Herleson Pontes - IT Professional : Windows Server

TechEd Brazil 2009 - The biggest Microsoft event of LATAM!

herleson — Mon, 18 May 2009 03:11:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

It’s with great happiness that Microsoft Brazil announced the date of the biggest Microsoft event of LATAM: TechEd Brazil 2009! The event will take place on August 25th, 26th and 27th, at São Paulo.

We still don’t know more details about this great event, but we already know some topics that are confirmed: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization, Office and System Center.

The official site of TechEd Brazil 2009 is: http://www.teched.com.br/.

Get in touch with the latest news at this blog.

Regards,

I´m back, and with many news!

herleson — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:02:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

First of all, I want to apologize about my missing in these last days. The classes of the Master degree course are really time-consuming, besides some Microsoft related activities.

Now, let´s go to the main point of this post: News!

Presentation Files: The PPTX files of my last events (Except Windows 7 presentation, which is still under construction) are available for download at the Portuguese version of this blog. All my presentations so far are in Portuguese. However, I´ll start to develop English presentations too, so keep your eyes open for news. The files added were:

Installing and Configuring a SQL Server 2008 Instance in a Windows Server 2008 Domain
Introducing Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft Partner Program – São Luis)
Introducing Windows EBS 2008 and Windows SBS 2008 (Microsoft Partner Program – São Luis)

Feel free to download these and other presentations available.

TECH Station - São Luis (Microsoft Partner Program): At the last Thursday (04/09), we were at the state of Maranhão presenting two Microsoft events at São Luis city. These events were hosted by Microsoft Partner Program, and more than 30 professionals attended. In the first presentation, we presented some new features of Windows Server 2008, such as AD, TS, IIS, etc. After this, participants learned about Windows EBS 2008 and Windows SBS 2008, with a great demo which took the participants´ breath away.

The greatest result of this event is the fact that, at the day of the presentation, it was at the beginning of Easter holiday and it was raining a lot. But none of these challenges were enough for São Luis professionals, who attended the presentations. I wish to congratulate São Luis community and thank the great reception. Thank you!

Webcasts Technet (Brazil and US): In this month of April, we won´t present live events, but we´ll be at Microsoft Technet webcasts! More details in the next post.

100th Microsoft Event: It´s with great happiness that I share with you that, at May 15th, we will be presenting my Microsoft event number 100 with the community! It has been more than three years sharing knowledge and interacting with IT professionals throughout my country. It will be a special presentation, where we will talk about Dynamic IT and its components. We´ll have many surprises and a special moment at the end. More details SOON!

Regards,

MICROSOFT EVENT (LEVEL 300) - Installing and Configuring a SQL Server 2008 Instance in a Windows Server 2008 Domain

herleson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:58:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

It's with great happiness that I invite all IT Professionals from Ceará and beneath states to attend a unique presentation, totally focused for professionals who manage SQL Server instances in Active Directory domains: Installing and Configuring a SQL Server 2008 Instance in a Windows Server 2008 Domain. This event will be presented by me and by my best friend Rafael Biserra, a recognized Windows Server administrator of SecrelNET.

One of the most common scenarios of SQL Server instance installation is in Windows environments with Active Directory Domain Service enabled. In this presentation, professionals will learn how to install and set up a SQL Server instance in a domain environment, some security tips and best practices. Also, we will present some important concepts of Windows Server and SQL Server. Throughout the presentation, we will set up a new SQL Server instance in a IT environment, while we explain the tips. This event is level 300, which means that the professionals who will attend this event must know some Windows Server and SQL Server basics.

This great event will happen on March 12th, at 06:30PM (GMT-3), at FANOR (Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil). This is a Live presentation, and the language is Portuguese. But don´t worry: we will be holding English events soon.

Beside this event, we will host four more presentations until the end of this month, including two events about Windows 7. Ah, it´s good to remember that all Microsoft events hosted by us are TOTALLY FREE! And, at the end of each presentation, we´ll draw some gifts among the participants. In other words, you keep your knowledge up to date, don´t pay anything, and you can still win prizes!

So, what are you waiting for? Don't lose time: register now and assure your seat! The registrations are made by using the following URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032407307&Culture=pt-BR.

I wait you there! It will be a fantastic event!

Regards,

Microsoft Event - Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

herleson — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:57:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Microsoft will present in February 28th, starting at 08:00 AM (Pacific Time), the first event about its newest OS: Windows 7. In this presentation, Joey Snow and Stephen Rose, Microsoft Windows Client managers, will share their knowledge about the new features and functionalities that this new version will bring to users and professionals. This presentation will be hosted in Irvine, CA and all seats are filled. But you can still attend this key event!

Microsoft is providing 300 seats in a Live Meeting session. In other words, you can watch this event live in your home or office! To attend, you only need to register using the following URL and you will receive information about how to access the Live Meeting room and watch the presentation.

It’s always good to remember that this event is TOTALLY FREE! The presentation will be in English. Below is the agenda of this event.

Better Together: Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
Is Vista Still Relevant? Windows Vista - The Path to 7
Welcome to Windows 7
- Task Bar/System Tray Improvements
- Aero Features
- System Improvements
- Control Panels and Features
- Desktop Improvements
- IE 8
- Under The Hood
Windows 7 Deep Dive
- Microsoft’s understanding of the needs of IT Pros when designing Windows 7
- Hardware Readiness
- Improved Applications
- Application Compatibility
- AIK
- VHD Images and Imaging
- DISM
- Dynamic Driver Provisioning
- Multicast Multiple Stream Transfer
- Streamlined Installation and File Migration
- USMT
- DHCP Hint
- Enterprise Application Compatibility
- Windows Troubleshooting Platform

So, what are you waiting for? Register now and confirm you seat! It’s only 300 seats for this online presentation. Registrations are made in the following URL: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=135966.

Regards,

FREE trainings of MOF 4.0 and SCCM 2007 by MVP Cleber Marques

herleson — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:18:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

My great friend Cleber Marques, one of the authorities in project management of Brazil and Microsoft MVP, released in his website (http://www.clebermarques.com/) two free training for students and professionals: one about Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) 4.0 and other about System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007.

In the MOF training, he developed eight videos and a sheet about the MOF 4.0 Foundations certification, which was released at the end of the last year. One important note: he was approved in that exam, raising the credibility of this material.

Below are the URLs to the videos and the sheet (In Portuguese):

Videos: http://www.clebermarques.com/index.php?secao=mof
Sheet: http://www.clebermarques.com/mof/mofv4/MOF4Spreadsheet-PT.zip

The another training is about System Center Configuration Manager 2007. In his site, there are 13 videos in Portuguese, covering the main topics of this solution from installation to management. This training has more than four hours of video, providing a great foundation to the professional.

Below are the links to these videos (In Portuguese):

I recommend these trainings, because their technical qualities are awesome. I wish to congratulate my friend Cleber Marques, by the initiative of creating this material. Thanks, my friend.

Regards,

Windows Installer 4.5 - Available for Download

herleson — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:11:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Few professionals know it, but since the beginning of June Microsoft released the version 4.5 of Windows Installer for download. For those who don’t know, the Windows Installer allows the install of software and the configuration of services in Windows systems, using the *.msi files and its derivates (For example, the *.msu files allow the installation of HotFix).

The version 4.5 of Windows Installer brings some interesting functions, like:

Multiple Package Transaction: Now you can create a single transaction from multiple packages. In a multiple package transaction, a chainer is used to dynamically include packages in the transaction. If any of the packages do not install as expected, you can roll back the installation.
Embedded UI Handler: You can embed a custom user interface (UI) handler in the Windows Installer package. This makes a custom UI easier to integrate. You can also invoke an embedded UI handler from the Add or Remove item in Control Panel.

There are other interesting things, like the Shared Component Patching Resiliency During Uninstall and the Custom Action Execution On Update Uninstall.

But, the problem is that this version of Windows Installer is not installed automatic via Windows/Microsoft Update utilities. Users must download the installer according their version and language of Windows.

That why some users are experiencing problems in installing some standalone components of SQL Server 2008. When you start the SQL Server 2008 installation, the setup program installs the .NET Framework 3.5 and the Windows Installer 4.5, so no errors will arise. But, if you download and try to install a component, such as the Books Online, an error will appear, telling that the Windows Installer version is out of date.

To download the installer of this new version of Windows Installer, go to the URL http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f9f4 and download the file according to the version of your Windows system.

This version supports all editions of Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP1, Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008.

Regards,

Daylight Saving Time (DST) patches for Windows available

herleson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:56:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Some weeks ago, Microsoft announced a set of update packs very important for users from many countries. These packs alter the Date and Time system of Windows OS, updating in them the Daylight Saving Time (DST) support.

In countries like US, the DST has its period constants: it begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. Meanwhile, in some countries like Brazil, the DST starts and ends in different dates every year.

For Windows knows when will be the day that DST starts, Microsoft releases yearly a set of patches, that tells to the system which dates the DST will start and end.

This year, the patches released are supported by the x86 and x64 versions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

To download these patches, go to the URL http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951072/ and choose the correct patch, according to your OS version.

After applied the update, your Windows is ready to change the date and time setting automatically in the DST start date.

Regards,

FREE BETA EXAM - TS: Windows Small Business Server 2008, Configuring

herleson — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:50:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Microsoft has just released to public the beta exam of Windows Small Business Server 2008: 70-653 (TS: Windows Small Business Server 2008, Configuring). This exam belong to the MCTS (Technology Specialist) credential, and it can be taken by professionals for free.

The coolest thing about beta exams is, if you approved in a beta, you win the credential when the final version of this exam becomes available. The only problem is that the result of beta exams, differently of final exams, is sent to you three or four months later.

The exam 70-653 is TS: Windows Small Business Server 2008, Configuring. This exam, developed for Administrators of small and medium size networks, tests the professional’s knowledge in planning, tuning and implementing a server with SBS 2008 and its products, such as SQL Server and Exchange.

The period of this beta exam has started today, and will be on until September 12nd.

If you want to take this exam, access Prometric website (www.2test.com) and schedule the desired exam. The code of these beta is in the format 71-XXX. On the last step (Payment), inform the promotional code (Promocode): SBS8.

After you inform the code, the system will discount the whole value of the exam. Then, you confirm the appointment and get ready for the exam!

There is no site listing the exam topics, but you can use the sites below to learn more about Windows SBS 2008:

Microsoft Downloads (Look for Documents): http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/
Official SBS Site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/
Official SBS Blog: http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/

I have already schedule mine. And you? Hurry up and schedule your exam! The seats are limited.

Regards,

Windows Sysinternals - Advanced Utilities for Windows

herleson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:42:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

By Default, Windows offers various tools to help IT professionals to accomplish daily tasks and solve problems. In Vista and Server 2008 versions, these tools were improved, resulting in a more efficient management and monitoring.

One of my favorite tools is Performance and Reliability Monitor. An evolved version of the Performance option from the Control Panel, this monitor group real-time information about the four main subsystems of the PC (Disk, Network, Memory and Processor) in one place. Also, it organizes log entries in reliability graphs.

Although these tools help professionals, there is some technical and specific information that these built-in tools don’t show. For these situations, Microsoft offers a set of advanced utilities for specific tasks, such as show regedit entries. These software are known as Windows Sysinternals.

The Sysinternals web site was created in 1996 by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell to host their advanced system utilities and technical information. Acquired ten years later by Microsoft, the web site host many advanced system utilities and technical information, helping IT Professionals and Developers to manage and diagnose Windows systems and applications.

Sysinternals offers more than 30 utilities that execute various tasks in areas like registry, network, Active Directory and system. These utilities are divided in six categories:

File and Disk Utilities: Utilities for viewing and monitoring file and disk access and usage.
Networking Utilities: Networking tools that range from connection monitors to resource security analyzers.
Process Utilities: Utilities for looking under the hood to see what processes are doing and the resources they are consuming.
Security Utilities: Security configuration and management utilities, including rootkit and spyware hunting programs.
System Information: Utilities for looking at system resource usage and configuration.
Miscellaneous Utilities: A collection of diverse utilities that includes a screen saver, presentation aid, and debugging tool.

Some of my favorites are AdExplorer, Process Monitor and ZoomIt. All these utilities are fantastic and work in all Windows versions. At the website you can download each utility at time or download the Sysinternal Suite (8MB), a pack that holds the most important utilities. This is a mandatory download for System Administrators and IT Consultants.

And this week, two utilities from Sysinternals were update:

Autoruns 9.3: This Autoruns update adds support for several additional shell extension points, including copy hook, property sheet, and drag and drop handlers, fixes a bug in the Vista gadget parsing code and better handles malformed paths.
AccessChk 4.2: AccessChk v4.2 reports non-canonical security descriptors (ones that have access control entries in an unsupported order) and adds a new switch, -a, that dumps account rights and privileges.

You can get more information and download all these “toys” at Windows Sysinternals web site, at the URL: http://technet.microsoft.com/sysinternals/.

Regards,

Welcome to my first English post!

herleson — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:16:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Welcome to the first post of my English blog! It’s a pleasure for me to share news, articles, webcasts, events and many other things about Microsoft Technologies and Solutions to my worldwide IT Professional friends.

I live at the beautiful city of Fortaleza (Brazil). Here the sun shines almost every day and the beaches are places for fun and rest.

I’m Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) on SQL Server since July 1st 2007, Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), Microsoft Certified IT Professional, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and Microsoft Office Specialist.

I work as an IT consultant and instructor of Desktop, Web and Mobile environments, with more than seven years of expertise. My first contact with the IT world was with a TK90X computer, where I learned how to develop small algorithms with BASIC language (Ah! Old times!), about 17 years ago.

Here in Brazil, I contribute freely with the IT community, presenting many events and webcasts, writing articles, answering questions at Microsoft forums and by emails. I believe that the growth of a community and its professionals comes with sharing: When I share my knowledge, I’ll be helping others to work efficiently in their jobs. One day, it will be them that will help me to accomplish a task at my job. It’s a two-lane way: both sides win! (It’s like the Imagine Cup motto: You win! We all win!)

We started to develop the concept of community here in my state five years ago. Before that, professionals were incapable to learn more about Microsoft software and technologies, because all the things were happening in São Paulo. Then, we started to change this reality and calling all professionals to attend our initiatives, like events and meetings.

Nowadays, Ceará is the third state of our country that present Microsoft Events, and twice a year Microsoft Brazilian office sends speakers to present events for local professionals. Also, I travel all the country showing Every day, more professionals are studying and sharing knowledge with others. I’m really proud of being a part of this change, and I hope to help more professionals to learn more about Microsoft products, such as SQL Server, Windows Server and Windows Vista.

That is the motivation of this blog: to expand my work to professionals from all parts of the world, helping them to build their careers and learn more about this amazing world of IT.

The official URL of this blog is http://www.herlesonpontes.com.br/. There, you can choose the language (Portuguese or English). Spanish soon!

I also contribute with articles, webcasts and presentations for Microsoft Technet Brazil. I’m writer of SQL Magazine, WebMobile and DevMedia portal.

To end, I dedicate this post to my wife, Priscila. Thank you, my love, for being at my side in this new moment of my life. I LOVE YOU!

So, fell welcome here and count on me to help you to improve your skills in Microsoft solutions.

Let’s start!

Regards,