For all those who were unable to attend, I guess this may be helpful for you all. I am Ashwin and have completed MCSE in Windows 2003.
Forward to the
TechNET Briefing at The Microsoft Technology Roadshow, held at NCPA, Sorabjee-Tata Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai on 20th September 2005, and my
previous post, here are my reviews:
The session was worth attending for any IT Professional. All those who attended went back home with good knowledge gained.
The session was started a bit late by 10 to 15 minutes. As the session started and the slides were being shown, I was just imagining if this is not another simply sales oriented sessions. Soon after few minutes, we were shown a few demos and then the session became more lively and interactive. There were several questions coming in and the speakers had put their best efforts in explaining them at the best. The interesting part I would like to point out, the post lunch sessions were the best in the day since that didn't send anyone from the audience to doze off ;)
Here is my detailed review on every session. I have put in a few efforts in giving you a brief overview. Also all the information that was passed on to us regarding the downloadable tools, they are searched from Microsoft site and brought to you here for direct download for your convenience. Hope you may like them and make the best use of these resources. I would appreciate if anyone of those who have attended and feel that I have not mentioned in this review, please do post and also let me know incase of any errors found in this document.
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Session 1: 09:00 - 10:45 am
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As mentioned on TechNET Site:
Approaches to Fighting Spam in an Exchange Environment (Level 200)
Speaker: Ravi Sankar, I.T. Professional Evangelist, Microsoft India
Discover how you can benefit from Exchange Server 2003 with new and enhanced features designed to combat the influx of junk e-mail messages. Not only is it a nuisance, but spam can also be expensive when you factor in the potential loss of productivity and the additional resources required to deal with it. This session looks at the Exchange Server 2003 anti-spam tools.
We examine the built-in UCE filtering tools that can stop spam at the gateway, and cover Accept and Deny lists, IP filtering, sender filtering, recipient filtering, and how you can use the Intelligent Message Filter (IMF) in your organization as an anti-spam strategy. We introduce Smart Screen Technology, which is the technology behind IMF. Smart Screen Technology has identified elements of a message that increase the probability that a message is UCE. We will cover Smart Screen strategy, development, and deployment, and learn how to use IMF to minimize spam’s effect on servers and users. Finally, we cover administration of the IMF by seeing how to set thresholds appropriate for your organization, how to track IMF’s spam control, and how to customize the tool for your organization.
Session Prerequisites
Experience supporting Microsoft Networks, administering Exchange Server 2003, using and supporting Outlook
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The session was started with brief information on spam and junk mails, the additions and features in Exchange Server 2003.
Unsolicited emails, junk mails / spam not only waste users time in deleting them but also uses memory resources, network bandwidth etc... This can be now be eliminated with the help of new features included in Exchange Server 2003
We were then explained in brief on the 5 layers of spam blocking / filtering on which this Exchange Server works. They are:
Layer 1: Accept Deny List
Layer 2: Block List
Layer 3: Recipient Filter
Layer 4: Sender Filtering
Layer 5: Intelligent Message Filter (IMF)
Layer 1: Accept Deny List
Accept and Deny list of domains / IP etc... can be set in Exchange Server 2003. This will evaluate between the ID's as set in the Accept and Deny list. ID's in the Accept list are forwarded ahead. Deny are set to either Reject or Delete.
Layer 2: Block List
We can block list of domain names and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses that are known as junk e-mail sources. Block list can be developed by routinely updating your Global Accept and Deny List configuration.
Layer 3: Recipient Filter
Exchange Server 2003 rejects any incoming e-mail that matches the defined criteria at the protocol level that returns 550 errors. This filters the users who are not in the directory address book data mining.
Layer 4: Sender Filtering
Messages can be filtered that are sent by specific users or messages that are sent without senders addresses. Filtering criteria can be set to archive filtered messages or drop connection if sender's address matches.
Layer 5: Intelligent Message Filter (IMF)
IMF uses smart screen machine learning.
IMF is applied at gateway. It marks messages with Spam Confidence Level (SCL) rating. More information on SCL is mentioned below.
It is utilized throughout the mail stream
Scans headers, body of message and other attributes
Spam Confidence Level (SCL) rating is a method of evaluating mails. This is a Smart Screen Technology.
If Outlook receives an unauthenticated e-mail message from an external source, it evaluates the source IP address against the Accept and Deny list and rejects the message if a match is found on the Deny list. If the IP address is not on the Accept or Deny list, Outlook evaluates the message against an RBL. If a match is found on the RBL, then Outlook stops the message at the protocol level.
Otherwise, Outlook evaluates messages against any third-party, anti-junk e-mail products or plug-ins configured at the transport layer. The third-party product analyzes the message and assigns it a Spam Confidence Level (SCL) value that indicates the degree to which the message can be considered unsolicited commercial e-mail. The SCL value is from 1 through 10 - the lower the value, the higher the probability that the message is junk mail.
Outlook moves the e-mail message into the information store and, based on the SCL value and Outlook's user settings. It either delivers the message to a folder or deletes it. If you set Outlook's filter to low, it sends any message ranked below 4 to the Junk E-Mail folder. If you set the filter to High, Outlook sends any message ranked below 7 to the Junk E-Mail folder.
Intelligent Message Filter (IMF) tool can be downloaded from the Microsoft Website. The download link is provided below.
Next, a demonstration was shown on how the Intelligent Message Filter (IMF) is installed and configured. Then configuration of Email Client, MS Outlook 2003 both software based and web-based.
The presentation slides and some other information related to the session can be downloaded from the following link:
Approach to Fighting Spam in an Exchange EnvironmentDownload Exchange Intelligent Message Filter:
ExchangeIMF.MSI
Download Size: 9354 KB
Estimated Download Time: 23 min @ 56K
Download Link:
Here and
HereOr
Direct Download linkApart from the above, here are some of my recommended downloads:
Exchange Server 2003 Technical Documentation LibraryExchange Server 2003 GlossaryTraining and Events for Exchange Server---------------------------
Session 2: 11:00 - 12:45 pm
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As mentioned on TechNET Site:
Designing 24x7 SQL Server Deployments: Choices and Best Practices (Level 300)
Speaker: Vineet Gupta, I.T. Professional Evangelist, Microsoft India
Databases cannot afford to go down. However, high availability comes at a price. SQL Server 2005 provides a variety of features to the DBA to build high availability systems. This session examines in detail the various choices and discusses best practices for designing 24x7 SQL Server deployments.
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Since I have no much experience on SQL Servers, I am unable to mention these in detail. I am sorry for that. We were told that the slides can be downloaded from the TechNET site but at the moment I am unable to locate. I will update it immediately as soon as I find it.
We were informed about some free online e-learning courses available on Microsoft site that will expire soon.
Microsoft E-Learning for SQL Server 2005The E-Learning courses, valued at $99 each but a few exams on the following are available for Free as a limited period offer valid until November 1, 2006.
I have mentioned some links below to make it easier for you to directly check those you feel relevant.
More Details:
HereCourse Names:
Installing and Securing Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005Administering and Monitoring Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005Data Availability Features in Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005Programming Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005Building Services and Notifications Using Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005Creating the Data Access Tier Using Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005New Features of Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Analysis ServicesUpdating Your Data ETL Skills to Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Integration ServicesUpdating Your Reporting Skills to Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Reporting ServicesThe subscription will be valid for 90-Days
Blog of Mr. Vineet Gupta:
http://spaces.msn.com/members/vineetgupta---------------------------------
Session 3: 02:00 - 03:45 pm
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As mentioned on TechNET Site:
MS System Management Server 2003 Tech Overview (Level 300)
Speaker: Ramnish Singh, I.T. Advisor, Microsoft India
This session shows the new features of Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003. This session shows how SMS 2003 integrates with Network and Operating System Technologies such as Active Directory and Windows Management Instrumentation. This session also shows the improvements in asset management, software distribution and reporting in SMS 2003. This session targets IT Professionals who are both familiar with previous versions of SMS, and who are interested in SMS for the first time
Session Prerequisites
Experience Supporting Microsoft Servers
Familiarity with Windows operating systems
Experience administering Microsoft Systems Management Server
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This works on the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) technology. I have found the documentation on BITS at the
Microsoft WebsiteDownload Size: 165 KB
File Format: Microsoft Word file (.doc)
We were then shown a demo on SMS Integration between the Server and Client. We were also shown how the Hardware & Software inventory, files on a network etc... is collected within few minutes.
An MS Excel sheet of Capacity Planner is available for download on the Microsoft Website.
The Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Capacity Planner is a tool that helps consultants, SMS administrators, and IT professionals perform scenario analysis on their existing and proposed SMS 2003 hierarchy.
The download link for Capacity Planner is mentioned below.
The presentation slides and some other information related to the session can be downloaded from the following link:
Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Technical OverviewSMS 2003 Capacity Planner:
SMS_2003_Capacity_Planner.exe
Download Size: 625 KB
Estimated Download Time: 2 min @ 56K
Download LinkOr
Direct Download LinkApart from the above, here are some of my recommended downloads:
Systems Management Server 2003 Technical Documentation LibrarySome Most Popular downloads for Systems Management ServerDesktop Patch Management with Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003Systems Management Server 2003
Training and EventsTo learn more on
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) online---------------------------
Session 4: 04:00 - 05:45 pm
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As mentioned on TechNET Site:
Active Directory Remote Administration (Level 300)
Speaker: Ravi Sankar, I.T. Professional Evangelist, Microsoft India
In this session we look at the improvements in the Windows Server 2003 Domain and Forest functional levels, the special considerations for the designing and planning for a branch office environment, and the use of command line and GUI tools for remote management and scripting. First we will cover how to deploy a domain controller to support a remote branch office connected over a Wide Area Network (WAN) link. Then we will look at the options available for remote management using the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-Line tools. Finally we will cover other available remote management tools to administer Active Directory.
Session Prerequisites
Familiarity with Active Directory Administration
Familiarity with Active Directory Sites
Familiarity with Active Directory Replication
Basic WMI Scripting Concepts
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This session was more based on Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Scripting. We were demonstrated with some command line tools like: wmic, linkspeed, rpc
To learn more on such command line tools, read the Windows Help file. Here is the command for getting the command line reference file.
C:\>hh ntcmds.chm
The presentation slides and some other information related to the session can be downloaded from the following link:
Active Directory Remote AdministrationTo write Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Scripts you can use the Scriptomatic Tool
Here is the download link:
Writing WMI Scripts Using the Scriptomatic Utility:
scriptomatic.exe - Version 1
Download Size: 101 KB
Estimated Download Time: 1 min @ 56K
Download LinkOr
Direct Download LinkOR
scriptomatic.exe - Version 2
Download Size: 375 KB
Estimated Download Time: 1 min @ 56K
Download LinkThis download is available running genuine Microsoft Windows. For obtaining the download, your OS needs to be validated. Just follow the link for more information.
Online Group started by Mr. Ravi Sankar:
http://groups.msn.com/adandexchangeAsk your questions on Active Directory and MS Exchange and they will be personally answered by Mr. Ravi Sankar himself
Apart from the above, here are some of my recommended downloads:
Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Technical Documentation Library
Here and
HereNotes on
Managing servers remotelyTo know more on Scriptomatic Tool, follow
This LinkTechNet Script CenterOnline WMI Scripting TutorialWMI Overview on Windows 2000-----------------------------------------
Other Important Downloads and Information
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Practice for learning using:
Windows Server 2003 (180-day trial version)
Windows Small Business Server 2003 (180-day trial version)
Virtual Server 2005 Evaluation Kit (180-day trial version)
Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 Free (45-day trial version)
Technet Virtual LabsOnline Group started by Mr. Ravi Sankar
Ask your questions on Active Directory and MS Exchange and they will be personally answered by Mr. Ravi Sankar himself
Blog of Mr. Vineet Gupta
