Application Virtualization Sequencing SuperFlow

The SuperFlow interactive content model provides a structured and interactive interface for viewing documentation. Each SuperFlow includes comprehensive information about a specific dataflow, workflow, or process. Depending on the focus of the SuperFlow, you will find overview information, steps that include detailed information, procedures, sample log entries, best practices, real-world scenarios, troubleshooting information, security information, animations, or other information. Each SuperFlow also includes links to relevant resources, such as Web sites or local files that are copied to your computer when you install the SuperFlow. This SuperFlow provides detailed information about the Application Virtualization Sequencing process.

More SuperFlows can be found here.

Application Virtualisation Sequencing SuperFlow available is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

First up, check out the Visio Toolbox site where you learn how to use Visio, download some connectors and check out some whitepapers.  A free version of SolarWinds LANsurveyor Express (available until June 30) is also available:

A few other Visio related tools have been made available recently on the Microsoft Downloads site:

Visio – Exchange Server Connector

This Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Connector is an add-in for Microsoft Office Visio 2007 that you can use to diagram a Microsoft Exchange Server site topology, including sites, servers, and connections for an organization.

Visio 2007 Connector for Rack Server Virtualization

Rack Server Virtualization Add-in provides the capability to pull the rack-server data either from Excel spread sheet or from user and render the Visio diagram

Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Pro – Storage Management for Servers (NRTM) Connector

The Data Center Disk Space Monitoring Connector for Microsoft Office Visio® 2007 uses Visio data graphics to display the results of server monitoring. The connector enables effective integration of Microsoft Office Visio 2007 with the service management solution System Center Operations Manager 2007. The connector helps to view the results of monitoring servers in a clear, comprehensive Visio network diagram.

Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Pro SCOM & SCCM Connectors

Download the Visio add in and the web server component to connect and generate datasets to connect to your existing diagrams or auto generate your diagrams for your infrastructure monitoring needs. See your data from OpsManager and ConfigManager live in Visio diagrams.

Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Professional SQL Server Add-In

Visio Infrastructure for SQL Servers is a tool which is meant for IT administrators who require constant interactions with the users for the installations of the SQL server in any IT infrastructure.

and finally:

Office Communications Server 2007 Visio stencil

The Office Communications Server 2007 Visio stencil contains icons for Office Communications Server 2007 server roles and components.

Free Microsoft Visio Resources is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

For example SERVERMANAGERCMD, in Windows Server 2008, is not included in this document, nor is NETSH. Everything you should need is there including the VBS file included in the OS.

The Windows command-line tools are used to perform various tasks related to Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008.You can use the command reference to familiarize yourself with new and enhanced command-line tools, to learn about the command shell, and to automate command-line tasks by using batch files or scripting tools.

Today there’s also the Windows Server 2008 Network Shell (Netsh) Technical Reference, which will be especially handy when managing networking configuration in Server Core.

The Windows Server® 2008 Network Shell (Netsh) Technical Reference provides a comprehensive command reference for networking technologies such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Network Policy Server (NPS), Network Access Protection (NAP), and Routing and Remote Access Services (RRAS), among many other technologies for which there are netsh commands. Netsh commands offer an alternative to configuring network technologies using the Windows interface. You can run netsh commands in batch files and scripts, and you can run them from the netsh prompt by manually typing commands. You can use netsh commands to configure both local and remote computers.

Remember – ‘Real men don’t click’

Windows Command Line Reference Documentation is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

The Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 Manager is available for installation on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP. Does that mean the Remote Server Administration Tools are almost here? Let’s hope so, I think we’re deserving, don’t you? While we’re at it, what about the Remote Desktop Client 6.1?

If you’re looking to remotely administer IIS 7.0, you’ll need to enable it first: Open IIS Manager locally on the server you want to manage, click on the server object in the tree in the left pane, open Management Service under Management in the right pane, then enable remote connections and apply.

IIS 7.0 Manager Released, RSAT Soon Too? is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

If you’re not already using a competing product such as RES PowerFuse or AppSense Environment Manager, or you are a previous user of the DesktopStandard products then you should know what Group Policy Preferences is all about. It’s great to see this functionality come from Microsoft. Could this mean the end of the logon script? Hopefully it will at least see the end of custom ADM templates.

Multiple Group Policy Preferences have been added to the Windows Server 2008 Group Policy Management Console (which are also available through the Remote Server Administration Toolset (RSAT) for Windows Vista SP1). Group Policy Preferences enable information technology professionals to configure, deploy, and manage operating system and application settings they previously were not able to manage using Group Policy. After you install this update, your computer will be able to process the new Group Policy Preference extensions. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

• Group Policy Preferences Overview
• Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions for Windows Vista
• Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions for Windows Vista x64
• Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions for Windows Server 2003
• Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions for Windows Server 2003 x64
• Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions for Windows XP
• Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions for Windows XP x64

For a detailed introduction to Group Policy Preferences and see what they can do for you, check out these articles on WindowSecurity.com: Group Policy related changes in Windows Server 2008 – Part 3: Introduction to Group Policy Preferences and Group Policy related changes in Windows Server 2008 – Part 4: Group Policy Preferences continued.

Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions Available is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Properly sequencing applications is the key to a successful Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualizaiton implementation. As such, it’s important to follow Microsoft‟s recommended practices and be aware of the different options when sequencing. This document covers MCS practices for setting up the sequencer, sequencing best practices, an example of sequencing, important information related to updating packages, and finally examples of advanced OSD scripting.

There’s some great details in this document, including some things you should be configuring in the Sequencer base image that I was unaware of:

• Create an ODBC DSN setting as part of the Sequencer base image
• Add a dummy printer device as part of the Sequencer base image

This document is essential for anyone sequencing applications.

Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization – MCS Sequencing Guidelines

Download: Microsoft Consulting Services Sequencing Guide is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Administration Tools Pack for x86 editions
• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Administration Tools Pack for x64 editions
• How to use the Administration Tools Pack to remotely administer computers that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Administration Tools Pack Available is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

With FeedDemon, NewsGator Go! and NewsGator Online, I have my feeds synchronised between two laptops, my work desktop and my phone, plus web access available from anywhere. If you’ve been sitting on the fence or looking for a better reading experience, take FeedDemon for a spin.

FeedDemon Is Now Free! is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

We built two environments. The first resembled a battery chicken farm. Cramped, cluttered surfaces with slow PCs and bulky CRT monitors. The second was more ‘free-range’. It was designed to give people the space and technology to get on with the job. We also gave people in the second office the option to work from home if they chose.

• Productivity shot up by 400 percent
• Stress levels fell by more than 50 percent
• IQ scores increased by an average of 28 percent
• Blood pressure was lower
• Short term memory improved. Volunteers retained 33 percent more information

Being involved in remote access solutions for many years I find this very interesting. Apparently happy is working anywhere.

I like to think I’ve learnt how to stop saying No and how to say Yes and I do enjoy taking an interest in the user experience. Steve Richards is impressed with this initiative too.

Don’t forget proper identity and authentication and you too can say Yes to your users.

Remote Access Makes Users Happy is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

The MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization is a new tool designed to extend virtual application deployment in certain key scenarios. In cases where a computer running Microsoft System Center Virtual Application Server is not available, the MSI Utility allows delivery of sequenced applications directly to Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization for Desktops and Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization for Terminal Services.

The MSI Utility enables the distribution of virtual applications without streaming. Instead, it uses Windows Installer to load and configure virtual applications. By leveraging this standard format, the MSI Utility achieves Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 platform version-agnostic distribution of virtual applications if supported by organizational Electronic Software Distribution (ESD) systems. As such, the MSI Utility is a stepping stone to the richer deployment options available in Microsoft System Center Virtual Application Server 4.5.

The MSI Utility extends application deployment methods to a broad range of ESD systems, including Systems Management Server 2003 and System Center Configuration Manager, as well as other methods such as network shares, removable disks, and memory keys. By using an ESD system to deploy virtualized application packages to disconnected SoftGrid Application Virtualization Desktop Clients, users can run virtualized applications without connecting to a computer running Microsoft System Center Virtual Application Server.

This functionality is supported natively in Application Virtualisation 4.5 and is built directly into the Sequencer. Converting your sequenced applications into MSI installs would also be great for Terminal Server environments where you don’t specifically need or want to stream the applications and are probably pre-caching them anyway.

Conversion is prettty simple -just point the MSI utility to your project file (SPRJ) and it outputs a small MSI and XML file. You will need to update to version 4.1.2.21 or 4.2.1.21 of the SoftGrid Client (depending on whether you have Software Assurance or not) to use the MSI files created with this utility.

MSI Utility for Microsoft Application Virtualization Available is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

The IPD series is the next step in the evolution of architectural guidance for Microsoft infrastructure. IPD is designed to make the consumption of architectural guidance easier for the reader. Over time, the services covered by WSSRA will be updated and placed in the IPD format. Initially, the IPD series will focus on helping the reader to architect individual technologies such as Windows Server virtualization, Windows Server 2008 Active Directory®, and Windows Deployment Services.

What’s of interest to me here is the SoftGrid Application Virtualisation reference document. At 54 pages it’s a fairly light read but still manages to pack in a heap of good information and that’s a good thing.

If you register before downloading these documents you will be notified when more are available. Here’s what’s available in this download now:

• IPD Series Introduction
• Selecting the Right Virtualization Technology
• SoftGrid Application Virtualization
• Windows Server Virtualization

SoftGrid Infrastructure Planning and Design documents available is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Advanced Group Policy Management Overview

This white paper is an overview of Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM), and describes its benefits, how it works, and the next steps for evaluating it. AGPM helps you better manage Group Policy objects (GPOs) in your environment by providing change control, offline editing, and role-based delegation. AGPM is a key component of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP).

Group Policy Preferences Overview

This white paper introduces Group Policy preferences, a feature new in Microsoft Windows Server 2008, and describes how you can use Group Policy preferences to better deploy and manage operating system and application settings. Group Policy preferences enable information technology professionals to configure, deploy, and manage operating system and application settings they previously were not able to manage using Group Policy. Examples include mapped drives, scheduled tasks, and Start menu settings. For many types of operating system and application settings, using Group Policy preferences is a better alternative to configuring them in Windows images or using logon scripts.

I’ve previouly written about the free DesktopStandard PolicyMaker Registry Extension, but unfortunately it appears that this tool is no longer available for download.

UPDATE: There is also a video available on the Windows Vista Enterprise site for an overview of Advanced Group Policy Management and there are guides available on TechNet:

• Advanced Group Policy Management Training Guide
• Advanced Group Policy Management User Guide
• Advanced Group Policy Management Step-by-Step Guide

New Group Policy White Papers Up For Grabs is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. It is the recommended process and toolset to automate desktop and server deployment. Microsoft Deployment provides detailed guidance and job aids for every organizational role involved with large-scale deployment projects.

Keep an eye on the Microsoft Deployment Team blog for more information. When you download this tool, you’ll also need the following components: 

• Windows Automated Installation Kit
• Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0.2
• User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
• MSXML 6.0

Microsoft Deployment Available on Download Centre is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

• All software updates issued since ISA Server 2006 was released to manufacturing.
• Improved log viewer functionality, including an enhanced details pane view, text coloring, and new log filtering functionality.
• Updated ISA Server Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in functionality that provides access to troubleshooting tools and options available directly from the ISA Server Management console.
• Integration with the Microsoft ISA Server Best Practices Analyzer Tool. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=79754.
• New diagnostic logging functionality.

Get it here: Microsoft ISA Server 2006 Supportability Update

Here’s the document that details the update, however there’s no real details on what updates are included, but it should be these:

• Update for Publishing Exchange Server 2007 for ISA Server 2006
• Localized HTML Error pages for errors 12221 and 12222 (KB 925003)

ISA Server 2006 Supportability Update is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

The Microsoft Group Policy Diagnostic Best Practice Analyzer (GPDBPA) for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 is designed to help you identify Group Policy configuration errors or other dependency failures that may prevent settings or features from functioning as expected.

The GPDBPA scans the client computer or domain controller for configuration information that can impact Group Policy, and generates a report identifying potential issues. It also scans for error messages commonly related to Group Policy and, if found, attempts to identify the source of the error.

The knowledge base article, KB940122, for this update is not yet available, however there is a help file included with the update. It looks to scan for fairly common issues with Group Policy, but it’s a great tool to have in your toolkit and could even be scheduled to proactively scan for issues.

Curiously only the Windows XP 32-bit version currently requires validation for download:

• GPDBPA for Windows Server 2003 x86 [Direct download]
• GPDBPA for Windows Server 2003 x64 [Direct download]
• GPDBPA for Windows XP x86 [Direct download]
• GPDBPA for Windows XP x64 [Direct download]

Group Policy Diagnostic Best Practice Analyzer is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

• Windows Script 5.7 for Windows 2000 [Direct Link]
• Windows Script 5.7 for Windows XP [Direct Link]
• Windows Script 5.7 for Windows Server 2003 [Direct Link]

If you’re looking to do an unattended installation of this update you can use the standard Windows hotfix install switches, e.g:

C:\SCRIPTEN.EXE /PASSIVE /NORESTART

Windows Script 5.7 Available for Download is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

http://ardownload.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/8.x/8.1/enu/AdbeRdr810_en_US.exe

Adobe Reader 8.1 Released is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

An empty room,
a signed lease,
a crazy deadline
and the dream to build Brisbane’s newest data Centre…

Get excited – we’ve thrown down the gauntlet, set out the challenge, to complete PIPE Networks’ DC3 in 60 days starting from scratch and building from the ground up.

Stay tuned to this space to watch the creation of this world class facility and get an insight into this exciting project. Our blog will be updated daily with the achievements and milestones of DC3.

Set to be on-line next week, our trusty BB web cam is being installed to watch the every move of our suppliers, workers, PIPE technicians and perhaps the odd cleaner, keeping you up to the moment with photos from the project!

This project looks interesting and it will be great to see the centre take shape.

Building a Data Centre in 60 days is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

•  Citrix Presentation Server Clients Version 10.0 Win32
•  Web Client Version 10.0 Win32
•  Citrix Presentation Server Client Version 10.0 Linux

The new client is one ugly looking application – 16 colour icons, a splash screen and icon that looks like it was drawn by a 5 year old in Paint and the default location for the cache is still in the roaming portion of the users profile. Hey guys when are we going to get a client worthy of 2007? This version of the client does have a very interesting and welcome feature:

Non-administrator client installation. This feature allows client users who do not have administrator privileges on a “locked down” computer, such as an Internet cafe or kiosk, to download the Ica32pkg.msi package and install a modified Web Client on a per-user basis. In this way, users can have secure, remote access to their applications.

 Hotfix Rollup Pack PSE400W2K3R03 – For Citrix Presentation Server 4.0, Citrix Access Essentials 1.0 and 1.5 for Windows Server 2003

Here’s some important notes from the readme:

1. Caution: Do not install this hotfix rollup pack on 64-bit operating systems.
2. Before installing this hotfix rollup pack, you must uninstall Hotfixes PSE400W2K3029 and PSE400R01W2K3053, if present, from Add/Remove Programs on the Control Panel. Failing to do so may lead to system inconsistencies.
3. Installing this hotfix rollup pack partially invalidates the following hotfixes: PSE400R02W2K3065, PSE400R02W2K3066, PSE400R02W2K3067, PSE400R02W2K3069. This happens because not all fixes in these hotfixes are included in the hotfix rollup pack. Obtain or request the corresponding replacement hotfixes for any invalidated fixes you require.
4. See Knowledge Center article CTX110836 for known install behaviors and their workarounds.
5. Installation Manager for Presentation Server 4.0 occasionally reports failure to deploy hotfixes and hotfix rollup packs even if the jobs succeed. See Knowledge Center article CTX110827 for more information.

Citrix Client and Hotfix Updates is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

The Microsoft Cluster Configuration Validation Wizard, a.k.a. “ClusPrep”, is a validation tool that does a complete system inventory and runs focused tests on servers that are configured and ready for Microsoft Server Cluster installation (in other words, before the servers are a cluster). ClusPrep will also run the inventory and many of these same tests after clustering is installed, however, because of their potentially disruptive nature, most storage tests are not run if the servers are already a cluster.

ClusPrep will validate that your system is configured properly by taking inventory of your system configuration and highlighting discrepancies in service pack levels, driver versions, etc.; evaluating and testing your network and storage configuration.

If the results of your ClusPrep execution do not show errors (viewable in detail from the XML report) then you can have a high level of confidence that your subsequent cluster installation and/or operation will be successful.

ClusPrep is a “client/server” tool: you install it on one machine (must be installed on a 32-bit architecture machine), and it drives tests on a collection of server machines (can be any architecture). All drivers and test agents are automatically installed on the servers as part of ClusPrep operation. In other words, the only install you do is on the machine from which you initiate the testing.

• Microsoft Cluster Configuration Validation Wizard
• Direct download link

Link: Microsoft Cluster Configuration Validation Wizard is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Last week it was announced at the Citrix Summit in Orlando that we (as in Clariti) are the Best APAC Solution Partner of the year – how cool is that?!

Well Ok, I may be biased but I think its way cool. APAC covers Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Greater China, Singapore, India, PNG, Australia, and New Zealand. Close to 700 Citrix partners, and US$100M in sales — and we won!

We’re also hiring (actually we’re always looking for great people) for:

• Pre-Sales, Technical Architects
• Team Leaders
• Technical Account Managers
• Level 1 Help Desk
• High End Senior Citrix Specialists

If any of these roles fulfil your secret burning desire to change the world — and you live or want to live in sunny Brisbane, send my Manager, Matthew Chilcott an e-mail for more information.

PS: Last year there was no iForum and hence no shiny award, be we also won “Trusted Advisor of the year” in 2005, and aiming to win it again in 2007

PPS: If you want to know more about Clariti or our awesome coffee machine, feel free to drop me an e-mail or give me a call.

Repost: We won Citrix APAC Best Solution Partner of the year – and we’re hiring is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

• Windows PowerShell 1.0 Installation Package for Windows Vista (KB928439)
• [ Direct link ]
• Windows PowerShell 1.0 Installation Package for Windows Vista x64 (KB928439)
• [ Direct link ]

Overview

Windows PowerShell includes:

• One hundred and twenty-nine command-line tools (called “cmdlets”) for performing common system administration tasks, such as managing services, processes, event logs, certificates, the registry, and using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
• Command-line tools are easy to learn and easy to use with standard naming conventions and common parameters, and simple tools for sorting, filtering, and formatting data and objects.
• Support for existing scripting languages and existing command-line tools, and multiple versions of Windows, including Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server code name “Longhorn”.
• Feature that allows users to navigate data stores, like the registry and certificate stores, as if they were a file system.
• Standard utilities for managing Windows data in different stores and formats, including Active Directory (ADSI), Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), Component Object Model (COM) objects, Active X Data Objects (ADO), HTML and XML.
• Sophisticated expression parsing and .NET object manipulation at the command line, including pipelining of objects, make IT professionals more efficient and productive.
• Extensible interface that allows independent software vendors and enterprise developers to build custom cmdlets to meet their unique application and system administration requirements.

After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows Vista Business; Windows Vista Enterprise; Windows Vista Ultimate

PowerShell 1.0 released for Windows Vista is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

2. When connecting to the Access Gateway Administration Desktop, the Remote Administration Terminal is connecting to the proxy address even though the Access Gateway is on the exception list in Internet Explorer.

I’ve noticed this behaviour previously and have used a workaround but I’ll have to check this one out now that it’s fixed. However a more interesting fix is this one:

12. The Access Gateway appliance stops responding with the error message HTTP error 500 when connecting to Access Gateway Advanced Edition.

I’ve experienced this issue with Access Gateway 4.2, quite consistently, and have been running a private hotfix for 4.2 which has performed quite well. Hopefully we will see a new public hotfix for 4.2 for those who haven’t been able to upgrade to 4.5 yet. There are 17 issues fixed in this update I recommend updating to 4.5 and this hotfix as soon as possible.

• CTX112164 – v4.5.1 Hotfix for Citrix Access Gateway

Link: Access Gateway 4.5.1 Hotfix is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Overview

This ISA Server 2006 update adds support for publishing Exchange Server 2007 with ISA Server 2006.

Notes

• The Attachment Blocking option is no longer available when publishing Outlook Web Access for Exchange 2007. If you are using Exchange Server 2007, we recommend you configure attachment blocking on the Exchange 2007 server. For more information about configuring attachment blocking on Exchange Server 2007, see Exchange Server 2007 product Help.
• This hot fix also updates the ISA Server Management MMC snap-in.

• Update for Publishing Microsoft® Exchange Server 2007 for Microsoft® Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006

UPDATE: The ISA Server product team blog has more detailed information on this update.

Link: Update for Publishing Exchange Server 2007 for ISA Server 2006 is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

This white paper details how to use ISA Server as an IPsec gateway or proxy within a Server and Domain Isolation solution, from preparation to installation and configuration, and includes best practices to keep in mind during the process. It is written for enterprise technical decision makers, IT administrators, and architects who want to gain a better understanding of the processes and implementation of ISA Server as an IPsec gateway or proxy to extend IPsec interoperability.

 Using ISA Server to Extend Server and Domain Isolation Interoperability

UPDATE: Ian Hameroff has more information at his post: Using ISA Server to Extend Server and Domain Isolation to non-Windows Platforms

Link: Using ISA Server to Extend Server and Domain Isolation Interoperability is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

• Graphical Configuration Tool
• Oracle Support
• Multiple Language Support

This tool is some fantastic work from Jason, it makes life with Resource Manager that much simpler. If you have not seen WIRM before and you use Presentation Server Enterprise edition, I recommend checking this one out.

Web Interface for Resource Manager 2.1 Available is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

• Universal printer preferences are not saved and retained between user sessions;
• If a computer is running Windows 98, the real printer properties are not inherited for new user accounts;
• If more than 100 printers are configured on the client device, a printer goes offline when receiving a print job;
• When the client starts an application in Program Neighborhood and is logging on using single sign-on and smart cards, the Connection Established, Negotiating Capabilities window does not disappear.

Citrix Presentation Server Client Package 9.230 Released is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Hewlett-Packard is teaming up with virtualisation vendor VMware to offer enterprises the option of re-centralizing end user desktops on central servers. It’s the prospective rollback of the client/server revolution.

Instead of employees being given their own computers, they would be served their Microsoft Office applications from a virtual machine in a data centre.

The application running on a virtual machine would have its interactions streamed down to a user’s thin client, or regular computer if a desktop machine was left in place. But the application logic would be performed on a server in a virtual machine.

Perhaps someone should let HP and VMware know that we’ve been doing this for years with Terminal Server. I can’t help thinking that VDI is a solution looking for a problem. Sure it might help solve some application issues, but yet again it’s something that enterprises are resorting to, to fix issues which should be addressed by developers writing their applications correctly in the first place.

HP and VMware team to reinvent the wheel is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

• Section 1: Introduction to Windows Vista
• Section 2: Windows Vista Edition
• Section 3: For All Users
• Section 4: For Home Users
• Section 5: For Business Users
• Section 6: For IT Professionals
• Section 7: Appendix

The document comes in Word 2007 and XPS formats, so you’ll need either the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack, if you don’t already have Word 2007, or MSXML 6.0 and the XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack, if you’re not already running Windows Vista, to view it:

•   Windows Vista Product Guide

Another interesting download posted today is the Microsoft Windows Vista Readiness Assessment tool, although at the moment, it looks to me like someone hasn’t finished uploading the correct files. There are only XML files available for download – no WSSADS.EXE link, which should contain the assessment tool. Keep an eye on this one for updates:

The Windows Vista Readiness Assessment (WVRA) is an automated tool designed for customers and parters to quickly assess network-wide their PCs’ readiness for Windows Vista. It provides detailed reporting on hardware and device driver compatibility for upgrades to Windows Vista:

UPDATE: The Vista Readiness Assessment tool has been removed from the Download Centre. Keep an eye out for a re-release some time soon.

Windows Vista Product Guide is post from stealthpuppy.com. Except as noted otherwise, this work is © 2005-2012 Aaron Parker and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.