****Title Deleted****

Source: ****Deleted****

Per the request of Microsoft Product team for System Center product not to be named, I have removed all details previously posted under the title ****Title Deleted****

Cross Platform Extensions Beta 1 Refresh

Source: Microsoft

We are pleased to announce the release of the Cross Platform Extensions Beta 1 Refresh. This Beta Refresh is now available on Connect. We encourage you to promptly download, evaluate and provide feedback on this exciting new release.

To download, simply go to our OpsMgr site on Connect (https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=446) and click the Downloads link.

This Beta Refresh adds three new features to the product:


OpsMgr 64-bit Support


Gateway role support


AIX 5.3 support

To upgrade from the first Beta to this Beta Refresh:

1.
Uninstall the Operations Manager 2007 Cross Platform Extensions Beta (no need to delete the imported Management packs).

2.
Install the new Beta Refresh.

3.
Import the Unix Library MP (and AIX if you need to monitor AIX Systems).

4.
Extract the UnixAgents Zip file to \Program Files\System Center Operations Manager 2007\AgentManaged (make sure it extracts into the UnixAgents folder).

Note: The upgrade instructions are outlined in the updated Quick Start document on Connect.

To provide feedback on the Beta 1 refresh utilize the Newsgroups on Connect.

Thank you, the System Center Cross Platform Product Team.

Tool to Remove Management Packs from SecureVantage Technologies

Source: Secure Vantage Team Blog

Thanks to the guys at SVT for this!

How to remove Management Packs with references to unsealed MPs? 

For the most part removing Management Packs (MP) is a quick administrative process done in the OpsMgr console, which is as follows:

1.       In the OpsMgr Console

2.       Administration -> Management Packs

3.       For each XXXX MP -> Right Click -> Delete

However occasionally we have seen issues were people have setup references to other unsealed MPs and it can be time consuming to remove all the override references and you don't want to delete the entire Management Pack. We have released a tool that you can use to remove override references from the MP you are trying to remove. Please note this is a utility resource for general community use, we'd be glad to answer any questions or get feedback on improvements but this is not a supported solution.

Steps to delete an MP when you can't due to override references in unsealed MPs.

1.       Download the InstallTool.exe provided by Secure Vantage Technologies

2.       Run the InstallTool.exe -ea (Backs up all unsealed MP to C:\Program Files\System Center Management packs\MP Backsup\<MMDDYY>\* )

3.       Run the InstallTool.exe -rr SecureVantage.Security (this example removes all references to Secure Vantage MPs from unsealed MPs, must use prefix of MP ID)

4.       Review the log file created for details on next steps

Once the overrides are removed you are still be required to manually remove the MP manifest reference by editing the XML directly.

5.       Export the Management Pack in question and open the file in a text editor

6.       You will need to remove any reference in the manifest, here is an example of what you will be removing in the case of Secure Vantage MPs. 

      <Reference Alias="SVT">
        <ID>SecureVantage.Security.Base.Library</ID>
        <Version>3.0.6200.0</Version>
        <PublicKeyToken>60b527b13d975a39</PublicKeyToken>
      </Reference>

7.       Save the file and import into OpsMgr 

Xobni Outlook add-in

Useful Outlook add-in that I have been testing – sign up to receive below.

Operations Manager 2007: List of Resource Kit Tools

Source: J.C. Hornbeck

Looking for the complete list of Resource Kit tools for System Center Operations Manager 2007?  Here you go:

Name: Sample Vista Gadget

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0f5a060b-635d-4355-b0ac-32ee2943bfd9&DisplayLang=en

Description: A Vista Gadget that enables you to view the active alerts and health states for a specified set of objects from a computer running Windows Vista.

Name: Operations Manager Inventory

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=10e79763-6906-4f44-86c6-fbabb0bf1b9f&DisplayLang=en

Description: A command-line utility that captures the configuration of your Operations Manager 2007 Management Servers and stores it in a .cab file that can be sent to Microsoft support to assist in problem analysis.

Name: Operations Manager Cleanup Tool

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=14ff7073-c71b-4ad0-805a-a8e458d2c9e0&DisplayLang=en

Description: A command-line utility that enables you to remove any or all of the components of Operations Manager from a local computer in cases where the normal method of uninstallation has failed.

Name: AEM Validation

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=db979eb5-b423-4b14-8664-b16dc8157e8d&DisplayLang=en

Description: A command line utility that will allow you to perform end-to-end validation of Agent-less Exception Monitoring to verify that AEM is properly configured and operational.

Name: AEM Management Pack

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6f0ba772-8521-4717-ab54-80ecd1f75aec&DisplayLang=en

Description: A Management Pack that enables you to identify generic errors sent by Windows Error Reporting (WER) clients to Management Servers that are AEM-enabled. Without this mapping function these errors appear in Operations Manager as "unknown application" and "unknown version".

Name: Active Directory Integration Sample Script

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b3aa2d5a-b56c-40e8-8b63-139865a1749b&DisplayLang=en

Description: A sample script that enables you to extract a list of computer names from your custom SQL Server database and add them to an Active Directory security group. The security group can then be referenced in the Agent Assignment and Failover Wizard to automate agent assignments to Management Servers.

Name: Effective Configuration Viewer

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a9db4dca-6716-478d-89b9-42f27ebc76a8&DisplayLang=en

Description: A tool that displays the set of rules and monitors that are running on a computer, distributed application, or any other managed entity after any configured overrides have been applied.

Name: Action Account Tool

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1d9a8d81-0e42-4076-88a9-8e6c08993054&DisplayLang=en

Description: A PowerShell script that allows you to set the action account on groups of computers.

The Wait is over! System Center Operations Manager Cluster MP is now available!

If you have installed Operations Manager 2007 SP1, there are no prerequisites to be met before loading the System Center Operations Manager Cluster Management Pack.

If you have not yet upgraded your SCOM installation to SP1, apply the KB945312 QFE ON EACH Management server prior to installing the Cluster management pack.

Download the Cluster Management Pack from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ac7f42f5-33e9-453d-a923-171c8e1e8e55&DisplayLang=en.

Operations Manager SP1 RTM command shell requires Powershell scripts to be digitally signed

After installing SP1 RTM, I noticed that Powershell scripts that I frequently run will no longer run unless I digitally sign them or modify the execution policy. For those who do not have code signing certs and want to modify the execution policy, run the command set-executionpolicy unrestricted.
This is not a suggested setting!, but will allow you to run scripts whilst you work through the procedure to buy or create your own authority. For details on creating your own signing certificate, run get-help about_signing

Operations Manager 2007 Agent upgrade from SP1 RC to SP1 RTM

It was brought to my attention this morning that the upgrade documentation shipped with SP1 RTM failed to call out a change in the upgrade method of SP1 RC agents (6246) to SP1 RTM (6278). An update to the upgrade guide and release notes are pending, but below is the proper procedure to follow if you are upgrading from RC to RTM – do NOT use the approval method from pending management.

To upgrade agents from Operations Manager 2007 SP1 RC (build 6246) to Operations Manager 2007 SP1 (build 6278) using the Operations Console

1. Log on to the computer hosting the Operations Console with an account that is a member of the Operations Manager Administrators role for the Operations Manager 2007 management group. 2. In the Operations Console, click Administration. Note When you run the Operations Console on a computer that is not a management server, the Connect To Server dialog box appears. In the Server name text box, type the name of the Operations Manager 2007 management server to which you want to connect. 3. In the Administration pane, expand Device Management, and then click Agent Managed. 4. In the Agent Managed pane, select the agents that are listed as version 6.0.6246.0, right-click them, and then select Repair. 5. In the Repair Agents dialog box, select the appropriate agent action account, and then click Repair.

System Center Operations Manager 2007 SP1 RTM

After much anticipation from the Ops Mgr community, Microsoft has made System Center Operations Manager SP1 RTM available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ede38d83-32d1-46fb-8b6d-78fa1dcb3e85&DisplayLang=en.

What's new (Source: What's New in Ops Mgr 2007 SP1)

Operations Manager 2007 SP1 addresses critical customer-initiated issues, including improved deployment, performance, reporting, and enhanced support. 

Highlighting some of the key new features and enhancements:

• New capability to export Operations Manager 2007 diagrams to Microsoft Visio VDX file format.
  
• New ability to publish reports to multiple locations, such as Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services Web sites.
  
• Improved performance and reliability across the product, such as when working with alerts, overrides, and searches.
  
• Enhanced "advanced search" by improved the ability to search across monitors and rules by their overrides.
  
• Simplifying the creation of new management packs by allowing users to copy views from existing management packs to an unsealed management pack.
  
• New ability view performance data through the Operations Manager Web console, and setup filters for desired performance counters to ease searching and navigation.
  
• New discoveries and views added to the Audit Collection Services (ACS), along with new monitors and alerts to track the health of ACS collectors.
  
• Enhanced backup and recovery with the introduction of an easier-to-use Secure Storage Backup Wizard.
  

SCCM SP1 and R2 Betas are open

Visit the Microsoft Connect site for more information regarding the SCCM SP1 and R2 beta.

https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=16

Windows Server 2008 Released to Manufacturing!

Windows Server 2008 was released to manufacturing today and will be available for purchase to new customers on March 1. MVL customers with active SA coverage or an EA will be able to download the software by the end of February.

Vista SP 1 RTM

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released to manufacturing today and will start being available to customers in March, starting with Microsoft Volume Licensing customers. Read more at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/feb08/02-04VistaSP1MA.mspx

MMS 2008 - SR41 - Demystifying Regulatory Compliance with System Center

I just learned that Jeremiah Beckett from Secure Vantage Technologies will be providing the above breakout session at MMS 2008 in Las Vegas. For those who have not had the chance to speak with Jeremiah, you will not want to miss this opportunity!

Jeremiah also announced that SVT is a MMS 2008 GOLD sponsor this year. Hopefully, this will allow them to create a dedicated section for the SVT angels, their groupies, and the bar! Still no word on the rumored Secure Vantage VIP program – am I the only one hearing the whispers.

Read more at the Secure Vantage Team Blog and learn more about Secure Vantage Technologies' products and solutions.

Exam 70-400

In order to keep my other Microsoft certifications with company, I decided to take exam 70-400 to obtain a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): System Center Operations Manager 2007, Configuration certification and passed with a 960 score!

The exam adequately covered skills that are essential in configuring Ops Manager.

Secure Vantage Team Blog

It was brought to my attention that Secure Vantage Technologies has started a team blog. Read it at http://securevantage.spaces.live.com/

I have heard several rumblings of late about a Secure Vantage VIP club!? Possibly the team will use the blog to enlighten us...

System Center Operations Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 Training Videos

The first wave of OpsMgr 2007 Sp1 training videos are now live on TechNet.

There are 9 different OpsMgr 2007 Sp1
videos available on the link below:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/opsmgr/bb986763.aspx

Install ACS Forwarder on RMS or Management Server

Below is a quick and dirty procedure to install and enable ACS Forwarding on a System Center Operations Manager RMS or Management Server.

1. Copy adtagent.exe to C:\windows\system32

2. Run command adtagent -install

3. Edit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AdtAgent\Parameters

    a. Ensure/Add DWORD key EventlogLoggingLevel is set to 2

    b. Add DWORD key LocalConfig and set to 2

    c. Add DWORD key NoCache and set to 2

    d. Add Multi-String Value key AdtServers and enter name of the collector to

    forward to.

4. In Services CP, set Operations Manager Audit Forwarding Service to Automatic and start.

5. Verify by running SELECT * FROM dbo.dtMachine on the OperationsManagerAC database and finding the management server name. Could also run SELECT * FROM dbo.dtMachine WHERE Description = 'DOMAINNAMEHERE\MACHINENAMEHERE$'