Custom software developer. IT consultant. Geek.
Archive for August, 2008
Problem accessing varchar(max) field from Classic ASP
Aug 29th
At Info et Cetera, we have a really nice content management system that we developed a number of years ago, which we have in place at several clients. While there are lots of content management systems commercially available today that probably have much more advanced features than our system, we like our CMS because it lets us build lots of custom database functionality to integrate into our clients’ sites. Additionally, our system provides complete separation between the back end management system and the front end templating system in a very convenient and flexible manner. But enough about that…
This week, I More >
I guess I’m just too fast at browsing the web
Aug 29th
I ran into a funny screen while browsing the Dell Outlet website today:
I guess I’m just too fast of a shopper. Clearly, it’s better for them to deny me access to their site as opposed to letting me quickly spend money.
Windows Small Business Server 2008: Support and Troubleshooting
Aug 26th
My notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast…
SBS2008 Premium edition includes everything in SBS2008 plus another copy of Windows Server 2008 Standard, and a copy of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition.
When SBS2003 was first released, it included SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition. In SBS2003 R2, SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition was included in Premium (which was a problem because some LOB systems did not support that edition). In SBS2008 Premium they have changed it to include SQL Server Standard Edition.
One key point related to setup is that the setup of Windows Server 2008 is MUCH simpler than Windows Server 2003.
Requirements More >
Windows Small Business Server 2008: Remote Access and Computer Management
Aug 25th
My notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast…
Remote Access
Self-Issued vs. Third Party certificates
- SBS2008 creates a self-issued certificate that can be used.
- Clients and computers have to install this certificate in order to trust it.
- 3rd-party certificates are easier to implement and manager. They are not more or less secure, but they’re easier to use. They have become very inexpensive.
- Fix My Network wizard will automate updating the Root Certificate
- “Add a Trusted Certificate Wizard” will automatically generate and give you a certificate request hash.
- Installing trusted certificate on client computers
- From a domain-joined computer, go to \\sites\public\downloads and download/extract “Install Certificate Package.zip”
- From a non-domain joined computer, More >
Small Business Server 2008: Messaging and Collaboration Management
Aug 25th
My notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast…
Messaging: Exchange Server 2007
Internet Address Management Wizard (IAMW)
- Configures SMTP
- Configures SMTP Connectors
- Configures self-issued certificates for encrypted email
Configure Internet Mil Wizard
- Where you configure smart host (supports authentication
Configuring the POP3 Connector
- Unique to Small Business Server
- On a scheduled basis, will download mail and pull it into Exchange
- Simplified from previous versions of SBS, but redesigned to be very reliable
- [Retrieve now] button temporarily bumps up logging
Verifying DNS Records
- Internet Address Mail Wizard configures
- A records
- MX records
- SPF records
- SRV records
Email protection
- Exchange content filtering: uses Spam Confidence Level (SCL)
- Exchange Recipient Filtering: uses Global Address List (GAL)
- Exchange Sender Filtering: uses individual e0mail address or More >
Windows Small Business Server 2008 – Management, Health, and Security
Aug 22nd
My notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast on SBS2008…
Managing with the Windows SBS Console
On the home tab, you will see:
- Task Pad
- Finish Installation
- Connect to the Internet
- Protect your data
- Add users, computers, and devices
- Grow your business
- Set up your Microsoft Office Live Small Business Web sites
- Network Essentials Summary: Shows you the status of:
- Security (will be red if any components on the Security page are red)
- Updates
- Backup
- Other Alerts
- Frequent Tasks and Community Links
Other tabs include:
- Users and Groups
- Network
- Shared Folders and Web Sites
- Backup and Server Storage
- Reports
- Security
Much of the UI includes the OK (green), Warning (yellow), and Critical (Red) concept.
Network tab includes:
- Computers (servers and client computers)
- Devices
- Connectivity
Security
Components:
- Email anti-malware More >
Windows Small Business Server 2008 Migration
Aug 22nd
Some notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast on SBS2008 migration…
Solutions Pathway
Microsoft is providing an easy way to figure out what the licensing scenarios may be for you: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/pathway.mspx Shows you supported scenarios and the discount that will be applied.
Preparing the network for migration
Migration highlights:
- 21-day grace period to complete the migration
- Answer file generator must be used
- Migrate without taking down servers
- Destination server joins the existing domain (replica DC)
- Uninterrupted mail flow between both servers
- No need to touch client workstations
Migration should be able to take place during business hours even!
Pre-migration tasks:
- Perform a virus scan
- Configure a full backup of the source server (include boot and More >
Windows Small Business Server 2008 has been released to manufacturing
Aug 21st
Hooray! The SBS team signed off on the bits for Windows Small Business Server 2008 this morning, so SBS2008 has officially RTM’ed. It’s “in the machine” now, as they say.
More information from the Small Business Server blog
Read more posts from John R. Pattison about Windows Small Business Server 2008
Deploying Windows Small Business Server 2008
Aug 21st
My notes from today’s Microsoft Partner Program webcast…
Requirements
Requirements for primary server
Processor 64-bit only, 2GHz minimum, maximum of 4 physical sockets (no limit on the number of cores) Memory 4GB RAM minimum. 32GB RAM maximum. OS Drive Partition 60GB minimum. DVD-ROM Bootable from system BIOS Network Adapter 1 x 100Mbps Ethernet adapteber Monitor / video adapter Minimum 1024×768 Network devices Router that supports IPv4 NAT Internet Connection Required Firewall External firewall requiredRequirements for second server (if you’re running SBS2008 Premium Edition)
Processor 2GHz (can be x86 OR x64) Memory 2GB RAM minimum. 32GB RAM maximum. OS Partition 10GB minimum. 40GB recommended. More >A quick overview of Windows Small Business Server 2008
Aug 21st
I thought it would be beneficial to post an overview post on SBS2008, to fill anyone in on the new product offerings that Microsoft is bringing to market.
Microsoft Small Business Server is growing up! Microsoft is introducing a new LINE of servers under the “Essential Business Solutions” umbrella:
- Windows Small Business Server 2008 (SBS2008)
- Standard: 1 user
- Premium: 2 servers (adds a server to run line of business software)
- Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS2008)
- Standard: 3 servers
- Premium: 4 servers (adds a server to run line of business software)
For more information about the difference between SBS2008 and EBS2008, see Which Solution is Right More >