In-Depth
Vol 1-10: Small Business Best Practices newsletter
Small Business Server 2000 Service Pack 1 Ships; Channel Rebate Update; more...
Howdy Small Business Best Practices subscriber,
Welcome back folks to another edition of Small Business Best Practices,
the subscription-based, third party newsletter featuring Small Business
Server 2000 and beyond. I'm delighted to report that this issue for August
2002 is the largest yet (eight pages) as much news has occurred recently.
Enjoy and if you like what you're reading, please forward to a friend.
All the best...harrybbbb
Harry Brelsford, Publisher
Author, Small Business Server 2000 Best Practices
Table of Contents
- Small Business Server 2000 Service Pack 1 Ships
- Channel Services REBATE Promotion Update
- FREE Small Business Server Training NOW!
- RIO Study Released
- Small Business Server Case Studies
- Client Access License Diskettes Fixed After Manufacturing Error
- OEMs Happy!
- Small Business Server WebCasts Link
- Small Business Server Watch
- TechNet
- UK 5-day Small Business Server 2000 Cooking School SOLD OUT
- Guru Tip
- Newbie Tip
- Small Business Server 2000 SuperDisc
- Small Business Server Stumper of the Month
Small Business Server 2000 Service Pack 1 Ships
The greatly anticipated Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Small Business
Server 2000 can now be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/sbserver.
SP1 can either be downloaded or ordered on Disc; but note below the Disc
version contains many more SP1 components). Contained in SP1 are the following
components:
- Small Business Server 2000 specific updates (including but not limited
to VPN browsing fix, Network browsing fix for Windows 2000 Professional
and Windows XP Professional, the ASPEnableParentPaths setting for Internet
Information Services (IIS) is turned off, the RestrictAnonymous registry
key value is now set to "1", the chance of POP3 data loss when there
are more than 14 mailboxes has been eliminated.)
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (this applies to both Server
and Professional)
- Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Service Pack 3
- Microsoft ISA Server 2000 Service Pack 1 (Disc Version but can also
be downloaded from Microsoft: see BEST PRACTICE below)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 2 (Disc Version but can also
be downloaded from Microsoft: see BEST PRACTICE below)
- Microsoft Outlook XP (2002) (Disc Version but can also be downloaded
from Microsoft: see BEST PRACTICE below)
- New and improved OEM Preinstalltion Kit (only included in new Small
Business Server 2000 SKU to be released soon and discussed below. Also
see OEMs Happy article later in this newsletter).
- 10 new technical white papers (this is only available on the SP1
Disc version, but see last month's newsletter on this white papers being
available at the Microsoft Partners site)
When the SP1 setup process is launched, it will first verify the existence
of a Small Business Server 2000. Wayne Small, a leading contributor to
the Yahoo! Small Business Server list serv, reports that if Windows 2000
Server SP3 has been previously applied to your Small Business Server 2000,
it will not be re-applied again as part of the Small Business Server 2000
SP1 installation. Erin Bourke-Dunphy, a product manager on the Microsoft
Small Business Server development team adds the same is true for Microsoft
Exchange 2000 Server SP3: if it already exists, it will not be reapplied.
Note that Small Business Server 2000 Service Pack 1 will also be incorporated
into an updated stock keeping unit (SKU) version of the existing Small
Business Server 2000 product. That is, in the near future, if you purchase
Small Business Server 2000 for a fresh installation at a customer site,
it will include Small Business Server 2000 Service Pack 1. This newsletter
will announce the release of the updated SKU.
BEST PRACTICE: Order the CD version of SP1 in order to receive
Outlook 2002 and the above mentioned service packs for SQL Server 2000
and ISA Server 2000. Note that fulfillment on the Disc-based SP1 is between
four to six weeks, so if time is of the essence, you'll need to download
SP1 from the Web site and then gather the remaining components (Outlook
XP (2002), SQL Server 2000 SP1 and ISA Server 2000 SP1) manually. I've
posted the README file that accompanies SP1 at www.nethealthmon.com
(click on the SP1 link) so you can further educated yourself on SP1 contents
and what the process will be to download and apply the additional services
packs not explicitly contained in the Web-based SP1 version.
Channel Services REBATE Promotion Update
Launched August 1, 2002 the Small Business Server 2000 Channel
Services Rebate Promotion (http://members.microsoft.com/partner/campaign/SBS2000.aspx)
is proving popular, according to Jerome Stewart, Microsoft Windows Server
Product Manager. As previously announced in July by this newsletter, the
program is a rebate of up to $500 for services (planning, installation,
and training) provided on new installations of Small Business Server 2000
between August 1, 2002 and January 31, 2003. Quite frankly, most Small
Business Server VAPs/VARs/consultants/system builders will easily reach
the $500 threshold and be rewarded with the full rebate.
There are two ways to participate in the rebate program. First, you can
attend a free five-hour Small Business Server 2000 training course covering
sales, technical and pre-installation topics. By attending the course,
you not only qualify for the rebate promotion, but you also receive a
free NFR copy of Small Business Server 2000 (See Best Practices Below).
The second way to qualify for the rebate promotion is to pass the Small
Business Server 2000 Skills Assessment exam. Early indications are that
most folks with Small Business Server 2000 experience are successfully
completing the examination. After taking the course or passing the exam,
you will register on the Small Business Server 2000 Partner Locator Tool
(over 120 partners were listed as of mid-August 2002). Finally, you will
complete the online rebate form and submit your business receipts. Then
just wait for your rebate check!
BEST PRACTICE: Microsoft is offering free Small Business Server
2000 training worldwide during the rebate program to improve your skill
set and help you prepare for the skills assessment examination (see next
story below). You are encouraged to combine this training with the free
8.5 hour online Small Business Server 2000 e-course mentioned in last
month's newsletter (download 8.5 hour e-course from http://microsoftpartners.click2learn.com/live/main.asp?Nav=
TrainingCatalog&Task=1&Body=trnsrcadv%2Easp%3Fnavloc%3DSearch&
CurrentLink=Search or http://members.microsoft.com/partner/training/elearningcenter/
default.aspx where you would select the Implementing and Supporting
Small Business Server 2000-Advanced Topics link about halfway down the
page). Note that readers report from last month's training article that
NO FEE was assessed to access the e-learning course!
FREE Small Business Server Training NOW!
As part of the Small Business Server 2000 Channel Services Rebate
Promotion, there is a coordinated effort worldwide to deliver a FREE 5-hour
Hands On Training (HOT Lab) course. In North America, visit the following
Web links:
In preparing this article, I visited Microsoft's North America training
vendor, Asentus Consulting Group, in Vancouver BC and can heartily report
this group is well-prepared and ready to go! As of this writing, detailed
information on International training venues was not available but will
be reported in a future edition of this newsletter.
BEST PRACTICE: Training is limited to 100 seats per venue, so
run and sign up IMMEDAITELY! Also note the great giveaways to attendees
including a not-for-resale edition of Small Business Server 2000 and a
Small Business Server 2000 Partner Guide, plus a drawing for a copy of
my Small Business Server 2000 Best Practices book.
Also note that some Certified Technical Education Centers (CTECs) are
offering Small Business Server training this fall to dovetail with the
FREE training described above. One CTEC doing this is Paladin Data in
Poulsbo, Washington (visit www.paladindata.com).
RIO Study Released
As the Texas kiddo said to his Pa', "...I knew that thar MBA would
be usefully some day!" The Small/Medium Business Marketing team at Microsoft
has released a detailed return on investment (ROI) study relating to Small
Business Server 2000. Written in conjunction with Forbes.com, the report
titled "ROI That's Off the Charts: The Business Value of Microsoft Windows
2000 Servers for Small and Mid-Size Businesses" can be obtained from http://members.microsoft.com/partner/products/Servers/
SmallBusinessServer/ROI.aspx for free. It's very well done and reports
the results of surveying 25 SMB customers.
BEST PRACTICE: Consider printing this, the case studies below
and the white papers mentioned last month in this newsletter and starting
a Small Business Server notebook. The resources this month will be your
pocket MBA in the Small Business Server community.
Small Business Server Case Studies
You might not have known that there are many great Small Business
Server case studies in print that are thought provoking and provide business
context on the Small Business Server community.
- Interglobe Services India. Suresh Ramani of TechGyan (www.techgyan.com)
in Bombay India graciously provided a copy of a Small Business Server
case study. The customer, Interglobe Services India, is a Government
of India recognized Export House that migrated its 12+ users from NetWare
3.12 to Small Business Server in part to take advantage of application
development under SQL Server.
- New Zealand. Warwick Grey, Marketing Manager SME at Microsoft New
Zealand provided "Business Solutions Guide" that profiles the New Zealand
law firm Propels Oamaru Law Firm use of Small Business Server 2000.
- SMB Case Study in IT Contractor Magazine. See http://www.itcmagazine.com/issues/jul02/exp_brelsford.cfm
BEST PRACTICE: Visit www.nethealthmon.com
and click on the Case Studies link to download the above case studies.
And be sure to send your case studies and press releases to [email protected]
for inclusion in future newsletter editions.
Client Access License Diskettes Fixed After Manufacturing
Error
Reader Doug Peltonen [[email protected]]
reported an odd experience relating to the Small Business Server 2000
Client Access License (CAL) diskettes. In early July 2002, Doug went to
install additional CALs on a Small Business Server 2000 server machine.
He received an error reporting that a:\setup.exe is not a valid Win32
application. Doug reported this to the support group at Microsoft and
received a reply from a manufacturing manager that reported a defective
set of CAL diskettes had been pressed and distributed. Doug later reported
(on July 23) the problem had been fixed and he received fully functional
CAL diskettes.
BEST PRACTICES: If you had a similar CAL diskette experience in
the late June/early July time frame, report the incident to [email protected]
so you can be cured.
OEMs Happy!
A Microsoft product manager on the Small Business Server team reports
that the updated Small Business Server 2000 OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK)
is winning rave reviews from OEMs and system builders alike. In fact,
he reported receiving a small gift as a measure of appreciation from a
very large PC builder in central Texas! For more information on the Small
Business Server 2000 OPK, complete the e-learning courseware at http://members.microsoft.com/partner/training/elearningcenter/
default.aspx and click the link for the Small Business Server 2000
OPK (second link down as of this writing).
BEST PRACTICE: See Volume 1-8 of this newsletter at http://www.nethealthmon.com/Issue1-8.htm
for more OEM preinstallation information and using the OEM preinstallation
approach as a rapid deployment method for Small Business Server 2000.
Small Business Server WebCasts Link
There exists a little known white paper at http://members.microsoft.com/partner/products/
Servers/SmallBusinessServer/Webcasts.aspx that lists and completely
describes all Small Business Server Web Casts. These include:
- Microsoft Small Business Server 2000: Planning and Deployment
- Installing and Upgrading to Small Business Server 2000
- How to Use the Internet Connection Wizard in Small Business Server
2000.
- Using the Microsoft Security Tool Kit to Get and Stay Secure.
- Small Business Server 2000 Network Troubleshooting.
- Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 - Implementing Microsoft Exchange
2000 Server.
- Maintaining Server Health in Microsoft Small Business Server.
- Dynamic DNS in a Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 Environment.
- POP3 Mail Flow in Microsoft Small Business Server 2000.
- Hosting Web Sites on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000. (By the
way: this was a hot topic in the July 2002 Small Business Server chat
at MCP Magazine. See chat information in the next section)
- What's New in Small Business Server 2000.
- SupportLive Chat: Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 Installation
and Upgrade.
BEST PRACTICE: This is your Pocket MCSE for Small Business Server
2000 as far as I'm concerned. Review each of these WebCasts and take advantage
of other Small Business Server resource listed in this and past newsletter
editions (white papers, KBase articles, case studies, books) and you'll
be well on your way to being a world-class Small Business Server 2000
expert.
ALSO on August 28, 2002 be sure to attend the next Small Business Server
WebCast: Big Business Opportunities with Windows Servers for Small Businesses.
Learn more about Microsoft Windows servers for small businesses, including
all the new resources that Microsoft is providing for you to be more successful
and more profitable selling Windows servers to your small business customers.
Presented by Jerome Stewart, product manager in the Windows Product Marketing
Group, and Benoit Vialle, product manager on the U.S. Windows Server team.
August 28, 2002 - 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. Pacific time/12:00 P.M. eastern
time. Visit http://members.microsoft.com/partner/events/webcasts/default.aspx
Small Business Server Watch
What's significant about Livingston's coverage as it represents the first
know coverage of Small Business Server 2000 in the weekly InfoWorld
publication (based on my research of past issues).
- Paul Thurrott at Windows .NET/2000 Magazine recently reported
on Small Business Server 2000 SP1 at http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=26035
in an interesting article that marks his return to reporting on our
beloved product.
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Magazine reported on
the Channel Services Rebate Promotion at http://www.mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=509
- Win2000Talk show. Laura DiDio's well-received Web radio program at
http://win2000talk.techtarget.com
will feature Small Business Server in the late August edition in the
Ask-A-Techie segment.
- MCP Magazine CHAT. Lest you forget, be sure to attend the
FREE monthly Small Business Server chat hosted by MCP Magazine (typically
in the third week of the month). Hosted by yours truly and Andy Goodman,
surprise guests have included Microsoft product managers from the Small
Business Server 2000 team. Visit http://www.mcpmag.com/chats/
to join the fun.
- FUSION Feedback. The conference for Microsoft Certified Partners,
held in mid-July in Los Angeles California, was a rousing success for
Small Business Server 2000 (where several major product announcements
were made). It was exciting to see some partners such as IngramMicro
take a renewed interest in Small Business Server 2000!
- MCP Magazine discussion board. Andy Goodman has again stepped
up to the table to keep the Small Business Server newsgroup active and
very much alive. Andy is driving great debate that is sincere and more
than honest at http://www.mcpmag.com/forums/display_forum_topics.asp?ForumID=67
- Conference Cancelled. With regrets, the NaSTEC conference (for technology
support professionals) in early October (Orlando, FL) has been cancelled
due to economic conditions. Two sessions on Small Business Server 2000
were scheduled.
- Conference Rumor: Keep your ears open for possible announcements
about an SMB conference in 2003 sponsored by a Boston-based research
firm.
- SBSFAQ.COM Being Updated. Wayne Small reports that his Small Business
Server frequently asked questions Web site at www.sbsfaq.com
is being updated with a new look and feel plus additional content.
BEST PRACTICE: There's nothing like live conversation. Be sure
to attend the MCP Magazine chats mentioned above as your busy schedule
allows.
TechNet
Small Business Server Most Valuable Player (MVP) Susan Bradley
has kindly provided these KBase articles of interest to read and implement
(thanks a billion Susan!).
BEST PRACTICE: Remember to add these KBase articles to others
mentioned in past newsletter editions.
UK 5-day Small Business Server 2000 Cooking School
SOLD OUT
The five-day Small Business Server 2000 cooking school in London
starting October 14th has been sold out. A second course in the London
area is being formed for October 20th. Also: a five-day course is being
planned for Sydney Australia starting December 2nd. Visit www.nethealthmon.com
and click the SBS Cooking School link for more details.
BEST PRACTICE: Note the five-day course has been updated for Small
Business Server SP1.
Guru Tip
I recently had lunch with a senior Microsoft product manager responsible
for the faxing component in Small Business Server 2000. He educated me
on a better way to manage incoming faxes in a small business. When the
fax arrives in the Outlook Inbox, it typically has a meaningless subject
line. It is in fact difficult to tell who the fax sender was and where
the fax should be forwarded to, etc. To improve the subject line for incoming
faxes, simple open the e-mail containing the fax, look at the fax file
and click on the grayed-out Subject: field (yes: this grayed out field
can be edited). After appending the subject line to reflect sender name
or something meaningful, click the diskette icon to save. This enhances
the fax experience by better organizing your incoming faxes in Small Business
Server 2000.
Newbie Tip
Until you better understand the inner workings of Small Business
Server 2000 (and that will come with experience), be sure to use the Small
Business Server Add Shared Folder Wizard to create shared network folders.
Access this by clicking the Favorites tab in the Small Business Server
Administrator console, followed by expanding Small Business Server Tips,
Active Directory and clicking the Add Shared Folder icon.
Small Business Server 2000 SuperDisc
Not surprisingly, the Small Business Server 2000 SuperDisc has been refreshed
this month with the release of SP1. So the SuperDisc this month is really
the Disc from SP1 plus the following from http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/
security/default.asp
- MS02-043: SQL Server cumulative patch
- MS02-042: Flaw in Network Connection Manager
BEST PRACTICE: As always, be sure to send your suggestions for
the SuperDisc to [email protected].
Small Business Server Stumper of the Month
The new Stumper of the Month has been posted. Visit www.nethealthmon.com
and click on the Stumper button. Last month's stumper answer was to add
the /UM switch to the native NT backup program. The winner of the free
E-book version of Small Business Server 2000 Best Practices was Steven
Honkoop.
_____
NetHealthMon
Bainbridge Island, WA
Phone: 206-915-3072