VMware Studio 2.0 to be released

Last week in a public webinar VMware announced the upcoming release of Studio 2.0, the environment to author OVF packages.

The first most important feature is that it will support the new generation of virtual appliances (VAs) that VMware calls vApps.

The vApp is a concept that VMware introduced for the first time at VMworld 2008, and it implies a new metadata layer wrapping the virtual appliance what describes the virtual hardware, performance and security requirements to run the virtual machine.

Once created the virtual appliance or the vApp, Studio 2.0 will be able to deliver it on VMware Workstation, Server (both 1.x and 2.x) and of course VI/vSphere.

The most interesting thing about this last interaction is that Studio can push (and update at a later time) the new VA/vApp through VMware Update Manager (VUM).

Is Microsoft building a credible VDI Architecture?

In the last two years almost every major vendor in the IT industry rushed to develop a rich VDI portfolio and roadmap. Each of them did its best to acquire promising startups, to announce new and highly efficient remote desktop protocols, to sign partnerships with OEMs for the next generation thin client.

So far Microsoft preferred to stay under the radar as much as possible, even when they acquired Calista Technologies in January 2008; even when they announced some basic desktop brokering capabilitiesin the imminent Windows Server 2008 R2.

Now some concrete details are finally emerging and the Microsoft VDI strategy seems more interesting than expected:

"…In the RTM version of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, GDI applications, media with Windows Media Player, and Aero Glass will continue using the client-side rendering for remote scenarios as demonstrated in the pre-release version. For the RTM release, client-based rendering will no longer be available for DirectX 10.1 / DXGI 1.1 and Direct 2D applications, instead this type of content will be remoted using host-side resources leveraging the enhanced bitmap acceleration capabilities in R2. This decision was made based on the feedback we received during the engineering and validation process, where the number one requirement was quality and robustness. While this design change may impact the utilization of CPU and GPU resources on the host side for certain use cases, it provides a consistent approach to remoting multiple types of rich (2D and 3D) content across a broad range of rich and thin client devices."

So basically Microsoft doesn’t just plan to integrate Calista technologies in RDP as already announced, but it also plans to elaborate on the virtualsationsed to host those multimedia contents executed inside the VDI virtual desktops.

Those next generation display cards will be just another piece, along with a new remote desktop and a client hypervisor, of the very complex infrastructure that will have to build in the future to make VDI a really efficient solution.

Windows 7 - Key Features

So July is nearly here which means all us Microsoft Partners will get the official RC of Windows 7.0 allowing us to fully understand the new features and how they can add real value to your business in October 2009.

Interested to see what the key features are in Windows 7? Have a look here:

Desktop - Introducing improved taskbar previews, bigger icons, pinning, and creative ways to personalise.

HomeGroup - Takes the headache out of home networking, so it's easier to share files and printers.

Jump Lists - Speedy access to your favorite pictures, songs, websites, and documents.

Snap - A quick (and fun) new way to resize and compare windows on your desktop.

Windows Live Essentials - Must-have software for your PC—free! Get Mail, Photo Gallery, and other favorites.

Windows Search - At last, searching your PC is as simple as searching the web.

Performance improvements - It's designed to sleep and resume quicker, be less memory hungry, and spot USB devices faster.

Full 64-bit support - Windows 7 makes the most of powerful 64-bit PCs, the new desktop standard.

Power management - New power-saving features are designed to help laptops run longer.

Easier wireless networking - Windows 7 gets you online quicker, so you can work anywhere.

Windows Media Center - Watch, record, and pause live TV (additional hardware required).

Windows Touch - With Windows 7 and a touch-sensitive screen (additional hardware required), you don't always need a keyboard or mouse.

So a plethora of goodies to be had by all. And additional management features makes this a true contender for operating system upgrades.

Want to keep up to date with the latest announcements, then click here.

Does the cloud have a silver lining for Wall Street?

A new survey released by IBM and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) finds that IT budgets are tight on Wall Street, but things are loosening up, and there’s going to be plenty of demand fornew technology initiatives in the near future as firms on the Street look to “transformational” solutions to help better manage risk.

The survey of more than 350 Wall Street IT professionals found a “significant” increase in interest in new technologies and computing models, in particular cloud computing, as firms seek to overcome budgetary restrictions and skills shortages. Almost half of the respondents now see cloud computing as a disruptive force.

The past year has seen marked growth interest in cloud computing. The number of respondents predicting that cloud computing would force significant business change more than doubled (from 21% in 2008 to 46% in 2009), making it the top disruptive technology, ahead of operational risk modeling and mobile technologies.

So does this cloud have a silver lining? Well the fact that all major software vendors are gearing up for this push I would assume that the cloud is here and will be on the mind of each CIO and CTO moving forward with new projects.

Need help on understanding cloud technologies, contact us here or here.

Microsoft may release Windows 7.0 on USB Sticks

Microsoft is considering offering Windows 7 on a thumb drive to allow Netbook owners to more easily upgrade their machines.

The move, which is still under consideration, is one of several things Microsoft has looked at to try to make it convenient to upgrade machines that don't come with a CD or DVD drives.

Microsoft executives have said that they recognise that upgrading Netbooks poses a challenge and are exploring ways that the company can make it easier.

Although a USB flash drive could offer the simplest way to move a Netbook to Windows 7, there are other options. Buyers with an external drive could hook up that to their Netbook, then we have the automated tools from System Center, LANDesk and possibly a strong shift towards VDI and offline VDI through technologies such as Citrix XenClient.

Complicating matters further is the fact that many Netbooks are running Windows XP. Those moving from Windows XP can buy an upgrade version of the software, but must back up their data, do a clean installation of the operating system and then reload their applications.

Should be interesting times, and lots of thought needs to be applied before October 22nd 2009.

A Good Reason why you need to encrypt your hard disks

Obsolete hard drives with US defense data have turned up for open sale in a West African market.

A team of Canadian journalism students bought a hard drive containing information on multi-million dollar contracts between military contractor Northrop Grumman and the Pentagon for just $40 in a market near Accra, Ghana.

"You'd think a security contractor that constantly deals with very secret proprietary information would probably want to wipe their drives," Blake Sifton, one of the three graduate journalism students told CBC. The team bought seven hard drives at a market in the port of Tema, a major point of entry for electronic waste from Europe and North America into Africa.

Northrop Grumman is reported to be investigating how an unencrypted hard drive containing sensitive data on the firm ended up on an African market, in violation of its established kit disposal procedures.

"Based on the documents we were shown, we believe this hard drive may have been stolen after one of our asset-disposal vendors took possession of the unit," Northrop Grumman told CBC.

The disposal of electronic waste is controlled by European and US regulations but spare - often broken - kit often finds its way to Africa and other regions of the developing world where it is dumped.

Need to consider your data security? Contact us here

Citrix Provisioning Services 5.1 Released

The latest version of Citrix Provisioning Services has been released, the current version is now 5.1

You may have also noticed that it is called Services now as opposed to just Server.

You can download the latest version from the Citrix Downloads section below:

http://citrix.com/English/ss/downloads/index.asp?ntref=util

Here is a list of whats new in this Release:

• Standard Image Mode NIC Teaming
  Ability to use NIC teaming drivers for Broadcom and Intel NICs to setup 'teams'
  on PVS Target devices.

• Offline vDisk Maintenance
  Ability to boot PVS VHD files directly within Windows Virtual Server and Hyper-V.

• User Assigned Virtual Disks
  vDisks are assigned to existing user groups rather than machines.

• Offline DB Support
  Ability for PVS to continue to boot and run Target devices if the database
  becomes unavailable.

• Multiple Partition vDisks
  Ability to create vDisks that include multiple partitions (e.g. both a C: and D:
  drive).

• Server Maintenance Mode
  Ability to initiate failover of all Target devices attached to a particular PVS Server
  to other servers in the PVS farm.

• Enhanced Logging
  Enhancements to our current logging both on the server and the Target devices.

• Auditing
  Ability to keep a log of actions performed by system administrators.

• Read-only vDisk Storage
  Modifications that allow a vDisk to be stored on a read-only file system.

• XP Embedded Streaming
  Ability to provision MS Windows XP Embedded.

Citrix XenConvert 2.0.1 Released

The latest version of XenConvert has been released, and stands at version 2.0.1

Citrix XenConvert converts a server or desktop workload from either a physical machine or from another type of virtual machine, to a XenServer virtual machine. Options available are:

• Converting to a XenServer VM produces an intermediate XVA containing a bootable XenServer VM and automatically imports it into a XenServer.
• Converting to an XVA produces an offline package of a bootable XenServer VM that is ready to be manually imported into a XenServer.
• Converting to a VHD produces a VHD compatible with Provisioning Server 5.x, if the target device software included with Provisioning Server 5.x was installed beforehand.
• Converting to a OVF package produces an offline package of a bootable XenServer VM ready to manually import into a XenServer. The OVF package can contain vDisks in either VHD or VMDK format.

VMware Converter Web Interface?

Recently it has been revealed that VMware Converter 4.0.1 includes a web interface that is currently hidden.

VMware converter utilises a web service to interact with ESX hosts and it would seem that VMware are developing a web based GUI to wrap around it.

At the moment the product only exposes a login form if you connect to the address:https://ipaddress/converter/

There are several other functions partially implemented, like for example the file upload facility that is handled by the FileInput.js component.

It is currently unknown if VMware will be finishing this front end off but looks interesting.

Microsoft Business Productivity Online Services (BPOS)

Dataplex are pleased to announce the adoption of Microsoft BPOS technologies as an enabler for our clients to adopt collaboration technologies, at a fraction of the cost typically associated with management, deployment, implementation, high availability and secure remote access. So what comprises BPOS?

BPOS consists of the following technologies, hosted in the Microsoft datacentre(s) and made highly available:

• Exchange 2007
• OCS 2007
• SharePoint 2007
• Live Meeting.

Great products in their own right, but when coupled together provide a cohesive collaboration architecture that delivers enterprise class:

• Messaging and calendaring
• Instant messaging
• Document management
• Shared Workspaces
• Presence
• Web Conferencing.

You really should consider this as part of your collaboration strategy, and make adoption of SaaS a painless experience. Want to know more, email us here

Fake Microsoft Security Alert - KB910721, be aware!

Yesterday a number of spam traps were alerted by a piece of malware disguised as a fake Microsoft security alert, the details are below. The threat does look legitimate, but in reality if you receive attachments from an unknown source we should treat them as insecure. This threat has been detected as Troj/Spy-CU

Update for Microsoft Outlook / Outlook Express (KB910721)

Brief Description
Microsoft has released an update for Microsoft Outlook / Outlook Express. This update is critical and provides you with the latest version of the Microsoft Outlook / Outlook Express and offers the highest levels of stability and security.

Instructions

* Install Update for Microsoft Outlook / Outlook Express (KB910721). To do this, follow these steps:
1. Run attached file officexp-KB910721-FullFile-ENU.exe
2. Restart Microsoft Outlook / Outlook Express

Quick Details

* File Name: officexp-KB910721-FullFile-ENU.exe
* Version: 1.4
* Date Published: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:03:27 +0300
* Language: English
* File Size: 81 KB

System Requirements

* Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000; Windows 98; Windows ME; Windows NT; Windows Server 2003; Windows XP; Windows Vista

* This update applies to the following product: Microsoft Outlook / Outlook Express

Out with the old, in with the new - bye bye to Program Neighborhood

It has been rumoured for many years that Citrix will be removing the original Citrix Program Neighborhood from their client portfolio, and I guess this comes as no surprise now that Citrix Receiver and the merchandising server are finally mainstream.

You can read the CTX article here, but we have also summarised it here for you:

Q: What is Citrix announcing?

A: Citrix is announcing the end of support for Program Neighborhood in all future online plug-in releases. The Citrix online plug-in v11.0 is the last version to use Program Neighborhood. Classic Program Neighborhood will be supported through the second quarter of 2010.

Q: What is replacing Program Neighborhood?

A: Citrix encourages customers to leverage the Citrix Receiver as the best practice for delivering simple and consistent access to corporate desktops and applications from any device that the employee chooses to use. Receiver automates plug-in updates by checking the server for new versions as they become available. For customers who do not implement Citrix Receiver, newer versions of the Citrix online plug-in will be introduced periodically to include enhancements to the interface and core functionality.

Q: When will Program Neighborhood be removed?

A: Citrix customers have already begun to migrate to the newer client versions. The Citrix online plug-in v11.0 is the last version to use Program Neighborhood and it no longer installs Program Neighborhood by default. Version 11.1 no longer includes Program Neighborhood at all. While Program Neighborhood will still be supported in both of those versions, customers are encouraged to begin planning to adopt a newer client version or migrate to Citrix Receiver. With the v11.2 online plug-in release, tentatively scheduled for the third quarter of 2009, Program Neighborhood will no longer be supported.

Want to know more about receiver, then click here.

The wait is over XenServer 5.5 is here and is free

So, after 5 weeks of beta testing by the public, Citrix have today officially release XenServer 5.5 and XenServer Essentials 5.5.

As promised by Citrix, XenServer is Free of Charge and comes packed with functionality showing a product that has matured and is catching up quickly with VMware.

The key features that are inherent in XenServer 5.5 and Essentials are:

• AD Integration
• Expanded Guest OS Support
• Improved Snapshot and Backup Support in XenCenter and CLI, one of the inital key players for backup is Symantec with NetBackup
• Further enhancements on fibre channel multi pathing
• Enhanced Search
• Folder Creation
• XenConvert 2.0
• Improved public reporting tracker
• Reduced Dom0 footprint.

XenServer Essentials offers additional functionality, that begins to level the playing field with VMware:

• Workload Balancing similar to VMware DRS
• Integration with StorageLink Services
• LVHD
• Automated Stage Management.

It will be interesting to see where this takes Citrix, and I for one will watch this with an eagle eye. We at Dataplex remain independent in our approach to virtualisaiton and believe that one solution does not fit all requirements, a properly architectured solution should cater for the growth of the business and fully align with the all important question - "What is your virtualisation strategy".

Windows Server 2008 - Core Benefits

Windows 2008 Server has been out for sometime now and has once again established itself as a key server platform for Microsoft and is set for even further enhancements later this year with the release of R2, I thought it would be useful for you to get a feel for the top benefits that Windows 2008 R2 will bring to the table:

• Live VM Migration without Downtime
• Branch File Access performance improvements whilst reducing WAN costs
• Self monitoring and adjusting Datacenter power management
• Advanced Remote Server Management
• Greater density through Hyper-V virtualisation
• Customised and Automated Management tools
• Integrated VDI broker for desktop virutalisation
• Simplify Remote Access Solutions through DirectAccess
• Advanced Web Hosting performance and security.

So all in all a great line up of features that are poised to deliver substantial cost savings in an uncertain climate, want to know more? Click here

Microsoft Bing - Some Cool Features

Once you get over the name, and remember that there is more than just Google as the front door to the Internet, Bing from Microsoft does start to offer some interesting features, here is a list of some of the key features:

• Best Match – Useful links and information for definitive sites
• Deep Links – Easy access to content within a site
• Related Searches – Deeper information available with one click
• Quick View – Overview of a Web site at a glance, before clicking through to the site
• Smart Video Preview – Preview a 30-second clip of videos simply by scrolling onto them - pretty neat!
• Infinite Scroll - Easy to browse image results without clicking to a new page
• Auto-Suggest – Intelligent alternatives for search queries

There are loads more, but these are just some of the key features we have found useful, but to get the true BING effect you need to set your locale to US - English, no doubt the UK will enjoy this experience when it arrives over the pond.

HP new servers are designed for the cloud

This week HP have introduced a new range of hardware, software and services for large datacenters. his is know as the HP Extreme Scale-Out (ExSO) range and is designed to deliver massive scalability and savings to customers.

This new service is aimed at companies with datacenters that are 50,000 square feet and higher, for architectures such as cloud computing, web 2.0 and high performance computing.

This new architecture will save datacenter providers capital and operational expenditures, the new architecture saves up to 31% on weight compared to typical rack mounted servers.

Other characteristics of the ProLiant SL range include shared power and cooling to improve the gains that this skinless architecture provides, also the computer is put into a tray rather than a typical rack mount chassis.

The servers are due to start shipping in July.