Tips

Tips

• Become a more valuable IT professional: Go beyond your title

  Too many IT pros forget that their titles are just labels and that their real worth lies in their work. Follow these 12 tips to further improve your value within your organization.  Continue Reading

• An introduction to Exchange 2010 ActiveSync throttling

  ActiveSync throttling policies are beneficial to Exchange 2010. They can protect a client access server from overload and can keep mobile device users from meddling with settings.  Continue Reading

• Making the most of InfoPath 2010 forms

  Follow these 5 best practices and see how often-underused InfoPath forms transform into valuable business tools.  Continue Reading

• What Server App-V means for applications in the cloud

  Microsoft is close to extending its application virtualization technology to the server. The question is, will it encourage more companies to invest in Azure?  Continue Reading

• Addressing Outlook Web App 2010 security concerns

  New, user-friendly features may make OWA 2010 more appealing, but with increased use comes increased security threats. Use these tactics to protect your network.  Continue Reading

• Applying regular expressions (regex) to Windows PowerShell

  It may seem daunting at first, but the combination of regular expressions (regex) with PowerShell can be an admin’s best friend when it comes to certain complex tasks.  Continue Reading

• Which server virtualization features matter most?

  These days it's really not about which hypervisor you choose -- it's everything else that goes with it. So how do you decide which features are truly worth their salt?  Continue Reading

• Microsoft security tool gauges attack surface for Windows Server

  The beta version of Attack Surface Analyzer is designed to help programmers and admins uncover the security ramifications of third-party apps before an attack.  Continue Reading

• Free Exchange add-on picks up native spam filtering slack

  It's no secret that Exchange administrators hate spam. Protect users with a free add-on that bolsters Exchange’s native spam filtering.  Continue Reading

• How a CAS array can protect Exchange Server 2010 from failure

  Exchange 2010 connects to clients via the client access server. Creating a CAS array can prevent the server from becoming a single point of failure. Here’s how to do it.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Xperf tutorial: New ways to monitor Windows performance

  Part of the Windows Performance Toolkit, Microsoft's Xperf utility easily trumps the monitoring capabilities of older admin tools like Perfmon. So how does it work?  Continue Reading

• Investigating invalid security certificate name errors in Outlook

  Creating a security certificate for Exchange 2007 can be tricky. Include one incorrect piece of info, and you’ll get an error message. This tip explains common mistakes and a workaround.  Continue Reading

• A closer look at the Ntdsutil command-line tools for Active Directory

  Dig into the slew of Ntdsutil commands in Windows Server 2008 and R2 that provide admins with improved Active Directory management.  Continue Reading

• Living dangerously with Ntdsutil commands in Windows Server 2008

  While the Ntdsutil utility for Active Directory has been around since the days of Windows 2000, new functionality in Windows Server 2008 and R2 gives admins even more to work with.  Continue Reading

• New multi-mailbox search capabilities in Exchange 2010 SP1

  Multi-mailbox search was valuable in Exchange 2010 RTM, and Microsoft has only upped the ante with SP1 improvements that can help you spot potential storage issues, among other things.  Continue Reading

• Low-cost ways to get the IT skills you need

  Do you have the practical experience you need to further your career? Here are five opportunities you may not have thought about.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for migrating to SharePoint 2010

  Migrating even a small implementation or file share in SharePoint is not easy. Plan your process and test your work for the best results.  Continue Reading

• System Center Updates Publisher zeroes in on third-party updates

  Microsoft is close to releasing a new version of its System Center Updates Publisher, a standalone utility that can help simplify updates to third-party software and applications.  Continue Reading

• Keep ActiveSync running while transitioning to Exchange 2010

  Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2010 will peacefully coexist during an upgrade, but you’ll need to make a few adjustments to prevent ActiveSync from breaking.  Continue Reading

• Workarounds for OWA 2010’s Web browser limitations

  Outlook Web App works best with Internet Explorer. Here are some ways to trick OWA into thinking you’re on IE.  Continue Reading

• Do IIS Web servers make sense for virtualization?

  Web servers like IIS can be a good fit for virtualization, so long as all the key considerations are taken into account ahead of time.  Continue Reading

• Isapi Rewrite Filter: A free URL rewriting utility for IIS 7

  Though Microsoft finally offers a URL rewriting add-on for IIS, admins might look to take advantage of the Isapi Rewrite Filter’s extended functionality.  Continue Reading

• Monitor SharePoint with Outlook 2010 email alerts

  If you're an Exchange admin who’s been tasked with overseeing SharePoint, you can use a familiar tool -- Outlook 2010 -- to manage alerts.  Continue Reading

• Making sense of Windows Azure's VM role

  The new VM role for Windows Azure should be a boon for organizations looking to host their virtual machines in the cloud, but it’s not ideal for all situations.  Continue Reading

• Taking advantage of Microsoft’s free JetStress tool

  Microsoft released its JetStress tool to the mainstream, giving Exchange admins a powerful tool to load-test servers before installing them into production.  Continue Reading

• Windows PowerShell and the .NET Framework: Connecting the dots

  You don’t have to be a developer to understand how .NET integrates with Windows PowerShell. By learning just a few basic concepts, admins can help put .NET within reach.  Continue Reading

• A wish list for the future of System Center Virtual Machine Manager

  With its new focus on the private cloud, Microsoft could be on the right track with SCVMM. Here are four more capabilities that will hopefully be included with future versions.  Continue Reading

• How to use managed folders for Exchange 2010 message retention

  Managed folders are most often used to control message retention. Before you use them, you need to become familiar with the cmdlets and parameters to configure managed folders.  Continue Reading

• What admins need to know about Windows Azure services

  Much has been said about what Microsoft's cloud platform means for developers. As for admins? It could be a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same.  Continue Reading

• Is turning off User Account Control in Windows a good idea?

  Old-school admins might be tempted to turn off User Account Control for the sake of their legacy programs, but the practice could easily do more harm than good.  Continue Reading

• Step up your Outlook Web App setup

  When Outlook Web App’s default settings just won’t do, it’s time to tweak. Certain configuration changes will help OWA run more efficiently and securely.  Continue Reading

• Event Tracing for Windows: A fresh look at an old tool

  Though over a decade old, the Event Tracing for Windows utility might be the best troubleshooting tool that many admins have never heard of.  Continue Reading

• What to make of Windows Storage Server 2008 R2

  Microsoft is pushing Windows Storage Server as a NAS appliance, but a deeper look reveals it can also help with managing shared storage in virtual environments.  Continue Reading

• Free Outlook tool fixes AutoComplete list annoyance

  Outlook's AutoComplete function is helpful, but doesn’t allow you to edit existing entries. This free download lets you edit, repair and track .nk2 files.  Continue Reading

• Recovering from a full server failure

  Recovering a full server failure involves a fresh reinstall. Get the most important points to consider.  Continue Reading

• Taking the sting out of Exchange 2007 disaster recovery

  Disaster recovery tends to conjure up many unpleasant images in the minds of IT pros. DR in Exchange Server doesn’t have to hurt.  Continue Reading

• Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2: Four features you wish it supported

  While Microsoft has made strides with its current virtualization management software, some still find it lacking in certain areas.  Continue Reading

• Moving public folder calendars and tasks to SharePoint 2010

  Manually migrating calendar, contact and task data from Exchange public folders to SharePoint 2010 may seem daunting. These steps make it seem painless.  Continue Reading

• VMware PowerCLI essentials for Windows admins

  Those tasked with managing vSphere environments can still take advantage of Windows PowerShell with PowerCLI. Expert Mike Laverick breaks down the commands every admin should know.  Continue Reading

• Controlling IIS log file growth with IISLogs 2.0 utility

  With IISLogs 2.0 admins can manage, archive and compress log files on their own time, eliminating the need for custom scripts.  Continue Reading

• Rebuilding an Exchange client access server in five steps

  According to Exchange Server documentation, you don’t need to back up a client access server. But you should know how to rebuild it. Get the steps.  Continue Reading

• Top three Windows server crashes (and how to avoid them)

  Why wait until a server crashes to start the troubleshooting process? Admins can squash potential outages ahead of time by zeroing on the most likely culprits.  Continue Reading

• Get control of SharePoint sprawl

  SharePoint has taken off in your organization, but how do you get a handle on the mega-proliferation of sites?  Continue Reading

• How to use WMI with Windows PowerShell scripts

  With PowerShell, admins can harness the power of WMI to find all sorts of system and network information. The best part? It’s probably a lot easier than you think.  Continue Reading

• Checklist for new Exchange Server administrators

  Are you a new Exchange admin who walked into an oddly configured server infrastructure? This checklist can help you make sense of the mess.  Continue Reading

• Crash course: Exchange Server 2010 recovery databases and commands

  Recovery storage groups are a thing of the past, having been replaced in Exchange 2010 with recovery databases. Get the simple cmdlets you’ll need to create recovery databases and extract message data.  Continue Reading

• Information Rights Management protection in Exchange 2010 SP1

  Nearly all organizations send and receive sensitive information via email. And although they exist, corporate policies alone won’t protect you. Enter Information Rights Management.  Continue Reading

• How DNS devolution works in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 ship with built-in changes to the DNS name devolution process that help boost security and simplify client access to network resources.  Continue Reading

• Windows PowerShell script takes the time out of SharePoint backups

  An often cumbersome backup process is just one of the reasons many admins loathe managing SharePoint. Fortunately, PowerShell can relieve a great deal of the burden.  Continue Reading

• NFS role eases account mapping across Unix and Windows

  Admins can keep closer tabs on user permissions over networks running various server platforms via a new service for Windows Server 2008 R2.  Continue Reading

• Dissecting ActiveSync logs in Exchange Server 2010

  ActiveSync logging information is valuable to Exchange 2010 admins for several reasons. We explore how to find and decipher the data.  Continue Reading

• Link Shell Extension simplifies hard link creation for Windows NTFS

  Looking for a better way to build hard links and junctions for NTFS volumes? Link Shell Extension moves the process out of the command line and into Windows Explorer.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for preventing buggy Exchange PowerShell scripts

  A simple slip of the keyboard is all it takes to accidentally create a buggy PowerShell script. Protect yourself from disaster with these best practices.  Continue Reading

• Time management strategies for the IT pro

  How effective are you at managing your time? IT expert Kevin Beaver offers up some time-management best practices to help you get the most out of your workday.  Continue Reading

• Free Microsoft tool accesses Exchange, Outlook MAPI stores

  What started as one Microsoft engineer tinkering with MAPI became a full-blown tool. See how MCFMAPI can access stores via a graphical user interface, helping you solve MAPI problems.  Continue Reading

• Cmdlets troubleshoot common Exchange 2007 CCR failures

  CCR failures are bound to happen. Keep these EMS cmdlets in your arsenal to detect the cause of the problem.  Continue Reading

• How vulnerable is Microsoft IIS 7.5 to attacks?

  While version 7.5 is more secure out of the box than past IIS releases, it doesn't guarantee 100% protection.  Continue Reading

• A task-based approach to PowerShell cmdlet design

  Unlike developers, many admins prefer the "more cmdlets, the better" approach when performing tasks in Windows PowerShell.  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step: Building a Windows Server instance in the cloud

  Setting up a cloud-based instance of Windows Server might be easier than you think -- especially when the hosting provider does most of the work for you.  Continue Reading

• The real price of Exchange Server in the cloud

  Do you think moving Exchange to the cloud is a good fiscal decision? Run the numbers again. What you save on an initial investment may cost you down the road—in more than simple dollars and cents.  Continue Reading

• Outlook 2010 and Exchange 2007 connection error workaround

  Stumped by a 0x80070057 error when trying to connect Outlook 2010 to Exchange 2007? The cause might surprise you.  Continue Reading

• Best practice for Dynamic Memory allocation with Hyper-V R2 SP1

  Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will finally add the ability to over-allocate memory with Hyper-V. The next step? Learning to optimize the feature for peak performance.  Continue Reading

• IIS 7 add-on beefs up PHP installation, configuration

  With PHP Manager for IIS, admins running Internet Information Services 7 and up can gain access to a host of PHP management functions straight from the IIS console.  Continue Reading

• Linking Exchange to a mail-enabled SharePoint 2010 document library

  Migrating Exchange public folder data over to SharePoint will only get you so far. Next you need to give users the ability to post content to document libraries.  Continue Reading

• DCs at sea: Configuring mobile Active Directory domain infrastructures

  It’s common for admins to deal with mobile users, but what if the domain itself moves? See how basic AD principles always apply -- no matter what the situation is.  Continue Reading

• Registry hack lets OWA users reset their passwords

  All it takes is this simple registry hack to give users with expired passwords access to their OWA accounts.  Continue Reading

• Tracking system resources with free WinObj utility from Sysinternals

  Mark Russinovich and company did Microsoft one better with the WinObj tool for tracking Windows system resources, though there’s still room for improvement.  Continue Reading

• Putting production-quality functions together in Windows PowerShell

  PowerShell MVP Brandon Shell reviews what it takes for a function to be truly “production-ready” and provides a complete example, called Test-Host.  Continue Reading

• Manually move Exchange public folder data to SharePoint

  For years Microsoft has urged Exchange admins to migrate public folder content to SharePoint -- without supplying any tools to do it. Save money on third-party tools by doing it manually.  Continue Reading

• Hosted Exchange server management basics

  Managing hosted Exchange servers may be in your near future. Now is the time to familiarize yourself with some basics of what you can and can’t manage.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of Windows Server drive encryption

  Despite the drawbacks of server-based drive encryption, tools like BitLocker can be invaluable protection against data breaches and other external threats.  Continue Reading

• How to effectively collect Exchange Server 2010 mailbox data

  In Exchange 2007, the –GetMailboxStatistics cmdlet is used to gather mailbox data. In Exchange 2010, the functionality still exists and has been extended to support new features.  Continue Reading

• Limiting bandwidth use during Outlook offline address book syncs

  If you're using a newer version of Exchange with a legacy version of Outlook, you'll want to understand your bandwidth consumption and how to control it during OAB synchronization.  Continue Reading

• Not sure what's running in a virtual machine? Use a batch file

  Not all programs perform as expected in virtual machines. These tips will help you quickly find what’s virtual and what’s not using batch files or Windows PowerShell.  Continue Reading

• Uncovering the cause of an Exchange 2007 mailbox communication failure

  When one Exchange expert couldn’t connect Outlook to his mailboxes, he figured it was due to a basic communication failure. The actual cause, however, wasn’t that simple to identify.  Continue Reading

• Managed service accounts boost server security in R2

  Microsoft introduced the managed service accounts feature with Windows Server 2008 R2 to help make the management of apps like Exchange more secure. So how does it work?  Continue Reading

• Jump-starting the cloud with the right applications

  Assembling a trusty cloud app arsenal may be the key to a well-built cloud infrastructure, but knowing where to begin is half the battle.  Continue Reading

• Setting PowerShell execution policies in Exchange 2010

  Exchange 2010 doesn’t inherently trust PowerShell scripts. Admins can set different execution policies to control when scripts run. Determine which policy is best for your organization.  Continue Reading

• Free developer tool reads Outlook MAPI properties

  Both free and flexible, MAPIProp can be used to retrieve properties normally unavailable through the Microsoft Outlook object model.  Continue Reading

• Repair client access server issues to restore OWA and ActiveSync

  A corrupt client access server can bring ActiveSync and OWA to a halt. Our expert explains how to fix your most stubborn CAS problems.  Continue Reading

• Do the pros of running Exchange in the cloud outweigh the cons?

  Do the advantages of running Exchange Server in the cloud, like ease of use and hands-off management, sound too good to be true? Check the fine print before signing on the dotted line.  Continue Reading

• Recognizing the benefits of Exchange 2010 managed folders

  Managed folders are nothing new in Exchange Server, but they are getting more attention in Exchange 2010. See why the absence of SIS in Exchange 2010 makes managed folders more important now than ever.  Continue Reading

• Core Configurator 2.0 puts the GUI back in Server Core

  Admins can implement Server Core faster with the latest version of Core Configurator, a GUI-based open source tool for Windows Server 2008 R2.  Continue Reading

• Simplifying RBAC management in Exchange Server 2010

  The new RBAC permission model in Exchange 2010 can be a difficult concept to understand. Breaking it down per-level can be even more confusing. These free tools facilitate RBAC management.  Continue Reading

• Controlling the output of Windows PowerShell commands

  Windows PowerShell features several cmdlets for writing data. Knowing which commands do what can help control the output of your functions and keep your pipelines clean.  Continue Reading

• TrueCrypt disk encryption: A cheap alternative to BitLocker?

  The latest version of TrueCrypt comes with enhanced encryption features for organizations not running Windows 7, Vista or Server 2008 R2.  Continue Reading

• Exchange 2010 Deployment Assistant takes the stress out of upgrades

  Are you upgrading from Exchange Server 2003, Exchange 2007 or both? After answering a few simple questions, the Exchange Deployment Assistant tool creates a custom checklist you can use to simplify your upgrade.  Continue Reading

• Exposing SMTP and IMAP’s security vulnerabilities in Exchange Server

  Even though SMTP and IMAP have built-in features to protect Exchange’s external mail transmissions, both protocols are still susceptible to security vulnerabilities. See how easily both can be compromised.  Continue Reading

• Saving time with offline domain joins in Windows Server 2008 R2

  An offline domain join allows Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 machines to join a domain without connecting to a DC. Here’s how the process works.  Continue Reading

• Tips for building a Hyper-V high-availability cluster

  Understanding how Microsoft’s failover clustering features work is just one of the keys to ensuring a reliable Hyper-V environment.  Continue Reading

• Weighing MBSA against paid vulnerability scanners

  If you’re only looking for the vulnerabilities Microsoft deems most important, then MBSA is your tool. If you need more, you’re better off assessing other commercial vulnerability scanners.  Continue Reading

• Override default OWA message attachment filters

  Is OWA filtering HTML attachments from your users' email messages? Don’t worry -- there’s an easy workaround to this security annoyance.  Continue Reading

• Potential coexistence troubles during Exchange 2010 migrations

  Coexistence issues are a natural part of Exchange 2010 migrations, so keep an eye on client access servers and mailbox databases during the entire upgrade.  Continue Reading

• Managing sandbox solutions in SharePoint 2010

  Isolated from other sites, sandbox solutions offer the ability to deploy solutions within the governance of Web applications.  Continue Reading

• Auditing AD administrators with Windows 2008 R2's Event Viewer

  When it comes to admin rights, knowing who you can trust is not always easy. But while auditing limitations won’t do you any favors, new features in R2’s Event Viewer can help.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Web development tool simplifies website deployment

  Currently in beta, Microsoft's WebMatrix tool is designed to provide a streamlined route to website development.  Continue Reading

• Integrate OneNote and Outlook 2010 to manage big projects

  Synchronize data between Microsoft OneNote and Outlook 2010 to stay updated on project changes.  Continue Reading

• Exchange certification explained

  Are Exchange certifications just expensive pieces of paper or do they hold value for administrators? See why experts believe it's time to hit the books.  Continue Reading

• Changing file attributes in bulk with free utility

  The updated BulkFileChanger tool gives Windows admins the power to modify files en masse. As for renaming files? Stay tuned.  Continue Reading

• Error handling with Windows PowerShell

  The ability to deal with errors is critical to writing quality PowerShell functions. Here you'll find basic tips for detecting errors and figuring out what went wrong.  Continue Reading