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.