Windows IT Pro UPDATE--What You Probably Don't Know About R2 (Part 2) September 13, 2005

Make sure your copy of Windows IT Pro UPDATE doesn't get mistakenly blocked by antispam software! Be sure to add [email protected] to your list of allowed senders and contacts.

This email newsletter comes to you free and is supported by the following advertisers, which offer products and services in which you might be interested. Please take a moment to visit these advertiser's Web sites and show your support for Windows IT Pro UPDATE.

New MVP Group Policy management technical brief.
http://wm.quest.com/WITPWinNetUpdMESGP91305

"THE ARGENT GUARDIAN EASILY BEATS OUT MOM IN ALL OUR TESTS"
http://www.argent.com/w/whitepapers_mom.html?Source=WNT

1. Commentary
- What You Probably Don't Know About R2 (Part 2)

2. Hot Off the Press
- eBay Tosses Down $2.6 Billion for Skype

3. Inside Windows Scripting Solutions
- September 2005 Issue
- Focus: Single-Line Scripts

4. Peer to Peer
- Featured Blog: PDC 2005
- Tip: How can I use a script to determine a client computer's local site?

5. New and Improved
- World's First USB DAT Tape Drive

==== Sponsor: New MVP Group Policy management technical brief. ====

Active Directory-based Group Policy allows you to centrally manage security configuration, desktop lockdown and software deployment. Learn which Group Policy solutions let you take control of your infrastructure. Get this technical brief written by Darren Mar-Elia, a Microsoft MVP and Quest Software CTO, and find out how to manage, extend and simplify your Group Policy. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls of poor Group Policy management. Find out about solutions for Group Policy that allow you to take control of your infrastructure, provide change and version control of Group Policy Objects for improved security and desktop configuration, as well as extend Group Policy’s power to Unix and Linux. Get this tech brief today to find out which solutions the experts recommend. http://wm.quest.com/WITPWinNetUpdMESGP91305

==== 1. Commentary: What You Probably Don't Know About R2 (Part 2) ====
by Paul Thurrott, News Editor, [email protected]

Last week I began a discussion about Windows Server 2003 R2 (for "release 2"), which is due in the coming months (see the URL below). This week, I continue this exploration of little-known R2 facts and features.

- Keep It Simple, Storage. Have you ever tried to configure a SAN? If so, then you know what it takes to make a grown man cry. In R2, Microsoft is providing a few tools that make SAN and storage configuration and management as simple as possible. This new push is part of a realization that business storage needs are growing almost exponentially, and that once you move past locally managed storage, the options get expensive and difficult to grok. The first tool, Storage Manager for SANs, is a familiar Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that helps administrators easily provision storage in SANs. SAN storage units are logically identical to those that Fibre Channel and iSCSI use today, giving administrators a consistent interface.

R2 also includes a File Server Resource Manager toolset that makes it easier to apply quotas to storage units, prevent or allow certain file types from being saved, and provides comprehensive reports. The new quota functionality is interesting. You might recall that Windows Server 2003 provides per-user quotas, which are still available in R2. But R2 also adds per-volume and per-folder quotas for more fine-grained control over how much data you can store in specific locations.

- Availability and Licensing. When R2 ships later this fall, it will replace Windows 2003 in the channel and will be the only widely available Windows 2003 version. Therefore, users seeking a new installation of Windows will get R2, not the original version of Windows 2003 or Windows 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1). However, R2 is a superset of Windows 2003 with SP1, and most of the R2 functionality is optional (see the next section for details), so this move won't cause any problems for most customers.

Existing Windows 2003 customers will need to upgrade to--and pay for--R2 when it comes out, as Microsoft views the release as a new product version. But R2 won't reset the Windows 2003 support lifecycle, which is still viewed as having started in April 2003. Contradictory? Yeah, I think so. Note that business customers that have current Software Assurance (SA) contracts or Enterprise Agreements with Microsoft will get R2 as part of their subscription.

- Packaging. R2 will likely be the last major Windows release that ships only on CD-ROM. In fact, it ships on two CD-ROMs, like Windows XP Media Center Edition (XP MCE) does. The first CD-ROM is essentially Windows 2003 with SP1 slipstreamed, along with a few updated tools (such as MMC 3.0, which is a big improvement over 2.x versions). Disc 2 includes all the optional R2 code. But when you're prompted to insert Disc 2 after Disc 1 installation is complete, very little actually gets installed on your system. Instead, you must manually visit the Add or Remove Windows Components Control Panel applet to find the optional R2 code bits.

This system was devised because Microsoft's customers told the company that they wanted R2 to be as nondisruptive as possible. Unless you manually install specific R2 features, nothing surprising will be quietly installed on your servers. This was a smart move.
I have much more to say about R2, but I'll save it for my review, which I hope to have available on the SuperSite for Windows by the end of the month.

Microsoft Responds to My Itanium Doubts
Last week in Windows IT Pro Update, I gave my opinion about Microsoft's decision to scale Longhorn Server down so that it addresses just three core workloads: high-end databases, line of business (LOB) applications, and custom applications. Microsoft wasn't too enthusiastic about my characterization of its Itanium support in Longhorn Server, so I thought I'd present the company's side of the story this week. Frankly, what it says makes sense.

Microsoft raised three relevant concerns. First, the company believes that the Itanium does, indeed, have a long-term future. As Zane Adam, director of Marketing for the Windows Server Division told me, if the company felt that Itanium was a dead end, it would skip out on Longhorn Server for Itanium all together. "Think about it this way," he said, "Longhorn Server starts a new support life cycle for us. Enterprises are going to use it for several years, well into the next decade."

Second, Zane highlighted the fact that the three roles the company is targeting with Longhorn Server for Itanium are, in fact, the three roles that its customers overwhelmingly perform today on Windows 2003 Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based systems and Windows 2003 Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based systems. Plus, developing an Itanium-specific product aimed at high-end scalability and reliability is a serious engineering effort. "Optimizing for the high end is a lot of work," Zane said. "We wouldn't bother if the market wasn't there and if this wasn't important to us."

Finally, Microsoft doesn't believe that the three workloads it's targeting are niche markets but are instead core to the company's goal of migrating enterprise customers to Windows and are therefore strategic to Microsoft and its partners. Customers are beginning to migrate from proprietary UNIX boxes and other non-Windows hardware, and they have a choice now in the high-end market between signing up again with their proprietary partner or moving to Windows, the latter of which can be simpler because much of their infrastructure is already Windows-based.

I find Microsoft's position quite believable. I should note, however, that my opinions about the future of Itanium are colored by a few interwoven historical facts. First, after Microsoft first announced its Itanium product strategy several years ago, it proceeded to release a series of server and desktop products that were subsets of their 32-bit brethren and not the functionally equivalents I had hoped for. Second, Microsoft first scaled back, then abandoned its Itanium version of XP. Third, Microsoft has shown a willingness to abandon hardware platforms that don't reach mainstream markets: Over the years, the company has canceled Windows Server versions that ran on MIPS, PowerPC, and Alpha processors, all of which were technically superior in many ways to the 32-bit Intel platforms of the day, and, in their own way, tackled the high-end workloads that the 32-bit world was unable to target. That doesn't mean Itanium is a dead end. It's just something to think about.

Microsoft's Centro Plans
I had hoped to provide some information about a Longhorn Server-era product bundle code-named Centro, but I've run out of space. However, if you haven't seen it yet, check out my WinInfo news article about this development, which will bring a Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS)-style offering to midsized businesses in mid-2007. I'll have more information about this intriguing bundle soon.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=47593

PDC 2005 Blog
I'm currently in Los Angeles at Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) 2005. I'll be posting all the latest news and announcements coming out of the conference on my PDC 2005 Blog. Check out today's posting at the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=47693

What You Probably Don't Know About Windows Server 2003 R2 (Part 1)
http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/47588/47588.html

==== Sponsor: NETWORK TESTING LABS COMPARES ARGENT TO MOM 2005 ====
Network Testing Labs, one of the world's leading independent research companies, concluded that "Argent's suite had a smaller footprint, was more scalable, supported more platforms, had a more responsive and intuitive user interface and gave us more useful reports," the report says. "Argent's suite of monitoring products emerged from our testing with flying colors." Download this FREE Comparison Paper now:
http://www.argent.com/w/whitepapers_mom.html?Source=WNT

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

eBay Tosses Down $2.6 Billion for Skype
And you thought the Internet bubble had burst. Online auction site eBay announced yesterday that it will purchase Skype Technologies, maker of a popular VoIP telephony service, for a whopping $2.6 billion in cash and eBay stock. The question now is whether Skype will be the next Netscape (i.e., a dog) or the next Google (i.e., a hero). Given the princely sum the company commanded, it's hard to imagine Skype living up to expectations. Read the details at the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=47692

==== Events and Resources ====
(A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events )

Windows Connections 2005 Conference - October 31 - November 3, 2005
At the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, Microsoft and Windows experts present over 40 in-depth sessions with real-world solutions you can take back and apply today. Register now to save $100 off your conference registration and attend sessions at Microsoft Exchange Connections free!
http://www.winconnections.com

Identify the Key Security Considerations For Wireless Mobility
Wireless and mobile technologies are enabling enterprises to gain a competitive advantage through accelerated responsiveness and increased productivity. In this free, on-demand Web seminar you'll receive a checklist of risks to factor in when considering your wireless mobility technology evaluations and design. Sign up today and learn all you need to know about firewall security, transmission security, OTA management, management of third-party security applications and more!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/mobilesecurity/index.cfm?code=0914emailannc

Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in Europe
Back By Popular Demand - Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005! SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database-computing environment. Receive a one-year membership to PASS and one-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlservereurope/index.cfm?code=0914emailannc

Discover SQL Server 2005 for the Enterprise. Are you prepared?
In this free, half-day event you'll learn how the top new features of SQL Server 2005 will help you create and manage large-scale, mission-critical, enterprise database applications--making your job easier. Find out how to leverage SQL Server 2005's new capabilities to best support your business initiatives. Register today!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverdba/index.cfm?code=0914emailannc

Cut Your Windows XP Migration Time by 60% or More!
If your organization is considering -- or has already begun migrating your operating system to Windows XP, then this Web seminar is for you. Sign up for this free event and you'll learn how to efficiently migrate your applications into the Windows Installer (MSI) format and prepare them for error-free deployment and what steps you need to package your applications quickly and correctly and more!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/seminars/WindowsXP/?partnerref=0914emailannc

Walking the Tightrope Between Recovery and Continuity
There's a big difference between the ability to quickly recover lost or damaged data and the ability to keep your messaging operations running normally before, during, and after an outage. In this free web seminar, you'll learn what the technical differences between recovery and continuity are, when each is important, and what you can do to make sure that you're hitting the right balance between them.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/exchangerecovery/index.cfm?code=0914emailannc

==== Featured White Paper ====

How to Solve the Anti-Spam Dilemma
In this free white paper learn why older spam prevention technologies using traditional content filtering don't work against the latest spammer tactics -- and why more corporate email administrators are turning to a managed email security service. Discover how to achieve email security with multiple layer protection, minimize false positives, cut email administration costs and keep user communities happy and productive. Download your copy today!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/postini/managedservice/index.cfm?code=0914emailannc

~~~~ Hot Release: (Advertisement) UniPress Software ~~~~

Leveraging SQL Databases to Expand the Capabilities of the Service Desk
Quickly reduce costs, improve agent workflow, & speed customer support. Award-winning FootPrints 100% web-based service desk software is easy-to-use, affordable, & fully customizable. Centrally track all multi- channel requests, deliver self-help online, manage two-way email, and dynamically access contact records in your SQL-based directories. Download our complimentary white paper, "Leveraging SQL Databases to Expand the Capabilities of the Service Desk". http://www.unipress.com/footprints/winnetmag.html

==== Instant Poll ====

Results of Previous Poll:
The voting has closed in Windows IT Pro's nonscientific Instant Poll for the question, "Will your company deploy Windows Server 2003 R2 when it becomes available?" Here are the results from the 108 votes:
- 39% Yes
- 38% No
- 23% I don't know

New Instant Poll:
The next Instant Poll question is, "Does your company use VoIP technology?" Go to the Windows IT Pro home page and submit your vote for a) Yes, b) No, but we plan to in the near future, c) No, and we have no plans to do so, or d) I don't know
http://www.windowsitpro.com/magazine

==== 3. Inside Windows Scripting Solutions ====

Windows Scripting Solutions is a monthly paid print newsletter loaded with news and tips to help you manage, optimize, and secure your Web-enabled enterprise. NONSUBSCRIBERS can access all the newsletter content in the online article archive from the premiere issue of Windows Scripting Solutions (December 1998) through the print issue released 1 year ago.

Subscribers
In addition to receiving the monthly print newsletter, SUBSCRIBERS can access all the newsletter content, including the most recent issue, at the Windows Scripting Solutions Web site ( http://www.windowsitpro.com/windowsscripting/Issues ). Subscribe today and access all issues online!
https://store.pentontech.com/index.cfm?s=1&cid=76&promotionid=1077

September 2005 Issue
To access this issue of Windows Scripting Solutions, go to the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/WindowsScripting/Issues/IssueID/789/Index.html

Focus: Single-Line Scripts What good is one line of code? It can be more useful than you might think, letting you connect to, query, or administer your Windows system

Rem: Use WMI in a VBScript or JScript script to determine a computer's network ID from its IP address and network mask. --Bill Stewart

http://www.windowsitpro.com/WindowsScripting/Article/ArticleID/47100/47100.html

==== 4. Peer to Peer ====

Featured Blog: PDC 2005

Follow along as Paul Thurrott brings you the latest scoop from this important event.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=47689

Tip: How can I use a script to determine a client computer's local site?
by John Savill, http://www.windows2000faq.com

http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=47674

==== Announcements ====
(from Windows IT Pro and its partners)

Get All the Scripting Answers You Need
If you haven't seen the Windows Scripting Solutions newsletter, you're missing out on an exclusive monthly resource that shows you how to automate time-consuming administrative tasks by using our expert-reviewed downloadable code and scripting techniques. Subscribe now and find out how you can save both time and money. Plus, get online access to our popular "Shell Scripting 101" series--click here:
https://store.pentontech.com/index.cfm?s=1&promocode=eu2659us

SQL Server Magazine Has What IT Professionals Need
Get SQL Server Magazine and get answers! Subscribe today and get an entire year for just $39.95 -- that's 44% off the cover price. You'll also gain exclusive access to the entire SQL Server Magazine article database (over 2,300 articles) and get the Top SQL Tips handbook (over 60 helpful tips) FREE. This is a limited-time, risk-free offer, so click here now:
https://store.pentontech.com/index.cfm?s=9&promocode=eu2159u2

==== 5. New and Improved ====
by Adam Carheden, [email protected]

World's First USB DAT Tape Drive
HP recently announced the world's first USB 2.0 DAT drive, the HP DAT 72. The DAT 72 connects to any USB 2.0 port on your server for easy installation without worrying about SCSI IDs, termination, or the other hassles of SCSI. It features a One Button Disaster Recovery for easy backup and can transfer data at speeds greater than 10GBph. The DAT 72 writes to industry standard DAT tapes. HP sells 12/24GB DDS-3 DAT cartridges for under $5 each, bringing the media cost to under $0.21 / GB with the estimated 2:1 compression ratio.
http://www.hp.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 T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows IT Pro What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to mailto:[email protected].

==== Sponsored Links ====

Argent Versus MOM 2005
Download Argent Versus Microsoft Operations Manager 2005
http://a.windowsitpro.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/www.windowsitpro.com/TextLink/1112745096/x14/Penton/WN_Argent_Sept05_NLSplink116195/1x1.gif/1

Is Your Office Truly Fax Integrated?
Download this free whitepaper from Faxback and find out!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/faxback/officefax/index.cfm?code=NLsplink

==== Contact Us ====

About the newsletter -- [email protected] About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums About product news -- [email protected] About your subscription -- [email protected] About sponsoring UPDATE -- [email protected]