TechNet Flash: Virtual Server 2005 R2 Goes Free

Microsoft TechNet Flash Volume 8, Issue 7 : April 5, 2006

Let us know what interests you <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763760>, and we'll customize your TechNet Flash newsletter with additional reports on topics such as desktop operating systems, server technologies, or security. And please let us know what you think <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763761> of TechNet Flash.

From the Editor

Hello New TechNet Flash Subscriber,

As mentioned in the previous issue, the TechNet Beta Central program is now under way, and a "Beta Updates" section of this newsletter is delivered only to those who register to receive the updates.

In the months ahead, registrants will be able to get beta releases of the programs and tools we discuss that are suitable for serious testing. The Beta Updates section in this issue features a number of links to new documents on the topics of application compatibility testing, management, and deployment.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- I think you'll agree that the new management and deployment features in Windows Vista will prove to be at least as compelling to IT pros as the user interface enhancements and rich media features are to consumers.

Where can IT departments demonstrate the greatest value to their organizations in the year ahead? Deployment automation, system management and monitoring tools, and user access control features are all significantly enhanced in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003 R2.

Enjoy the issue. Graeme Bennett Editor, TechNet Flash

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Top Stories

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 Goes Free <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763724> On April 3, Microsoft announced that Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition will become available as a free download. You can use Virtual Server to create a robust virtualization environment for your production server consolidation, to support disaster recovery and high availability scenarios, and to consolidate mixed workloads including Linux guest operating systems.

Windows Vista Task Scheduler: Let the Machine Do the Work <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763725> Find out how to configure machines to automatically react to potential system problems and set up daily tasks to run -- even when the computer is in standby mode or hibernating.

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Security for IT Pros April Security Updates -- and a "Non-Security Update" for Internet Explorer On April 11, Microsoft will release an update for the way Internet Explorer 6 handles HTML rendering -- the so-called createTextRange vulnerability, which affects currently supported versions of Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. Existing third-party mitigation tools do not address the original vulnerability, but instead appear to serve as additional mitigation to block the attack vector that Web sites might use to implement an attack.

Note: Customers who use the Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763771> that was released on March 20 are not affected by the publicly reported vulnerability.

For up-to-date guidance on how to prevent attacks through exploitation of this vulnerability, enterprise customers should review Microsoft Security Advisory (917077) <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763772>.

Enterprise customers should also be informed that the security update addressing this vulnerability is a cumulative update that contains all previous security updates for Internet Explorer, new security updates for issues unrelated to the current attacks, and minor non-security related changes to how Internet Explorer handles some Web pages that use ActiveX controls.

For more information on all these changes, please see the Microsoft Security Advisory (912945) <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763773>.

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Service Packs and Downloads

Virtual Server 2005 R2 Is Now Available as a Free Download <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763728> A set of virtual machine add-ins are also available as a free download <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763775>, and will be supported for an initial set of nine Linux distributions listed below:

Enterprise distributions:

· Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 (update 6)

· Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 (update 6)

· Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4

· Novell's SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9

Standard distributions:

· Red Hat Linux 7.3

· Red Hat Linux 9.0

· Novell's SuSE Linux 9.2

· Novell's SuSE Linux 9.3

· Novell's SuSE Linux 10.0

As previously announced <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763776>, Virtual Server 2005 R2 Service Pack 1 is scheduled for a beta release in Q2 and for general availability in early 2007. This service pack will support the hardware virtualization capabilities developed by AMD and Intel.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 Community Technology Preview <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763729> Download the Community Technology Preview releases of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and SQL Server 2005 Books Online SP1 and submit feedback on these releases.

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How-to Articles

· How to install root certificates on a Windows Mobile-based device <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763730>

· How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2005 <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763731>

· How to configure SQL Server 2005 to allow remote connections <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763732>

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Hotfixes

· A hotfix is available to change the "Time Zone" setting to "(GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)" on Windows Server 2003-based and Windows XP-based computers <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763733>

· A hotfix is available to change the "Time Zone" setting to "(GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)" on Windows Server 2003-based and Windows XP-based computers <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763734>

· A hotfix is available to modify the way that Exchange Server 2003 handles a disabled Active Directory user account that is associated with an Exchange Server 2003 mailbox <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763735>

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Knowledge Base Articles

· Description of issues that are related to time zone changes in Indiana <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763777>

· Authentication fails when you use Outlook or Outlook Express to try to log on to a HTTP-based mail server if you use Internet Explorer version 7.0 <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763778>

· Detection and deployment guidance for the March 2006 security release <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763779>

See a selection of new Knowledge Base articles <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763780> on the TechNet Web site. KB articles now feature an Article Translations box in the right column. You can select a language from the drop-down list and read the article in the selected language.

Also available via RSS <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763781>

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Webcasts

Watch the Webcast: Introduction to Data Protection Manager <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763736> Explore some common challenges that your organization is likely to face when it comes to protecting enterprise data, and learn how DPM can address those challenges.

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Virtual Labs

No-Hassle Testing: Take a Test Drive in the TechNet Virtual Labs <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763738>

Explore Virtual Lab Express <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763743> Virtual Lab Express is the fastest and easiest way to try out Microsoft products and the TechNet Virtual Lab environment. These are free, 30-minute overviews of some of your favorite Microsoft products and developer tools.

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Featured IT Solutions

Verify Windows XP SP2 Compatibility with ACT 4.1 <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763747> Are you thinking of upgrading to Windows XP or installing Service Pack 2? Identify and resolve application compatibility issues with the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit version 4.1.

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IT Showcase Developing Line-of-Business Applications on Windows Mobile 5.0

· Technical Case Study <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763786>

· Video Overview/Content Summary <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763787>

Managing Fabless Semiconductor Manufacturing by Using Microsoft Dynamics AX

· Technical Case Study <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763788>

· Video Overview/Content Summary <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763789>

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TechNet CD/DVD Subscriptions Free E-Learning for TechNet Plus Subscribers TechNet Plus subscribers will receive 90 days of free access to e-learning courses from Microsoft Learning. Developed by technical experts, these e-learning courses include hands-on labs to help you learn the skills you need to do your job. Learn more about TechNet Plus <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763793>. To access this offer, sign in to TechNet Plus Subscriber Online Services <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763794> and then click "Learning Resources" in the left navigation pane.

This offer is only accessible to customers who have access the TechNet Plus Subscriber Online Services Web site:

· TechNet Plus subscribers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

· Software Assurance customers who receive TechNet Plus media worldwide.

Note: Microsoft E-Learning courses are available in English only. Availability of learning resources may vary depending on your geographic location. Offer good from April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006.

Need Discounted Microsoft Press Books? <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763752> For a limited time only, Microsoft is partnering with Quantum Books to bring TechNet Subscribers a special offer on selected Microsoft Press titles. Get 44 percent off the suggested retail price (SRP) or list price. To apply your special discount, go to the Web site and use promotion code: MSPRESS at checkout.

Offer good from April 1 to May 31 only.

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Customize Your TechNet Flash Profile Now http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763708

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How Microsoft Does IT Webcasts

· How Microsoft IT Does Threat Modeling <http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=63817> Join this webcast on Tuesday, April 11 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time. Learn about the process that Microsoft has developed through which minimal input can produce a feature-rich threat model that identifies a wide range of critical information, including contextual threats, trust boundaries, fracture points, attack surfaces, and direct and transitive access control.

· How Microsoft IT Manages SharePoint Operations <http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=62433> Join this webcast on Tuesday, April 18 at 8:00 AM Pacific Time. This presentation shares how Microsoft IT runs day-to-day operations with its SharePoint Products and Technologies infrastructure. You'll learn how Microsoft IT manages its databases, active/passive storage area network based on SQL Server clusters, and several terabytes of content worldwide.

On-Demand Microsoft IT Webcasts <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763799>

On-Demand CIO Webcasts <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763800>

New Content from Microsoft IT

· Developing Line-of-Business Applications on Windows Mobile 5.0 <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763801>

· Managing Fabless Semiconductor Manufacturing by Using Microsoft Dynamics AX <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763802>

· Using ASP.NET 2.0 to Streamline Web Application Development <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763803>

White Papers and Much More from Microsoft IT <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763804>

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Flash Tips Using the Microsoft File Server Migration Toolkit <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763805>

Using Roaming User Profiles <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763806>

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Events

· · Power Up with Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP SP2 <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763808> Learn to securely deploy wireless networks with Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP SP2. Join us live for the next free session near you.

· Tune In, Geek Out <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763809> Microsoft TechNet Radio is your weekly audio source for the trends, technologies, and people shaping our industry. Listen streaming, download, or subscribe via RSS.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Training/Books

· Up to 40 Percent Off Selected Microsoft Press IT Pro Titles <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763823> For a limited time only, you can get up to 40 percent off IT Pro titles at Amazon UK, including all Training Kits and SQL Server 2005 titles.

· Get 40 Percent Off IT Pro and Developer Books at Borders <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4685976> Visit any Borders store from March 28 through April 24 to save 40 percent on selected new titles from Microsoft Press.

· Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Resource Kit for IT Professionals <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763824> When you buy or upgrade to Visio Professional 2003, you become eligible to buy the Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Resource Kit for IT Professionals. Use the Visio 2003 Resource Kit for IT Professionals to automatically generate accurate and visually appealing Network Diagrams, choose among thousands of manufacturer-specific equipment shapes, and design rack space for network equipment. Order yours online today <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763825>.

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Resources

· TechNet Security <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763754>

· Security Newsletter <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763755>

· Support News <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763756>

· What's New on TechNet <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763757>

· Community News <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763758>

· TechNet Flash Archive <http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4763759>

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