THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS "DIVA" : EBS

Are you a fan of Essential Business Server?

bradley — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:32:00 GMT

Are you a fan of Essential Business Server? Want to become one? Want to know more about EBS? Check out their Facebook fan page -- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Windows-Essential-Business-Server/107556414738

And then don't forget to follow the EBS blog -- the EBS newsgroups, the EBS forums in the Partner forums, the EBS FAQ and the virtual EBS user group.

EBS resources

bradley — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:49:00 GMT

I'm in the EBS presentation at TechEd and for those that aren't aware, Essential Business Server has a book out so for those that want to review the technology before trying it out, Check out the Essential Business Server Administrator's Companion book: http://www.amazon.com/Windows%C2%AE-Essential-Business-Administrators-Companion/dp/0735625255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242142793&sr=8-1

Mid Market Server at TechEd

bradley — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:14:00 GMT

In about a week those of you traveling to TechEd in Los Angeles need to pencil this presentation on your calendar:

http://blogs.technet.com/essentialbusinessserver/archive/2009/04/28/teched-cutting-costs-with-essential-business-server-featured-at-teched-may-11-15.aspx

The reason? Because I haven't met a mid market business that hasn't has a mess of this server and glop of that one and no real organization or structure in their network.

Now mind you I still say that the name "Essential" sucks because what EBS provides a mid market firm is way more than just the essentials for the firm, but naming aside, if you happen to be down there... BE IN THAT ROOM and meet with the EBS folks.

A Cutting Costs with Windows Essential Business Server 2008 session will be featured at Microsoft Tech·Ed North America 2009, May 11-15 in Los Angeles. Eric Watson, Group Program Manager on the EBS team, will be presenting.

You’ll hear updated details on how EBS 2008 can assist you in cutting costs by maximizing user productivity, reducing IT overhead by optimizing administrative tasks, and by consolidating workloads. EBS, a holistic approach to infrastructure for midsize businesses with up to 300 computers, is freeing time for administrators to focus more on strategically growing and optimizing their companies than troubleshooting issues.

See how you can cut costs with EBS by:

Using a simplified management console with a single unified view that’s more secure, conforms to best practices and is extensible.
Utilizing at-a-glance health updates, centralized license and user management and customizable reporting that enhances effectiveness.
Consolidating workloads, reducing technology management chores and server sprawl and saving on your power and cooling footprint.
Benefiting from virtualization support in EBS that is included with Hyper-V on Windows Server 2008 Standard.
Saving time with EBS best practices planning, preparation and installation. See how to fix your infrastructure by running the Windows Essential Business Server Preparation and Planning Wizards, which performs over 100 infrastructure health checks that commonly break installation or cause operational issues. Please note that the wizards are freely downloadable and can be used to identify issues in your environment regardless of an actual EBS deployment.
Learning from constructive and informative video demonstrations of the EBS Planning and Preparation Wizards, the ‘simple to set up’ Update Management Configuration Wizard and a video on using tasks in the Administrative Console.

The following EBS sessions are the ones to attend:

WSV324 Windows Essential Business Server 2008: Technologies that drive cost out of Midsize Businesses
TTK13 New Windows infrastructure solutions for midsize companies

Please also visit us in the EBS booth. EBS team Senior Program Managers Kannan C. Iyer and Chuck Archer will be there all week, along with Mike van de Merwe from our TAP team. Eric Watson will also be there, so please be sure to stop by and say hello. We’d love to see you.

Chuck Archer

EBS Senior Program Manager

Interested in learning a bit more about EBS after that 50/50 webcast last week?

bradley — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:20:00 GMT

Interested in learning a bit more about EBS after that 50/50 webcast last week? You have the opportunity on the 14th at the Virtual EBS users group presentation.

"Tomorrow night Chris Rue will be delivering a webcast to the EBSUserGroup titled “Using System Center Essentials With Windows Essential Business Server.” Chris has made the bold statement that, in his opinion, SCE is THE make-or-break feature of EBS for anyone who wants to use, support, or otherwise make EBS a part of their business.

He’ll talk about why that is, and a LOAD of other stuff during this webcast. This will primarily be a tech talk. So you’ll see Chris in full-on geek-out mode, just like Mark Crall talked about the other day. It’s gonna be packed with live demos. So go get your management on tomorrow night.

Tomorrow’s webcast, which is free and open to the public, starts at 5p Eastern/4p Central/2p Pacific. Here’s the connection info for attendees…

Subject: Using System Center Essentials With Windows Essential Business Server

Start Time: Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 5:00 PM EDT

End Time: Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 6:30 PM EDT

Attendee URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/mvp/join?id=4FPFJS&role=attend&pw=P%2FNT3n%3C%5Bh

Meeting ID: 4FPFJS

Attendee Entry Code: P/NT3n<[h

This is a VoIP only conference, so if you want to ask live questions, bring a headset! Depending on how good performance is, Chris might even break out the webcam, so everyone can see the kind of Calvin faces he makes while presenting."

Chris Rue on EBS 2008

bradley — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:31:00 GMT

http://www.chrisrue.com/funcave/2009/04/why-essential-business-server-matters.html

Chris Rue will be presenting on EBS Server tomorrow at 9 am. Chris has deep roots in the midmarket space and brings a great skill of presentation to the table as well. Be there tomorrow!

"Never sure what the optimal time for announcing this stuff is, but I’ve tended to find that the closer to time the better, strangely enough.

I’ll be delivering a webcast for the 5W/50 series tomorrow titled “Adding Essential Business Server to Your Infrastructure Practice.” The webcast, which is free for Microsoft Partners, will start at 9:00a Pacific time.

Sadly enough, I've seen too many server and wiring closets in mid-market organizations that looked just like this. (image on the blog)

There will be a smidge of technical talk, mainly to assure that everyone tuning in has the base knowledge of EBS that will be needed to understand the bulk of the session, which will be serious business talk about mid-market and why it can be a very solid target niche, the common drivers behind mid-market IT, and how to best position your company to serve the mid-market. We’ll also show why EBS is a perfect fit to serve this market, and the five most compelling features in EBS that make mid-market clients sit up and take notice.

Here’s the signup link for this session: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1855857&page=/plc/search.aspx

Hope you’ll come and join the talk tomorrow!"

Sharing the DNA

bradley — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:26:00 GMT

The Essential Business Server Team Blog : ISVs supporting EBS:
http://blogs.technet.com/essentialbusinessserver/archive/2008/11/24/isvs-supporting-ebs.aspx

SeanDaniel.com - Small Business Server and Other Technology: Independant Software Vendors supporting SBS 2008 at Launch:
http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2008/11/independant-software-vendors-supporting.html

While that vendor 'who's who' may look the same between EBS and SBS the reality is that Windows Home Server, Small Business Server and Essential Business Server should not be called "brothers". Okay so maybe one could argue they have similar DNA. Same Mother with three different Fathers or something. There are indeed parts of each that are borrowed and shared between the three. The Remote Web Workplace portal for example is similar technology. But go under the hood and you realize that these three server solutions are indeed three different animals.

And it's not just from the hardware specs needed to run each of the three. WHS being the lowest of the three, EBS needing the most. The knowledge and troubleshooting for each is arguably different as well. If you roll into EBS thinking that because it's in the Windows Essential Server Solution family that it will be a piece of cake to transfer your WHS and SBS knowledge from one to the other, I think you are kidding yourselves and doing a disservice to your client base. Am I saying that as a small shop that you can't handle taking on all of the WESS solutions. Nope I didn't say that. Because I think there are ways these days to partner with other firms and do more than you are doing now with whatever staff you currently have. But I think we all need to be realistic about what our brains can hold. My brain can handle being a so called subject matter expert in SBS. It can't handle EBS. Mainly because I can't "live it" like Oliver does.

Whenever we call EBS the big brother of SBS with it's combo of Windows, Exchange, Threat Management Gateway and System Center Essentials, I think we are doing EBS a disservice.

If you are SERIOUS about EBS you need to be serious about it and not think in your mind that it's just the big brother. Start here to see what I mean: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc540094.aspx

Lurk there to find out more on AmyB and JeffL's EBS Yahoogroup: Strategies for Securing SMB Networks » Essential Business Server Virtual User Group Formed: http://securesmb.harborcomputerservices.net/?p=81

The "other blog"

bradley — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:51:00 GMT

By now I've drummed into your head that you should be reading http://blogs.technet.com/sbs right?

Good. So now you should know that if you do or plan to do EBS stuff you should be reading the http://blogs.technet.com/essentialbusinessserver right?

http://blogs.technet.com/essentialbusinessserver/archive/2008/11/17/ebs-administration-console-returns-monitoring-data-not-available-after-the-administrator-account-password-either-is-changed-or-expires.aspx

Now for that one, I'd say set the password policy to something more realistic than 42 days. If you make the passwords more complex and passphrases, you can make the length longer than 42 days.

EBS partner managed newsgroup

bradley — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:14:00 GMT

For those looking for EBS info, a new EBS Partner managed newsgroup opened up this weekend.

Log into the partner newsgroup and you'll be prompted that there's a new newsgroup in there.

We are delighted to announce support for Windows Server Essential Business Server for all partner levels!

We look forward to working with you here!

You Partner Online Technical Community Team

For those looking for EBS on TechNet/MSDN

bradley — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:38:00 GMT

It finally got up there the end of October.

If you want to test this out it works the best in a test network with at least 8 to 12 gigs for the entire setup.

4 gigs for the main server

4 gigs for the messaging server

2 gigs for the edge server.

Deploying Windows Mobile 6 With EBS 2008 -- Chris Rue on EBS

bradley — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:41:00 GMT

welcome to the funcave » Deploying Windows Mobile 6 With EBS 2008:
http://www.chrisrue.com/funcave/2008/11/deploying-windows-mobile-6-with-ebs-2008.html

Chris blogs about the EBS mobility document (and some edits along the way as well)

Top 10 issues indentified in Mid Market networks

bradley — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:16:00 GMT

From page 28 of Windows IT Pro magazine -- an interesting article about the top 10 issues found in MidMarket networks (many of them AD related)

http://windowsitpro.com/Windows/Article/ArticleID/100259/100259.html You'll have to subscribe to get the full article

1. Insufficient space in Sysvol for successful EBS setup --
DCPROMO Space Requirements for Active Directory Database and Log Files:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;222019

2. Sysvol stage space >80% utilized and could cause D replication failures
DCPROMO Space Requirements for Active Directory Database and Log Files:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;222019

3. A subnet detected in the Environment isn't defined in AD
Associate an existing subnet object with a site: Active Directory:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc816616.aspx

4. Flexible single master operation FSMO roles are held by DCs that are distributed across mutlple AD sites
How to view and transfer FSMO roles in the graphical user interface:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;255690

5. Conflicting IP address subnet definitions
Associate an existing subnet object with a site: Active Directory:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc816616.aspx

6. The internal/external network binding order is incorrect
Error message when you try to set an IP address on a network adapter:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;269155

7. Dynamic DNS registration isn't configured correctly for one or more DNS servers in the environment
How to configure DNS dynamic updates in Windows Server 2003:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;816592

8. WMI Service on a server in the environment doesn't respond.
Domain Controller Server Object Not Removed After Demotion:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;216364

9. One or more DNS servers defined in AD isn't responding to queries
Frequently asked questions about Windows 2000 DNS and Windows Server 2003 DNS:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;291382

10. The time service isn't running on one or more DCs in the environment.
Start, stop, pause, resume, or restart a service: Management Services:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc736564.aspx

EBS 2008 downgrade rights

bradley — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:19:00 GMT

For all of the concern about line of business apps and SBS 2008... for anyone wondering about the downgrade rights for EBS .... they have a near similar story with one exception.. there's no prior product for them to downgrade to so you need to make sure your network can meet the requirements -- http://www.microsoft.com/ebs/en/us/downgrade-rights.aspx

Downgrade rights, in general, mean that you can use an earlier version of the software acquired. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is the first version, so there are no applicable downgrade rights.

Frequently Asked Questions:

View all answers

Q. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 comes with several copies of Windows Server 2008 technologies. Can I exercise my downgrade rights and run earlier versions of Windows Server?

No. Components of the Windows Essential Business Server solution cannot be separated. Downgrade rights apply to the solution—that is, if EBS 2008 had an earlier version, the components that make up that version could be downgraded. However, since EBS 2008 is the first version, there are no applicable downgrade rights.

Q. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium Edition comes with a SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition. Can I exercise my downgrade rights and run earlier versions of SQL Server to run legacy applications?

No. Components of the Windows Essential Business Server solution cannot be separated. However Microsoft recognizes that Line of Business applications may experience compatibility issues moving from one version to the next, so for approximately one year from Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Release to Manufacturing (RTM) date, we will ship SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition (both 32- and 64-bit platforms) in addition to the SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for the customer’s use in order to address these potential issues.

Note that once we stop shipping both versions of SQL Server, customers may not downgrade components of the Windows Essential Business Server solution and therefore are restricted from downgrading just the SQL Server component.

Looking for EBS resources?

bradley — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:14:00 GMT

Windows Essential Business Server 2008:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/ebs/default.aspx

Looking for EBS resources?

EBS facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16942574025

EBS newsgroup - https://connect.microsoft.com/ebs08/community/discussion/richui/default.aspx

How to join the newsgroup - https://connect.microsoft.com/ebs08/content/content.aspx?ContentID=8332

EBS Virtual UserGroup

bradley — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:41:00 GMT

Message from Amy Babinchak....

Jeff Loucks has agreed to be the VP for the EBS Virtual Usergroup. Jeff
and I will run the group together for first year. 

The concept is that right now there are not that many people with
expertise and interest in EBS. We are widely scattered. To help grow the
community, the EBS Virtual Usergroup will welcome all comers. We'll plan
to meet monthly via Live Meeting. Time to be determined and we'll try to
record them as well. 

The first meeting will be November 18th. Time to be determined. 

Please promote the existence of this group via any means available to
you! We'll post EBS resources, announcements and meetings to the group.
It can also be used as a resource to access experts in EBS as we all
move into supporting this new product.

Here are the details on EBSUserGroup:
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EBSUserGroup
Group email address: EBSUserGroup@yahoogroups.com

EBS RTM's

bradley — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:52:00 GMT

EBS migration interview and RTM | TechNet Edge | TechNet Edge:
http://edge.technet.com/Media/EBS-migration-interview-and-RTM/

EBS migration interview and RTM

Essential Business Server was released to manufacturing...check out the Edge webcast on Migration

Virtualization in EBS

bradley — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:41:00 GMT

So for any of you stupid SBS consultants that might be considering EBS because it might not be as limiting as SBS is (1)... you might want to check out the EBS blog on virtualization

The Essential Business Server Team Blog : Virtualization in EBS - 3 common scenarios:
http://blogs.technet.com/essentialbusinessserver/archive/2008/09/13/virtualization-in-ebs-3-common-scenarios.aspx

(1) Okay yes I'm still in the mood over the earlier blog post. I think the real issue is that people in support organizations see only those that have issues. It's like the newsgroups where you only see the problems not the successes. Hats off to the SMB consultants who on a regular basis reinvent themselves and learn new stuff all the time. Pat yourself on the back will ya.

EBS training part 7 and 8

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Event Title : WES16PAL: Windows Essential Bus Svr 2008, Part 7 of 8: LOB Suppt, Extensibility & Troubleshootg September 10, 2008 from 10-11am Pacific Time
Windows EBS 2008 Premium supports line-of-business (LOB) applications by including an additional copy of Windows Server 2008 Standard and SQL Server 2008 Standard, enabling customers to run their LOB applications on a second physical server for enhanced performance, scalability, and compatibility. In this webcast, you’ll learn about what’s included in Windows EBS 2008 Premium Edition and the different configurations supported. We will also cover the comprehensive extensib

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1820160&page=/plc/search_adv.aspx

Event Title : WES17PAL: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Part 8 of 8: Virtualization September 10, 2008 from 12-1pm Pacific Time
Virtualization is one of the hottest trends around, and everybody wants to learn more about it! Are you wondering when and why midsize businesses might care about virtualization? In this webcast, we explore virtualization for midsize businesses and how it relates to Windows EBS 2008. Several different configuration scenarios will be explored using Microsoft Hyper-V, for both the Standard and Premium Editions of Windows EBS 2008, and what options the different editions provide.

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1820163&page=/plc/search_adv.aspx

EBS training tomorrow - part 3 and 4

bradley — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:23:00 GMT

Event Title : WES12PAL: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Part 3 of 8: Migration September 05, 2008 from 10-11am Pacific Time
When upgrading an existing Windows server environment, having a simple yet comprehensive migration strategy is key to success. In this webcast, we will discuss migrating from Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Window EBS 2008. We will cover what you need to do to prepare the network for migration, how to automate the installation phase, and finally how to perform the actual migration. You’ll learn about: • the tasks you need to perform on the existing serve

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1820149&page=%2fplc%2fsearch_adv.aspx&wa=wsignin1.0

Event Title : WES13PAL: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Part 4 of 8: EBS Mgmt, Health & Mgmt September 05, 2008 from 12-1pm Pacific Time
One of the primary advantages of Windows EBS 2008 is the comprehensive management interface provided by the administration console. In this webcast, you will learn about the full range of functionality provided through the Windows EBS 2008 administration console, which was designed to provide the right information and the right tools at the right time—reducing the burden and overhead of maintenance tasks. By integrating System Center Essentials, Windows EBS provides a wealth of

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1820152&page=/plc/search_adv.aspx

Chico says...check out EBS's JumpStart kit

bradley — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:56:00 GMT

As Chico, the unofficial mascot of the SeanDaniel.com blog will tell you... he's happy his buddy Sean has shipped SBS 2008. But right around the corner is EBS 2008.

Essential Business Server is SBS's big brother and there's a jumpstart online kit out to get you the background and information you need to get up to speed on EBS.

SeanDaniel.com - Small Business Server and Other Technology: SBS 2008 has shipped, EBS is next, prepare your Mid-sized Biz!:
http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2008/09/sbs-2008-has-shipped-ebs-is-next.html

EBS Security demo and PM interview

bradley — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:36:00 GMT

EBS Security demo and PM interview | The Nerd Herd | TechNet Edge:
http://edge.technet.com/Media/EBS-Security-demo-and-PM-interview/