Make a bootable Windows XP CD slipstreamed with SP2 and hotfixes

Applying a service pack after every reinstallation of Windows XP is a schlep and a waste of time, especially in a business environment. That's why it's a good idea to have a copy of XP with the latest service pack already integrated into it--a process known as slipstreaming.

But that's not nearly the end of the story. What about adding all the subsequent hotfixes/updates Microsoft has released since Service Pack 2 for Windows XP was released eons ago (August 2004, to be exact)? There have been more than 120 since then. Downloading and installing every one of them is no fun; doing it every time for every new Windows installation is plain crazy.

Even so, you can't really take a chance on ignoring the updates. Venturing onto the Internet without the protection of the latest updates and patches is downright dangerous. Tests have shown that Windows vulnerabilities can be exploited within minutes after exposing such a system on the Net.

So wouldn't it be great if you could integrate all (or at least most) of those Microsoft updates right into a copy of XP, together with the latest service pack? Well, you can--and it's a relatively simple process. And once you've done it the first time, subsequent procedures (to make new CDs with the latest updates) is a walk in the park.

To top it all, you can even add some useful utilities to your customized version of Windows and make the disk bootable.

I'm going to walk you through the whole process of first slipstreaming your copy of XP with SP2, integrating most of the updates/hotfixes since the release of SP2 into your new installation pack, and then burning the image to a bootable CD.

Slipstreaming with SP2

Let's first slipstream XP with SP2:

1. If you don't already have it, get the full ("network installation") version of the service pack. You can download it here. For the purposes of this article, we'll save it to the folder XP_SP2 on the C: drive.
2. Copy the contents of your Windows XP CD to your hard drive. We'll name this folder (also on the C: drive) WinXP.
3. Open a command prompt and go to the folder containing SP2 (XP_SP2 in our example).
4. Type the command: servicepackfilename /integrate:drive:\XPfolder. In my example, the command is:
   WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU /integrate:C:\WinXP
   See Figure A and Figure B.

Figure A

The command to integrate the service pack

Figure B

The integration process

If the process has been successful, a message to this effect will be displayed (Figure C).

Figure C

Success!

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Note

When you try slipstreaming using OEM disks from some big companies, you might run into the following error:

"This Service Pack cannot be integrated into a destination that also has integrated Software Updates."

Not to worry, there are ways and means. A program called nLite will do the trick (although it needs the .NET framework).

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Integrating post-SP2 updates

Now we're ready to integrate most of the post-SP2 updates, thanks to a guy called Ryan VanderMeulen. As Ryan says on his Web site, his update pack and Integrator software are "designed to bring a Windows XP CD with SP2 integrated fully up to date with all of the latest hotfixes released by Microsoft since SP2's release. It accomplishes this task via direct integration, where files on the CD are directly overwritten by the updated files". He also says: "All necessary registry entries needed by Windows Update, QFECheck, and Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer are imported during Windows setup, meaning that the integration is transparent to Windows. Security Catalogs necessary for Windows File Protection to recognize the updated files as digitally signed are installed, once again ensuring maximum transparency to Windows. Since the updated files are being directly overwritten on the CD, this pack has the minimum possible amount of overhead associated with integrating hotfixes in comparison to other methods--both in space used on the CD and in Windows installation time."

Sound good? It sure is!

A word of warning before you begin: Ryan strongly recommends that you start with a fresh XP installation source with no previous update packs integrated into it.

With that out of the way, let's get down to business.

1. Download the latest version of RVM Integrator and Update Pack (also the optional add-on packs if you want to--see note) here. On this page, you'll see the list of the included updates.

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Note

Ryan has several add-ons available. One includes some useful programs and utilities; another integrates Windows Genuine Advantage Validation (KB892130) into the XP install CD.

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2. Start RVM Integrator. At the top of the screen you'll see the message Browse to the location which contains the i386 directory. In our example, that's C:\WinXP (Figure D). Note that this is the root folder that contains the i386 folder (do NOT select the i386 directory!).

Figure D

Providing the path to the i386 folder in RVM Integrator

3. The detected version of Windows will be displayed. You can also select a destination directory if you want to create the new installation source in a different folder. Otherwise, leave the field blank.
4. Select Choose An Update Pack CAB to browse to the location of the update pack. My update pack was called rvmupdatepack2.1.1.7z. In your case, the version might be different.
5. If you downloaded any add-on packs, add them next.
6. The final step is the integration. Click Integrate, and the process will start (Figure E). Go get yourself another cup of coffee.

Figure E

RVM Integrator doing its job

Creating a bootable CD

To make our bootable CD, we'll use Bart's approach. Bart Lagerweij, as you probably know, is the doyen of boot disks. I'll provide an overview of the steps, but if you want to read Bart's full instructions on how to create a bootable Windows XP CD, go here.

Other methods are available. If you already have a preferred way, by all means go ahead and use that. You can, for example, use IsoBuster and Nero Burning ROM 6 (you'll need at least version 5.5.9.0) or you can use nLite (but you'll need .NET framework installed).

I prefer Bart's way. Apart for a couple of small extras you need to download the first time, you won't need things like the full version of Nero and .NET like other methods. Besides, I just love to watch Bart's command-line magic.

Here are the essential steps:

1. Download Bart's BCD software (523 KB).
2. Unzip BCD to a folder. We'll unzip it to c:\bcd for this example.
3. Download the file wnaspi32.dll from here and copy it into BCD's \bin folder (in our example, to c:\bcd\bin).
4. Download this Windows XP file (5 KB). Unzip it into BCD's root folder (c:\bdc in our example). Make sure the subfolders are also unpacked.
5. Copy the i386 folder (in our example, from C:\WinXP) into one of the following folders, depending on whether it's Windows XP Home or Professional:
   
   c:\bcd\cds\wxphome\files\ (Windows XP Home Edition)
   c:\bcd\cds\wxppro\files\ (Windows XP Professional)


6. Copy the win51ic.SPx or win51ip.SPx file here as well (See Figure F). Optionally, you can also copy the following files (not needed for bootable CD installation):

autorun.inf

readme.htm

setup.exe

Figure F

Copy the files to the relevant locations in the bcd folder

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Note

If you have a Windows XP CD from MSDN, edit the file i386\txtsetup.sif:

section [SetupData]

and change the setup source path to:

SetupSourcePath = "\"

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Now you're ready to roll. Open a command prompt, go to the c:\bcd folder, and type in and run one of the following commands (depending on whether it's XP Home or XP Pro):

bcd wxphome (For Windows XP Home edition)

or:

bcd wxppro (For Windows XP Professional)

This will start creating the bootable ISO image and burn it to a CD for you. Armed with this CD, reinstalling XP or installing it on new machines will be a breeze.

Windows XP is a hidden gem

The Send To feature in Windows XP is a hidden gem that I want to share with you. I don't think a day goes by that I do not take advantage of this feature.

Click Start Run and type sendto in the textbox.

The sendto folder opens up and allows you to enter shortcuts to folders that you find desirable. For example, you could enter a shortcut to your music, pictures, a network share, etc.

Once you have created your shortcuts, simply right-click on the documents of your choice and use the sendto feature to get them to the appropriate place.

I also created a video blog that you can download and watch that demonstrates this feature.

To simplify access to the tools in Windows XP’s Control Panel

To simplify access to the tools in Windows XP’s Control Panel, Microsoft created the Category View, in which the Control Panel’s tools are organized into categories. If you’re an old-school Windows user, you can still switch back to the Classic View, in which all of the Control Panel’s tools are available. If you admire the simplicity of the Category View but prefer the Classic View, you may want to create your own custom Control Panel that combines the best of both views. Here’s how:

1. Right-click the Start button and select the Explore command.
2. Go to File | New | Folder.
3. Name the new folder My Control Panel.
4. Right-click your new My Control Panel folder, select the Properties command, choose the Customize tab, click the Change Icon button, and select an icon that will differentiate this folder from all the rest on the Start menu.
5. Open your new My Control Panel folder, and then open the original Control Panel and select Classic View.
6. Drag and drop your favorite tools from the original Control Panel to your new My Control Panel folder.
7. Close both your new My Control Panel folder and the original Control Panel.

Now when you need to use your favorite tool, just click Start | All Programs and at the top of the All Programs menu select the My Control Panel folder. You’ll see your favorite tools in an easy to access drop-down menu.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

Configure Windows Vista to log you on to a Standard User Account

Here is a simple tip to automatically login a user.

Click on the Start orb and type netplwiz (Advanced User Accounts Control Panel) in the Instant Search Field.

On the Users tab, uncheck the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.

Click the Apply Button and the Automatically Log On button appears for you to enter the User name and password information.

After entering this information, the computer will automatically login for the account specified.

Window Vista has a nifty utility that gives you the ability to magnify portions of your screen

Do you often work in high resolutions? Do you feel the need to magnify portions of your screen to help you see better? Window Vista has a nifty utility that gives you the ability to magnify portions of your screen.

Click Start and in the Instant Search field, type magnifier. You can change the scale factor, dock position and tracking options.

Do you want to add another level of security to your login if you are in a workgroup?

Do you want to add another level of security to your login if you are in a workgroup? Every wonder why domain users have to use the CTRL + ALT + DELETE? By having to physically perform a CTRL + ALT + DELETE you make sure a trojan/backdoor program doesn’t spoof you. It is just another layer of security if you are interested.

Click and type netplwiz (Advanced User Accounts Control Panel) in the Instant Search Field.

Click on the Advanced tab and tick Require users to press CTRL + ALT + DELETE.

The next time you login, you will have to press CTRL + ALT + DELETE.

How to use the Copy as Path command as a replacement for the old drag and drop operation

If you’re like most IT folks, you use the command line to perform all kinds of tasks. However, there is one drawback to working from the command line that is exacerbated by long folder names — changing from one folder, or directory, to another using the CD (Change Directory) command. Not only is typing long folder names on the command line a lot of extra work, but one typo and you’ll find yourself starting all over.

In this edition of the Windows Vista Report, I’ll show you how to use the Copy as Path command as a replacement for the old drag and drop operation to save you some keystrokes when you are working in the command line.

If it ain’t broke…

When long file and folders names were introduced back in the days of Windows 95, Microsoft introduced two methods that were designed to simplify working with long folder names from the command line.

The first method involved using a drag and drop operation in which you could drag a folder icon from Windows Explorer and drop it in a Command Prompt window in which you had already typed the CD command followed by a double quote (”). You could then just press [Enter] and you were in business. The second method involved installing and using a Power Toy called Open Command Prompt Here, with which you could right click on any folder and open a Command Prompt window in that folder.

As you may know, both the native drag and drop operation and separately installed Open Command Prompt Here Power Toy have been available in every Windows operating system since then — until Windows Vista that is. Now, the renamed Open Command Window Here feature is built right into the operating system, which is definitely a plus; however, the drag and drop operation was 86ed. If you attempt to drag a folder from Windows Explorer and drop it in a Command Prompt window in Windows Vista, you’ll see a Not Allowed symbol, similar to the one shown in Figure A.

Figure A

In Windows Vista dragging a folder and dropping it in a Command Prompt window is no longer allowed.

If, like me, you really got used to using drag and drop in a Command Prompt window, you found this omission in Windows Vista to be quite shocking the first time you encountered it. A handy feature that has been around for 12 years and five versions of Windows no longer works!

While I’ve not been able to find definitive answer on why Microsoft trashed the handy drag and drop operation, I have made due by taking advantage of the built-in Open Command Prompt Here feature. While not as slick, it does allow you to access deeply nested folders from the command line without having to type a lengthy path.

However, while recently using the Open Command Prompt Here feature, I was pining away for the drag and drop operation, when I discovered that a practical replacement was staring me right in the face the whole time — hidden in plain sight. Of course, I’m talking about the Copy as Path command.

The Copy as Path command

The Copy as Path command appears on the context menu when you hold down the [Shift] key as you right click on a folder, as shown in Figure B. Keep in mind that this [Shift] + Right-Click combination only works when you use it in the right hand section of Windows Explorer — it doesn’t work in the Folders section on the left.

Figure B

You can access the Copy as Path command from the context menu when you use [Shift] + Right-Click combination in the main section of Windows Explorer.

Once you use the Copy as Path command, the entire path of the folder is copied to the clipboard. You can now select the Command Prompt window, type the CD command, press [Spacebar], and then right click anywhere inside the Command Prompt window. When you do, the entire path, already enclosed in double quotes is pasted on the command line, as shown in Figure C. You can then just press [Enter] and you instantly have access to that folder on the command line.

Figure C

Just right click in the Command Prompt window, and the path will be pasted on the command line.

While it may seem that this technique isn’t as slick as the old drag and drop operation, I must admit that once you get used to it, it is every bit as fast as the old method. And, in many cases, it is a better alternative than using the Open Command Prompt Here feature.

Other uses

While the using the Copy as Path command is a handy aid when working in a Command Prompt window, it has other uses too. For example, suppose you need to send a link to a network share to a colleague via e-mail. All you have to do use the Copy as Path command, paste the path in the e-mail, and you have an instant shortcut that you can then send to your colleague. And, in addition to using the Copy as Path command to copy the path to a folder or network share, you can also copy the path to a file — including the file name.

Another place the Copy as Path command comes in handy is when uploading files to a Web site. Instead of using browse dialog box to locate the file you want to upload, you can simply paste the path into the upload text box.

Did you know that a command line utility exists to deal with issues of activation and licensing in Windows Vista?

Did you know that a command line utility exists to deal with issues of activation and licensing in Windows Vista? The command line utility is called the Windows Software Licensing Management Tool.

In order to access the tool, click Start and type cmd in the Instant Search bar. If you are not running as an administrator, right-click on the cmd.exe and choose Run as Administrator.

Next type slmgr.vbs in the command line and the Windows Scripting Host Tool displays all of the possible switches.

You can run slmgr.vbs –dlv to provide a detailed listing of your license or you can run a slmgr.vbs –xpr switch to find out the expiration date of your license if applicable.

You can also install a new product key by using slmgr.vbs –ipk and then activate the new license by using the slmr.vbs –ato switch.

This scripting utility is easy to use. Give it a try.

Expand the notification area’s calendar in Windows XP with DateInTray

For many Windows XP users, the notification area’s calendar is the most used area for date information on the system. If you hover your mouse pointer over the time, the date appears; if you need more information, you can simply double-click the time display to bring up the Date And Time Properties dialog box.

While this is a good system, a handy freeware utility from CrispyBytes Development called DateInTray makes it better. DateInTray adds a day of the month calendar to the notification area, allowing you to instantly tell the date with a just a quick glance — no hovering required. However, you can get the full date by hovering, and you can see a complete monthly calendar with a single click. If you need to add the date to a document, right-click to can place the date on the Clipboard and then paste it anywhere you need.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

Install and configure Windows xp Server 2008 core in this new operating system?

With the imminent launch of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 coming on February 27, 2008, I want to show you a feature I am fond of in this new operating system. With Windows Server 2008, you have the option of performing a Windows Server Core installation, which provides you with the minimum set of tools to run Windows.

You are provided with a kernel and a command line to manage the server. It is slim and bare bones and allows you to configure Windows concisely. This type of installation is perfect for a datacenter. I am really excited about this feature.

This blog post is also available as a TechRepublic gallery and TechRepublic download.

Installation

When you first run through the installation of Windows Server 2008, you have two options for installation. They are:

• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (Full Installation)
• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (Server Core Installation)

The following eight screen shots (Figures A-H) walk you through the installation of Windows Server Core which took approximately ten minutes to install.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

After the installation, the main window for your new installation appears and you are ready to login as shown in Figure I. The initial login is Administrator and blank password (Figure J). You are required to change the password and set an Administrator password on initial login.

Figure I

Figure J

Now that you are logged in (Figure K), you are ready to configure the date, time, and time zone. In the command line type the following: controltimedate.cpl and set the options accordingly (Figure L).

Figure K

Figure L

If you need to configure and change the keyboard layout and settings, type the following in the command window: control intl.cpl (Figure M).

Figure M

Let’s move on and change the server name. The default name is a bunch of random letters and numbers and I would like to change the name to a local standard. You can view the current hostname by typing the following:

c:windowssystem32hostname

Now let’s use the name ssw-svr15. We will perform this option in the command line (Figure O) by typing the following:

c:windowssystem32netdom renamecomputer %computername% /NewName:ssw-svr15

Figure N

After choosing to proceed, the task completes successfully. You now need to reboot the server using the shutdown command. For the proper syntax, type:

shutdown /?

After reviewing the syntax, (Figure N) I will type the following: shutdown /r (switch for shutting down and restarting the computer) /t 10 (wait 10 seconds to shutdown and restart) /c “Changed Server Name” (add comment of max 512 characters). They total syntax will look as follows:

shutdown /r  /T 10 /C "Changed Server Name"

Figure O

Let’s now configure our networking so we can join this server to a domain. In order to see what interface you have to configure, (Figure P) type

netsh interface ipv4 show interface

Figure P

The Local Area Connection that we are going to configure has an index value of two. Let’s proceed and configure TCP/IP for this connection. (Figure Q) Type the following command to set the TCP/IP information:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="2" source=static address=192.168.1.199 mask=255.255.255.0 gateway=192.168.1.1

Figure Q

Follow the same example to configure DNS (Figure R):

netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name="2" address=192.168.1.1 index=1

Figure R

If you type ipconfig /all, you will see the newly added information (Figure S).

Figure S

Let’s join it to a domain! In order to perform this function, we will take advantage of the netdom.exe. (Figure T) The syntax is as follows:

netdom join ssw-svr15 /domain:watchtower /userd:Administrator /passwordD:Password01

Note: Do not forget to reboot the server using the following command:

shutdown /r  /T 10 /C "Added to domain"

Figure T

As a final step, we should not forget to activate the server (Figure U) by typing the following:

slmgr.vbs -ato

Figure U

This doesn’t even scratch the surface of what you can do with a Windows Server Core installation but it begins to show you how powerful command line is with a small Windows kernel. With the popularity of virtualization and server consolidation, having the ability to virtualize a server core installation and attach a single role will become very popular with the datacenter. My next test will be to try to install Virtual Server on my server core installation. Wish me luck!

Remote desktop to a Windows XP PC from Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows Vista adds several layers of system security above and beyond what was used in Windows XP. In general, that is a good thing. However, those added layers of security sometimes interfere with an end user’s experience. The Remote Desktop Application is one example. Completing a remote desktop connection to a PC running Windows XP from another PC running Vista can be troublesome if some care is not taken during configuration.

This quirky connection, running desktop remote on a Vista PC at home while connecting to a Windows XP machine at the office, is becoming more common as home users purchase new PCs.

Windows XP

For the purposes of this exercise, we are going to assume that you have already created a valid, stable connection to the remote network via VPN or other secure connection. The problem to be solved is completing the remote desktop connection. We are also assuming the remote Windows XP PC is configured to accept a remote desktop connection as shown in the Remote tab under System Properties (Figure A).

Figure A

Remote tab (System Properties)

Windows Vista

After establishing your VPN connection (at least that is how it works here at CNET), you should start the Vista Remote Desktop Connection application. For some reason, the shortcut in Vista is buried deep in the menus (Figure B). My test machine is using Windows Vista Ultimate.

Figure B

Start Remote Desktop Connection

The Vista version of the remote connection software is very similar to the application found in Windows XP. The key to getting the connection to work is typing in the full name of the remote PC. In my case at CNET, that means adding the domain information to the end of my workstation PC name. It should look something like this:

yourworkstationname.domain.server

Unlike Windows XP, the Vista remote connection software will ask for credentials when you click the connect button, which brings you to the dialog shown in Figure C.

Figure C

Enter your credentials

After clicking OK, you will reach the warning screen shown in Figure D, which can be quite intimidating for users the first time they see it. Vista is informing you that some of its security features will be lost because you are attempting to remote connect to a Windows XP machine. There is nothing you can really do about this except say Yes, I want to connect anyway.

Figure D

Yes, I want to connect anyway

From here you should be looking at the familiar desktop of your remote PC.

Caveats

If your network administrators are like ours here at TechRepublic/CNET, this Vista-to-XP remote connection is not a supported configuration yet. That means you could be on your own when it comes to troubleshooting.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t help each other out. I have been using this setup only a few days and I have yet to run into problems, but I am going to assume that some of you have. Share any problems you may be having with the remote connection scenario and tell us what steps you took to troubleshoot it. This remote configuration is only going to increase in frequency; we should at least try to overcome whatever gremlins may lurk in the wings.

If you regularly use Remote Desktop Connection to manage other Windows XP Pro systems

If you regularly use Remote Desktop Connection to manage other Windows XP Pro systems, chances are that you’ve been working with a remote system in a window. If so, you’ve likely used [Windows] or [Alt][Tab] with the intention of controlling the remote system and then remembered that those keys control the local system. This happens because the Keyboard setting on the Local Resources tab of the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box is set to In Full Screen Mode Only by default; as a result, all of the Windows key combinations will only work when you view the remote system in full screen mode.

While you could easily switch to full screen mode or even change the Keyboard setting, it is definitely worth your time to learn the Remote Desktop Connection shortcuts. For example, you can activate the Start menu of a remote system by pressing [Alt][Home]. Likewise, you can cycle through the programs running on a remote system by pressing [Alt][Page Up]. In addition to these Remote Desktop Connection shortcuts, here are others that you might want to use.

Shortcut Keystroke	Description
[Alt][Insert]	Cycles through running programs in most recently used order
[Alt][Delete]	Displays a window’s Control menu
[Alt][Page Down]	Cycles through running programs from right to left
[Ctrl][Alt][End]	Opens the Windows Security dialog box
[Ctrl][Alt][Break]	Toggles the remote computer display between a window and a full screen
[Ctrl][Alt][-] (Minus sign)	Places a screenshot of the screen in the remote computer’s Clipboard
[Ctrl][Alt][+] (Plus sign)	Places a screenshot of a window in the remote computer’s Clipboard

Note: This tip applies only to Windows XP Professional.

MCAs say about the Microsoft Certified Architect Program?

Richard Godfrey is one of the selected few that have earned the Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certification, the newest, most robust Microsoft certification offered. Click here for an in-depth description of the MCA program. Richard is presently the CEO of www.iprinciples.com, which specializes in the design and delivery of high quality Rich Internet Applications (such as 3D book and magazine technology over the Internet), Software Deployment tools and Software Architecture consultancy. He was kind enough to spend some time talking to me about the program. Here’s the content of our interview.

What prompted you to go after the MCA certification?

Richard: I was a critic of the typical multiple-choice certifications (where you can read a book and regurgitate information to achieve success). I raised my concerns with the guys who were thinking about the MCA programme at the time and I think they decided to call my bluff. I got an email inviting me to take part and to do the 80 hours of prep work for it over the Christmas holiday (which didn’t make me very popular at home!).

Once I’d asked about the goals of the certification (to give accreditation to practicing architects around any technology platform with many years of real-world experience) and the process (to be peer-reviewed) I decided that it covered all my criticisms of other certifications and that I wanted to give it a go.

Did you find it harder than you anticipated? If so, how?

Richard: Yes, hugely. The pre-work was very self-focusing which is something I don’t like to do. The review itself was very comprehensive and pulled me to my limits in all sorts of directions.

What was the interview board like?

Richard: The board was hell…. and a huge pleasure at the same time.

Rarely are you put in a position where you are being drilled on your real-world experiences and capabilities across seven very different competencies by four of your peers where they are trying to understand your weaknesses and strengths in a very focused quick-fire precision-questioning manner. The adrenalin is running sky high as you try to listen, absorb, think, re-think and try to communicate all at the same time. I wrote a review of my experiences at the time on my previous blog

What was the hardest part of the certification?

Richard: I think the hardest part was the wait afterwards. Having gone through the process I really couldn’t tell if I’d passed or failed - all I knew was that it had pushed me very hard and I’d learnt some of my own limits and strengths through the experience. As the certification is based on questioning your real experiences and understanding how you did or would act in different circumstances there is very little you can do to prepare for it - you can’t really revise for it so you just need to be yourself!

How has it helped you in your career? And do you think the high cost justifies the value?

Richard: I think it has helped rather than hindered but I don’t think it has changed my opportunities for fame or fortune - and to be honest I never expected it to. I do think employers and people buying consultancy services should look at the MCA certification as just one of a number of indicators of capability.

The peer-review process is expensive but very necessary at this level. I don’t look at the cost as ‘expensive’ despite it being a large amount of money (this is definitely not a profit centre for Microsoft!) but I do think people need to look at their own individual cost/benefit analysis - just because you don’t sit the MCA certification doesn’t mean you aren’t a great Architect!

Do you think Microsoft made a legitimate attempt to raise the bar here? Too high perhaps?

Richard: Yes, I think it is a very legitimate attempt to raise the bar. I really can’t fault the overall approach having sat in front of and on the board; the process tests genuine experience in a way which is very hard to predict or manipulate. I think the pass rate is on the low side but feel this is indicative of how comprehensive the testing is and how difficult it is to get the initial selection process right.

Any other comments you’d like to add?

Richard: I think Microsoft has done a very brave thing with the MCA programme.

Firstly, having sat on boards with some great guys who have predominantly non-Microsoft experience and assessed/passed others with mainly non-Microsoft backgrounds I feel it truly is a certification of Architects rather than Microsoft Architects. For a major technology vendor to take this approach needs to be applauded in my opinion.

Secondly, having worked for Microsoft, I know the temptation to try to reduce costs, increase throughput and automate the MCA certification process must have been enormous. The fact they have persisted with the expensive and laborious peer-review process and the kept the quality bar high is a credit to everyone involved in the programme.

Jeremy L. Smith writes about Microsoft products including: Active Directory, and Exchange. As a former Microsoft Certified Trainer he taught hundreds of students on many of Microsoft’s most popular products.

Here’s an overview of the MCA Program. Ready to become a legend?

The Microsoft Certified Architect Program

The MCA certification raises the bar to an entirely new level for Microsoft who has in the past been accused of facilitating paper-certified “engineers” with the MCSE program. With its steep costs ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 (depending on which architect program you’re seeking) to its rigorous on-campus boards where you defend a real-world solution before other architects who’ve earned the hallowed title, the MCA is the meatiest certification Microsoft has ever put forth–and it’s about time.

MCA goals and why now?

The MCA program is the first of its kind from Microsoft and sets a new benchmark for their certifications. It is hands-down the most difficult and expensive certification ever offered by Microsoft. But why now?

Some key folks on the Microsoft certification team were kind enough to give me a few moments of their valuable time.

Bill Wall, director of certification strategy for Microsoft Learning, tells me that the MCA program has two main objectives: to maintain vendor neutrality and stay community-driven.

Vendor-neutrality

On the topic of vendor neutrality, Wall said, “Architects need to be able to speak to business problems which may involve multiple technologies. This isn’t a typical Microsoft product certification, per se, but a certification that you can design and architect a solution to a real business problem.”

Per Farny, the director of advanced training and certification for Microsoft Learning said it this way: “The MCA seeks to find a balance between high levels of technical expertise and business acumen.”

Community-driven

Wall says that Microsoft’s vision is for the program is for architects certifying architects. Ccertified MCAs sit on all review boards and play a large role in the approval of new candidates. This helps self-regulate the MCA program. In order to maintain the credibility of their own cert, they must ensure that only the truly deserving get through.

The options

The MCA program has two major options: A technology-focused path, which I will call Technology Architect (though Microsoft refers to them internally as “rangers”), and a more generalized offering for those with broad-based skills which I will refer to by their formal monikers: MCA-Infrastructure or MCA: Solutions.

MCA: Messaging or Database Technology Architect

The Technology Architect program offers two tracks:

• Messaging (Exchange Server)
• Database (SQL Server, with an emphasis on online transaction processing)

There are two major phases to becoming a Technology Architect. First, a four-week mandatory training period with weekly written exams is required-the emphasis is on solving business problems with the technology. The onsite training occurs at Microsoft’s facility in Redmond and runs 8-6, Monday through Friday, with study groups on the weekends.

The certification phase is next. In this phase, the candidate must complete an online lab-style examination followed by a rigorous review board interview. The exam will be focused in your certification area and will be lab-oriented and difficult.

The Technology Architect review board-assuming you get that far-consists of five people including actual architects and Microsoft representatives. During the review board, which lasts almost two hours, candidates will be expected to present a case study, and then discuss different technology options with the board that’s evaluating their breadth of knowledge. After a short break, the board then role-plays with the candidate, simulating situations that involve consultative advice. Candidates are examined for communication skills, their ability to build trust, bring a project-oriented approach to the table, ask the right questions, and define the problem correctly.

Costs for the Technology Architect certifications are $25,000 dollars, paid in full before you begin the program. Rob Linsky, group manager of Microsoft Certifications for Microsoft Learning, helped explain why these costs are high: “The classes are a very expensive component of this program. The best people in the world teach these classes and as you might expect they are very busy folks and come from many places across the globe. The logistics to make all of this happen drive the costs of the program up, but we want to ensure quality instruction is provided-no compromises.”

MCA: Solutions or Infrastructure Path

On the more broadly based architect path, there are two focus-areas: Infrastructure and Solutions. Infrastructure architects are usually more operationally focused, whereas the Solutions architect is more consultatively focused (or customer facing). You could view these two paths as pre-sale and post sale if you’d like.

The path to certification for the Infrastructure or Solutions Architects is somewhat less intense as well as less expensive. For example, the four-week training period is not required, nor are all of the examinations. These certifications are heavily back-loaded, relying on the review board for most of their weight.

The primary hurdle with the the MCA Solutions or Infrastructure certification is the review board interview. The review board is no laughing matter though. Conducted only four times a year, it lasts over two hours and is comprised of four members. There are six stages:

• Presentation. You get 30 minutes to describe a solution that you were the lead architect on. Your communication skills are heavily evaluated during this phase.
• Solution questioning. For about 40 minutes or so, the board peppers you with questions about your solution. And then you leave for a break while the board privately discusses your strengths and weaknesses.
• Candidate questioning: When you return. the board focuses their questions on you the candidate (as opposed to the solution), fleshing out your competency in the skill areas.
• Closing statement: This is your final plea for certification. You get five minutes.
• Voting. You aren’t present for the voting. You have to obtain three of out four votes to be certified.

Costs for the MCA: Solutions or Infrastructure certifications are $10,000 dollars, paid in two $5,000 increments.

Are you qualified?

Frankly, not many will qualify for the MCA architect programs and that’s the way it’s designed. However, for those interested in exploring their eligibility, the qualification requirements are as varied as the programs. I’ve broken them down by each area of emphasis.

To qualify for MCA: Messaging

To even pre-qualify for the Messaging Architect program prospective applicants must:

• Hold an MCP (It’s safe to say that anyone seriously considering this program will have one of these already)
• Be fluent in English (speak, understand, and write)
• Be an MCSE with the Messaging 2003 specialization
• Have at least three years of experience architecting and deploying Exchange Server
• Have a 300-level knowledge of Exchange Server, which means that have a conceptual component level knowledge of Exchange that you usually only get from having “been there-done that!”

After applying, there are more requirements. Assuming your application is accepted the prospective candidate must:

• Pass a lab-based examination (where they check to see what your knowledge of technologies Exchange is dependent upon like DNS, Active Directory, and basic mail routing, etc).
• Complete an interview (not to be confused with the interview board that comes later)
• Give them a pile of money (you have to pay your tuition in its entirety)

And all of that is just to start the program!

To qualify for MCA: Database

On the database side of the house, the same pre-qualification requirements apply-substituting SQL knowledge for Exchange, of course. Additionally you need experience with the Microsoft Operation Framework (MOF) and must hold the Information Technology Information Library (ITIL) Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management. However, unlike the Messaging track, after your application is accepted, there’s no further examination. You only have to complete an interview and pay your tuition.

To qualify for MCA: Solutions or Infrastructure Path

On the MCA: Solutions and Infrastructure Programs, the pre-application requirements are far less stringent, with the weight of the certification being back-loaded. Since the bulk of your certification is determined in the review board, your ability to show you deserve the certification will be highlighted. This includes a review of your resume and experience. Because architects are certifying architects, there is an implicit desire by those already certified to ensure their ranks swell with only those truly qualified thus not diminishing the value of the certification.

Microsoft even mentions in their program guides that experience is one of the most important factors towards earning certification. Many of the architects have at least ten or more years of experience with some having twenty.

But just because the MCA: Solutions and Infrastructure programs have less up-front requirements don’t think that just any old idiot can get this certification. Only those truly deserving will be able to achieve this certification. That you can guarantee.

how to take advantage of a free command-line FTP utility that comes packaged with Windows Vista

Now that I am on my command-line kick these days, I wanted to show you how to take advantage of a free command-line FTP utility that comes packaged with Windows Vista. Why pay money for some software when you can take advantage of software you already paid for. There is no glamor and glitz or eye candy here-just straight-up hard knocks command line.

This blog post is also available as a TechRepublic gallery and TechRepublic download.

Let’s begin by choosing the Start orb and typing cmd in the Instant Search field as shown in Figure A.

Figure A

Type cmd in the Instant Search field to access the command line

The command line interface opens and your next step is to type ftp and then the question mark. It will give you a detailed listing of the commands available to you as shown in Figure B.

Figure B

FTP options available in the command line

Here is a simple definition of the commands (excerpt taken from http://www.nsftools.com/tips/MSFTP.htm).

• ! - Runs the specified command on the local computer
• ? - Displays descriptions for ftp commands
• append - Appends a local file to a file on the remote computer
• ascii - Sets the file transfer type to ASCII, the default
• bell - Toggles a bell to ring after each file transfer command is completed (default = OFF)
• binary - Sets the file transfer type to binary
• bye - Ends the FTP session and exits ftp
• cd - Changes the working directory on the remote computer
• close - Ends the FTP session and returns to the command interpreter
• debug - Toggles debugging (default = OFF)
• delete - Deletes a single file on a remote computer
• dir - Displays a list of a remote directory’s files and subdirectories
• disconnect - Disconnects from the remote computer, retaining the ftp prompt
• get - Copies a single remote file to the local computer
• glob - Toggles filename globbing (wildcard characters) (default = ON)
• hash - Toggles hash-sign (#) printing for each data block transferred (default = OFF)
• help - Displays descriptions for ftp commands
• lcd - Changes the working directory on the local computer
• literal - Sends arguments, verbatim, to the remote FTP server
• ls - Displays an abbreviated list of a remote directory’s files and subdirectories
• mdelete - Deletes one or more files on a remote computer
• mdir - Displays a list of a remote directory’s files and subdirectories
• mget - Copies one or more remote files to the local computer
• mkdir - Creates a remote directory
• mls - Displays an abbreviated list of a remote directory’s files and subdirectories
• mput - Copies one or more local files to the remote computer
• open - Connects to the specified FTP server
• prompt - Toggles prompting (default = ON)
• put - Copies a single local file to the remote computer
• pwd - Displays the current directory on the remote computer (literally, “print working directory”)
• quit - Ends the FTP session with the remote computer and exits ftp (same as “bye”)
• quote - Sends arguments, verbatim, to the remote FTP server (same as “literal”)
• recv - Copies a remote file to the local computer
• remotehelp - Displays help for remote commands
• rename - Renames remote files
• rmdir - Deletes a remote directory
• send - Copies a local file to the remote computer (same as “put”)
• status - Displays the current status of FTP connections
• trace - Toggles packet tracing (default = OFF)
• type - Sets or displays the file transfer type (default = ASCII)
• user - Specifes a user to the remote computer
• verbose - Toggles verbose mode (default = ON)

For example, let’s say I am going to open my ftp server to my Web site at www.stevenscottwarren.com. I would simply type the following:

Open stevenscottwarren.com (Figure C.)

Figure C

The Open command

Next, it will ask for a user name and password. Once I enter the applicable information, I can perform a directory listing of my Web site by typing dir (Figure D).

Figure D

The Dir command

To really get started, you need to know what type of file or files you are going to receive and upload. You can transfer an ASCII text file or a Binary file. ASCII files can also be HTML files. A binary file would be a graphic files, sound, movie, Word document, etc.

For example, let’s say I create a new Web page and I want to upload it to my new Web site. Here are the commands I would type in the command line:

1. Open stevenscottwarren.com

2. Enter applicable user name and password (Figure E)

Figure E

Uploading a Web page

3. Next, use the lcd command (Figure E) to change my local computer to where my Web page exists.

4. Type put tech.html. It will place the file in the public directory (Figure F).

Figure F

Public directory

5. Next, type dir to view the directory listing and you will see the file tech.html (Figure G).

Figure G

Directory listing

6. Open Internet Explorer (Figure H) and Firefox (Figure I) and type the following: www.stevenscottwarren.com/TRBlog/tech.html

Figure H

Firefox tech.html

Figure I

Internet Explorer tech.html

If you wanted to download a file, you would use the get or mget command. For example if you were going to get a graphic, (Figure J) you would type the following: Binary and get DEP.jpg (case sensitive).

Figure J

Get command

When you are finished and you type the command bye, it gives you a listing of what you have uploaded and downloaded as shown in Figure K.

Figure K

Bye command

As you can see, if you have never used the command line, there is a slight learning curve but once you get the hang of it, you can fly through the steps. Who would have thought that I would prefer the command line over a graphical user interface?