MOF 4.0 updated guides released

Posted by DH on 4th December 2009

MOF 4.0 is practical guidance for IT organizations. With the release of version 4.0, MOF now reflects a single, comprehensive IT service lifecycle—it helps IT professionals connect service management principles to everyday IT tasks and activities and ensures alignment between IT and the business.

New!  Getting Started with MOF 4.0: An Implementation Guide.

This new extension of the MOF core content speaks to three targeted audiences—the CIO/IT director, IT managers, and individual contributors. The guide is the first step to a more efficient MOF implementation. It provides role- and situation-specific guidance, focused on helping users understand where to apply MOF and how to get the most from its recommendations.

MOF Action Plan: Release Readiness for Windows 7.

The latest release in the MOF Action Plan series addresses the challenge of validating people-readiness for Windows 7 deployment. Building upon guidance from the MOF Release Readiness Management Review, this action plan asks the reader to evaluate four distinct aspects of release readiness. The action plan provides key considerations to determine organizational preparedness, as well as guidance for creating a tailored deployment checklist.

MOF Action Plan: Redistributing the Workload.

This new series of MOF Action Plans was created to address the many challenges faced by IT pros. These resources provide IT pros with concise, actionable solutions that address real-world IT problems. The first release in this new series addresses the challenge of redistributing the workload due to staffing cuts. It asks readers to consider and reconfigure responsibilities and work distribution, based on key principles and best practices from MOF 4.0 core content.

Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0.

MOF 4.0 is designed to help IT professionals quickly access useful, relevant content. It contains practical guidance—not just theory—and its streamlined approach makes it possible to use either the entire framework or one process from a particular service management function (SMF).

Using MOF for ISO/IEC 20000.

This guide will help IT management, staff, and service providers to understand ISO/IEC 20000 requirements and help them use MOF as a means to streamlined and efficient implementation. The guide enables users to take informed steps toward ISO/IEC implementation, make cost-reducing process improvements, and increase organizational efficiency and flexibility. Ultimately, the steps outlined in this guide will help an organization meet ISO/IEC 20000 requirements and deliver effective IT services.

Cross Reference ITIL V3 and MOF 4.0.

This guide compares the similarities and differences between two of the leading service management frameworks—the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and Microsoft Operations Framework. In an environment where IT organizations are challenged as never before to deliver better IT services at lower costs, these service management frameworks offer best practice guidance for service improvement. This guide provides background information on IT Service Management (ITSM), introduces ITIL and MOF, and then discusses the two frameworks’ alignment, cross referencing, and application. It will enhance readers’ understanding of the main characteristics of these frameworks and how they align.

Planning for Software-plus-Services: A MOF Companion Guide.

This guide provides a framework for considering and planning a software-plus-service strategy, using concise guidance and strategies from MOF 4.0 core content. The steps in this guide can be used to evaluate how software-plus-services will best help an organization. This is the first of the MOF companion guides, which apply MOF 4.0 principles to specific activities—making MOF’s guidance even more practical and usable.

MOF to COBIT/Val IT Comparison and Cross-Implementation Guide: How to Leverage MOF in a COBIT/Val IT Environment.

This guide connects MOF, COBIT, and Val IT, enabling IT operations managers and professionals to understand how to best meet the mounting challenge of managing IT services in a way that appropriately demonstrates compliance. The guide describes the three frameworks, discusses their relationship to each other, and offers tips and techniques on how to use MOF to achieve the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) objectives defined in the COBIT and Val IT governance frameworks. This guide will ultimately help users understand how MOF aligns with and supports the governance frameworks as well as the vital role MOF plays in integrating GRC capabilities into the daily operations of delivering high-quality and reliable IT services. To launch the download of this guide, go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151989.

MOF Job Aids.

These templates, worksheets, and tools help IT pros apply MOF 4.0 guidance to specific scenarios and challenges.

IT Pro Quick Start Kit.

Save time and money by learning more about MOF 4.0. The IT Pro Quick Start Kit gives an overview of MOF 4.0 and provides the tools to start using it today. The kit includes links to presentations and data sheets, information on MOF, compliance, and training and certification, ready-to-use graphics, and supporting materials.

To learn more, visit www.microsoft.com/MOF.

Send questions or feedback to us directly at mof@microsoft.com.

Download files:          http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=457ed61d-27b8-49d1-baca-b175e8f54c0c

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Comparison between XP SP3, Vista SP1 and Windows 7.

Posted by DH on 1st June 2009

comparison_clients_os

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Windows 7 Virtual PC Tips

Posted by DH on 20th May 2009

Windows 7 Virtual PC Tips

Windows Virtual PC is a new optional component for Windows 7. This document provides some additional insight into Windows Virtual PC and provides some useful tips to help make your experience better.

Overview

Note: This is a preliminary document and may be changed substantially prior to final commercial release of the software described herein. Windows Virtual PC is a new optional component for Windows 7. This document provides some additional insight into Windows Virtual PC and provides some useful tips to help make your experience better. Explore setup and installation, Windows XP mode, virtual application, networking, and virtual machine creation and management.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems:

  • Windows 7
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP

Download the “Windows Virtual PC tips” guide in pdf format.

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Windows 7 XP Mode versus MED-V

Posted by DH on 29th April 2009

When to use XP Mode (XPM) or MED-V

Standalone versus Enterprise.

XP Mode (XPM) is based on a preconfigured XP SP3 VPC and has fewer options than MED-V when looking at management, monitoring and deployment. MED-V uses a client on the desktop which gives the IT staff far more manageability options then when using XPM. XPM is NOT designed for Enterprise environments. Imagine when supporting 5000 standalone Virtual PCs on top of Windows 7. Also with MED-V Windows 2000 SP4 is supported as guest OS and I can’t find anywhere if this is supported within XPM. My guess is that it’s not.

So when you want to go forward in the Microsoft Core IO model, and not backwards you should use MED-V and not XPM.

Components XPM (all client components):

  • A VHD package based on Windows XP SP3.
  • Virtual PC 7 with USB and multi-monitor support.

Components MED-V (client and server components):

  • Administrator-defined “master” virtual machine – encapsulates a full desktop environment: an OS, applications and optional management and security tools.
  • Image Repository – stores all virtual images on a standard IIS server and enables virtual images version management, client-authenticated image retrieval, and efficient download (of a new image or an updates) via Trim Transfer technology.
  • Management Server – associates virtual images from the image repository along with administrator usage policies to Microsoft Active Directory users or groups. The Management Server also aggregates clients’ events, and stores them in an external database (MS SQL) for monitoring and reporting purposes.
  • A unified Management Console – enables administrators to control the Management Server and the Image Repository.
  • End-user Client for supporting:
    • Virtual image life-cycle – Authentication, image retrieval, enforcement of usage policies.
    • Virtual machine session management – Background start, stop, suspend of the virtual machine.
    • Single desktop experience – Seamlessly make the applications installed in the virtual machine available through the standard desktop Start menu, and integrate the applications with other applications on the user desktop.

So where is it designed for.

Windows XP Mode is specifically designed to help small-business users to run their Windows XP applications on their Windows 7 desktop.

  • Windows XP Mode is available for Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise customers.
  • Windows XP Mode combines Windows Virtual PC and a pre-installed virtual Windows XP environment to allow users run many older applications.
  • Windows Virtual PC will enable users to launch virtual applications seamlessly from the Windows 7 Start menu.
  • Windows Virtual PC includes support for USB devices and is based on a new core that includes multi-threading support.

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) is designed for large IT environments and should be implemented by IT professionals.

  • MED-V enables Virtual PC deployment in larger organizations.
  • MED-V provides centralized management, policy-based provisioning and virtual image delivery to reduce the cost of Virtual PC deployment.
  • MED-V v1 builds on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 to help enterprises with their upgrade to Windows Vista when applications are not yet compatible.
  • MED-V v2 will add support for Windows 7 (both 32 bit and 64bit) and Windows Virtual PC.
  • MED-V v2 beta will be available within 90 days of Windows 7 GA.

How MED-V adds management to Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC?

To provide a managed, scalable solution for running virtual Windows XP applications, MED-V addresses many of the IT challenges around deployment and management including:

Deployment – deliver virtual Windows images and customize per user and device settings

  • Automate first-time virtual PC setup based on an IT customized script – including assignment of a unique computer name, joining to AD domain
    (for instance: assign the virtual PC a name that is derived from the physical device name or the username to simplify identification and management)
  • Adjust virtual PC memory allocation based on available RAM on host, so that the virtual PC does not take significant resources from the user

Provisioning - define which applications and websites are available to different users

  • Assign virtual PC images according to users and groups
  • Define which Windows XP applications will be available to the user through the start menu
  • Define which websites (e.g. internal sites that requires a previous version of Internet Explorer) are redirected automatically to Windows XP

 Control – assign and expire usage permissions and Virtual PC settings

  • Control the network settings of the Virtual PC (e.g. whether it connects through NAT or DHCP, whether its DNS is synchronized with host)
  • Authenticate user before granting access to the Virtual PC
  • Set expiration date, after which the Virtual PC is not accessible to the end user

Maintenance and Support – update images, monitor users and remotely troubleshoot

  • Update images using TrimTransfer network image delivery – update a master Virtual PC image, and MED-V will automatically distribute and apply the changes to all endpoints
  • Centralized database aggregates events from all users, and provides troubleshooting information on malfunctioning virtual PCs
  • Administrator diagnostics mode allows faster resolution of Virtual PC issues

Run on multiple platforms – MED-V will work on both Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Which customers should use Windows XP Mode standalone?

Windows XP Mode standalone is suitable for small and medium business users, who are able to set their XP applications themselves and may or may not have IT Professional staff. Each PC has its own virtual Windows XP environment that is controlled and managed by the end user. Windows XP Mode standalone is not designed for large, centrally managed deployments that have widely deployed business applications that require Windows XP. So in summary MED-V builds on top of Windows Virtual PC and adds important management capabilities.

So what does MED-V brings more than XPM.

MED-V adds four additional layers on top of Microsoft Virtual PC to enable enterprise deployment of desktop virtualization:

Virtual images repository and delivery MED-V provides mechanisms for simplifying the process of creating, testing, delivering and maintaining virtual images from a central location:

  • Administrator console for virtual image creation and testing.
  • Centralized virtual images repository for image storage, versioning and delivery, based on Microsoft IIS web servers.
  • A client component (standard MSI installation) that automatically retrieves virtual images from the centralized repository.
  • Auto-install package for self deployment of the client component and the virtual images via removable media (e.g., DVD) or from a website.
  • An efficient, bandwidth-conserving TrimTransfer mechanism for delivering and updating virtual images over the network..
  • Support for image delivery through standard enterprise content distribution systems (e.g., Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager).

Centralized management and monitoring ─ MED-V helps administrators manage the entire life-cycle of virtual machines deployed to desktops throughout the enterprise. The centralized management and monitoring capabilities provided by MED-V include:

  • A central management server that controls all deployed virtual machines.
  • Integration with Microsoft Active Directory® Domain Services to enable provisioning of virtual images based on group membership or user identity.
  • User authentication prior to accessing the virtual image (whether the host is online or offline).
  • A mechanism for automating the first-time setup of virtual machines at the endpoint, including assignment of a unique computer name, performing initial network setup, joining the virtual machine to a corporate domain.
  • Support for deployment throughout a heterogeneous environment, adjusting memory allocation for the virtual PC according to the available RAM of the endpoint, and changing network settings according to the local network.
  • A central database of client activity and events, facilitating monitoring and remote troubleshooting.

Usage policy and data transfer control MED-V client enforces user/group usage policies, access permissions to virtual images and data transfer permissions:

  • Virtual image protection that prevents unauthorized execution.
  • A configurable expiration for the virtual image or a time limit for offline use (so that the user is forced to re-authorize before continuing to work offline).
  • The ability to allow or block data transfer between the virtual machine and the endpoint, via copy/paste, file transfer, or printing.
  • Web browser redirection of admin-predefined domains (such as the corporate intranet or sites that require an older version of the browser) from the endpoint browser to a browser within the virtual machine.  

Seamless end-user experience – MED-V can be configured to provide a seamless experience, making users unaware of the virtual machines running in the background. It reduces the training required for deploying virtualization to non-technical users:

  • “Invisible virtual machine” – Simplified work process for operating virtual machines through a user-friendly tray menu. The user is not required to learn the principles of virtualization, or view an additional desktop as is usually required when running a virtual PC.
  • Published applications: Applications that are installed in the virtual machine become available through the standard desktop Start Menu. Those applications then run in Virtual PC, but are seamlessly integrated into the user desktop and appear side-by-side with native applications.
  • Power user mode: Technical users and administrators are able to view the virtual machine loading processes and desktop if required.  

More information on MED-V’s architecture can be found here: Download MED-V Architecture White Paper 

Check the Desktop Virtualization Blog here: http://blogs.technet.com/medv/default.aspx 

This is just a small comparison between the 2 technologies. There is more to come on these products from an architectural point of view.

Stay Tuned.

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Register for Beta Exam 71-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring.

Posted by DH on 16th April 2009

Register for Beta Exam 71-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring  (Updated)

You are invited to take beta exam 71-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration.

By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring counts as credit towards the following certification(s): MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration

Availability

  • Registration begins: April 27, 2009
  • Beta exam period runs: May 5, 2009- May 18, 2009

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately! Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions).  All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

 Registration Information

  • You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.
  • Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: WIN7J
  • Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

Full story here: http://blogs.technet.com/betaexams/archive/2009/04/15/register-for-beta-exam-71-680-ts-windows-7-configuring.aspx

More Windows 7 exams in development: http://blogs.technet.com/mslcommunity/archive/2009/03/25/sneak-peek-at-windows-7-exam-development.aspx

Prepare for the exam (updated 28th of April 2009)

Useful resources:

Some Microsoft Clinics.

Topics to know for the exam based on clinics:

  • Discuss configuration of the UAC elevation prompt
  • Explain BitLocker Data Encryption for removable storage devices
  • Summarize how to create and enforce AppLocker rules
  • Describe how Windows Defender helps to improve security on a computer
  • Describe how DirectAccess helps improve the connectivity experience for remote users
  • Explain how caching works to help make users in a branch office more productive
  • Summarize how to use libraries and search to organize and find information
  • Describe how taskbar and Control Panel improvements bring together common tasks and information to reduce clutter and improve navigation
  • Explain how to perform a Windows Backup and Restore
  • Describe troubleshooting enhancements including the Problem Steps Recorder, unified tracing concepts, Performance Monitor, and Windows PowerShell 2.0
  • Configure User Account Control.
  • Utilize the User Account Type and Elevation Prompt.
  • Configure Local Security Policy.
  • Configure Windows Firewall.
  • Create AppLocker Rules and configure enforcement.
  • Configure Windows Defender.
  • Set indexing locations and modify advanced options.
  • Execute searches form multiple locations.
  • Create a library and set security permissions.
  • Create and deploy a search connector.
  • Use the built-in diagnostics tools to diagnose and resolve system problems.
  • Use Performance Monitor to collect system performance information.
  • Configure the Action Center and view messages.
  • Examine events in Event Viewer and create a custom view.
  • Configure Device Manager and control device installation.
  • Run Windows PowerShell commands.
  • Configure Backup and Restore option.
  • Configure the Sync Center.

Enjoy learning!

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