I now have photographic evidence from our Bainbridge Island office of the SBS 2008 book SHIPPING to hungry readers. It’s Small Business Server 2008 book time baby. Check it out!
Tag Archives: sbs 2008
BTW – did I forget to mention that Cyndi is shipping SBS 2008 books from the warehouse today?
Yes – it’s true and I will have photos shortly! Cyndi is out in the warehouse area shipping our new Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 Blueprint book. This SBS 2008 books arrived by semi-truck from our printer in MINN on late Tuesday and we have a large backlog of orders for the book. So said book is shipping over the next few days.
I will post up photos shortly 
thanks and gratitude…..harrybbbb
Filed under Book
SBS 2008 book is here!
With great pleasure – I am delighted to announce my Small Business Server 2008 book (SBS) is here. This was once again a labor of love for the SBS community and I hope that you enjoy it!
More details at www.smbnation.com and I’ve posted some stuff here:
Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 Blueprint
By Philip Elder and Harry Brelsford
SMB Nation Press, January 2009
ISBN10: 0-9770949-9-5
ISBN13: 978-0-9770949-9-8
Price $59.95
Pages 600
Paperback
This ready guide to Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2008 (SBS) product, now part of the Windows Essential Server Solutions family, is grounded in the real world and based on practical experience. As your blueprint, this book teaches you the “SBS” way! By using a structured deployment methodology and completing the step-by-step procedures, you will set up a secure SBS 2008 network for a sample small business – the perfect way to properly implement SBS 2008.
This introductory/intermediate volume allows you to gain competency as an SBSer in:
· Windows Server 2008
· Exchange Server 2007
· Third-party security solutions: firewall, anti-virus, and more
· Remote Web Workplace
· SQL Server 2008
· Windows SharePoint Services
· Faxing
· SBS 2008 administration and troubleshooting
· SBS Consoles
· Monitoring SBS 2008
· Office Live and other hosted components
· Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Annual SBS 2008 tasks
You will also learn how to centrally control and manage Windows Vista and Windows XP desktops.
Blueprint Pathways
Follow these fundamental blueprint paths to insure maximum SBS 2008 success using the content in this book:
· Plan, deploy, configure, and customize SBS 2008 using a tested methodology
· Support collaboration between workers
· Implement and encourage the use of remote working and mobility
· Protect the SBS 2008 network from security threats
· Back up and protect data using native and third-party tools
· Encourage and foster better communications with e-mail based on Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
· Automate management by using Group Policy Objects
Chapter Description
SECTION ONE: SMALL BUSINESS SERVER 2008 DEPLOYMENT
1. Welcome to SBS 2008
2. Small Business Server 2008 Design and Planning
3. Small Business Server 2008 Installation
4. Introduction to the SBS Consoles
5. SBS 2008 Deployment
Small Business Server 2008 Photo Essay
SECTION TWO: EXTENDING SMALL BUSINESS SERVER 2008
6. Standard Security in SBS 2008
7. Messaging with Exchange Server 2007 and Outlook 2007
8. Collaboration with Windows SharePoint Services
9. Mobility and Remote Connectivity
10. Faxing and Print
11. Internet and the Web (RWW, Office Live)
SECTION THREE: SMALL BUSINESS SERVER 2008 ADMINISTRATION
12. Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Annual Tasks
13. Monitoring Small Business Server 2008
SECTION FOUR: SMALL BUSINESS SERVER 2008 ADVANCED TOPICS
14. Advanced Security
15. Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition (LOB, SQL)
Front Matter
Index
Appendix A: SBS Resources
Appendix Z: Book Configurations
Back Cover Test
Important
Small Business Server 2008 Blueprint is written from a strong, third-party viewpoint. This independent view insures you get the straight story on the popular SBS product, now in its 5th major release as the 2008 version. You also benefit from the author’s broader SBS 2008 ecosystem conversation, which allows you to make the best decisions when you supplement your SBS 2008 network with third-party security, managed services and monitoring solutions.
About the Authors
Two authors have teamed together to deliver Small Business Server 2008 Blueprint into your hands:
· Canadian Philip Elder, a well-known SBSer and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for SBS, is cofounder of MPECS, Inc. in Saint Albert, Calgary.
· Harry Brelsford is the CEO of SMB Nation and the author of more than 15 books relating to small- and medium-business technology consulting – including several books on past versions of SBS.
Both authors have extensive SBS experience dating back to the start of the product life cycle in 1997.
Change your life with SBS 2008
Technology is often responsible for making businesses more efficient and profitable. SBS 2008 takes small businesses to the next level of productivity. Read this book and catch the SBS 2008 wave!
Ships early February – Reserve your copy now!
Price: $59.95
Filed under Book
Service Slection as an SMB Consultant [SMB Consulting Best Practices book excerpt]
Yohoho – Harryb here – author of the SMB Consulting Best Practices book. I like to hold virtual book readings by posting up a passage from da’ book. BTW – did you know that my SBS 2008 book is at the printer – learn more at www.smbnation.com.
Read on!
Service selection
The biggest decision you will make as an SMB consultant is what type of consulting services you will offer and to whom you will offer them. No other decision will have a greater impact on your financial position. In reality, it’s the same for nearly everyone in the working world. Choice of occupation has the largest impact on your financial net worth. Period.
What happened to the old “do what you love and the money will follow” mantra? First, people who are doing what they love usually aren’t in it for the money. Second, in many professions, money is both the inducement to work
and the reward for unpleasantness. The higher you move up in income tax brackets, typically the more work-related stress there is. Of course, this isn’t always true, but it has been my observation the following correlations exits: People who have high incomes have high stress levels. Those big dollars are earned, each and every one of them.
BEST PRACTICE: It is possible to love what you do and make a substantial amount of money along the way. I think SMB consulting is potentially one of these rare rewarding professions. Most SMB consultants whom I know enjoy their jobs, as well as the financial rewards. It can be done and it’s being done each and every day.
Call it the “guns and butter” neo-argument for professional success and happiness, but when you like what you’re doing and making money at it, life is very good. By the way, “guns and butter” is a basic economic concept in the production possibilities frontier area where an economy can either produce guns or butter but typically not both. The translation on that is “you can’t have it all” in the its strictest form but when you turn the guns and butter argument around, I’m saying you can possibly have it all!
cheers….harrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, CEO at SMB Nation (www.smbnation.com)
MBA, MCSE, CNE, CLSE, CNP, MCP, MCT, SBSC (Microsoft Small Business Specialist)
PS – did you know my Windows Small Business Server 2008 (SBS 2008) book is almost here? Yes!
Filed under Book
SBS 2008 book Table of Contents
Hiya folks – the printing press is rolling on the new Small Business Server 2008 (SBS) book and I thought I would post up the Table of Contents (TOC) so you could see what the heck we’re talkin’ about.
I wrote this book with Philip Elder and I am really pleased with the outcome SBSers, Small Business Specialists (SBSC) and SMB consultants and channel partners can all benefit!
Contents
About The Authors ix
Philip Elder ix
Harry Brelsford x
Acknowledgements xiii
Methodology xv
Preface xv
Real World xvi
Microsoft SBS Team and Partner Insights xvi
Tips xvi
Notes xvi
Usual Stuff xvii
Texas and Canadian Accent xvii
Warning: HUMOR! xviii
Organization xviii
Part 1: Small Business Server 2008 Deployment xviii
Part 2: Extending Small Business Server 2008 xviii
Part 3: Small Business Server Administration xviii
Part 4: Small Business Server Advanced Topics xix
Appendix Matter xix
High Standards xix
Reader Feedback xx
SECTION ONE – Small Business Server 2008 Deployment
Chapter 1: Welcome to Small Business Server 2008 1-1
Defining SBS 1-2
Cost-Effective, Cost-Efficient Crowd 1-3
Larger-Than-Life Image Crowd 1-3
SBS Feature Creatures 1-3
SBS Zen Crowd 1-10
The Big B Crowd: Small BUSINESS Server 1-11
Converters 1-12
Linux Lovers 1-12
Peer-To-Peer Upgraders 1-12
Windows Servers (NT, 2000, 2003, 2008) 1-13
Soon-To-Be Newly Networked 1-13
Novell NetWare Converters 1-13
The I want to get secure access from the Interneters 1-13
Finder, Minder, Grinder 1-14
Finder 1-14
Minder 1-15
Grinder 1-15
SBS Philosophy 101 1-16
The Small Business 1-16
SBS Consultant 1-19
Microsoft 1-20
Deciding Whether SBS Is for You 1-21
Client Access License Limit 1-22
Four Walls 1-22
One Business, Two Businesses, Three Businesses, Four 1-23
Single Domain, No Workgroups 1-24
Real SKUs 1-24
Cost/Benefit Analysis 1-25
Business Reasons for SBS 1-26
Microsoft SBS Design Goals 1-27
Defining the SBS Market: The Small Business Model 1-27
Attitude 1-28
Affluence 1-29
Expertise 1-30
Defining the SBS Market: The Small Business Model 1-31
SBS Architecture 1-32
Root of Forest and a Single Domain 1-33
Single Server in Standard and Second Server in Premium 1-33
End-User Workstations 1-34
User Applications 1-34
Server-Based Business Applications 1-35
SBS Ecosystem 1-35
Windows SBS Consoles 1-35
Microsoft Server Applications 1-36
Windows Server 2008 1-36
User Mode 1-36
Kernel Mode 1-37
Bringing It All Together 1-37
Competitive Analysis 1-39
SBS 2008 Product Pre-Launch, Launch, and Availability 1-43
The Future of SBS 1-43
Summary -44
Chapter 2: Small Business Server Design and Planning 2-1
Springer Spaniels Limited 2-2
SBS Project Management 2-4
Planning Phase 2-5
Early Planning Questions 2-5
Existing Network Layout 2-6
Check Existing Infrastructure 2-7
List of SBS Stakeholders 2-10
User List 2-12
Security 2-15
Project Schedule 2-15
Addressing Hardware, Software, and Services
List and Budget Needs 2-16
Proposed Network Layout 2-17
Final Planning Activities 2-18
Server Installation Phase 2-21
Workstation Installation Phase 2-25
Follow-Up Phase 2-26
Celebration Phase 2-27
SBS Expectation Management and Perception 2-27
Scope of Work 2-28
Over-Communicate 2-29
Selecting SBS Service Providers 2-30
SBS Consultants 2-30
Hardware and Software Resellers 2-31
Hardware 2-32
Software 2-32
Wiring and Cabling Contractors 2-33
Telco 2-33
Internet Service Providers 2-34
Advanced Planning Issues 2-34
Software 2-34
Other Software 2-35
Hardware 2-36
SBS Cheapskate, Beware! 2-37
Hardware Necessities 2-37
Windows Server Catalog 2-38
SBS Budgeting 2-38
Summary -39
Chapter 3: Small Business Server Installation 3-1
Preinstallation Tasks 3-4
Unpack and Connect 3-4
Check the Network 3-7
Perform Server Quick Tests 3-8
Backup Data 3-11
Read the Release Notes 3-12
SBS Site Review 3-13
SBS Installation Overview 3-13
SBS OS WinPE Setup (Phase 1) 3-16
SBS Answer File Install (Phase 2) 3-17
SBS Installation and First Input Round (Phase 3) 3-17
SBS Hardware Configuration, Driver Installs,
and Utilities (Phase 4) 3-18
SBS Getting Started Tasks List (Phase 5) 3-19
Connect to the Internet 3-20
Protect Your Data 3-21
Add Users, Computers, and Devices 3-22
Grow Your Business 3-22
Final Configuration and Testing 3-23
Ready, Set, Go 3-24
SBS Setup 3-26
The Getting Started Tasks List Lives! 3-38
OEM Setup Scenario 3-39
Unsupported Devices 3-40
Upgrading to SBS 3-40
Troubleshooting Setup Errors 3-41
Summary -41
Chapter 4: Introduction to the SBS Consoles 4-1
Meet the Windows SBS Consoles 4-2
Windows SBS Console 4-3
SBS Home Page 4-4
Getting Started Tasks 4-4
Users and Groups Tab 4-6
Shared Folders and Web Sites Tab 4-24
Backup and Server Storage Tab 4-29
Security Tab 4-35
Windows SBS Console (Advanced Mode) 4-41
Windows SBS Native Tools Management Console 4-43
Summary -44
Chapter 5: SBS 2008 Deployment 5-1
Post OS Install Configuration Steps 5-2
GUI Customizations 5-4
Windows Explorer 5-4
Desktop Toolbar 5-5
Start Menu 5-6
Notification Area 5-7
Internet Explorer 5-9
Partitioning 5-10
Swap File 5-14
Windows SBS Native Tools Management Console 5-15
Add the Group Policy Management Console 5-16
Quota Templates 5-17
DHCP IPv4 Properties 5-20
DNS Settings 5-22
Default Company Shared Folder 5-23
Mapped Network Drive 5-26
WSUS Sync Schedule 5-30
Definition Updates in WSUS 5-31
Server Updates 5-34
Getting Started Tasks: In Order 5-35
Finish Installation 5-35
Using the Windows SBS Console 5-35
Connect to the Internet 5-35
Connect to the Internet Wizard 5-36
Customer Feedback Options 5-37
Set Up Your Internet Address Wizard 5-38
Configure a Smart Host for Internet E-Mail 5-43
Add a Trusted Certificate 5-44
Protect Your Data 5-48
Configure Server Backup 5-48
Help Protect Your Server with Windows Live
OneCare for Server 5-51
Add Users, Computers, and Devices 5-52
How Can Users Access Computers on the Network? 5-52
Add a New User Account 5-52
Connect Computers to Your Network 5-57
How Can I add a Shared Printer to the Network? 5-67
Grow Your Business 5-67
Set Up Your Microsoft Office Live
Small Business Web Sites 5-67
Summary -67
Small Business Server 2008 Photo Essay 5-69
SECTION TWO – Extending Small Business Server 2008
Chapter 6: Standard Security in SBS 2008 6-1
SPRINGERS Network 6-1
Calyptix (Harry) 6-2
Setup -3
Management 6-6
SonicWALL (Harry) 6-7
Setup -7
WatchGuard (Harry) 6-11
Setup 6-12
Management 6-13
Untangle (Philip) 6-15
Setup 6-17
Management 6-21
Microsoft Internet Acceleration and Security Server (ISA) (Philip) 6-23
The Final Words 6-24
Windows Firewall 6-25
Caveat Emptor 6-25
Summary -25
Chapter 7: Messaging with Exchange 2007 and Outlook 2007 7-1
What You May Already Know About Exchange Server 2007! 7-2
What You May Already Know About Outlook 2007 7-4
Exchange Under the Hood 7-5
Okay—What Is Exchange Server 2007? 7-5
Really Managing Exchange 7-6
Active Directory Users and Computers 7-7
Internet Information Server 7 7-9
Core Windows Server 2008 Services 7-10
Blocking Attachments, E-mails, and Content 7-11
Attachment Blocking 7-11
Spam Filtering 7-12
POP3 Connector 7-13
Advanced Topics 7-14
External Junk Mail Filtering 7-15
M&M’s Site 7-16
Mail Bagging and Multiple MX Records 7-16
Instant Messaging—NOT! 7-17
Exchange Migrations 7-18
Extending Exchange 7-18
Multiple Exchange Servers 7-18
Hosted Exchange 7-18
Outlook 2007 7-19
Sending an E-mail 7-19
Creating an Appointment 7-20
Creating Contacts 7-21
Public Folders 7-22
Attachment Blocking and Warnings 7-23
Junk E-mail 7-27
Junk Users 7-28
Recovery Movement 7-29
Forwarding E-mail to Your Mobile Telephone 7-31
Cached Exchange Mode 7-32
It’s Client, Not Server! 7-32
Extending Outlook 7-32
Outlook Mobile Access (OMA) 7-33
Mobile-side 7-33
Outlook Business Contact Manager 7-35
Next Steps! 7-38
Summary -38
Chapter 8: Collaboration with Windows SharePoint Services 8-1
What’s New 8-1
Companyweb Feature Overview 8-4
SharePoint Libraries 8-4
SharePoint Communications 8-14
SharePoint Tracking 8-21
SharePoint Custom Lists 8-30
SharePoint Web Pages 8-30
Fax Center 8-31
Idle Timeout 8-31
Summary -32
Chapter 9: Mobility and Remote Connectivity 9-1
Remote Web Workplace 9-2
Remote Web Workplace Access 9-3
Portal Contents 9-4
Portal Header 9-5
Portal Buttons 9-7
Management Links 9-8
Organization Links 9-8
Administration Links 9-9
Remote Web Workplace Idle Time 9-9
Remote Web Workplace Advanced Features 9-10
User Password Expiry 9-11
Outlook Web Access 9-13
Outlook Web Access GUI 9-15
OWA Header 9-15
Mail 9-20
Calendar 9-21
Contacts 9-22
Tasks 9-22
Documents 9-23
Public Folders 9-23
Remote Desktop Web Access 9-24
Companyweb Internal Web Site 9-26
Outlook Anywhere 9-27
Outlook Mobile Access 9-28
VPN Connectivity 9-31
Create a Connection 9-31
Connect to SBS Resources via VPN 9-31
VPN Access Permissions 9-32
Summary -34
Chapter 10: Fax and Print 10-1
Introduction 1-1
SBS Fax 10-2
SBS Fax Modem 10-3
SBS Fax Service Setup 10-3
SBS Network Printing 10-5
Physically Connecting a Printer 10-5
Connecting a Network Printer 10-7
SBS Printer Setup 10-10
Deploy Printer via Group Policy 10-13
Windows Vista 10-13
Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional 10-18
Configure the Vista Workstation Fax Service 10-21
Windows Vista Fax and Scan 10-22
Summary 1024
Chapter 11: Internet and the Web 11-1
Introduction 1-1
Office Live Small Business Setup 11-3
Set Up Your Microsoft Office Live Small Business Web Sites 11-3
Office Live Small Business Web Site 11-6
Office Live Small Business Management Portal 11-7
Modify the Default Office Live Small Business Web Site 11-10
Office Live Small Business Applications Web Site 11-12
Summary 11-15
SECTION THREE – Small Business Server 2008 Administration
Chapter 12: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Annual Tasks 12-1
Backup Setup 12-5
SBS 2008 Backup 12-5
SS-SBS Backup Tasks and Wizards 12-7
Rotations 12-10
Compliance Considerations 12-10
On-Premise Third-Party Backup 12-10
Harry’s View 12-11
Philip’s View 12-11
Off-Premise Third-Party Backup 12-12
Harry’s View 12-12
Philip’s View 12-13
AntiVirus and Malware 12-13
Harry’s View 12-14
Philip’s View 12-14
Forefront Server Security for Exchange SP1 Reports 12-15
Live OneCare for Server Status 12-15
Task Scheduler 12-16
WSUS Update Monitoring 12-18
Quick Hitters 12-19
Daily/Weekly 12-19
Monthly/Annual 12-20
Role of Managed Services 12-22
Harry 12-22
Philip 12-23
Karl 12-24
Managed Services and the Daily/Weekly/Monthly checklist 12-25
Patch Management 12-26
Summary 1226
Chapter 13: Monitoring Small Business Server 2008 13-1
You Are Already Doing It! 13-2
Configuring Monitoring 13-3
Interpreting Monitoring Settings and Results 13-8
More Monitoring Tools 13-9
Snap-Ins 13-10
Baselining 13-11
Task Manager 13-12
Disk Defragmenter 13-12
Performance Monitor 13-13
Command Line Stuff 13-16
Event Log Structures 13-17
Poor Man’s Managed Services 13-21
Back to Business! 13-22
Third Partyisms 13-23
SBS Code Plex 13-23
Level Platforms (LPI) 13-24
Kaseya 13-25
Summary 1326
SECTION FOUR – Small Business Server 2008 Advance Topics
Chapter 14: Small Business Server Advanced Security 14-1
Thinking Security! 14-1
Desktop Security 14-2
Acceptable Use Policy 14-3
Group Policy Workstation Security Settings 14-4
Local Policies: User Rights Assignment 14-5
Local Policies: Security Options 14-7
Shared Remote Connectivity Protection 14-8
Remove Disconnect from Start Menu 14-9
Set GPO to Enforced 14-12
Group Policy User Security Settings 14-13
Screen Saver Management 14-13
Deploy Windows Defender to XP Pro Clients 14-16
Share Setup 14-17
Download Package 14-18
Setup Delivery 14-20
Summary 1422
Chapter 15: SBS 2008 Premium and SQL Server 2008 15-1
Meet the “Other Server” 15-1
Installing Windows Server 2008 15-2
Meet SQL Server 2008 15-2
SQL Server Defined 15-4
Features and Functionality 15-4
Services and Databases 15-6
Installing SQL Server 2008 15-6
Using SQL Server 2008 15-8
Create a Database 15-8
Create a Table 15-8
Add Data 15-10
Query the Data 15-11
Line-of-Business Applications 15-11
Microsoft Dynamics 15-12
Third-Party General 15-12
Third-Party Narrow Vertical Markets 15-12
Custom 15-13
Summary 1513
Appendix A: Small Business Server 2008 Resources A-1
SBS Blogs -1
SBS Websites A-2
SBS Partner Sites A-2
SBS-related sites A-2
SBS User Groups and Partner Groups A-3
Appendix Z: Tips, Tricks Diagrams, and Grids A-5
SBS 2008 Direct Connect URLs A-5
Philip’s Lab Setup A-6
The Server Setup A-7
The Workstation Setup A-7
SPRINGERS User and Workstation Excel Spreadsheet A-9
Sample SPRINGERS Virtual Machine Setup Grid A-10
SPRINGERS Summary Network Report A-11
SPRINGERS Detailed Network Report A-12
Springer Spaniels’ Remote Web Workplace Portal A-13
Index A-15
cheersharrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, CEO at SMB Nation
Filed under Book
Take That Gotcha Media – We Just Set A Webinar Record: SBS 2008 Setup!
I am deligthed to announce that tomorrow’s night HP/MS FLP webinar on The real-world SBS 2008 Setup – pferomred LIVE before your eyes, has just set the SMB Nation webinar record with 430 attendees signed up and we still have 24-hours to go.
Help us break 500 attendees!
Learn more about this Small Business Server 2008 setup webinar, from the independent real world (and yes – sometimes silly and sassy) point of view. Go here: http://www.smbnation.com/events_listpage.asp?Category=Webinars&Cat=Category
See you tomorrow night!
cheers…harrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, CEO at smb nation www.smbnation.com
Microsoft Small Business Specialist SBSC, MBA, MCSE, MCT, MCP, CNE, CLSE, CNP
PS – did u know I host a technology conference in the New York City area each spring? Save the date for March 6-8, 2009 and watch “voice meet data” in the SMB space!
PPS – my SBS 2008 book will be out in mid-November 2008!
PPPS – my Microsoft Response Point Primer book is here NOW!
Filed under Events
Bad Dream? Where are the SBS MVPs at the Nov 12th Launch?
Today I received an e-mail from a competitor, TechTarget (Boston publisher), inviting me to attend the November 12th online launch for SBS 2008 and EBS 2008. I signed up.
When I educated myslef on the content and speaker line-up, I was concerned that I did not see the name of a single technical SBS MVP as a presenter. What’s this I asked? Is MS heading in a “different direction” and sending our market signals?
Long-time enterprise server guru and author Mark Manasi is a headliner, and indivdiually he’s a good guy (so is “have a beer-with-George Bush in DC” but….). But I submit to you Manasi doesn’t know “jack shirt” compared to the SBS MVPs!
I will be blogging constantly during the November 12th event – so bookmark me baby!
cheers…harrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, CEO at smb nation www.smbnation.com
Microsoft Small Business Specialist SBSC, MBA, MCSE, MCT, MCP, CNE, CLSE, CNP
PS – did u know I host a technology conference in the New York City area each spring? Save the date for March 6-8, 2009 and watch “voice meet data” in the SMB space!
PPS – my SBS 2008 book will be out in mid-November 2008!
PPPS – my Microsoft Response Point Primer book is here NOW!
Report from the Computer Troubleshooters annual conference in Cleveland
Chris Bangs, our inside sales\biz dev guy at SMB Nation, has filed this report from Cleveland where he worked the SMB Nation booth on the tradeshow floor at the annual Computer Troubleshooters conference.
First of all, Chris was absolutely THRILLED to be there and I apprecaite his giving up a few days to fly from Seattle to Cleveland, set up and work hard, breakdown the booth and fly home on a Saturday. We are cutting into his family time this week (he has a new born daughter at home with his lovely wife) and I personally appreciate his energy and commitment. So committed was he that he bypassed visitiing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame so he could further work in his hotel room. Cheers mate.
There were about 100 “techies” from the Computer Troubleshooters side and about 300 attendees overall (Chris reports this was a combo conference because Computer Troubleshooters was acquired in the last year by MerryMeeting, Inc. (Cleveland) and this was its overall conference event.
Chris reported that, because of the diverse nature of the conference wherein Computer Troubleshooters was only part of the story, the conversations where different from past techie shows. The sponsors were not just technology sponsors, etc.
Here is an interesting story. The Microsoft representative who was there to tell the Windows Small Business SERver 2008 story apparently lost his PPT slide deck. So he used our June\July 2008 issue of SMB PC magazine that features SBS group manager Dean Paron on the cover as his presentation. The cover story, written by Phil Elder, is a quick look at SBS 2008 so this reading sufficed as a presentation.
So, all and all, a good weekend for us to tell our SMB Nation story and speak about the Seattle fall conference in just a few weeks. Computer Troubleshooters has been a big supporter of SMB Nation and we thank them.
Have a safe flight home Chris!
enjoy…harrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, CEO at smb nation www.smbnation.com
Microsoft Small Business Specialist SBSC, MBA, MCSE, MCT, MCP, CNE, CLSE, CNP
PS – did u know I host an annual conference in Seattle each october for SBSers and SMB consultants? This year we help launch SBS 2008 and Essential Business Server (EBS) between October 4-6!
Filed under Life Happens
Report from Day One: 15-city SBS 2008 tour launched today in Redmond
Hey gang – I have just left the SBS 2008 Partner Tour event in building 37 in Redmond and have this report to file. Kindly note that I had to leave early as little Harry has a soccer game (I am writing this from the soccer field using my 3G air card from Verzion to connect my tablet PC to the world as we know it).
Audience
Certainly a lot of familiar faces from the Puget Sound Small Business Server partner\user group. There were around 100 people and I would call that a win for a sunny Saturday afternoon in Seattle!
Micorosft Representatives: Chris Van Wesp, Mike Iem and a few other reps were on hadn to do setup, checkin, etc. I am sorry but I forgot the speakers name. Opps.
Food: Sandwichs, cookies, sodas and beer. All good.
Photography Allowed: I shopt a few pics for the next issue of SMB PC magazine and Aaron Booker from VarVid was there to do his channel video voodoo. Last I saw he was filming part of the event.
THANK YOU: A hearty thank you to Steven Banks, SBS MVP and the user group leader. He was kind enough to allow me a moment in front of the audience to thank them for reading our SMB PC magazine (now 32,000 circulation) and make mention of the SMB Nation 2008 fall conference that is just under a month away. I hope the copy of the SMB Consulting Best Practices that I was able to give to each attendee is a small token and way for me to show my appreciation and thanks….
enjoy…harrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, CEO at smb nation www.smbnation.com
Microsoft Small Business Specialist SBSC, MBA, MCSE, MCT, MCP, CNE, CLSE, CNP
PS – did u know I host an annual conference in Seattle each october for SBSers and SMB consultants? This year we help launch SBS 2008 and Essential Business Server (EBS) between October 4-6!
Filed under Life Happens
Even more fax features in SBS 2003
Good labor day weekend to you in the USA! I am harry brelsford, the author of windows small business server 2003 best practices and each day i am posting up bookage on a complimentary basis for your consumption pleasure. Sounds sexy eh?
Anyways – today we discuss even more fax features in SBS 2003.
enjoy…harrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, CEO at smb nation www.smbnation.com
Microsoft Small Business Specialist SBSC, MBA, MCSE, MCT, MCP, CNE, CLSE, CNP
PS – did u know I host an annual conference in Seattle each october for SBSers and SMB consultants? This year we help launch SBS 2008 and Essential Business Server (EBS) between October 4-6!
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More Fax Features |
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A few other cool features are included with the SBS Fax Server, many of which I’ll discuss in more detail later: |
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• Fax Modem Pool Support.Like prior releases of SBS, the current SBS 2003 release is limited to four fax devices. That’s because the underlying Windows Server 2003 standard edition operating system imposes this limit (other Windows Server 2003 SKUs don’t have this limit) |
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BEST PRACTICE: This device limitation doesn’t mean that the fax service ignores exceeding devices (such as having more than four fax modems). Rather, it only means that up to four fax devices can be used to send or receive faxes at any given time. Other devices will show up during that time (in the Fax-related user interface) but they will not send or receive faxes and can not be configured to do so. |
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Using the default modem pool actually supports limited group faxing on outbound faxing. That is, if everyone prints to the same fax printer from the desktop, the faxes can all be sent at the same time because each fax modem would use a separate fax line to initiate its call. This discussion is conceptually similar to printer pooling. |
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BEST PRACTICE: This fax modem pool capability also has a role for inbound faxing. When combined with a hunt-line capability from your telco, Microsoft Fax allows you to offer never-a-busy-signallevel services for your customers trying to fax your firm. Essentially, all your customers send faxes to a single published fax line, say 206123-1235 for SPRINGERS. If a customer attempts to send a fax, and the first fax modem is occupied, the telco’s hunt capability provides the capability to have the second, third, or fourth modem receive the inbound fax call. Cool, eh? |
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Theoretically, all four fax modems, assuming you have that many, could receive faxes at the same time. And because a small business would almost never receive more than four faxes simultaneously, you could advertise your business as never having a busy fax line! |
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I should also note that a fax modem pool also facilitates |
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simultaneous inbound and outbound faxing operations, something |
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Visit http://www.smbnation.com for additional SMB and SBS book, newsletter and conference resources. |
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many small businesses can enjoy only if they have truly separate fax machines. It’s a tip worth mentioning to the small business owner seeking more information on how to use multiple telephone lines and a fax modem pool. |
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• Fax board support. Starting with the SBS 2000 launch in Atlantic City in February 2001, a collective “halleluiah” went up with the announcement of native SBS 2000 support for fax modem boards, such as the offerings from Brooktrout. Such support continues today with SBS 2003. In fact, a representative from Brooktrout was on hand to bask in his moment of glory and answer questions (Brooktrout support in the SBS 2003 time frame is shown in Figure 9-2). This is a long-requested capability in SBS, and those who take faxing seriously greatly appreciate this capability. • Cover Pages. The SBS Fax Server also includes a set of fax cover pages for your use. You can also create your own fax cover pages via Fax Cover Page Editor or the Microsoft Fax Viewer software. Be advised that the use of a computerized faxing solution, such as the SBS Fax Server, eliminates the ability to use the popular Post-it Fax Notes (the physical kind you paste onto manual faxes). These tiny scraps of paper, with a sticky backing, are typically attached to the header of the first fax page when using an actual fax machine. Because you can’t physically attach such as a Post-it Note to a computer-generated fax, you need to be content with using SBS Fax Server-based cover pages when transmitting. You manage cover pages via the Fax (Local) object under Standard Management on the Server Management console with the Manage Cover Pages link. • Management Control. Via the Fax (Local) object under Standard Management in the Server Management console, you can manage the fax function for your small business in SBS 2003. By default, everyone can use the fax function, something I show later in my security discussion. Member of the Fax Operators security group may manage fax queues and fax cover pages. More on fax security and control later. |
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Figure 9-2 |
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Because the Fax Service in Windows Server 2003 is exactly the same in SBS 2003, Brooktrout’s support for SBS 2003 is unquestioned. |
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