Troubles with the Windows 7 Branch Cache; A review of IP PBX systems

Troubles with the Windows 7 Branch Cache; A review of IP PBX systems Microsoft Alert NetworkWorld.com | Software Research Center | Update Your Profile Sponsored by Dell Get Ready for Windows Vista Windows Vista includes deployment tools that help you manage your migration. You can extend the reach of those tools with time-saving automated deployments based on best practices. Spotlight Story This is Network World's Microsoft Subnet news alert in which we focus on the top items from Microsoft Subnet, your daily source for Microsoft news, blogs, discussion items, security alerts, giveaways and more. Top pick of the week Troubles with the Windows 7 Branch Cache feature Windows 7 includes a WAN optimization feature called Branch Cache in which it stores a local copy of frequently used material that is otherwise located on a remote server. Hidden Microsoft blogger, Tyson Kopczynski, has been testing Branch Cache (or, more accurately, breaking it). He writes, "There is not a lot of hard core details about what Branch Cache is and how it works." One surprise find in his tests, "Branch Cache for network files (SMB) is tied to Offline Files (referred to as transparent cache).  If you disable Offline Files it breaks Branch Cache for network files." Related News: More top picks from the week: Microsoft promises to reduce prices for cloud WS2008 licenses Like it or not: Office 2007 SP2 coming later this month Microsoft loses patent battle with Uniloc, ordered to pay $388M MSN message looks like a phish, smells like a phish - but isn't Windows netbooks, buyer beware on the true costs From our bloggers: Joe Schurman: Microsoft Voice and UC A review of IP PBX systems for the SMB Joe has been testing five of the top names in IP PBXs to see which is the best fit for the smaller user. These include Fonality PBXtra, Digium / Asterisk AA60, TrixBox / Asterisk Virtual PBX, Microsoft Response Point Version 1, Service Pack 2 5 and Nortel BCM 50. Which one gives the most bang for the buck? Joe's got the scoop. (Also see: Taking a stab at open source IP Telephony ) Mitchell Ashley: Converging on Microsoft Is Nvidia Starting a New Trend Away From Extravagant Exec Compensation? Clearly the economy is stifling purchases of high end video cards. But in a surprise move, Nvidia reported that is is nixing individual and executive bonus plans to conserve costs and cash. What a concept! Tyson Kopczynski: Hidden Microsoft Fear and Loathing in Windows 7: Testing Branch Cache using Linux Tyson needed a way to create a slow LAN and discovered an ingenious, low-cost way to turn a Linux box into an overloaded router. He executed the Linux Traffic Control command which allowed him to easily interject 100ms latency on eth1.  "Boff, Bonk, Pow, Plop, Kapow, swa-a-p, whamm, zzzzzwap, bam ... instant WAN crappiness." Glenn Weadock: Windows Server 2008 Shadow Copies of... Everything? WS2008 has a feature lets takes periodic snapshots of a server volume so that Windows XP or Vista users can access “previous versions” of files. It's a quirky feature. (Also see Shadow Copies, Part Deux, which offers details such as how the feature is NTFS-only and is by default only 4K.) Steve Johnson: Microsoft Office 2007 On Demand Zooming Around with Canvas for OneNote 2007 Office OneNote 2007 is still relatively new for many Microsoft Office users, but is loved by those who try it. With the Canvas for OneNote add-in provided by Microsoft Office Labs, you can pan around your notebook more easily. Ron Barrett: A Better Windows World The VideoLAN project: bringing Media to your network The VLC Media Player supports a huge number of media files without the need for additional codecs. It has tons of features for playback including subtitles, tools for managing media, and audio and video effects. Alex Lewis: Windows into Silicon Valley Fixing OCS R2 Response Group Workflows Here's the funny part, if you're running on Server 2008, Response Group Workflows are broken out of the box. Either no one is using RG's or everyone's running them on Server 2003 x64 because I couldn't find a single reference to this anywhere on the web.  Susan Hanley: Essential SharePoint American Airlines, a big airline with a heart We recently had a death in our family and I had to fly two college children to a funeral.  Unable to find reasonable fares, I contacted American Airlines for a “bereavement fare” I received amazing and sensitive customer service with reasonable flights. Hot discussions among Microsoft Subnet readers Blackberry Storm Needs Bailout And Stimulus Package Fear and Loathing in Windows 7: Testing Branch Cache using Linux 5 Tactics Microsoft Is Using To Battle Linux for Cloud Dominance Shadow Copies of... Everything? SMB IP-PBX Review Giveaways and goodies: 1) A Microsoft training course from Global Knowledge worth up to $2,995. 2) Fifteen copies of Microsoft Voice Unified Communications by Joe Schurman (a $39.99 value). 3) Fifteen copies of Microsoft Office 2007 On Demand by Steve Johnson (a $39.99 value). 4) Check out Microsoft Subnet’s library of chapter excerpts on all the hot Microsoft technologies. Deadline is April 30. Entry forms can be found on the Microsoft Subnet home page. Eye-catching gadgets at CTIA From WiMAX hotspots to $2,000 cell phones, a look at what caught our attention at CTIA Wireless. Are you an IT geezer? Sure, the new generation knows Facebook, Android and Twitter. But what about ISDN, SNA and X.25? Take the quiz! Sponsored by Dell Get Ready for Windows Vista Windows Vista includes deployment tools that help you manage your migration. You can extend the reach of those tools with time-saving automated deployments based on best practices. Network World's IT Resource Library Whether you're looking to gear up on one specific topic or you're trying to stay current on several areas, Network World's resource library has what you're looking for. Our comprehensive collection of resources will make your job easier. Visit Now Accurately Troubleshoot your Apps Optimize your application troubleshooting efforts with the best practices described in this whitepaper, "Application Troubleshooting Guide." Eliminate finger pointing between departments. Find out how to isolate the source of application performance problems and what to look for when troubleshooting. Get all of the details today. Download this whitepaper now.   04/14/09 Today's most-read stories: Conficker awakens, starts scamming Microsoft eating up U.S. and global netbook markets Bill would give Obama power to shut down Internet Are you an IT geezer? 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