Interesting Downloads for Week Ending - 11-21-2008
Infrastructure Development, Operations & Maintenance
· Active Directory Migration Tool v3.0
· Response Point White Paper: Maintaining Response Point
· Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB953467)
· Response Point White Paper: Network Requirements for Microsoft Response Point
· Response Point White Paper: Troubleshooting Guide
· Response Point Features and Benefits
· Response Point White Paper: Network Connection Considerations
Solutions & Solution Development
· Distributed Agile Development at Microsoft patterns and practices
· Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
· DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
· Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable v2.0
· Microsoft® Forefront™ codename "Stirling" Beta
· Zune Client software, version 3.1
Infrastructure Development, Operations & Maintenance
Active Directory Migration Tool v3.0
Brief Description
The Active Directory Migration Tool version 3 (ADMT v3) provides an integrated toolset to facilitate migration and restructuring tasks in an Active Directory infrastructure.
Overview
The Active Directory Migration Tool version 3 (ADMT v3) simplifies the process of restructuring your operating environment to meet the needs of your organization. You can use ADMT v3 to migrate users, groups, and computers from Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0 domains to Active Directory® directory service domains; between Active Directory domains in different forests (interforest migration); and between Active Directory domains in the same forest (intraforest migration). ADMT v3 also performs security translation from Windows NT 4.0 domains to Active Directory domains and between Active Directory domains in different forests.
Response Point White Paper: Maintaining Response Point
Brief Description
This document provides Response Point VARs and technicians with information to help them provide maintenance services to Response Point customers.
Overview
This information is provided as a recommendation that can be used as a basis for building maintenance agreements with Response Point clients to help ensure the proper functioning of a Response Point solution.
The first section of this paper describes various maintenance concepts, including information about performing some of the more complex maintenance tasks. The second section provides information and recommendations for Response Point maintenance scheduling. The third section gives further recommendations for tasks that should be performed whenever certain types of changes are made to a Response Point environment.
Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB953467)
Brief Description
Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB953467)
Overview
Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1) resolves issues that were found in Exchange Server 2007 SP1 since the software was released. This update rollup is highly recommended for all Exchange Server 2007 SP1 customers.
For a list of changes that are included in this update rollup, see KB953467.
This update rollup does not apply to Exchange Server 2007 Release To Manufacturing (RTM). For a list of update rollups applicable to Exchange Server 2007 RTM, refer to the section Update rollups for Exchange Server 2007 RTM in the Knowledge Base article KB937052.
This is a cumulative update rollup and replaces the following:
- KB945684 Update Rollup 1 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB945684)
- KB948016 Update Rollup 2 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB948016)
- KB949870 Update Rollup 3 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB949870)
- KB952580 Update Rollup 4 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB952580)
Response Point Data Sheet
Brief Description
There’s an easier way to communicate.
Overview
Introducing Microsoft Response Point, innovative phone system software designed to meet the needs of small businesses. Response Point can save you time and money with a breakthrough voice-activated user interface, simplified setup and user management, and effortless mobility.
Response Point White Paper: Network Requirements for Microsoft Response Point
Brief Description
This paper is designed to assist VARs who want to offer Response Point readiness assessments, pre-deployment planning, and solution implementation services to smallbusiness customers.
Overview
This paper will describe the recommended Response Point network assessment, planning, and deployment tasks that will help ensure a successful Response Point implementation.
At the time of publication, Response Point does not natively support Internet Telephony Solution Provider (ITSP) connections. The release of Response Point Service Pack 1 (SP1) is planned for March 2008 and will introduce native ITSP support. However, it is possible to utilize an ITSP solution today by connecting Response Point to the ITSP by using gateways or Integrated Access Devices (IADs). Information about connecting Response Point to an ITSP has been included in this document.
Response Point White Paper: Troubleshooting Guide
Brief Description
Answers to the most common problems you may encounter.
Overview
The Microsoft® Response PointTM phone system is a software-based voice communication solution designed specifically for small businesses with one to 50 employees. Completely packaged with all of the required hardware and software, Response Point is easy to install, configure, and manage; however, it is possible you may experience some technical issues.
This guide offers troubleshooting advice for the ten most common problems that might develop during the setup and maintenance of your Response Point system. Before unnecessarily disabling the entire system or contacting a support service, first use the simple steps outlined in this guide to try to diagnose a problem. Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as an improperly connected cable.
Response Point White Paper: Deploying and Supporting Response Point with Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
Brief Description
Before combining these products, you will need to have a thorough understanding of how to deploy and support Microsoft Response Point phone system software in an office that is already using Windows® Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 R2.
Overview
Individuals who manage these communication solutions—such as a systems engineer working for a value-added reseller (VAR) or an IT professional employed by a small business—will find this information useful.
This valuable reference is useful for planning a Response Point deployment with SBS, but it is not designed to stand alone. This document supplements the out-of-box manuals and quickstart guides that come with the Response Point software, manufacturer’s hardware, and SBS equipment.
Response Point Features and Benefits
Brief Description
Microsoft Response Point is advanced phone-system software designed specifically for small businesses that have one to 50 employees.
Overview
Microsoft Response Point is advanced phone-system software designed specifically for small businesses that have one to 50 employees. The user-friendly Administrator software empowers an average computer user to set up a phone or make system changes in minutes. The unique voice-activated user interface helps instantly connect employees and customers with the people or information they need. With the entire system in one affordable package and support for both traditional phone service and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), the Response Point phone system is easy to manage and easy to use, and is a great choice for any small business.
Response Point White Paper: Network Connection Considerations
Brief Description
This paper will help to simplify the decision-making process by explaining the considerations involved in choosing the type of service and the actual provider for public telephony services that will work in conjunction with a Response Point solution.
Overview
This paper will help Microsoft Response Point Value Added Resellers who have little telephony experience understand how Response Point can be connected to service provider networks and the considerations involved in choosing a provider for a Response Point deployment.
This paper also discusses some common troubleshooting scenarios that will help VAR technologists identify and resolve issues related to provider connectivity and services.
Solutions & Solution Development
Distributed Agile Development at Microsoft patterns and practices
Brief Description
This paper describes some of the proven practices about distributed agile development learned by teams within Microsoft’s patterns & practices group.
Overview
This paper describes some of the proven practices about distributed agile development and the specific lessons learned by teams within Microsoft’s patterns & practices group over numerous agile projects using distributed teams.
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
Brief Description
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 is a full cumulative update that contains many new features building incrementally upon .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and includes cumulative servicing updates to the .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.0 subcomponents.
Overview
.NET Framework version 3.5 Service Pack 1 provides the following new features and improvements:
- ASP.NET Dynamic Data, which provides a rich scaffolding framework that enables rapid data driven development without writing code, and a new addition to ASP.NET AJAX that provides support for managing browser history (back button support). For more information, see What’s New in ASP.NET and Web Development.
- Core improvements to the CLR (common language runtime) that include better layout of .NET Framework native images, opting out of strong-name verification for fully trusted assemblies, improved application startup performance, better generated code that improves end-to-end application execution time, and opting managed code to run in ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) mode if supported by the operating system. Additionally, managed applications that are opened from network shares have the same behavior as native applications by running with full trust.
- Performance improvements to WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), including a faster startup time and improved performance for Bitmap effects. Additional functionality for WPF includes better support for line of business applications, native splash screen support, DirectX pixel shader support, and the new WebBrowser control.
- ClickOnce application publishers can decide to opt out of signing and hashing as appropriate for their scenarios, developers can programmatically install ClickOnce applications that display a customized branding, and ClickOnce error dialog boxes support links to application-specific support sites on the Web.
- The Entity Framework is an evolution of the existing suite of ADO.NET data access technologies. The Entity Framework enables developers to program against relational databases in according to application-specific domain models instead of the underlying database models. For more information, see Getting Started with the Entity Framework. The Entity Framework introduces some additional features, including support for new SQL Server 2008 types, default graph serialization of Entities, and the Entity Data Source. This release of the Entity Framework supports the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008. The graph serialization work helps developers who want to build Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services that model full graphs as data contracts. The Entity Data Source provides a traditional data source experience for ASP.NET Web application builders who want to work with the Entity Framework.
- LINQ to SQL includes new support for the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008.
- The ADO.NET Data Services Framework consists of a combination of patterns and libraries, which enable data to be exposed as a flexible REST (Representational State Transfer)-based data service that can be consumed by Web clients in a corporate network or across the Internet. The ADO.NET Data Services Framework makes data service creation over any data source. A conceptual view model of the underlying storage schema can easily be exposed through rich integration with the ADO.NET Entity Framework. Services created by using the ADO.NET Data Services Framework, and also compatible Windows Live (dev.live.com) services, can be easily accessed from any platform. For client applications that are running on Microsoft platforms, a set of client libraries are provided to make interaction with data services simple. For example, .NET Framework-based clients can use LINQ to query data services and a simple .NET Framework object layer to update data in the service.
- Windows Communication Foundation now makes the DataContract Serializer easier to use by providing improved interoperability support, enhancing the debugging experience in partial trust scenarios, and extending syndication protocol support for wider usage in Web 2.0 applications.
- The .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient) adds new support for file stream and sparse column capabilities in SQL Server 2008.
Visual Round Trip Analyzer
Brief Description
Tool to view web page performance
Web page performance visualizer and analyzer
Overview
The Visual Round Trip Analyzer tool helps web developers and testers visualize the download of their page, identify best practices and changes that improve web performance. The network Round-Trip between the client and server(s) is the single biggest impact to web page performance – much greater than server response time. VRTA examines the communications protocol, identifying the causes of excessive round-trips, and recommending solutions. Performance engineers, testers, developers, operations personnel should use VRTA to conduct their web performance analysis.
DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
Brief Description
November 2008
The Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime provides updates to 9.0c and previous versions of DirectX — the core Windows® technology that drives high-speed multimedia and games on the PC.
Overview
Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX APIs.
Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable v2.0
Brief Description
Redistributable package for Games for Windows - LIVE v2.0. Upgrades the version of Games for Windows - LIVE on a user's machine to version 2.0.
Overview
Redistributable package for Games for Windows - LIVE v2.0. Upgrades the version of Games for Windows - LIVE on a user's machine to version 2.0.
Security, Policy & Compliance
Microsoft® Forefront™ codename "Stirling" Beta
Brief Description
An integrated security system that is easier to manage and control
Microsoft® Forefront™ codename "Stirling" is an integrated security system that delivers comprehensive, coordinated protection across endpoints, messaging and collaboration servers and the network edge that is easier to manage and control.
Overview
Microsoft® Forefront™ codename “Stirling” is an integrated security system that delivers comprehensive, coordinated protection across endpoints, messaging and collaboration servers and the network edge that is easier to manage and control.
By delivering simplified management and providing critical visibility into threats, vulnerabilities, and configuration risks, Forefront codename "Stirling" helps reduce costs and achieve greater insight into the enterprise security state.
At release, “Stirling” will include:
A central management console and dashboard for security configuration and enterprisewide visibility.
The next-generation versions of Forefront products: the next generation of Forefront Client Security, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint and the Internet Security & Acceleration Server (to be renamed the Forefront Threat Management Gateway).
Dynamic Response, an innovative Microsoft technology built into each component of "Stirling" that allows the entire system to share and use security information to dynamically respond to threats across multiple layers of the organization.
Other
Zune Client software, version 3.1
Brief Description
PC software for Zune
Overview
You will need this software to sync contents from a PC to a Zune device.
Shape Documents
Brief Description
Shape Documents
Overview
Please download documents from Shape - The Web Conference