Microsoft offering an on demand training content about the advanced features of Windows Server 2008 R2. This training content is completely free. Training content will include Building a Seamless Enterprise, Virtualization Enhancements, Remote Desktop & Remote Apps, Managing with Server 2008 R2 and Web Server Improvements.

Here’s a list of sessions. Each session lasts between 30 minutes and 60 minutes, specifically for developers.

• Windows Server 2008 R2: Building a Seamless Enterprise: This course will focus on the release of Windows 7 and how it has been coded to work succinctly with the features of Server 2008 to create a dynamic and reactive enterprise that can take advantage of the Branch Cache and Direct Access features available.
• Windows Server 2008 R2: Remote Desktop & Remote Apps: Some of the new capabilities in R2 such as Multimedia and DirectX Redirection have improved the landscape for administrators when it comes to RDP connections. This course will delve into some of the details and improvements found in the new release.
• Managing with Windows Server 2008 R2: The interactive controls and tools that were introduced in Server 2008 have been re-geared to give administrators even more leverage when it comes to performing everyday tasks. This course will focus on some of these including improved Identity Management within Active Directory as well as the new Powershell improvements.
• Windows Server 2008 R2: Web Server Improvements: This course will look at the new IIS 7.5 and some of the capabilities that come with it such as improved FTP as well as new management tools like Configuration Editor and Enhanced Auditing.
• Windows Server 2008 R2: Virtualization Enhancements. This course will delve into the areas where R2 has been streamlined and improved in the realm of virtualization. We will look at the enhancements made to Hyper-V in particular with new features such as Live Migration and Dynamic VM storage.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Advanced Training Website

Windows Server 2008 R2, or simply R2 for short, is the second release of
Windows Server 2008. It isn’t a completely new release, but rather adds
additional features and refinements to the existing release. This book,  focus
on the new features and refinements in R2. This book  assume you have at least a general knowledge of Windows Server, and that you have some familiarity with Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft introduced a new terminology in Windows7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 called BranchCache to reduce traffic load on wide area network called BranchCache. Network enabled with BranchCache cache data in branch and subsequent request to same data is served by cached stored in WAN branch. BranchCache optimizes traffic flow between Windows Server 2008 R2 servers and BranchCache-enabled clients; Windows Server 2008 R2 servers and computers running Windows 7 can be configured as BranchCache clients.

BranchCache operates in one of two modes:

• Distributed Cache: In Distributed Cache mode, BranchCache-enabled clients cache copies of files downloaded from content servers across the WAN and send them directly to other clients when requested. Distributed Cache mode is especially beneficial for branch offices that do not have a local server.
• Hosted Cache: In Hosted Cache mode, a Windows Server 2008 R2 server, known as the Hosted Cache, acts as the host for the cached content. BranchCache-enabled clients cache data that they have requested and downloaded from content servers locally and use the Hosted Cache to retrieve data that is not available from their own local cache. Clients know the identity of the Hosted Cache and retrieve data from the Hosted Cache. For data not available from the Hosted Cache, the client downloads the data from the content server and offers it for caching to the Hosted Cache. Hosted Cache mode is beneficial in organizations that want to audit access to content in the local cache, or larger branch offices that have local servers.

BranchCache Hosted and Distributed cache modes

BranchCache improves the performance of applications that use one of the following protocols:

• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). The protocols that Web browsers and many other applications (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer®, Microsoft Windows Media Player®, and more) use.
• Server Message Block (SMB), including signed SMB traffic. SMB is the protocol used for shared folders on Windows networks.
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). BITS is used to transfer files asynchronously between a client and a server. BITS is the protocol that System Center Configuration manager (SCCM) and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) use.

Server growth is a costly issue for organizations that rely on session hosts / terminal servers. To avoid application conflicts, applications must undergo significant testing to determine which applications will collide and, therefore, must be separated and run on different session host / terminal server silos—a time-consuming and costly process. Running multiple separate terminal servers for each application routinely results in servers being underutilized because each one is locked into a specific configuration, capable of serving only a limited set of non-conflicting applications, typically using just 25 percent of capacity. Often, 20 servers are required to support 1,000 users. Microsoft App-V for Terminal Services completely changes this situation offering the following features and benefits: Consolidate servers and end server siloing, end application conflicts and regression testing, accelerate application deployment, reduce deployment risk, simplify profile management.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2008; Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 (32-bit)

Download Microsoft Application Virtualization for Terminal Services / Remote Desktop Services

Windows Server 2008 R2 is released to manufacturing and general availability of Windows Server R2 is scheduled on 22 October 2009. If you are planning upgrading to Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V technologies then these web seminars might be useful for you. Starting this week, Microsoft will host 4 web seminars for Microsoft Partners on how to plan and deploy Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V with the latest tools called Windows Server Solution Accelerators. 

Microsoft Partners – Register Now!

WNS138AL: Planning and Deploying Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V: Part 1 August 20, 2009 from 8:00-9:00am Pacific Time
Windows Server 2008 R2 will be available soon. Are your customers’ datacenter servers ready for migration to this new operating system? Which of your customers’ existing servers are good candidates for Hyper-V virtualization? Attend this partner web seminar and see how the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit and Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides can help you accelerate your pre-sales and migration planning for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V. Part 1 of a 4-part series.
WNS141AL: Planning and Deploying Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V: Part 2 August 27, 2009 from 8:00-9:00am Pacific Time
Gain a strategic competitive advantage by reducing deployment costs using the latest deployment toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 deployment projects. The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 provides a common console with the comprehensive tools and guidance needed to efficiently manage Windows Server 2008 R2 deployment projects. Attend this partner web seminar and  see how new features like flexible driver management and access to deployment shares from any location will help simplify deployment and make your job easier.  Part 2 of a 4-part series.

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Windows7 includes a number enhancements that enable home as well as IT users to get connected and stay connected regardless of their location. Windows7 networking enhancements also enable IT professionals to meet their business requirements in secure, reliable and flexible way. Lets have look into each of the Windows7 networking features.

DirectAccess

DirectAccess allows domain users to connect to enterprise network when they connect to internet, with direct access their is no need to use VPN connection for connecting to enterprise network. During access to network resources, a user connected to the Internet has virtually the same experience as if connected directly to an organization’s local area network (LAN). Furthermore, DirectAccess enables IT professionals to manage mobile computers outside of the office. Each time a domain member computer connects to the Internet, before the user logs on, DirectAccess establishes a bi-directional connection that enables the client computer to stay up to date with company policies and receive software updates.

DirectAccess includes authentication, encryption, and access control for security and performance. Administrators can also configure network resources in order to which user(s) are allowed to connect to the network and also limit the network resources means are user(s) allow to access full network resources or some limited resources are allowed.

DirectAccess also offers a feature that sends only the traffic destined for the enterprise network through the DirectAccess server. Other Internet traffic is routed through the Internet gateway that the client computer uses. This feature is optional, and DirectAccess can be configured to send all traffic through the enterprise network.

To use Windows7 DirectAccess, enterprise server must be running with Windows Server 2008 R2, must be belongs to at least one domain and two network adapters are installed. It is recommended that DirectAccess server are only used for DirectAccess and not to host some other application on the same server. Use the Add Features Wizard in Server Manager to install the DirectAccess Management console, which enables you to set up the DirectAccess server and monitor DirectAccess operations after setup.

DirectAccess Infrastructure Considerations

• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).

• Group Policy

• Domain controller.

• Public key infrastructure (PKI)

• IPsec policies

• IPv6