Simply finding the right objects and then updating their properties or implementing changes can be a cumbersome process. Many Microsoft systems engineers have developed their own shortcuts and conventions over the years for dealing with the administration of complex Active Directory structures. One tool that has been lacking, however, is the ability to write powerful scripts to manage Active Directory.

The good news is that the arrival of Windows Server 2008 R2 with PowerShell 2.0 and the Active Directory Module changes all of that for the better.

Powershell 2.0 and Active Directory Module

Of the many new features in Windows Server 2008 R2, PowerShell 2.0 is one that may finally be coming into its own. One of the key new features in PowerShell 2.0 is the addition of modules. Modules differ from PowerShell 1.0 snap-ins in that they are self-contained and do not require registration or installation. Rather, modules are imported into the shell via the Import-Module command. Modules can also be offloaded when they are no longer needed.

To use the Active Directory Module, there needs to be at least on Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain Controller running Active Directory Web Services (ADWS) in the domain. As an alternative, the Active Directory Management Gateway Service can be installed on Windows Server 2003 SP2 servers and Windows Server 2008 (non-R2) servers with or without SP2 installed.

For the most powerful configuration of PowerShell 2.0 with the Active Directory Module, you will want to be able to do your scripting remotely from your own computer, or other workstation. This does require Windows 7 in order to install the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT).

The Active Directory Module provides a powerful way to manage AD structures even across domains. Part of the AD Module is the PSDrive Provider which allows you to map to an Active Directory domain using whatever credentials are required via the New-PSDrive cmdlet. Users are connected to their current domain by default. The mapped rights persist for the entire shell session, even if it requires using different login credentials for several different AD domains.

Active Directory Scripts In PowerShell 2.0

There are many different commands included in the Active Directory Module. One count places the total number of new commands at 82. The most commonly used commands, however, are those that match up with the most common Windows Server Administrator tasks. The naming convention for Active Directory cmdlets dictates that each cmdlet start with “AD” in order to help separate the Active Directory versions from similar PowerShell cmdlets available in the base PowerShell.

Thanks to this naming convention, obtaining a list of all the Active Directory Module cmdlets can be done by running the Help *-AD* command.

The most difficult part of getting up to speed with Active Directory management via PowerShell 2.0 is mastering all of the parameters available for each cmdlet. In an effort to allow virtually any function that can be performed manually to be scripted, Microsoft had to provide a working parameter for pretty much every setting, checkbox, and field that there is in the GUI. That means that some commands have a mind boggling array of available options. Fortunately, only a small subset of any cmdlet’s parameters are mandatory in order to run the desired command.

As with any new programming language, the key is to focus in the beginning on the basics and most frequently used options and build mastery as you go along. While it may seem daunting at first, one will quickly find that using built-in cmdlets specifically designed for their purpose ends up being much easier to both code and manage than mastering all of the work-arounds and band-aids currently required to perform the same tasks.

Common Active Directory Cmdlets for PowerShell

The most common administrative tasks within Active Directory are those that relate to creating, finding, and changing objects and users. Not surprisingly, these cmdlets make a great place to start learning and using PowerShell 2.0 to manage Active Directory.

Commonly used PowerShell AD cmdlets include:

• New-ADUser
• New-ADGroup
• New-ADComputer
• New-ADOrganization
• New-ADServiceAccount
• Unlock-ADAccount
• Enable-ADAccount
• Disable-ADAccount
• Get-ADUser
• Add-ADGroupMember
• Get-ADGroupMember
• Get-ADForest
• Get-ADDomain
• Get-ADDomainController

Of course, the real power from scripting comes not from typing in a bunch of esoteric computer commands instead of clicking mouse buttons, but from the ability to save useful scripts and use them over and over again. To this end, Active Directory cmdlets support piping information into the cmdlets. For example, to create a couple dozen new users, the administrator could take the Excel Spreadsheet supplied from Human Resources, export it as a CSV file and then pipe the resulting data to the New-ADUser command: Import-CSV c:\neweuserdata\april-new-employees.csv | New-ADUser and let the script take care of all the basic data entry.

Using parts of the same file, the admin can go back through and using the appropriate cmdlets add users to their respective groups and domains and even apply additional group policies to the new users.

Of course, easy, but highly repetitive tasks can be automated as well. Imagine picking up the phone with a call from a panicked user who has locked himself out of his account (again). A tiny shortcut launched directly with minimal typing and clicking requiring nothing more than the user’s login name quickly firing off and unlocking or even re-enabling the account, all without ever having to leave the screen you were already working on when the phone rang.

PowerShell Resources

Even though the Active Directory Module is new with PowerShell 2.0 there are already some great references available for Microsoft server administrators. Check out Jonathan Medd’s Active Directory PowerShell Quick Reference Guide for help getting up to speed and remembering lesser used commands. Microsoft has a general PowerShell Quick Reference guide as well. For those of you lamenting the hours spent mastering VBScripting, check out the VBScript to Windows PowerShell Conversion Guide.

Learning new technology and skills is never easy, but the truth — if we are willing to admit it — is that as high-tech computer administrators, we quickly grow bored with doing the same things over and over again. Not only does PowerShell 2.0 and the Active Directory Module provide some new material for the skills menu, it also provides a way to eliminate far more tedious, repetitive tasks than ever before.

Related posts:

• PowerShell 2.0: Server 2008 R2 Top New Management Feature
• Take Command of Server 2008 with Windows PowerShell – Part 1
• Don’t be Afraid of PowerShell

PowerShell 1.0 gave systems administrators around the world a new administration tool when it was introduced with Windows Server 2003.

For years, Microsoft has worked to develop a graphical user interface, or GUI, that would make system administration and user administration easier and more user friendly.

In many ways, the company succeeded admirably.

Most admins know at least one or two people who have managed to create a user in a very small Windows Server environment through User Manager and think that they should become a Windows Administrator because they already understand “how to do it.”

However, for administrators in environments where users exceed the number of people it takes to field a couple softball teams, things  are more complicated. In fact, one of the difficulties of properly administering a networked operating system and its servers is keeping all the “little things” consistent across the enterprise. Forgetting a check-box here, and a radio button there, can add up to a security nightmare waiting to happen, or perhaps, a very angry Vice President unable to remotely connect at a critical time.

The solution to some of these problems has been scripting. By writing scripts, Windows system engineers could ensure that repetitive tasks happened correctly and with far less effort than doing them manually. Everything from creating new user accounts, to installing software and upgrades, to basic login scripts has been coded somewhere along the way by a savvy systems admin looking to avoid headaches and spend a little less time on repetitive tasks.

Eventually, new Windows Server features and enhancements began to outstrip the capabilities of the DOS-based scripting that server administrators had been cobbling together. Fortunately, new tools and utilities were also developed that helped reduce some of the reliance on login scripts. For example, User and Group profiles have long since made mapping drive letters via login script obsolete. However, administrators still needed a more powerful scripting environment.

PowerShell 2.0 Upgrades Features and Capabilities

PowerShell has been slightly underrated within the administrator community. One reason is that in order for PowerShell to really perform throughout the enterprise, it needs to be usable on the servers and all the desktops.

Fortunately, Windows 7 comes ready to execute PowerShell scripts. Windows 7 SP1 is set to ship in the near future, which sounds the bell for many long-time IT professionals who live by the rule to always wait for SP1 before upgrading, and Server 2008 R2 comes with PowerShell 2.0 installed by default. As Windows 7 is installed in the enterprise, PowerShell 2.0 will grow even more useful.

Another reason PowerShell has not gotten its fair share of affection from systems administrators is that there were a few nagging things about how PowerShell worked conspiring to make it seem less powerful than it actually was. However, Microsoft has addressed many of these issues and thrown in a few new features as well.

Let’s take a look at some of these new features now.

Remoting

Nothing has been a bigger thorn in the side of PowerShell than Remoting. Remoting is the ability to run commands via PowerShell on remote computers. Technically, some remoting was possible in PowerShell one, but it was limited to the Get-WMIObject cmdlet within Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). Even worse, WMI required RPC connections which meant having to go to the networking guys to get ports opened and firewall exceptions allowed. Not fun.

PowerShell 2.0 allows administrators to run commands on remote computers using the WS-Man (WS-Management) protocols which establish secure connections to remote computers using ports 80 and 443 by default. In many environments these ports will already be open, and in those that they are not, they’ll be a much easier sell to the networking team.

There is one little catch to remoting in PowerShell 2.0. In order to use remoting, it must be enabled on both machines. However, this only needs to be done once. Once enabled, remoting can be used on multiple machines at the same time allowing the administrator to execute the same commands on several computers at once. The applications for this ability are limited only by the admin’s ability (and the availability of the right cmdlet).

New cmdlets

Speaking of cmdlets, PowerShell 2.0 comes with over 100 built-in cmdlets. While this covers a lot of ground, there is no doubt that Microsoft Server administrators will quickly find functions and tasks that require other commands. Fortunately, Microsoft has implemented a way to handle this eventuality as well.

Modules are also new to PowerShell 2.0 and allow script developers to organize code into self-contained reusable units. This functionality has already been used to create a PowerShell 2.0 Active Directory Module which brings more possibilities to managing Active Directory via PowerShell.

Run Background Jobs in PowerShell

Another big addition to the PowerShell feature set is the ability to run background jobs. This means that those PowerShell scripts that take a long time to run can continue to perform in the background while the command prompt returns control immediately to the console.

An admin performing numerous tasks late at night can get them all running right away instead of having to wait until 2:00 AM to run that last command. This is especially useful while remoting multiple machines, especially when those machines are separated by various network connection speeds.

System Events Integration

PowerShell 2.0 now offers the ability to monitor and act on system events which can allow for more proactive scripting.

PowerShell ISE GUI

The most curious edition to PowerShell 2.0 is the PowerShell GUI, which, on the surface, appears to defeat the whole point of PowerShell. However, the GUI is really more of a basic script editor complete with color coded syntax, partial execution, stepping, and graphic debugging. The GUI also includes context sensitive help which can save admins from scanning through the verbose output of some help commands.

With Windows 7 coming to many businesses in the near future and the upcoming release of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, PowerShell 2.0 will be already waiting to go for enterprise-wide control and administration. The time is now for Microsoft systems engineers and administrators to learn how to take advantage of PowerShell 2.0.

PowerShell 2.0 Demonstration

Take a look at the video below to see a short demo of PowerShell 2.0.

Related posts:

• Active Directory PowerShell Scripts Management Tool For Admins
• Don’t be Afraid of PowerShell
• Take Command of Server 2008 with Windows PowerShell – Part 1

As always, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will include a rollup of patches and fixes developed since the original release shipped. Microsoft has also started banging the drum about two new features that are slated to be a part of the first Service Pack for Server 2008 and Windows 7.

New Features in Server 2008 R2 SP1 Update

The two new features mentioned in various statements and internal Microsoft blogs, such as Windows Server Division WebLog (no word on the appropriateness of the capitalized “L” in weblog) are Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX, both of which are functions for Microsoft virtualization.

Dynamic Memory in Server 2008 R2 SP1

Dynamic Memory is a new feature to Hyper-V which allows administrators to allocate all the memory available on a physical host and then have it dynamically distributed among the virtual machines that run on that host. They say that the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Plans for projecting how much memory a given VM may not have been the inspiration for that saying, but they certainly fit. Dynamic memory is a way to try and nudge the plans of Windows Server systems engineers back on track.

Dynamic Memory is similar to the Memory Overcommit feature in VMware that allows for greater VM density on a given set of hardware, but with a different twist. Memory Overcommit works by essentially over-promising how much RAM each VM can have. The theory is that most machines do not use their full allotment of RAM all of the time. Thus, when one virtual machine goes over its “real” memory limit, the virtual manager lets it use some of the memory that a different VM is not currently utilizing. As long as all VMs aren’t trying to use all of their allocation at the same time, there is no problem.

Microsoft has long claimed that Memory Overcommit is a dangerous solution and advocated against using it. While Dynamic Memory is very similar, the twist is that instead of fooling a VM into thinking it has more RAM than it really does, the Hyper-V manager monitors the percentage of memory being used on all the VMs and then changes the maximum amount of RAM the OS has to work with based on those percentages. The net effect is the same; more VMs can be installed on the same hardware.

The whole point of virtualization is to be able to create numerous virtual servers on a single set of hardware, or host, without having to have big reserves of hardware resources, “just in case.” By virtually allocating all hardware resources to virtual machines, IT professionals are able to maximize how costly hardware is used.

But, what happens when a formerly sleepy virtual machine suddenly becomes mission critical?

For example, consider a hypothetical cable TV channel that is typically lost somewhere “in the middle” of the channel numbers. Let’s assume that like many of its competitors this particular channel has some reality TV show starring a not-so-famous famous person when news breaks that the channel’s reality TV star backed over the Pope with his car.

The virtual machine that houses the application used to route incoming phone calls, that annoying, “Press 1 for this. Press 2 for that,” system doesn’t usually require much in the way of resources. On this day, however, it’s running full-speed when some “helpful” person reconfigures the phone lines to allow a lot more incoming call lines.

Now the VM is swamped and bogging down. If it were a submarine, the captain would be ordering Engineering to go to 105% on the reactor, but since it’s a virtual machine, it is paging everyone in IT with monitoring errors.

For even the most foolhardy server administrators, manually reallocating memory among virtual machines isn’t the kind of thing you want to do during business hours while systems are live and users are counting on those critical business systems. Without Dynamic Memory, our heroes are in a jam, having to rush through an emergency change control ticket and notifying users that some of their server-based software is about to reboot.

However, with Dynamic memory, memory is reallocated on the fly without any service interruptions, leaving our poor sys admin to deal with the sudden flood of incoming email and website traffic, instead.

RemoteFX for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

The other major update coming in Service Pack 1 is called RemoteFX. RemoteFX is an improvement that should help iron out some of the unpleasantness of using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services on thin clients. Essentially what RemoteFX does is handle all the heavy lifting for graphics. Rendering is done server-side and then displayed on clients without using their resources. This means that intensive effects like Microsoft Aero should start being a lot more usable on thin clients configured without a lot of hardware power.

This technology comes from Calista Technologies which Microsoft bought two years ago. Microsoft has integrated it into the session virtualization environment (Terminal Services to those of you who don’t update your lingo with every press release). Using a standard RDP connection, resource hogging multimedia presentations, full-motion video, and Silverlight animations can all be viewed seamlessly even on clients that don’t have powerful enough hardware to handle them on their own.

RemoteFX has also been licensed out to Citrix for its XenDesktop VDI, so those enterprises running these systems will be able to take advantage of this new capability as well. Citrix has been promoting HDX as a similar feature, but both companies have said that the technologies are complimentary and not competitive. Time will tell how (or if) the two will integrate.

While Microsoft hasn’t provided any details yet, they have also said that Windows 7 will get an updated RDP client as part of the Windows 7 SP1, which would allow those systems to use the feature as well. While traditional workstations wouldn’t require the feature for standard use, something like high-resolution 3-D rendering could potentially benefit from RemoteFX.

These new features show Microsoft’s willingness to roll out new technologies without a full product release or add-on pack like in the past. However, neither technology is a game changer, and just as important to those enterprises with tight change control and testing procedures, neither function makes core changes to the OS and can be disabled at install.

In the end, SP1 is what it should be, a boring accumulation of patches and a handful of improvements without any major surprises.

Related posts:

• Hyper-V and VMware — Part 2: Features
• Windows 7 Features That Require Server 2008 R2
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Green Features

I Love Train Signal!

My wonderful Train Signal just got a brand new laptop for me with … Windows 7! 

Remember how I gave my boss a little hint in my upgrading from XP to Windows 7 article?  I guess he reads my posts after all, because first thing yesterday morning I get a package with a brand spanking new laptop!  I was so happy I was in tears! (Quite hormonal, yes — but there’s not much you can do when you are about to have a baby AND you get a new laptop you’ve been wanting for months).

Bragging About My New Windows 7 Laptop

Most of the day yesterday I spent setting up my Windows 7, copying files and programs, configuring my preferences, etc., and I must say, Windows 7 makes all of this really easy.  I am not a Windows 7 pro and I haven’t done much training on it either but I was able to figure out almost everything on my own — it’s so easy to use. 

I love the new look and feel and the speed is amazing — I really think I can get used to it quickly.  Now, just so you know, I haven’t used Windows Vista that much.  I know Windows 7 is supposed to be just like Vista and all, but I made the jump to 7 from Windows XP. 

I still love XP and will miss it dearly, but it’s time for me to move on and “go with the flow”.  So, if any of you are still on Windows XP and are afraid of installing Windows 7 — don’t be.  It’s easy and you will have no problem getting used to it.

Redirecting Your Documents Folder in Windows 7

Ok, enough bragging about my new laptop and the awesome Windows 7.

What I want to show you today is how to redirect your Documents folder to a different location on you Windows 7 PC.

I like to keep my Documents folder on my D drive and as of now the default is C:\Users\Public. So, how do I change the default? Here are the steps.

1. To start, click on the start orb, point to Documents and right click. You will get a pop-up menu.  Point and select Properties.

2. In the Documents Properties window, select the Library location you want to remove (in my case it is the C:\Users\Public folder) and click Remove.

3. You can remove them all or you may leave the ones you would like to keep.  I am going to leave the “My Documents” location that is in my profile, in case I want to save files in that location someday.  To add a new location, click on the Include a Folder button.

4. Select the folder you want to include for your Documents and then click Include folder.

5. That folder now shows in your library locations.  To set it as your default save location, select it and then click on Set save location.

6. Make sure to click Apply and OK before you close that window.

7. That’s it!  You can see now that I have two locations for my library.  One is on my C drive and the other — the default one, is on my D drive.

8. I think we should test it.  I created a word document and I am going to click on Save As.  Let’s see where it is going to take me.

9. I’m not going to select anything, just type in the name and click Save.

10. Now I’m going to open up my Documents library and see where the document was saved.

Woo Hoo!  It worked!  The document is on my D drive!

Just like the folder redirection, everything seems to be super easy and common sense in Windows 7.  Is there anything you want to know how to do? 

Let us know and we’ll try to help out!

Related posts:

• My Journey from Windows XP to Windows 7
• How to Create a New Virtual Machine with Hyper-V
• Server 2008: How to Setup a Remote Desktop on Windows Vista

Here are couple things to keep in mind.

First, the new Windows Server 2008 R2 can only be installed (or upgraded) on 64-bit servers.  If you have Server 2008 installed on a 32-bit server, you will first need to upgrade your hardware to 64-bit before upgrading to Server 2008 R2.

Another thing to think about is whether you want to install R2 from scratch or run an upgrade. Both options are available so it is up to you to decide.  When it comes to a clean install, it is quite easy and almost exactly the same as installing Server 2008.

Is the Upgrade Free?

Well, it depends. 

According to Microsoft, if you purchased Windows Server 2008 together with Software Assurance (SA), your upgrade to Server 2008 R2 is free.  If you did not purchase SA, then unfortunately you will need to purchase R2 before upgrading. 

How much will R2 cost without Software Assurance?  Microsoft did not publish the pricing just yet but you can contact your reseller and ask him/her what would be the cost for your upgrade.

To verify that the upgrade is in fact free for people who purchased SA, I contacted Microsoft via live chat.  Here is our quick conversation:

• Jodi: How may I assist you today?
• Gosia: Hi Jodi, I just have a quick question about Windows Server 2008 R2. If I already have Windows Server 2008 – will the upgrade be free or is there a price tag for upgrading?
• Jodi: Do you know if you purchased Software Assurance when you bought Windows Server 2008?
• Gosia: No… I did not purchase Software Assurance…
• Jodi: Ok, It is my understanding that you will have to purchase the Windows Server 2008 R2 if you did not purchase Software Assurance with the Windows Server 2008.  You will not have to re-purchase CALs, just the server software.
• Gosia: I see. But if I had purchased software assurance then it would have been a free upgrade, right?
• Jodi: Correct.  And, customers that had purchased Software Assurance are eligible for Windows Server 2008 R2 before new customers.
• Gosia: That will teach me a lesson for next time. Thank you for your time. That’s all I needed.
• Jodi: Sure.

So as you can see, purchasing SA is always a good idea and it saves you money in a long run.

Improvements in Server 2008 R2

Why should you upgrade to Server 2008 R2?  Are you going to benefit from the upgrade?

Lisa and I have mentioned a couple of our favorite new features in R2 like the Global Search bar in Active Directory Administrative Center or the Recycle Bin in Active Directory.

But besides the cool toys you’re going to get, here are few reasons for upgrading to R2:

• Better performance on more powerful hardware (Windows Server 2008 R2 can be only installed on 64-bit server)
• “Balanced” power policy for processors
• Enhanced Virtual Desktop Integration (VDI) technology
• Efficient Server Management
• Enhancements to Hyper-V
• File Classification Infrastructure (FCI) Feature for data management
• DirectAccess for remote users
• BranchCache for remote offices
• Improved and Simplified Management for SMBs
• Internet Information Services 7.5 (IIS 7.5)

To read more about these features check out the Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade to R2 from Microsoft.

Upgrading to Server 2008 R2 in 8 Easy Steps

Once you’re ready to upgrade your Server 2008 to R2 follow these simple 8 steps.

 
1.  Start the installation by clicking Install Now.

 
2.  Select the option to get the latest updates for installation by click on the option.

 
3. Next, select the appropriate version — I have Server 2008 Enterprise installed on my system so that’s the one I’m choosing. Once you make your selection, click Next.

 
4.  Accept the License terms and click Next.

 
5.  Now we are ready to select the Upgrade option — go ahead and click on the selection.

 
6.  R2 is now going to run a compatibility checker.  If you get a report that some things need to be improved or corrected, you must do that before continuing with the upgrade.

 
7. My compatibility checker gave me a couple of warnings but nothing major, so I’m going to continue. Once you’re ready, click the Next button.

 
8. Now we wait for the Upgrade to complete.

As you can see it is a very easy upgrade and as long as your compatibility checker turns out ok, you are good to go with your new Windows Server 2008 R2 in no time!

Related posts:

• Upgrading to Server 2008 from Server 2003
• A Guide to Upgrading to SCCM 2007 R2
• Installing Hyper-V Server Role in 7 Easy Steps

Hyper-V is becoming more and more popular in the virtual world and so is the Hyper-V certification — MCTS: Windows Server Virtualization, Configuration.

I’m not sure if many of you were aware that this certification even exists, since it’s not as popular as the other Windows Server certifications. In fact, only a little bit over 2 thousand people hold the Hyper-V cert, compared to over 37, 35 and 28 thousand for Active Directory, Network Infrastructure, and Applications Infrastructure certifications, respectively.

Note: The above stats are from 9/9/09; to see more current stats go here.

Well, now that you’re aware of the Hyper-V cert let me give you all the info on what you need to do to get it.

Hyper-V Exam 70-652 Details

From what I heard, the number of exam questions is around 50 with approximately 90-120 minutes to complete them all. The passing score was reported to be the usual 700.

I hear that it has a lot more lab questions that any other MCTS exam.  Overall, however, this exam is not too difficult and with solid preparation and lots of practice you are guaranteed to ace it.

As always, I strongly suggest going through all the questions and answering the ones you know how to answer first.  While doing so, mark the ones that will take longer for you to answer as well as the ones you have no clue about. Once you go through all the questions and reach the final one on your first “round” go back and review the marked questions for the rest of the allotted time.

By using this method you will have a chance to answer all the questions you know and then spend the rest of your time on the ones that you might not be sure about. Be aware of changing your answers on the second run, though. Chances are your “gut feeling” was right and the answer you picked the first time is correct.

Trust me on this one, I learned the hard way

Hyper-V Exam 70-652 Topics

There are 4 main topics on the Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring exam:

• Installing Hyper-V (14%)
• Configuring and Optimizing Hyper-V (20%)
• Deploying Virtual Machines (30%)
• Managing and Monitoring Virtual Machines (36%)

Make sure you know how to deploy, configure and manage Hyper-V machines since it accounts for nearly 2/3 of the exam questions.

I also found out through lots of forums and the nice people who shared their exam experiences that you need to be familiar with SCVMM08 (Systems Center, Virtual Machine Manager), clustering/quick migration requirements, how to use snapshots withing Hyper-V, Authorization Manager, iSCSI configuration for failover clustering, and versioning information for both VMs and Host Servers.

More details about the topics covered are included on this Microsoft page.

Where to Start

You need to start with a good source of information for learning the theory behind virtualization. You can either buy a book or get a training video for this.

Next you need to get yourself a testing environment and put the theory into practice. This should be quite easy since all you need is one decent machine on which you can run multiple virtual machines, or should I say, Hyper-V machines.

As far as hardware is concerned, I would suggest getting at least 4GB of RAM and at least 200GB of hard disk space. You want to be able to run a couple VMs at the same time and still have decent speed.

If you decide to prepare with our Hyper-V training, Coach will show you step-by-step how to create multiple virtual machines to use for practice plus lots of other cool stuff.

Don’t I Need Experience?

Microsoft suggests that you have “at least one and a half years of experience working in Windows Server 2003 and/or Windows 2008 Server environments as system administrators.”  In addition it states that you should be familiar with virtualization products and technologies.”

This is a pretty typical suggestion from Microsoft, they want to make sure that you get enough experience with the technology before you start preparing for the exam.

I would like to add to that and say that if you don’t have the 1.5 years of experience you can make up some of the lost time by practicing.

Start by building your own virtual environment and practice, practice, practice. Break your virtual machines, fix them, and learn as much as you can. Remember that re-creating your VMs is a quick and easy fix, but that’s not the true fix; you should be able to fix them without re-creating them. Find out what went wrong so you can be a real professional in a production environment and on the job.

Practice is also the best way to learn the material for the exam, so make sure you’re getting enough of it.

Why Do I Want to Get Hyper-V Certified?

Virtualization is becoming more and more popular, which means Virtualization experts are becoming more and more in demand.

The Hyper-V certification will give you an edge over your competitors in job searching. As I mentioned in the beginning, there aren’t a lot of Hyper-V experts out there and this cert will give you a chance to become one.

By preparing for and passing the 70-652 exam you will be able to show prospective employers that you’re proficient in setting up, configuring and managing Hyper-V, which should also make you eligible for that promotion or raise you’ve been looking to score.

Related posts:

• MCTS Demystified: What you need to know about the Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure (exam 70-643) Certification
• MCTS Demystified: What you need to know about the Server 2008 Network Infrastructure (exam 70-642) Certification
• MCTS Demystified: What you need to know about the Server 2008 Active Directory (Exam 70-640) Certification

Which one is more valuable?  Which one is going to get you a better job?  Should you get your MCSE certification or go for the new MCITP?

These are all valid questions and they are not easy to answer. You have to keep in mind that one certification may work great for one person, and it may not work out so well for another. 

To make the right decision, you really need to take some time, evaluate your situation and your current position, and come up with a solution that will work for you. To help you get started I would suggest to take into consideration your current job situation and ask yourself these questions:

• Is my company still using Server 2003?  If so, for how long?
• Am I going to be involved with Server 2008 migration?
• How long do I plan on staying with my current company?
• Do I plan on getting a new job?
• Do I want a promotion?
• Do I want to completely change my career?

All these questions (and few more that you might come up with) will help you determine which certification path to go with. But here, let me clarify some info for you guys; let’s start with Windows Server 2003.

Windows Server 2003 MCSA/MCSE

The MCSA and MCSE certifications are very similar. In fact, 4 specific exams required for your MCSE will get you your MCSA in the progress. Then once you pass 3 additional exams you become MCSE certified.

So there are 4 exams required for the MCSA and 7 exams for the MCSE. As you can see the MCSE certification is a little more desirable than the MCSA because it’s more advanced and you’re required to know more (plus you need to pass 3 additional exams).

MCSA Exam Requirements

To become MCSA certified you are required to pass the following exams:

• Exam 70-290 – Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
• Exam 70-291 – Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

And one of these two elective exams:

• Exam 70-620 – TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
• Exam 70-270 – Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional

Plus one additional exam, which is also an elective exam, from a list of about 20 exams to choose from. Here is the complete list — just make sure you’re looking at the Elective Exams under MCSA on Windows Server 2003.

This makes it a total of 4 exams — two required and two electives — to obtain your MCSA on Windows Server 2003.

MCSE Exam Requirements

Once you get your MCSA you will only need to pass the following 3 exams to become MCSE Certified:

• Exam 70-293 – Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• Exam 70-294 – Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

And one of these two:

• Exam 70-297 – Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
• Exam 70-298 – Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network

For more information on the MCSE requirements, exams and their objectives, check out this page.

Windows Server 2008 MCTS/MCITP

Just like with MCSA and MCSE, the MCTS and MCITP certifications are also closely connected. You get one certification on your way to another, except that you earn your MCTS title after passing only a single exam. This is the complete list of the Microsoft exams that you can take to earn your MCTS credential.

It’s also good to know that by passing two of the MCTS exams, you get two MCTS certifications with two specific titles. For example, if you pass the Windows Vista – Configuration (70-620) Exam and the Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration (70-640) Exam you have two MCTS certifications:

1. MCTS: Windows Vista, Configuration
2. MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration

And you can continue to earn your MCTS certifications as you pass additional MCTS exams.

So … how do you earn your MCITP? 

MCITP Exam Requirements

Well first let me mention that there are two MCITP certifications for Windows Server 2008: MCITP: Server Administrator and MCITP: Enterprise Administrator.

For the MCITP Server Administrator Certification you will need to pass:

• Exam 70-640 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• Exam 70-642 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• Exam 70-646 – Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

For the MCITP Enterprise Administrator Certification you will need to pass:

• Exam 70-640 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• Exam 70-642 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• Exam 70-643 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

Plus one of these:

• Exam 70-620 – TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
• Exam 70-624 – TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

And the final exam:

• Exam 70-647 – Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

Notice that exams 70-640 and 70-642 are required for both the Server Admin and Enterprise Admin certs (so it’s probably wise to start with those two exams). The MCITP Enterprise Administrator, like the MCSE, is a bit more advanced and as you can tell, it requires more knowledge and more testing.

If you’re interested in learning more about the two Server 2008 MCITP Certs check out:

• Video on Server 2008 MCITP Certifications
• What’s the difference between MCITP Certified Server Admin and Enterprise Admin?
• How To Become a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Server Administrator

The “Other” MCITP Certifications

I know this is a little off topic, since we are talking about Windows Server certification paths … but I thought I’d mention it anyway.

You can get MCITP certified in SQL Server, Exchange, Windows Client and Microsoft Office Project Server — not just Windows Server. There are several options when it comes to earning your MCITP and it really depends on your personal interests and what you would like to do in the future.

Do you like doing support work and see yourself working at a Help Desk? (I worked at a Help Desk and really enjoyed helping people, it was also a really good experience for me.) If so, then the MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician might be the right choice for you.

If you enjoy working with databases then consider one of the SQL Server MCITP’s — there are 6 to choose from!

There are even two choices for your Server 2008 MCITP cert, that I mentioned above, so it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about the different MCITP certifications before you decide which one is right for you.

Check out the MCITP list from Microsoft to learn more about your choices when it comes to earning your MCITP certification.

The Final Question: MCSE or MCITP?

Option 1: MCITP

To make the right decision, first consider your situation.

If you only passed one of the required MCSE exams and you don’t currently work with Server 2003 (or plan on working with it in the near future) then it might be more advantageous for you to switch over to Server 2008 and start working on your MCITP.

Option 2: MCSE

However, there are many people that already started working towards their MCSE but, for whatever reason didn’t complete it. Should they just abandon their MCSE path and switch to the new MCITP?  Well, it depends.

Think about the questions I posed at the beginning of this article and consider how many exams you still need to complete to earn your MCSE.

At this point it becomes a no brainer — if you already passed 5 of the exams and have only 2 left then you might as well finish your MCSE, since you have already invested a lot of time and effort (not to mention money) on this certification path.

Option 3: MCSE & MCITP

There are advantages to going this route — you earn your MCSE on Server 2003 and then take the additional upgrade exams to earn your MCITP on Server 2008.

The upgrade paths are an awesome shortcut. With an MCSE on Server 2003 (sorry Server 2000 doesn’t qualify for this upgrade) you can earn 3 MCTS certifications by passing a single upgrade exam:

• Exam 70-649 – TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist.

After that you need only one exam to earn your MCITP Server Admin:

• Exam 70-646 – PRO: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

Or two exams to earn your MCITP Enterprise Admin:

• Exam 70-620 – TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client

or

• Exam 70-624 – TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

and

• Exam 70-647 – PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

Here’s some additional information on upgrading your MCSE to MCITP on Server 2008.

Where to Find MCSE and MCITP Training?

Whatever your decision is going to be — whether you want to finish up your MCSE or go for your MCITP — we got you covered! 

We have training videos that will help you earn both your MCSE and MCITP certifications. We also have training for those of you who are interested in the upgrade path from MCSA/MCSE on Server 2003. 

I took the 70-640 and 70-620 exams after watching our videos, just to test our instructors (I know, I’m evil ) and I passed on first try — and so can you!

Here are links to all of our Windows Server 2003 and 2008 training videos:

MCSA/MCSE Server 2003 Training:

• Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Training
• Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure Training
• Windows Server 2003 Security Training

MCTS/MCITP Server 2008 Training:

• Windows Server 2008 MCITP Server Administrator Training Package
• Windows Server 2008 MCITP Enterprise Administrator Training Package
• Upgrading Your MCSE on Server 2003 to Server 2008 MCTS

Time to Decide and Get Windows Server Certified!

No more excuses! No more procrastinating! No more wasting time!

The new MCITP’s have been out for over a year now and it’s time for you to take action — either finish up what you already started on your MCSE path (then take the upgrade exams to earn your MCITP) or, if you think that completing your MCSE is a waste of time then start working toward your MCITP.  Either way, it’s time to make a decision and get certified.

I hope that my article will be able to help you make the right decision and remember, you can always post your specific situation in the comments below and I will try to help you as best as I can! Good luck!

Related posts:

• Dust Off Your MCSE: The New MCTS & MCITP Certifications Are The Future
• What’s the difference between MCITP Certified Server Admin and Enterprise Admin?
• Why Getting Your MCSE Now Is Still A Good Idea

Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements

• 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of RAM (32-bit)/2 GB of RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit)/20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0  or higher driver

These are the big 4 requirements but Microsoft has a list of additional feature based requirements also.  

Looking at this screenshot of my Toshiba Tecra M3 laptop’s hardware specifications you can see that I am in pretty good shape for general hardware requirements. There is also a tool called the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor (only a Beta version is currently available) that will tell me if all my devises will work with Windows 7 as well.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

I downloaded and installed the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. This tool also requires .NET framework 2.0 or higher. I didn’t have it so I was automatically prompted to download and install it before continuing with the upgrade advisor install. 

The upgrade advisor told me to make sure I install all my devices before running the tool so that they can be checked for compatibility. That reminds me. What about my USB adaptor for my Play Station controller? I better still be able to use that.

Success! I am Windows 7 ready! Sort of. While there was no mention of my game controller this message was given for my wireless card:

I wonder why it wants me to download the driver upgrade first before installing Windows 7. If I download it now I would have to have an external device to save it to (I do have one but that’s not the point).  I decided to just ignore this advice and see it if bites me later.

There are several programs that the upgrade advisor is asking me to uninstall before upgrading to Windows 7. I will not be upgrading to 7 from XP as that is impossible. So I don’t need to bother uninstalling anything – everything will be wiped anyway. Did I mention that this tool is a beta?

File Backup

All I need to backup is My Documents, my browser favorites, and my Thunderbird profile. With those all safely copied and pasted onto a USB drive, I am ready to go.

Install Windows 7

I waited all morning on Thursday for the RTM downloads to show up on TechNet. Sometime around noon (CDT) I hit refresh and there they were – the  versions of Windows 7 in all their shining glory. I chose the 32 bit version of 7 Ultimate and started the download.

I also got a key from TechNet and made sure it was saved in a .txt file on my USB drive. What? Did you expect me physically to write it down? How barbaric.

After 3 hours and still no completed download I saw a tweet form Keith Combs with a tip to use the Akamai Technologies Download Manager Browser add-on at TechNet’s Top Downloads.  This was much faster!

My second attempt at downloading the ISO file finished in only 42 minutes. However, and this is a huge however – I simultaneously discovered that my DVD/CD-ROM drive on the Toshiba does not work. When was the last time I even tried to use it? I can’t be certain. This puts a damper on things.

Well, if I am going to embark on trying to make a bootable USB drive I might as well make it for my netbook instead and just get the Toshiba’s DVD/CD-ROM fixed/replaced. Now the focus switches to my Acer Aspire One A150X. This means a quick trip back to TechNet to get Windows 7 Home Premium instead of Ultimate (a new key too).

Create a Bootable USB to Install Windows 7 From

After some Googling I found a guide at IntoWindows.com for making a bootable USB drive.  This guide shows the steps for making the drive bootable using Vista so I used a different (yes a third) computer to actually create the bootable drive.

I was using a 400GB external HDD instead of a little USB key. Therefore the line in the instructions that says “Format process may take few seconds” was a wee bit of an understatement. After an hour and a half the format was only at 18%.

Instead, I just used the normal Windows GIU method to do a quick format after assigning the drive a letter. This time, after an actual few seconds passed I just went back to the command prompt and continued on to step number 6. This worked for me just fine, but I would suggest sticking to the written directions if possible.

At this point I was getting impatient. I didn’t bother with the Upgrade Advisor, I just checked to make sure the netbook had the minimum hardware requirements (it does), backed up my needed files, and went for it.

My first trip into the BIOS to change the boot order did not list USB as an option – not all computers can do this. However, after trying it again … with the USB drive actually plugged in to the computer, the option was available.

Custom Windows 7 Installation

I then followed the install wizard as it did its business:
A custom install is a clean install.

I left the XP restore partition on the netbook (hey you never know), and chose not to further partition the drive. The third drive you see here is actually the bootable USB hard drive.

Besides asking for a computer name, username, time zone, and other expected configurations — the custom install asked me for my network information.  You could always skip this step if you want, but why not set it up now.

Tada! Windows 7 on my netbook! That was easy.

All that is left is to get it configured just how I want. Sliding scale UAC controls here I come! Windows 7 sure has some wacky standard desktop backgrounds available.

So how many computers does it take for Lisa to install Windows 7?

The answer is 4. I know you probably only counted 3. In a momentary act of stupidity, I actually tried another ridiculously old machine I have that is running Windows ME. Needless to say it wouldn’t even open the Windows 7 install disk.  So the final tally is:

• 2 broken/obsolete computers that were nothing but distractions from my true quest (you can’t polish a turd)
• 1 current Vista machine on which to create the bootable USB drive
• 1 slick little Acer netbook that eventually did run 7

Oh and don’t forget the 400GB external hard drive and my trusty Nikon D200 for all the awesome photos of the install.

Well, I hope your upgrade/custom install journey goes significantly better than mine did. I guess it was worth it in the end.

Share Your Journey: How did your Windows 7 install turn out?

Related posts:

• Windows 7 — Downgradable But Not Upgradable
• How to Redirect Your Documents Folder in Windows 7
• W00T! Window 7 and Server 2008 R2 RTM

In my last post about SQL Server Certification we talked about the SQL Server 2008 Administrator (70-432) Exam. 

I also told you that there are 3 different types of SQL certifications:

• Implementation and Maintenance
• Database Development
• Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

Since exam 70-432 focuses on Implementation and Maintenance and we already covered it, now it’s time to talk about the second type of SQL certification: Database Development. 

You can obtain the MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development certification by passing a single exam: 70-433 Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development.

70-433 Exam Details

As we all know, Microsoft doesn’t like to share the details of their exams with anyone. They change their exams periodically to throw people off and keep them on their toes. I was able to get some info about the 70-433 exam but keep in mind that this information might change by the time you read this.

I don’t think it’s going to be completely different, but some things like the total number of questions, or the depth of coverage for specific topics might be different. So just keep that in mind when you are preparing for this exam, ok?

I think the best news is — you do not need any prerequisites to take this exam. This is an entry level exam for a database developer.  You will receive your MCTS status after passing this single exam.

The Microsoft Learning site states that anyone who wants to take this exam should be an IT professional who “works in jobs in which database development is their main area of responsibility, or they work in environments in which databases are central to their primary job roles. These job roles include the following:

• IT generalists who work in environments in which SQL Server 2008 is part of an overall solution
• IT professionals who manage systems that run SQL Server 2008
• Developers who build applications that use SQL Server 2008
• IT professionals who work with third-party applications that are built on SQL Server 2008″

Does that mean you can’t take this exam if you are just entering the field.  Nope — nobody is going to ask you where you work of what your title is if you go to take the exam, so don’t worry. If you have the desire to get the SQL Server Developer cert then go for it!

I heard that there are about 60 questions for this exam with 3 hours to complete it.  This might not be 100% accurate however, as the person who took this exam doesn’t remember exactly.  (Sorry guys, I guess we need more certified SQL developers out there so I can bother them with my questions. If you do find exact numbers please share them in the comments with everyone.)

The passing score is the usual 700.  I say, “usual” because most of Microsoft exams have a passing score of 700 — so that’s easy to remember. From what I heard, this exam isn’t too difficult; you should be able to pass it after adequately preparing for it.

70-433 Exam Topics

The following topics are covered in this particular exam:

• Implementing Tables and Views (14 percent)
• Implementing Programming Objects (16 percent)
• Working with Query Fundamentals (21 percent)
• Applying Additional Query Techniques (15 percent)
• Working with Additional SQL Server Components (11 percent)
• Working with XML Data (12 percent)
• Gathering Performance Information (11 percent)

There is also a detailed version of this list at Microsoft Learning. It has a list of subtopics and other detailed information for this exam.

Where to Start?

Like with any other exam preparation I would start by getting some type of training material: a book, a training video or singing up for an instructor lead class.  You will get a better understanding of SQL databases with some previous database experience.  What you need is basic knowledge of what a database is and how it functions. 

If you are a complete n00b to SQL and are interested in learning the basics before studying for the developer exam, check out our free SQL 101 training videos — they are really good (I reviewed them all so you can trust me).

How About Experience?

Well, sure experience is great.  But how are you supposed to get hands-on experience with SQL when you are trying to get into the field? 

Easy — you get your own server, install a free trial version of SQL Server 2008 and practice, practice, and then practice some more. 

Follow examples from the book or video that you’re learning from and do them on your server. Make sure to break something and then try to fix it. Don’t just reinstall SQL, put your troubleshooting skills to the test and see if you can fix ‘em.  That will be extremely helpful in your position as a SQL Developer since there is no way you can just re-install the database everyone is working on.

Do I Need This Certification?

Certification is not everything; in my opinion, you need the knowledge more than your certification. The cert will however be beneficial if you’re trying to get a job as a SQL Server developer. So since you are going after the knowledge then why not get the proof that you know your stuff.

Does Train Signal have SQL Database Developer Training?

At the moment, we are very close to having the complete SQL Server Developer training available. 

I am currently working with Mel Haynes, our SQL Server Instructor on all the final videos that are going to be included in this course. We are very close — cross your fingers so that we can have it released in early September!

Related posts:

• Get SQL Server Certified: What you need to know about the SQL Server 2008 Administrator (70-432) Exam
• MCTS Demystified: What you need to know about the Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure (exam 70-643) Certification
• MCTS Demystified: What you need to know about the Server 2008 Network Infrastructure (exam 70-642) Certification

PowerShell is Microsoft’s newish extensible scripting language and corresponding command line shell. PowerShell was specifically made for IT professionals to achieve greater productivity and control system administration more easily. 

What PowerShell Can Help You Do

The thing is, PowerShell can do pretty much anything except walk your dog for you. You can even check the date and time if you really wanted to. I guess you could stop using the command line all together and do all your cmd tasks from within the PowerShell shell.

However, the real fun comes in when you can use PowerShell to make your sysadmin life easier. Here are a few random examples:

• Inventory your servers like what each has, the free memory, what service pack it is running, and so on.
• Add multiple users at once to your AD and then give them all a mailbox in Exchange.
• Back up and sync certain files then email yourself a corresponding log file…every night.
• Test out those scary commands before committing to them using the Whatif feature.
• And maybe the most compelling thing: You know how in Server 2008 R2 you can recover an AD object from the recycle bin after you have – oops – deleted it? Well you won’t find that option anywhere in the GUI. You need PowerShell to do it. If that isn’t a reason to give PowerShell a try then I don’t know what is!

For the Newbies

Good News! You don’t need any prior programming experience to use PowerShell — it is that intuitive. But, just so we are on the same page here is a short vocab lesson:

• Shell – What you the user actually interacts with. Either a command line or a GUI (graphical user interface).
• Extensible – The ability of a system to grow and change as needed.
• Scripting Language – Well, there are numerous debates going on all over creation about the difference between a programming language and a scripting language. You don’t really need to understand the specifics to understand that PowerShell is a language that you use to do administrative tasks. Who cares whether it is interpreted or compiled?
• cmdlets – Pronounced command-lets. Cmdlets are simple tools that can be used separately, but their power is realized when you combine these simple tools to perform complex tasks. Microsoft provides buckets of built-in cmdlets  but you can write your own if you see fit.

For the People with Programming or Unix Experience

Not surprisingly PowerShell has all the comforts of home: man pages, aliases, wildcards, and pipelines; if statements, recursion, and loops.

If you have worked with VB or WHS then you should be able to make the translation pretty easily. There is even help for translating your existing VB scripts to PowerShell.

PowerShell Resources to Get You Started

1. Take Command of Server 2008 with PowerShell — a short series of articles that provide a good introduction to PowerShell
2. PowerShell FAQ provided by Microsoft
3. Professor PowerShell Jeff Hick’s educational column on MCPmag.com
4. Windows PowerShell Owners Manual a free guide to getting started with PowerShell
5. Scripting with Windows PowerShell a list of resources for sysadmins interested in learning about PowerShell
6. Windows PowerShell Blog with information about the latest advancements in PowerShell
7. Windows PowerShell Cookbook providing you with recipes to do specific tasks with PowerShell.
8. Windows PowerShell 2.0 will teach you just about everything you ever wanted to know about PowerShell (and more)

 Good luck!

Related posts:

• Take Command of Server 2008 with Windows PowerShell – Part 1
• Active Directory PowerShell Scripts Management Tool For Admins
• Take Command of Server 2008 with Windows PowerShell – Part 2