* Test out Microsoft gear at Microsoft Virtual Labs
Ever wanted to test Microsoft’s newest software in a sandbox environment? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to test new servers immediately, without formatting hard drives or dedicating one or more computers to the project? Now you can, through the virtual test bed provided by Microsoft at Microsoft Virtual Labs (link below), which is the portal to three sets of online demo environments:
* Visual Studio .Net is represented by the “Visual Studio Hosted Experience” which allows you to either quickly evaluate Visual Studio .Net 2003, or learn how to build applications for Windows and the Web with the MSDN Virtual Labs – a series of guided, hands-on labs which can be completed in under an hour.
* Microsoft’s Technet is the sponsor of TechNet Virtual Lab, where the very newest technologies can be experimented with, but without risking your network.
* Microsoft Server System provides a testbed to look at many of the server products Redmond offers in a realistic environment without any lab investment (that should make the bean counters happy).
The Server System test bed is probably of most interest to the majority of readers of this newsletter. Through this system you can look at:
* Microsoft Windows Server 2003 – road test new and improved features and functionality including performance, management, and usability enhancements to Microsoft Active Directory.
* Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 – exploration of the Microsoft Active Directory and Exchange management packs, anti-spam and SMTP security features, migration from Exchange Server 5.5, disaster recovery and more.
* Microsoft Identity Integration Server (MIIS) 2003 – walk-through potential usage scenarios, learn how to synchronize different directories and data sources, automate identity management tasks, and maintain a consistent state of directories over the lifetime of user accounts.
* Microsoft Systems Management Server Manager (SMS) 2003 – experiment with and learn more about SMS 2003 and Microsoft Active Directory integration, patch management, security updates, Office deployment and configuration of SMS for hardware and software asset inventory and usage.
* Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 – experiment with managing Exchange and Active Directory and Monitoring SQL Server with MOM 2005 in the enhanced security of a sandbox environment.
* Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA) – experiment with ISA’s advanced application-layer firewall, VPN, and Web cache solution. Gain exposure to new features in ISA 2004 and learn more about securing Exchange Server with ISA.
While you do need to register for this service, the opportunity to try out these products in a virtually hassle-free and risk-free environment is well worth it. Sign up now.
