31 de maio de 2006

Introdução ao Microsoft PowerShell

Por esta altura espero que o nome de Microsoft PowerShell, previamente conhecido por Monad, faça já parte do vosso vocabulário corrente.
Quem pretender aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre esta tecnologia de scripting que permite administrar totalmente o Exchange 2007, a Realtime Nexus está a disponibilizar um eBook grátis: An Introduction to Microsoft PowerShell (fonte: blog do Anderson Patrício).

Forget batch files and set your VBScripts aside: There’s a new scripting and automation kid on the block and its name is Microsoft® PowerShell™. Designed from the ground up to be powerful, flexible, consistent, and complete, PowerShell™ promises easier and more efficient Windows and Windows Server System administration. In this short Realtimepublishers eBooklet, An Introduction to Microsoft® PowerShell™, scripting guru Don Jones introduces you to PowerShell™, tells you a bit about how it works, and gives you a sneak peak of PowerShell™ in action. Now’s the chance to start learning what some are calling “the most significant technology for Windows administrators since the invention of remote control.”
Access to this expert publication is offered at no charge to readers. The complete eBook is currently available as an Adobe® Acrobat PDF file.

Exchange 2003 em Windows x64? Nem pensar!

Recentemente, estava eu num cliente a implementar uma infraestrutura de IT - AD, Exchange, SQL, etc. - quando me deparei com um problema inultrapassável. Os servidores eram recentes e suportavam Windows x64, por isso a decisão lógica foi a de instalar esta versão do Windows Server 2003.
Quando chegou a altura de instalar o Exchange Server 2003, começaram os problemas. A parte de Forestprep e Domainprep correram bem, mas quando lancei o setup do Exchange, fui confrontado com um aviso que o ASP.NET não estava instalado.
Após alguma pesquisa no Google, descobri finalmente que esta configuração não é suportada (bolas, já devia saber isto!).
De facto, o Exchange 2003 corre e é suportado em hardware de 64 bits, desde que o sistema operativo instalado seja de 32 bits! Foi a solução seguida.
Aqui ficam alguns links relacionados:

26 de maio de 2006

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Uma lista pequena esta semana, assim podem ler com mais atenção o primeiro artigo ;-)

25 de maio de 2006

Managing Exchange Messaging Services by Using Metrics

Grande, grande documento da equipa Microsoft IT: Managing Exchange Messaging Services by Using Metrics.

This white paper covers:

  • The business value of monitoring and managing Exchange messaging services as an end-to-end business service.
  • The team roles that Microsoft IT uses in monitoring and managing its Exchange messaging services.
  • The meaning of Exchange messaging service management.
  • The components of Exchange messaging service management.
  • The metrics that Microsoft IT uses for monitoring and managing its Exchange messaging services.
  • The processes that Microsoft IT uses for managing its Exchange messaging services.
  • The products and technologies that Microsoft IT uses to monitor and manage Exchange messaging services (including the Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 SLA Scorecard for Exchange).
  • The best practices that Microsoft IT uses in managing its Exchange messaging services.



E aqui fica o resumo das melhores práticas que a equipa Microsoft IT segue:
  • Use MOM 2005 to monitor Exchange Server 2003
  • Apply MOF best practices.
  • Collect metrics by using an automated method.
  • Clearly identify the business requirements for the service and map them to appropriate service levels.
  • Use the service virtual team approach for service delivery.
  • Adopt knowledge management processes that deliver consistent Exchange messaging services at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Complete all the details of the service map to understand the dependencies and facilitate SLA and OLA discussions.
  • Conduct service review meetings weekly and monthly.

Sender ID overview

A Microsoft actualizou o folheto de divulgação da tecnologia de Sender ID (versão 2.0). Aqui fica a lista das empresas que já adoptaram este método de combate ao correio não-solicitado:



E aqui ficam mais alguns links interessantes:

  1. Sender ID: "Implementation Tips for the Sender ID Framework—Creating Your SPF Record"
  2. Sender ID: "Sender ID Framework Deployment Overview"
  3. "Sender ID: Authenticating E-Mail" Specification (Draft)
  4. Sender ID: "Sender ID Framework Executive Overview"
  5. Sender ID: "Sender Policy Framework: Authorizing Use of Domains in Mail From"

23 de maio de 2006

TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows

Quer se seja um Administrador de Exchange, um novato ou apenas um curioso tecnológico, os fundamentos de TCP/IP são absolutamente essenciais. A Microsoft publicou ontem o documento TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows. Definitivamente uma leitura obrigatória!

"This online book is a structured, introductory approach to the basic concepts and principles of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocol suite, how the most important protocols function, and their basic configuration in the Microsoft® Windows Server® 2003 and Windows® XP operating systems. This book is primarily a discussion of concepts and principles to lay a conceptual foundation for the TCP/IP protocol suite and provides an integrated discussion of both Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)."

22 de maio de 2006

Exchange e Outlook dominam o mercado do correio electrónico

De acordo com um estudo efectuado pelo Radicati Group, o Microsoft Exchange Server e o Microsoft Outlook são os campeões do mercado do correio electrónico.

The Radicati Group, Inc.’s latest study, “Microsoft Exchange and Outlook Analysis, 2006-2010,” provides an in-depth analysis of current and forecasted MS Exchange installed base, with extensive breakouts by version, business size and region. According to the report, Microsoft Exchange currently commands a 31% installed base market share and a 52% revenue market share of the corporate insourced messaging software market. The next version of Exchange, called Exchange 2007, is expected to be released in early 2007. Microsoft is also currently beta testing a hosted e-mail service called Office Live.

Microsoft has aggressively expanded its reach into the hosted e-mail market since 2003, and we expect that Microsoft’s revenue in this market will grow at an average annual rate of 25% over the next four years.

Microsoft leads the e-mail client market with Outlook, Outlook Express and Outlook Web Access. Uptake for Outlook Mobile, the company’s e-mail client for mobile devices has also been strong, due to increased demand for smartphones.

Leiam a Press Release completa.

19 de maio de 2006

Standalone Device Emulator 1.0

Finalmente! A Microsoft decidiu lançar uma versão standalone do emulador de dispositivos móveis (smartphone e pocketpc). Antes o emulador estava apenas disponível com a instalação do Visual Studio, embora houvesse uma solução/workaround que não requeria a suite de desenvolvimento da Microsoft (Standalone Emulator).
Bem, o que é certo é que agora já existe a versão oficial standalone. E vem acompanhada com imagens do Windows Mobile 5.0 com o Messaging and Security Feature Pack, o que quer dizer que podemos simular as últimas funcionalidades do Exchange Server SP2: DirectPush e Remote Wipe.
O emulador está disponível neste link e, já agora, aqui ficam umas imagens do seu aspecto.


P.S. À data deste post, a página onde se pode descarregar o emulador tem uma gralha no título ;-)

17 de maio de 2006

Webcasts de messaging em Junho

Fonte: Eileen Brown's WebLog

TechNet Webcast: Security Matters: Secure Messaging (Level 200)
Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Ryan McGee, Senior Product Manager, Security Product Market, Microsoft Corporation
This webcast outlines the Microsoft approach to securing a messaging infrastructure. Learn about the comprehensive, multi-layered Microsoft messaging solution comprised of on-premise software and hosted services that complement Microsoft Exchange Server. These products and technologies help prevent server outages, improve employee productivity, and enable secure remote access to Exchange Server. The customer's ability to choose how they want to deploy and manage their messaging infrastructure is given particular focus in this session.TechNet

Webcast: Integrating SharePoint Portal Server 2003, Outlook, and Exchange (Level 300)
Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Pacific Time
Scott Jamison, Information Worker Architect, Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 and Microsoft Office Outlook provide key integration points such as contacts and calendars. However, many users want additional integration. This webcast explains how to better integrate SharePoint Portal Server 2003, Outlook, and Microsoft Exchange Server using custom Web parts, Single Sign-On (SSO), search in SharePoint Portal Server, and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005.

TechNet Webcast: Protecting Your Exchange Server 2007 Network from Viruses and Spam (Level 300)
Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Mihai Costea, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Join this webcast to learn about the agent-based messaging hygiene features in the next version of Microsoft Exchange Server, code-named Exchange Server 2007. Out of the box, Exchange Server 2007 provides you with a competitive antispam solution that is composed of multiple filters with frequent updates and a built-in IP reputation system. Of interest to independent software vendors (ISVs) is antivirus technology such as store scanning and mechanisms for reliable and efficient transport scanning.

TechNet Webcast: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Next Generation of Exchange (Level 200)
Monday, June 12, 2006 - 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Pacific Time
Terry Myerson, General Manager of Exchange, Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, the next major version of Exchange Server, represents a leap forward. Information workers can now access larger mailboxes, and e-mail administrators have a more manageable and secure e-mail infrastructure than in the past. In this webcast, we provide an overview of the Exchange Server product direction and look at some of the new features that are included in the product.

TechNet Webcast: Getting Started with Exchange Server 2007: Simple Installation, Setup, and Administration Scenarios (Level 200)
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Alexander MacLeod, Software Development Engineer Test Lead, Microsoft Corporation, Charlie Chung, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Built on a standard Microsoft installer so that you can take advantage of patching services such as the Software Update Service. New server roles so that you can flexibly deploy the topologies you require. The power to automate installation. These are just some of the new advancements in the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 setup experience. This is a must-see webcast if you are looking for an overview and walk-through of how to deploy Exchange Server 2007.

TechNet Webcast: Mail That Speaks to You: Unified Messaging in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 (Level 200)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time
David Howell, Group Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Unified Messaging is being integrated into Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Attend this webcast to learn about the features and benefits of Exchange Unified Messaging. Exchange Unified Messaging supports speech recognition, so this demonstration is one you aren't going to want to miss! See how Exchange can take voice mail and fax messages and how you can call in over any phone to access your voice mail, e-mail, calendar, or contacts. Exchange Unified Messaging also supports a speech-enabled corporate directory service (an automated attendant) right out of the box, so that you can customize a highly professional telephone presence for your company.

Microsoft Office System Webcast: Tips and Tricks for More Secure Communication with Outlook 2003 (Level 100)
Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Andy Reed, Senior Training Specialist, Pacific Technical Consulting (PTC)
Learn the fundamentals of security, auditing, privacy, and protection in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003. Find out how to choose secure passwords, create profiles, limit exposure to viruses and junk e-mail, create more secure attachments, and incorporate encryption and digital signatures into your e-mail. This webcast on connected productivity shows how you can reduce vulnerabilities and enhance reliable communication inside and outside your organization by implementing Outlook 2003 with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. This webcast illustrates these techniques through demonstrations that represent typical interactions between team members.

Momentum Webcast: Increase E-Mail Security and Availability Using Active Directory (Level 100)
Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Tim Armstrong, Technology presenter, Microsoft Corporation
Maintaining the security and availability of e-mail is a daily responsibility for IT professionals. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 was developed with this challenge in mind. Exchange Server 2003 builds on the strengths of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory directory service to provide your organization with a secure and powerful e-mail infrastructure. Attend this webcast to learn how Exchange and Active Directory work together to increase the security and availability of your e-mail system, while opening new ways for users to access their information.

TechNet Webcast: Using Microsoft Antigen 9.0 to Secure E-Mail Servers (Level 200)
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Peter Eicher, Senior Product Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Attend this webcast to learn about the latest versions of Microsoft Antigen for Exchange, Antigen for SMTP Gateways, and Antigen Spam Manager. Discover how these products can help protect your business from viruses, worms, spam, and inappropriate content. Find out how Antigen manages multiple antivirus engines to help improve overall virus detection, integrates multiple anti-spam technologies for maximum protection against unsolicited e-mail, and prevents undesirable language or inappropriate content from entering or leaving your organization’s e-mail system. This session includes a live demonstration of Antigen for Exchange, in addition to a discussion of new features like integration of the new Microsoft antivirus engine, improved cluster support, and an enhanced signature update process.

15 de maio de 2006

A Internet Security Systems (ISS) acredita que nos tempos mais próximos poderá surgir um worm que explore a vulnerabilidade descrita no boletim de segurança MS06-019 e que afectará os sistemas baseados em Exchange Server em todo o Mundo. De acordo com a equipa X-Force da ISS:

"Testing done by X-Force confirms denial of service of the Exchange Server is easily achieved with no user interaction and is not mitigated by firewall best practices.
Further analysis of this issue reveals that code execution is possible, but difficult to obtain. However, with the high profile of Microsoft Exchange as a target and the nature in which it is typically deployed, we expect to see active exploitation of this issue in the wild with the possibility of a worm."

Aceitem este conselho, apliquem o patch o mais depressa possível.
Links relacionados:

11 de maio de 2006

Mais 2...

... documentos de Exchange que foram recentemente actualizados e passaram para o novo formato (do qual eu não sou grande fã), encontrando-se agora sincronizados com a versão online.

10 de maio de 2006

Actualização do filtro Junk Email do Outlook (Maio 2006)

Está disponível uma nova actualização para o filtro Junk E-mail 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:

9 de maio de 2006

Administration Guide for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

A Microsoft acaba de actualizar o documento Administration Guide for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, que está agora na versão 4.0.
São algumas centenas (!) de procedimentos que estão minuciosamente descritos, pelo que se recomenda a sua leitura atenta.

This guide explains how features work in the Exchange Server architecture, and how to configure and manage these features for optimal results. This content ranges from configuring global settings at an organizational level, to managing individual servers, to managing Exchange clusters. After reading this guide, you will have a solid understanding of what it takes to configure and manage your Exchange Server 2003 organization.

Actualizações de segurança para Exchange 2000 & 2003

A Microsoft disponibilizou uma actualização de segurança para o Exchange, incluída no boletim mensal de patches de vulnerabilidades.
A vulnerabilidade em causa, MS06-019, pode permitir execução remota de código e encontra-se descrita no artigo 916803 da Knowledge Base. A actualização está disponível nos seguintes links:

Novo blog@MSExchange.org

Desde o dia 5 de Maio que iniciei um novo blog no site MSExchange.org. O endereço é:

O conteúdo deste blog será Inglês e o tema será, obviamente, o servidor Exchange e tudo o que o rodeia. Apesar de eu ser o autor de um outro blog em Inglês, http://msmvps.com/ehlo, tenciono manter os dois, sendo que os conteúdos serão exclusivos em cada um dos blogs.

5 de maio de 2006

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Devido à não publicação desta rúbrica na semana passada, a lista de hoje será anormalmente extensa. Se não tiverem tempo de ler tudo, vejam ao menos o primeiro :-)

Exchange & Office 2007 Roadshow


Andava eu pelos grupos de discussão técnicos da Microsoft, quando li um post do David Figueiredo muito interessante. A Windows IT Pro Magazine em colaboração com a Microsoft está a organizar uma conferência de 1 dia sobre Exchange & Office 2007.

"Get the facts about deploying Exchange & Office 2007 in one information-packed day. Independent Exchange and Office experts will present practical, real-world information in three tracks -- Exchange 12 for the IT Pro, Delivering Better Inbox Value, and The Business Value of Office 2007. Each presentation will end with a question-and-answer session. You'll come away from the Get Ready for Exchange & Office 2007 Roadshow with a clear understanding of how to implement a best-practices migration to Exchange Server 2007, how to use Exchange Server 2007's new capabilities to improve your messaging environment, and how you and your end users can get the most out of Office 2007."

Este roadshow ocorrerá no Centro de Congressos de Lisboa (antiga FIL) no próximo dia 30 de Maio. O registo é grátis e dá ainda direito a uma assinatura digital da revista Windows IT Pro durante 6 meses. Aqui fica o link para o site oficial do evento:

Actualização de ferramentas de Exchange

A Microsoft voltou a realizar pequenas actualizações nalgumas ferramentas de Exchange. Aqui fica a lista:

Documentos de Exchange

A Microsoft está a realizar um esforço no sentido de manter as versões online dos documentos sincronizadas com as versões disponíveis para download.
O último documento documento que passou por este processo foi Exchange Server 2003 RPC over HTTP Deployment Scenarios.
Foi também o caso dos documentos que eu referi num post anterior, Novos documentos de Exchange (?).

3 de maio de 2006

E o nome oficial do Exchange "12" é... Exchange 2007

De volta das minhas repousantes férias, deparei-me com esta notícia "bombástica". O nome oficial da próxima versão do Exchange será Exchange Server 2007.
Duh! Mas será que não poderia ser mais óbvio? Senão vejamos, o nome de código da versão presentemente em desenvolvimento é Exchange "12" e a razão para o "12" foi para alinhar com a versão do Office. Ora, dado que o nome oficial do Office há muito que é conhecido, Office 2007, não faria sentido que o Exchange tivesse agora um nome diferente.
Aqi ficam alguns links relacionados, incluindo um da KC Lemson com uma proposta para o novo logo:

E por falar em nomes oficiais, também o Monad foi rebaptizado: PowerShell! Vejam também os links: