Microsoft Learning Snacks

Learning Snacks are short, interactive presentations about popular topics created by Microsoft Learning experts. Each Snack is delivered by using innovative Microsoft Silverlight technology and includes various media, such as animations and recorded demos. At the end of each free presentation, you can view more Snacks, learn more about the topic, or visit a related Web site.

If you do not have much time, these bite-sized Learning Snacks about Microsoft products and technologies are easy to watch and digest. See the following list of available snacks.

Note To view Learning Snacks, you must install Microsoft Silverlight and enable pop-up windows.

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Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO)
	Core IO (14 minutes) Organizations need to optimize their IT infrastructure so that it can keep up with their growing business needs. Microsoft provides three models that define a roadmap for organizations to reach infrastructure maturity. This Snack describes the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model, which can help organizations improve the current state of their IT infrastructure in terms of cost, security, and agility.
	Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (14 minutes) The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of products that can help organizations implement the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model. This Learning Snack explains how the MDOP facilitates Infrastructure Optimization (IO). It also demonstrates procedures for recovering lost files and managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using products in the MDOP suite.

Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO)

Core IO (14 minutes)
Organizations need to optimize their IT infrastructure so that it can keep up with their growing business needs. Microsoft provides three models that define a roadmap for organizations to reach infrastructure maturity. This Snack describes the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model, which can help organizations improve the current state of their IT infrastructure in terms of cost, security, and agility.

Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (14 minutes)
The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of products that can help organizations implement the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model. This Learning Snack explains how the MDOP facilitates Infrastructure Optimization (IO). It also demonstrates procedures for recovering lost files and managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using products in the MDOP suite.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
	High Availability and Storage in Exchange Server 2010 (17 minutes) For most organizations, flexible and cost-effective communication tools are important factors for meeting goals such as high availability and enhanced database recovery. Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 helps organizations achieve these goals with a simplified, unified framework that helps them lower their costs and enhance business productivity. This Learning Snack explains how mailbox availability is achieved in Exchange server 2010 and how the new and improved database recovery and storage features help organizations manage their Exchange environment better.
	Unified Messaging in Exchange Server 2010 (18 minutes) Today, one of the topmost priorities for most organizations is to enable users to communicate and connect with others anytime quickly and easily. To meet this need and at the same time reduce costs, many organizations are now adopting Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 to take advantage of the enhanced unified messaging feature. Unified messaging provides users with flexible and powerful new ways of accessing information and increasing productivity. This Learning Snack explains how unified messaging works and also describes its architecture. In addition, it describes the voice mail integration feature of Exchange Server 2010.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

High Availability and Storage in Exchange Server 2010 (17 minutes)
For most organizations, flexible and cost-effective communication tools are important factors for meeting goals such as high availability and enhanced database recovery. Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 helps organizations achieve these goals with a simplified, unified framework that helps them lower their costs and enhance business productivity. This Learning Snack explains how mailbox availability is achieved in Exchange server 2010 and how the new and improved database recovery and storage features help organizations manage their Exchange environment better.

Unified Messaging in Exchange Server 2010 (18 minutes)
Today, one of the topmost priorities for most organizations is to enable users to communicate and connect with others anytime quickly and easily. To meet this need and at the same time reduce costs, many organizations are now adopting Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 to take advantage of the enhanced unified messaging feature. Unified messaging provides users with flexible and powerful new ways of accessing information and increasing productivity. This Learning Snack explains how unified messaging works and also describes its architecture. In addition, it describes the voice mail integration feature of Exchange Server 2010.

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
	Developing Solutions with Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 (20 minutes) New Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 enables developers to build rich solutions easily, rapidly, and efficiently. This Learning Snack demonstrates how you can use Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 to create and deploy your solutions. It also demonstrates how you can build Microsoft Silverlight applications by using the SharePoint 2010 client object model, and how you can use LINQ to SharePoint to create SharePoint entities.
	Experiencing the Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 User Interface (20 minutes) New Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 includes an enhanced user interface that provides IT professionals with a streamlined administration experience. This Learning Snack describes the features of the SharePoint Server 2010 user interface. It demonstrates how the new Central Administration console enables you to perform several administrative tasks from one central location. The Learning Snack also describes how shared application architecture can be used for flexible deployments in SharePoint Server 2010.
	Managing and Troubleshooting with Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 (17 minutes) New Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 facilitates administration by providing several tools that help IT professionals efficiently manage data and troubleshoot any issues. This Learning Snack describes the Large List Resource Throttling feature, which helps you manage large lists. It demonstrates how a Microsoft SQL Server logging database can be used to log SharePoint events. The Learning Snack also demonstrates how the SharePoint Best Practices Analyzer can be used to detect and automatically fix common issues.

Microsoft Silverlight
	Getting Started with Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 (14 minutes) Microsoft Silverlight is the next-generation platform for accessing and delivering rich Internet applications. This Learning Snack highlights the features of the Silverlight plug-in, which delivers your media-rich Web applications to your end users. It introduces you to the Silverlight architecture and the tools with which you can easily design and develop your Web applications. It also introduces XAML, the language for collaboration between designers and developers.
	The Silverlight Development System (24 minutes) Microsoft Expression Studio and Microsoft Visual Studio provide tools that designers and developers can use to create cost-effective Silverlight-based applications. This Learning Snack walks you through the tools' features, and explains how the tools help designers create attractive user interfaces and add rich content. It also describes how developers can create compelling interactivity around such user interfaces and content to produce a rich Web experience.
	Creating an Interactive Silverlight Experience (15 minutes) The tools for creating Silverlight-based applications provide a platform for smooth collaboration between designers and developers. This Learning Snack describes how the Microsoft Expression Studio tools and Visual Studio help designers and developers collaborate while they retain creative freedom over their individual domains. It also illustrates how XAML and the collaborative features of the tools make it easy for designers and developers to share their work.
	Enhancing the Experience with High-Definition Video (16 minutes) Used in conjunction, Microsoft Expression Media and Visual Studio provide designers and developers with tools they can use to add high-definition video, live feeds, and webcasts to their applications. This Learning Snack describes how designers can use Expression Encoder to encode video in a highly compressed but lossless format that conforms with the widely accepted VC-1 video format. It also demonstrates how developers can include RSS and other live feeds or webcasts in their applications.
	Flexible Development Environment (18 minutes) Microsoft Silverlight incorporates important features of the Microsoft .NET Framework and uses XAML. This Learning Snack describes how the powerful and flexible Silverlight development environment facilitates the creation of cross-platform, networked applications. It explains how Silverlight uses the .NET Framework so that you can easily program for on-demand downloads, progressive downloads, and live feeds. It also describes how Silverlight supports a variety of file formats and easy file transfers.
	Objects and Events in Silverlight 1.0 (16 minutes) Silverlight objects are the building blocks of a Silverlight-based application. These objects are then manipulated by the use of input and non-input events. This Learning Snack identifies some of the important objects in Silverlight, such as the Canvas, Downloader, and InkPresenter objects. It explains how these objects can be manipulated by using appropriate input or non-input events. It also demonstrates how to script events.

Virtualization
	Microsoft Virtualization (15 minutes) The Microsoft Virtualization solution consists of four virtualization technologies: server, application, presentation, and desktop. Together, these technologies provide you with a complete desktop-to-datacenter virtualization solution that can help you create a dynamic IT infrastructure. This free Learning Snack highlights various features and benefits of the four virtualization technologies. It also takes a closer look at server virtualization and how it is implemented and managed in the Windows Server 2008 operating system.
	Intro to Windows Server 2008 Virtualization (3 minutes) This Snack explains the new virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 and lists the system requirements. It also demonstrates the steps necessary to install Windows Server virtualization.
	Green IT and Virtualization (8 minutes) This Snack explains the new virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 and lists the system requirements. It also demonstrates the steps necessary to install Windows Server virtualization.

Web 2.0 Development
	Web 2.0 Ramp-On: Planning, Architecting, and Implementing Web 2.0 Services Using the Microsoft Web Platform (50 minutes) Kobe is the code name of the project executed to produce this resource kit on planning, architecting, and implementing Web 2.0 applications and services on the Microsoft platform. The kit includes a collection of related resources such as white papers, presentations, and a complete sample project with source code. This Learning Snack provides an overview of the resource kit.

Web 2.0 Development

Web 2.0 Ramp-On: Planning, Architecting, and Implementing Web 2.0 Services Using the Microsoft Web Platform (50 minutes)
Kobe is the code name of the project executed to produce this resource kit on planning, architecting, and implementing Web 2.0 applications and services on the Microsoft platform. The kit includes a collection of related resources such as white papers, presentations, and a complete sample project with source code. This Learning Snack provides an overview of the resource kit.

WebsiteSpark
	Installing and running a PHP application on Windows (11 minutes) New Internet Information Services (IIS) and Windows have become a highly-effective platform for PHP-based applications. Learn about the advances in technology that will make IIS your preferred platform for PHP and how the Microsoft Web Platform Installer can have you up and running with PHP and popular free PHP applications in a matter of minutes. This snack includes step-by-step demonstrations for installing and configuring MySQL for Windows as well as Drupal and WordPress.
	Installing an ASP.NET application (5 minutes) New In the past, installing an ASP.NET application meant determining all of the proper versions of prerequisites and installing and configuring them properly before you could start installing the application. The Microsoft Web Platform Installer has made installing ASP.NET applications simple by installing all of the prerequisites with a click of a button and then installing the application itself. This snack highlights the key pieces of the Microsoft Web Platform and demonstrates the steps necessary to install and initially configure the ASP.NET-based Umbraco content management system.
	Customizing the PHP application on Windows (19 minutes) New Once your PHP application is installed, how can you add content to the site and customize the look and feel? This snack explains how to get started with the Drupal content management system and how to use Microsoft Expression Web to customize your site. Learn how to use SuperPreview, a powerful feature of Expression Web that will help you make sure your site looks great in all browsers.
	Customizing the ASP.NET application (14 minutes) New Third-party applications, such as content management systems, can be confusing until you get a feel for how they work. This snack describes the steps to start using the Umbraco content management system. Learn how the Runway package can be used to display content and how to use Microsoft Expression Web to customize the look of your site. Take advantage of SuperPreview, a powerful feature of Expression Web, to make sure your site looks great in all browsers.
	Deploying an application (15 minutes) New There are many hosting options available for IIS-based Web sites, and no single hosting type is right for everyone. Determine which type of hosting best serves your needs and then learn about the tools that can make deployment of your site easier. This snack demonstrates how to use Visual Web Developer Express to deploy a site and how the powerful Web Deployment Tool can package an entire site, including the database and custom configuration settings for deployment.
	Search Engine Optimization (14 minutes) New Search Engine Optimization is a very important step when creating a Web presence. If search engines cannot find your content, it is likely that visitors will not be able to find it either. The IIS SEO Toolkit and URL Rewrite Module for IIS 7 make it easy to improve your site's search engine effectiveness, address common SEO-related issues, and give you an advantage over the competition.
	Administration and Maintenance – Basic (32 minutes) New IIS 7 is architected from the ground up to help you maintain your Web environment. By using IIS 7 modules and the command-line administration interface, you can keep your site running at top efficiency. IIS 7 also enables third-party applications, such as DotNetPanel, to provide sophisticated custom administration solutions with tight integration into your IIS 7 environment. This snack gives you an overview of the tools you can use to perform a variety of tasks, ranging from managing a single Web site to acting as a hosting provider for multiple Web sites.
	Creating an ASP.NET MVC Application (24 minutes) New The Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern separates an application into three main components: the Model, the View, and the Controller. The ASP.NET MVC framework provides an alternative to the ASP.NET Web Forms pattern for creating MVC-based Web applications. The ASP.NET MVC framework is a lightweight, highly testable presentation framework that (as with Web Forms-based applications) is integrated with existing ASP.NET features, such as master pages and membership-based authentication. This snack uses the popular CodePlex site, called NerdDinner, to walk through the creation of an ASP.NET MVC application. It also demonstrates how to unit test your application.
	Managing Databases on Windows (15 minutes) New With data playing such a crucial role in application development, it is imperative that developers have a way to manage and administer their databases easily. With this in mind, Microsoft has designed new tools and add-ins to familiar Microsoft developer tools—such as Visual Studio and IIS—that accommodate various developer work-flows. This snack looks at creating and managing a database by using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio, and the IIS Database Manager. In addition, new options for deploying a database will be demonstrated.
	Adding video to your site with Silverlight (15 minutes) New Video has become an indispensable Web tool to engage and inform your online customers. Microsoft provides best-in-class video playback with IIS 7 and Microsoft Silverlight, which has been chosen as the video platform for the coverage of some of the most high-profile events over the last couple of years. Learn how using Microsoft Expression Encoder in conjunction with IIS 7 and Silverlight can make it simple to provide high quality video to your users.

Windows 7
	Introducing Windows 7 (26 minutes) The Windows 7 client operating system offers innovative technologies that improve performance, reliability, security, and compatibility. It also offers new capabilities that help organizations improve user productivity, enhance security, and reduce operating costs. Because Windows 7 is built on the same platform as Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, the investments you make in Windows Vista readiness—application testing and hardware assessment—will help speed the adoption of Windows 7 in your environment.
	Implementing User Account Control in Windows 7 (16 minutes) The User Account Control (UAC) feature was first implemented in the Windows Vista operating system to protect computers from malicious software and unauthorized system changes. Based on feedback from users and administrators, the Windows team significantly enhanced UAC in Windows 7 to give users greater control of their computers and provide administrators with more granular configuration settings. This Learning Snack explains how UAC works and shows you how to configure UAC security settings. It also describes the key UAC enhancements in Windows 7.
	Introducing BitLocker and AppLocker in Windows 7 (20 minutes) Every organization needs to keep its business-critical data secure and impervious to theft. This Learning Snack describes the BitLocker and AppLocker features in Windows 7, which give you more control over sensitive data. It demonstrates how BitLocker protects hard drives and the data on laptops, and how BitLocker to Go secures removable storage devices. This Learning Snack also shows you how to implement application control policies with AppLocker to protect the computers on your network from unlicensed and malicious software.
	Desktop Experience in Windows 7 (15 minutes) This Learning Snack describes the new desktop and taskbar features in Windows 7 that help you effortlessly manage your applications, folders, and windows. It also demonstrates how to use features such as Aero Peek and Aero Shake to manage open windows. This Snack also shows you how to create taskbar icons to easily access frequently used applications and Jump Lists to save files on your desktop without the clutter.
	Setting Up a Home Network in Windows 7 (7 minutes) If you have more than one computer in your home, you can create a home network so that you can easily share and access files and printers across the network. This Learning Snack describes the HomeGroup feature in Windows 7, which will help you create a home network quickly and easily.
	Introducing the Troubleshooting Platform in Windows 7 (14 minutes) Typically, when users have computer issues, they call the help desk to resolve them. However, if users have Windows 7, they can take advantage of its new tools to solve their computer problems without calling help desk. This Learning Snack explores new ways to manage and troubleshoot common computer problems in Windows 7 by using the troubleshooting platform, which includes Action Center and Problem Steps Recorder.
	Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool for Servicing Windows 7 Images (11 minutes) Windows 7 includes several tools that simplify desktop deployment, including Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). DISM combines the functionality of several image-management tools that were available in Windows Vista. With the help of DISM, IT professionals and desktop configuration administrators can deploy Windows images to computer systems efficiently and quickly. This Learning Snack describes the DISM tool and demonstrates some of the commands that administrators can use while preparing and servicing Windows images offline.
	Windows 7 for Developers (67 minutes) Windows 7 offers a new way of interacting with the computer, using our hands. In two parts, the different aspects of implementing Touch, Multi-Touch, and Ink are covered. The taskbar is the new interface through which users can open applications and switch between windows. This Snack covers the taskbar functionality and includes the technical details of implementing jump lists, thumbnails, toolbar buttons, overlay icons, custom window switches, and more. The Sensors and Location Snack highlights scenarios and the implications of using sensors and location implantation within applications. In the last Snack, we examine the internal structure of Windows 7 libraries as well as the APIs and how to make an application library aware. Note This Snack was created by the Developer & Evangelism Platform (DPE) team at Microsoft.
	Understanding Volume Activation (15 minutes) New Volume Activation is a set of technical and policy-related solutions used for automating and managing product activation. It is used in Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 operating systems. Volume Activation helps you address the piracy and product key management issues in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems. This Learning Snack describes the fundamentals of Volume Activation and the various methods that you can use to activate server and client computers.
	Finding and Organizing Information in Windows 7 (15 minutes) New Most people need to view, organize, and find information that is stored not just on their own computer, but also beyond. This Learning Snack describes libraries in Windows 7, and how you can use them to organize data efficiently. It also describes the search improvements in Windows 7 and demonstrates how you can find information stored across multiple computers, Web sites, and servers as easily as searching for information on your own computer.
	Remote Connectivity in Windows 7 (15 minutes) New These days, more people are working from branch offices or home offices instead of the central office. Although advances in mobile computers and wireless broadband have enabled users to be more productive, productivity is still limited by users' connectivity to corporate resources while away from the office. The changing structure of business puts more pressure on IT professionals to provide a high-performance and secure infrastructure for connecting remote users and branch offices while minimizing costs. Windows 7 offers solutions that enable users to stay connected whether they are traveling or working from home and enables IT professionals to better manage mobile computers. This Learning Snack describes Windows 7 remote connectivity technologies, such as Mobile broadband, DirectAccess, VPN Reconnect, and BranchCache.
	Automating Windows 7 Management (15 minutes) New Built on the Microsoft .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell provides IT professionals the flexibility to automate many administrative tasks and manage Windows efficiently. With the inclusion of features such as PowerShell remoting, Windows PowerShell makes it easier for Windows administrators to control and manage their Windows 7 environment. This Learning Snack demonstrates how to use Windows PowerShell to automate common administrative tasks. It also demonstrates how Windows PowerShell can be used to gather diagnostic data from remote computers.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008
	Introduction to Windows Essential Server Solutions (22 minutes) The Windows Essential Server family of solutions provides small and medium-sized businesses with integrated business server solutions, which will help enhance productivity and promote cost savings. This Learning Snack describes how the Windows Essential Server Solutions products—Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008—give small and medium-sized businesses the flexibility to grow their business capacity. It also describes the administrative consoles in Windows SBS 2008 and Windows EBS 2008, which gives administrators a single point of access to their IT environment.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008

Introduction to Windows Essential Server Solutions (22 minutes)
The Windows Essential Server family of solutions provides small and medium-sized businesses with integrated business server solutions, which will help enhance productivity and promote cost savings. This Learning Snack describes how the Windows Essential Server Solutions products—Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008—give small and medium-sized businesses the flexibility to grow their business capacity. It also describes the administrative consoles in Windows SBS 2008 and Windows EBS 2008, which gives administrators a single point of access to their IT environment.

Windows Server 2008 Release 2 (R2)
	Introducing Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2 (13 minutes) New Hyper-V provides a dynamic, reliable, and scalable virtualization platform that is combined with a set of integrated tools to manage both physical and virtual resources. Hyper-V enables the data centers of business enterprises to be highly responsive and dynamic. With Hyper-V virtualization, you can efficiently run multiple operating systems in parallel on a single server and fully use the power of x64 computing. This Learning Snack explains Hyper-V features, such as Live Migration and Cluster Shared Volume, which are available in Windows Server 2008 R2. It also explains how to use Live Migration in Windows Server 2008 R2.
	Introducing BranchCache in Windows Server 2008 R2 (15 minutes) New The branch office management faces several challenges when storing and retrieving data from the servers located in the head office, including slow and expensive WAN links between the head office and branch offices, high link utilization, poor application responsiveness, and difficulties with system management and administration, deployment of new computers, and optimizing operational costs. Using the BranchCache feature in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 for locally caching frequently-used content on the branch office computers, you can optimize network use and improve the user experience at branch offices. This Learning Snack explains the BranchCache feature available in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. It also explains the two modes of BranchCache: distributed cache and hosted cache.
	Introducing DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2 (13 minutes) New Organizations rely on VPN connections to provide remote users with secure access to data on the corporate network. However, VPN connections must first be established and might require additional configuration of the firewall. Often, organizations find it difficult to manage remote computers effectively. To overcome such limitations in VPN connections, organizations can implement DirectAccess, available in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, to provide a seamless connection between the internal network and the remote computer via the Internet. This Learning Snack explains the benefits and requirements of the DirectAccess feature available in Windows Server 2008 R2. It also explains how to use the DirectAccess feature in Windows Server 2008 R2.
	Management Enhancements in Windows Server 2008 R2 (26 minutes) New Windows Server 2008 R2 makes it easier to manage physical and virtual servers by providing enhanced management consoles and automation for repetitive day-to-day administrative tasks. Windows Server 2008 R2 provides better energy efficiency and performance by reducing power consumption and lowering overhead costs. This Learning Snack explains management enhancements in Windows Server 2008 R2, such as remote management with Server Manager, Best Practice Analyzer (BPA), Active Directory Administrative Center, Windows PowerShell 2.0, and SConfig on Server Core. It also explains how to use these enhancements in Windows Server 2008 R2.

Windows Server 2008
	Introducing Branch Office Server in Windows Server 2008 (4 minutes) This Snack describes the benefits that Windows Server 2008 provides for installing and maintaining a branch office network. It demonstrates the installation of a branch office network by using the new server core option. It also lists the benefits of Active Directory read-only domain controllers (RODCs) and BitLocker Drive Encryption.
	Introducing Centralized Application Access in Windows Server 2008 (5 minutes) This Snack explains the operational benefits of centralizing applications by using Windows Server 2008. It examines the benefits of Terminal Services and lists ways to provide remote users with access to centralized applications by using Terminal Services Web Access. It also describes the requirements for providing a single sign-on for remote users.
	Implementing Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server 2008 (6 minutes) This Snack describes the new options available in Windows Server 2008 for installing and configuring Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and auditing changes to it. It lists the features of read-only domain controllers (RODCs) and describes how to perform a non-authoritative or an authoritative restore of AD DS data.
	Implementing Network Access Protection in Windows Server 2008 (7 minutes) This Snack describes the benefits of implementing Network Access Protection (NAP) in Windows Server 2008. It describes how to configure network and health policies for various types of clients. It identifies the options for configuring Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enforcement for NAP and demonstrates the steps for testing a NAP implementation with DHCP enforcement.
	Implementing Windows Server 2008 Security (4 minutes) This Snack examines and lists the features of Group Policy settings in Windows Server 2008. It demonstrates the steps for implementing Group Policy settings and the process of upgrading them. It also explains the purpose of security templates that can be imported into Group Policy settings.
	Intro to Windows Server 2008 Virtualization (3 minutes) This Snack explains the new virtualization features in Windows Server 2008 and lists the system requirements. It also demonstrates the steps necessary to install Windows Server virtualization.
	Green IT and Virtualization (8 minutes) Organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental and business benefits of adopting a Green IT environment. This Learning Snack highlights how virtualization facilitates a Green IT environment. It describes the Hyper-V server role and the System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) tool, which help create and support a virtualized infrastructure in Windows Server 2008.

Windows Vista
	Windows Vista Essentials (11 minutes) This Snack describes some of the innovative new features in Windows Vista, including a sidebar that provides information at a glance. It showcases the Windows Aero technology and demonstrates the improved file organization techniques. In addition, this Snack walks you through the various ways you can search for information on your computer or on the Internet.
	The Business Value of Windows Vista (17 minutes) The Windows Vista operating system offers several benefits over previous Windows operating systems. It provides improved performance, administration, and security. This Snack highlights the enhanced features of Windows Vista, including improved support for mobile users, which can help organizations improve their IT infrastructure and reduce the cost of ownership. This Snack also describes various performance-enhancement features that can help businesses improve productivity and reduce administration and support costs.
	Planning for Windows Vista (15 minutes) Successfully upgrading a desktop operating system across an organization takes careful planning. To simplify the process of migrating desktops to Windows Vista, Microsoft provides a three-step desktop migration process. This Snack takes you through a step-by-step guide for assessing an organization's existing hardware and software and creating a detailed plan for deploying Windows Vista. It also describes download tools offered free by Microsoft; these tools can help you automate the hardware and software assessment of the IT infrastructure and the deployment of Windows Vista.
	Deploying Windows Vista (15 minutes) Microsoft provides a range of tools and utilities that can help organizations successfully deploy Windows Vista. This Learning Snack describes how to deploy Windows Vista across a network and demonstrates how to create Windows Vista installation images and deploy them on desktops on a network. It also provides guidelines and best practices for deploying Windows Vista in an organization.
	Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (14 minutes) The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of products that can help organizations implement the Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO) model. This Learning Snack explains how the MDOP facilitates Infrastructure Optimization (IO). It also demonstrates procedures for recovering lost files and managing Group Policy objects (GPOs) by using products in the MDOP suite.