Released Exchange 2013 Role Requirement & Database Calculator

Exchange 2013 released long back, but what was missing is Exchange role requirement & database calculators. The calculators helps in sizing the Exchange server role as well as plan the database storage design. People were waiting for the calculator as it helped in sizing and designing of the storage requirements. This was getting delayed and most awaited. The wait is over & Microsoft has released it Exchange 2013 server role as well as database sizing calculator.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2013/05/14/released-exchange-2013-server-role-requirements-calculator.aspx

The calculator can be downloaded from the below URL. More information about Exchange 2013 IO performance.

Exchange 2013 Server Role Requirements Calculator

http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Exchange-2013-Server-Role-f8a61780

Ask the Perf Guy: Sizing Exchange 2013 Deployments

http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2013/05/06/ask-the-perf-guy-sizing-exchange-2013-deployments.aspx

Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Management Pack

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39039

 

ADAM & ADLDS Explained By The DS Team

I was reading about ADAM & AD LDS(AD LDS is the upgraded version of ADAM ) & found the article by the DS team. It is a comprehensive article with lot of references & details which can help you to understand & implement ADAM or AD LDS.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/askds/archive/2012/11/12/adamsync-101.aspx

 

DNS Resouces Repository

Presuming, many of you are aware that DNS is the heart of the Active Directory(AD) & without proper DNS infrastructure it is not possible to design and setup good AD design. It is said that before mastering the AD, master DNS first because if you are able to setup DNS design perfectly, you have avoided most of the troubles for your AD.

I was searching for the some DNS information on the Technet & found a very useful link, which points considerable quality of the DNS resources. AT the right side of the page,  you can browse for Top DNS questions , recommendations for top the DNS issues,diagnostics etc. It also contains webcasts & useful videos for better understanding.

It includes resources for 2008 to 2003, tips for diagnosing DNS, designing, implementation etc.

Example

Windows Server 2008 R2 Resources

• What’s New:  What’s New in Windows in DNS in Server 2008 R2
  Includes details about DNSSEC, cache locking, devolution and socket pool.
• Migration:  Active Directory Domain Services and DNS Server Migration Guide
  Best practices for migration from old hardware to new hardware running Windows Server 2008 R2.
• Step by step:  Core Network Guides for Windows Server 2008 R2
  Instructions for planning and deploying the components required for a fully functioning network and a new Active Directory domain in a new forest. Includes DNS, DHCP, NPS, WINS, and TCP/IP. A downloadable version is also available.
• Deployment:  Secure DNS Deployment Guide
  Detailed procedures for configuring and deploying a secure DNS infrastructure using Windows Server 2008 R2, including zones, IPsec, and certificates. Some enhancements to DNS security in Windows Server, such as DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), are only available with Windows Server 2008 R2.
• Deployment:  DNSSEC PowerShell Scripts
  Six PowerShell scripts to perform key DNS tasks, such as backing up a zone file.
• Product Help:  DNS in Windows Server 2008 R2 Product Help
  Includes a series of essential checklists and procedures.
• Operations:  DNS Server Operations Guide
  Includes best practices and guidance on zones, reverse lookups, client management and more.
• Operations:  DNSSEC PowerShell Scripts
  Six PowerShell scripts to perform key DNS tasks, such as backing up a zone file.
• Troubleshooting:  Troubleshooting DNS
  Troubleshooting info for DNS clients, servers, dynamic updates and zones.
• Technical Reference:  DNS Technical Reference
  Comprehensive technical background. Includes what DNS is, how it works, and related tools and registry entries.

Domain Name System (DNS)

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/network/bb629410.aspx

 

Interview – MVP Awinish Vishwakarma

I feel privileged & humbled to the Microsoft for considering the worthiness of publishing my experience as an Microsoft “Most Valuable Professional“(MVP). You can check the excerpts at the below link. You can also comment it, if you like so.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/southasiamvp/archive/2013/01/22/interview-mvp-awinish-vishwakarma.aspx

Final Version Of Exchange 2013 & Other Product Are Available To Download

The final version of the Office 2013, Exchange Server 2013, Lync Server 2013, SharePoint Server 2013, Project 2013 and Visio 2013 is available for the subscriber of MSDN/Technet & through Microsoft Volume Licensing. For the retail availability, it is planned for the first quarter of 2013 release.

Its time to download & get started to understand the new feature & ready to adopt. I’ll be downloading in a days or two to instal on my system & lets see how its going to works.

Read more for office at  http://blogs.office.com/b/office-news/archive/2012/12/03/the-new-office-is-now-available-for-business-customers.aspx

Read more for Exchange at  http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2012/12/03/exchange-server-2013-reaches-general-availability.aspx

Read more for Lync at  http://blogs.technet.com/b/lync/

 

Active Directory Capacity Planning Guide Released

I was helping on the Technet forum & came to know that there is recent article on the domain controller capacity planning guide which was not available earlier. The white paper contains comprehensive lists along with the recommendation on virtualization of the domain controller. It specify lot of information helps in sizing Active Directory & domain controllers from RAM to processor, storage to network. Its really a very good document on the sizing of the domain controllers. It has also listed performance parameter, profile sizing etc. information.

Anyone working on the AD sizing projects, it can be really very helpful in sizing & recommending the AD infrastructure as per MS standards. It also covers vast information on the domain controller virtualization sizing & standards.

Capacity Planning for Active Directory Domain Services

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/capacity-planning-for-domain-controllers.aspx

Th content topic inside the Technet URL (referred above) has been listed below.

• Introduction
• Evaluating Current Capacity Consumed
• Planning
• Monitoring For Compliance With Capacity Planning Goals
• Appendix A: CPU Sizing Criteria
• Appendix B: Considerations Regarding Different Processor Speeds, and the Effect of Processor Power Management on Processor Speeds
• Appendix C: Fundamentals Regarding the Operating System Interacting with Storage

 

RBAC Manager R2 for Exchange 2010 SP2, Exchange 2013 Preview and Office 365

New version of RBAC (R2 1.5.5.0)for Exchange 2010 SP2 has been released. There are improvements & addition been done into the tool. You can download the latest version of RBAC tool from the below link.

http://rbac.codeplex.com/

 

Exchange 2013

Its time to start learning Exchange 2013, its preview version is already available for download at below link. The final version release is scheduled for the next year.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/fp179701

More information for Exchange 2013 can be found out at below link. The below link comprise of the detailed information of the Exchange 2013.

What’s New in Exchange 2013 Preview

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj150540%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx

 

Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool

My system’s OS was corrupt due to virus attack & i was helpless, because of malfunctioning of my DVD(Blu Ray drive) drive. I decided to buy another DVD drive of the same model, but found its too expensive for the my pocket. My laptop is Sony Vaio & parts of the Sony vaio are too costly. Since, the DVD drive on my system is rarely used & spending money just for installing OS, i was not comfortable to spend the money. Also, if these DVD drives are not been used, you never know how long they will function & requires you to empty your pocket.

I decided to search online what others used to do, when they are into similar situations like me. I found there are options available to install OS using USB/Pen drive. I found a cool utility named Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool which can convert ISO image to a bootable image on the USB drive & the same USB drive can be used to install OS. The utility is very simple & it worked flawlessly for me during conversion of windows 7 ISO to USB bootable image. I also find the tool can also create a bootable Disc too from ISO file.

Steps to create a bootable USB drive are:

• Download & Install the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool
• Open the tool by clicking on it.
• Locate the ISO file of the OS needs to be converted by clicking on the Browse button.
• Click Next.
• Connect the USB device. Make sure it is at least 4 GB, if the selected OS is windows 7.
• Choose a media type by clicking on the USB Device.
• You will see USB device appears.
• Finally, click on copying & once done you are ready to use for the OS installtion.

Note: You need to enable boot from  USB or External devices in Bios on the system loaded with new OS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can download the USB tool from the below link.

Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

Using the Windows 7 USB Download Tool with ANY .iso file

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mis_laboratory/archive/2012/01/30/using-the-windows-7-usb-download-tool-with-any-iso-file.aspx

 

Renewed MVP award for Directory Services 2012

I have been reselected as an MVP for the year 2012 in Directory Services category. The MVP award is an honor & I’m happy as well as thankful to the Microsoft for presenting this honor.

I would like to thank you all for your wishes & support.

Dear Awinish Vishwakarma,

Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2012 Microsoft® MVP Award! This award is given to exceptional technical community leaders who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with others. We appreciate your outstanding contributions in Directory Services technical communities during the past year.

Thank you once again.

Awinish