How many times have you setup Exchange and was pretty sure everything was set just right but needed to test things remote access connectivity? Well now if your comfortable giving Microsoft access to your server you can quickly test ActiveSync, Outlook RCP/HTTP and SMTP:

Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer

Announcing the release of Exchange Server Remote Connectivity Analyzer

Have you ever installed an Exchange server and wanted to verify your Internet facing services were setup and configured properly? Things like Exchange ActiveSync, AutoDiscover, Outlook Anywhere (RPC/HTTP), and inbound email. Sure there are cmdlets included in Exchange 2007 like test-ActivesyncConnectivity and test-OWAConnectivity, but these tests can only be run inside your network and effectively only test your internal network connectivity. Or what if you get a call or an escalation regarding one of these services not working? How do you verify if just this user or everyone has a problem? And if there is a problem, where do you start troubleshooting? Is it a DNS problem? Is it a certificate problem? Is a port not open on the firewall?

Believe it or not, these client connectivity and inbound email scenarios make up a significant portion of the support calls we see at Microsoft. And I'm sure this is the same for our partners and customers. One of my responsibilities is to analyze the top support scenarios in Exchange and to work with the Product Group to develop solutions that mitigate these issues. Instead of looking at these issues individually, I took a step back and thought of a way to address all of these scenarios with a single tool. A couple of years ago, I shared this tool idea with several product group folks, but ultimately they didn't have the time or resources to make my idea a reality. Last year, I asked Brad Hughes (an Escalation Engineer in North Carolina) if he could build a prototype of my idea. Not only did he build a prototype... he built the tool I'm sharing with you today.

I'd like to introduce you to the Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer (ExRCA) tool which can be accessed at https://www.TestExchangeConnectivity.com.

The latest word (rumor) is that Microsoft will release Windows 7 Release Candidate 1, Build 7100, on April 10th to MSDN and other select users. This will be followed by a public release on April 20th. This keeps the timeline posted here and elsewhere on track however there is some additional news (rumor) that Microsoft has decided it will in fact have a second Release Candidate, RC2, the last week of May. Considering the HUGE changes from the released Beta Build to the currently leaked Builds (7057) allowing for a second RC probably makes sense at this point. Question is if they do in face have an RC2 will they listen to the feedback from RC1 and be able to make any major changes in a timely manner. Microsoft of course is denying any date has been set for a release of RC1 or that they have changed their plans to include an RC2.

As the finger pointing starts around 7,500 Carbonite customers have lost their online data stored with Carbonite. In a report published this weekend the Boston Globe reports that Carbonite has filed suit against Promise Technology and Interactive Digital Systems for breech of contract, fraud, and deceptive acts and practices.

In a lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court this week, Carbonite said it suffered "substantial damage" to its business and reputation from products manufactured by Promise Technology Inc. and marketed to Carbonite by Interactive Digital Systems Inc.

Carbonite's complaint charged Promise Technology with breach of contract, fraud, and unfair and deceptive acts and practices. The complaint charged Interactive Digital Systems with breach of warranty. It seeks unspecified damages against the two companies.

 

Carbonite, a Boston company, recently opened a data center in China however the information we could find did not specifically identify where the loss occurred or when other than issues started as early as 2007. In a response to the action Promise has some pretty harsh words:

Promise responded that the suit was without merit. "Our investigation indicates that our products were neither implemented nor managed using industry best practices," the company said in a statement

PCWorld

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Microsoft is providing a 87% discount on Microsoft Office Standard 2007 for all Military men and women. If you have served Microsoft is thanking you with a copy of Microsoft Office for $49!!!

Buy now for $49.99 and save up to 87%.*
For a limited time, get Office Standard 2007—Military Appreciation Edition for just $49.99. That’s up to $349 off!

With no formal announcement of the number of layoffs Dell has confirmed they are laying off workers at the Winston-Salem plant. So far the number ranges somewhere between 150 and 300 workers were lead off the plant floor and informed they no longer worked for Dell. Considering Dell’s profits have dropped over 45% recently and is actively trying to sell the Winston-Salem plant a reduction of 300 jobs is certainly better than an outright closure.

Dell opened the plant in 2005 with almost $320 million dollars in tax breaks and cash incentives including who knows how much in undocumented cost from repaving of roads and exit ramps in the Union Cross Road area. The incentive plan which was the largest in state history including $37 million in local money was all based on Dell hiring a total of 1,700 employees by the end 2010. Considering the dwindling numbers of employees, Dell’s plummeting stock price down some 60% in a year and attempts to sell it’s Winston-Salem facility will Dell ever employ 1,700 employees at the local plant? If not what are the odds our elected officials who so happily give away millions to Baseball stadiums and PC makers will be able to collect any repayment of those millions?

So Mr. Leak is it time to react and be concerned?

“The uncertainty certainly is something to have a little bit of concern about,” he said. “At the same time, there's uncertainty with every business we work with. ... I'll react if and when something happens.”Bob Leak Jr., president of Winston-Salem Business Inc

The guys over at SolorWinds are offering a FREE copy of LANsurveyor Express just for giving them your contact information. Just head over to register for your FREE copy.

I just got back from a few days off and almost didn’t see this vending machine for iPods at the airport. Yeap you got it a vending machine for iPods.

See if you can find one near you!

Microsoft very quietly updated Vista Service Pack 2 from Beta to RC (Release Candidate) this week. With no firm release date set for SP2 this is likely the best option for anyone having problems with Vista. If your Vista machine is stable you may wish to wait a few more months since the predicted release date is mid-May.

Vista SP2 RC Full DVD ISO

The smaller update release is available here:

Vista 32 SP2 RC

Vista 64 SP2 RC