Windows & .NET Magazine UPDATE--September 9, 2003

1. Commentary: Training and Certification on Windows Server 2003

2. Hot Off the Press
- Be Settled: Microsoft Settles Antitrust Case

3. Keeping Up with Win2K and NT
- Windows 2000 SP4 Might Overwrite Local Security Policy Settings
- Terminal Services Shared File Bug Fix
- Major Citrix Logon Delays on SP4 Systems
- Old Intel Network Drivers Leak Memory
- ARCserve 2000 Uninstallation Blue Screen

4. Announcements
- Are You Ready for Exchange 2003?
- $300 Early Bird Discount Expires Monday

5. Instant Poll
- Results of Previous Poll: Enterprise Security
- New Instant Poll: Windows 2003 Certification

6. Resources
- Featured Thread: Printing Problems
- Tip: Why Can't I See Any System Updates When I Access Windows Update After I Perform a Clean OS Installation?

7. Event
- New--Mobile & Wireless Road Show! 8. New and Improved
- Protect Your Server Room from Environmental Changes
- Secure Your PCs
- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

9. Contact Us
- See this section for a list of ways to contact us.

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==== 1. Commentary: Training and Certification on Windows Server 2003 ====
by Paul Thurrott, News Editor, [email protected]

Microsoft recently announced some interesting new training and certification options for IT administrators working with Windows Server 2003, including the first-ever Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 exam. These options will provide individuals with a variety of choices when completing the MCSE or Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification tracks for Windows 2003.

Aimed at individuals involved with designing and deploying Windows-based IT infrastructures, the MCSE designation has been around for years, although perceptions that the certification is too easy and an overabundance of certification how-to books have somewhat diluted its perceived value. However, with the changes Microsoft recently made to the certifications, such complaints are no longer valid. Now, MCSEs are expected to have at least 1 year of hands-on experience implementing and administering a network OS to pass the exams, and almost half of the items in the core certification exams involve troubleshooting skills that often require real-world, hands-on experience.

For the Windows 2003 MCSE certification, you'll need to pass six core exams (four networking system exams, one client OS exam, and one design exam), two upgrade exams, and one elective exam. Separate upgrade paths exist for those with Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 credentials.

Launched during the Win2K time frame, the MCSA certification recognizes an individual's proficiency with Microsoft products and technologies. Whereas the typical skills of an MCSE are used during the planning, design, and implementation phases of a Windows technology rollout, MCSA covers the management and maintenance phases. For this reason, typical MCSA applicants include systems administrators, network administrators, and technical support specialists. For the Windows 2003 MCSA certification, applicants must pass three core exams (one client OS exam and two networking OS exams) and one elective exam. An upgrade path for those with Win2K MCSA credentials also exists.

Some exams are new to Windows 2003. For example, in December, Microsoft will release an exam called Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business. This exam, an elective for the Windows 2003 MCSE track, concentrates on SBS 2003. In October, Microsoft will introduce the exam Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Solutions in the Data Center. This exam is also an elective for the Windows 2003 MCSE track, and it concentrates on the unique problems surrounding managing the high-end hardware and software used in a data center environment.

Both the MCSE and MCSA designations are worthwhile goals, but Microsoft has recently added two specializations to each certification. Specializations help individuals identify a specific technology focus. For both MCSE and MCSA, the first specialization, predictably, was security (MCSA: Security on Windows 2000 and MCSE: Security on Windows 2000). With Windows 2003, Microsoft has added one more specialization to each certification--messaging--which shows experience with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Both the security and messaging specializations require you to pass additional exams. For example, the MCSE: Messaging on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certification requirements include the usual MCSE requirements plus two core messaging exams--Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and Exam 70-285: Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization. The security specialization for Windows 2003 includes three extra exams.

As an added bonus, if you're among the first 5000 administrators or engineers to be certified for Windows 2003, Microsoft will supply you with a special edition Early Achiever certificate and wallet card. If that doesn't inspire you to get trained and certified on Windows 2003, what will?

If you're not yet ready to commit to a certification program as extensive as the MCSE or MCSA, Microsoft also offers other certification credentials that might be of interest. Individuals who pass one certification exam, for example, are recognized as Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) in that product. Microsoft offers an MCSD certification for enterprise Microsoft .NET developers, a Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certification for .NET application and Web services developers, a Microsoft Certified DBA (MCDBA) certification for Microsoft SQL Server administration and design, a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) certification for those who want to train others, and a Microsoft Office Specialist certification, which recognizes skills with Microsoft's desktop applications. All these certifications, to one degree or another, can help you prove your worth to current and potential employers.

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==== 2. Hot Off the Press ====
by Paul Thurrott, [email protected]

Be Settled: Microsoft Settles Antitrust Case
Last weekend, Microsoft announced that it had reached a settlement with Be. The settlement, which is awaiting court approval, will end Be's years-long antitrust lawsuit, which alleges that Microsoft illegally forced Be out of the market.
Under the settlement terms, Microsoft won't admit any wrongdoing and will pay Be more than $23 million after legal fees. In return, Be will agree to end litigation against Microsoft. All other terms of the settlement are confidential. Microsoft noted that this is the second private lawsuit the company has settled this year (Microsoft announced a settlement with the state of California in January). For the complete story, visit the following URL:
http://www.wininformant.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=40193

==== 3. Keeping Up with Win2K and NT ====
by Paula Sharick, [email protected]

Windows 2000 SP4 Might Overwrite Local Security Policy Settings
If you use either a Group Policy Object (GPO) or the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Local Security Policy snap-in to modify system security settings, the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4) Setup utility can, in some cases, overwrite the active values with those that are stored in the most recent secedit.sdb template. For compatibility with Windows Server 2003 platforms, SP4 adds two new security-related privileges: "impersonate a client" and "create global objects." The security policy bug occurs when Setup adds these new privileges to the local user rights list. The documentation provides no details about why the security template might not contain current security settings but does state that after an SP4 upgrade, security options might revert to previous settings. While Microsoft continues to debug this problem, you can avoid the problem by forcing a refresh of the secedit.sdb security template. To do so, open the system's Local Security Policy before you start an SP4 upgrade. Read the Microsoft article "Local Security Policy Values Revert to the Values That Are Stored in SecEdit.sdb After You Install Windows 2000 Service Pack 4" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=827664) for more details.

WEB-EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES: The following items are posted on the Windows & .NET Magazine Web site. For the complete story, use the following link and scroll to the appropriate article.
http://www.winnetmag.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=40211

- Terminal Services Shared File Bug Fix
- Major Citrix Logon Delays on SP4 Systems
- Old Intel Network Drivers Leak Memory
- ARCserve 2000 Uninstallation Blue Screen

==== 4. Announcements ====
(from Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)

Are You Ready for Exchange 2003?
With enhanced performance and security and an improved infrastructure, Exchange 2003 is poised for takeoff. Join Windows & .NET Magazine and NetIQ for this free Web seminar, and discover which migration method makes the most sense, the best security and management practices, and much more. Register today!
http://www.winnetmag.com/seminars/netiqexchange

$300 Early Bird Discount Expires Monday
Don't miss your $300 discount. Register for Windows & .NET Magazine Connections by September 15, 2003. Stay competitive in your job, and invest your time to keep pace with the latest technologies, tips, and tricks. Register now, save $300, and receive access to concurrently running Exchange Connections.
http://www.winconnections.com

==== 5. Instant Poll ====

Results of Previous Poll: Enterprise Security
The voting has closed in Windows & .NET Magazine's nonscientific Instant Poll for the question, "Do you think that your organization's network is more secure or less secure than it was a year ago?" Here are the results from the 95 votes:
- 84% More secure
- 14% Less secure
- 2% I don't know

New Instant Poll: Windows 2003 Certification
The next Instant Poll question is, "Do you plan to pursue certification for Windows Server 2003?" Go to the Windows & .NET Magazine home page and submit your vote for a) I already have Windows 2003 certification, b) Yes, I plan to pursue Windows 2003 certification, or c) I have no plans to pursue Windows 2003 certification.
http://www.winnetmag.com/magazine

==== 6. Resources ====

Featured Thread: Printing Problems
Reader Jonesy is running Windows XP Professional Edition. Last week, the W32.Sobig.F virus attacked his computer. He removed the virus and cleaned the machine, but now he can't print from this machine. If you can help, join the discussion at the following URL:
http://www.winnetmag.com/forums/rd.cfm?cid=36&tid=62830

Tip: Why Can't I See Any System Updates When I Access Windows Update After I Perform a Clean OS Installation?
by John Savill, http://www.windows2000faq.com

If no updates are available from the Windows Update Web site, the problem probably relates to the user not having defined a language for use in Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). To resolve this problem, perform the following steps:
1. Start IE.
2. From the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
3. Select the General tab, then click Languages.
4. If no languages are listed, click Add.
5. Select your language from the displayed list, then click OK.
6. Click OK to close the Language Preference dialog box, then click OK to close the Internet Options dialog box.

You should now be able to see updates on the Windows Update Web site at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com .

==== 7. Event ====
(brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine)

New--Mobile & Wireless Road Show!
Learn more about the wireless and mobility solutions that are available today! Register now for this free event!
http://www.winnetmag.com/roadshows/wireless

==== 8. New and Improved ====
by Carolyn Mader, [email protected]

Protect Your Server Room from Environmental Changes
IT WatchDogs released the WeatherDuck, a matchbox-sized device for your server room or remote computer room that warns you about damaging environmental changes. You can receive email alerts or pages when the temperature exceeds predetermined values. Pricing is $179. Contact IT WatchDogs at 512-345-8189 or [email protected].
http://www.itwatchdogs.com

Secure Your PCs
CE-Infosys released CompuSec Software 4.15, PC security software. CompuSec features preboot access control, hard disk encryption capability, encryption for removable block devices, single sign-on (SSO) at Windows, local and central administration, and a fast Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm. You can download the free software from CE-Infosys' Web site. Contact CE-Infosys at [email protected].
http://www.ce-infosys.com

Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!
Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows & .NET Magazine T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows & .NET Magazine What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected].

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==== 9. Contact Us ====

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