Announcing Mastering Exchange Server 2010 by Jim McBee and David Elfassy

The point when I really threw myself at Exchange technologies, was right around when Exchange 5.5 was released. I started out earlier with Exchange 4.0 and 5.0, but I was still focused on the cutting edge tech of Windows NT 4.0 at that point.

So back in the day, I decided to pick up a book named “Exchange Server 5.5: 24/7” and swallowed it cover to cover in a couple of days. That was the beginning of an Exchange “obsession” that hasn’t stopped. Yet.

Fast forward 5 years later, I’m sitting in a meeting room in Redmond; working on an Exchange project. Behind me are sitting a couple of guys who handle the messaging infrastructure for Microsoft Corp; to my left, a quiet guy busy typing away. During the introductions, the MS IT guys jump up and yell out to the guy sitting on my left: “Hey buddy! Your book is mandatory reading for all our new hires! Great job!” Heck of an endorsement!

The guy who wrote that Exchange 5.5 book, and who was sitting on my left during that faithful day in Redmond; Jim McBee. Really knowledgeable Exchange specialist and an overall nice guy. Over the years, Jim and I crossed paths at conferences and on email; but I was extremely honoured when he called on me to co-author his latest book on Exchange Server 2010. And I jumped on it!

And though our latest baby (#3) was on the way, and I was already knee deep in an Exchange 2010 technical writing project, I worked 20 hour days for about 4 months to complete my chapters in the book. Ross Smith IV was our Technical Editor; and he kept us honest, whether we wanted to or not. Many other fellow MVPs also contributed chapters to the book.

The result… 1000 pages of Exchange 2010 goodness published by Wiley and for sale on Amazon. If you are looking for a complete guide on Exchange administration, this is the book for you!

If you happen to attend the conference TechEd North America 2010, in New Orleans, Jim and myself will co-present the Exchange Pre-conference session. That’s right, a full day of Exchange 2010 that will make you laugh, cry and jump up and down with excitement about the greatest version of Exchange yet!

So once again, its been too long…

I start off with great intentions, and then life gets in the way.

Since I wrote my last blog post, both my 3rd child, and Exchange Server 2010 were introduced to the world. I co-authored a book on Exchange Server 2010, migrated a few companies to Exchange 2007 and 2010, presented at many conferences (both virtual and physical) on Exchange topics and am now ready to present a TechEd precon… Yup, its been a busy year…

So, more content is coming on this blog, starting TODAY!

Announcing Exchange Server 2010 Beta

Well, you can finally download it here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1898ed2c-2f88-48ac-824e-d3d20fad77d7

Exchange Server 2010 Beta is now publically available. You can look forward to the following changes:

 

• All client connections are now handled by the Client Access Server (CAS) – Including all MAPI connections
• New HA functionality for Mailbox Servers called Database Availability Group (DAG) – Replicates a mailbox to a maximum of 16 mailbox servers
• New wizard to create Certificate requests for Exchange (this is a good one folks!)
• Improved client experience through MailTips (warning messages to users BEFORE messages are sent) and conversation views.
• Integration with SMS/Text messaging
• Major improvements to database performance
• Introducing the Exchange Control Panel (allowing administrators to manage organization-wide tasks from a web-based interface and enabling users to manage personal settings / troubleshoot client issues)
• and many, many more…

I’ve been fortunate enough to play around with Exchange Server 2010 for the past year and I just think its a stellar feature packed product. If we can have a solid migration path from Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2007, we’ve got a winner!!!

When will Exchange 14 be available in Public Beta?

Well, there has not been any official announcement yet about when everyone will get to play with Exchange 14; however, a little (not so deep) detective work yields some interesting information. By taking a quick look at the upcoming Microsoft TechEd conference sessions, we immediately notice a whole slew of Exchange 14 sessions. What that usually means is that the product should be available in beta BEFORE May 11th 2009, the day TechEd opens. If I was a betting man (and I am), I would bet on a public beta prior to May 11.

 

Get ready, this one will be fun!?!

First post about Exchange 14…

Well, we are inching closer and closer to a public release of Exchange 14, likely to be named Exchange Server 20xx (Maybe Exchange Server 2010 ?). The cat is out of the bag, Microsoft has finally made a public release of information on Exchange 14 through a video on TechNet Edge. Not much was described in there, except for:

 

1. A user’s ability to create and manage his distribution groups.

2. An administrator’s ability to use a new web based administration page.

3. Continuous features for OWA and Exchange ActiveSync

 

Though this video discussed Exchange Labs more than Exchange 14, more videos on Edge will provide more Exchange 14 information in the new future. You should also come back to this blog to get more info Exchange 14, since I’ve been running beta versions for 10 months now… Lots of good stuff coming our way!!!

Not much of an interviewer… but I try…

I was recently at Tech-Ed EMEA in Barcelona working with the Springboard group. When my friend Ken Rosen bailed on a scheduled interview with Mark Minasi, I was asked to step in and discuss the controversial topic of Vista adoption. I was actually very interested in hearing other’s opinion to this question: "With Windows 7 hanging in the shadows, should companies deploy Windows Vista or wait?" We answered this question and many others…

 

Click on the following link to see my interview with Mark Minasi:

Springboard Series Presents: Pregame Show: Vista Approaches Year Two

Got Cert? – Get Tested!

Here’s a rare "non-technical" post…

 

Casting call for Certification Video

Payment: No Pay

Description: Production Coordinator is looking for well-spoken real Microsoft Certified Individuals (MCP & MCT) —aged 21 or older, all ethnicities and types – to appear as Microsoft testimonials. Most testimonial days last between 2-4 hours and are filmed in the greater Seattle, WA area. Accepted applicants for shooting will be provided with lunch. Pre-Interview is required. (Pre-Interview will take place Week of October 27^th) Testimonial applicants will have had a positive experience with Microsoft Certifications. They will then tell us why they chose to get certified and how being certified impacted their career journey.

Send picture, current job position and a brief description of your Microsoft Certification experience to:Regines@microsoft.com Electronic submissions only.