Windows 7 – The ultimate application compatiblity feature!

Windows 7 will have a built-in Windows XP VM with application publishing features like MED-V.

Forefront Client Security 2.0 release date slipped

This is definitely disappointing news.  The “Stirling” management console and Forefront Client Security 2.0 1st half of 2010.

“So, why the delay? 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.  In response, 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.”

While this new information sounds promissing, I was looking forward to a single console for managing all of the Forefront products sooner than next year.

Windows Sever 2008 R2 Beta Announced

From new features like Hyper-V Live Migration to the new VDI enhancements, R2 looks very promising.  Check out the announcement here: Announcing Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta!.  Also you can learn more about the details here:Introduction to Windows Server 2008 R2 Classroom

Installed new OCS R2 client and I like it!

There are some really cool features in the new Microsoft Office Communications Server Client.   The “Share Desktop” feature is super cool.  This link have some screenshots of the new client.

The Three UC Amigos : What I like about OCS R2 thus far and some new R2 screenshots

Virtualfuture.info App-Virt Comparision chart

I saw this post the other day and thought it was an excellent resource for reviewing application virtualization options.  The guys over virtualfuture.info created a comparison document of the most popular application virtualization products.

Get the chart here: virtualfuture.info/2008/06/virtualfuture-appchart

I’ll be curions how the new version of Microsoft SoftGrid, now called App-V will compare.

Ensynch case study post on Microsoft.com

Ensynch has deployed Windows Vista internally and the Microsoft case study was posted today.

Welcome James Campion!

The Systems Management team at Ensynch welcomed a new colleage today, James Campion.  James is one of the founding members of the Arizona Systems Management Users Group.  He comes to us from IBM and has an extensive systems management background.

MS 070-620: Passed!

I got a free voucher in April to take a Microsoft test.  I sat on it until June.  So when I decided to finally use it, I researched the new Microsoft certifications.  Gone are the days of the MCSE…apparently.  I decided that the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator track looked promising (although no one will now what it is).  Because of my schedule I decided to take the test that might be the easiest to study for, MS 070-620 Configuring Windows Vista.  I ordered the book and scheduled the test.  The book came and I was only able to study for two nights.  I couldn’t reschedule the test so I figured I’d at least get a free look at the test.  Let’s just say I passed the test based only on experience.

No GUI for Server 2008 Core…not so fast

If you need to use Windows Server 2008 Core edition and still want a GUI, this MVP has your back.

Check out the CoreConfigurator

Features:

• Product Activation
• Configuration of display resolution
• Clock and time zone configuration
• Remote Desktop configuration
• Management of local user accounts (creation, deletion, group membership, passwords)
• Firewall configuration
• WinRM configuration
• IP configuration
• Computer name and domain/workgroup membership
• Installation of Server Core features/roles

Arizona Systems Management Users Group meets tonight

The second AZSMUG meeting of the year is tonight at the Microsoft Phoenix office.  See email below for details.

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Hello Everyone,

We have decided to schedule our next user group meeting the night before the Phoenix Server 2008 Launch.  Here is more information on the meeting and the registration link:

We are planning on having our second meeting of 2008.  This meeting will be held at Microsoft’s downtown Phoenix Office: 2929 N Central Ave, suite 1400 on Monday, March 31st.  The meeting will start at 5:30 PM, but BE SURE to arrive early, and remember that you cannot enter the building after 6:00 PM.

In this meeting we will be covering Software Updates in Configuration Manager.  Everything from set up and configuration to patch deployment.

As always, we will be raffling off some goodies.

Registration site: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=126587

Event Code: 126587

Thanks,Mike Terrill
AZ Systems Management User Group
http://www.azsmug.org/
http://www.myitforum.com/groups/group87/