David Overton's Blog : ISA Server

Latest news, events and downloads in the Security world from Microsoft - Windows Server 2008, Mobile, employee habits, Antigen, IPSEC, ForeFront, NAP, XP Firewall, System Center

David Overton — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:55:40 GMT

Each month the TRM blog product this great summary of the Microsoft world in various product areas. The blog can be found here http://blogs.technet.com/trm/

News

Help your customers securely deploy Windows Server 2008 with the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide! http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=92550
Every day, adversaries attempt to invade your customers’ networks and access their servers—to bring them down, infect them with viruses, or steal information about customers or employees.
Your customers are looking to Microsoft and Windows Server® 2008 to help them address these threats. To assist customers in taking full advantage of the rich security features in Windows Server 2008, Microsoft has developed the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide.
The Windows Server 2008 Security Guide provides IT professionals with best practices, predefined security templates, and an automated deployment tool to help strengthen the security of servers running Windows Server 2008.
Supporting Your Family, Friends, and Neighbours http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8287993
By Steve Riley, Senior Security Strategist, Trustworthy Computing Have you become a support professional outside of the workplace? Read this article and learn how to discuss security with your family, friends, and neighbours to better help them stay safe and secure online.
More Security and Control for Mobile Devices http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8287995
Learn how to add, manage, secure, and update Windows Mobile devices like you do Windows-based laptops and PCs. Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 provides robust security features and a comprehensive device management solution that helps safeguard your corporate data, reduce the cost and complexity of mobile deployments, and centralize and simplify Windows Mobile device management.
Island Hopping: The Infectious Allure of Vendor Swag http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8287996
The technique of island hopping -- penetrating a network through a weak link and then hopping around systems within that network -- has been around for years, but it continues to take on new dimensions. This article discusses the beginning steps of using a USB flash drive to attack a network and why the least privilege approach really matters.
Help Employees Develop Better Security Habits http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8287997
Your biggest vulnerability is not necessarily your computers. It's your users. See how to educate them.
Get a Free Trial of Forefront Security for SharePoint http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8250906
Find out how to help protect your Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 collaboration environments with Forefront Security for SharePoint with SP1, and download free trial software.
Learn About Forefront Edge Security and Get Free Trial Software http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8250907
The Forefront edge security and access products provide enhanced network edge protection and application-centric, policy-based access to corporate IT infrastructure. Find out more by visiting the Forefront edge security Web site. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8250953

Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for February, 2008
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-feb.mspx
Security Bulletin Feed http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=3992479 RSS http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=3992480

Events/WebCasts

Microsoft Security Webcast Series: Upcoming and On-Demand
Security Webcast Calendar http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=37910
Find security webcasts listed in an easy-to-use calendar format.
Upcoming Security Webcasts
http://www.microsoft.com/events/security/upcoming.mspx
Register for the following Webcasts on the link above
IT Manager Webcast: Dynamic IT and Security (Part 5 of 5): Data Protection (Level 200)
Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Pacific Time
TechNet Webcast: Information About Microsoft March Security Bulletins (Level 200)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Pacific Time
On-Demand Security Webcasts
http://www.microsoft.com/events/security/ondemand.mspx

Documents

Help Friends and Family Prevent Identity Theft, Spyware, and Viruses http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8287998
Microsoft Security at Home provides easy-to-understand guidelines to help people protect their computers, themselves, and their families.
Security Quiz http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8287999
Know a friend or family member with a small business? Help them assess what they know and what they ought to know about protecting their businesses from security risks.
Virus Protection and Security Checklist http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8288000
Virus protection is a two-stage process. First, you need to educate your users, and then strengthen your network's security defenses. Review this checklist to see if your employees and systems are covered.
Strong Passwords: How to Create and Use Them http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8288001
This article discusses what makes a strong password, password strategies to avoid, the importance of keeping passwords secret, and how to create a strong, memorable password in six easy steps.
Password Checker http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8288002
Use this tool to help you gauge the strength of your password.
Malicious Software Removal Tool http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8288003
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software -- including Blaster, Sasser, and MyDoom. It also helps remove any infection you find. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed.
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8288004
Detect computer vulnerabilities with the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, a free tool that you can download and use to scan your stand-alone or networked computers for security vulnerabilities.
Partner Security: Establish a Strategy to Protect Shared Data http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8288005
Although many companies focus on the security of their internal systems, it's important to examine the external supply chain as well. Here's how to work with business partners to establish a comprehensive security strategy.
Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8288006
Learn how to optimize two key encryption technologies already available to you in Windows XP and Windows Vista: the Encrypting File System (EFS) and Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Downloads

Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server with Service Pack 1
Help protect your Exchange server from viruses and other malware.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2ceb14d4-404b-4d8f-8a21-ebfc71b2e82b&DisplayLang=en
EHS Filtering Datasheet
This datasheet outlines the Filtering service from Exchange Hosted Services.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7793ba73-50c0-4e07-9cd9-211558cbd890&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Antigen 9 with SP1 Readme
The Messaging Security Suite includes Antigen for Exchange, Antigen for SMTP Gateways, and Antigen Spam Manager, and provides server-level protection against the latest e-mail threats.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7793ba73-50c0-4e07-9cd9-211558cbd890&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft IPsec Diagnostic Tool
Microsoft IPsec Diagnostic Tool assists Network administrators with troubleshooting network related failures, focusing primarily on IPsec. It is applicable on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1d4c292c-7998-42e4-8786-789c7b457881&DisplayLang=en
Security Configuration Wizard Manifest for Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
Security Configuration Wizard (SCW) is an attack surface reduction tool introduced with Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0ab396e0-4333-4621-95fa-313230dcd946&DisplayLang=en
ILM 2007 Password Management Collection
The Password Management Collection introduces users to the Password Change Notification Service (PCNS) in ILM 2007.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ae09d2f5-8ac2-4769-ab6a-48fe35a25c63&DisplayLang=en
ILM 2007 Design Concepts
The ILM 2007 Design Concepts document set provides discussions and recommended solutions for specific challenges that are encountered during the design phase of ILM 2007.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=40a52201-a297-4c35-82e9-f0b4ca05daeb&DisplayLang=en
Office Communications Server 2007 Document: Security Guide
The security guide provide guidelines for assessing and managing security risks to your Office Communications Server 2007 deployment.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2d1ea693-25e0-43d9-8c5c-0822ef83955a&DisplayLang=en
Office 2007 Security Certificates
This download includes security certificate (.cer) files and a Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 package definition (.sms) file for the Microsoft 2007 Office system.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=590b8eb2-9eda-441b-a972-b38e17883063&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Forefront Server Security Management Console Documentation
Forefront Server Security Management Console allows administrators to easily manage Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint, and Microsoft Antigen.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ae4ce23b-9e1e-455c-87a4-36167fe43107&DisplayLang=en
Internet Protocol Security Enforcement in the Network Access Protection Platform
This white paper describes the Network Access Protection (NAP) platform, how IPsec protects traffic, and how IPsec Enforcement in NAP provides system health policy enforcement for IPsec-secured communication.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=144cc69f-790f-4f52-8846-3f3b8584d7cd&DisplayLang=en
Introduction to Network Access Protection
Read this white paper for an overview of the NAP business scenarios, an outline of the components of NAP, and a description of how NAP works.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5d5e243a-23a8-479c-9f2d-37d6d79153e7&DisplayLang=en
IEEE 802.1X for Wired Networks and Internet Protocol Security with Microsoft Windows
This white paper examines and compared 802.1X for wired networks and IPsec.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d9aef757-f528-41be-a01f-99a60c9a855d&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Antigen SP1 Documentation
Microsoft Antigen SP1 Documentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7d00160e-4d15-4459-98a3-89f393ac008e&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server with SP1 Documentation
Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server with SP1 Documentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5cd4e36e-2dab-44d6-990e-3b8184b1cb1b&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint with SP1 Documentation
Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint with SP1 Documentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=125efb1e-7ff8-4cc8-934a-28fc7c7e59f0&DisplayLang=en
Protecting Your Business from Online Threats
Prescriptive advice on how businesses can protect their domains, customers, and assets
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=53903d69-9449-426b-b393-e031716a7368&DisplayLang=en
Committed to Protecting Your IT Infrastructure - Microsoft Investments In Security
Committed to Protecting Your IT Infrastructure - Microsoft Investments In Security
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e4e0d998-ba3e-4865-a4bb-09d812c0244c&DisplayLang=en
Screencast: Deploying SSTP Remote Access
This screencast provides detailed information about how you can use three computers to create a test lab with which to configure and test virtual private network (VPN) remote access with Windows Server® 2008 and Windows Vista® with Service Pack 1 (SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fc4d7d3f-0376-45bf-9544-ec35329a2fc1&DisplayLang=en
Network Access Protection Platform Architecture
Read this white paper for a detailed description of the components of the NAP architecture and how it allows third-party software vendors and system integrators to create complete solutions for system health validated network access.
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/4/6/946958ef-7b86-4ddc-bfdb-c7ed2af4ce51/TCPIP_Fund.pdf
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides Windows Firewall, an enhanced firewall that is enabled by default. This white paper describes the methods used to deploy Windows Firewall settings in a managed environment.
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/4/6/946958ef-7b86-4ddc-bfdb-c7ed2af4ce51/TCPIP_Fund.pdf
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides Windows Firewall, an enhanced firewall that is enabled by default. This white paper describes the methods used to deploy Windows Firewall settings in a managed environment.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4454e0e1-61fa-447a-bdcd-499f73a637d1&DisplayLang=en
Troubleshooting Windows Firewall in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
This article describes how Windows Firewall works, the common problems with using Windows Firewall, and the set of tools used to troubleshoot Windows Firewall issues.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a7628646-131d-4617-bf68-f0532d8db131&DisplayLang=en
Network Access Protection Policies in Windows Server 2008
You configure NAP health requirements and enforcement behaviors with Network Policy Server in Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8e47649e-962c-42f8-9e6f-21c5ccdcf490&DisplayLang=en
System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 System Requirements
DPM 2007 System Requirements lists the minimum DPM hardware and software requirements for the DPM server and the computers and applications it is going to protect.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=961659c7-a66c-410d-a69d-064888db05b3&DisplayLang=en
Deploying System Center Data Protection Manager 2007
Deploying DPM 2007 provides information about installing and configuring DPM 2007.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2812640f-a4a7-4ff8-b4c9-0d73b828328d&DisplayLang=en
System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 Operations Guide - English
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ffa07fd4-bdee-418b-a228-ed8c76c97ab4&DisplayLang=en
Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP IPsec Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP IPsec enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=298ff956-1e6c-4d97-a3ed-7e7ffc4bed32&DisplayLang=en
Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP DHCP Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP DHCP enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ac38e5bb-18ce-40cb-8e59-188f7a198897&DisplayLang=en
Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP 802.1X Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP 802.1X enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8a0925ee-ee06-4dfb-bba2-07605eff0608&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft DPM 2006 Management Pack
This DPM management pack for Operations Manager 2007 supports monitoring for Data Protection Manager 2006. Requires OpsMgr 2007 MOM 2005 Backward Compatibility MP Update 6.0.5000.16
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a3e0a46d-aad9-4ebf-9ce8-c5242d0e596c&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server with SP1 Documentation
Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server with SP1 Documentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5cd4e36e-2dab-44d6-990e-3b8184b1cb1b&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint with SP1 Documentation
Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint with SP1 Documentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=125efb1e-7ff8-4cc8-934a-28fc7c7e59f0&DisplayLang=en
Extended Security Update Inventory Tool
The Extended Security Update Inventory Tool is used to detect security bulletins not covered by MBSA including MS04-028, February 2005 bulletins, and future security bulletins that are exceptions to MBSA.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2c93da1d-48a0-4e5c-991f-87e08954f61b&DisplayLang=en
Deploying System Center Data Protection Manager 2007
Deploying DPM 2007 provides information about installing and configuring DPM 2007.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2812640f-a4a7-4ff8-b4c9-0d73b828328d&DisplayLang=en
System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 System Requirements
DPM 2007 System Requirements lists the minimum DPM hardware and software requirements for the DPM server and the computers and applications it is going to protect.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=961659c7-a66c-410d-a69d-064888db05b3&DisplayLang=en
Backup Operations Service for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 with Data Protection Manager 2007 Datasheet
This offering helps customers to validate, envision, and plan the architecture and the design for an effective, rapid, and reliable recovery of their Office SharePoint Server farms.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d423e7dd-4029-447c-ad26-031adfa41265&DisplayLang=en
Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) Tool
The ISA Server Best Practices Analyzer Tool is designed for administrators who want to determine the overall health of their ISA Server computers and to diagnose current problems. The tool scans the configuration settings of the local ISA Server computer and reports issues that do not conform to the recommended best practices.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d22ec2b9-4cd3-4bb6-91ec-0829e5f84063&DisplayLang=en
Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate NAP VPN Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP VPN enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=729bba00-55ad-4199-b441-378cc3d900a7&DisplayLang=en
Network Access Protection Platform Architecture
Read this white paper for a detailed description of the components of the NAP architecture and how it allows third-party software vendors and system integrators to create complete solutions for system health validated network access.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2f37651e-1749-45c3-996e-53de05d44ef7&DisplayLang=en
Introduction to Network Access Protection
Read this white paper for an overview of the NAP business scenarios, an outline of the components of NAP, and a description of how NAP works.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5d5e243a-23a8-479c-9f2d-37d6d79153e7&DisplayLang=en
Internet Protocol Security Enforcement in the Network Access Protection Platform
This white paper describes the Network Access Protection (NAP) platform, how IPsec protects traffic, and how IPsec Enforcement in NAP provides system health policy enforcement for IPsec-secured communication.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=144cc69f-790f-4f52-8846-3f3b8584d7cd&DisplayLang=en

thanks

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Security, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, ISA, ForeFront, SharePoint, IIS, Firewall

App support could be the party pooper that spoils the virtualisation bash

David Overton — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:10:50 GMT

People ask me what I think of Virtualisation and whether I would virtualise SBS or Cougar or 10 desktops or more. If we are talking about OS virtualisation, rather than application virtualisation then many people miss what virtualisation is - the running of more operating systems on one single piece of hardware. This means that before you had, for example, 3 OSs to manage and now you have 4 (the OS running the virtualisation technology / layer and the 3 OSs that you now virtualise). Now you do have to manage less hardware, but a single hardware failure now will stop 4 OSs rather than 1, so you need to plan around this. Obviously virtualisation gives you benefits in portability and resources management as well as potentially increased hardware specs without the same increase in costs, but you also need to be aware of the issues.

I see two major issues outside of those people often think about (as above):

Not enough resources. The process of virtualising an OS costs some tax in terms of performance of CPUs, disk and memory. If you take an OS (such as SBS) that can take 4GB of RAM and 2 x dual core Xeons and eat them for breakfast, then trying to put this cat inside a box bound by virtual limits will have bad consequences.
Support. Some Microsoft technology breaks / is not supported inside virtual machines (eg ISA), but don't just think about Microsoft. This little snippet from Computerworld shows that many ISVs see trouble trying to support virtual - App support could be the party pooper that spoils the virtualization bash

December 18, 2007 (Computerworld) -- Server virtualization feels unstoppable these days. The worldwide market for virtualization platform software grew 69% last year to $1.1 billion, according to market research firm IDC, which predicts average annual growth of 27% through 2011, when global sales are expected to total $3.5 billion.
But several factors could still stall the technology's growth, according to analysts. For instance, software licensing terms often remain too restrictive or expensive for users that want to run their databases or applications on virtualized servers. In addition, finding IT workers who have virtualization experience can be a challenge for companies.
Another factor that has been less recognized thus far is the dearth of formal support for virtualization on the part of application developers and other independent software vendors.
When an application that hasn't been certified to run on virtual servers encounters technical issues that prevent it from working properly, a user can be left in a bind if none of the involved parties -- the virtualization or operating system vendors, or the software vendor -- is willing to step up and fix the problem.

Virtualisation is an amazing solution for many problems, but like any piece of technology you need to ensure that all layers to the solution are tested and work - a single link in the chain that is unsupported is not something you want to talk to a business owner 6 months after you "saved him some money" - downtime often exceeds the benefits gained by cutting a support corner!!

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Virtualisation,Virtualization

IIS and SharePoint and ISA updates, information and web casts for this month

David Overton — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:41:40 GMT

This information comes from the Technical Rollup Mail blog which can be found here http://blogs.technet.com/trm/. I extract the sections and then remove some of the items that don't work for me for ISVs and/or SBSC partners.

News

6 new case studies published this month - http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/search.aspx?ProTaxID=1265&NoDays=30

IIS

The Tasty Morsels Found In Dogfood… MSCOM OPS Top 10 Changes In IIS7.0

http://blogs.technet.com/mscom/archive/2007/09/07/the-tasty-morsels-found-in-dogfood-mscom-ops-top-10-changes-in-iis7-0.aspx

The .NET Show: IIS 7.0

(Shipping with Windows Vista will be the latest version of Internet Information Services (IIS), which includes a broad collection of features and capabilities that have been anxiously awaited by both developers and IT Pros. Scott Guthrie and Bill Staples describe and demo new features in IIS 7.0. )

http://msdn.microsoft.com/theshow/episode.aspx?xml=theshow/en/episode056/manifest.xml

Sharepoint Technologies

Correction for last month where we missed the URL off from this post

The great Office Server smorgasbord: SharePoint 2007 - Microsoft's five new Office Servers give Office 2007 users a wealth of new features and capabilities. We examine how in this four-part series, starting with SharePoint 2007

So here it is: http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/13/33TCmoss_1.html

SharePoint Designer

Microsoft SharePoint Designer team looking for customer needs for data design, view and functionality. Copies of Office Professional are available in a sweepstake for all entrants.

http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepointdesigner/archive/2007/09/19/sharepoint-designer-data-team-survey.aspx

Latest Product test Drive

Test Drive Microsoft Office and SharePoint 2007 in a new online package

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101687261033.aspx

Introducing the Performance Point Developer Portal

Performance Point Server 2007 provides all the functionality that is needed for performance management. Performance Point offers features that not only help analysts monitor and analyze organizational performance, but also do critical planning, forecasting, and financial reporting. In addition, Performance Point features make it possible for you to assign tasks such as data input and quality review to other users.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/bb660518.aspx

Office and SharePoint Conferences

Bill Gates will deliver keynote sessions at the Office and SharePoint Conferences in 2008. See the links for registration details

Office System Developer Conference 2008: https://microsoft.crgevents.com/ODC2008/Signup.aspx

SharePoint Conference 2008: http://www.mssharepointconference.com/Pages/SPC2008.aspx

ISA

What’s New at the ISA Server TechCenter

Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 Supportability Update

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=939455

Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 Supportability Update provides enhanced troubleshooting tools, and improved log viewer functionality to ISA Server 2006 Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition. We strongly recommend customers install this supportability update on all computers running ISA Server 2006.

ISA Server 2006 Supportability Update can be installed directly on computers running ISA Server 2006, and includes:

• All software updates issued since ISA Server 2006 was released to manufacturing.

• Improved log viewer functionality, including an enhanced details pane view, text coloring, and new log filtering functionality.

• Updated ISA Server Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in functionality that provides access to troubleshooting tools and options available directly from the ISA Server Management console.

• Integration with the Microsoft ISA Server Best Practices Analyzer Tool. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=79754.

• New diagnostic logging functionality.

Microsoft ISA Server Diagnostic Logging Viewer

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=81315

Internet Security and Acceleration Server Blog

The ISA Server Product Team Blog (http://blogs.technet.com/isablog/) is updated on a regular basis. Latest entries include:

Diagnostic Improvements in ISA Server 2004 Service Pack 3

http://blogs.technet.com/isablog/archive/2007/08/26/diagnostic-improvements-in-isa-server-2004-service-pack-3.aspx

Downloads

SharePoint Portal Server 2003 SP3

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=1&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3dab086d48-1148-48de-b4ec-a6298367e5f0%26DisplayLang%3den

Windows SharePoint Services v2 SP3

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2BBFC89B-EB59-49FF-B58F-684693CB25A7&displaylang=en

Security white papers that address the specific security needs of particular industries, such as the professional services and financial services industries.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=2&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3d4cd29b01-eed8-45f5-ab1e-ff1e1aef7b22%26DisplayLang%3den

This download contains the base setup and step-by-step instructions for the deployment and customization of a custom business application designed for a Microsoft Office Live Essentials or Premium subscription. This application is designed to manage the reservations for an inn

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2bfe8554-e59b-428c-a73c-0de7e1e159bc&DisplayLang=en

Events/WebCasts

SharePoint Technologies

Momentum Webcast: Discover the Benefits of SharePoint Server 2007: Presented by Microsoft and CDW (Level 100)

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 provides a single, integrated platform to help you manage intranet, extranet, and Internet applications across your enterprise. Bridging the gap between a deluge of information and business action is becoming increasingly essential to succeed in the new world of work. Join this webcast to discover how Microsoft's information management solutions can help empower people and organizations to make better business decisions, be more productive, and achieve greater business success by enabling them to find, use, and share information more quickly, easily, and securely. Do not miss this chance to see how Microsoft information management solutions can help you.

http://www.microsoft.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?CMTYSvcSource=MSCOMMedia&Params=%7eCMTYDataSvcParams%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ID%22+Value%3d%221032352464%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ProviderID%22+Value%3d%22A6B43178-497C-4225-BA42-DF595171F04C%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22lang%22+Value%3d%22en%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22cr%22+Value%3d%22US%22%2f%5e%7esParams%5e%7e%2fsParams%5e%7e%2fCMTYDataSvcParams%5e

MSDN Webcast: MSDN geekSpeak: Using SharePoint Server as a Development Platform with Paul Stork (Level 200)

MSDN geekSpeak is a new kind of webcast series hosted by Glen Gordon and Lynn Langit from the MSDN Events team. Dispensing with slide decks and scripted demonstrations, geekSpeak webcasts bring you industry experts in a "talk-radio" format. These experts share their knowledge and experience around a particular developer technology. Hear about industry trends, new technology, real-world experiences, and more. Have your questions answered in real time, hear lively discussions and debates, and add your comments to the fray. Who knows, you might even see a whiteboard sketch or an off-the-cuff demonstration. In this installment of geekSpeak, we hear from Microsoft Office SharePoint Server expert Paul Stork on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 as a developer platform, so get those questions ready! To have a question or comment addressed during the webcast, visit the geekSpeak blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/geekspeak and ask it now!

http://www.microsoft.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?CMTYSvcSource=MSCOMMedia&Params=%7eCMTYDataSvcParams%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ID%22+Value%3d%221032352323%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ProviderID%22+Value%3d%22A6B43178-497C-4225-BA42-DF595171F04C%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22lang%22+Value%3d%22en%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22cr%22+Value%3d%22US%22%2f%5e%7esParams%5e%7e%2fsParams%5e%7e%2fCMTYDataSvcParams%5e

Momentum Webcast: Microsoft Enterprise Search Solutions in SharePoint Server 2007 (Level 100)

Providing the people in your organization the ability to find, use, and share the right information quickly is critical to helping them make better business decisions, be more productive, and achieve greater business success. Information workers need to locate other experts and access information on their desktop computers, the company network, and application databases. Join us for this webcast on Microsoft Enterprise Search capabilities in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Learn how Enterprise Search can help reduce the time people spend looking for information by providing business-ready search solutions that enable users to quickly, securely, and seamlessly find, use, and share information using familiar, easy-to-use, integrated interfaces

http://www.microsoft.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?CMTYSvcSource=MSCOMMedia&Params=%7eCMTYDataSvcParams%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ID%22+Value%3d%221032350852%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ProviderID%22+Value%3d%22A6B43178-497C-4225-BA42-DF595171F04C%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22lang%22+Value%3d%22en%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22cr%22+Value%3d%22US%22%2f%5e%7esParams%5e%7e%2fsParams%5e%7e%2fCMTYDataSvcParams%5e

Thanks to Keith

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: IIS7, SharePoint

Sean Daniel on "Where's my next version of SBS?" - Cougar as was known

David Overton — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 21:08:21 GMT

I was browsing Vijay's blog and notices a link to Sean Daniel's blog discussing Cougar. While there are many details of Cougar still to be released and some I would imagine still to be decided, here are some of the most interesting things he said:

There will be a migration too that will take you from your current SBS to Cougar on ANOTHER BOX. We are still working on this solution.
The SBS Backup solution is being completely re-vamped. However, we have made the full switch, and the backup solution will no longer support backing up to tape. Using snapshot technology, the backups will be extremely quick using incrementals that can be scheduled as often as every 30 minutes. A copy of NTBackup will be able to extract files from the old SBS 2003 format, but no new data can be added.
Cougar will need to be installed behind some kind of firewall and the single-NIC model will be the only mode. You must use a firewall in front of the SBS box, this can be a hardware router type item, or a software firewall such as ISA.

There is more at SeanDaniel.com - SBS 2003 and Technology Discussions: Hey! Where's my next version of SBS?, however I thought that was interesting enough to start things off.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Cougar, SBS, Backup, Migration, ISA, x64

Time constraints if you want to upgrade Windows Small Business Server 2003 (SBS) Premium SP1 - SBS 2003 Premium ISA 2004 CD must be ordered before 31st December 2007

David Overton — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:56:00 GMT

I saw this and having had a few people who could not order, or have not ordered yet, this is about as loud as I can make it!!! From The Official SBS Blog : Upgrading Existing Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 (SBS) Installations to SBS 2003 SP1 - GET IT BEFORE THE END OF 2007 OR DON'T GET ISA 2004!!!

SBS 2003 Premium customers may order an SP1 Premium CD3 which contains the ISA 2004 technologies. The site above has direct links for ordering:
North America: Order your Premium Edition CD3 online. If you encounter problems during your ordering process, please contact a customer service representative at 1-800-360-7561.
Europe/Middle East/Africa: Order your Premium Edition CD3 online. If you encounter problems during your ordering process, please contact a customer service representative at direct-mar@msdirectservices.com.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: SBS 2003 SP1

Got SBS Premium (or an ISA firewall) and Vista customers - you will need the updated ISA Server Firewall Client

David Overton — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:55:25 GMT

Just a quick note to say that if you have a SBS customer who has some PCs with Vista then you will need the updated ISA firewall client. You will need to go to this page - ISA Server Firewall Client

Firewall Client for ISA Server

Brief Description

Firewall Client for ISA Server installs the Firewall Client software on 32-bit and 64-bit computers running supported Windows operating systems.

It is also worth noting that the install script will look something like this

\\Servername\shared folder\SETUP.EXE /Q /P "SERVER_NAME_OR_IP=Servername ENABLE_AUTO_DETECT=0 REFRESH_WEB_PROXY=1"

Note this will almost certainly force a reboot due to the changes in the Winsock stack.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: ISA, ISA Firewall client, SBS, SBS Premium

Channel Expo Show presentations - Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Windows Server (SBS, Naked, Home Server and Longhorn) sales slides

David Overton — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:39:00 GMT

If you visited the Channel Expo show this year then you probably saw one or two Microsoft presentations on desktop and server solutions. James Akrigg and Matt McSpirit provided the desktop entertainment while I covered off what servers we have out there and what is coming in the near future.

We promised the slides and here they are:

Desktop (Windows Vista and Office 2007)- Office 2007 PowerPoint

Desktop (Windows Vista and Office 2007)- PDF

Server (SBS, Windows Server 2003 R2, Longhorn and Home Server) - Office 2007 PowerPoint

Server (SBS, Windows Server 2003 R2, Longhorn and Home Server) - PDF

James has an amazing blog (Out of Office) at http://blogs.technet.com/outofoffice

Matt touches many aspects of desktop technology including that for small business at http://blogs.technet.com/mattmcspirit

Have a look at the blogs and enjoy the presentations.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Channel Expo, Vista, Office 2007, SBS 2003, Nakes Servers, Home Server, Longhorn

Important Update on SBS 2003 upgrade from RTM (SP0) to SP1 for Premium customers who wans ISA 2004

David Overton — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:55:52 GMT

If you have recently tried to upgrade from SBS 2003 RTM you might have hit a minor issue - we did not have the premium tech CDs available. While we can not promise them to be available today, the problem is being worked on and the issue will be resolved. However, the supply of CDs is limited, so if you plan to do this, order the CD now and save the CD for when you want to upgrade.

The URL with the information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/downloads/sp1/default.mspx. Standard users will still just need to download the SP1 bits. Premium users will need to download the SP1 bits AND order the Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium CD3 which contains the bits needed for ISA.

An update will be posted on April 30, 2007.

thanks

David

Technorati tags: SBS 2003, Service Pack 1, ISA 2004

Help us to shape next-generation 64-bit technology - from Microsoft Partner Newsletter

David Overton — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:25:00 GMT

Help us to shape next-generation 64-bit technology

We are shipping a private beta of our upcoming 64-bit server for medium-size businesses, codenamed 'Centro', and we're looking for partners to test the technology and give us feedback. The server, which is an x64-only version of Longhorn targeted at smaller enterprises, will integrate Exchange 2007, System Centre Essentials, SQL Server 2005 and ISA Server. To sign up to the beta programme, go to http://connect.microsoft.com/, click on 'Invitations' (in the left-hand navigation) and sign in with your Windows Live ID (Passport ID). Then enter the following invite ID; Extr-GHBC-JCJM. You will be asked to take a short survey. When you have completed the survey you will receive an email from MsftConn@microsoft.com. If you don't already trust this address, please add it to your trusted email addresses.

More information on the beta programme

More information on Centro

Technorati tags: Centro, Beta, Exchange 2007, System Center Essentials, SQL Server 2005