System Center Advisor

System Center Advisor is a cloud service that enables you to assess your server configurations and proactively avoid problems, while helping support staff to resolve issues faster by accessing current and historical configuration data; all with the security features that meet your needs.

Additionally, System Center Advisor helps reduce downtime by providing suggestions for improvement and notifying you of key updates specific to your configuration.

System Center Advisor provides support for System Center 2012, SQL Server, Windows Server, SharePoint Server, and Exchange Server.

More information can be found here and here;

UPDATE(15/03/2013): Advisor is now FREE

Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 2 - KB 2719800 (PULLED)

I was wondering why I missed this update to Exchange 2010 but after a few web searches the updated was pulled (yet another for the Exchange team) because it breaks your Exchange environment.

More information can be found here, here and here;

Internet Explorer 10 Release Preview (Windows 7 / 2008 R2)

Internet Explorer version 10 is now available to download.

The FAQ can be found here;

Download Windows 7 SP1 x32

Download Windows 7 SP1 x64

Download Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 x64

Lync 2012 – Find your build number

Open a Lync Powershell session and type the following;

Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from win32_product' | where {$_.name -like "Microsoft Lync Server*"} |ft Name, Version

OR

Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from win32_product' | where {$_.name -like "Microsoft Lync Server*"} |fl Name, Version

As of October 2012 : Lync Server 2010 build number is 4.0.7577.205

SQL 2012 AlwaysOn Availability Groups and SCVMM 2012 SP1

Have you ever wanted to create a SQL Server 2012 Availability Group to support either System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 or other SQL Databases?

For more information and a step by step guide guide; go here.

SQL Server® 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) released

List of the bugs that are fixed in SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 1 can be found here;

- Cross-Cluster Migration of AlwaysOn Availability Groups for OS Upgrade
- Selective XML Index
- DBCC SHOW_STATISTICS works with SELECT permission
- SSMS Complete in Express
- SlipStream Full Installation
- BI (with SQL Server SP1, Office and SharePoint Server 2013 Preview) are:
   - Enable self-service BI as a natural part of users day-to-day activities in Excel 2013:
   - Access and mash-up data from any source (PowerPivot).
   - Stunning visualizations and data discovery (Power View).
   - Discover, assess and audit user created spreadsheets via SharePoint Server 2013 Preview.
   - A new version of Reporting Services add-in for SharePoint 2010 and updates for SharePoint 2013.
   - Share and collaborate on self-service BI assets via SharePoint Server 2013.

Download details can be found here;

Microsoft Lync Server 2013 Debugging Tools

Microsoft Lync Server 2013 Debugging Tools is a collection of additional tools for use by IT Admins to aid in troubleshooting Lync Server 2013 deployments. The collection of tools include:

• Snooper
• OCSLogger
• OCSTracer
• ClsController.psm1

Available for download here;

Microsoft Office 2013 Volume License Pack

Volume license editions of Office 2013 client products require activation. This download enables IT administrators to set up a Key Management Service (KMS) or configure a domain for Active Directory-Based activation. Either of these volume activation methods can locally activate all Office 2013 clients connected to an organization’s network.

Download available here;

Installation is pretty much next and finish.

Once you enter your KMS key above you can see the Key under VAMT.

Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 verses Lync 2013

Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 gives you instant messaging (IM), audio and video calls, online meetings, availability (presence) information, and sharing capabilities all from one, easy-to-use program. It’s a slimmer version of the full Lync 2013 client and provides the same core functionality.

With Lync, you can keep track of your contacts’ availability; send an instant message; and start or join an audio call, video call, or online meeting—all through a consistent, familiar interface. Lync integrates with other Office programs and is available for Windows, Mac, Windows Phone, iPhone, iPod, Android, and Office 365 subscribers.

Lync Basic 2013 provides all the basic functionality that’s available in the full version of Lync (Lync 2013). However, if you want to use any of the following features you must upgrade to Lync 2013 which is part of Office 2013:

• Advanced call features (not available with all Office 365 subscriptions); advanced call features include team ring, call forwarding, simultaneous ring, voice mail, call park, call delegation, response groups, and remote call control
• Calendar delegation
• Gallery video view
• OneNote sharing
• Recording
• Skill search (not available with Office 365)
• Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) (not available with Office 365)

Lync Basic 2013 is available on the Microsoft Download Centre;
Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 (32 Bit)
Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 (64 Bit)
Lync 2013 is available via the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Centre for customers with a Volume Licensing agreement.

Lync 2013 (Upgrade, coexistence and Clean Install)

Prior to installing Lync 2013 into our Lync 2010 environment I would like to point out the following articles; thanks and credit were due!

Install Lync Server 2010/2013 Public Preview Side-by-side - Part 1
http://www.pro-exchange.be/blogs/lync2013/archive/2012/07/16/installing-lync-2013-public-beta-step-by-step-screenshot-guide.aspx

Install Lync Server 2010/2013 Public Preview Side-by-side - Part 2
http://www.proexchange.be/blogs/lync2013/archive/2012/07/17/install-lync-server-2010-2013-public-preview-side-by-side-part-2-finish-install-and-use.aspx

Welcome to Lync 2013 – Part 1 | The Lync Guy's Blog
http://ocsguy.com/2012/11/01/welcome-to-lync-2013-part-1/

Deploying Lync 2013 – Part 2 | The Lync Guy's Blog
http://ocsguy.com/2012/11/05/deploying-lync-2013-part-2/

Lync Server 2013 features and how to configure them
http://msunified.net/2012/08/01/lync-server-2013-preview-features-and-how-to-configure-them/

FREE Windows 8 for Dummies Dell Pocket Edition, By Andy Rathbone

Dell have released a Free eBook under the Dummies moniker; more information can be found here and here.

RDP 8.0 for Windows 7 now available

The RDP 8.0 update will enable RDP 8.0 (including all the RemoteFX enhancements in Windows 8 that make RDP 8.0 the protocol of choice for VDI) on Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Specifically, the update will provide the following capabilities.

Client access devices running Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will benefit from:

• Remote Desktop Connection 8.0 Client: Remote Desktop Connection 8.0 client that is compatible with RDP 8.0 and allows users to use new features in RDP 8.0.
• Dynamic In-Session USB Redirection: Enables users to select USB devices for redirection even in the middle of a remote session.
• Improved single sign on experience for Remote Desktop Web Access: Simplifies and significantly enhances end user experience by enabling users to provide their user name and password just once when connecting to IT published apps and desktops. Users are not asked to provide their username and password for subsequent connections.
• Reconnect for RemoteApp and Desktop Connections: Enables end users to easily disconnect and reconnect to IT published apps and desktops.
• Support for Lync 2013 in VDI : Enables end users to have a fast and fluid video conferencing experience with Lync 2013 in their virtual desktops.
• Support for Nested Sessions :Support for running a Remote Desktop Connection session within another Remote Desktop Connection session

Windows 7 SP1 virtual desktops running in the datacenter will benefit from:

• RemoteFX for WAN: Enables end users even on WAN to have a fast and fluid experience by employing advanced techniques such as intelligent and adaptive UDP transports, network loss tolerance and recovery, etc.
• RemoteFX Network Auto Detect: Automatically detects network characteristics and optimizes user experience accordingly.
• RemoteFX Adaptive Graphics: Delivers a rich graphics experience that dynamically adapts to server load, client access device load and network characteristics.
• RemoteFX Media Streaming: Enables end users to get a smooth media experience even on WAN networks for all media content formats.
• RemoteFX USB Redirection for non VGPU Virtual desktops: Enables users to use their USB devices with IT provided RemoteApp applications and remote desktops.
• Support for Nested Sessions: Support for running a Remote Desktop Connection session within another Remote Desktop Connection session.
• Performance counters for monitoring user experience. Watch out for a blog post on this topic with more details.

More information can be found here and here; download update and RDP8.

Windows 8 / RT enable Flash in Metro Internet Explorer 10

- Goto the Windows 8 desktop
- Press Windows+R and type regedit & press enter
- Goto HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
- Right click Internet Explorer and New / Key & call it Flash
- Right click Flash and New / String value named DebugDomain
- Double click DebugDomain and type the domain (eg google.com)
- Do not add www or https:// or http://

You can also edit the following file;

C:\Users\[USER_NAME]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\IECompatData\iecompatdata.xml

Please make sure you backup your settings etc. before trying this.

Build 2012

Microsoft Build 2012 Keynotes and Deep Dive videos are now available here;

Free ebook: Introducing Windows 8: An Overview for IT Professionals (Preview Edition)

The preview edition contains Chapters 1-11; and will be updated with a link to the final eBook when it is ready.

Download the PDF version of the book here: Introducing Windows 8: An Overview for IT Professionals - PDF ebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information can be found here;

Windows Server 2012 Essentials (x64) now available on MSDN

Windows Server 2012 Essentials (x64) - DVD (English)
Release Date: 10/9/2012
Size 4114 MB
File Name: en_server_install_disc_windows_server_2012_essentials_x64_dvd_1022281.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: 1F3FBF9CD23F864A2ACC6B7A6A8E6A9EB94B5C52

Windows Server 2012 Storage Server and Foundation (x64) on MSDN

Windows Server 2012 Storage Server and Foundation (x64) - DVD (English)
Release Date: 9/4/2012
Size 3401 MB
File Name: en_windows_server_2012_storage_server_and_foundation_x64_dvd_915793.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: A0740FE126DA88A1F0490F071EFA66B81AC02581

Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset aka DaRT 8

DaRT 8 helps IT departments easily recover PCs that have become unusable by assisting to rapidly diagnose issues and quickly repair unbootable or locked-out systems, all without leaving their desks. Key updates to this version include:

• Windows 8 Ready: People can leverage the powerful DaRT tools not only on their existing hardware but on all Windows 8 devices with the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) and GUID partition tables.
• Easier to Deploy: DaRT 8 now provides native support for USB media deployments within the image creation wizard with no additional tools required.
• Automating Image Creation: The DaRT image creation wizard is now built on top of PowerShell cmdlets, allowing IT departments to mount, create, apply, dismount and burn the DaRT image via scripting – ultimately, letting the image creation process be saved and repurposed for later use.

More information can be found here and here;

App-V 5 RTM

App-V 5.0 helps businesses provide employees with access to virtually any application anywhere, without having to install the application directly on their computers. App-V 5.0 is a major release and includes many new capabilities to enhance the interaction with virtual applications as well as the administrative experience for IT departments. Improvements include:

• Integrated Platform: In App-V 5.0 virtual applications leverage Windows standards for a consistent user experience and work more like traditionally installed applications. This means that people don’t have to change the way they use an application just because it’s virtual. It also makes it easy for IT departments to work with virtual applications; this enhanced capability is called Virtual Application Extension.
• Flexible Virtualization: With App-V 5.0 businesses can connect individually packaged App-V applications and enable them to communicate with each other as well as with natively installed applications. This gives businesses the best of both worlds, providing isolation to reduce application conflicts and time spent regression testing – yet allowing applications to interact and communicate when needed. This new capability is called Virtual Application Connection.
• Reducing Storage Barriers to VDI: App-V 5.0 is designed to be easy and efficient to use in VDI environments, allowing IT departments to make the best use of expensive disk resources. They can simply choose to turn off local application storage and dramatically reduce the disk requirements for VDI while still streaming applications. This is called Shared Content Store.
• Improved Administration for IT: With App-V 5.0 IT departments will find it easier to centrally manage application interaction as well as administer App-V via the new web-based Admin UI. For those who prefer automation, PowerShell is ready for use with packaging and performing tasks on both the server and client.

More information can be found here and here;

MDOP 2012 RTM

As a quick refresher, MDOP includes six products. Its virtualization technologies help personalize the user experience, simplify application deployment and improve application compatibility with the Windows operating system, while its management technologies help to manage, monitor, deploy and repair key Windows features such as BitLocker and Group Policy. By using MDOP, IT departments are able to shift desktop repairs from reactive to proactive, save time and remove many challenges associated with troubleshooting and repairing system failures. And with 44 million licenses sold its clear businesses are finding value in the products.

With MDOP 2012 we are introducing an exciting new innovation for our customers – User Experience Virtualization (UE-V). UE-V provides a consistent and personal experience regardless of the device being used, meaning that employees have the option to change their device and keep their experience without needing to reconfigure their applications or desktop settings each time they login to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Key features of UE-V include:

• OS Personalization Across Devices: UE-V can roam personalized desktop settings including task bar configuration, desktop background and explorer options, thus removing the need for users to reconfigure each time they login to a new device. For organizations with multiple versions of Windows, UE-V delivers users a consistent, personal look and feel that matches their unique work style regardless if Windows is a rich desktop, a VDI session or a VDI desktop.
• Choice of Which Apps Roam: UE-V provides IT departments the flexibility to decide which applications can roam their experience between devices through the use of Settings Location Templates. The Templates tell the UE-V agents which application personalization should be made available and works for both traditional and virtual applications. This approach gives users a consistent application experience even if they have to switch devices on the fly.
• Easy Set-Up: UE-V delivers big value through simplicity – to set it up all that is needed is a file share for storing the settings that will roam and deployment of the lightweight UE-V agent. Once complete, people can roam the experience for the Windows desktop settings, Office 2010, and IE by using in box templates and IT departments can also choose to create their own templates.

more information can be found here and here;