Office 365 training material

I get plenty of questions about training material for Office 365, especially the certification exams – 71-321 Deploying Office 365 and 71-323 Administrating Office 365. This is becoming more the case now that the 71-323 is part of the new Microsoft SMB competency.

There is currently not a lot out there in the market however the place to start is the recent Office 365 Jump Start range of videos. There are 18 videos in total and can all be downloaded for off site viewing. There are also some older Office 365 Jump Start videos for IT Pros that are also helpful and free again.

Microsoft has also just released some e-learning courseware for the 70-323 Administrating Office 365 exam. There is a cost for this and I can’t provide any recommendation having not used it. It would expect to see some e-learning for the 71-321 Deploying Office 365 become available soon.

Next, you have use the Microsoft Virtual Academy which currently has the following Office 365 courses:

image_2_65696545

There is also plenty of other training material on other technologies in there, all for free.

As for books well I have read the following from MVPs Loryan Strant:

Microsoft Office 365: Exchange Online Implementation and Migration

and Brett Hill


Working with Microsoft Office 365: Running Your Small Business in the Cloud

Both are not specifically aimed at content for passing exams but still offer plenty of information that will help.

Finally, there are the Office 365 Virtual Labs for IT Pros, again free from Microsoft. This will allow you to get you hands dirty in a full virtual environment. This is especially handy for the SMB types who probably don’t have the infrastructure to implement Office 365 Federation.

I’m sure as time goes on there be lots more becoming available so stay tuned.

Beyond the 10GB Companyweb 2010 limit

A hurdle that is fast becoming an issue with Companyweb on SBS 2011 is 10GB database limit imposed by SQL 2008 Express R2. Back in SBS 2008 days Companyweb used SQL 2005 Express Embedded Edition (##SSEE) which allowed unlimited database sizes. However, the issue with SSEE is that it is a 32 bit data platform and SharePoint 2010 Foundation requires a a 64 bit database platform. Enter SQL 2008 Express R2 as the storage platform for Companyweb (SharePoint Foundation 2010) on SBS 2011.

 

As the use of SharePoint increases and customers start storing lots and lots of files in there as well as using version control suddenly 10GB starts to look pretty small. So what options are available to you to break the 10GB barrier with Companyweb on SBS 2011?

 

Option 1 – Split your content across multiple content databases

 

Just because your data exceeds 10GB doesn’t mean it can’t live in multiple content databases. You can easily create a second content database into which you can create another Site Collection. Well, maybe not easily, but it cane be done. See –

 

http://blog.arjanfraaij.com/2011/01/sharepoint-2010-add-site-collection-to.html

 

Once that is created you can create a link from your first site to the second one. In this scenario your total site storage is now 20GB. In theory you could keep adding content databases as you need to, each providing 10GB a pop.

 

Downsides? It is certainly more cumbersome working with multiple SharePoint content databases. You have to make sure that you have set up indexing on that database, assigned rights and linked back and forth from the original. In the end you now have content in two places which can always spell trouble.

 

Option 2 – Implement Remote BLOB storage

 

I have blogged about this before and the issues you may face which you will find here and here. You can do it and it is free but I wouldn’t recommend it for the reasons in those other posts.

 

Downsides? Many (don’t do).

 

Option 3 – Upgrade the existing SharePoint SQL instance on SBS 2011

 

For this you will need to purchase a full version of SQL (typically via the SBS 2011 Premium Add on pack) and then install it over the existing SQL 2008 Express R2 instance that is used for SharePoint.

 

You’ll find details of that process here –

 

http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2011/02/28/how-to-migrate-companyweb-to-a-sql-2008-r2-standard-instance-on-sbs-2011-part-1.aspx

 

Downsides? Firstly, you are going to have purchase a full version of SQL. It also kind of makes SBS 2011 “non-standard”. This doesn’t mean it isn’t a supported configuration (as I understand it) but I can’t say how SBS 2011 wizards and updates handle things being ‘non-standard’ going forward.

 

It also means you have yet another SQL version on your SBS 2011 server that will need separate updates along with the other versions of SQL that are already there (i.e. SQL 2008 Express R2 and SSEE).

 

Option 4 – Install a new version of SQL Server onto the SBS 2011 server

 

Once again here you’ll need to purchase a full version of SQL (typically via the SBS 2011 Premium Add on pack) and then install it as another SQL instance on the SBS 2011 Server.

 

Once you have done this you will need to move the SharePoint content databases from the default SQL 2008 Express R2 instance to the new full SQL instance via SQL detach and reattach as well as ststam –o deletecontentdb and addcontentdb commands.

 

Downsides? Like the above option. You have to buy a full version of SQL and SBS 2011 is now ‘non-standard’ (although supported). You have an additional version of SQL to patch and update. The added downside here is that this new version of SQL has created a new instance which means it is consuming additional RAM on your SBS server. Thus, now you have SSEE, SQL 2008 Express R2, and Full SQL consuming RAM for all their instances, not forgetting that by default SQL wants is not memory trimmed (i.e. it will consume every piece of free RAM it can).

 

Option 5 – Install a new member server that includes SQL Server

 

Here you’ll need to purchase an additional Windows Server and SQL License (typically via the SBS 2011 Premium Add on pack), some additional hardware (or virtual machine) and create a new member server in SBS 2011 domain with full SQL installed on it.

 

Once you have done that you will need to move the databases (much like in Option 4 above) to the new server with full SQL.

 

Details on doing that are found at –

 

http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2011/03/02/how-to-migrate-companyweb-to-a-sql-2008-r2-standard-instance-on-sbs-2011-part-2-premium-second-server.aspx 

 

and –

 

http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2011/03/07/how-to-migrate-companyweb-to-a-sql-2008-r2-standard-instance-on-sbs-2011-part-3-migrating-the-content-database.aspx.

 

Downsides? Again SBS 2011 is not longer ‘standard’ (but again still supported). You need to spend more money on SQL and Windows licenses and potentially additional hardware. The other downside is that now database requests for SharePoint are sent from the second server with SQL installed back to the SBS 2011 box out via IIS to the client (if I understand the flow correctly here). That means extra network traffic and potential latency as data requests for SharePoint are pull from a database across the network. You might never notice this with the fast infrastructure we have today but it is still slower than having it all hosted on one server.

 

But hand on a sec ….

 

This whole discussion has really focused on just the SharePoint content database, however this is not the only database that SharePoint Foundation uses. In SharePoint you’ll also find the following databases typically:

 

Sharepoint_config

SharePoint_admincontent_

WSS_logging_

WSS_search_

 

so what about these? Should they also be moved? The following article does tell you how to go about this (Although I believe there are issues with the document),

 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg616007.aspx

 

In theory I would say no for every database except one. The first three databases should generally remain small and no exceed the 10GB limit, however what will also grow as your content database grows? The search database. If you leave it where it is on SQL 2008 Express R2 it will be limited to 10GB in size. The only way that you’d probably notice that the search database has reached its limit is when search results are not returned for information you KNOW is in the database.

 

Can’t say that I have ever seen a search database exceed 10GB but in theory, given enough SharePoint content to index, it could. So, if you go a full version of SQL with unlimited database sizes I would also be moving the search database (wss_search_ by default) to the full version of SQL to allow it breathing space as your content grows.

 

To move the search databases the easiest way is probably to recreate them by stopping and restarting the SharePoint search service but in this case nominating the location of the full SQL server for the storage of the index data.

 

Conclusion

 

For most people that need to exceed the 10GB option the best option I would say is to get the Premium Add on. Install full SQL on a new member server and swing the content (ShareWebDb) and the Search database only across to this new SQL instance that has no limits on the database size. However, I hope this post has at least provided you with some options of what is possible.

CIAOPS Podcast–Episode 31

Just uploaded the latest edition of the CIAOPS Need to Know podcast. In this episode I speak with Michael Jenkin about the value of community and the benefits of volunteering.

 

Michael speaks across his involvement as a Microsoft MVP, being involved with the Australian Scout Jamboree and his involvement with GITCA. Michael really highlights the benefits that come from giving, not only personally but also professionally.

 

Listen to this episode at:

 

http://ciaops.podbean.com/2012/06/26/episode-31-michael-jenkin/

 

A good place to start volunteering and giving back to the community might be to appear on an episode of the CIAOPS Need to Know podcast. It is simple, painless and can maybe help others with business and technology challenges. If you are at all interested in appearing please do not hesitate to contact me (director@ciaops.com) to discuss getting involved.

 

I also always appreciate feedback on the episode which you can do directly on the Need to Know podcast site or via the email address above.

 

Once again, a big thanks to Michael for once again giving back.

Windows Phone 8

 

Microsoft has provided details of Windows Phone 8 due out soon. Here’s a video of some of the new features (some of which will be available to Windows Phone 7 users via an update I believe).

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25DKXGKblOw

 

A good summary can be found at:

 

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/06/the-new-features-coming-to-windows-phone-8/

 

So if you are looking for a Windows Phone then perhaps it maybe worth a wait until the new models become available (September-October is the rumoured date). Downside is that existing Windows Phone 7 devices typically can’t be upgraded to Windows Phone 8 (nothing surprising there) but will receive a number of updates to improve the experience.

 

Even though Windows Phone has taken a knock with falling revenues with Nokia I still reckon Windows Phone is better than most out there in the market. Being as late to the game as Microsoft is with Windows Phone makes it an enormous mountain to climb. However, more competition and choice is only going to benefit customers on the long run. So I’m still saying that you shouldn’t write off Windows Phone just yet but it will certainly have to kick some major goals soon and perhaps with Windows 8 Phone it will?

Getting Started with SharePoint Small Business–The Video

As a companion to my recently released ‘Getting Started with SharePoint Online for Small Business’ I have created a video covering the same (and some more) material. You can find it at:

 

New formats for CIAOPS eBook

I’ve just completed adding some new formats for my recent eBook “Getting Started with SharePoint Online for Enterprises”. Apart from PDF you’ll now find that title available in both ePub and Kindle format for the same price.

 

Given that success, I am going to start working back through my previous titles and also convert these so stay tuned.

 

The best location for all my works, free and paid, is http://www.ciaops.com/downloads/

 

Look out for a new title on Lync very soon!

Desktop to Cloud User Group

Following on from the very successful Desktop to Cloud event recently in North Ryde, I am happy to announce the commencement of the Desktop to Cloud User Group that will meet once a month in North Sydney.

 

The idea is to have a regular forum where we can continue our discussions and discoveries around the latest in desktop and cloud technologies. The group is open to anyone, whether you are an end user, and IT Professional or a business owner looking for more information about the direction of technology. In the meetings you’ll hear from many experts and you’ll also get the opportunity to network with them.

 

Here are the details:

 

Date: Last Wednesday of every month commencing 27th June 2012

Location: Stanton Library, 234 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060

Time: 6.15pm – 8.15pm

Cost: gold coin donation is appreciated

Registration: http://d2cug.eventbrite.com.au/ or http://www.meetup.com/desktop2cloud/

 

I’ll use http://www.desktoptocloud.com.au/ as the main landing place for information about the user group and the Desktop to Cloud event.

 

Hope to see you there.

Downloading is dead

It is fast becoming apparent that the concept of ‘downloading’ is a thing of the past. This video from Hungry Beast gives you the reasons why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv26FQR8_bE

This set of circumstances has been reinforced by two recent services. The first is Spotify which has finally made its ways to Australia. It basically allows your to stream music directly from the Internet no matter where you are.
Not only can you access millions of tunes you can now access these on just about any device that is connected to the Internet including PC, MAC, iPhones, iPad, etc. There is even an option to store some of the music locally to take with you when you don’t have access to the Internet. Best of all you can start using the service for free! Upgrades provide more features but again access to millions of tunes for free that you don’t have to download – Brilliant!

I’ve talked before about how I have been a member of a DVD video rental library for a while now. The idea is that you pay so much per month and they keep sending you DVDs in the mail. You simply watch and return them. This model has fast become out dated and businesses like NetFlix in the US are providing streaming of movies directly to devices.

Such streaming services were unavailable to Australia until just recently. Quickflix (of which I am a member) has now released an app for idevices that allows you to stream movies and TV shows directly. The choices, I admit, are somewhat limited but they are growing rapidly. In the couple of days since I have had the service I have already watched a few movies. It is just so convenient.

At this stage I would still like to get the content from Quickflix onto my aging TV rather than on the small screen of my iPad. I know that I can do so from the iPad but what I am really after is the ability for streaming Quickflix content to be delivered to my TV via my XBox which is always connected to the TV. The good news is that service is coming soon, not soon enough if you ask me, but in the meantime I can still stream movies to my iPad, PC or MAC, so I’ll survive.

With Spotify and now Quickflix streaming we are again seeing a shift in the technology landscape. Sure you’ll need faster broadband connections and bigger download limits but I can’t see these actually getting smaller can you? I think that the concept of download limits here in Australia will disappear as it has in the US. The ability to access a service anywhere, anytime and immediately is certainly here to stay thanks to services like Spotify and Quickflix.