Exchange 2010 Update Process

From time to time, Microsoft release service packs and update rollups for Exchange. There are some things to keep in mind when it comes to applying these updates to your environment:

• Update rollup packages are cumulative. For example, if you apply Update Rollup 4 on a computer that is running Exchange 2010, you receive all the fixes in that specific update package together with all the fixes that were released in all earlier update rollup packages. That is, in Update Rollup 4, you receive all the updates that were released in the previous Update Rollup 1 through Update Rollup 3 packages plus the updates in Update Rollup 4.

• This approach to updating doesn't replace service packs for the product. Additional product fixes and features are released in separately available service packs for Exchange 2010.

• Microsoft releases update rollup packages approximately every six to eight weeks. The rollup packages are available via Microsoft Update and the Microsoft Download Center. In the Search box on the Microsoft Download Center, type "Exchange 2010 update rollup" to find links to the rollup packages.

• For Exchange 2010 configurations, the recommended order in which to apply the update rollup is as follows: Client Access server, Hub Transport server, Mailbox server, and Unified Messaging server.

To find out which version of Exchange 2010 you're running, logon to your server then go to Control Panel - Programs and Features. Highlight Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and make a note of the Version.
 
 

 
Or run the following Exchange Management Shell command:
 
Get-ExchangeServer | fl name,edition,admindisplayversion
 
To see a list of Exchange versions, follow this link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh135098.aspx

New eBook for Splitting an Oversized Sub Site into a New Site Collection & Database

Most companies strive to implement solid governance plans and design their site structure accordingly, but reality often gets in the way. What was supposed to be a small site can have a sub site which grows unexpectedly. Next thing you know, your sub site alone has grown to over 100 GB. What do you do? If you don’t care that the URL of the sub site changes, then you can simply copy it to a new site collection with a new content database. This usually isn’t an option when people have links in documents and SharePoint sites that point to the original location. Moving it and trying to put forwarders or links to the new location is simply too painful. This detailed eBook will show you how to split that troublesome sub site off into a new site collection with its own content database using powershell and central administration while maintaining your URL structure. You'll get all the required steps with screen shots for the low price of $9.99 USD. If you're not satisfied, we'll gladly refund your money!

SharePoint 15 - What's Next?

*** UPDATE - July 18th****  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc303422(v=office.15. See also http://imperfectit.blogspot.ca/2012/07/sharepoint-2013.html

So you finally finished migrating all your SharePoint 2007 and WSS 3 sites to SharePoint 2010. Congratulations! The bad news (or good depending on how you look at it) is that the next version of SharePoint is right around the corner. Microsoft are very adept at keeping partners who've seen it quiet, but this is what's known so far. Keep in mind that all of this is based on leaks, and we won't know anything for sure until Microsoft announces it.

• SharePoint 15 (as it's currently called) is scheduled to be Released to Manufacturing (RTM) November 12th. Only people who are involved in the Microsoft Technology Adoption Program (TAP) will have access to the bits before that. There are rumors the Beta will be realesed June 13th. 

• SP 15 will include an application marketplace similar  to what you use with your mobile devices.
• It will be better able to handle multi-tenant installations so hosters can get environments up and available faster and more securely. It will also make it easier to sell apps built on SharePoint to multiple companies.
• It will be built to use an Oracle back-end (just kidding). Make sure you're running the latest version of SQL to speed your migration.
• There are rumors there will be a an education module which allows schools to setup a virtual learning environment. Details here are murky.
• More integration with Silverlight.
• Built-in Information Rights Management.
• Expansion of the cloud SharePoint offering (Office 365) and integration of on premise and cloud based SharePoint. It's clear Microsoft want to remove any objections companies have to moving their SharePoint environments into the cloud.
• Better support and integration for mobile devices.
• Simplified development tools. We would assume this means a new version of SharePoint Designer?
• Tighter integration with the next version of Office (Office 15).
• Expansion of the social networking capabilities. Weather this means a re-vamping of the existing My Sites or a complete overhaul is unclear. Maybe integration with Microsoft's partner Facebook? 
• Minimal Download Strategy (MDS allows websites to take much less bandwidth than with traditional technologies.)
• Site versioning (an extension of the existing document versioning).

So, lots to look forward to, but also a lot to wrap your head around. We'll continue to update this post as more information becomes available. In the meantime, you can subscribe to this twitter feed: http://twitter.com/#!/NextSharePoint and visit the following sites:

http://www.cmswire.com/cms/web-development/sharepoint-15-arriving-early-2013-according-to-leaked-ms-roadmap-015162.php
http://www.cmswire.com/cms/information-management/sharepoint-15-complete-with-app-marketplace-coming-late-2012-014682.php
http://redmondmag.com/articles/2012/04/01/whats-next-for-sharepoint.aspx

Be sure to let us know if you've heard anything we haven't mentioned here.

New eBook for Automating SharePoint Backups with PowerShell

We've had a lot of requests for more details on how to setup automated SharePoint backups with PowerShell, so we've gone ahead and created a detailed ebook which outlines the steps and permissions you need to get your backups up and running. In addition to screen shots, there are also copies of the scripts we use as well as an email notification section that will let you know if your backups failed. Simply click on the Buy Now button below and you can pay with your Paypal account or credit card. At only $9.99 USD, it's thousands cheaper than a 3rd party solution and will let you sleep a little sounder at night. If you're not satisfied, we'll gladly refund your money!