In the second part of my interview with Alun Rodgers of Risual, we discuss what's new in Terminal Services in Windows Server 2008, and how he has been helping his customers to implement it. One use I hadn't come across was to to provide access to a secure system as part of a normal users desktop, but Alun can explain it better than I can so take it away Mr Rodgers…
We've just launched a major upgrade to http://www.innovateonwindowsserver.com/, which is an application readiness portal targeting developers of custom and commercial software that also empowers IT Pros to determine application compatibility on Windows Server 2008. The site upgrade contains:
Our free downloadable test tools gauge the readiness of custom and third-party applications on Windows Server 2008. We're encouraging the entire Windows Server ecosystem – systems integrators, ISVs, OEMs, IT professionals, custom software developers, etc. – to use the tools in software development and testing. By doing so will help developers give our partners a predictable experience on the platform, which should help reduce user support costs.
The highly automated "Works with Windows Server 2008" test tool takes about five minutes to install and it can analyze the level of an application's compatibility with Windows Server 2008 in anywhere from 45 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the application.
The "Certified for Windows Server 2008" test tool is a wizard-style GUI and is freely available to gauge much deeper levels of an application's best practice compliance with the new platform's security, reliability, availability, stability and Windows fundamentals.
Q) Can I downgrade Microsoft Windows Vista Business or Ultimate purchased pre-installed on a new PC?
A) As an end user you have the right to downgrade as set out in your Software Licence Terms.
Example: You're buying a new computer system and it needs to run the same operating system as your existing 10 systems — Windows XP Professional. Pre-installed Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate both include downgrade rights to Windows XP Professional.
You need to source your own media which should be a legally licensed version (bought as either boxed or pre-installed software, or through a Volume Licensing agreement). You don't need to have one set of Windows XP Professional media for each PC you are downgrading because you have legitimate full operating system licences for Windows Vista Business/Ultimate, which gives you the right to downgrade. You can then run Windows XP Professional until you are ready to upgrade the system to Windows Vista Business/Ultimate—when you would already be licensed.
When you downgrade Windows Vista Business and Ultimate as set out in your Software Licence Terms and you use both Windows XP media and the associated product key that was previously activated you need to activate via the phone only, 0800 0188 354, Once confirmed that you have a valid Vista Business or Ultimate licence, the Customer Service Representative will help you activate your software.
Q) Can I use any version of Microsoft Office on my desktop if I am accessing Microsoft Office from a network device?
A) No. The edition of Microsoft Office that is installed on your desktop will need to be the same or higher than the version that is installed on the network. Please refer to the table in the appendix of the following document:
Licensing of Microsoft Desktop Application Software for Use with Windows Server Terminal Services
Q) Can I use Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 CALs to access a Windows Small Business Server 2003 Server?
A) Yes. SBS 2008 CALs give you with the right to access SBS 2003.
For more information click here.
Q) Do I need to buy Microsoft® SQL Server™ when I buy Microsoft® System Center Essentials 2007?
A) No. Although System Center Essentials 2007 needs SQL Server 2005 SP1 or later to be able to support operational activities, it includes SQL Server 2005 Express Edition. For a larger deployment you might want to use SQL Server 2005 Standard. You have two choices:
· Buying SQL Server 2005 Standard separately
· Buying System Center Essentials 2007 with SQL Server 2005 Technology (this is a runtime version of SQL Server 2005 used only to support System Center Essentials 2007)
For more information click here.
Q) If I downgrade from Microsoft Windows Vista Business, purchased via Volume Licensing, can I install any prior version of Windows?
A) No. A Windows Vista Business upgrade licence can only be downgraded to the Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT® 4.0, Windows NT 3.51, Windows 98, or Windows 95 operating systems.
For more information click here.
1) Windows Live SkyDrive – 25GB of online storage
2) Windows Live Sync – synchronise folders/files across multiple PCs
3) Live Mesh – keep your files in the cloud
4) Office Live Workspace – perfect for small business
5) Microsoft Virtual Earth 3D 0 you are probably using Google Earth but just give this a try!
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Windows Server 2008 Foundation is a cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, and reliable server operating system that provides small businesses with up to 15 users with the foundation to run the most prevalent business applications as well as share information and resources. Foundation is an OEM-only product. More info: www.microsoft.com/windowsfoundationserver |
In these times, there are several approaches that organisations are taking to ensure survival. One of which Microsoft is trying to help with is making the most of what you have got already.
One of the examples of this and something we are often shocked about is customers that have a Software Agreement (SA) with us but do not use all the benefits that come with this, such as free training, 24x7 Support, Partner days etc…
Find out more information for organisations with less than 250 PCs
Find out more information for organisations with more than 250 PCs
Help to Securely deploy Windows Server 2008 with the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide!
Every day, adversaries are attempting to invade your networks and access your servers—to bring them down, infect them with viruses, or steal information about customers or employees.
To assist you in taking full advantage of the rich security features in Windows Server 2008, Microsoft is developing the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide.
When released in early 2008, the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide will provide IT professionals with best practices and automated tools to help strengthen the security of servers running Windows Server 2008.
The guide is now in Beta release, and is available for your review on Microsoft® TechNet. Check out the Executive Overview by clicking here. To join the Beta program for the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide, click here.
Background on the Guide
Based on extensive experience from customers, government agencies, and Microsoft security experts, the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide lets customers choose from two pre-configured security baselines. Both configurations have been thoroughly tested in Microsoft labs, and validated by customers and partners under real-world conditions.
You can easily tailor the configuration you choose, modifying any security setting to accommodate the unique needs of their organisation.
The guide also includes a powerful GPOAccelerator tool that helps customers quickly establish, test, and automatically deploy a tested configuration of Group Policy security settings across their organization—in minutes, instead of hours or days.
The Windows Server 2008 Security Guide provides the following benefits:
Fast, easy deployment. Customers using the guide's best practices and automated tools have reduced deployment times by up to 80 percent.
More reliable. Automated tools eliminate many manual steps – you get faster, more reliable results.
Comprehensive. The guide includes information on hundreds of Windows Server 2008 security settings, with recommendations for each setting.
Thoroughly tested. All security recommendations are fully tested in Microsoft labs, and verified by customers and partners under real-world conditions.
Free. When released in early 2008, the full contents of the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide will be available as a free download from Microsoft TechNet – including the guidance, settings, templates, and automated tools.
