IT Going Green and Making a Difference in More Ways

This is a 1E customer who not only uses our NightWatchman software to save electricity and subsequently reduce their own carbon footprint in doing so but they are also saw a return on investment of of less than three months on a project that also included our user self service product Shopping and services to design and implement SMS.  In the long run they are going to reduce the amount of carbon emitted into the environment by 1 metric tonne annually and their head count is only 4,500 employees.  Other benefits they will realize are faster and easier application delivery to the end users, and less IT staff costs by implementing SMS and Shopping, all along side NightWatchman.

I was not involved in this project personally, but I can tell you that with all of my customers who use NightWatchman they are not only saving millions of dollars on electricity each year and saving the planet at the same time but when they add our other software solutions like 1E WakeUp with our custom Wake-on-LAN solution and the much imitated Client Health patching of computers is much faster and reaching a patch level of 100% compliant is not only possible but now the expectation, add in our branch distribution software Nomad Enterprise and the fear of sending a package over a link and hoping it doesn’t saturate the pipe is gone, no longer can the Network admin’s point their finders at the SMS or ConfigMgr if their traffic shaping doesn’t quite work, Nomad has dynamic true bandwidth throttling built in that handles any change in network traffic, oh the stories I could tell.  And then when you add Shopping in and you never have to worry again about getting those frantic phone calls from your manager or director telling you to stop what you were working on “…because the department head of X is leaving for the airport in 45 minutes and has to have the latest version of Visio and PowerPoint installed on their laptop before they go, and I mean right now!  Create the package and ad thing you do. No, I have no idea what their computer name is why?  Oh, and make sure they have the right service pack and all the patches installed with those too!  We can’t have them getting infected.”  Because with Shopping that department head could sit in their chair open up their browser, select Visio and PowerPoint from the list of application on the Shopping portal and in just a few minutes it would all be installed while they were checking online to make sure they had the best seat for their return flight next week, all without ever contacting IT!

My customers scale, as far as client numbers, are almost always in excess of 100k so I get to design and test some very interesting solutions.  Hierarchies are very large and complicated, not to mention the sheer size of the IT operations and the risk associated with making changes to the computing environment and processes.  But when the design is complete, and we have checked every box indicating that all of the PoC tests are a success, and all requirements have been met, and I produce a report telling them how much they are going to reduce their carbon footprint and save on electricity, that they no longer have to worry about traffic shaping to make sure an SMS distribution doesn’t cause a network outage, that we meet and exceed application delivery to the end users where service level agreements are measured in seconds not days, and they are finally going to get the client fixed on all those computers where it hasn’t worked for no one knows how long, all they can do is smile in disbelief and ask me why they didn’t call sooner!  

So I can attest to this case study being factual even though I didn’t work on the project because I have seen it all with my own customers using the 1E products and services.

PeterboroughCaseStudy.pdf

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

Microsoft MVP System Center Configuration Manager

http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

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How-To: Sequencing Office 2007 with SoftGrid

I wish Microsoft would standardize on either SoftGrid or Microsoft Application Virtualization.  Here is a KB on sequencing Office 2007.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;939796

INTRODUCTION

This article describes one method that you can use to successfully sequence a 2007 Microsoft Office program for use with Microsoft SoftGrid. The method that is described in this article is not the only method that is available. Additionally, you may have to modify the information in this article as appropriate for your particular environment.

 

MORE INFORMATION

Obtain background information

• Review the "Best practices to use for sequencing in Microsoft SoftGrid" article. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

932137 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932137/) Best practices to use for sequencing in Microsoft SoftGrid

• Review the product documentation that was included with SoftGrid. This includes the following documents:

• Quick Start Guide

• Sequencer Install Guide

• Sequencer User Guide

• Install the 2007 Office program to become familiar with the functionality of the program.

 

Prepare the environment

1. Use the Microsoft Office Customization Tool to create an .msp file. To obtain the Office Customization Tool in the 2007 Office system, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://technet2.microsoft.com/Office/en-us/library/8faae8a0-a12c-4f7b-839c-24a66a531bb51033.mspx?mfr=true (http://technet2.microsoft.com/Office/en-us/library/8faae8a0-a12c-4f7b-839c-24a66a531bb51033.mspx?mfr=true)

The .msp file must define at least the following settings:

• On the Install location and organization name page, install the 2007 Office suite to Q:\unique eight-character path that you have not used previously\Microsoft Office.

• On the Licensing and user interface page, enter the appropriate license key, and then click to select the I accept the terms of the license agreement check box.

• On the Set feature and installation states page, click Run All From My Computer for each 2007 Office program feature.

• On the Add registry entries page, add the following registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\Preferences "PreventIndexingOutlook"=dword:00000001

Note This registry entry enables the "Classic" Outlook search feature in Microsoft Office Outlook 2007.

2. If you want to use Microsoft Office Project 2007 together with the 2007 Office program, create an .msp file for Project 2007. This .msp file must define at least the following settings:

• On the Install location and organization name page, install Project 2007 to Q:\unique eight-character path that you have not used previously\Microsoft Office.
Note This is the same path that you specified for the 2007 Office program installation.

• On the Licensing and user interface page, enter the appropriate license key, and then click to select the I accept the terms of the license agreement check box.

• On the Set feature and installation states page, click Run All From My Computer for each Project 2007 feature.

3. If you want to use Microsoft Office Visio 2007 together with the 2007 Office program, create an .msp file for Visio 2007. This .msp file must define at least the following settings:

• On the Install location and organization name page, install Visio 2007 to Q:\unique eight-character path that you have not used previously\Microsoft Office.
Note This is the same path that you specified for the 2007 Office program installation.

• On the Licensing and user interface page, enter the appropriate license key, and then click to select the I accept the terms of the license agreement check box.

• On the Set feature and installation states page, click Run All From My Computer for each Visio 2007 feature.

4. Build the sequencing computer. To do this, use the information from the SoftGrid product documentation. Also, consider the following list of best practices when you create the sequencing workstation:

a. Join the sequencing computer to the domain and allow for Group Policy to be applied to the computer.

b. Log on to the sequencing computer as a member of the local Administrators group. However, do not use the local Administrator account.

c. Do not disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista.

d. Turn off any real-time scanning programs or indexing programs before you start the sequencing operation. This includes the following programs:

• Microsoft Windows Update

• Antivirus programs

• Anti-malware programs such as Windows Defender.

• Indexing programs or search programs such as the Windows Search service

e. To a local folder on the sequencing computer, copy the 2007 Office suite installation program and any other program that is to be sequenced.
Note Use the media package from a volume licensed 2007 Office suite installation for this purpose.

f. Install the SoftGrid Sequencer tool on the computer. When you install this tool, use the default installation options.

 

Perform sequencing

1. Start the SoftGrid Sequencer program.

2. On the File menu, click New Package.

3. Type the appropriate information in the following boxes, and then click Next:

• Suite Name

• Title

• Comments

• Hostname

• Path

Note For more information about the information these boxes can contain, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

932137 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932137/) Best practices to use for sequencing in Microsoft SoftGrid

4. Verify that the appropriate operating systems are selected on the Operating Systems page, and then click Finish.

5. Click Next to start the Installation Wizard.

6. In the Compression Algorithm list, click the appropriate compression algorithm.
Note We recommend that you click Not Compressed in this list.

7. In the Block Size list, click 32KB, and then click Next.

8. Exit all programs that are not needed, close all windows that are not needed, and then click Begin Monitoring.

9. Install Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 by using the .msp file that you created earlier.

10. Install other 2007 Office programs by using the appropriate .msp files that you created earlier.
Important Install all the following programs to the same package root folder:

• Visio 2007

• Project 2007

• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007

• Microsoft Office Live Meeting

• XPS/PDF add-in

11. Start each program that you installed except Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Office Groove 2007.

12. Verify that each program works correctly. If it is necessary, start each program again.

13. Click Stop Monitoring.

14. When you are prompted, click the package root folder on the Q: drive to which you installed the 2007 Office programs.

15. Accept the default option to add files to the virtual file system (VFS), and then click Finish.

16. Click Next to start the Application Wizard.

17. Customize the shortcuts to be included in the package as appropriate for your environment. When you do this, remove shortcuts that trigger update actions or that are not needed.

18. Click Next.

19. On the Launch Applications page, click each program in turn, and then click Launch.
Important Do not select Outlook 2007 or Groove 2007.

20. Perform the operations in each program as appropriate for the functionality that you want to be included in Feature Block 1. For example, to include the spelling checker functionality, misspell a word, and then check the spelling. Or, to include the Help functionality in Feature Block 1, start Help.
Note By default, the 2007 Office program does not register the following file name extension associations:

• .doc

• .xls

• .ppt

If you want these file name extensions associated with the appropriate 2007 Office program, you must open a .doc file, an .xls file, and a .ppt file as appropriate, and then register the file type with the 2007 Office program.
When you are finished starting programs, click Next.

21. Click Finish to complete the steps in the Application Wizard.

22. On the Virtual Registry tab in the Sequencer, expand the following virtual registry location:

USER\%SFT_SID%\Software\Microsoft\Office\Common\UserInfo

Then, delete the following values:

• UserInitials

• UserName

23. If you include the Live Meeting add-ins in the sequencing operation, follow these steps:

a. On the Virtual Registry tab in the Sequencer, expand the following virtual registry location:

USER\%SFT_SID%\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data

Then, delete the Settings value and the Toolbars value.

b. On the Virtual File System tab, expand CSIDL_APPDATA\Microsoft\Templates, and then right-click this entry to clear the virtualized flag. This action lets the 2007 Office Online templates function correctly.

24. If you perform the sequencing operation on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, follow these steps:

a. On the Virtual File System tab, expand the following location:

CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON\Microsoft Shared\ink

b. Right-click this entry to clear the virtualized flag. This action lets Tablet PC computers function correctly.

25. Save the package together with an appropriate name.

26. Verify that local interaction is enabled. To do this, modify each .osd package to add the following entry to the <VIRTUALENV> section that appears after the <ENVLIST/> tag.

<POLICIES>
<LOCAL_INTERACTION_ALLOWED>TRUE</LOCAL_INTERACTION_ALLOWED>
</POLICIES>

When you enable local interaction, Windows Internet Explorer interaction is improved.

 

Known issues

• The Outlook 2007 Instant Search feature does not function in a SoftGrid environment. The registry key change that is described in this article turns on the Classic form of Outlook search.

• After streaming, the shortcut that is created in the Quick Launch area by Outlook 2007 and the shortcut that is created in the Startup folder for Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 are no longer valid. Therefore, users must manually re-create these shortcuts.

• Items that require interaction with Outlook 2007 from the operating system or from other programs do not function correctly. This includes "mailto:" links and the Start menu shortcut for the default e-mail client.

Regards,

Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

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SoftGrid 4.1 and 4.2 Updates Available for Download Now

Posted today over the SoftGrid Team Blog, you can now get the latest updates for SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 and 4.2 HFRU2 on TechNet.  There are some pretty significant additions and changes in these updates.

I am pleased to announce public availability of SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 and 4.2 HFRU2.

This cumulative update for SoftGrid v4.1 SP1 and v4.2 provides the latest updates to SoftGrid.  In addition to stability improvements, this update contains the following changes:

• The log level of the "Error reading from socket" message is now Debug. Therefore, the message does not appear in the Sft-server.log and the Windows event log at the default log level when you use SoftGrid Virtual Application Servers together with a hardware load balancer. 
• SoftGrid Sequencer now preserves OSD GUIDs when it opens SoftGrid v3.2 sequencings for a package upgrade.
• Intermittent "0xBE" Stop errors that occur at system start on multiprocessor computers have been addressed.

New capabilities

This update provides the following new capabilities:

• SoftGrid now supports deployment of Virtual Application .msi files that are generated by the MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization to SoftGrid clients that are running Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows 2000 Server/Advanced Server and that have Terminal Services enabled.
• SoftGrid 4.2 HFRU2 now supports Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Please Note:  The 4.1 SP1 KB article incorrectly identifies Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) as a new capability of 4.1 SP1 HFRU2.  We’re in the process of changing the article now so you should see it updated soon.

SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 HFRU2 Bits: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938497

SoftGrid 4.2 HFRU2 Bits: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941408

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

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Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Labs

J.C. over on the SoftGrid Team blog posed a list of SoftGrid virtual labs.  If you are new to the technology, need a refresher or just want to pick up on some stuff you might not already know this list covers quite a few different areas of the entire SoftGrid process from sequencing to troubleshooting. 

I would also recommend subscribing to their RSS feed if you don’t currently. 

Are you new to Microsoft Application Virtualization (aka SoftGrid) and looking for a quick and easy way to ramp up your skills? If so then these virtual labs are a great place to start. In as little as an hour or two you can use these to evaluate and test many of the features and concepts through a series of guided, hands-on exercises. Sure you can read the guides and manuals and all that stuff (you do read all those, right?) but if you’re anything like me there’s no substitute for getting your hands dirty. Plus a little practice now using these labs can save you a ton of time troubleshooting mistakes down the road. Check them out:

======

TechNet Virtual Lab: SoftGrid Application Virtualization- Sequencing (basics)

After completing this lab, you will be better able to publish an application in the SoftGrid environment, stream and test the application, and perform an active upgrade of the application.

For more information see http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032366074&culture=en-US

======

TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft SoftGrid Virtual Application Advanced Sequencing

In this lab, you will walk-through performing a Virtual File System (VFS) installation of an application as well as a sequencing of a web-based plug-in. Before working on this lab, you should be familiar with the basic concepts of the SoftGrid environment.

For more information see http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032345999&culture=en-US

======

TechNet Virtual Lab: Using Microsoft SoftGrid Sequencer to Package and Install an Application and Implement an Updated Package using Active Upgrade

After completion of this lab, you will be more familiar with performing a standard sequence of an application, publishing the application to test in the SoftGrid system, and also performing an active upgrade to the application. Before working on this lab, you should be familiar with the basic concepts of the SoftGrid environment.

For more information see http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032346000&culture=en-US

======

TechNet Virtual Lab: SoftGrid Application Virtualization- Publishing

After completing this lab, you will be better able to publish an application in the SoftGrid environment, stream and test the application, and perform an active upgrade of the application.

For more information see http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032366076&culture=en-US

======

TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft SoftGrid General Troubleshooting

In this lab, you will learn how to troubleshoot sequenced applications using common utilities. After completing this lab you will be able to create a package troubleshooting environment, use File Monitor to repair a package that is missing file(s), and use Process Monitor to add registry keys.

For more information see http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032367800&culture=en-US

======

J.C. Hornbeck | Manageability Knowledge Engineer

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© Anthony Clendenen

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Sequenced App Displays Popup at Launch - Every Time

I think we all have seen this happen when you install a fresh copy of Office and launch Word for the first time.  Well if you sequence and app and this happens it can be rather annoying if the user gets it every single time when they start an app.  Check out John’s resolution to this issue below.

Source.

Windows Installer Pop-up When Running Virtualized FrontPage 2003

Symptom: After sequencing Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003, when the application is streamed to a client and a user tries to launch it, you may receive a Windows Installer pop-up window that says "Preparing to install…"  After a few moments the window goes away and FrontPage 2003 launches normally.  Here’s a screen shot of the pop-up so you can see what window I’m referring to:

The annoying part is that this happens every time the application is launched!

Solution: If you have a package that exhibits this problem, follow the steps below to resolve it:

1. Install the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility on the sequencer: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301.
2. From the Sequencer application, open the FrontPage 2003 package using File -> Open for Package Upgrade.
3. Begin monitoring.
4. Once monitoring begins, run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility installed during step 1.
5. The Windows Installer Cleanup Utility will present a dialog box where you can select programs that were installed by Windows Installer.  Select Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 in the Installed Products list to remove the Windows Installer configuration information that is related to FrontPage.
6. Exit the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.
7. Stop monitoring.  (Note that I did not run the application at this point).
8. Advance to the Application phase and launch FrontPage.
9. If you received the error "Cannot load fpsrvutl.dll", start monitoring again and copy the fpsrvutl.dll file in Q:\frtpg2k3.v01\VFS\CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\60\BIN to Q:\frtpg2k3.v01\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11.  Note that these were the specific paths I used so although the concept will be the same, your paths may vary from my example above. 
10. Advance to the Application phase and launch FrontPage.  Once you verify that FrontPage launches correctly save your package.

At this point you can roll it out as you normally would and you shouldn’t get that annoying Windows Installer window pop up every time FrontPage is launched.

John Behneman

Nice work John and thanks for sharing! 

Get the RSS feed for the SoftGrid blog on TechNet by clicking here.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 - 2008 Anthony Clendenen

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SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 Hotfix Rollup & 4.2 Hotfix Rollup Details and Download Links

First up, SoftGrid 4.1 SP1’s hotfix rollup details.

KB 938497

SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 Hotfix Rollup Package 1

This cumulative update for SoftGrid v4.1 SP1 provides the latest updates to SoftGrid v4.1 SP1. In addition to stability improvements, this update contains the following changes:

• Improvements to package upgrade when importing upgraded sequencings into the SoftGrid Server Management Console Snap-in.

• Improvements to package downgrade operation.

• Improvements to nonpaged pool usage when sequencing large applications.

• Improvements to sequencing of applications that use both Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 and Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

• Improvements to command-line parameter handling of virtualized child processes.

New capabilities

SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 Hotfix Rollup Package 1 also provides the following new capabilities:

• Microsoft SoftGrid now provides support for the MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization.

• Microsoft SoftGrid now supports SoftGrid Server components running under WOW64 on 64-bit Windows.

Download locations

SoftGrid for Windows Desktops (4.1.2.21)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/6/d/d6dd54bd-2c9f-41ba-8fd7-4b8b03d5c12f/SoftGrid_wd_setup_4.1.2.21.exe (http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/6/d/d6dd54bd-2c9f-41ba-8fd7-4b8b03d5c12f/softgrid_wd_setup_4.1.2.21.exe)

SoftGrid for Terminal Services (4.1.2.21)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/3/d/f3deb4c3-f484-4bf7-ae49-c9f8a010b594/SoftGrid_ts_setup_4.1.2.21.exe (http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/3/d/f3deb4c3-f484-4bf7-ae49-c9f8a010b594/softgrid_ts_setup_4.1.2.21.exe)

SoftGrid Server (4.1.2.20)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/9/4/994b08d3-7f01-4696-994d-a67f2e0bdf33/SoftGrid_server_setup_4.1.2.20.exe (http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/9/4/994b08d3-7f01-4696-994d-a67f2e0bdf33/softgrid_server_setup_4.1.2.20.exe)

SoftGrid Sequencer (4.1.2.20)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/8/0/e80de2bf-bebd-480e-a1ee-f9febb996b8b/SoftGrid_sequencer_setup_4.1.2.20.exe (http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/8/0/e80de2bf-bebd-480e-a1ee-f9febb996b8b/softgrid_sequencer_setup_4.1.2.20.exe)

And now for the details on SoftGrid 4.2’s hotfix rollup.

KB 941408

SoftGrid 4.2 Hotfix Rollup Package 1

This cumulative update for SoftGrid v4.2 provides the latest updates to SoftGrid 4.2. In addition to stability improvements, this update contains the following changes:

• Improvements to the package upgrade when you import upgraded sequencings into the SoftGrid Server Management Console snap-in.

• Improvements to the package downgrade operation.

• Improvements to nonpaged pool usage when you sequence large applications.

• Improvements when you sequence applications that use both the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 and the .NET Framework 2.0.

• Improvements to command-line parameter handling of virtualized child processes.

New capabilities

This update also provides the following new capabilities:

• Support for the MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization.

• Support for SoftGrid Server components that run under WOW64 in 64-bit versions of Windows.

Download information

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Download the SoftGrid for Windows Desktops (4.2.1.21) package now. (http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/d/fcda9812-fc85-4d43-921e-2e0276451cd8/softgrid_wd_setup_4.2.1.21.exe)
Download the SoftGrid Sequencer (4.2.1.20) package now. (http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/6/e/56eb2e0b-571e-4b42-8dff-741f045ed308/softgrid_sequencer_setup_4.2.1.20.exe)

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 - 2008 Anthony Clendenen

I Recommend These Books!
SMS 2003 Administrator’s Reference: Systems Management Server 2003 -  SMS 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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Desktop Management with System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft SoftGrid

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032358169&EventCategory=4&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

TechNet Webcast: Optimizing Desktop Management with System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization (Level 300)

Event ID: 1032358169

Register Online

Language(s):
English.

Product(s):
System Center.

Audience(s):
IT Professionals.

Duration:
60 Minutes

Start Date:

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)

One of the biggest challenges IT departments face in today’s organization is reducing the cost of managing their desktops. Broader demands from the business, fast-paced technology cycles, and increasing security threats place a heavy demand on IT departments to deliver higher value at a lower cost. IT teams must test for application compatibility, maintain user productivity, keep track of assets, secure the desktop, and more.
The answer to these challenges is to improve desktop optimization. Reduction of desktop complexity speeds deployments, streamlines management, and increases security. In this webcast, we discuss centralized deployment and management of desktops, laptops, and devices with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. When used in conjunction with the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, management is extended across both physical and virtual desktops and applications resulting in the highest levels of efficiency for overall enterprise management.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization SoftGrid

Seasons Greetings Everyone!

Overview

The MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization is a new tool designed to extend virtual application deployment in certain key scenarios. In cases where a computer running Microsoft System Center Virtual Application Server is not available, the MSI Utility allows delivery of sequenced applications directly to Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization for Desktops and Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization for Terminal Services.
The MSI Utility enables the distribution of virtual applications without streaming. Instead, it uses Windows Installer to load and configure virtual applications. By leveraging this standard format, the MSI Utility achieves Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 platform version-agnostic distribution of virtual applications if supported by organizational Electronic Software Distribution (ESD) systems. As such, the MSI Utility is a stepping stone to the richer deployment options available in Microsoft System Center Virtual Application Server 4.5.
The MSI Utility extends application deployment methods to a broad range of ESD systems, including Systems Management Server 2003 and System Center Configuration Manager, as well as other methods such as network shares, removable disks, and memory keys. By using an ESD system to deploy virtualized application packages to disconnected SoftGrid Application Virtualization Desktop Clients, users can run virtualized applications without connecting to a computer running Microsoft System Center Virtual Application Server.

Download details: MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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Systems Management Support WebCasts…And ConfigMgr Too

Merry Christmas…

 This is a whole list of Systems Management WebCasts that go back as far as 2000 with some SMS 2.0 stuff, here is some newer SMS 2003 WebCasts, and here is a search string for ConfigMgr WebCasts, I couldn’t find a page that just listed all of them.

Past Support WebCasts

• Support WebCast: Microsoft Security Intelligence Report: Latest trends in vulnerabilities, malware, and potentially unwanted software - Level 300 - Wednesday, 07 November 2007
• The Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 - Level 300: Thursday, December 22, 2005
• Troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 - Level 200: Wednesday, May 18, 2005
• Vulnerability assessment and the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer - March 5, 2004
• Troubleshooting Microsoft Operations Manager Top Issues: Tuesday, January 6, 2004
• An Introduction to Microsoft Operations Manager 2004: Thursday, November 13, 2003
• Best Practices for Microsoft Operations Manager, Service Pack 1: Wednesday, November 12, 2003
• Upgrading Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 to Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 SP1: Tuesday, September 30, 2003
• How to Perform an Architectural Review: Friday, August 8, 2003
• A Technical Overview of Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Tuesday, July 29, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Troubleshooting Common Issues: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
• Upgrading from Microsoft Systems Management Server Version 2.0 to 2003: Tuesday, June 17, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Client Deployment: Tuesday, April 15, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: Troubleshooting Client Installation: Wednesday, March 26, 2003
• Microsoft Operations Manager SP1: Configuration and Operational Best Practices: Tuesday, March 25, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server: Using SMS 2003 in Small Branch Office Scenarios: Tuesday, February 25, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: What Is New in Service Pack 5: Thursday, January 30, 2003
• Microsoft Operations Manager: Understanding the Refresh (SP1, SDK2, and the Resource Kit); Tuesday, January 14, 2003
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Discussion of the Beta Program: Wednesday, December 18, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Troubleshooting Advanced Clients: Tuesday, November 26, 2002
• Microsoft Operations Manager: An Introduction to MOM Architecture, Features, Performance, and Sizing: Tuesday, November 12, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Backup and Recovery: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server: Understanding SMS 2003 Querying and Reporting: Tuesday, August 20, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server: An Introduction to Software Update Management Using SMS 2.0: Wednesday, August 14, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Working with the Beta Release: Tuesday, July 30, 2002
• Introducing Software Metering in Microsoft SMS 2003: Thursday, June 13, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz): Understanding Remote Control Options: Thursday, May 9, 2002
• Preparing for Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz) Deployment: Tuesday, April 16, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Value Pack: Introduction to New Tools and Functionalities: Friday, March 29, 2002
• Microsoft Operations Manager: How to Manage the MOM Database: Friday, March 15, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz): Understanding Advanced Security: Tuesday, February 5, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz Release): Understanding Mobile Client: Tuesday, January 8, 2002
• Microsoft Systems Management Server : (Topaz) Software Distribution Enhancements: Tuesday, December 11, 2001
• New Microsoft Systems Management Server (code named Topaz) and Active Directory Integration: Thursday, November 29, 2001
• Understanding Operational Procedures for Microsoft Systems Management Server: Thursday, October 25, 2001
• MOM, SMS, and NetIQ AppMgr - Technical Comparisons: Thursday, October 4, 2001
• Introduction to the Next Release of Microsoft Systems Management Server: Thursday, September 6, 2001
• Troubleshooting SMS 2.0 Site Server Performance Problems: Tuesday, August 28, 2001
• Microsoft Operations Manager, Scalability and Complex Configurations: Tuesday, August 21, 2001
• Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) Installer and Installer Step-up (ISU): Thursday, July 19, 2001
• Installing and Deploying Microsoft Operations Manager 2000: Tuesday, July 17, 2001
• Understanding Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 Management Packs: Thursday, June 14, 2001
• Configuring and Troubleshooting Remote Tools in Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0: Wednesday, May 30, 2001
• Microsoft Systems Management Server Reporting using the SMS Web Reporting Tool: Thursday, May 17, 2001
• Creating Queries in the Systems Management Server Administrator Console: Thursday, April 12, 2001
• Introduction to Microsoft Operations Manager 2000: Tuesday, March 27, 2001
• Managing Mobile Clients with Systems Management Server 2.0: Friday, February 23, 2001
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Client Infrastructure:Friday, January 26, 2001
• Understanding SMS Network Discovery: Friday, December 8, 2000
• The Systems Management Server 2.0 Security Model: Tuesday, November 7, 2000
• SMS 2.0 Software Distribution Details and Advanced Information: Tuesday, October 10, 2000
• Windows Management Instrumentation: What Is It and How Does SMS Use It: Tuesday, September 26, 2000
• Handling Duplicate Systems in SMS 2.0: Thursday, August 17, 2000
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Backup and Recovery: Thursday, July 6, 2000
• What’s New in Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack 2: Thursday, June 1, 2000
• Windows 2000 and Systems Management Server 2.0 Integration: Tuesday, May 9, 2000
• SMS 2.0 Design Issues: Thursday, April 13, 2000
• Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Accounts: Thursday, February 03, 2000
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Security: Tuesday, January 25, 2000
• Systems Management Server 2.0 Common Problems and Resolutions: Tuesday, March 14, 2000

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E

http://configmgr.com

© 2007 Anthony Clendenen

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SoftGrid SMS Connector Discontinued

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.  Her question was why?  The reasons given are so that you can now distribute the package on a file share, a CD, a USB key, through ConfigMgr, Group Policy by leveraging the Windows Installer service.  It will be loaded into the SoftGrid cache in stand alone mode, not requiring a connection to the the SoftGrid server itself.  This essentially moves away from the model of SoftGrid apps being streamed down to the SoftGrid client as a video file and replaces it with a locally executed installer package. 

New Features

Here are some of the new features reported to be in WIAV:

• Installing on a single computer by targeting the computer
• Deploying SoftGrid sequenced apps to computers without a user being logged in via ConfigMgr
• Compatibility with SoftGrid 4.2+
• Works with ConfigMgr
• New distribution models

Two things to note, first this is due out by the end of 2007, the second is that this only applies to stand alone SoftGrid clients, for those that are connected to SoftGrid app server they will continue to use streaming for application delivery, WIAV is intended for application delivery to stand alone clients.  Which is why you still end up with the normal three files after you sequence an app and then use a MSI packager utility.

Source here and here.

In other news…Over on the SoftGrid Blog they have just started a multi-part series of articles titled “Inside The Grid” that is a supplement to their training and has some very good, in depth, information in it.  You can check out part one here.

Regards,
Anthony

Anthony Clendenen | Solutions Engineer | 1E Inc.

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