Search results matching tag 'SBS Cougar'

Technical School: installing and Configuring Small Business Server 2008–June 17th 2010

doverton — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:37:10 GMT

Hi,

I know this has gone out to UK SBSC partners, but I thought I should let people know through the blog too.

Technical School: installing and Configuring Small Business Server 2008

Technical Schools are a series of monthly Live Meetings specifically for the Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) and Registered partners who specialise in targeting the small to medium sized business market. Taking place on 17 June, 15:00-16:00 (GMT), the next Technical School will be led by Microsoft's David Overton who will provide guidance relating to Small Business Server 2008. Review a recording of last months' Technical School, which discussed Office 2010.

We will cover off the preparation required prior to a migration, the process of installing or migrating and then some FAQ’s of the most commonly asked questions that people have sent me. These will include:

Converting a trial license to a purchased solution
Getting rid of the Outlook prompt for username and password
Installing the latest service pack for Exchange

Thanks

David

David Overton's first book - Installing and Configuring SBS 2008, including migration from SBS 2003

doverton — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:15:00 GMT

[updated 5th May 2009]

Hi,

If you are interested in ordering a copy, click here and you will be taken through to the Packt Publishing ordering page, with a choice of electronic (e-book in for form of a PDF) or Softback traditional book or both available for immediate shipment. If you are interested in other locations, click here.

For a small amount of information on each chapter, see the items below.

The chapter flow is well described by this picture:

To order the book click http://davidoverton.com/r.ashx?1M

Small Business Server 2008 – Installation, Migration, and Configuration

David Overton

Set up and run your small business server making it deliver big business impact

· Step-by-step guidance through the installation and configuration process with numerous pictures

· Successfully install SBS 2008 into your business, either as a new installation or by migrating from SBS 2003

· Configure hosted web sites for public and secure information exchange using Office Live for Small Business and Office Live Workspaces

· An illustrative book for people with basic technical skills and no SBS background

Cover price	£24.99
Packt Special Offer	£22.49 save 10%
Multi-buy Discount	£20.49 save 18%

The book has many screen shots in it to keep things clear. I'm also relying on a group of people to help me keep it on track. They are (in alphibetical order):

Alex Stanier - IT 4 Business - http://www.stanier.co.uk/
Gavin Barkey - EJC.IT - http://www.ejc.it
Ian Watkins - Oxbridge Technologies - http://www.oxbridgetechnology.co.uk/
Leslie Cupitt - Business Solutions Ltd - http://business-solutions-ltd.co.uk
Simon Orebi Gann
Steve Davis - Sytec - http://www.sytec.co.uk
Vijay Riyat - iQuebed - http://iqubed.biz/default.aspx

Feel free to drop comments, questions or discussion around the book, please go to this forum.

David

Just in case you missed it SBS 2008: Released to Manufacturing and date for launch set

doverton — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:12:54 GMT

I know I am very, very, very behind the times on this, but just in case you missed it … This means that SBS Cougar is now completely done and now a 100% SBS 2008!!

The Official SBS Blog : SBS 2008: Released to Manufacturing!

On behalf of the SBS team, I am extremely pleased to announce that Windows Small Business Server 2008 software has been finalized! Today both SBS Standard and Premium are being released to manufacturing, which means we begin the process of finalizing international versions, creating media, building packaging, delivering the product to distribution channels and handing it off to our OEM partners, so it will be widely available by our November 12 launch. (More information about launch will come in the future.)

<snipped>

We invested in a number of different areas for this release; here’s the big picture of the themes and features in SBS 2008:

For IT managers and technology consultants:

· Microsoft’s newest server technologies: Powerful and more secure infrastructure that was rebuilt from the ground up.

· IT made easy: Deployment, setup and administration is dramatically simplified and improved. New tools to manage domain names and data folders. New single CALs make SBS 2008 licensing more flexible and cost-effective.

· Improved Manageability: Monitoring across both servers and client PCs. Customizable, remotely-accessible reports via e-mail and mobile devices

· Application Platform: SBS 2008 Premium Edition is an ideal platform for critical business applications, via SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 on a second hardware server

For small business owners and employees:

· Greater security: Trial subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Windows Live OneCare for Server. Extensibility model for easy reporting of 3^rd party protection applications.

· Better data protection: New block-based server protection technologies that can complete backing up your server in minutes rather than hours.

· Simple, easy online marketing and commerce: Integration with Microsoft Office Live Small Business

· Better productivity: Improved Remote Web Workplace, integration of the new SharePoint and support for the newest Windows Mobile devices

I want to congratulate the entire team and thank our partners and beta participants for their tremendous efforts and help.

Regards,
Dean Paron
Group Program Manager
Windows Small Business Server

The launch is set for 12th November:

The Official SBS Blog : Get Ready for the Windows Essential Server Solutions Launch with Technical Training Series

This is a great opportunity for registered Partners:

Get Ready for the Windows Essential Server Solutions Launch with Technical Training Series <https://partner.microsoft.com/40075344>

The November 12, 2008 launch for Windows Essential Server Solutions is fast approaching!

Prepare by attending Partner Academy Live technical training sessions for Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 starting on August 15, 9am PDT with “The Small and Midsize Business Server Platform: Which Is Right for Your Customer?” . Topics include planning and installation, migration, security, management, virtualization, and more for both Windows SBS 2008 and Windows EBS 2008.

A more speedy update service will continue after this short break :-)

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBS 2008,SBS,SBSC,Partners,Microsoft,Small Business Server 2008,Small Business,Events,SBS Cougar

I’ve been asked to write a SBS 2008 book … and it is “in progress”

doverton — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:37:36 GMT

I know this is a bit early, but I’ve been asked to write a SBS 2008 book. I aiming it at those who are not super dooper IT experts, along the lines of the level I blog at, with more explanation for some areas. I’m awaiting final comments from a solicitor and then hopefully I can sign the contract and then it is count down. I hope to have finished the book by January, but that might be a bit optimistic!!

I’ll update you as I progress with the book. If anyone wants to share thoughts, your always welcome, although I can’t promise things will get incorporated.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBS 2008,Book,Personal,Microsoft,Small Business Server 2008

Back to blogging on SBS 2008, Microsoft, Developer “stuff” and anything that interests me, including Star Wars!

doverton — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:00:03 GMT

Well, I seem to have taken quite a break over the last couple of months.

Towards the end of the financial year I found myself cutting contracts right to the wire, including working with the legal teams until the small hours of the morning to get the orders in.

After that came two trips to the US – Houston for WPC and Atlanta for a Microsoft internal event. At both these events I spoke with several members of the WESS team (Windows Essential Server Solution) about SBS 2008, licensing, usage scenarios, messaging and many other things. The good news is that fantastic progress was being made and has continued. I’m not sure I’m going to have anything gripe about come the launch!!

I’ve also had some holiday too, in the UK and I have to say, without much sunlight

Now I’m stuck in the “start of year” work, but I think I need to start shooting off quick entries.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBS 2008,Star Wars,Microsoft,Personal

SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 and the Action Pack

doverton — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:58:13 GMT

I’ve been asked many, many times “Will Small Business Server 2008 or Essential Business Server 2008” be in the Action Pack. The simple answer is “YES”. As to when, well that depends on the RTM of the actual products, however, we’re trying to get them in as early as possible.

Thanks

David

Technorati Tags: Action Pack, SBSC, Microsoft, SBS 2008, EBS 2008, Partners, Support and Tools

Configuring OneCare for Servers in SBS 2008

doverton — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:02:00 GMT

The Console setup process (Once SBS is set up, how to do the basic configuration through the management console) sets up SBS 2008 for use. OneCare for Servers provide anti-malware capabilities and is an important part of the system integrity. SBS 2008 comes with a trial of OneCare and so far I’ve found it very effective. Setup today requires two updates that it downloads and applies itself:

Notice that the initial configuration immediately informs you that you need to update

Start the process, tell OneCare which country you are in and and accept the EULA.

The download starts, updates and finishes

If you have an activation key, or wish to purchase one you carry on through the process, switching to a web site to complete the process

Note, DO NOT try to activate your trial in the Technical Preview unless you have already been provided with a key

If you have been going through the Console in order then this is it baring the enabling of Office Live. Finally, all the SBS 2008 entries can be found at http://davidoverton.com/blogs/doverton/archive/tags/SBS+2008/default.aspx

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, SBS 2008, SBS, Tips, SBSC, Small Business, Small Business Server 2008, Community, Partner, Console, One Care, Security, Anti-Virus, Anti-spam

Set up Microsoft Office Live Small Business Web sites

doverton — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:01:00 GMT

The Console setup process (Once SBS is set up, how to do the basic configuration through the management console) sets up SBS 2008 for use. One of the options is for a spit personality Office Live for Small Businesses solution. Why split, well the e-mail items are held on the SBS 2008 Exchange server, as will the report site services, but the public web site and WSS external collaboration sites will be hosted on the Office Live servers. This means that things like DNS need a bit more management, but that can all be handled for you.

This is how I configured mine:

Start the process from the console and say I want a new site. Since SBS 2008 already knows the external address of the SBS box, it offers to enable the DNS to be redirected to Office Live for the www.mydomain.com address

We then get into the Office Live sign-up process via the web. One word of note here, I had installed the box as a US system, not a UK system, so it took me to the US site. If you change the language settings in the browser (Tools/Options/Language) to EN-GB, then you will get the UK site. You can see form the pictures below that the sign-up process is simple and secure.

Once you have finished on the web site it all you need to do is to complete the sign in details below.

Now for me, that was not the end of the story – the verification e-mail was simply not arriving, even though I requested it to be resent several times. Eventually I discovered it was the spam filter settings rejecting the mail. I have reported this as a bug into Microsoft, but in the mean time, to overcome the situation, have a look at How to change spam settings on Exchange 2007 / SBS 2008 to enable some / all / more spam to be delivered to an account for analysis to see how I resolved it.

One again that is it for this stage. Finally, all the SBS 2008 entries can be found at http://davidoverton.com/blogs/doverton/archive/tags/SBS+2008/default.aspx

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, SBS 2008, SBS, Tips, SBSC, Small Business, Small Business Server 2008, Community, Partner, Console, Office Live, Office Live Small Business

EBS 2208 and SBS 2008 Upgrades & Migrations from SBS 2003 and SBS / EBS 2008

doverton — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:07:00 GMT

I saw over on Nicholas's blog post - Nicholas King : EBS/SBS Upgrades & Migrations that he has started to answer some of the questions around system upgrades and migrations. Below are some snippets of key information he has shared. Read his blog post for more. However, key thoughts for me are:

1) no in box SBS 2003 -> SBS 2008 upgrades. This is a box to box migration process. If you have SA or FPP copies of SBS 2003 then you can potentially do a P2V and then migrate from the virtual image. If not, I would consider running a VM of Windows Server to enable you to move the domain at least

2) Moving from one box to another (eg hardware upgrades in the future) are now supported. This can potentially be used to go from a RC0 build to RTM, but it is not tested or supported, however that does not mean it will not work!!

3) There is a GREAT document linked below that describes a migration in glorious detail

EBS/SBS Upgrades & Migrations

Recently I had several people ask me whether it is possible or supported to do a build to build migration or upgrade from the RC0 of either SBS or EBS to RC1 or even RTM.
Migration and Upgrade are two words often used interchangeably. Technically as you know they have some very specific meanings. Upgrade means to take the existing code base and then lay binaries over the top of, or underneath of (believe it or not this is how Vista does it!) the existing installation effectively taking the old installation and making it the new, whilst maintaining the existing configuration. Migration means setting up a completely new environment and then transferring the settings, user data and environment functionality to the new setup.
Upgrades are not something we design, test or develop for either SBS or EBS. For RTM our research points to the fact that most installations have new hardware on site, and added to that the SBS architecture change from 32-bit to 64-bit prohibits us from doing in place upgrades. EBS is V1 so no upgrade requirement there.
This leaves migrations, I need to be very clear that it IS NOT SUPPORTED from any build to build. Code can and does change from each of these milestones and we focus our resources on shipping a quality product for RTM. Now that that's out of the way, let's cover if it's possible..
Yes it is possible to do such a migration. We do this for our TAP customers using the same migration document that is on TechNET (we add some more details to it to cover the changes we make, but for the most part it is the same doc). Both products have focused heavily on migration scenarios. I'll break this into two sections to make it read easier.
Small Business Server 2008 Migration
Migration is one of the killer workloads for SBS 2008. We've built so much from SBS 2003. An SBS 2008 migration is based off of a domain join side-by-side configuration where you migrate the user accounts and settings from the old machine to the new using a 21 day trust we create. It is also answer file based so you'll need to kick off the tool found in the SBS 2008 binaries. You can read more by following the migration guide found here
<snipped>

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBS 2003 R2, SBS 2008, EBS 2008, Microsoft, SBSC, Partners, Small Business

SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 video recordings of presentations from the SMB Summit 2008

doverton — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:53:00 GMT

If you have looked at the information on setup and install at SBS 2008 Install process (in pictures) and wanted more information then these presentations will be of extreme use to you. They cover both SBS 2008 and EBS 2008. I particularly liked the setup and migration and messaging sessions.

SBS 2008 product related sessions

SBS 2008 Overview	SBS 2008 Setup and Migration	Networking Setup and Getting Started Tasks

Administration and Management	Networking	Messaging

Storage Management - Backup, Restore, and Server Storage	Health and Monitoring	Client Experience

EBS 2008 product sessions

Essential Business Server Overview	Installation and Migration	Administration and Management

Security and Messaging	Implementation Differences (between EBS 2008 and SBS 2008)

If you want to see more of the information on SBS 2008, click the link on the left

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, SBS 2008, EBS 2008, Small Busines Server, SBS, Essential Business Servers, Event, SMB Summit, Partner, Community, Small Business, SBSC