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Foundation Webinar Q&A
Posted by: | CommentsHere is the Q&A from today’s Foundation Server webinar. The recording will be available soon in our Store, http://www.thirdtier.net/store.
Question: Good to hear that Texas twang again. 
Answer: you’re quite welcome, sir!
Question: Will it run on Hyper-V?
Answer: No, we’ll cover the limitations of the product in the presentation.
Question: Russell Clements – Systems Administrator at Institute for Creation Research (DFW-SBS President in my spare time…). I’ve used Third Tier twice and was VERY impressed with the OUTSTANDING service provided. It’s a GREAT resource – THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
Answer: Thanks, Russell.
Question: He mentioned 15 users in AD. Does that count include all the “default” users (Administrator, Guest, IIS_WPG, IUSR_SVRNAME, IWAM_SVRNAME, etc.)? Or only the named users that we add for the customer’s employees?
Answer: No it does not includes those users. Only the named users. There is a licensing service then runs every few minutes and checks for users in the domain.
Question: I am not seeing slides changing
Answer: You should be on the slide What CAN Founcation Server do? Slide. If not, you may have lost connection and need to sign out and back in again.
Question: they are changing REALLY slowly
Answer: OK, well at least moving. Eriq hasn’t shown many slides yet.
Question: In Server 2003, there was a POP3 mail server. Is there one available for Foundation?
Answer: If there is in Server 2008 R2 then it’s available in Foundation Server.
Question: If a vendor says in there specis that they need server 2008 will a Foundation Server work?
Answer: Yes, unless it hits upon one of the feature limitations that eriq mentioned. But in almost all cases, yes it will.
Question: How are you handling email with this solution?
Answer: I am using hosted Exchange. POP mail through an ISP would also be an option.
Question: Do you have a link that compares windows home server with foundation server?
Answer: There is no direct comparison because they are housed in different divisions within Microsoft.
Question: Will there be evals or NFR’s that we can get maybe through the Action Pack to get familiar with the software?
Answer: Foundation Server came in the Action Pack with the last quarter delivery.
Question: For the small offices that have been limping along on Server 2000 or Server 2003 is there a migration path to Foundation? What about SBS03 users that have decided to move to hosted Exchange?
Answer: There is no direct migration from 32-bit to 64-bit.
Question: Can you add Exchange, Sharepoint ect. and is there any separate pricing for it.
Answer: Sharepoint services is a free download. Anything that you install onto Foundation Server will need to be purchased.
Question: Since this is sold in OEM only, if the server hardware dies then we cannot do bare metal restore because it violates OEM license EULA, correct? Or am I missing something.
Answer: Yes, regular OEM licensing limitations apply.
Question: What about a migration path similar to SBS03->08? If we want to preserve the existing AD …
Answer: Yep, you can join it to the existing domain as a domain controller, it will then have a copy of the AD. Don’t forget to move the FSMO roles after you remove the old SBS03 server.
Question: I’m not that familiar with the low-end Dell boxes. What is your recommendation for RAID? PERC S100/S300 (”software based”)? Or a hardware RAID card?
Answer: This is a matter of opinion. But in my mind, this is a low end box and therefore mirror is probably most appropriate. There are no limitations in the product itself regarding drives.
Question: Great job, but I joined late. Is this recorded?
Answer: YES! http://www.thirdtier.net/store
Question: So we need to be careful with additional users, like backup service, zenith remote admin, etc (which aren’t specifically “named Users” but it sounds like they will take up a foundations CAL?
Answer: Yes, any created user would count as one of the 15 users.
Question: 15 users – counting disabled? // What if foundation is not a DC role, can it be in a domain with trusts? // Can virtualization be used for validation of recovery processes OR as a temporary solution for recovery in case of critical hardware failure? // What are you doing to address Backup of foundation server?
Answer: answering live
Question: can Foundation Server software be purchased from Ingram or D&H?
Answer: No. Foundation Serveris OEM only and only to the major manufacturers at that.
Question: There was some debate in forums about whether you can attach in a larger domain as long as the user usage is 15 or lower. IE. 50 user shop. 10 users hitting FS with TS?
Answer: Nope. It can only be installed at the root of the domain, so it will count all of the users in the entire domain.
Question: You said Dell will ship this preinstalled. How do they configure RAID, disk partitions, etc.? Are there OK options or do you end up blowing it away and rebuilding?
Answer: The options availalbe from Dell have seemed OK to me. We have left it as installed and just setup our own data partitions.
Question: Foundation was recently sent to SBSCs for test setup
Answer: Yes, SBSC’s did get a copy of Foundation Server.
Question: Can you comment on why one would put in a foundation server vs a windows home server?
Answer: answering live
Question: Standard Microsoft Action Pack subscribers do not get Foundation server. I just checked on my online product downloads page. I am not SBSc.
Answer: It was shipped as a seperate DVD and not available for download. It may have been for SBSC Action Pack subscribers only.
Question: so the “administrator” counts as one user already, out of the 15?
Answer: We are not certain. We will get the answer and post it to the blog.
Question: Does the administrator user account count as one of the 15 users?
Answer: Look for the answer to this on our blog.
Question: Very good stuff guys. Thanks!
Answer: Welcome
Question: Excellent webinar.. thank you very much.
Answer: Welcome
Question: Thanks good info
Answer: Welcome
Question: Great info as usual.
Answer: Thanks Tom
Question: Foundation server only adds AD and TS?
Answer: Group Policy and all features of Windows 2008 R2
Question: is $299 the msrp?
Answer: Yes
Question: Thanks – Great Info
Answer: Welcome
Question: except direct access
Answer: It can be a DA client, just not the server side
URLs mentioned in the webinar:
Foundation Server Marketing Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/foundation.aspx
Foundation Server Technical Page: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744832(WS.10).aspx
Server 2008 R2 Feature Comparisons: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-compare-features.aspx
Server 2008 R2 Role Comparisons: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-compare-roles.aspx
Third Thursday Webinars
Posted by: | CommentsWhile you’re waiting for today’s Third Thursday Webinar on Windows Server 2008 Foundation Server at Noon EST (https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/harborcomputerservices/join?id=5ZTH8D&role=attend&pw=jj%7D%3E%3F%4093X), you can head over to the Store (http://www.thirdtier.net/store) and download last week’s Friends of Third Tier webinar on Virtualization with Dave Sobel!
Outlook Repeatedly Prompting for Authentication
Posted by: | CommentsWe’ve seen a large number of people posting in various newsgroups, web forums, mailing lists, etc., regarding a sudden change in behavior in Outlook where it starts prompting for authentication on a regular basis. Many of the ones we’ve seen have been Outlook 2007 against SBS 2008 (Exchange 2007).
We’ve found one possible source for this behavior, see if this matches your situation:
If you have installed any of the following updates on the workstations, it changes the authentication mechanism.
970430 Extended Protection for Authentication in the HTTP Protocol Stack (http.sys)
974318 Vulnerabilities in the Internet Authentication service could allow remote code execution
976325 MS09-072: Cumulative security update for Internet Explorer
971737 Description of the update that implements Extended Protection for Authentication in Microsoft Windows HTTP Services (WinHTTP)
973917 Description of the update that implements Extended Protection for Authentication in Internet Information Services (IIS)These updates can come down automatically and they are on the assumption that you have already applied the latest rollup from Exchange which was released a while back. If you have not, then Outlook will no longer be able to retain its authentication with the Exchange.
You can download it here: You will need to restart the server afterwards
Install Update Rollup 9 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (KB970162)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=55320be2-c65c-48bb-bab8-6335aa7d008c&displaylang=enExchange Rollup 9 should be coming down via WSUS, if you are using that. If you are not, then it is also an automatic update from Microsoft Update. If you are using another patching mechanism be sure to include Exchange Rollups in the configuration.
Other resources will point out that Exchange SP2 also includes the updates that will address this issue, but as Exchange 2007 SP2 is a challenge to install on an SBS 2008 server, we recommend holding off on installing SP2 on an SBS 2008 server and wait for updated instructions for how to safely install that update.
Hopefully this will help some of you who haven’t found the solution on your own just yet.
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
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LinkedINWelcome Edwin Sarmiento!
Posted by: | CommentsThird Tier is pleased to announce the addition of Edwin Sarmiento to the team. Edwin currently resides in Canada, but has spent a great deal of time on the other side of the globe. His specialty is SQL, but you can learn about his other areas of expertise in his bio.
Glad to have you as part of the team, Edwin!
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
Get Support Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedINWelcome Mikael Nystrom
Posted by: | CommentsThird Tier is pleased to announce the addition of Mikael Nystrom to our team. Mike is a well-respected member of the SBS community and presented a session on deployment techniques for Windows 7 at the recent SMB Nation conference in Las Vegas.
You can learn more about Mike on his bio page.
Welcome aboard, Mikael!
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
Get Support Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedINWelcome Steve Banks
Posted by: | CommentsThird Tier is pleased to announce the addition of Steve Banks to our staff.
Steve will be helping to man the SBS, Exchange, and General support queues. Steve has been an SBS MVP since 2003 and has also been heavily involved with the EBS product as well.
Steve founded and has been running the Puget Sound SBS user group for a number of years. He has also spoken at a number of events, including the IT Pro Conference in New Orleans. You can read Steve’s full biography here.
Welcome to Third Tier, Steve!
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
Get Support Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedINCalyptix/Third Tier SMB Nation Welcome Reception
Posted by: | CommentsIf you are headed to SMB Nation for the 2009 Fall Conference, Calyptix and Third Tier would like to invite you to visit us Thursday evening to kick off the conference:
We hope to see you there!
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
Get Support Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedINThird Tier at SMB Nation
Posted by: | CommentsFor those of you who are heading to Las Vegas for the SMB Nation conference, several Third Tier members will be in attendance as well.. Eriq Neale will be speaking at the conference, and you can check out his presentation on Alternative Solutions in the SMB Space Friday at 11:30am on Friday. Amy Babinchak and other Third Tier staff will be on hand throughout the conference. Please stop us and say “hello” if you pass by during the weekend.
See you in Vegas!
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
Get Support Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedINWSUS Webinar Download Available
Posted by: | CommentsThe LiveMeeting recording from last week’’s Third Thursday Webinar by Susan Bradley is now available for download from the Third Tier Store. Click on the Store link or browse to http://www.thirdtier.net/store to download the webinar for off-line viewing. Thanks again to Susan for an outstanding presentation!
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
Get Support Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedINQ&A from the WSUS Webinar
Posted by: | CommentsHere is the Q&A panel from the September 17, 2009, WSUS webinar from Susan Bradley.
Question: Disclaimer: When running image based backup solution and/or utilizing online backup services, be sure to either create a seperate volumn for WSUS content or exclude it from off-site backup if possible. 
Answer: Excellent recommendation. Thanks!
Question: Are there any problems with XP SP3? Thanks.
Answer: Globally, I”m not aware of any. Have almost all of our customers up on XP SP3. There may be individual application issues, but not that I”m aware of.
Question: XP SP3 causes problems by switching off the TS ActiveX used for RWW but that has been blogged to death!
Answer: Correct, I don”t consciously think about that because it’’s just automatic to fix. Thanks for the reminder.
Question: What is the best way to “Disable” WSUS?
Answer: Services – disable the WSUS service
Question: Is the specific service just the “Windows Update” service on the server? Are there any other ones?
Answer: That’’s the one.
Question: Is the method used to relocate WSUS content on sbs 08 the same as prior versions?
Answer: No, There is a wizard in the SBS 2008 Console to move the WSUS data to different partitions.
Question: I called some of my LOB vendors and found out that one of them does not support downloading their program’’s updates through IE8 yet. I”ve gotten into the habit of calling my main vendors or checking their FAQ before I roll anything out.
Answer: That’’s an excellent suggestion. Thanks for sharing.
Question: WSUS 3.0 SP2 needs the new reportviewer. but… the viewer needs .net 3.5. How ugly is the .net install?
Answer: Test it first, but I haven”t had too many problems when doing the 3.5 install for my sites.
Question: Do you recommend partitioning SBS08.
Answer: yes minimum 2
Question: Is there going to be a WSUS 4.0 someday?
Answer: Someday, we don”t know when
Question: Because I have installed WSUS manually I have the Not Available in the Updates. I can go to the WSUS server via 8530 and I can go to the updates page but it does not show any updates. I do have all the products checked in the list and I am not downloading drivers but I still have problems not getting the green check mark. Good point about not unistalling. I did that and it messed it up a lot
Answer: susan provided a list of items that you need to include and point to the green check/blue check SBS blog post for the answer
Question: Can you speak to the relative importance of patching Microsoft products vs. third party products like Java, Adobe, Firefox, QuickTime, etc.? The focus seems always to be on Microsoft products, but many of the threats are coming from third-party products as well. How do you handle those?
Answer: VERY important to patch the 3rd party stuff. The bad guys are choosing to come in via 3rd party becasue MS is generally updated these days.
Question: Not a question, but a praise, I highly recommend SBS08 Unleashed; and I just posted a review on Amazon.
Answer: Thanks!
Question: is there a way we can submit our WSUS policy/procedures for a slap on the back or a slap on the head?Kevin royalty warned me about the 2×4.
Answer: you can contact Susan via her blog, or submit a ticket a Third Tier
Question: Is there a place that a new MSP can go to see historically what patches have caused problems? We are developing our patch management policy and have basically an enormous amount of patches to approve or deny to “catch up”. It would be great to have a publish list of patches that a low or high risk. Any resource available that you know of to help us out?
Answer: www.patchmanagement.org, but nobody keeps a “master database” of this information
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
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