Windows IT Pro UPDATE--Windows Server 2003 SP1: What's Broken--April 26, 2005

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1. Commentary
- Windows Server 2003 SP1: What's Broken

2. Hot Off the Press
- WinHEC 2005: Gates Touts x64, Longhorn

3. Inside Windows Scripting Solutions
- May 2005 Issue
- Focus: Build Your Code Library

4. Peer to Peer

- Featured Chat: The Security Event Log: The Unofficial Guide
- Tip: How can I create a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 secondary site?

5. New and Improved
- Uninstall Hidden Programs

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==== 1. Commentary: Windows Server 2003 SP1: What's Broken ====
by Paul Thurrott, News Editor, [email protected]

Microsoft has published a list of 14 server applications that are incompatible to various degrees with Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), confirming fears that the low-level security changes in Windows 2003 SP1 might cause problems. Most surprising: Many of the affected applications are from Microsoft.

In the Microsoft article, "Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 application compatibility" ( http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=896367 ), Microsoft describes the server applications it tested, then lists the ones that have incompatibility problems under SP1. Among the applications that have problems are Microsoft Application Center 2000 SP2, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft ISA Server 2004 Standard Edition, Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) 1.2.1, and Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003.

Those are some high-profile server applications. However, in the article, each of the problematic applications is accompanied by a link to a fix (as in the case of Exchange 2003), a workaround, or a link to a third-party Web site where, presumably, a fix will soon be available. Definitely check out the list before you install SP1 in a production environment.

Windows 2003 x64 Editions: Now Available
Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates announced that the company is now shipping the x64 editions of Windows 2003, which run on 64-bit Intel Xeon and AMD Opteron hardware. Although I'm unaware of any compatibility lists like the one Microsoft made available for Windows 2003 SP1, I expect there will be many problems. First, the Windows 2003 x64 editions are based on the SP1 codebase, so they'll likely suffer from many of the same problems that SP1 does. But because of differences related to the x64 codebase, other incompatibilities could arise, so test carefully.

Of course, the big issue for x64, in general, is driver support. Although a lack of drivers is less problematic for servers than for clients, it's still a concern. Microsoft told me this week that it expects the x64 platform to replace x86 as the mainstream computing platform by the end of this year (an opinion I share and wrote about in "x64: The Future of Mainstream Enterprise Computing" at http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/45958/45958.html ). That said, there will still be growing pains. Proceed slowly.

Virtual Server 2005 SP1 Beta
Microsoft has shipped a beta version of Virtual Server 2005 SP1, which wouldn't typically warrant much attention. However, Microsoft unexpectedly announced that it would finally add support for Linux virtual machines (VMs), answering a frequent customer request. Virtual Server 2005 SP1 also provides support for x64-based host servers (not VMs) and includes various performance enhancements. It's a bit early to roll out Virtual Server 2005 SP1, but if you're interested in evaluating it, sign up for the beta release on the Microsoft Web site.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/evaluation/sp1beta.mspx

WinHEC 2005
I'm in Seattle this week for the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2005, at which Microsoft will publicly reveal a slew of new information about Longhorn, its oft-delayed next-generation Windows version. I'll report on any relevant Longhorn features in next week's Windows IT Pro UPDATE.

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

WinHEC 2005: Gates Touts x64, Longhorn
As expected, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates opened the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2005 with a keynote address that highlighted first the x64 versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP, then Longhorn, the next Windows version. Read more about the information that he and other Microsoft executives shared during the first day of WinHEC.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=46173

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

Protect the Rest of Your Exchange Infrastructure
There is more to data protection for Exchange than protecting mail and mail servers. In this free Web seminar, you'll learn some methods for anticipating, avoiding, and overcoming technical problems that can affect your Exchange environment, including corruption or errors in Active Directory, DNS problems, configuration errors, service pack installation, and more. Register now!
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Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in a City Near You
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. Attend and receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
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Ensure SQL Server High Availability
In this free Web seminar, discover how to maintain business continuity of your IT systems during routine maintenance and unplanned disasters. Learn critical factors for establishing a secure and highly available environment for SQL Server including overcoming the technology barriers that affect SQL Server high availability and Microsoft's out-of-the-box high-availability technologies such as clustering, log shipping, and replication. Register now!
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Keeping Your Business Safe from Attack: Patch Management eBook
In Chapter 6 of this free eBook, learn about Microsoft's free patch-management software, which you can use to manage the approval and deployment process of Microsoft security updates.
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Configuring Blade Servers for Your Application Needs
Blade servers pack a lot of function into a small space, conserve power, and are flexible. In this free, on-demand Web seminar, industry guru David Chernicoff details the best use of 1P, 2P, and 4P configurations using single and multiple enclosures; integrating with NAS and SAN; and managing the entire enterprise from a single console. Register now and take advantage of blade servers' power and flexibility.
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==== 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.

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May 2005 Issue
To access this issue of Windows Scripting Solutions, go to the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/WindowsScripting/Issues/IssueID/768/Index.html

Build Your Code Library
Our new Snippets to Go column provides reusable functions, subroutines, and other blocks of code that you can simply drop into your scripts. We also provide two scripts that let you query remote computers for their installed OSs and service packs.

Snippets to Go
In this month's column, learn how to use the IIf function and the GetToken function in your VBScript code. — Readers
http://www.windowsitpro.com/WindowsScripting/Article/ArticleID/45815/45815.html

==== Instant Poll ====

Results of Previous Poll:
The voting has closed in Windows IT Pro's nonscientific Instant Poll for the question, "Can you access enterprise applications from your mobile device?" Here are the results from the 90 votes:
- 42% Yes
- 51% No
- 7% I don't know

New Instant Poll:
The next Instant Poll question is, "If you've installed Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), have you had any applications break because of it?" Go to the Windows IT Pro home page and submit your vote for a) Yes, b) No, or c) I don't know.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/magazine

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

Featured Chat: The Security Event Log: The Unofficial Guide
Join Randy Franklin Smith for a chat about the Security event log on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time/12:00 P.M. Eastern Time. Learn more and register at the following URL:
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/chats/default.mspx#05_0504_TN_SEUG

Tip: How can I create a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 secondary site?
by John Savill, http://www.windows2000faq.com

Find the answer here:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=46124

==== Announcements ====
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==== 5. New and Improved ====
by Angie Brew, [email protected]

Uninstall Hidden Programs
Webdesign Mika Salonen released Remove 3.1.2, a utility that uninstalls applications and entries from the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs applet. Remove uninstalls visible and hidden programs and their entries. The utility also backs up entries and features Restore Removed Entries, which lets you restore program entries that you've already deleted from the Add/Remove Programs program list. Remove costs $12.95. Contact Webdesign Mika Salonen at 724-850-8186.
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