Best Practices Analyzers (BPA)

Okay, it's just shocking to me the number of people that haven't heard of these. I could blame Microsoft and say that they aren't doing a good job publicizing, but I can't. Until the day comes that I read every single Microsoft newsletter that hits my inbox, I am simply not allowed to complain about Microsoft not telling me about something.

So here we go:

SBS 2008 BPA: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=86a1aa32-9814-484e-bd43-3e42aec7f731&displaylang=en

SBS 2003 BPA: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=3874527A-DE19-49BB-800F-352F3B6F2922&displaylang=en

The SBS BPA tools are absolute must haves on all SBS boxes.

Not running SBS?

Exchange Analyzer Tools main page: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/bb288481.aspx

Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4BDC1D6B-DE34-4F1C-AEBA-FED1256CAF9A&displaylang=en

Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer (for anything to do with remotely accessing Exchange, also works with SBS): https://www.testexchangeconnectivity.com/

SQL Server 2005 BPA: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=DA0531E4-E94C-4991-82FA-F0E3FBD05E63&displaylang=en

SQL Server 2008 BPA (Not ready yet, but here's a link to something related): http://blogs.technet.com/andrew/archive/2008/03/30/sql-server-2008-best-practice.aspx

The Microsoft IT Health Scanner: http://blogs.technet.com/essentialbusinessserver/archive/2009/06/29/microsoft-it-health-scanner-released.aspx

You could even use the EBS Preparation Wizard to give a network a clean bill of health: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc768594(WS.10).aspx

With the release of Server 2008 R2, Microsoft has taken BPAs to the next level and included them for every single server role: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd759260.aspx

Now, one thing I feel is missing here is some kind of Terminal Server or Remote Desktop Services (RDS) BPA. I don't think the RDS BPA included with R2 really hones in on best practices that directly affect performance and the user experience, which I think would be valuable. Maybe someday soon.

The truth might not be out there, but help sure is.

Obligatory Windows 7 Post

So, if you didn't know that Windows 7 is being released this week, you've been living under a rock. Personally, 7 is old news. But I've been using it since like January or something, maybe earlier. I can't remember now, and obviously I don't care.

What is REALLY cool is the release of Windows Server 2008 R2. This is where the real power of Windows 7 is going to be revealed - but only for Enterprise customers (or SMBs with really deep pockets).

Be that as it may, Windows 7 still has a lot of really cool features, an interface that I really like, XP Mode (well, for the lucky ones) and absolutely no downsides. Even if it looks like a downside, it's not. We call those "features".

Here's some random Windows 7 stuff that means something to me. And since this is my blog, I'm going to pretend that's all I care about:

Installing Windows 7 in an SBS 2003 environment: http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2009/05/14/installing-windows-7-in-a-sbs-2003-environment.aspx

Windows 7 cannot access shadow copies in SBS 2003. Not without this tweak anyway. http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2009/10/21/windows-7-cannot-access-shadow-copies-in-sbs-2003.aspx

Adding Windows 7 in an SBS 2008 environment. Not sure if this has changed with RTM, my guess is "not". http://msmvps.com/blogs/kwsupport/archive/2009/02/25/connect-windows-7-to-sbs-2008.aspx

Changing the logon screen background in Windows 7 is now "supported". By "supported", they mean its the same kind of reg hack as in previous versions of Windows, except now with the extra step of having to place a file (or files) in exactly the right place, with exactly the right name, and no larger than a certain size. That's what we call "progress". (Of course - there's always tons of little brainless utilities that do this for you, so about a wash.)
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-change-windows-7-logon-screen-easily-without-using-hacks-tools/

That's my brain dump for today. A long post to make up for a summer of slacking on my blog.