Leitura de fim-de-ano (aka leitura de fim-de-semana)

E "prontos", cá estamos para a última lista de leitura do ano e, quiçá, o último post.

• For Microsoft, Improvement is in the Exchange
• Dealing with Databases
• Exchange 12 Server roles
• Understanding Mailbox Enabled and Mail Enabled Recipients in Exchange 2003
• Introducing the Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer
• Large Security Tokens and Kernel Memory Exhaustion
• Exchange 12 and 64-bit
• Exchange Server 5.5 Rides into the Sunset (Exchange 2000 Server, Saddle Up!)

Microsoft Application Analzyer 2006 for Lotus Domino Beta

A Microsoft disponibilizou hoje a versão Beta da ferramenta Microsoft Application Analzyer 2006 for Lotus Domino. Trata-se na mais recente arma na guerra do software de messaging e colaborativo entre a Microsoft e a big blue.

The Microsoft Application Analyzer 2006 for Lotus Notes/Domino is a tool that is used to help size and scope a Lotus Notes/Domino application migration project. The tool will analyze Lotus Domino applications, provide reports about application characteristics and recommend possible target solutions on the Microsoft Collaboration Platform.

Leitura de Natal (aka leitura de fim-de-semana)

Embuído no espírito da época, aqui vos deixo a leitura recomendada para os intervalos dos jogos na nova XBOX 360 ou, quiçá, de uma PSP:

• Spam Learning Guide
• Exchange Server 2003 cluster diagnostics
• Structuring Exchange Server for the best log file protection
• E12 Beta 1
• Intelligent Message Filter Updates
• How to Regain Access to an Exchange Server 2003 Organization
• Postmaster NDR resubmit Tool
• Oops - They really shouldn't have sent that mail!
• Update: Bi-weekly IMF updates for Microsoft Exchange 2003 a step closer, available on WSUS
• Microsoft Exchange 12 Has Competitors, Execs Insist
• CAN-SPAM is working?

Creating an Active Directory Site for Exchange Server

Creating an Active Directory Site for Exchange Server é um documento elaborado pela equipa de IT da Microsoft em que são focadas questões de desempenho do Exchange relacionados com os mecanismos de acesso aos serviços da Active Directory.
Dado que o sistema de correio electrónico na Microsoft tem uma dimensão considerável (100.000 mailboxes, 85.000 grupos de distribuição), a equipa de IT resolveu criar um site na AD exclusivamente para uso do Exchange Server.
O documento foi originalmente publicado em Dezembro de 2004 e foi agora alvo de uma actualização.

Actualizações do IMF via Microsoft Update

De acordo com uma notícia avançada no site bink.nu, começaram hoje a ser disponibilizadas as actualizações do filtro anti-spam incluído no Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2, o Intelligent Message Filter. As actualizações deverão ocorrer numa frequência bi-mensal.
Aqui fica o link para o artigo da Knowledge Base:

• How to update the Intelligent Message Filter version 2 in Exchange Server 2003 SP2

Exchange 12 já cá canta

Conforme mencionei num post anterior, foi recentemente disponibilizada a versão Beta 1 da próxima versão do Exchange, nome de código Exchange "12".
Como MVP de Exchange tive direito a participar no programa. Podem começar os testes!

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Com um dia de atraso devido ao tradicional jantar de Natal da empresa onde trabalho, aqui fica a lista de leitura para o fim-de-semana:

• Are Exchange's Competitors Really Pretenders?
• Email Archiving: "It's Here Somewhere!"
• Microsoft Exchange compatibility with Open-Xchange
• FAQ: Exchange Server backup and recovery
• Tutorial: Indexing Exchange Server public folder content
• Exchange deployments get help from System Center Capacity Planner
• Spam for the Holidays
• The Admin tool for OWA
• Public folder Mail Re-Submit Tool
• The Definitive Guide to Exchange Disaster Recovery and Availability
• Explaining the Database size limit changes in Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2
• Demystifying the OWA 2003 FE/BE Logon Process
• Exchange 2003 Common Criteria certification and how we got there
• Configuring Hot-Add and Large Memory for Exchange 2003
• Microsoft Sued Over Mobile E-Mail Access
• Google offers mobile phone version of Gmail e-mail

Actualização do filtro Junk E-mail do Outlook (Dezembro 2005)

Está disponível uma nova actualização para o filtro Junk-Email do Outlook 2003.

"This update provides the Junk E-mail Filter in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with a more current definition of which e-mail messages should be considered junk e-mail."

O download está disponível aqui ou através do Microsoft Update. Como é habitual, está acompanhado pelo respectivo artigo da Knowledge Base:

• Description of the Update for Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter (KB907492)

Microsoft anuncia Exchange "12" Beta 1

A Microsoft acaba de disponibilizar a versão Beta 1 do Exchange "12", ainda que esteja apenas disponível a um grupo restrito de utilizadores (eu incluído).

"Microsoft Corp. today announced the release of Microsoft® Exchange “12” Beta 1 — the code name for the next version of its leading server for e-mail, calendaring and unified messaging, to a select group of testers."

A press-release completa está neste link.

Actualização do IMF através do WSUS

Estava a ler o site Bink.nu, quando me deparei com esta notícia algo estranha. Parece que uma actualização do componente Intelligent Message Filter do Exchange 2003 ficou por algum tempo disponível através do WSUS.

• Microsoft released Exchange IMF update through WSUS, appearantly to soon

Exchange Configuration and Operations Issues Detected by ExRAP

Exchange Configuration and Operations Issues Detected by ExRAP é um documento recentemente disponibilizado pela Microsoft e onde são enumerados os problemas mais comuns de configuração e operação detectados pelo Exchange Server Risk Assessment and Health Check Program (ExRAP).

The Exchange Center of Excellence (ECoE) administers the Microsoft® Exchange Server Risk Assessment and Health Check Program (ExRAP) at Microsoft. An ExRAP engagement provides a detailed on-site technical and operational analysis of a large Exchange deployment. This Note details the most common issues and overlooked vulnerabilities found so far during ExRAP engagements.

2 novas ferramentas para o Exchange Server

A Microsoft disponibilizou recentemente 2 ferramentas verdadeiramente úteis para os administradores e/ou arquitectos de Exchange Server.

• Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration Tool
  The Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration tool enables administrators to manage the process of remotely erasing lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised mobile devices. The Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration Tool is designed for use With Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 and compatible mobile devices.
• Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer
  Use the Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer tool to collect estimated statistical information from a single mailbox store or across an Exchange Server organization. The collected data can be used for such tasks as analyzing the performance and health of a server that has mailboxes, improving capacity planning models, and improving testing methodologies and tools.

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Estamos em plena silly-season, mas entre as compras de Natal há sempre tempo para a leitura:

• Can You Hear Me Now?
• Email: Can't Live With It, Or Without It
• The FTC Gets it Right ... and Wrong
• Anatomy of an eBay Phish
• How to override the attachment size limit for OWA public folder posts
• Exchange Admin 101: Exchange Server replication and synchronization
• All Is Not Lost
• How to connect to a specific Global catalog (GC) with Exchange 2003
• The IMF and SP2
• Exchange 2003 Performance Troubleshooting Analyzer Tool v1.0 (ExPTA)
• Understanding the Exchange Information Store
• ExBPA Config XML 2.9.0.1 released
• Microsoft Windows Kernel Memory Management and Microsoft Exchange Server
• OAB PDN changes and existing site consolidations
• Moving mailboxes using the Migration wizard in Exchange 2003

Exchange 5.5: R.I.P.

Para assinalar a "morte" do Exchange 5.5, a Microsoft organizou uma festa no mínimo estranha. Nada mais, nada menos do que uma espécie de velório num bar irlandês no Reino Unido.
Aqui fica a link da notícia:

• Microsoft holds weirdest press conference ever

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Foi uma semana muito ocupada profissionalmente, nos dias que correm é bom sinal. Ah, e já me esquecia, saiu mais um artigo deste autor que vos escreve :-)

• The Art and Science of Sizing Exchange 2003 (Part 3)
• The Importance of Auditing your Exchange 2003 Server(s)
• Drawbacks of running a mixed mode Exchange Server environment
• RIM - common enemy of Microsoft and Nokia
• Vodafone launches push mobile e-mail service
• All About OAB v4
• Using BESAlert for Error and Warning History
• Building an SRP Monitor
• Top Exchange Design Considerations
• How Daylight Savings Time Date Changes affect Scheduling in Outlook Client
• USN Rollbacks and Active Directory Replication Issues
• Auditing Send-as and Receive As rights via script
• IMF Archive Manager 2.0
• Moving mailboxes using the Move mailbox wizard in Exchange 2003
• Exchange 2003 migration resources

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Depois do período fértil em notícias que foi o IT Forum 2005, as coisas acalmaram um pouco. Ainda assim, estão aqui reunidos alguns artigos e notícias bastante interessantes.

• Analysts critcize Microsoft Exchange 12, I don't agree
• Outlook calendars - display multiple timezones
• Exchange Server 2003 Common Criteria Certification
• Building a Better Link Monitor using WMI – Exchange 2003
• Sending a SysLog Message using Monad
• Using Monad and WMI with Exchange 2003
• Overview of E12 Features (Part 2)
• A blogcast series on upgrading your organization from Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2003
• Introducing the Exchange Solution Reviewed Program (ESPR) - Storage
• Securing Outlook 2003 messages with Information Rights Management
• SelectiveOOF: Selectively suppress Out-of-Office replies
• Implementing Disaster Recovery Protection for Microsoft Exchange Server 2000/2003

Webcasts de messaging em Dezembro

Para quem lê o blog da Eileen Brown esta lista não será novidade, quem não lê, devia começar a fazê-lo!

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 11 of 14): Exchange Best Practice Analyzer (Level 200)
Friday, December 2, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
The Microsoft Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer Tool (ExBPA) is an automated health check and troubleshooting tool. An essential tool for any Exchange administrator the ExBPA collects configuration settings and performs network and protocol tests in an Exchange topology. Join this webcast as we will cover what the tool is and how to install it, set it up, and use it.

TechNet Webcast: Making the Transition from Lotus Domino Messaging to Exchange Server (Level 200)
Wednesday, December 7, 2005 - 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Pacific Time
Erik Ashby, Exchange Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Gary Devendorf, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation
Join this webcast to get in-depth knowledge of the recommended process for transitioning from an IBM Lotus Domino to a Microsoft Exchange Server messaging topology. Learn about the best path to an easy transition, and find out about recent updates to the tools available from Microsoft that can help you migrate from IBM Lotus Notes and Domino.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 13 of 14): Mobility (Level 200)
Friday, December 9, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
This webcast covers the mobility support in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, including the new mobility features in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows Mobile 5.0. The webcast provides a brief overview of Open Mobile Alliance, and then shows how to configure and enable OMA, before covering some security considerations. From there the webcast discusses Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access considerations, examining WAP 1.x and WAP 2.0 gateways and how they affect Secure Sockets Layer traffic. The presentation concludes with a brief Windows Mobile 5.0 discussion featuring the Messaging & Security Feature Pack, its integration with SP2, the features of SP2, and what business issues it solves.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 14 of 14): Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (Level 200)
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
This final webcast looks at the new features within Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2. We will cover the improvements in the Intelligent Message Filter and the mailbox enhancements, increased storage limits for standard edition, as well as some of the mobility improvements in the service pack.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts (Level
300)
Friday, December 16, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Michael Murphy, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation
Your organization is running Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, and it is stable. What can you do to improve your Exchange operations, customize them, and optimize them to better meet the requirements of your organization? This webcast provides tips on how to customize system messages, create custom address lists, customize Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access, and control which versions of Outlook are allowed to connect to the Exchange server. We also show you how to use Mailbox Manager and create catch-all mailboxes.

Momentum Webcast: Use Third-Party Tools to Migrate Smoothly from Lotus Notes to a Microsoft Collaboration Platform (Level 100)
Monday, December 05, 2005 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time
Gary Devendorf, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation
Learn how you can quickly and easily migrate your Lotus Notes databases to a Microsoft collaboration platform that is based on Microsoft SharePoint products and technologies. Through demonstrations, this webcast introduces you to several tools offered by third-party providers that can help smooth your migration from Lotus Notes to the collaboration platform.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 12 of 14): Client Security (Level 200)
Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
This webcast covers client security for use with Microsoft Office Outlook, Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access (OWA), and POP3 and Internet Message Access Protocol version 4rev1 (IMAP4) access (except mobile devices, which are covered in Part 13). The Outlook segment presents security features that relate to attachments security, address book and object model access, security zones, S/MIME, Remote Procedure Call over HTTP and Information Rights, anti-virus protection, and spam protection through filters. The OWA segment shows how to secure OWA access, Secure Sockets Layer with OWA, how to enable and configure it, S/MIME within the OWA environment, the infrastructure, and integration with firewalls and publishing through Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server. The presentation concludes by addressing POP3 and IMAP4, following the same steps as with Outlook and OWA.

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Tal como referi no post anterior, o Microsoft IT Forum 2005 tem sido pródigo em notícias relacionadas com o Exchange, com especial enfoque na próxima versão "Exchange 12". Mas vejamos que outra leituras temos para o fim-de-semana:

• Configuring Microsoft Outlook to display Sender ID information
• Moving mailboxes across administrative groups in Exchange 2003
• Public folder changes in Exchange 2003 SP2
• Where is the Messaging and Security Feature Pack?
• Exchange 12 Goes 64 Bit (x64)!!!!!
• SearchExchange serializes my DR ebook
• Show which users have been delegated an Exchange Administrator role via the ESM delegation wizard by script.
• Allowing someone to update their own Active Directory Contact details via OWA
• Slides from recent presentations
• Rights Management Service and Exchange 2003 (Part 1)
• Exchange 2003 Disaster Recovery Analyzer Tool (ExDRA 1.0)
• Exchange 2000/2003 Front End Server Logon Process

Notícias do IT Forum

Pois é, este ano não fui ao Microsoft IT Forum que está a decorrer em Barcelona, mas fiquei obviamente atento às novidades lá anunciadas.
Relativamente ao Exchange Server as notícias têm sido muitas, sendo que o anúncio mais somante foi o de que a próxima versão do Exchange será apenas disponibilizada para a plataforma 64 bits.
Aqui fica uma colecção de notícias variadas sobre o Exchange:

• Microsoft Exchange 12 Facts!
• Microsoft Exchange 12 will enable "file sharing" through RPC over HTTP!
• Microsoft Exchange IMF updates bi-weekly
• Microsoft Exchange 12 - 64 bit only
• Microsoft Exchange 12 roadmap
• Exchange '12' to be 64-bit Only
• Microsoft Debuts Host of New Products and Solutions at IT Forum to Enhance Business Computing

Aplicação do MOF ao Exchange

Boas notícias para os MOFaólicos. A Microsoft disponibilizou hoje o documento Exchange Service Management Guide, uma aproximação top-down à gestão de um sistema de messaging num ambiente corporativo.

This guide applies Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) principles and specific prescriptive guidance for managing Microsoft Exchange in a mission-critical enterprise setting. The guidance will help you implement process and team best practices within the context of the MOF Process Model. It is aligned with the corresponding components of Exchange Service Management.

A pergunta que fica no ar é se eventualmente este documento será transformado numa Service Management Fucntion e incorporado no modelo de processos do MOF.

RSOUTLOOK.COM

O meu colega MVP Ricardo Silva tem um site dedicado ao Microsoft Outlook, onde se pode encontrar bastante informação técnica, bem como algum software/add-ins para este programa cliente de mail.

"RSOUTLOOK.COM é um site desenhado para administradores, programadores, utilizadores comuns, para todos aqueles que queiram partilhar informações sobre Outlook e Exchange com os outros."

O Ricardo mantém ainda um blog com notícias e algumas dicas.

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Depois de uma semana preenchida pelos TechDays, é tempo de assentar ideias e publicar a lista de leitura para o fim-de-semana:

• Are large messages slowing your Exchange server down?
• How Simple is SMTP?
• Exchange 2003 Message Tracking and Logging
• Exchange 2003 SP2 Database Improvements
• Dialtone restores,the Recovery Storage Group, and swapping out database files
• Displaying deleted public folder tracking information via script in Exchange 2003 sp2 – Extended Edition
• Firing an event whenever a new Public folder is created
• Displaying a Public Folders Creator and Folder Contacts via WebDAV
• Introducing the Exchange Server Performance Troubleshooting Analyzer Tool
• Viewing Exchange 5.5 GAL from Exchange 2000
• Adding Additional mailboxes to the Outlook PRF file
• Outlook is preparing the requested view
• Only SMTP, Outlook and Exchange Gurus need read further
• Improved Generic Exchange Backup Script
• Recovering Exchange from .OST files
• IBM throws down the collaboration gauntlet

Actualização do filtro Junk E-mail do Outlook (Novembro)

Está disponível uma nova actualização para o filtro Junk-Email do Outlook 2003.

"This optional update provides the Junk E-mail Filter in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with a more current definition of which e-mail messages should be considered junk e-mail."

O download está disponível aqui ou através do Microsoft Update. Como é habitual, está acompanhado pelo respectivo artigo da Knowledge Base:

• Description of the Update for Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter (KB907492)

O filtro Junk E-mail do Outlook integra-se na perfeição com o Intelligent Message Filter, que passou a fazer parte do Exchange 2003 com o lançamento do service pack 2.

A Microsoft, uma das empresas que recebe mais spam do mundo, utiliza estas tecnologias no combate ao mail não solicitado. Mais informações estão disponíveis neste documento: Messaging Hygiene at Microsoft.

Fui para os TechDays... Por favor deixe mensagem

Foi hoje o primeiro dia dos TechDays 2005, o maior evento técnico realizado em Portugal pela Microsoft.
O balanço do 1º dia é positivo, embora alguns aspectos relativos à organização não estejam a correr tão bem como seria de esperar, mas hey, dêem um desconto, para o ano será melhor (isto se este evento não fôr substituido pelo IT Forum ou pelo Tech.Ed).
Eu estou lá inserido na comunidade de MVPs, mas outras comunidades estão lá representadas: Gupade, PontoNet e Pocketpt.net.
Se tiver tempo, prometo dar mais notícias sobre este evento que só termina daqui a 2 dias.

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Grande espectáculo ontem à noite, os MTV European Music Awards aqui em Lisboa! Para quem não teve oportunidade de ver aqui fica um breve resumo:

• EMAs 2005: The Show Highlights Part 1
• EMAs 2005: The Show Highlights Part 2

E agora, a habitual lista:

• Build an Exchange 2003 Cluster: Install Exchange on the Cluster
• Best Practices Checklist: Exchange Server disaster recovery planning
• Outbound message size changes due to format conversions
• Microsoft Takes On Spamming Botnets
• Inside a 419 Advance Fee Fraud Scam
• Grrrrrrr.... spam filters
• When your spam filter flunks the test
• Exchange 2003 sp2 success on my home server!
• So what does "out of free support mean"
• Upgrading to E2k3 SP2 cluster
• IMFv1 getting in the way of your SP2 upgrade?
• Displaying deleted public folder tracking information via script in Exchange 2003 sp2
• ExBPA 2.5 Changes
• Configuring and enabling Sender ID filtering in Exchange 2003 SP2
• Configuring S/MIME Security with Outlook Web Access 2003
• Support for Exchange on Microsoft Virtual Server
• New additions to the 'Analyzer' Tool Family

[UPDATE]

• Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 DSProxy Referral Process Changes

Ferramentas de Exchange: novas e melhoradas

A Microsoft disponibilizou recentemente um conjunto de ferramentas para o Exchange Server, algumas são novidade, outras apenas actualizações.
Comecemos pelas novidades:

• Microsoft Exchange Server Disaster Recovery Analyzer Tool v1.0: uma ferramenta bastante útil para os tempos de crise, uma vez que automatiza certas operações de recuperação de desastre que antes tinham de ser corridas manualmente.
• Microsoft Exchange Server Performance Troubleshooting Analyzer Tool v1.0: permite realizar uma análise sumária a um servidor, detectando as causas para possíveis problemas de desempenho.

Estas 2 ferramentas seguem a filosofia da já famosa Exchange Best Practices Analyzer (ExBPA)Tool, tendo a equipa de Exchange da Microsoft recentemente publicado um post no seu blog acerca delas: New additions to the 'Analyzer' Tool Family.

Passemos então às actualizações. O motivo destas novas versões prende-se principalmente com o lançamento recente do service pack 2 do Exchange Server 2003:

• Microsoft Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer Tool v2.5: a mais recente versão desta já famosa ferramenta.
• Microsoft Exchange Server Jetstress Tool v06.05.7720: com esta nova versão é dado um maior enfâse à interface gráfica (Jetstress 2004), embora ainda seja possível utilizar a linha de comando. A criação da base de dados de teste pareceu-me bastante mais rápida.
• Microsoft Exchange Server Exchange Profile Redirector v06.05.7720: ferramenta que permite actualizar os perfis de Outlook dos utilizadores.
• Microsoft Exchange Server Public Folder DAV-based Administration Tool v06.05.7720: é a mais recente versão da ferramenta que simplifica algumas tarefas de administração de Public Folders. Já agora recordo que o service pack 2 do Exchange 2003 também introduziu bastantes melhorias neste campo.
• Microsoft Exchange Server Management Pack for MOM 2005 v06.05.7720: nova versão do Management Pack...
• Microsoft Exchange Server Management Pack Configuration Wizard v06.05.7720: ...e o respectivo wizard de configuração.

Optimização de storage: um caso real

A componente de storage desempenha um papel crítico numa solução de Exchange Server 2003. Em servidores back-end o subsistema de discos é geralmente a primeira causa de estrangulamentos de desempenho, pelo que é aconselhável um planeamento cuidado. A Microsoft disponibiliza um documento com instruções detalhadas de optimização das unidades de storage: Optimizing Storage for Exchange Server 2003.
Para provar que estas recomendações podem realmente fazer a diferença, deixem-me contar-vos uma pequena história:

Há pouco tempo realizei, juntamente com um colega meu, uma intervenção num cliente que estava com problemas na sua infra-estrutura de correio electrónico. Os utilizadores queixavam-se de lentidão no Outlook, sendo frequentes as mensagens "Outlook is trying to retrieve data from the Microsoft Exchange Server".
Após uma análise do servidor Exchange de produção, concluímos que se tratava de um estrangulamento ao nível do storage.
O próximo passo seria implementar uma nova configuração dos discos, por forma a melhorar o seu desempenho. O servidor de back-end era um HP ProLiant DL380 G3 com discos internos (DAS). Realizámos alguns cálculos que confirmaram que a configuração RAID 5 (3 discos) utilizada não era adequada e que uma alteração para 4 discos em RAID 0+1 seria suficiente para suportar a carga em altura de pico.
Também decidimos alterar a cache do controlador de storage para write-back. O servidor em questão vem de fábrica com uma controladora SmartArray 5i Plus. Infelizmente para poder suportar cache write-back necessita de uma bateria adicional. Uma vez que os ganho de desempenho podem ser tão impressionantes (como veremos mais à frente), julgo que seria recomendável que a HP modificasse a sua política para que esta bateria viesse incluida por defeito.
O cliente estava com uma latência de escrita de 100 ms, quando o valor recomendado deve ser inferior a 20ms. A imagem seguinte ilustra os contadores de disco medidos com a configuração original.

Após a alteração do nível de RAID com a adição de um novo disco, os ganho de desempenho foram imediatos, tendo a latência diminuido para 25ms (não disponho de nenhuma imagem para ilustrar). Mas o que realmente nos impressionou foi o efeito da cache write-back. Após a instalação da Battery Backed Write Cache (BBWC) Enabler, a latência de escrita baixou para uns espectaculares 3ms. Aqui fica a prova:

Qual é então o moral desta história?

• O storage deve ser dimensionado primeiro para o desempenho e só depois para a capacidade;
• A optimização e cache write-back fazem realmente a diferença;
• Não é preciso comprar storage cara (SAN) para fazer 1.500 utilizadores felizes.

Aqui ficam mais uns links interessantes sobre o assunto:

• Exchange Disk Sizing (it's not just for cluster anymore!)
• A few basic concepts in disk sizing
• Some more thoughts on disk IO and calculations…

Suporte para o Exchange em Virtual Server

A Microsoft alterou recentemente a sua política relativamente ao suporte do Exchange 2003 em ambientes virtualizados. Até agora esta configuração não era pura e simplesmente suportada, mas com a disponibilização do service pack 2 do Exchange Server 2003 e com o lançamento do Virtual Server 2005 R2, já é possível correr o software servidor de correio electrónico numa máquina virtual.
Mais detalhes neste artigo da Knowledge Base:

• Support policy for Exchange Server 2003 running on hardware virtualization software

Tomem nota, para ser suportado têm que utilizar o Exchange 2003 SP2 + Virtual Server 2005 R2. Ah, e é verdade, por enquanto ainda não foram contempladas máquinas VMWare ou de outros fabricantes.

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Mais uma vez uma boa selecção, encimada por um excelente artigo ;-)

• The Art and Science of Sizing Exchange 2003 (Part 2)
• Offline Address Book - Best Practice
• How do spammers spam?
• How do spammers find your email address?
• Microsoft to retire Exchange Server 5.5 by year's end
• More users migrate from Microsoft Exchange to new Lotus Notes
• BBC suspends Blackberry network after mixed-up emails
• Reporting on SMTP Protocol Log Settings and Log Directories on all Exchange Server in a Domain
• New rules synch behavior in Exchange 2003
• On ActiveSync and our partners
• Top 11 Hidden Features in Outlook Web Access for Exchange 2003
• Guess what just turned 34?
• Maximizing Availability and Performance of Your Enterprise Microsoft Exchange Environment
• 15 tips in 15 minutes: Managing recipients and distribution lists
• Office 2003 SP2's antiphishing filter for Outlook
• Troubleshooting Exchange replication with REPADMIN

"subject: exchange" - 1 ano depois

Parabéns "subject: exchange"!
Pois é, este blog faz hoje 1 ano de existência. Tudo começou com este post, sendo que na altura ainda não era certo o rumo que este projecto iria tomar.
365 dias e 262 posts depois posso afirmar que o resultado foi francamente positivo. Na altura a minha principal motivação foi a de criar um espaço sobre o Microsoft Exchange totalmente em Português. Julgo que ainda hoje é o único (infelizmente) a debruçar-se sobre esta tecnologia.
Vejamos os principais acontecimentos do último ano:

• 27-Out-2004: Nasce o "subject: exchange"
• 21-Jan-2005: Nasce a rúbrica "Leitura de fim-de-semana"
• 01-Abr-2005: Sou nomeado Microsoft MVP
• 18-Abr-2005: Nasce o projecto irmão "subject: exchange" em Inglês
• 27-Mai-2005: O blog "You Had Me At EHLO" adiciona um link para o "subject: exchange"
• 17-Jun-2005: Este blog é incluido no projecto planeta asterisco

Resta-me agradecer aos leitores deste blog pelas mensagens de incentivo que recebo e dizer que espero continuar por aqui muitos mais anos.

Começou o teste Beta do novo Hotmail

De acordo com notícia do site Neowin, o processo de testes do novo Hotmail começou hoje.
Intitulado apenas "Mail Beta" (deve estar na moda a palavra Beta, o GMail também ainda mantém essa designação), o interface gráfico é muito semelhante ao do Outlook 2003, pelo que os utilizadores regulares deste cliente da Microsoft não vão ter dificuldade em adaptar-se ao novo ambiente.
O site Neowin disponibiliza também alguns screenshots:

• Screenshot 1
• Screenshot 2
• Screenshot 3

Agora resta-me esperar pelo meu convite de beta tester, uma vez que também me inscrevi.

Configuring SMTP for Both Authenticated and Anonymous Connections

Uma das maneiras de tornar uma gateway de SMTP mais segura é restringir o acesso a apenas determinados IPs. No universo Microsoft, a configuração do SMTP Virtual Server inclui a possibilidade de fazer Connection control.

Este método, apesar de seguro, é pouco versátil, uma vez que não contempla uma opção para os servidores autenticados.
A equipa da Microsoft IT deparou-se com o seguinte problema: queriam permitir o acesso anónimo apenas aos IPs adicionados ao Connection control, mas igualmente não negar o acesso a todos os servidores autenticados.
Para resolver esta situação modificaram o comportamento por defeito do SMTP Virtual Server, adicionando uma nova chave à metabase, SmtpIpRestrictionFlag=1.
Toda a explicação encontra-se agora disponível no documento "Configuring SMTP for Both Authenticated and Anonymous Connections at Microsoft".

Leitura de fim-de-semana

If (Sexta-Feira) Then (Leitura de fim-de-semana).

• SBS2003 OWA Domain or Domain\Username?
• Exchange 2003 SP2 on SBS
• Mail Enabling a Public folder via MAPI and WebDAV
• Parsing SMTP Protocol log files with Monad
• Monad is coming? Are you ready?
• Using the Exchange Dump Utility (ExchDump)
• How ESM Matches Public Folder Objects to Directory Objects
• Exchange Insider articles are now live on the Exchange TechCenter!
• How to Send Rich Email Messages

What's New in Exchange Server 2003

A Microsoft actualizou o documento "What's New in Exchange Server 2003", de forma a incluir as novas funcionalidades do Service Pack 2.

The sections listed in the following topics contain information about the updates made to Exchange Server 2003 in Service Pack 2.
"Administration Features in Exchange Server 2003"
• New in SP2: Enabling or Disabling MAPI Access for a Specific User
• New in SP2: Enabling Direct Push Technology
• New in SP2: Managing Security Settings for Mobile Clients
• New in SP2: Remote Wiping of Mobile Devices
• New in SP2: Global Address List Search for Mobile Clients
• New in SP2: Certificate-Based Authentication and S/MIME on Mobile Devices
• New in SP2: Tracking Public Folder Deletions
• New in SP2: Manually Stopping and Resuming Replication
• New in SP2: Synchronizing the Public Folder Hierarchy
• New in SP2: Using the Manage Public Folders Settings Wizard
• New in SP2: Moving Public Folder Content to a Different Server
"Performance and Scalability Features of Exchange Server 2003"
• New in SP2: Improved Offline Address Book Performance
"Transport and Message Flow Features of Exchange Server 2003"
• New in SP2: Step 3: Specifying the Servers to Exclude from Connection Filtering
• New in SP2: Sender ID Filtering
• New in SP2: Intelligent Message Filtering
• Updated in SP2: Understanding How Enabled Filters Are Applied
"Storage Features of Exchange Server 2003"
• New in SP2: Database Size Limit Configuration and Management

Actualização do filtro Junk-Email do Outlook (Outubro)

Já está disponível a actualização de Outubro para o filtro Junk-Email do Outlook 2003.

"This optional update provides the Junk E-mail Filter in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with a more current definition of which e-mail messages should be considered junk e-mail."

O download está disponível aqui ou através do Microsoft Update. Como é habitual, está acompanhado pelo respectivo artigo da Knowledge Base:

• Description of the Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter update: October 2005

Já saiu o SP2 para o Exchange 2003!

É a grande notícia do dia. O tão aguardado Service Pack 2 (SP2) para o Exchange 2003 foi hoje disponibilizado. Está disponível para download aqui.

"Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) offers new features and improvements to Exchange Server 2003. New features include support for mobility and message hygiene. Improvements have been made to address performance and reliability with public folders and with database size restrictions."

A notícia é tão fresca que se seguirem o link das release notes, estas ainda dizem "Community Technology Preview Release Notes" :-)

Links relacionados:

• Why Try Service Pack 2 for Exchange Server 2003?
• Issues that are fixed in Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Release Notes
• More details on Standard DB limit size increase in Exchange 2003 SP2
• Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 BETA (build 7623.0) Exposed

Webcasts de messaging para Novembro

Aqui fica a lista dos webcasts da Microsoft sobre messaging e colaboração previstos para Novembro. Mais uma vez, cortesia da Eileen Brown.

Microsoft Webcast: Bring Innovation to Messaging with Microsoft Exchange Server
Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Pacific Time
Ed Wu, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Do you think that e-mail is just another boring commodity? This webcast provides an overview of the current features in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and the exciting ways that organizations are currently using this messaging software. You will also learn about new features in the next release of Exchange Server that innovate in areas like mobility, content filtering, and collaboration.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 3 of 14): Managing Recipient Objects (Level 200)
Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
In this webcast we will cover recipient objects in Exchange Server 2003, starting with a look at the types of recipient objects available-User, Contact, Group, Public Folder, and InetOrgPerson. From there, learn how to create, configure, and manage them. We also cover the information store as it relates to these objects and the address lists for locating these objects.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 4 of 14): Public Folders (Level 200)
Friday, November 4, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 offer great storage flexibility, and with it, potential complexity, which could make storage management difficult to administer. Start off right with this webcast about the basics of public folders in Exchange Server 2003. First, get an overview and architectural view of public folders. From there, learn about the overall management of public folders-creating them, setting and managing public folder permissions, replication, referrals, and storage requirements. The webcast concludes with tips on monitoring public folder status and mail-enabling public folders.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 5 of 14): Virtual Server Components (Level 200)
Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 offers quite a few virtual servers, and you have to decide which ones to use, and know how to configure them. This webcast covers what virtual servers are and how Exchange Server 2003 integrates with Microsoft Internet Information Services to provide them. Learn about the five main virtual servers—HTTP, POP3, Internet Message Access Protocol version 4rev1, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and Network News Transfer Protocol—with some coverage of Remote Procedure Call over HTTP. Going beyond technical descriptions, this webcast shows how to create and configure the various settings of each server.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 6 of 14): Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (Level 200)
Friday, November 11, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
The more you know about Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), the better you can configure Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. The SMTP protocol is core to Exchange 2003 and Exchange Administrators require a sound knowledge of the protocol. Join this webcast to gain an in depth understanding of SMTP. Topics addressed include commands and ports for both SMTP and Extended Set of Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, how to configure Domain Name System for SMTP, Relays, and Smart Hosts. This webcast includes an important segment on security, which explains how to configure and secure SMTP, firewall requirements, and what makes traffic secure.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 8 of 14): Backup, Restore, and Recovery (Level 200)
Friday, November 18, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
This webcast covers the critical tasks of backup, restore, and recovery, broken down into their three separate processes. The backup section explains what needs to be backed up both on Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and the operating system, types of backups, the role that logs can play in backup strategies, verification, and volume shadow copy. The restore section covers the different restore needs that may arise, from an entire server down to a mailbox, and public folder restoration. The webcast concludes by showing how to recover Exchange servers, focusing on recovery groups and mailbox recovery.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 9 of 14): Monitoring, Performance, and Tuning (Level 200)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
To get the most performance out of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, you must be able to monitor its performance and tune it. This webcast covers the various Exchange Server 2003 monitoring tools and techniques: basic monitoring practices such as event logs and queues, and events and queue issues to monitor; Exchange Monitors that monitor queues, services and disk space; recommended Exchange counters to use and what to look for. The webcast discusses the use of Microsoft Operations Manager as a management tool. The tuning segment present tips and information that can help tune the Exchange Servers.

TechNet Webcast: Using Third-Party Tools to Migrate Notes Databases to the Microsoft Collaboration Platform (Level 200)
Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Pacific Time
Gary Devendorf, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation
Learn how you can migrate your Lotus Notes databases to the Microsoft collaboration platform, based on Microsoft SharePoint products and technologies, quickly and easily. This webcast introduces and demonstrates several tools offered by third-party providers that facilitate the migration from Lotus Notes to the collaboration platform from Microsoft.

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 10 of 14): Troubleshooting (Level 200)
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
Troubleshooting tools can actually complicate your life if you don't know when to use which tools, and the sequences in which to use them. This webcast covers various Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 troubleshooting tools and the scenarios where the tools are used. Examples include using DCDiag and Netdiag to troubleshoot network and Domain Controller Connectivity issues, RPC Ping Utility to check Remote Procedure Call connectivity, isinteg to check database integrity, and ESEUTIL for various database tasks. This section also recaps the firewall information about what ports to open and how to look for issues in firewall logs.

Microsoft Office System: Using Mission Control and Microsoft Outlook to Eliminate E-mail Overwhelm (Level 100)
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 – 9:00 AM-10:00 AM Pacific Time
Doug Fisher, President, Mission Control
If you receive more than 20 or 30 emails a day (the United States average is 56, according to a recent Microsoft survey), you are probably experiencing some degree of e-mail overwhelm. In this webcast, learn how Microsoft Office Outlook can help you get relief from the stress of e-mail overwhelm by establishing a new set of protocols and best practices to help you effectively manage your email, instead of allowing it to manage you.

Momentum Webcast: Secure Your Exchange 2003 Server with ISA Server 2004 and Antigen (Level 200)
Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Tim Armstrong, Technology Presenter, Microsoft Corporation
Learn how to use Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 and Sybari Antigen to protect your servers running Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 from a variety of externally based attacks. You will learn about best practices for the most common deployment scenarios from product managers on the ISA Server and Antigen teams. The speakers will emphasize configuring and tuning both products. If you are a technical professional or an executive who has a basic understanding of ISA Server 2004 and Antigen, this webcast can help you take your knowledge to the next level.

Momentum Webcast: Take Advantage of New Enhancements for Mobile Devices in Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (Level 100)
Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Chris Smith, solutions specialist, Microsoft Corporation
Does your business have all the advantages of secure, flexible, and affordable mobile access? This webcast describes the mobility enhancements in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 that connect users to e-mail and other data from a range of mobile devices. Learn how your business can take advantage of new functionality such as the Always-up-to-date Notification feature, PIN lock settings, the ability to wipe a mobile device clean from a remote location, the ability to configure soft certificates to access Exchange, and more.

Momentum Webcast: Choosing High Performance Storage Options for Exchange Server 2003 (Level 200)
Monday, November 28, 2005 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Evan Morris, Senior systems Engineer - HP Microsoft Solutions Alliance Engineering, HP
This webcast provides an overview of storage options for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, including storage area networks (SANs), network attached storage (NAS), and Internet Small Computer System Interfaces (iSCSIs). Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the SAN, NAS, and iSCSI storage types, and gain insight into the different options that you can choose to configure a high performance Exchange environment.

TechNet Webcast: Configuring Exchange and VPN Connectivity Using ISA Server 2004 (Level 200)
Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Michael Murphy, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation
This webcast shows how you can use Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 to give users and partners access to e-mail and other resources while helping to secure your network. Learn how to publish resources such as Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 for Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access, Microsoft Outlook clients, and Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) servers. We also show how to use ISA Server 2004 to create secure virtual private network (VPN) connections, enable and configure VPN for roaming clients, configure VPN Quarantine Control, and create a site-to-site VPN connection between a central office and a remote branch office.

TechNet Webcast: A More Secure and Well-Managed Infrastructure (Part 9 of 18): Securing the Exchange Environment (Level 300)
Friday, November 11, 2005 - 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Pacific Time
Keith Combs, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation
E-mail servers are the primary conduit for viruses entering information technology environments. Large quantities of spam can devour server space and network bandwidth through sheer volume. This webcast presents features and techniques that can help the Microsoft Exchange Server environment achieve strong, layered security. The first topic is the Microsoft Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer. We examine how this tool sets the baseline for the Exchange environment. The Best Practices Analyzer is crucial because ignoring the best practices for Exchange might negate any other practices used to secure Exchange. Next we examine how to secure Exchange, using the server hardening guidance for Exchange, integration with the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Public Key Infrastructure environment, certificates, digital signatures and client protection.

TechNet Webcast: A More Secure and Well-Managed Infrastructure (Part 10 of 18): Sybari Antigen Overview (Level 300)
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Pacific Time
Kai Axford, Security Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
This webcast looks at how the Sybari products can be used to provide extra security for Microsoft messaging environments. See how Sybari products mitigate the issues that unwanted or malicious messages can cause.

TechNet Webcast: Securing Exchange Servers Against External Threats with Antigen (Level 200)
Monday, November 28, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Peter Eicher, Senior Product Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Learn how to use Antigen antivirus to protect your Microsoft Exchange 2003 Servers against external viruses, worms, and spam. This webcast covers Antigen's multiple engine scanning methodology for identifying the latest virus and worm threats, its combination of anti-spam filtering techniques, as well as updating, configuration, and management capabilities that can help stop threats before they reach critical systems. This webcast is intended for information technology professionals who have a surface-level understanding of Antigen antivirus and anti-spam, and who are interested in expanding their technical knowledge.

TechDays 2005: agenda provisória

Aqui ficam então mais algumas novidades sobre o evento TechDays 2005:

• Já existe uma agenda provisória que pode ser consultada no site da Microsoft Portugal;
• Foi igualmente disponibilizada informação sobre os oradores já confirmados.

Qualquer informação adicional pode ser consultada na página oficial do evento.

30 Gigas de mail

A notícia não é propriamente nova (Neowin, RSOutlook), mas achei que merecia uma referência.
O site 30Gigs.com está a oferecer mailboxes com a capacidade de armazenamento até 30 GigaBytes!

30Gigs.com started off with the idea of creating a "All in one" site for the webmaster and avid computer users. Combining personal file storage, GD2 signatures and anonymous email all in one service, which would be free. Our main goal is to increase our space even further, to 50 gigs, or maybe 100 as time goes on.

É pena que, à semelhança do GMail, só funcione por convites. Alguém tem um para mim?

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Como já vem sendo habitual, grande parte do conteúdo desta lista provém de blogs. Cool!

• Thunderbird 1.5 deemed unready for enterprise prime time
• FAQ: Outlook Web Access
• DevNull SMTP: A 'dummy' SMTP server for testing and troubleshooting
• Stripping attachments from non-delivery reports
• Exchange 2003 Microsoft Server ActiveSync and VSAPI
• Resolving SMTP error 550 5.7.1 Unable to relay for user(a)domain.com Error 0x800CCC79
• Phishers Take Aim At New Targets
• Why do spammers spam when they know we hate it so much?
• Outlook 2003 - where has all my mail gone?
• Exchange Standby Clusters are now supported
• Difference Between Deleting a Mailbox and "Remove Exchange Attributes"
• Reporting on forwarding rules in Mailboxes and Public Folders via a script
• Automating a Quicker Exchange 2000 or 2003 / DC reboot
• Sender ID

Baseline BIS TCO Assessment - v3

A Microsoft disponibilizou uma nova ferramenta que permite aos parceiros gerar relatórios de TCO para cenários de migração para Windows 2003 e Exchange 2003.

"The Baseline BIS TCO Assessment analyzes a customer's actual IT costs and helps you to measure the ROI of migrating to Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003 from NT4, NetWare, Exchange 5.5, and GroupWise. It will only take you about 1 hour to gather information about their IT environment for the tool. The Online Training and a Brand New Project Guide are also available – Training is HIGHLY recommended. This tool is focused on the 50-500 Desktop customer (up to 1000 employees). It is designed to be completed and delivered by a Partner, not the end customer."

Tive a oportunidade de experimentar esta nova ferramenta. No final obtenho um relatório que compara os TCO para os diferentes cenários (obviamente o Exchange 2003 é mais económico). A Baseline BIS TCO Assessment - v3 está disponível para download aqui.

TechDays 2005

Vai decorrer de 7 a 10 de Novembro a maior conferência técnica realizada em Portugal sobre tecnologias Microsoft.
Para quem conhece outras conferências organizadas pelo gigante informático, tal como Tech.Ed ou o IT Forum, esta vai ser uma pequena amostra das primeiras (ou talvez um ensaio, nunca se sabe...).
Ou seja, vão ser 78 sessões técnicas pelo preço simbólico de 75 euros. As sessões vão ser conduzidas por pessoal da Microsoft, Parceiros, MVPs e outros especialistas, estando já confirmadas as presenças de oradores prestigiados como Rafal Lukawiecki ou Scott Schnoll.
Além disso, à semelhança dos grandes eventos internacionais, vai existir uma área reservada ao esclarecimento de dúvidas técnicas e ao convívio com especialistas e MVPs.
Eu vou lá estar, e vocês?
Mais informações em http://www.microsoft.com/portugal/techdays/default.mspx.

ADModify.NET 2.1

Conforme noticiado primeiro pelo Mark Fugatt, a nova versão do ADModify.NET foi recentemente disponibilizada.
Aqui fica uma lista das novas funcionalidades:

• Added MAPI user enable/disable (requires Exchange 2003 SP2)
• Fixed bug in variable parser to allow literal /% and /' strings
• Fixed killmail code to include all attributes listed in KB 307350
• Added "Update Email address on General Tab" option for both cmd and gui versions, for updating the mail attribute when a primary SMTP address is added
• Added wildcard search ability when removing email addresses
• Added "do not remove primary" option when removing addresses
• Added Wireless OMA/UIS/UTD options in GUI

Para quem desconhece esta ferramenta, o ADModify permite fazer modificações em massa na Active Directory. O Ben Hoffman tem um exemplo de utilização no seu blog:

• Using ADModify - A real world example

Actualização de segurança para o Exchange 2000

Tal como noticiado anteriormente na página Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification, a Microsoft lançou hoje uma actualização de segurança para o Exchange 2000, conforme descrito no sumário de buletins para Outubro.
A vulnerabilidade está relacionada com o Microsoft CDO e está descrita no Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-048.
Aqui fica o link para download:

• Security Update for Exchange 2000 Server (KB906780)

Novos artigos no Exchange TechCenter

Para quem já terminou a "Leitura de fim-de-semana", aqui fica uma nova dose de literatura técnica. Foram recentemente publicados no Microsoft Exchange Server TechCenter vários artigos. Aqui ficam os links:

• Best Practices for Using Volume Shadow Copy Service with Exchange Server 2003
• Understanding Availability and Site Resilience Solutions for Exchange Server 2003
• Introduction to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 GroupWise Connector
• Offline Address Generation Overview
• How Outlook, CDO, MAPI, and Providers Work Together
• Troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange System Manager Public Folder Expansion Problems
• Recipient Policies and Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003 Sites
• Troubleshooting Fast Growing Transaction Logs on Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Finalmente, uma lista com um "toque pessoal" (há já algum tempo que não acontecia...):

• The Art and Science of Sizing Exchange 2003 (Part 1)
• Entourage 2004 SP2
• Special invitation for EHLO readers to the E12 Developer Conference!
• Displaying Details about Transaction Log files for Each Storage Group
• Enabling and disabling MAPI, POP, IMAP, or HTTP
• Script for searching mailboxes for specified attachments
• Add video clips to your Outlook emails
• Steve Ballmer Details Microsoft’s Security Strategy
• Anti-phishing no Office 2003 Service Pack 2
• Keep Data in Line, Most of the Time

[UPDATE]

• Exchange 2003 on Windows Server 2003 x64

MVP Summit Parte 3: Tecnologia

Como não podia deixar de ser, o Summit também é sobre Tecnologia. O programa MVP foi criado para distinguir a participação em comunidades técnicas, pelo que uma das formas que a Microsoft tem de nos agradecer a nós, MVPs, é dando-nos em primeira mão algumas notícias sobre os seus produtos.
Infelizmente, tudo o que nos é dito está ao abrigo de um Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), pelo que não nos é permitido revelar nada ao público em geral. Mas, julgo que não cometo nenhuma inconfidência se vos informar que tivémos muitas sessões sobre o Exchange 12. Provavelmente a maior parte dessa informação será também revelada na conferência E12 Developer Conference.

Para terminar gostava de salientar 2 curiosidades sobre o campus em Redmond:
1) Foi engraçado verificar que existe uma sala de apresentações chamada Kodiak (lembram-se do nome de código do que era suposto ser a próxima versão de Exchange?)
2) Tive a oportunidade de visitar um laboratório de SQL, uma vez que conheci lá um português que trabalha na Microsoft (ver foto).

E pronto, para o ano há mais (se fôr reconduzido como MVP, claro.)

MVP Summit Parte 2: os Tugas

Pois é, os Tugas arrasaram ;-)
Como ainda sou novo nestas andanças, deu finalmente para conhecer os outros colegas MVPs portugueses. O que tenho a dizer sobre eles é que são todos espectaculares (e acreditem que não estou numa de a55 kissing, é pura sinceridade).
Gostava que fosse possível incluir aqui um apanhado das melhores anedotas que pudémos trocar, mas o decoro e as regras da decência impedem-me de o fazer.
Alberto, João, João Paulo e Paulo, temos de repetir isto mais vezes.

(Private joke: ó João Paulo, vai chamar a Maria para dentro!)

Uma palavra também para a "galera" brasileira, também todos muito "cool". O mais difícil foi mesmo explicar-lhes que eu era um MVP de "Exchénge" ;-)

Aqui ficam algumas fotos:

MVP Summit Parte 1: as Pessoas

Vamos lá então fazer um balanço do que foi o MVP Summit '05. Do meu ponto de vista, o mais importante não é a tecnologia nem as notícias bombásticas, mas sim as pessoas.
São as pessoas que constituem o valor acrescentado num evento como este, a possibilidade de interagir com outros MVPs e pessoal da Microsoft, o associar uma cara a um nome.
Neste aspecto, o Summit foi muito positivo para mim, pois para além de ter revisto algumas caras conhecidas, tive ainda o previlégio de conhecer pessoas como Paul Robichaux, William Lefkovics, Paula Kingsley, Benjamin Mateos, Chris Scharff, KC Lemson, Melissa Travers, Arnaud Alcabez, Gladys Rodriguez, Goran Husman e muitos outros cujo nome agora não me lembro.
Ah, é verdade, e a viagem de regresso também é uma boa oportunidade para conhecer pessoas, certo Eric?
O balanço é francamente positivo neste meu primeiro Summit. Espero para o ano poder repetir a experiência.

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Desta vez têm de me desculpar o atraso. É que a vida aqui no MVP Summit tem sido muito complicada. Mas não me posso queixar, está a ser uma experiência inesquecível (mas sobre isso falarei mais tarde). Vamos lá ver o que temos aqui para hoje:

• Quick VBA script: Attachment reminder for Outlook
• Our SearchExchange.com experts' favorite freeware
• Palm sets sail as Microsoft OEM
• Monad, baby!
• Reporting on Disconnected mailboxes and showing when they will be purged in Exchange 2003
• Showing status of all SMTP Virtual Servers in your domain
• Turning on the "larger than 16GB" feature of Exchange 2003 SP2
• Designing Outlook Forms (Part 2)
• A Look at the Exchange Monitor 2003 Tool
• OAB Troubleshooting Goodies
• Performance troubleshooting basics

MVP Summit, aqui vou eu!

É já amanhã, 28-Set, que parto para Redmond, EUA, para participar no MVP Global Summit 2005.
Para mim é uma estreia e as expectativas são altas: conhecer outros MVP's, ter acesso a alguma informação extra sobre Exchange e, claro, ver uma apresentação do Steve Ballmer.
O mais cansativo vai ser a viagem: partida de Portugal às 10:35 e chegada a Seattle às 20:22, hora local (GMT -8).
Aqui ficam os dados dos meus voos:

Continental Airlines:
1. CO 65 N 28SEP LISEWR HK1 1035 1330
2. CO 1881 N 28SEP EWRSEA HK1 1725 2022
3. CO 1580 V 02OCT SEAEWR HK1 0805 1611
4. CO 64 V 02OCT EWRLIS HK1 2025 0815

Vou tentar colocar aqui alguma informação que não esteja sujeita ao NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement).

Actualização do filtro Junk-Email do Outlook

Já está disponível a actualização de Setembro para o filtro Junk-Email do Outlook 2003.

"This update provides the Junk E-mail Filter in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with a more current definition of which e-mail messages should be considered junk e-mail."

O download está disponível aqui. Como é habitual, será acompanhado pelo respectivo artigo da Knowledge Base (ainda não disponível à hora deste post):

• Description of the Update for Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB904631)

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Desculpem o atraso. Queiram por favor alterar o título deste post para "leitura para as horas livres da semana".

• Microsoft Beefs Up Exchange Support In Mac Office
• Microsoft Partners With Qwest On VoIP
• Top 10 Web sites for Exchange admins
• First Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone in US
• Red Hat still mulling over possible Exchange competitor
• Exchange 2003 SP2: SenderID
• Microsoft Enhances Entourage 2004 for the Enterprise
• Exchange Free / Busy message size
• Importing Vcards from vcf files to Outlook Contacts and Vcard conversion Event sink
• Dual or Pass-Through Authentication in an Exchange 2003 Front-End/Back-End Setup
• Tips for disaster recovery readiness

KB bug: corrigido!

Num post anterior mencionei um artigo da Knowledge Base que continha uma incorrecção. Pois bem, o referido artigo foi alvo de uma revisão e está agora, até prova em contrário, isento de erros.
Aqui fica o link da revisão 2.0:

• You cannot add users to a private address book in Outlook when the forest functional level is set to Windows Server 2003

Download de webcasts

A propósito do meu último post (webcasts em Outubro), não seria muito mais cómodo se pudéssemos fazer download dos webcasts e vê-los à medida do nosso tempo livre? Pois bem, alguém já publicou os procedimentos necessários e publicou-os no seu blog.
Aqui fica a reprodução das instruções:

Requisitos:

• IE6 SP1
• NeTransport 1.94 (disponível em www.xi-soft.com)

Instruções:

1. Abra a página de um webcast, por exemplo:
   http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032244882&Culture=en-US.
2. Quando chegar à janela do Live Meeting, clique com o botão do lado direito do rato nessa janela e seleccione a opção para ver o código. Procure no Notepad o seguinte código:
   var WMFileName = "mms://streaming.placeware.com/aa4/SCG/web/r/mseventsbmo/
   b9v47bjd0g8wsm5k/wmm-11657/placeware.wmv";
3. Copie o URL (mms://streaming.placeware.com/aa4/SCG/web/r/mseventsbmo/
   b9v47bjd0g8wsm5k/wmm-11657/placeware.wmv)
4. Corra o NeTransport, inicie um novo job e faça paste do URL copiado anteriormente! Se tiver um firewall, certifique-se que as portas necessárias não estão bloqueadas.
5. Aguarde que o NeTransport faça o download e já está!

Webcasts de messaging em Outubro

Aqui estão os webcasts de messaging e colaboração para Outubro. Obrigado mais uma vez Eileen.

• Microsoft Webcast: Unlock Lotus Notes Using Microsoft Collaboration Technologies
  Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
  Cliff Reeves, General Manager, Microsoft Corporation Gary Devendorf, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation Jim Bernardo, Enterprise Technical Strategist, Microsoft Corporation
  With advancements in technology, and major new software releases on the horizon from Microsoft and IBM, IBM Lotus Notes/Domino customers are re-examining their readiness for collaboration. In this webcast we discuss how customers can extend their Notes and Domino investments with Microsoft technologies, and why now is the right time to evaluate solutions for integrating your Notes applications within the Microsoft collaboration platform.


• TechNet Webcast: Overview of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Administration Features (Level 300)
  Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time
  Malvin M. Seale, Technical Lead, Microsoft Corporation Get an overview of the new administration features for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2). This webcast covers changes to the 16GB limit and database size management, Public Folder management enhancements, and improvements to the Offline Address Book in Exchange Server 2003 SP2.


• TechNet Webcast: Accessing Exchange Server from Your Mobile Device Using SP2 (Level 300)
  Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time
  Max Ciccotosto, Lead Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
  Does your organization have all the mobile access it could use in the areas of security, flexibility, and affordability? This webcast discusses and demonstrates how Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 provides secure and affordable remote and mobile access to e-mail and Personal Information Manager information across a range of mobile devices. Explore the new mobility enhancements in Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2, including the new always-up-to-date functionality, configuring personal identification number lock settings, remotely wiping a device, configuring soft certificates to access Exchange, and other new mobility enhancements.


• TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 1 of 14): Deployment Planning (Level 200)
  Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
  Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
  How do you effectively plan and deploy Microsoft Exchange Server 2003? Start with this first webcast of the Exchange Server 2003 Series, where we examine the planning phase of any Exchange deployment. Learn the basic consideration for deployment, including hardware and software required to support one or more Exchange servers. From there we examine the infrastructure requirements, covering basic services such as Domain Name System, Microsoft Internet Information Services and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Finally, we explain the biggest infrastructure requirement, Active Directory directory service. Covering integration and deployment paths, the presentation shows how Exchange and Active Directory are linked and how to deploy this critical service.


• TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2003 In Depth (Part 2 of 14): Coexistence and Migration (Level 200)
  Friday, October 28, 2005 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
  Harold Wong, Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
  Does migration have to be a headache? Not if you create a clear path and follow it. This webcast examines coexistence and migration scenarios when moving from Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 or Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Connecting a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 environment to Active Directory as a starting point, the webcast shows how to connect the two directory services and troubleshoot them if they stop performing. With the Active Directory service established, learn how to integrate Exchange Server 2003 into this environment. The webcast concludes with a look at the upgrade path for Exchange Server 2000 deployments to Exchange Server 2003.


• Momentum Webcast: Exchange Server Sizing (Level 100)
  Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
  Steve Tramack, Senior Engineering Manager, HP Solution Alliances, HP
  Successful Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 deployments depend upon properly sizing and configuring your server environment and storage subsystem. A solid understanding of the business needs and technical constraints of these systems is critical to providing a configuration that offers performance at the service levels demanded by your organization. This webcast outlines a six-step methodology for performance planning that provides best practices related to the key sizing resources for sizing Exchange 2003 back-end servers. We identify available tools and resources from Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft for planning a successful messaging environment.


• TechNet Webcast: A Comprehensive Look at Anti-Spam Technologies in Exchange 2003 SP2 (Level 300)
  Monday, October 17, 2005 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time
  Mihai Costea, Program Manager, Exchange Server, Microsoft Corporation Alexander Nikolayev, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
  To keep your information technology infrastructure safe, you must be up-to-date on the latest threats and the countermeasures to block or mitigate them. This webcast presents the complete view of the anti-spam techniques in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2. It includes descriptions and technical drill-downs for features that originally shipped in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, plus the additions in Service Pack 2. The webcast concludes with tips and tricks for fighting spam.


• TechNet Webcast: E-mail Authentication: Importance in Your E-mail Hygiene Strategy (Level 300)
  Friday, October 21, 2005 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time
  Craig Spiezle, Director, Microsoft Corporation Harry Katz, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
  E-mail authentication is as essential to e-mail hygiene strategy as it is to building online trust. This webcast outlines the myths and realities of Sender ID, an industry-wide approach to dealing with the problem of e-mail spoofing and phishing. In this webcast we show how the results of Sender ID must be included in the overall e-mail trustworthiness score. Learn the importance of adding reputation to identity, and see how this improves deliverability of legitimate mail, detection of phishing exploits and reduces the occurrence of false positives. This presentation includes a review of industry momentum and progress around anti-spam and anti-phishing efforts. The webcast also shows examples of creating records, and discusses various complementary e-mail authentication approaches.