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Cutting Edge Technology
Stay on the leading edge of Microsoft technologies with our all-new Cutting Edge track! Start your week with insider looks at Windows Server 2008 (“Longhorn”), Exchange Server 2007, Windows Vista, and other key, brand-new technologies. Learn how they work, how they’ll impact your organization, and exactly which bits you need to focus on the most in the upcoming months.
| MONDAY, October 15 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Edge Technology | ||
| 12:30 – 2:00pm | M5 | Controlling Windows from the C: Level – And Get Ready for Server Core |
| 2:15 – 3:45pm | M10 | What's New in Vista and Server 2008 Group Policy |
| 4:00 – 5:30pm | M15 | What’s New and What’s Changed in Windows Server 2008 |
| TUESDAY, October 16 | ||
| 10:15 – 11:45am | T5 | What's New in Exchange Server 2007 |
| 2:30 – 4:00pm | T10 | High Availability Communications: Exchange Server 2007 Clustering |
| 4:15 – 5:45pm | T15 | Longhorn Changes to AD: RODCs, Password Policies, and More |
| WEDNESDAY, October 17 | ||
| 8:30 – 10:00am | W5 | Microsoft Office Groove: Practical Collaboration |
| 10:15 – 11:45am | W10 | PolicyMaker Group Policy Technology in Windows Server 2008 |
| 2:30 – 4:00pm | W15 | Microsoft SoftGrid Deep Dive: Application Virtualization |
| 4:15 – 5:45pm | W20 | System Center Essentials: Why You Need It |
MONDAY, October 15
M5
Controlling Windows from the C: Level – And Get Ready for Server Core12:30 – 2:00pm
Mark Minasi
Still doing administration from the GUI? Well, that works, of course – but while GUIs are nice for now-and-then tasks, you can get a lot more done from the command line and, even better, you can stuff your favorite command lines into Notepad to create the world’s simplest administration tool.
The hard part, of course, is getting started – and who better to help you than Mark Minasi, whose “This Old Resource Kit” and “Windows Power Tools” columns have discovered and explained the best Microsoft command-line administrations tools for the past eight years. While the “altitude” – that is, high-level nature – of GUIs are nice, really getting the job in the least amount of time needs a more down-to-earth, “C:\>-level” approach. Join Mark and see how to run "command" Windows to do your bidding!
M10
What's New in Vista and Server 2008 Group Policy2:15 – 3:45pm
Derek Melber
Microsoft has already started its Group Policy overhaul with new additions to Vista Group Policy. It will enhance and expand these additions with Windows Server 2008. There are now more than 2,400 Group Policy settings from which to choose, so implementing and learning some of the new Group Policy management technologies are essential for your enterprise. These include the new repository, expanded local GPOs, ADMX files, GPO service and more. You’ll need a good foundation in Group Policy to understand how these new changes can benefit you the most.
M15
What’s New and What’s Changed in Windows Server 2008 4:00 – 5:30pm
Greg Shields
Do you already know Windows Server 2003 inside and out? Then this is the perfect session for you. This will go over just the “delta” between 2003 and 2008 to help you quickly get up to speed on the new features, new capabilities, new pitfalls and new procedures in Microsoft’s upcoming server operating system. You’ll learn about new administrative procedures, new product features, new security precautions, and entire new strategies for deploying and using the Windows server operating system. This is a high-level overview session, so it will quickly introduce you to every major new aspect of Server 2008 in just 90 minutes. It’s the perfect starting point for digging deeper into the elements that are important to you and your organization.
TUESDAY, October 16
T5
What's New in Exchange Server 200710:15 – 11:45am
J. Peter Bruzzese
You've heard plenty of buzz regarding Exchange 2007. Here’s you chance to find out first hand what everyone is talking about. This latest version of the Exchange messaging platform is more than a needed upgrade – it’s impressive. Learn about the latest server roles under which you can roll out Exchange 2007, the new tools for anti-spam and antivirus security, unified messaging, clustering and high availability options, backup and recovery solutions, and last but certainly not least -- the new Exchange Management Shell. This session provides an overview of all the new features included in Exchange Server 2007.
T10
High Availability Communications: Exchange Server 2007 Clustering2:30 – 4:00pm
J. Peter Bruzzese
When most people hear the word “cluster,” they get images of dollars with wings and empty bank vaults. Yes, clusters are noted for being costly to implement and difficult to maintain. Exchange can take away that stress and financial woe with its new high-availability models that don't always require clustering. This session will cover the subject of Exchange high availability from A to Z. You’ll learn about the three new solutions: Local Continuous Replication (LCR), Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) and Single Copy Clusters (SCC). Plus, we’ll throw one more in for good measure -- the newly developed (with Exchange 2007 SP1) Standby Continuous Replication (SCR). Two of these four solutions don't require clustering, nor do they require expensive hardware.
T15
Longhorn Changes to AD: RODCs, Password Policies, and More4:15 – 5:45pm
Mark Minasi
2003's Active Directory is pretty good, but, honestly, it could be better. Branch office DCs are a real pain both from a security and a bandwidth point of view. But Longhorn Server/Server 2007 offers some relief with the concept of a "read-only domain controller" that flexes Kerberos' muscles in a way that Windows hasn't really before. You'll get the ability to dial in exactly which user accounts are stored on a branch office DC, as well as new encryption options to make it theft-proof. But that's not all -- DCPROMO gets a facelift and, well, it needed it. Find out about this and other upcoming Longhorn domain controller and AD improvements with bestselling author Mark Minasi!
WEDNESDAY, October 17
W5
Microsoft Office Groove: Practical Collaboration8:30 – 10:00am
Todd Logan
Think you need to set up a complicated extranet to transfer files and collaborate with users outside of your company network? Think again. This session will teach you how easy it is to let ad-hoc team members collaborate securely, whether they are working on-line or off-line, and regardless of network or organizational boundaries. The key is Microsoft Office Groove 2007. You’ll learn about the Groove platform architecture, its end-to-end transparent security and how Groove accomplishes all this without sacrificing centralized management and control. There are no prerequisites for this session.
W10
PolicyMaker Group Policy Technology in Windows Server 200810:15 – 11:45am
Derek Melber
Have you ever thought that there just aren’t enough Group Policy settings? Your wish is our command. Microsoft just acquired PolicyMaker and they plan to include it with Windows Server 2008. PolicyMaker is the comprehensive suite of Group Policy extensions that give you many more power management controls, drive mappings, printer mappings, file transfers and more. You can adjust all these settings through Group Policy. Don’t miss this session if you want to see what you’re missing in Group Policy.
W15
Microsoft SoftGrid Deep Dive: Application Virtualization2:30 – 4:00pm
Derek Melber
Do you use either VMWare or Virtual PC? If you do, then you’ll love this new technology that Microsoft has acquired called SoftGrid Application Virtualization. With SoftGrid, you can reduce testing time, eliminate application compatibility issues, reduce image management and resolve that nasty LUA bug. This session will give you an excellent overview of this technology, and how it is going to change the landscape of how you handle applications in your organization. The options are nearly endless when using an application virtualization platform like SoftGrid.
W20
System Center Essentials: Why You Need It4:15 – 5:45pm
Greg Shields
Microsoft changed the names again. They’ve also added a new systems management product designed just for the small and medium-sized business. System Center Essentials is an excellent tool for managing your servers and workstations, easily pulling software and hardware inventory, deploying software and patches, and generally keeping your Microsoft equipment in line. Come learn why you need to install this amazing new tool in your network right now and get your arms around centralized systems management.
