Windows Small Business Server and Essential Business Server Documentation

The Windows SBS 2008 Migration Guides are updated!

2009-11-13T00:05:00Z

Thanks to the feedback that we have received from partners and customers, we've made many updates to the Migration Guides over the past few months. Each week, we have pushed a few more "enhancements" out to the Windows SBS Technical Library, but we wanted to compile a large number of updates before we published updated versions of the downloadable guides. We're pleased to say that these updated docs are now available. Besides correcting some typos and folder locations, the updates include additional help and information about a broad range of migration-related subjects that will help ease the flow of your server migration. You can access the guides from the Downloadable Docs for Windows SBS 2008 page in the Windows SBS Technical Library, of directly by following these links:

Thanks so much to you all for helping us to continually improve the product documentation.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Migrating from Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Windows Essential Business Server

2009-10-07T01:50:00Z

The migration process can be complicated and depending on your circumstances, it can be frustrating. To help alleviate this frustration, we updated Migrating from Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Windows Essential Business Server. The following sections have been updated or added:

Prepare the Windows SBS Environment
Install Windows EBS
Migrate Settings and Data
(shared folders and data, Fax Service, DHCP Server, DNS, Exchange Server, trusted certificates,
and Windows SharePoint Services)
Demote and Remove the Server Running Windows SBS 2003 from the Network

You can also download the document from the Microsoft Download Center.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

How to restore the full system to a computer on a Windows Home Server network

2009-10-06T19:43:00Z

If you use Windows Home Server, you may find this of interest. We have just published an article that provides step-by-step instructions about how to use an existing backup to restore the full system to a computer that is joined to a Windows Home Server network. The article was written by Microsoft Support Specialist Edwin Joseph. You can download the article from the Microsoft Download Center.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

It's down to the "Bare Metal"

2009-08-20T01:22:00Z

Ok. We're looking for a little help here. Let's imagine for a moment that the hard drives on your computer come down with a bad case of digital amnesia some night, and when you sit down at the keyboard the next morning, your monitor just looks back at you with a deep black vacant stare. What are you going to do? Well, to start with, you'll probably make sure it's still plugged in. Right? Good thinking! But what if it's worse than that? Say... much worse? What if the amnesia is digitally terminal?

There can be no doubt that you're feeling pretty bad right about now. Well, here is some great news. Because you care so much about your system, you DO have a recent full backup available. So thank your lucky stars, you can restore the computer to it's good old reliable self in a jiffy.

Now, here's where the help comes in. Some of us techno-savvy types call that kind of recovery process a "Bare Metal Restore." But we know that most of our customers don't call it that. What do YOU call it? Better yet, what would your spouse's brother or sister call it? Are you getting me here? Is it a "Complete PC Re-do?" or a "Reload the Computer" process?

We have a couple of ideas we like better than "Bare Metal Restore," but we think you probably have better ones.

Please send your suggestions to mailto:sbsdocfb@microsoft.com?subject=Bare%20Metal%20Restore. Operators are standing by.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Great way to automatically back up your SBS client computers

2009-08-14T23:28:00Z

Have you ever wished you had an easy way to automatically back up all the client computers on your SBS network? Well, you can use Windows Home Server to do just that. Take a look at our new article that tells you how to do it:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee378513(WS.10).aspx

Enjoy!

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Hey you big business IT PRO's out there. Think SMALL!

2009-07-16T20:47:00Z

Windows Small Business Server - that is!

Are you accustomed to deploying and managing servers in the enterprise space? Do you want to broaden your horizons and tackle the computer networking needs for small businesses and organizations at the heart of the national infrastructure? Then Windows Small Business Server 2008 is just what you are looking for. Why Windows SBS? How does it differ from Windows Server? Well, if you're new to the small business space (and to this blog), we have just published "An Introduction to Windows Small Business Server 2008 for the Enterprise IT Pro." This topic is available in the Windows SBS Technical Library. The topic discusses the design philosophy that Microsoft used to develop Windows SBS 2008, and includes key information about the product features and deployment considerations that you should be of aware of before you take on your first Windows SBS 2008 installation.

The "S" part of the SMB sector represents a huge portion of the IT pie. Is it time for you to take a byte out of it?

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Free Health Check: New Microsoft IT Environment Health Scanner

2009-07-10T20:48:00Z

Does your network need a checkup? The team that develops Windows Essential Business Server (Windows EBS) just released a new tool that administrators of small and mid-size networks are sure to want to download: the Microsoft IT Environment Health Scanner. In just a few minutes, the tool runs more than 100 checks to help you assess the overall health of your Active Directory and network infrastructure, including the configuration of Active Directory Domain Services, DHCP, DNS, Exchange Server, network adapters, and domain controllers. If the tool detects problems, it links to Microsoft Knowledge Base articles and other Web content for resolution information. The IT Environment Halth Scanner doesn't change anything on your network -- it just reports the information.

Besides being a great addition to your adminstrative toolkit, the tool is invaluable for finding subtle (or not so subtle) issues in your Active Directory and network environment that can hang up server deployments, infrastructure upgrades and migrations, and the like. For example, we've heard that it has been a big help to some of our partners preparing for a migration from Windows SBS 2003 to Windows SBS 2008.

Note for those of you who are deploying Windows EBS or are considering it: the tool runs almost the same set of checks as the Windows EBS Preparation Wizard, which makes sure that your existing network environment is functioning properly and ready for a Windows EBS deployment. For more information about that, see Preparation and Planning for Windows EBS in the TechNet Library.

Here's to your continued good (network) health!

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Released: Windows EBS 2008 International Technical Libraries!

2009-06-19T22:22:00Z

We're happy to announce the release of the following international technical libraries for Windows EBS 2008:

Enjoy!

“This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.”

Content Upgrade: SBS 2008 Migration

2009-06-19T20:41:00Z

Thinking about moving to the latest version of SBS? Our Microsoft PSS team just posted a great summary of the end-to-end SBS migration process:

http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2009/02/19/sbs-2008-migrations-from-sbs-2003-keys-to-success.aspx

Be sure to read the latest version of the Windows SBS 2008 Migration Guide before you begin the migration.

“This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.”

Are you in the know? Watch this screencast to discover how you can share your knowledge!

2009-06-15T21:11:00Z

Sure. We're good at what we do. We love to help you learn about how our software works and how you can use it in your organization! But let's face it. We're great with the nuts and bolts, but you work with our systems every day! Most of you know more about the in's-and-out's, pro's-and-con's, and if's-and-then's of our software than we do -- because you live it!

So don't be shy! Share your knowledge!

The Microsoft technical libraries at the TechNet and MSDN Web sites include a feature called "Community Content" that allows you to contribute technical information. It's easy to use, and it's a fantastic way share what you know, help others, and strut your stuff a bit at the same time.

As a slight nudge of encouragement, we recently published a screencast that introduces you to the concept of Community Content, and walks you through the basics of how to use the feature.

So plan now to set aside 11 minutes of your busy day to view "Introducing the TechNet and MSDN Community Content Feature." You might just find it inspiring. We sure hope so!

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Observations from TechEd '09 - Tuesday

2009-05-13T19:07:00Z

I knew it was going to be a good day. The drive in to downtown from my home office in nearby Burbank was smooth, and quick by L.A. standards. My friendly navigator (affectionately known as "Maggie") directed me right to the parking garage without a hitch, and there was virtually no one in front of me at the registration stand.

If you were there - I didn't see you. However, I did observe a throng of technical professionals as they moved from classroom to classroom, booth to booth, and kiosk to kiosk. I must admit that there doesn't seem to be quite as many attendees this year as there were a couple of years ago in Orlando, but I can say without a doubt that I feel the same full energy and passion from folks as they discover, research and demo a plethora of products and technologies from Microsoft and an abundance of partners and providers.

I spent most of my day yesterday slowly walking the Expo floor - twice. Like anyone, I lingered at booths and stations of key interest and meandered past those of little interest or for which I have limited technical knowledge. I don't know why, but I always feel a bit embarrassed about not being able to hold up my side of a conversation about a technology that might as well be quantum physics. But it's not like I was being assaulted by street vendors trying to hawk a knock-off. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE that I came in contact with (or meandered past) greeted me with a welcoming smile and invited me with words or gestures to check out their cool and sometimes ground-breaking offerings. Some personal favorites on the day include demos from TechSmith, KnowledgeLake, and ComponentOne. And it was sooooooo cool to sit down and play with Microsoft Surface. The potential in this technology is vast and exciting.

So what's the buzz this year? SharePoint, SharePoint, SharePoint! Mix in healthy doses of Win7, WinServer, and Server Virtualization, and you have the basic fixings’ for TechEd Pie!

I'm going for another recipe on Thursday. I'll let you know what I find.

-Steve Holland

This is one of the longest lines at the show. What are these attendees so excited about?

Would you believe... Starbucks?

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

EBS Has a Community Corner

2009-05-08T19:33:00Z

The talented SBS MVPs are making contributions to the SBS documentation in the Windows SBS MVP and Community Corner.

Now the EBS folks have the same opportunity in the newly opened EBS Community Corner. Interested? E-mail us at ebsdocfb@microsoft.com.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Tip: Using Site: Query Feature to Narrow Search Results

2009-05-08T19:13:00Z

Scenario
You want to find information about Remote Web Workplace in SBS 2008. You use Google or Live Search and enter the search terms "remote web workplace" (in quotes). Lots of potentially useful links show up but you want the authoritative documentation from Microsoft. Here's a simple and easy way to narrow your search.

Search tip
In the Google or Live Search search box, enter: "remote web workplace" site:technet.microsoft.com

Using the site:<domain> query narrows your search to the specified domain and cuts out the clutter. Very useful!

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

It's time! Update that SBS 2000 server to SBS 2008. Here's how!

2009-05-01T22:10:00Z

Have you been itching to update your SBS 2000 server to the latest and greatest SBS 2008, but afraid to scratch because you find the thought of migrating your data and settings to be intimidating? Well, fear no longer! We have just published a white paper by Microsoft Support Engineer Edwin Joseph that helps guide you through the steps necessary to complete the migration successfully. We know that you've been waiting for this for a while now and we're pleased to make it available at this time. A big thanks to Edwin for pitching in!

You can access the paper from the MVP and Community Corner page in the SBS Technical Library. Or... you can download it right now!

Oh, and when you have the chance, check out Edwin's blog. Lots of tidbits in there about common support issues.

Cheers!

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

New Documentation: Integrating Windows Small Business Server 2008 with Exchange Online

2009-04-23T18:52:00Z

Are you curious about how you can take advantage of the online services that are provided by Microsoft? Exchange Online is one of the online services that Microsoft provides. Exchange Online uses the best practices that have been developed with customers and partners. Exchange Online guarantees a high level of availability, which enables you to reduce the workload on your IT staff so they can focus on projects that move your business forward.

To learn more about this exciting new technology, see the new solution paper titled Integrating Windows Small Business Server 2008 with Exchange Online.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.