Welcome to TechNet Flash,

IT Professionals, get a head-start on your marketability! If you currently hold a certification on Windows Server 2000, adding 2003 to your resume provides some flexibility for your next move. Windows Server 2008 is coming and the shortest path to its certification will be from your 2003 credentials. We’ve teamed up with New Horizons training centers in UAE, Kuwait and Qatar to offer all IT Professionals with Windows Server 2000 credentials special upgrade offers that include discounts on training, exams and exclusive gift packs. Click here for the details.

On the topic of certifications, don’t miss the MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-620): Configuring Windows Vista™ Client. This new 2-in-1 training kit delivers in-depth preparation plus practice for 70-620, an exam for the new MCTS: Windows Vista Client certification. Click Here for more information, or to place an order.

In addition, if you’ve always wanted a TechNet subscription, now is the best time to get one. The new online option – TechNet Plus Direct gives you instant access to the resources you need to help resolve technical issues faster, get hands-on experience with Microsoft technologies and build skills. All this, and it's just 1/3rd the cost of the traditional media edition. In addition, until July 21st you can get 15 issues for the price of 12 and you receive a free 512 MB USB wristband. Click Here to learn more.

Then discover Culminis. Culminis is an international not-for-profit Corporation, currently sponsored by Microsoft. The Culminis ALLIANCE currently includes over 830 user groups, representing over 2 million IT Professionals. If you’d like to set-up your own user group or join an existing community of IT professionals, within your region, who share the same interests as you, then visit www.culminis.com for details.

Thanks for reading;

Sandra Skairjeh
IT Pro Audience Marketing Manager
Microsoft Gulf

Microsoft Unveils Next-Generation Forefront Business Security Product: Code Name "Stirling"
Announced this month, the new Microsoft Forefront solution, code name "Stirling," is a single product that will deliver unified security management and reporting with comprehensive, coordinated protection across client, server applications, and network edge. "Stirling" acts as a distributed system, sharing and correlating information to identify complex threats, and dynamically responding to protect the organization.

Understand the Server Core Option for Installing Windows Server 2008
The Server Core installation option of the Windows Server 2008 operating system is a new option for installing Windows Server 2008. A Server Core installation provides a minimal environment for running specific server roles that reduces the maintenance and management requirements and the attack surface for those server roles.

Microsoft Debuts Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0
Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0 is now available for download. This popular Windows Vista deployment tool offers IT professionals a quick way to assess their existing computers' readiness for Windows Vista in terms of hardware and device compatibility. The new version provides selective inventory, enhanced scalability for larger corporate networks and assessment for Office 2007.

Take the Windows Home Server Code2Fame Challenge
Create software and/or hardware add-ins for Windows Home Server, to simplify digital lifestyles of families everywhere. We’re looking for creative use of a server as a platform, as well as useful, cool, easy-to-use, and solidly performing add-ins to Windows Home Server. This contest offers more than U.S.$50,000 in cash and prizes and is sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.

Meet IT Pro of the Month Jeff Nason See Jeff’s winning entry for Windows IT Pro magazine IT Pro of the Month. He used the User State Migration Tool (USMT), integrated it with a Web interface and automated the process for replacing leased PCs and restoring all the data and settings to clients’ new PCs.

Deployment Planning at No Cost to You
Did you know that Microsoft Desktop Deployment Planning Services (DDPS) offers vouchers for up to 15 days of deployment planning at no cost to you? Microsoft certified consultants will actively work with you to help you achieve the most cost-effective desktop environment. To find out if your organization has DDPS available and how to capitalize on this benefit, contact your Software Assurance Benefits Administrator or Microsoft Account Executive today.

Virtual Server R2 SP1 Is Now Available for Download
Virtual Server 2005 R2 is the server virtualization technology engineered for the Windows Server operating system to increase hardware utilization and enable IT staff to rapidly configure and deploy new servers. Register to download the free software and you will receive relevant resources that are strategically assembled to address the challenges you will face as you discover, assess, and deploy the software.

How-to Articles

Hotfixes

Knowledge Base Articles

See a selection of new Knowledge Base articles on the TechNet Web site. KB articles feature an Article Translations box in the right column. You can select a language from the drop-down list and read the article in the selected language.

Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 Beta 2
Try out the new standard for Windows backup and recovery. Data Protection Manager 2007 combines the best aspects of Continuous Data Protection and traditional tape backup with a seamlessly integrated disk and tape platform. Learn how you can use Data Protection Manager 2007 to perform better backups as well as rapid and reliable recoveries while significantly reducing the costs and complexities associated with data protection.

Now Available: Microsoft System Center Essentials 2007 Trial Version
Automate management tasks, manage multiple systems, diagnose and resolve IT problems. Proactively manage your IT environment with increased efficiency using Essentials 2007.

Top 10 Reasons to Purchase System Center Essentials 2007

Download the June CTP for SQL Server 2008
Read, watch, and download this Community Technology Preview (CTP) to learn more about the new capabilities in the upcoming release of SQL Server 2008.

Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2008 (Level 200)
Wednesday, June 20, 1:00 PM Pacific Time
In this webcast, we shed light on Windows PowerShell, the new interactive shell and scripting language built on the Microsoft .NET Framework. We provide many examples of how Windows PowerShell can empower the Windows Server 2008 administrator. Windows PowerShell provides object-based pipelining, rather than just plain text as in other shells.

Configure and Manage Windows Server 2008 Using Server Manager (Level 300)
Thursday, June 21, 11:30 AM Pacific Time
Discover the new features that Server Manager provides in Windows Server 2008. Learn how to install, configure, and manage Windows Server 2008 server roles and optional components, and how you can use the command-line interface in Server Manager to install these components. We also introduce Remote Server Administration tools.

Chat: Configure and Manage Windows Server 2008 Using Server Manager
Friday, June 22, 11:00 AM Pacific Time
Join our experts and ask questions about the new features of Server Manager that enable you to install, configure, and manage Windows Server 2008 server roles and features.

The New Server Core Installation Option in Windows Server 2008 (Level 300)
Thursday, June 28, 9:30 AM Pacific Time
In this session, we explore Server Core, a new minimal installation option included in Windows Server 2008. A Server Core installation provides a minimal environment for running a subset of the server roles, the Active Directory service, Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services, Domain Name System, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and file, print, and media services.

Hey, Scripting Guy!

•	How Can I Add a Page X of Y Footer to a Microsoft Word Document?
•	How Can I Append a Value to a Specified Field For Each Record in a Database?
•	How Can I Copy Selected Columns From a CSV File to an Excel File?

Microsoft Security Products Receive Virus Bulletin’s 100% Award
Virus Bulletin, a magazine that conducts tests of detection rates of antivirus software products, announced that both Forefront Client Security and Windows Live OneCare achieved the Virus Bulletin 100% award. Products that manage to detect 100 percent of the viruses “in the wild” without false alarms are given this award. Microsoft Forefront Client Security 120-Day Trial Is Available Microsoft Forefront Client Security 120-day trial version is available for evaluation, a security solution that helps protect business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems from viruses, spyware, and other current and emerging threats.

Microsoft Forefront Client Security 120-Day Trial Is Available
Microsoft Forefront Client Security 120-day trial version is available for evaluation, a security solution that helps protect business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems from viruses, spyware, and other current and emerging threats.

Microsoft Security Bulletins for June 2007

Register for the June Security Bulletin Webcast

Microsoft Business Intelligence: Video Coverage
This presentation will provide an overview of all of the components of the Microsoft Business Intelligence offering, architectural overview, and a demonstration to provide context for the in-depth session that follows.

Determine Windows Vista Compatibility with Your Existing Computers
Learn how the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool can help you quickly assess the hardware and device capabilities of your computers for Windows Vista network-wide.

Managing a Microsoft Infrastructure: Improve Reliability and Performance
Join this series to learn about the key Microsoft infrastructure management offerings. This month’s webcasts will cover an overview of the recently shipped Microsoft Systems Center Operations Manager, including its client monitoring feature. Enjoy a sneak preview of some new and upcoming products on the Microsoft manageability road map, including Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007.

TechNet Radio: Direct from Day One of Tech-Ed 2007
This week on Tech Net Radio, we listen to interviews from the first day of Tech-Ed 2007. Kevin Remde talks with Dustin Jones about monitoring using System Center Essentials. He also talks with Jane Lewis about Women in Tech. Kevin and Bryan von Axelson discuss the Microsoft MVP Program with Connie Rennie. Plus, we talk with Steve Riley about Wireless Security improvements in Windows Vista.

On-Demand Microsoft IT Webcasts for IT Pros

Try out a Microsoft Virtual Lab Express
Virtual Lab Express is the fastest and easiest way to test drive Microsoft products and the Virtual Lab environment. These are 30-minute hands-on overviews of some of your favorite Microsoft products and server tools. Try them out online now - no need to download full trial versions or dedicate test machines.

Determine Hardware and Device Compatibilities for Your Windows Vista Migration Project
Wondering if your computers are ready to migrate to Windows Vista? The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator is a network-wide assessment tool that quickly assesses hardware and device driver compatibility for Windows Vista upgrades. Download and start your migration planning today.

Check out all the Solution Accelerators.

Technical Computing Tools Combined with Cluster Computing Deliver High-Performance Solutions
Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 combined with the MathWorks’ MATLAB Distributed Computing Engine and Distributed Computing Toolbox allows users to access distributed computing resources from their desktops to solve complex technical computing problems and achieve higher-speed computing at a lower cost than before.

The TechNet Flash is full of pointers to in-depth technical information that we encourage subscribers to forward to friends and co-workers. If you've received this issue from someone via e-mail and would like to receive the free TechNet Flash newsletter biweekly, all you have to do is register

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