ConfigMgr SP1 Goes RTM

Posted on May 22nd, 2008 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Config Manager, ConfigMgr, Downloads, News, SCCM, Server 2008, Vista.

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 into operational scenarios such as software distribution, software update management, desired configuration management, and more.
  • AMT Integration: Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 integration with Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) enables hardware-based power control (on/off/restart) and delivers many new remote diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities. Configuration Manager can now perform scheduled or on-demand power control operations on Intel vPro enabled systems in the enterprise, enabling higher levels of software update compliance as well as increasing application installation and operating system deployment success rates. The new out of band management console provides direct hardware interaction using Windows Remote Management (the Microsoft implementation of WS-MAN). This enables remote boot control, allows forced PXE boot for operating system deployments, remote network boot for customized remote tasks and diagnostics, and direct inspection of hardware inventory and power state—even if the system is powered off.
  • Asset Intelligence: Building on the original release within Configuration Manager, this enhancement to the inventory capabilities of Configuration Manager 2007 provides improvements for stronger inventory of hardware, software, and software licenses in use throughout the enterprise. The enhancements made enable administrators to more easily, and more accurately, inventory and manage hardware and software assets as well as view and manage purchased software license information. By providing this essential information, Asset Intelligence makes it easier for administrators and asset managers to more effectively plan for upgrades, migrations, and software license compliance reporting.
    Asset Intelligence in Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 adds the following additional functionality over that provided by the Asset Intelligence feature in Configuration Manager 2007:
    • The Asset Intelligence feature node has been added to the Configuration Manager console to allow easier Asset Intelligence–related administration tasks and rich reporting capabilities.
    • The Asset Intelligence Configuration Manager Console home page has been added to provide at-a-glance feature state status and information.
    • The Asset Intelligence catalog has been expanded to contain categorization and identification information of a large catalog of software titles—both Microsoft and 3rd party—as well as the hardware requirement information for many software titles found in today’s IT environments.
    • The ability to customize the Asset Intelligence catalog with additional software categorization information and hardware requirements information has been added.
    • New reports have been added that enable administrators to generate a total of 70 reports, based on inventoried information, that present data about hardware, software, and license usage.
      • General reports are linked to more specific reports and allow IT administrators to query general information or drill down to more detailed levels if required.
    • Hardware inventory enhancements have been added to gather information such as processor age, speed, and USB devices in use or when hardware has changed since the last inventory or during a specified period of time.
    • Installed software inventory enhancements have been added that gather information about installed software in use in the enterprise.
      • These enhancements allow IT organizations to identify and better categorize their software assets.
      • Robust reports provide information about types of software in use to help identify redundant software and optimize software support and purchasing.
    • Software license management capabilities have been added that allow purchased software license data (both Microsoft and non-Microsoft) to be imported into the Asset Intelligence catalog to enable better license management and reporting.
    • Improvements have been made to provide data about utilized Client Access Licenses (Windows Server, and Exchange Server) and computers acting as Key Management Servers for Windows Vista activation.
      • The report output format is congruent with Microsoft License Statements facilitating system-wide license tracking and compliance.

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

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How Update Enforcement Works in NAP

Posted on April 24th, 2008 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Article, Blog, ConfigMgr, NAP, SCCM, Server 2008.

There is a great article on the NAP team’s blog on just how update enforcement works in NAP. 

"The easiest way to discuss update enforcement is to step through each part of the “Security Update Protection” section of the WSHV user interface. This is the dialog that appears within the Network Policy Server (NPS) console on Windows Server 2008"

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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WAIK for Vista SP1 and Server 2008 and XP SP3 Dates

WAIK_setupHopefully 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 Windows Server 2008 family of operation systems. By using Windows AIK, you can perform unattended Windows installations, capture Windows images with ImageX, and create Windows PE images.

This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

Related links:

Light bulbWindows Server 2008 Group Policy Settings Reference spreadsheet.

Windows Vista Group Policy Settings Reference spreadsheet.

Group policy administrative templates for Vista.

ADMX migrator for old group policies.

Notable Changes in Vista SP1.

Release Notes for Vista SP1.

 

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

I Recommend These Books!
SMS 2003 Administrator’s Reference: Systems Management Server 2003SMS 2003 Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach  -  Microsoft SMS Installer (Book/CD-ROM package)  -  Pro SMS 2003  -  Professional MOM 2005, SMS 2003, and WSUS  -  Start to Finish Guide to Distributing Software With Systems Management Server 2003  -  Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 - Administrator’s Companion

And you can check out more books and gadgets at my Amazon store here.

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Editions of Server 2008 Explained

Posted on February 2nd, 2008 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Hyper-V, Microsoft, Server 2008.

Below is the differences in the upcoming Windows Server 2008 Editions, started off with a summary and ws2008_thumbthen followed by features comparison, next by technical specifications in each, and then download links for each edition of RC1.

 

Windows Server 2008 Edition Summaries

 

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 is the most robust Windows Server operating system to date. With built-in, enhanced Web and virtualization capabilities, it is designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of your server infrastructure while helping save time and reduce costs. Powerful tools give you greater control over your servers and streamline configuration and management tasks. Plus, enhanced security features work to harden the operating system to help protect your data and network and provide a solid, highly-dependable foundation for your business.

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications. Help improve availability with clustering and hot-add processor capabilities. Help improve security with consolidated identity management features. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with virtualization licensing rights. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise provides the foundation for a highly dynamic, scalable IT infrastructure.

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications and large-scale virtualization on small and large servers. Improve availability with clustering and dynamic hardware partitioning capabilities. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with unlimited virtualization licensing rights. Scale from 2 to 64 processors. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter provides a foundation on which to build enterprise-class virtualization and scale-up solutions.

Windows Server 2008 Web

Designed to be used specifically as a single-purpose Web server, Windows Web Server 2008 delivers on a rock solid foundation of Web infrastructure capabilities in the next generation Windows Server 2008. Integrated with the newly re-architected IIS 7.0, ASP.NET, and the Microsoft .NET Framework, Windows Web Server 2008 enables any organization to rapidly deploy Web pages, Web sites, Web applications, and Web services.

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems is optimized for large databases, line of business and custom applications providing high availability and scalability up to 64 processors to meet the needs of demanding and mission critical solutions.

Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 is the most robust Windows Server operating system to date. It is designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of your server infrastructure while helping save time and reduce costs. Powerful tools give you greater control over your servers and streamline configuration and management tasks. Plus, enhanced security features work to harden the operating system to help protect your data and network and provide a solid, highly-dependable foundation for your business. This product does not include Windows Server Hyper-V.

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications. Improve availability with clustering and hot-add processor capabilities. Improve security with consolidated identity management features. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with virtualization licensing rights. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise provides the foundation for a highly dynamic, scalable IT infrastructure. This product does not include Windows Server Hyper-V.

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter delivers an enterprise-class platform for deploying business-critical applications and large-scale virtualization on small and large servers. Improve availability with clustering and dynamic hardware partitioning capabilities. Reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating applications with unlimited virtualization licensing rights. Scale from 2 to 64 processors. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter provides a foundation on which to build enterprise-class virtualization and scale-up solutions. This product does not include Windows Server Hyper-V.

Source.

Features Included

Feature Name

Enterprise Datacenter Standard Web Itanium
ADFS WebAgent Yes Yes Yes No No
Directory uIDM Yes Yes Yes No No
Desktop Experience Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Windows Clustering Yes Yes No No Yes
Windows Server Backup Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Network Load Balancing (WLNB) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Simple TCP/IP Services Yes Yes Yes No Yes
SMTP Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Subsystem for Unix-Based Applications (SUA) Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Telnet Client Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Telnet Server Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ) Yes Yes Yes No Yes
RPC Over HTTP Proxy Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) Yes Yes Yes No No
Wireless Client Yes Yes Yes No No
Windows System Resource Manager (WSMR) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Simple SAN Management Yes Yes Yes No No
LPR Port Monitor Yes Yes Yes No No
Windows Foundation Components for WinFX Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
BITS Server Extensions Yes Yes Yes No Yes
iSNS Server Service Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Bitlocker Drive Encryption Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Multipath IO Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Removable Storage Media Yes Yes Yes No Yes
TFTP Yes Yes Yes No Yes
SNMP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Server Admin Pack Yes Yes Yes Yes  
RDC Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Peer to Peer Name Resolution Protocol Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Recovery Disk Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
PowerShell Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

 

Technical Specifications

Specification Enterprise Datacenter Standard Web Itanium
x86 Sockets 8 32 4 4 None
x64 Sockets 8 64 4 4 None
IA64 Sockets None None None None 64
x86 RAM 64 GB 64 GB 4 GB 4 GB None
x64 RAM 2 TB 2 TB 32 GB 32 GB None
IA64 RAM None None None None 2 TB
Hot Memory Add Yes Yes No No Yes
Hot Memory Replace No Yes No No Yes
Hot Processor Add No Yes No No Yes
Hot Processor Replace No Yes No No Yes
Failover Cluster Nodes 16 16 None None Yes
Fault Tolerant Memory Sync Yes Yes None None Yes
Cross-File Replication (DFS-R) Yes Yes No No Yes
Network Access Connections (RRAS) Unlimited Unlimited 250 None 2
Network Access Connections (IAS) Unlimited Unlimited 50 None None
Terminal Services Gateway Unlimited Unlimited 250 None None
Virtual Image Use Rights 4 Unlimited 1 None Unlimited
Remote Desktop Connections 2 2 2 2 2

 

Download locations of RC1’s

Standard

Enterprise

Enterprise with Hyper-V Beta (x64 only)

Datacenter

Web Server

Itanium

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator

Use this new version of the WVHA to determine if your hardware is ready to migrate to Vista and determine if you can migrate to Server 2008.  It can WS08HypeV_logo_250 also help you assess if you can virtualize servers by migrating them to Virtual Server or Server 2008’s Hyper-V and if you can safely migrate your applications into the virtualization world as well using Microsoft Application Virtualization.

You can download Server 2008 RC1 with Hyper-V here.

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Overview

Introduction

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator (MAP) is the expanded version of the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment solution accelerator (WVHA). This new version of the network-wide assessment tool gives you not only the original capability of hardware inventory and assessment for desktops, but also expanded features including server migration recommendation with Windows Server 2008, virtualization workload placements for server consolidation with Hyper-V or Virtual Server 2005 R2, and application virtualization recommendations with Microsoft Application Virtualization.

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning tool is based on agent-less infrastructure scanning technology that makes it easier to set up the inventory without the requirement of installing any software agents on each machine being inventoried. In addition, this tool can generate localized desktop readiness reports in North American English, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Download Microsoft Assessment and Planning Beta Now!

Features Overview

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator performs three key functions, including hardware and device inventory, compatibility analysis, and readiness reporting.

MAP-1.0-3-step-picture.jpg

Figure 1. Three Main Functions of Microsoft Assessment and Planning

Secure and Agentless Inventory

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning tool provides secure, agent-less and network-wide inventory for up to 100,000 computers. It collects and organizes system resource and device information from a single networked computer. Assessment tools often require users to first deploy software agents on all computers to be inventoried but this tool does not.

It is capable of discovering and assessing computers and devices on a network that supports Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and those that run on the following operating systems:

  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP® Professional
  • Windows Server 2003™ or Windows Server 2003 R2
  • Windows 2000 Professional or Windows 2000 Server
  • Non-Windows (SNMP-enabled)

Comprehensive Hardware and Device Compatibility Analysis

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning provides detailed analysis on hardware and device compatibility for migration to Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office.  Specifically, this tool analyzes each machine’s readiness for the migration by looking at the specific hardware and device compatibility requirements that Microsoft published.

For customers interested in server consolidation and virtualization technologies such as Hyper-V or Virtual Server 2005 R2, this tool helps gather performance metrics and generate server consolidation recommendation reports that identify the best candidates for server virtualization. It also provides assessment reports for SoftGrid.

In-Depth Readiness Reporting

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning tool generates custom reports containing both high-level and detailed assessment results for migration to many products. The results are provided in both Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word formats:

  • Hardware assessment and upgrade recommendations for migration to Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office
  • Server consolidation and workload placement recommendations using Hyper-V or Virtual Server 2005 R2
  • Application virtualization candidate recommendation report for Microsoft Application Virtualization
  • Inventory of Non-Windows or heterogeneous environment

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning tool can generate desktop readiness reports in seven languages including North American English, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Source.

 

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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© Anthony Clendenen

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Windows Server 2008 RTM on Jan 16

 Visual Stu2008 ws2008logo

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.

image 

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

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http://configmgr.com

© 2007 - 2008 Anthony Clendenen

 

I Recommend These Books!
SMS 2003 Administrator’s Reference: Systems Management Server 2003SMS 2003 Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach  -  Microsoft SMS Installer (Book/CD-ROM package)  -  Pro SMS 2003  -  Professional MOM 2005, SMS 2003, and WSUS  -  Start to Finish Guide to Distributing Software With Systems Management Server 2003  -  Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 - Administrator’s Companion

And you can check out more books and gadgets at my Amazon store here.

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Microsoft Deployment Release Candidate 1 Available for Download

rm_bdd20 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!

We are pleased to announce the RC1 release and new name for the fourth generation deployment Solution Accelerator, Microsoft Deployment. The current generation of automated deployment tools from Microsoft is increasingly unified; the same tools, utilities and products in many cases offer support and functionality for desktop and server deployment tasks. Following the trend of unified tools, the Business Desktop Deployment team has incorporated new functionality and guidance to support automated server deployment in addition to desktop deployment capabilities. This expanded feature set, with its guidance and ability to automate installation of Windows client and server operating systems - as well as applications - has effectively outgrown the current name, Business Desktop Deployment. Previous Beta releases have been using the code name “Deployment 4″ to refer to Microsoft Deployment before the name was finalized.

Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. It unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with current Microsoft deployment technologies - System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Windows Deployment Services, and the Windows Automated Installation Kit - to create a single path for image creation and automated installation. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
  • Windows Automated Installation Kit
  • Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
  • Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
  • User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
  • 2007 Office system
  • Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition

Enhanced Program on Microsoft Connect

This release candidate also offers an enhanced Microsoft Connect portal including technical frequently asked questions, deployment tips and tricks, a recommended 10-step program for new users to quickly get acquainted with deployment accelerators, customer-ready Solution Accelerator informational materials, and deployment-related conference presentations.

Accelerator Description

Microsoft Deployment combines the guidance and toolset from previous releases of Business Desktop Deployment and Beta releases of Windows Server Deployment. This release continues to support Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) of desktop operating systems using Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack and adds new deployment and task sequencing capabilities for desktops and servers using System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Microsoft Deployment also continues to provide Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support without infrastructure requirements and adds capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008.

New Features in Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:

  • Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Microsoft Deployment and Configuration Manager 2007.
  • Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.
    • Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
    • Extension of the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.
  • Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, and database settings.
  • Installation support for computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
  • Added support for offline patching
  • Support for offline and online language pack installation
  • Deployment monitoring:
    • Updated Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:

  • Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC1 (to be verified after RC1 release), including support for Server Core installation options.
  • Automated server role definition using Server Manager

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:

  • Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.
  • Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
  • Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:
    • Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
    • Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
    • Replace scenario template
  • Ability to invoke web service calls
    • Support for web service calls from rules
    • Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Microsoft Deployment, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.
  • Support for BDD 2007 upgrade or side-by-side installation with Microsoft Deployment.

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:

  • Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services.

Where to Find Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft Deployment RC1 is available as a download in the Microsoft Deployment Connection Program on Microsoft Connect.

Download Now!

Related Resources

Desktop Deployment Center on Microsoft TechNet

System Center Configuration Manager on Microsoft TechNet

System Center Configuration Manager evaluation software on Microsoft TechNet

Windows Server 2008 on Microsoft TechNet

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

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© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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Server 2008 RC0 Free Download

Posted on October 7th, 2007 by Anthony Clendenen.
Categories: Beta, Downloads, Microsoft, News, Server 2008.

If you want to give Server 2008 a spin prior to its release next year you can download the release candidate zero here.

ConfigMgr.com

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 SCSI Driver Demystified

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.  Using this driver with non-Windows OS’s may not work, or even older Windows versions.  YMMV
  • There is no SCSI driver for Virtual PC
  • The performance of the SCSI driver is very slow until you have the virtual machine additions installed.  The virtual machine additions contain the accelerated SCSI driver but you can install this driver during your setup of 2003, 2000, and XP by installing VS 2005 R2 and using the virtual floppy to load the accelerated SCSI driver or "shunt driver" during setup just as you would install any SCSI driver by using the F6 key when setup first starts.SCSI Driver Setup - Install

 

Here are some of the advantages in using the SCSI driver and hard drives over IDE drives in your VM’s.

  • Clustering!
  • More drives per VM - up to 28 SCSI disks
  • More space per drive - up to 2 TB per driver versus 128 GB max for IDE
  • They are faster!

And if you weren’t confused before, in Server 2008 with Windows Server Virtualization, all of this changes. 

Here are some virtualization resources and related links:

Virtual PC Guys blog

virtualization.info home page  virtualization.info RSS feed

John Howard’s blog, Senior Program Mgr, Windows Server Virtualization

Microsoft Virtualization home page

Download Windows Server 2008 RC0 Light bulb

ConfigMgr.com

 

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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BDD 2008 Beta 3 Available On Connect

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.rm_bdd20

Deployment 4 is the code name for the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 and unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. For the thousands of IT professionals already trained on BDD 2007, Deployment 4 requires minimal extra training to perform large-scale Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 deployments, while offering a further enhanced desktop deployment experience. Deployment 4 adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
  • Windows Automated Installation Kit
  • Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
  • Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
  • User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
  • Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition (coming soon)

Enhanced Beta Program on Microsoft Connect

This Beta release also offers an enhanced Microsoft Connect portal including technical frequently asked questions, deployment tips and tricks, a recommended 10-step program for new users to quickly get acquainted with deployment accelerators, customer-ready Solution Accelerator informational materials, and deployment-related conference presentations.

Accelerator Description

Deployment 4 Beta 3 combines the guidance and toolset from previous releases of Business Desktop Deployment and Beta releases of Windows Server Deployment. This release continues to support Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) of desktop operating systems using Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack and adds new deployment and task sequencing capabilities for desktops and servers using System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Deployment 4 also continues to provide Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support without infrastructure requirements and adds capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008.

New features in Deployment 4 Beta 3

  • Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:
    • Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Deployment 4 and Configuration Manager 2007.
    • Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.
      • Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
      • Extends the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.
    • Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, database settings.
  • Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:
    • Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC0 (to be verified after RC0 release), including support for Server Core installation options. (Windows Server 2008 TAP customers only.)
  • Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:
    • Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.
    • Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
    • Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:
      • Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
      • Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
      • Replace scenario template
    • Ability to invoke web service calls Support for web service calls from rules
      • Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Deployment 4, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.
    • Support for side-by-side installation with Deployment 4 and BDD 2007 installed on the same machine.
  • Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:
    • Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services.

Where to Find Deployment 4 Beta 3

Deployment 4 Beta 3 is part of the Windows Server 2008 Beta and TAP Programs. It is also available as an open beta download.

To join Deployment 4 beta 3 program, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Microsoft Connect Web site (http://connect.microsoft.com).
  2. Click Invitations on the Connect menu.
  3. You will need to sign in using a valid Windows Live ID before you can continue to the Invitations page.
  4. Enter your Invitation ID in the box. Your invitation ID is: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
  5. Click Go.
  6. If you have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect, you might be required to register before you continue with the invitation process.
  7. To download Deployment 4, click Download Now.

(If this link does not work for you, copy the full link and paste it into the Web browser address bar.)

Thanks for your participation.
Deployment 4 Team
Microsoft

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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