Category: microsoft

File Replication Service Diagnostics Tool

FRSDiag provides a graphical interface to help troubleshoot and diagnose problems with the File Replication Service (FRS). FRS is used to replicate files and folders in the SYSVOL file share on domain controllers and files in Distributed File System (DFS) targets. FRSDiag helps to gather snap-shot information about the service, perform automated tests against that data, and compile an overview of possible problems that may exist in the environment.

You can download the tool from the Microsoft download page here.

 

Virtual Machine Topology Generator

VMT can build a series of Virtual Machines, including inner VM automation, based on a defined XML file. This XML file is easy to customize to your own particular configuration. This is very useful in education lab, test lab, or demonstration environments.

You can download this tool here at the Microsoft script repository.

Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter Plug-in for VMware vSphere Client Beta

The beta of the Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter Plug-in for VMware vSphere Client v1.0 is now available for download at the link below:

https://connect.microsoft.com/site14/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?DownloadID=45909

The MVMC Plug-in for VMware vSphere Client Beta:

  • Extends the vSphere Client context menu to make it easier to convert the VMware-based virtual machine to a Hyper-V-based virtual machine.
  • Is built upon the Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter release candidate.

This plug-in extends vSphere Client to facilitate conversions from a virtual machine context menu and without changing configurations on the source VMware host. For more details about which guest operating systems are supported, see the Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter documentation:http://connect.microsoft.com/site14/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?DownloadID=42754

Windows PowerShell 3.0 and Server Manager Quick Reference Guides

Quickly learn tips, shortcuts, and common operations in the new Windows Powershell 3.0, Windows PowerShell Workflow, Windows PowerShell ISE, Windows PowerShell Web Access, Server Manager for Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate, WinRM, WMI, and WS-Man.

Download the guide here at Microsoft’s download center.

Exchange 2010 Mailbox server role requirements calculator v19.9 released

Microsoft made several enhancements and bug fixes based on community feedback.

Please go to our Mailbox Server Role Storage Requirements Calculator updates tracking page to see what is in this new version!

A blog post explaining the calculator is here and or you can download the calculator directly.

MS beta exams are open to all

Hi Guys,

This news arrived in my mailbox and I wanted to share it with all of you.

To keep pace with the all the exciting Microsoft technologies being released, Microsoft is now making our beta exams available to everyone. For those individuals registered as a subject matter expert (SME), we will continue to maintain our ‘invitation only’ free beta program offer (quantity of free beta exam offers are limited).

We welcome you to be among the first to take these exams, which count the same as live exams toward certifications such as the new MCSE or MCSD. Individual scores will be available upon the release of the final exam (approximately 8-12 weeks after the initial release of the beta exam). These beta exams are priced the same as regular exams, can only be taken once and are available through Prometric. This new opportunity begins with these three exams:

Registered attendees of Tech Ed Europe (June 25—29) have the one-time opportunity to take any of the above exams at no charge. Free beta exam offers are limited, so register soon!

Microsoft releases AD Replication monitor

The Active Directory Replication Status Tool (ADREPLSTATUS) analyzes the replication status for domain controllers in an Active Directory domain or forest.

Overview

The Active Directory Replication Status Tool (ADREPLSTATUS) analyzes the replication status for domain controllers in an Active Directory domain or forest. ADREPLSTATUS displays data in a format that is similar to REPADMIN /SHOWREPL * /CSV imported into Excel but with significant enhancements.
Specific capabilities for this tool include:

    • Expose Active Directory replication errors occurring in a domain or forest. .
    • Prioritize errors that need to be resolved in order to avoid the creation of lingering objects in Active Directory forests.
    • Help administrators and support professionals resolve replication errors by linking to Active Directory replication troubleshooting content on Microsoft TechNet. .
    • Allow replication data to be exported to source or destination domain administrators or support professionals for offline analysis.

Continue reading “Microsoft releases AD Replication monitor”

Update Rollup 2 for SCVMM 2008 R2 SP1 now available

This article describes the installation instructions for Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and the issues that are fixed in this update rollup.

Update Rollup 2 for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 SP1 consists of two update packages. Follow the installation instructions to install the updates for the Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) server and Self-Service Portal.

Issues that are fixed in Update Rollup 2

Virtual Machine Manager server update (KB2691812)
The VMM service leaks memory when you manage a Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V cluster that has HP Cluster Extension Software (CLX) installed.
This update package also includes the fixes that are documented in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2562466 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2562466/ ) Description of the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 SP1 hotfix rollup package: July 12, 2011

Virtual Machine Manager Self-Service Portal update (KB2701207)

The Self-Service Portal may not always display all virtual machines if the self-service user has more than 50 virtual machines assigned to them.

For all the details and a download link please see the following:

2691812 – Description of the Update Rollup 2 for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 SP1.

You can read the original post on the Microsoft blogs here.

Beta Microsoft Assessment and Planning toolkit version 7 available

The latest release from the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) team provides organizations with tools to assess readiness for Windows and Windows Server 2012 Beta.

Download the beta materials on Connect:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=219165

Accelerate your move to the Private Cloud with MAP 7.0 Beta

Thanks for your ongoing interest and participation in the MAP beta review program. We hope you’ll take the time to preview and provide feedback on MAP 7.0.

The MAP Toolkit’s new capabilities help you to assess the readiness of your environment for deploying Windows as well as Windows Server 2012 Beta. This update adds new scenarios specifically, the ability to plan for virtualization assessment of Linux servers and readiness assessment for desktop virtualization. Along with the Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter and MAP 7.0, now you can easily migrate VMware VMs to Hyper-V for the best roadmap to the cloud. In addition to the above features, MAP 7.0 strengthens the SQL Server migration scenario with support for SQL Server 2012 discovery, and migration planning.

  • Key features and      benefits of MAP 7.0 Beta help you:
  • Understand your      readiness to deploy Windows in your environment with hardware and device      readiness assessments
  • Determine Windows Server      2012 Beta readiness
  • Investigate how Windows      Server and System Center can manage your heterogeneous environment through      VMware migration and Linux server virtualization assessments
  • Size your desktop      virtualization needs for both Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and      session-based virtualization using Remote Desktop Services
  • Ready your information      platform for the cloud with the SQL Server 2012 discovery and migration      assessment
  • Evaluate your licensing      needs with usage tracking for Lync 2010, active users and devices, SQL      Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 Beta

Microsoft support lifecycle

End of Support for Windows XP and Office 2003: Some Key Considerations

Mark your calendar for April 8, 2014. If you are a customer using Windows XP and Office 2003, there are less than 750 days left to migrate to Windows 7 and Office 2010. Start now to review your current operating system and applications as well as create your migration plan. Safety and security are a top concern in today’s fast-paced world, and being on unsupported software will make you vulnerable.

Support Ended in Past 6 Months Continue reading “Microsoft support lifecycle”