Microsoft 2009 MVP Summit - thoughts

I wasn't sure if I was going to attend the Microsoft MVP Summit this year. After the MVP program decided to remove the Windows Server - Networking category I didn't think I had much reason to attend and honestly was expecting to not be renewed because of the category going away.
I am now very happy I changed my mind and I attended. It seems that my new category of Enterprise Security felt that it was important to add networking sessions back to the mix.
A ton of folks from the MS Networking Team showed up! From Sandeep Singhal, Sean Siler, Dave Thaler, Ravi Rao, Tyler Barton, Devrim Asli Iyigun, Mahesh Prakriya, to Joseph Davies - thanks to you all for taking the time and effort to listen to my feedback and opinion about networking and what Microsoft is doing right and wrong.
So, without violating my NDA what was I most excited about from the event? Honestly, it is things that were already on my radar (NDA or not) - specifically Direct Access, Branch Cache and IPv6. I think any Enterprise that is running AD and has a large mobile workforce will adopt Direct Access just to make remote support of that mobile workforce easier, there is literally nothing the end user has to do at all (well, you have to turn the computer on and have some sort of Internet connection) to make it work and the initial scaling numbers I have heard put it on par with a typical traditional VPN deployment. Just as many Enterprises have adopted rpc over http/s for Outlook to Exchange the next natural step is to adopt a paradigm that allows ALL corporate applications the same flexibility and access that Outlook and Exchange currently have today - that solution is Direct Access.
Microsoft is pushing more advanced services into both Windows Server 2008R2 and Windows 7 - Branch Cache is one of these services and one that makes a lot of sense for folks to use (big and small IT shops will win with this one - and it is free to turn it on - how cool is that). It does not replace WAN accelerations devices (though with the changes in Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Server 2008 networking you could argue you might not need the acceleration part) but specifically targets the caching of file content. Given the cost point and relative easy of deployment I think it will have a good adoption rate.
Finally, IPv6 - there are several solutions in both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008R2 that just won't work without IPv6. There is no getting around it and you need to start learning it - period. In Windows 7 there is HomeGroup and for Windows Server 2008R2 if you want Direct Access you will need to get up to speed on IPv6. There are more subtle IPv6 items but those two alone should make folks stand up and notice.
- Ed

Windows 7 - cool new tool for IT Pros

I am finally getting around to posting about a cool new tool in Windows 7, it's called Problem Step Recorder. Just pull up a command window and type psr or execute it from the run option on the start menu.
It will not replace a remote desktop solution for help desk support people but I can see this as being very useful for remote works who can't get a system working properly or can't describe what the problem is accurately - which is about 70% of the problem in most cases.
I am also completely set to head up to Redmond for the Microsoft MVP Summit. Looking forward to hearing all about Direct Access, changes in the Advanced Firewall in Windows 7 and other cool networking changes.
- Ed

Microsoft MVP Summit

I finally got around to booking the Summit, Hotel and Airfare. I am trying to get into the sessions for Networking items but I am not holding my breath at all. I might have to find them while I am actually there. Looking forward to March 1-4 to enjoy some quality Microsoft technical time.
- Ed

Cisco Nexus 2000 Series is orderable

The Nexus 2000 is now orderable so Cisco DC vision is just about complete. When the Nexus 1000v is final than Cisco's vision for the data center will be a full leap ahead of everyone else in the industry. They will have a full product line that can bridge the gap between today's data center needs and support what your data center will look like for several years to come.
The remarkable thing is that Cisco pulled this off in 1 yr. The release of the Nexus 7000 was just over 1 yr ago and while definately early out of the gate it is remarkable the amount of engineering and resources that have gone into building out this new data center vision. Cisco is back in their element - everyone else better look out because the 800 gorrilla is on a rampage!
- Ed

Windows 7 experience - or lack of

I downloaded Windows 7 beta when it was made available to Microsoft MVP's. I need to still get it loaded up and working since the two times I tried to load it as a VM it failed horribly. I've gotten to play with some colleagues Windows 7 machines and I must admit they have gotten it working much faster then Vista. I think we will see Microsoft roll out Windows 7 by June or July, they got so little traction with Vista it just makes sense to get 7 out the door asap and then rollout a fast release patch after that.