Microsoft Annouces Desktop Optimization Pack

Today (16 Oct 2006), it was officially announced that Microsoft will combine the recently acquired tools from Softricity, Winternals, and Desktop Standard into a single package that you can purchase for ~$50 per client. What this package gets you is SoftGrid application virtualization, group policy management/enhancement tools from DesktopStandard, and the remote repair tools from Wintenals. For this price you could not get even the tools from DesktopStandard, the backend for the SoftGrid used to run about $15,000, that is now free, it also integrates with SMS for reporting and application deployment.

AssetMetrix and Microsoft

Rod Trent reported and i am doing the same..

Here is Bill Anderson's take on AssetMetrix and Microsoft. Microsoft aquired AssetMetrix recently. Read the real work that AssetMetrix does.

Posted Jun 25 2006, 04:38 AM by sar with no comments

SMS and MOM Supportability

SMS and MOM Supportability blog from PSS :)

Description about the blog:

This blog has been created by Microsoft Product Support specifically to document top support issues and resolutions for our Manageability Products. We will cover System Management Server (SMS) and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) as well as the relevant add-ons and management packs.

Sarbjit Singh Gill

Posted Jun 14 2006, 04:00 AM by sar with no comments

Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 Management Pack Development Guide.

Want to write your own MP? Here is the guide.

It is a good idea to read topics you are creating the MP for. So for example you wanted to do some management of security events, then the following guides are good add on the to MP Guide.

The Threats and Countermeasures Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b6acf93-147a-4481-9346-f93a4081eea8&DisplayLang=en

The Security Monitoring and Attack Detection Planning Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=95a85136-f08f-4b20-942f-dc9ce56bcd1a&DisplayLang=en

/Gill

Sarbjit Singh Gill

Posted May 19 2006, 11:00 AM by sar with no comments

Extended Security Update Inventory Tool

The SMS Extended Security Update Inventory Tool is a scan tool built for the sole purpose of helping customers determine SMS client computers that may need security updates that are not detectable using the existing SMS Security Update Inventory Tool built on MBSA. Like the SMS Software Update Inventory Tool, it also has the instructions for locating each applicable update, downloading the update from Microsoft, and deploying it using SMS.

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4897697

Sarbjit Singh Gill

Posted May 10 2006, 11:00 AM by sar with no comments

Compare Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, Microsoft Update, WSUS, and SMS

Are you wondering about the differences among these software distribution products? Glance at this easy-to-read comparison table to learn which solution is best for your organization.

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=4897693

Sarbjit Singh Gill

Posted May 10 2006, 11:00 AM by sar with no comments

Training / Webcasts

Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager and NSI Software Double-Take

Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) is a disk-based backup solution for file servers which leverages the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to provide access to multiple point-in-time snapshots of protected data. NSI Software, Inc. Double-Take provides real-time data protection and replication. It provides disaster recovery and high availability for the data, thus enhancing the value of DPM to customers. This new technical paper describes how Double-Take can be used to protect DPM as well as provide high availability for DPM protected file servers.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/dpm/deploy/dpmnsidoubletake.mspx

TechNet Webcasts: Join the Management Webcast Week

Don't miss this series that offers in–depth examinations of core management products, such as Systems Management Server (SMS) and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM). Enjoy a sneak preview of some of the new and upcoming products, including System Center 2005 and Windows Update Services (WUS).

http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/technetmms.mspx

Sarbjit Singh Gill

Posted May 09 2006, 11:00 AM by sar with 1 comment(s)

Quest Software to offer application management solutions for Microsoft .Net via agreements with AVIcode

http://computerworld.com.sg/ShowPage.aspx?pagetype=2&articleid=3839&pubid=3&issueid=90

Quest Software has announced its entry into the Microsoft .Net application management marketplace through a series of commercial relationships with AVIcode, a leading provider of .Net application monitoring software. The transactions include agreements for product distribution, joint research and development activities and marketing and sales initiatives, and a Quest equity investment in AVIcode, the terms of which are not being disclosed. Beginning next quarter, Quest will market and distribute its version of AVIcode’s Intercept Studio and .Net Management Pack (Enterprise Edition) for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005.

Posted May 09 2006, 11:00 AM by sar with no comments

Got a Windows server problem? Just ask MOM

Microsoft Operations Manager 2005

By Barry Nance, Network World

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/reviews/index.cfm?reviewID=276&productid=

Posted May 09 2006, 11:00 AM by sar with no comments

Article on MCPMag about companies involved with System Center Family of Products

http://mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=930

Sarbjit Singh Gill

Posted May 05 2006, 11:00 AM by sar with no comments

Notification Workflow Solution Accelerator V2.1 ready to download.

Brief Description

This solution accelerator contains the guidance and executable needed to extend notification functionalities of Microsoft® Operations Manager (MOM) 2005.

Note: There's also a required hotfix to address the table overflow issue found in V2.0:

Posted Mar 27 2006, 05:07 PM by sar with 3 comment(s)

hotfixes that are required to make MOM 2005 SP1 work with SQL 2005

This are the 3 hotfixes that are required to make MOM 2005 SP1 work with SQL 2005 for both the Operational and Reporting databases. There would be a a “wrap up” KB article that links all 3 into a single KB, in the future. In the meantime, you can access the individual hotfixes from here:

MOM 05 MP: Unable to discover computers in AD after upgrading to .NET Framework 2.0

KB913812

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=F53F1EF3-A7A0-4C45-AEFC-7C1EC5DCCAA6&displaylang=en

Errors can occur when data collected by MOM 2005 SP1 is queried with SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services.

KB915785

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E5FC1871-1286-461D-BFCD-D32CF426E8C3&displaylang=en

MOM 2005 SP1 MP: Deadlocks may occur on SQL 2005

KB913801

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=596710CC-CF17-476F-A30C-8973612F4AC7&displaylang=en

Posted Mar 09 2006, 08:06 AM by sar with no comments