Support Headlines

The Big Easy Offer 4.1 launched today! Find out how you can earn subsidy dollars on qualifying purchases of new products like Windows Server® 2008 R2 and System Center Essentials 2010! Details at http://microsoftincentives.com

If you would like to purchase Microsoft licenses or services contact cmcgreanor@voxns.com

April 26th, 2010

Vox is now a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.  Vox also holds the Unified Communications, Advanced Infrastructure, Small Business Specialist, and many other specializations.  If you are interested in a Microsoft product or service please contact cmcgreanor@voxns.com

 

Background:

Remote Desktop Console connections create new socket connections between the new request and the server. During

this process, all socket connections are re-created

Analysis:

Creation of Remote Desktop Console connection produces socket level blockages on Windows 2003.

When a Remote Desktop Console connection is created to a Windows 2003 server, it causes brief period of inactivity on

the sockets. This in turn leads to system wide blockages on the server.

The side affect of the above scenario on CCMS is the possibility of TSM link congestion or SYS_TEN timeouts.

Recommendations:

Use other options to access the server (i.e. access it directly or use PcAnywhere).

Limit the use of Remote Desktop console connections to periods of low call traffic

Required Actions:

None. A case is currently open with Microsoft on this issue

Windows XP SP2 & Windows Vista RTM End of Support Information

There are a number of Microsoft support lifecycle milestones on July 13th 2010. We need to make sure customers are aware of the milestones and plan system and OS deployments to ensure that they maintain access to Microsoft support and updates.

Windows XP SP2 will no longer be the supported service pack level for Windows XP computers. Customers running Windows XP SP2 or a previous version of the OS will need to upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3 (or Windows 7).

Windows Vista RTM will no longer be supported. Customers running Windows Vista RTM should upgrade to

Windows Vista SP2. (or Windows 7).

Extended support will end for Windows 2000 Server and Professional. Customers running Windows 2000 need to migrate to a supported version of Windows in order to receive updates or support.

In many cases the cost in time and effort for migrating to a new service pack will justify business and consumer interest in migration to Windows 7.

Important Dates

Product End of Mainstream Support End of Extended Support

Windows XP SP2 July 13, 2010

Windows Vista RTM July 13, 2010

Windows 2000 Professional SP4 July 13, 2010

Windows 2000 Server SP4 July 13, 2010

What is End of Support?

 

Support  or the product ends. The Microsoft® Support Lifecycle (MSL) provides predictable and consistent support timelines for Microsoft products, to customers worldwide. The Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy offers a minimum of:

Ten years of support (five years Mainstream Support and five years Extended Support) at the supported service pack level for Microsoft Business and Developer products.

Five years of Mainstream Support at the supported service pack level for Microsoft

Consumer/Hardware/Multimedia products.

Note:

Mainstream and Extended Support is ONLY provided at the supported service pack level. Microsoft will support products running at the latest Service Pack level and the prior Service Pack level, 24 months after the release of the latest Service Pack.

Mainstream Support Phase

 

Mainstream Support is the first phase of the product support lifecycle. At the supported service pack level,

Mainstream Support includes:

Incident support (no-charge incident support, paid incident support, support charged on an hourly basis,support for warranty claims)

Security update support

The ability to request non-security hotfixes

Extended Support Phase

 

The Extended Support phase is available after the Mainstream Support phase ends for Business and Developer products only. At the supported service pack level, Extended Support includes:

Security update support at no additional cost

Non-security related hotfix support if the customer has purchased a separate Extended Hotfix Support agreement (per-fix fees also apply).

Extended support does not include:

Requests for warranty support, design changes, or new features.

Support for Consumer, Hardware, or Multimedia products.

What do my customers need to do?

 

If your customer has Windows XP SP2 currently deployed then they need to migrate to Windows XP SP3.

Customers running Windows Vista RTM should migrate to Windows Vista SP2. In many cases the cost in time and effort for migrating to a new service pack will justify business and consumer interest in migration to Windows 7.

Windows XP customers should use Microsoft Update or Automatic Updates to download and install

Windows XP SP3. SP3 can be downloaded from Microsoft Update at http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate.

Windows Vista customers should use Windows Update to download and install Windows Vista SP2.

Service Packs may not be available through Windows Update on Windows Vista computers until other available updates have been installed. Customers will need to separately install SP1 before installing SP2.

If your customer is running Windows 2000 Server or Professional edition then they need to migrate to Windows

Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7.

 

Customers who want to migrate to Windows 7 should be provided with the following information:

The Windows Upgrade Advisor will scan a PC and identify if the system meets Windows 7 system requirements. The scan will identify known compatibility issues with hardware, devices, and currently installed applications. It will also provide guidance on what needs to be done prior to migration.

Detailed information about the available Windows 7 editions and how to buy Windows 7. Windows XP customers can purchase Windows 7 using upgrade licensing but it cannot be upgraded in place.

Customers who wish to perform the upgrade themselves can use this tutorial.

Please begin speaking with your customers who are currently on Windows XP SP2 today. They need to be aware of their available options, and this is an opportunity to have a Windows 7 deployment discussion.

 

We’re announcing the new Avaya/Nortel Enterprise Solutions Integrated Roadmap Join us Tuesday, January 19th, 1pm EST   We are pleased to announce that Avaya has completed the acquisition of Nortel Enterprise Solutions and Nortel Government Solutions. By combining the offerings and the expertise of these two companies, we’ll be delivering innovation more quickly—with a powerful commitment to help your business grow. Join us on January 19th at 1pm EST as we reveal our new technology roadmap. This one—hour virtual event will include: Announcement of Avaya’s Vision for the future of Business Communications, the Avaya Reference Architecture and the new Integrated Portfolio Roadmap. This session will be led by Avaya CEO, Kevin Kennedy, Dr. Alan Baratz, Joel Hackney, Chris Formant, and other Avaya leaders. In-depth breakout sessions focused on key product and service areas Q&A with product experts and sales leadership throughout the event

Register now

More solutions. More expertise. More choices. The combination of Avaya and NES products, solutions and expertise means that authorized channels will be able to deliver the best of both companies—you’ll have more ways to improve your company’s productivity, cut costs, and become more competitive. We want to thank you once again for being an Avaya customer. We’re excited about the future. If you have any questions, please contact me—and be sure to join us January 19th at 1pm EST. Â

On November 3, 2008, Nortel announced their plan to Manufacture Discontinue the IP 2000 phoneset series and recommended customers consider the appropriate product offerings for their phone system.  On November 12th, VOX announced to it’s customer base via this support site.  As of today, the IP 2000 series phonesets are now Manufacture Discontinued.  Nortel and VOX Network Solutions will continue to provide all possible support, but replacement of damaged or defective units will occur only while supplies last.

To receive a quote for IP 2000 series phoneset replacement, please contact your VOX Account Manager. If you do not have a VOX Account Manager, please contact Nancy Price via email or by calling 650-989-1015.

  CallPilot Server Security Update - October (1.1 MiB)

  CallPilot Server Security Update - September (1.1 MiB)

Gartner updated the Unified Communications magic quadrant in September.

http://www.gartner.com/technology/media-products/reprints/microsoft/vol7/article3/article3.html

Â