Microsoft releases scripts to block Windows Server 2003 SP1

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS
07/25/05
Today's focus: Microsoft releases scripts to block Windows
Server 2003 SP1

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* The latest batch of scripts from Microsoft's Scripting Guys
* Links related to Windows Networking Tips
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Microsoft releases scripts to block Windows
Server 2003 SP1

By Dave Kearns

A few weeks ago I told you about the Microsoft-issued tool kit
to temporarily block delivery of Windows Server 2003 Service
Pack 1. I neglected to tell you where to get it. It can be
downloaded from <http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3640>.

The tool kit includes:
* A Microsoft-signed executable program.
* A script for use with Windows cscript.exe.
* An ADM template for use with Active Directory group policy.

Each of these will block the automatic download of SP1 for
Windows Server 2003, which is scheduled to begin occurring July
26, 2005. While it is nice of Redmond to give us these tools,
there is one drawback to their use - each must be run
individually for every machine we wish to block from the
automatic download. Got 20 servers, you'll run the tool 20
times. Actually, 40 times, as you'll want to run it again to
unblock the download once you're convinced that the machine is
ready for the service pack.

Microsoft's "Scripting Guys" saw this problem and decided to
provide a better way. That better way is now available from the
Microsoft TechNet Scripting Solutions Center
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3641> where it can be found in
two versions: one to work on a single machine, and one which
works with a comma-delimited text file to do multiple machines
at one go. The "multiple machines" script will even handle
blocking downloads on some while unblocking on others. That's a
neat tool.

You might also want to explore other scripts available at the
Scripting Center <http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3642>.

The Scripting Center claims that: "Unlike the sample scripts
found in the Script Repository
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3643>, scripts found in the
Solutions Center are often quite long, and are designed more for
carrying out tasks than they are for illustrating a particular
scripting technique."

The Script Repository carries links to instruction on writing
your own Vbscript modules. It also provides hundreds of sample
scripts covering multiple areas that include:
* Managing Active Directory and Active Directory objects.
* Managing software and applications on servers and client
computers.
* Managing such things as desktop settings, computer startup and
shutdown, and system restore.
* Retrieving information regarding Group Policy Objects applied
to a user or computer account.
* Managing and monitoring computer hardware.
* Managing Internet Information Server.
* Managing event logs and plain-text log files.
* Managing messaging and communication applications, including
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.
* Managing Microsoft Office applications.
* Managing and monitoring network configurations and network
applications.
* Managing and monitoring the Windows operating system.
* Managing directory services other than Active Directory.
* Managing printers, print jobs, print servers, and other parts
of the Windows printing infrastructure.
* Demonstrating a wide variety of scripting tips, tricks, and
techniques useful to script writers.
* Managing security and securable objects in the Windows
operating system.
* Retrieving information about service packs and hot fixes
installed on a computer.
* Managing Microsoft Services for Unix.
* Managing the Shadow Copy service on Windows Server 2003.
* Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003.
* Managing Windows Update on client computers.
* Managing Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server databases.
* Managing files, folders, file systems, and storage devices.
* Managing Windows Terminal Server.
* Managing Microsoft Virtual Server.

I'm sure that there's something there you can use. Most likely
many of them could save you time and effort. Don't wait, check
them now.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Future-proof your network
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3644>

2. City finds big savings in Linux
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3645>

3. Appliances replace DNS, DHCP software
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3646>

4. Life's rich in telecom... if you're a lawyer
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3647>

5. The ROI of VoIP
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3648>

Today's most forwarded story:

Microsoft to acquire FrontBridge for e-mail security
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt3649>_____________________________________
__________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Colubris Networks
5 Key Principles to Creating a Wireless LAN Plan. Download "The
New Wireless LAN Architecture" Special Report today.

Agility is the key to managing a successful Wireless LAN. In
the Special Report The New Wireless LAN Architecture, read how
you can create a plan based on 5 key principles. You will also
assess enhanced services while reviewing the primary business
and organizational trends that are driving this technology.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=108845
_______________________________________________________________
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find seven tips for managing storage in the new data center, how
storage encryption can help ease the threat of identity theft,
why one exec believes its all about the information and more.
Click here:
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