the SMS Connector is due to future plans and interoperability with old and new products. What is it? Yes, you in the back, you have a question? Ah, yes what is it he asked. It is essentially a tool to take your sequenced applications and turn them into Windows Installer packages (MSI's). Another question? Go ahead...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

System Center Virtual Machine Manager Released

September 08, 2007

The other day SCVMM went RTM . So what does this mean? This is a management tool that will allow you to rapidly deploy/create VM's, manage the resources they are using, suck in a physical server to a VM config file (or P to V) and add new virtual resources to existing VM's. If you use Virtual Server you should spend some time looking at this to see if it will benefit you or your organization, for larger Virtual Server farms it will be a no brainer. System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , , , ,

Multicasting in Server 2008

September 03, 2007

Kevin is right, this has already been talked about , but he does a nice job of explaining the two types of multicasting. Two drawbacks to this however...First you cannot multicast across subnets, well you can but if your network supports this you are wide open to a SQL Slammer type of attack where one laptop brings your network to its knees. Second, you have to have Server 2008 to make this work. A simple, less costly solution, that you can utilize now is to use the 1E OSD Plus Pack , or SMSNomad...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 Delayed

August 30, 2007

What is the status? Windows Server 2008, formerly Longhorn, will be delayed until Q1 of 2008 but will be available to SA and MSDN subscribers prior to RTM. SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 are scheduled to be released with Server 2008 so I can only assume they will be delayed as well. Vista SP1 also suffers from the same fate, delayed until Q1 of 08. The BETA of Vista SP1 will be available to participants in about two weeks however. And SP3 for XP is moving along with its BETA also being out...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Download Configuration Manager 2007 - Evaluation Software

August 27, 2007

Overview System Center Configuration Manager – previously Systems Management Server – represents a tremendous advance over its well-regarded predecessor, now providing the control necessary to more effectively manage change in today’s dynamic IT infrastructures. Manage the full deployment and update lifecycle with, streamlined, policy-based automation; with enhanced insight into, and control over, assets and systems compliance; and with optimization for Windows – particularly Windows Server 2008...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , ,

Configuration Manager 2007 RC1 Available

July 16, 2007

On Connect you can now download RC1 of ConfigMgr. Configuration Manager 2007 RC1 (Build 5831) available! Configuration Manager 2007 RC1 (Build 5831) is now available for download! Go here to download: https://connect.microsoft.com/Downloads/Downloads.aspx?SiteID=16 Configuration Manager 2007 RC1 (Build 5831) available! Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc. We are considered a premier SMS Solution Provider by Microsoft. See us at http://www.microsoft.com/smserver/partners...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , ,

Podcast On SoftGrid Competitor Endeavors Technology

July 15, 2007

In this podcast the CEO of Endeavors Technologies is interviewed and covers their application virtualization technology and their patent agreements with other vendors. The highlights of the podcast are listed below. The most important information I found out of this interview is that their technology will allow virtualized or streamed applications to talk to each other. This means with their product you will not need to sequence all the dependencies with each application, for example, you would not...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , , , ,

Malware Removal Starter Kit

July 11, 2007

Released today is a new free tool from Microsoft, this is a solution accelerator with scanning tools included. This includes making a WindowsPE CD to boot from to scan a computer for malware. "This guidance provides a set of tasks that licensed Windows® users can perform at no cost to create the Malware Removal Starter Kit. Recommendations for free malware-scanning tools are included. You can use these tools in combination with the kit to conduct scans, detect problems, and remove malware from...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , ,

Windows Server 2008 Launch Feb 27

July 11, 2007

Announced at the World Wide Partner Conference yesterday was the release date for Server 2008, which also coincides with the release of Vista SP1, Visual Studio 2008, and SQL Server 2008. This is the missing piece for NAP with Config Manager, as it will not work without it . The NAP client will also only be supported on XP SP3, Vista, and Server 2008. Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc. We are considered a premier SMS Solution Provider by Microsoft. See us at http:/...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , , ,

SoftGrid Version 4.2 Available

July 07, 2007

For those who have been struggling to get sequencing or application virtualization working with Vista version 4.2 should relive your frustrations. The SoftGrid Virtual Application Server (VAS) version 4.1.1.302 The SoftGrid Client version 4.2.0.302 The SoftGrid Sequencer version 4.2.0.303 Note that there is no 4.2 version of the SoftGrid Virtual Application Server. Version 4.2 of the Client and Sequencer are all that is required for Vista compatibility - the VAS version is the same as in 4.1 SP1...  ... Read the full post or  the 2 comments. Filed under: ,

WMI Stability Improvements Fix For Windows XP

June 26, 2007

Back in May Microsoft released the same type of fix for Windows 2003 and now it is ready for XP clients. SMS admins understand the pain of WMI corruption as well as anyone, and probably better than most. Getting permission denied errors when it has nothing to do with permissions, trying to diagnose client issues remotely when WMI is not reporting the correct or latest data, the painful memories return so quickly... With this update applied you should get better stability from WMI, integrated into...  ... Read the full post or  the 6 comments. Filed under: , , , ,

SoftGrid 4.1 Service Pack 1 Released

June 13, 2007

How did I miss this? This has happened twice to me in the last couple weeks. Must be that slave driver of a manager I have! SoftGrid Sequencer (v 4.1.1.303) SoftGrid Server (v 4.1.1.302) SoftGrid for Terminal Services (v 4.1.1.302) SoftGrid for Windows Desktops (v 4.1.1.302) Microsoft SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 improves support for sequencing SxS applications that have public assemblies, such as the 2007 Microsoft Office release. You can upgrade a client to SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 from a client version 3.2, version...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , ,

Windows Home Server Hits RC

June 12, 2007

It's on the Microsoft Connect site if you are part of the Beta. Regards, Anthony Anthony Clendenen | Systems Engineer | 1E Inc. We are considered a premier SMS Solution Provider by Microsoft. See us at http://www.microsoft.com/smserver/partners "1E's tools add significant value to SMS in particular, around patch management, simplified branch designs and desktop migration. Having been a trusted Microsoft partner for five years, 1E's track record in consultancy and software solutions...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , ,

System Center Desktop Reporting (Added)

June 08, 2007

Microsoft has added a fifth piece to the Desktop Optimization Pack, System Center Desktop Error Reporting. From the looks of the brief description this doesn't add a whole lot of detail but since they modified the MOM licensing to make you pay $20 per hook into the db we can't complain too much. The Vista compliant SoftGrid client is also going to be out this summer, don't recall if I mentioned that before or not but a co-worker had asked several weeks ago and I got a reply but forgot...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , , ,

Agloco - You Can Make Money From Social Networks

June 07, 2007

If you haven't noticed I have been including a tag in my posts What is Agloco? To put it bluntly, it is a way to make money by social networking, the more people that join the more everyone makes, I will let them explain it... AGLOCO Members make money in four ways. Members earn a monthly share of the AGLOCO revenue based on the use of the AGLOCO Viewbar™ that month. Members earn part of the company based on the use of the AGLOCO Viewbar™ that month (currently a maximum of five hours are rewarded...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: ,

Microsoft Steps Up Its green Datacenter Campaign

June 05, 2007

June 4th, 2007 Microsoft steps up its green datacenter campaign Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 8:08 am Categories: Windows Server Longhorn , Windows server , Corporate strategy Tags: Data Center , Microsoft Windows Server , Server , Microsoft Windows , Microsoft Corp. , Mary Jo Foley Green computing is a hot topic these days. And “Big Green” (a k a Microsoft) wants to make sure its next-gen Windows Server products are among the greenest of them all. As a result of power-management tweaks it has made to...  ... Read the full post or  the first comment. Filed under: , ,

SCCM RC Available For Download

May 29, 2007

Update: "Technically, this is * not * the RC1 build. It’s a build from the RC1 branch of the source, but the actual RC1 is still a few weeks away. -Michael" Maybe it really will be out in August!?! We all know how much Bill loves it when we speculate... SCCM 2007 Release Candidate (RC) available for TAP customers The Release Candidate (RC) version 5790 of System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007 has been released. It is currently available through the Microsoft Connect site for TAP...  ... Read the full post or  be the first to comment. Filed under: , ,

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