Microsoft Windows

Nine Free Windows Server 2008 Training Videos

Interested in Windows Server 2008? The new Windows Server HQ Blog has Nine Free Windows Server 2008 Training Videos. These are 30-40+ minute training videos in WMV and iPod/iPhone format. Topics include:

• Active Directory
• AD Users and Groups
• Server Core and DHCP
• File & Print
• Server RODC
• IIS 7 Web Services
• Terminal Services
• Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
• Hyper-V
• And the new Microsoft MCITP Certification

The first video in this 9 part series, and links to all the other videos, can be found here:

Windows Server HQ: New to Server 2008? No problem — Learn How to Install Windows 2008 Server and Active Directory

PowerPoint 2007 & Office 2007 Video Training

Okay, I know that this doesn’t have anything to do with Cisco Networking but I just wanted to offer a quick blurb here about a new product from my friends over at Train Signal video training….

Just released last week, Train Signal is offering a PowerPoint 2007 video training course. This 17 hour training course on 4 DVD’s and even includes an iPod/iPhone version to watch it on the go.

This PowerPoint package is the final piece of their Office 2007 video training package. That package is 91 hours and18 DVDs covering Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, Visio and Powerpoint 2007.

Both of these come with a money back guarantee and you can see demos of these products at their respective sites. I hope you will check them out and telly our friend about them!

…. Now, back to more Cisco Networking News ….

Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure video training course - New

Last week, Train Signal - the global leader in video training - released their Microsoft Windows 2008 Network Infrastructure training course. This course covers the Microsoft MCTS / MCITP certification exam 70-642. Taught by Ed Liberman, this 14 hour video training course also includes the 70-642 Transcender exam simulator to ensure you are prepared for the exam. Besides certification coverage, the product uses real-world scenarios to ensure that you are prepared to be a Windows 2008 Network Admin in a enterprise.

I watched one of the videos and was impressed by Ed’s knowledge of networking and his clear speaking voice. I liked the way that he made Windows 2008 Networking easy to understand.

I hope you will checkout the demo of the Train Signal Windows 2008 Network Infrastructure video training course.

How to use the Windows Server License Manager Script - slmgr.vbs

Microsoft licensing is getting more and more complex. With Windows 2008 Server, there is a command line tool used to import, export, view, and activate licenses. This tool is slmgr.vbs

Windows 2008 Active Directory - New Video Training Course 70-640

I have authored many Train Signal courses and used their courses to learn about new technologies. Now, Train Signal, Inc - the global leader in video training - is now offering a new video training course. This course covers Windows 2008 Active Directory and helps prepare you for Microsoft MCITP test 70-640.

This course is authored by “Coach” Culbertson, a veteran Microsoft trainer and is over 20 hours long. It includes both MP3 and iPod versions of the course so you can “watch it on the go” and now Transcender preparation tests for exam 70-640 are also included. The course has a 90 day money back guarantee.

You can read more about this new Windows 2008 AD 70-640 video training course at www.TrainSignal.com

Learn how Train Signal’s FREE Training website can help you

Train Signal makes some excellent video training products (covering Windows 2008, Cisco, and much more) but I want to take a second to talk about their sister site - Train Signal Training.com (called TST).

At Train Signal Training, they have a lot of experts who make daily blog posts covering all sorts of Windows, Microsoft office, and Cisco networking topics.  For example, there are tips on how to get a networking job, tips on how to do a address label merge in Word 2007, and many more.  What is most impressive is how their writers deliver these real-world and very useful tips.

Please take a second to check out Train Signal Training and sign up for their free newsletter or RSS feed.

Introduction to the Petri IT Knowledgebase - www.petri.co.il

Have you used the Petri IT Knowledgebase? This website is an excellent source for all sorts of Windows, Cisco, Virtualization, CompTIA, and Wireless HOW-TO information. On this site, you will find over 1000 articles covering Windows Vista, Server 2008, Server 2003, Cisco networking, VMware Virtualization, and so much more. Additionally, there are forums filled with thousands of messages and many experts are available to answer technical questions. To check it out, use the link above and if you are looking for Cisco-specific articles, checkout the Petri Cisco index.

Microsoft & VMware Virtualization Throwdown!

Okay, I know that this is a Cisco networking blog but I thought that this topic was so very interesting, I couldn’t resist but to post it. After this, I promise, I will get back to Cisco Networking….

I recently read a post by a Microsoft employee, Dave Northey. He was making all kinds claims about how Microsoft’s Windows Server Virtualization (WSV) was better than VMware ESX Server 3i.

Not surprisingly, there was a barrage of responders defending VMware. Although I didn’t post on his blog (because I would rather post over here), I do feel that VMware needs to be defended because they have a REAL enterprise grade product that you can buy today (and have been able to buy for many years). How can Microsoft say that their product is better when it isn’t even released to production yet? And how can they say that it is better when it hasn’t been proven in the Enterprise? I mean, you could install WSV and it could be completely insecure and unstable. VMware ESX is proven and used by hundreds of thousands of customers around the world.

To get someone’s take who is “in the know” on this topic, I checked in with Alessandro Perilli on this. He runs the Virtualization.info blog and is by far the best independant expert on virtualization that I know of. He said that, so far, this appears opinionated “our beta is better than your proven product” stance on Microsoft vs VMware appers to be limited to only this one Microsoft employee.

Have you tried either Windows Server Virtualization or VMware ESX 3i? (ESX 3i was handed out at VMworld and, you can try WSV by initializing it in the Win 2008 RC0 OS)

If you do try them - I recommend running them inside VMware Workstation (my favorite for OS testing). In fact, I recently created a video on how to run VMware ESX 3i Beta inside VMware Workstation (no more dedicated hardware or server).

Sound off your opinions in the comment section below!

The next post will be back to Cisco Networking!

All the best to you,
David Davis, CCIE, VCP, CISSP

Personal Website: HappyRouter.com - home of Cisco how-to articles & videos
David Recommends:
HappyRouter Cisco VMware Workstation & Server Video Training Series
HappyRouter Cisco CCNA & CCNP Video Training Series