Windows Update – “For Windows and other products from Microsoft Update”

When you start Windows Update on your Windows 2008 R2 (or Windows 2008, or Windows 7) machine, you can see in the middle of the window it says “You receive updates: For Windows Only“.
Maybe it’s OK for somebody, but….not for me .

If you have MS SQL Server or Exchange Server (or any other Microsoft product) installed on this machine, you probably would like to see (I definitely want to see ) “Windows Update” checks for updates for all products, not JUST for Windows.

So, the easy way to fix this “issue” and get a message: “You receive updates: For Windows and other products from Microsoft Update” is to go to http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-US and accept agreements needed to get Microsoft Update.

Create bootable USB drive for Hyper-V Server 2008 R2

Microsoft allowed to build Bootable USB Drive with Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 on it.
Here is an official manual how to do that: USB creation process detailed.

You can download a GUI that should simplify the creation process from MSDN web site, but for whatever reason this GUI doesn’t work for me (I spend a lot of hours on it. Maybe it’ll work for you).

So, because I had problems with this GUI, I decided to build my own automotive process . I’ve built a script that does all steps from official MS document and compiled it into EXE file.

More details here: http://www.itstuff.ca/2009/12/create-bootable-usb-drive-for-hyper-v.html

Microsoft URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7

URL rewrite module provides a rule-based rewriting mechanism for changing requested URL’s before they get processed by web server.

The Microsoft URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7 provides flexible rules-based rewrite engine that can be used to perform broad spectrum of URL manipulation tasks, including, but not limited to:

• Enabling user friendly and search engine friendly URL with dynamic web applications;
• Rewriting URL’s based on HTTP headers and server variables;
• Web site content handling;
• Controlling access to web site content based on URL segments or request metadata.

The installation package includes several additional components and hotfixes required by URL rewriter. Refer to the KB articles for the hotfixes to get more details. In order to apply the hotfixes correctly without restarting the server, it is recommended that the WAS service is stopped before installing URL Rewrite Module. The following hotfixes will be installed with URL Rewrite Module:

• Update for IIS 7.0 FastCGI module (KB 954946);
• Hotfix for IIS 7.0 SetUri function (KB 949172)
• Hotfix for ASP.NET System.Web.dll (KB 957660)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package

Download details URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7 (x86)

Download Details URL Rewrite Module 1.1 for IIS 7 (x64)

Network Load Balancing (NLB) clients cannot connect to the Windows Server 2008 NLB cluster by using the virtual IP address when NLB is running in multicast mode

Many organizations use Network Load Balancing (NLB).  Some times clients may experience intermittent connectivity failures when they try to communicate with a server that is part of this NLB cluster. A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This is a link to KB article I’m referring to: KB960916.

Exchange 2010 – Moving Mailboxes Video

Chris, from “Chris and Robin’s Technology blog” published demonstration video about Exchange 2010 – Moving mailboxes. Check it out!

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Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Transport Server Role Architecture Diagrams

Microsoft released to public download a Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Transport Server Role Architecture Diagrams. This download contains architectural diagrams that illustrate the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Hub Transport server role and Hub Transport extensibility. Download it Here

Exchange 2010 – 71-663 announced to go beta!

Microsoft announced 71-663: Pro: Designing and Deploying Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2010. This is a beta exam. You can take it since Dec, 1 till Dec 21, 2009. Registration available at Prometric website. You can use the following code for this examine: EPROJ

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Transport Server Role Architecture Diagrams

Many components are involved in the transport of messages through the Exchange Server 2010 mail flow pipeline. The Hub Transport server role diagram can help you understand the role each component plays in the processing of messages that enter the Exchange 2010 mail flow pipeline. Exchange administrators can use this information to help diagnose mail flow problems. The Hub Transport extensibility diagram can help you understand how the agents process a message that is in the Exchange 2010 mail flow pipeline. Developers can use this information to help create third-party agents and applications to work with Exchange 2010.

Download files below

Transitioning to Exchange Server 2010

Microsoft Exchange team on theire blog published really nice and informative article, Transitioning Client Access to Exchange Server 2010. This article explains how to Transitioning an Exchange 2003 and / or Exchange 2007 Environment to Exchange 2010. Do not start your transition before reading this article!

Microsoft Windows 7 90-Day Eval VHD!

The Microsoft VHD Test Drive Program provides customers with an enhanced server-based software evaluation experience that’s faster, better supported and more flexible. You can now access the entire catalog of pre-configured Microsoft and partner products and solutions in the VHD format and start evaluating and testing today from www.microsoft.com/vhd.

Download at Source: www.microsoft.com