12 de fevereiro de 2007

Exchange Load Generator

Aqui está uma nova ferramenta para testar o desempenho do Exchange Server 2007, de preferência antes de o colocar em produção:

Brief Description
Exchange Load Generator is a simulation tool to measure the impact of MAPI clients on Exchange servers.

Overview
Use Microsoft Exchange Load Generator (LoadGen) as a simulation tool to measure the impact of MAPI clients on Exchange servers. LoadGen allows you to test how a server running Exchange responds to e-mail loads. To simulate the delivery of these messaging requests, you run LoadGen tests on client computers. These tests send multiple messaging requests to the Exchange server, thereby causing a mail load. LoadGen is a useful tool for administrators who are sizing servers and validating a deployment plan. Specifically, LoadGen helps you determine if each of your servers can handle the load to which they are intended to carry. Another use for LoadGen is to help validate the overall solution.

Important! LoadGen should be used only in laboratories that have no connection to the production environment. This tool should not be used in any way in a production environment or an environment that is mission critical or contains important information of any kind anywhere in the network.

Note: When creating accounts using the Load Generator graphical user interface, the Master Password and Master Domain parameters will not be used. Instead, the domain and password of the directory access account will be used for this purpose, so the created accounts will have the same password and domain as the directory access account.

Note If you use the recipient management features of this release to create users or other recipient objects and you have one or more Exchange Server 2007 servers in your test topology, you must run the Load Generator application with user credentials that have permission to manage Exchange recipients. The directory access account specified in the application configuration will not be used for this purpose.

11 de fevereiro de 2007

Leitura de fim-de-semana

8 de fevereiro de 2007

Exchange Server 2007 Hosted Trial

A Microsoft disponibilizou uma demonstração das capacidades do Exchange Server 2007 no campo do Unified Communications. Para obter uma conta de demo, basta ir à página Exchange Server 2007 Hosted Trial, inscrever-se e receberá de imediato uma mensagem electrónica com as credenciais de acesso. Basicamente será disponibilizado o acesso OWA e um número de telefone (nos EUA) para "falar" com o Exchange.
Um pormenor importante: a língua Portuguesa é suportada!


Welcome to the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Hosted Trial Web site. You can create a temporary account to experience the features of Exchange Server 2007 which will stay active for 5 days. Your account will be pre-populated with sample messages, calendar appointments and contacts to help you have a rich experience. You will be able to send and receive mail, schedule meetings, and adjust your options. You can access your account via Microsoft Outlook Web
Access, Microsoft Office Outlook, or an Exchange ActiveSync compatible application.

E, por feliz coincidência, o serviço é disponibilizado pela Unisys ;-)

7 de fevereiro de 2007

Novo projecto

Não, não vou iniciar mais um blog sobre Exchange Server. Já me chegam os 3 (!) que mantenho actualmente ;-)
Os leitores mais atentos, que não lêem este blog através de um qualquer feed reader, terão porventura reparado que o logo no canto superior direito mudou recentemente.
A verdade é que iniciei esta semana um novo projecto na Unisys Portugal, após quase 3 anos no meu antigo empregador, a ParaRede.
Continuarei ligado a tecnologias Microsoft e espero obviamente ter muitos projectos com o Exchange 2007, para que possa alimentar este blog com informação interessante.

Documentos de implementação de Exchange 2007

Aqui estão alguns documentos recentemente publicados pela Microsoft. São documentos técnicos de implementação de organizações Exchange 2007, de acordo com 4 modelos: simple, standard, large e complex.

Para mais informações sobre os 4 modelos de topologias aqui apresentados, consultem Planning Your Deployment.

2 de fevereiro de 2007

Leitura de fim-de-semana

1 de fevereiro de 2007

Time Zone Data Update Tool for Microsoft Outlook

Muito se tem falado ultimamente nas alterações de hora que ocorrem 2 vezes por ano, por motivos energéticos. Isto tudo porque os Estados Unidos resolveram alterar o período onde tipicamente ocorria esta mudança. Tive até oportunidade de referir este assunto e as implicações num ambiente colaborativo num dos meus outros blogs: Preparing for DST 2007.
A Microsoft disponibilizou agora uma ferramenta que permite ajustar os items do Calendário do Outlook: Time Zone Data Update Tool for Microsoft Office Outlook.

Overview
In order to address time zone changes, this tool will help adjust calendar items in Outlook after the operating system has been updated with new time zone definitions. While this tool is being released in advance of the U.S. Daylight saving time rules change in 2007, it can be used for general adjustments of calendar items based on changes in time zone definitions saved in Windows or by the user making a permanent move to another time zone.

Specifics:

  • In existing recurring appointments, Outlook has encoded the current DST rules: Instances of recurring appointments that occur during the delta period will appear one hour earlier than they should.
  • For existing single-instance appointments and reminders, Outlook already calculated the universal time coordinate (UTC) value upon appointment creation: If a user creates an appointment while Windows is configured for the old DST rules and the appointment itself occurs during the "new" DST weeks, the appointment will appear one hour earlier than it should.
  • Existing all-day events are associated with 24 specific hours instead of a given date: For the reasons described above, all-day events will appear to shift and thus span two days during the "new" DST weeks.

For addtional information about the time zone changes and Microsoft Office Outlook, refer to the Addressing daylight saving time using the Outlook Time Zone Data Update Tool Support article.

29 de janeiro de 2007

Exchange Server 2007 Management Tools (32-Bit)

O Exchange Server 2007 é um produto de 64 bit, pelo que as ferramentas de gestão que o acompanham são igualmente para esta arquitectura.
Tradicionalmente, sempre foi possível realizar a instalação das ferramentas de administração do programa num servidor ou estação de trabalho remotos, pelo que a Microsoft disponibilizou a versão 32-bit desta parte do software: Exchange Server 2007 Management Tools (32-Bit).

Brief Description
Exchange Server 2007 is a native 64-bit application that includes 64-bit management tools. You can use the management tools to administer your Exchange Server environment remotely. If the remote computer is running a 32-bit operating system, you will need to download the 32-bit management tools.


Overview
The Exchange management tools include the Exchange Management Console, the Exchange Management Shell, the Exchange Help file, the Microsoft Exchange Best Practices Analyzer Tool, and the Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant Tool.

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003 R2 (32-Bit x86); Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1; Windows XP

27 de janeiro de 2007

Webcasts de Exchange em Fevereiro

Directamente do blog da Eileen Brown:

TechNet Webcast: Labcast Series (Part 1 of 8): Installing Exchange Server 2007 (Level 200)
Friday, February 02, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322628&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Exchange Server 2007 (Part 05 of 24): Transitioning and Migrating to Exchange Server 2007 (Level 200)
Monday, February 05, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322095&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Exchange Server 2007 (Part 06 of 24): Configuring Exchange Server Introduction (Level 200)
Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322488&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Exchange Server 2007 (Part 07 of 24): Configuring Exchange Server Conclusion (Level 200)
Friday, February 09, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322490&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2007 Guided Labcast Series (Part 2 of 8): Analysis Tools in Exchange Server 2007 (Level 200)
Monday, February 12, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032323267&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Exchange Server 2007 (Part 08 of 24): Introduction to Windows PowerShell (Level 200)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific TimeHarold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322492&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Exchange Server 2007 (Part 09 of 24): Using PowerShell for Exchange Management (Level 200)
Friday, February 16, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322846&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2007 Guided Labcast Series (Part 3 of 8): Compliance and Retention (Level 200)
Monday, February 19, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322848&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: The Windows PowerShell Scripting Crash Course (Level 200)
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Don Jones, Scripting Guru, Author, SAPIEN Technology
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032321617&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Exchange Server 2007 (Part 10 of 24): Recipient Management, Policies, and Permissions (Level 200)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032323274&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: Protecting Your Exchange Server with Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) (Level 300)
Thursday, February 22, 2007 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time
Jason Buffington, Technical Product Manager, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032322917&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Exchange Server 2007 (Part 11 of 24): Messaging Policies and Compliance (Level 200)
Friday, February 23, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032323313&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: Exchange Server 2007 Guided Labcast Series (Part 4 of 8): Using Management Console and Shell (Level 200)
Monday, February 26, 2007 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Harold Wong, Senior Technology Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032323389&Culture=en-US

Momentum Webcast: Discover the Next Generation of Communications with Exchange Server 2007 (Level 100)
Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Tim Armstrong, Solutions Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032320630&Culture=en-US

Microsoft Webcast: Deploying Exchange Server 2007 (Level 100)
Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Karl Sand, Senior Solutions Architect, AdvaiyaAaron Duggal, Principal Consultant, Advaiya
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319736&Culture=en-US

26 de janeiro de 2007

Leitura de fim-de-semana

25 de janeiro de 2007

Outlook Home Page

Provavelmente, até o leitor mais distraído já terá reparado que este blog se centra no Microsoft Exchange Server. Mas este assunto não se esgota neste produto servidor da Microsoft, há tanto mais para falar, desde comunicações unificadas, técnicas anti-spam, ferramentas de terceiros, alternativas comerciais e open-source, etc.
Uma das partes que eu tenho tendência a descurar é a parte cliente de uma plataforma de messaging, e que na maior parte das vezes é o Microsoft Outlook. O Outlook é um grande software, nesta nova versão é muito mais que um simples leitor de correio electrónico.
Há muitos sites na Internet dedicados ao Outlook, como por exemplo o do fellow MVP Ricardo Silva: RSOUTLOOK.
No entanto, a principal razão porque escrevo este post é para vos falar da Home Page do Microsoft Outlook. Lá poderão encontrar não só documentação técnica, mas também informação sobre versões de avaliação, suporte, notícias, etc. Visitem-na, vale bem a pena.

Informação técnica de Exchange na HP

A HP sempre foi um dos principais parceiros da Microsoft, parceria essa que ter-se-á acentuado com a aquisição da Compaq.
Desde os primeiros tempos em que comecei a trabalhar com o Exchange, que os servidores HP/Compaq foram sempre o hardware mais utilizado para esta plataforma de correio electrónico. Aliás, a minha primeira instalação de Exchange, versão 5.0, foi feita num servidor Compaq ProLiant 1600.
A HP e a Microsoft têm trabalhado conjuntamente para produzir alguma documentação técnica de elevada qualidade sobre Microsoft Exchange. Essa documentação está disponível no site da HP neste link.
Eu próprio já bloguei sobre algumas das ferramentas disponibilizadas no site, tal como o HP Storage Planning Calculator for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Também já tive a oportunidade de testar um storage server deste fabricante e escrever 2 artigos sobre o assunto:

Tudo isto sempre com a preciosa ajuda da documentação técnica disponibilizada pela HP.

18 de janeiro de 2007

Exchange 2007 Visio Stencil

A Microsoft disponibilizou há sensivelmente 1 mês um stencil de Visio com as shapes necessárias para desenhar uma solução de messaging baseada em Exchange Server 2007: Office Visio Stencil Containing Shapes for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.


Overview
This stencil and template provided enable you to create Visio drawings that contain Exchange Server 2007 objects. These shapes include icons for Exchange 2007 server roles, networking, telephony and Unified Messaging objects, Active Directory and directory service objects, client computers and devices, and other Exchange organization elements.

System Requirements
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000; Windows 2000 Server; Windows Server 2003; Windows XP
• Microsoft Office Visio 2003 or later.

Instructions
To use this stencil, place these 2 files (MicrosoftExchangeServer2007_Icons.vst and MicrosoftExchangeServer2007_Icons.vss) in your local C:\Documents and Settings\yourname\My Documents\My Shapes folder. In Visio, click File, click Open, and then go to your My Shapes folder. Open the MicrosoftExchangeServer2007_Icons.vst file. The shapes will appear in the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 stencil in the Shapes pane.

PowerShell Space Invaders

Esta eu descobri no blog do Paul Flaherty (aka Flaphead). Alguém se deu ao trabalho de fazer um Space Invaders utilizando o PowerShell. Segundo o autor:

In a previous post I said that I always like to try to write space invaders in every language that I learn. Well, PowerShell in the standard Windows console window looked like a great candidate so I set about the task in my spare time. My colleagues Richy King, Nik Crabtree and Brian Long joined in the efforts and between us, after 37 revisions, we came up with something that was:
a) Silly
b) Inappropriate use of PowerShell
c) Quite a bit of fun.


Ainda não tive oportunidade de jogar, mas o aspecto gráfico não está nada mau.

17 de janeiro de 2007

Microsoft Outlook SMS Add-in (MOSA)

A Microsoft disponibilizou um add-in para o Microsoft Outlook versões 2003 e 2007: Microsoft Outlook SMS Add-in (MOSA). Este add-in permite o envio de mensagens SMS directamente a partir do Outlook, desde que se tenha um telemóvel ou um modem GSM ligado ao computador.

Overview
This download will enable you to send SMS text messages through most GSM mobile phones connected to your PC using Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2003. You can enter your SMS text within a Outlook-type entry form and have it sent to your mobile phone for delivery through your mobile phone network service. There is no requirement to install third-party software or to subscribe to additional mobile network services if your mobile phone can be connected to your PC. This is typically via an infrared connection, Bluetooth technology, or a USB/serial cable. The SMS messages can be saved as a draft, grouped, and forwarded like standard Microsoft Outlook e-mail.

A instalação é bastante simples e requer apenas um restart ao Outlook. No final é acrescentada uma nova toolbar, conforme se ilustra na figura seguinte.



Ao clicar em "New SMS Message", é aberta uma janela para a inserção do texto.

Actualização p/ ISA 2006 p/ publicação de Exchange 2007

A Microsoft disponibilizou uma actualização para o ISA Server 2006 (Update for Publishing Microsoft® Exchange Server 2007 for Microsoft® Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006) para suportar a publicação do Exchange Server 2007.

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

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


System Requirements
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003
• Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 Standard Edition
• Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 Enterprise Edition
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

16 de janeiro de 2007

Actualização para o Exchange 2003 (KB 922817)

A Microsoft disponibilizou ontem uma actualização para o Exchange 2003 (KB 922817).

Brief Description

This update resolves issues which may occur if a server running Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 is used to generate an Offline Address List (also known as Offline Address Book) after Exchange Server 2007 has been deployed.

Overview

This update is required if the Offline Address Book (OAB) generation is moved from an Exchange 2007 server to an Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) server. It resolves issues which are caused due to changes in the OAB version 4 in Exchange 2007.

This update is also recommended if the OAB is generated on an Exchange Server 2003 SP2 server after Exchange 2007 is deployed in the Exchange organization.

System Requirements

  • Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003; Windows Server 2003 R2 (32-Bit x86); Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1
  • Exchange 2003 SP2 must be installed prior to installing this update.

Artigo da Knowledge Base

Error message when you try to change the offline address list server from Exchange Server 2007 to Exchange Server 2003: "The target server cannot support OAB"

15 de janeiro de 2007

Microsoft TechDays 2007


Depois do sucesso que foram os TechDays 2005, vai-se realizar durante os próximos dias 20, 21 e 22 de Março o mais importante evento técnico organizado pela Microsoft Portugal: TechDays 2007.

Conteúdos Temáticos:

  • System Center e Forefront
  • Plataforma de Comunicações Unificadas
  • Office system de 2007
  • Windows Server codename "Longhorn"
  • Business Intelligence
  • Virtualização
  • .NET 3.0
  • Web Live
  • Team System

Preço:

  • Até 15-Fev: 99€
  • A partir de 16-Fev: 150 €

Leitura de fim-de-semana

Após algum tempo de ausência devido a compromissos profissionais, a rúbrica "Leitura defim-de-semana" está de volta (mesmo que com um ligeiro atraso).