October 5, 1996
Sunbelt Windows NToolstm Electronic Newsletter
Vol. 1, # 14
USA: www.ntsoftdist.com
EUROPE: www.sunbelt.co.uk
Sunbelt Windows NTools News is designed for NT System Managers that have the job of getting and keeping WinNT up & running in a production environment. Sunbelt launched this electronic newsletter so that we could keep members of the Windows NT community informed and aware of what is happening with 3-rd party tools, and to provide hints and tips that will enable you to better understand and utilize Windows NT. You'll find general Windows NTools related and third party news, technical information, and 3-rd party beta and release information. By subscribing to WinNTools News, you are also automatically enrolled as a charter member of the Sunbelt Field Test Bonus Program.
This Issue of Windows NToolstme-news contains:
2. "TECH BRIEFINGS"
* IDLE USERS: A SECURITY RISK AND VERY EXPENSIVE
* OCTOPUS NOW HAS VERSION 1.6 FOR BOTH NT 3.51 & 4.0
* SENTRY EVENT LOG MANAGER DOES PAGING TOO
* NEW FAQ SECTION ON SUNBELT WEBSITE
3. "NT RELATED NEWS"
* SHOW: WINDOWS WORLD/DALLAS '96 SPECIAL MICROSOFT SERVICES
* SOME NT-RESOURCES YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT
* GOOD CAREER NEWS FOR WIN NT SYSTEM ADMINS
* THE ROAD AHEAD: DEVELOPMENT TRACK FOR MS PRODUCTS
* MICROSOFT UNVEILS NEW CONSOLE APPLICATION
* BILL GATES GET A RAISE
* SPECIAL WINDOWS NT-ONLY TECHNET ISSUE COMING SOON!
4. "THIRD PARTY NEWS"
* DISKEEPER LITE FEEDBACK / RELEASE CANDIDATE ON WEB
* NEW SECURITY PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT: SHADOWARE [tm]
* BATCH JOB SERVER 2.0 SHIPS: NEW SCHEDULING POWER
* NT PASSWORD RECOVERY SERVICE (AND MORE)
* BLUES NT-MAINFRAME CONNECTION WORKS UNDER 4.0
* QUOTA MANAGER WORKS UNDER 4.0
5. "HINTS AND TIPS"
* FIVE TIME SAVERS THIS TIME!
6. "HOW TO USE THE MAILING LIST"
Instructions on how to subscribe, sign off and change addresses.
"EDITORS CORNER"
CONGRATULATIONS! You have helped to make NTools E-News the
World's largest electronic newsletter for Win NT System
Administrators :-) The only list that is bigger is Microsoft's
own WinNT News, however that one is for _everyone_ using NT.
The Sunbelt NTools E-News keeps being dedicated to System
Admins and to help YOU keep your systems up & running.
And as promised, when we would reach the 5,000 we would have
a Web Version. Guess how far we have grown? 6,250 as of today!!
So last week most of you have received a personal invitation
to the new NTools E-News Website:
http://www.ntnews.com
And you came! The Webhits were shooting up. Let us know about
what topics you would like to hear. The newsletter is committed
to keep you up to date on the stuff you need to know to get your
job done. The newsletter issues will still appear by email, and
the web version will be there a day later and contain a bit more
information in certain cases.
Send email to stus@pssi.com with feedback about what you want
to know about?
Warm regards,
Stu
**************************************************************************
2. "TECH BRIEFINGS"
* IDLE USERS: A SECURITY RISK AND VERY EXPENSIVE
Despite the fact that very elaborate and powerful solutions
exist to make sure hackers do not enter your networks, a very
high percentage of security breaks come from a very down to
earth cause: employees leaving their workstations with
confidential information on the screen or readily accessible.
Apart from the security issue, a user that logs on in the
morning and grabs a bunch of licenses in an environment where
concurrent licensing is in use is a resource hog. This can
cost your company unnecessary and very expensive additional
concurrent licenses.
This is why a large bank recently decided to develop a program
that solves the above problems: a product that features a
tamper proof screen saver that kicks in after a short amount of
no use, and the ability to specify log-off times. A new feature
will be the option to log off a user after x-minutes of idle
time.
Sunbelt pre-announces this product at an early time so you can
plan with the data and know a solution is rolling off the line
shortly. The name of the product is FORTRESS-NT and will be
officially announced at the Windows World in Dallas Texas end
of this month.
--------------------------------
* OCTOPUS NOW HAS VERSION 1.6 FOR BOTH NT 3.51 & 4.0
The Octopus NT Fault Tolerance product has announced the version
2.0 which is dubbed the "Super ASO" for NT 4.0 and this will
ship this month. In the mean time, if you have 4.0 and need
fault tolerance right now, the new 1.6 version of Octopus
supports both NT 3.51 and 4.0. Call your rep if you need
an update at 800-688-8404
--------------------------------
* SENTRY EVENT LOG MANAGER DOES PAGING TOO
Serverware announced a worldwide 'Pager Forwarding' module
or SeNTry ELM. This plug-in is available for immediate download
and requires your pager service provider to support the TAP
protocol.
Serverware has worked closely with the US company Ex Machina Inc.
and their program "Notify Classic", to enable SeNTry ELM alerts
To be forwarded to pagers and digital phones.
The features of SeNTry Alert program are:-
* Uses existing SeNTry ELM Alerts.
* Sends messages for specific alerts (both Red and Amber) to multiple
pagers / 'phones.
* Host machine does not have to be running SeNTry.
* Can monitor any number of SAGS Servers.
* Can send Event Log information or user-defined messages.
* User-defined time restrictions for each recipient.
* All messages logged.
* Automated purging of Pager Log at user-defined intervals.
This add-on for SeNTry is free to our existing users, however the
module does require the "Notify Classic" program at a cost of $119
US Dollars. Downloads directly from the developer:
http://www.serverware.com
------------------------------------
* NEW FAQ SECTION ON SUNBELT WEBSITE
We've outdone ourselves (again <grin>) and created a well organized
FAQ section for each product on our website. You can now get to the
most asked questions on all products that we distribute straight from
the welcome page. If you are running an eval copy or even the full
product, there are interesting technical issues you want to be aware
of. Check it out on our website! http://www.ntsoftdist.com
------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
3. "NT RELATED NEWS"
* SHOW: WINDOWS WORLD/DALLAS '96 SPECIAL MICROSOFT SERVICES
The big hit of last year returns: the Tech Talk booth. At this
dedicated booth, attendees speak face-to-face with a Microsoft
support engineer while asking technical questions and learning
about NT.
This event in Dallas, Texas is slated for October 29-31, 1996
in Dallas, Texas, is the Southwest's largest and most powerful
event for Windows-based business solutions.
Sunbelt will also have a booth and you will be able to get a FREE
CD with the full Sunbelt website, all the pages and eval copies.
Only for the show attendees BTW, and you can have a chat with me
as well as I'll be there too. :-)
------------------------------------
* SOME NT-RESOURCES YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT
To start with:
1) The Microsoft Online Institute: http://moli.microsoft.com/
2) BHS Win NT Resource Center: http://www.bhs.com
3) Useful site! http://www.windows-NT.com
4) NT Admin FAQ: http://www.itech.com/classes/admin/admin.htm
(note: this server was unreachable when I tried to verify today)
5) Usenet Newsgroup: comp.os.ms-windows.nt.admin.misc
6) Microsoft has msnews.microsoft.com. 300 newsgroups devoted
to windows related issues. Just point your newsreader and
have fun!
------------------------------------
* GOOD CAREER NEWS FOR WIN NT SYSTEM ADMINS
Computerworld has done some research on the job opportunities
for NT trained people. Well you are in the right corner of the
market: 36% of the companies plan to hire Win NT talent.
And also give them _more_ too! 9% salary premiums will be paid
to in-house talent and 11% premiums for contracted NT wizards.
-------------------------------------
* THE ROAD AHEAD: DEVELOPMENT TRACK FOR MS PRODUCTS
WIN NT FUTURE: Kernel becomes the main Windows foundation by 1999.
Cairo, which adds distributed extensions to the file system and
directory, comes first in 1998.
INTERNET INFORMATION SERVER FUTURE: This is part of NT 4.0 SV
and gets CGI and ISAPI server applications extensions in the
future, and complete content indexing by early fall.
EXPLORER FUTURE: The multiplatform V.3 shipped late this summer,
achieves close technical parity with Netscape and a glimpse of
future GUI for Microsoft. Version 4 will get Java support by 1997.
BACKOFFICE FUTURE: Now has SQL, Exchange, SNA Server and SMS Server
applications. Will get Internet Proxy Server, Merchant Server and
Viper, which provides transactional applications support and supports
Active X in the near future. Major clustering upgrade next year called
Wolfpack provides basic clustering functionality.
Source: Microsoft.
----------------------------
* MICROSOFT UNVEILS NEW CONSOLE APPLICATION
Microsoft unveiled a Windows NT-based network management console.
At the NetWorld+Interop they showed the console, code named Slate,
designed to provide a common management center for BackOffice.
Slate is set up as a container for managing snap-in components
that can encapsulate specific functions of server applications.
With standard OLE calls, a developer can write a snap-in. These
can perform a single application task, such as the directory
administration function of NT, without calling up the entire app.
This gives systems administrators more flexibility in controlling
access to BackOffice functions and reduces the complexity.
The product is not yet in beta testing, but will likely be
released at the same time as NT 5.0, which is planned for late
1997.
---------------------------
* BILL GATES GET A RAISE
Bill, who is already the world's richest man, earned $562,588
in salary and bonus in 1996, up 26 percent from 1995. This comes
from the Microsoft preliminary shareholder proxy statement.
But Gates' net worth climbed even more, rising to nearly $19
billion at a recent stock price of $134.37 1/2 a share. Gates
owns 141.11 million shares, or 23.9 percent of Microsoft.
-----------------------------
* SPECIAL WINDOWS NT-ONLY TECHNET ISSUE COMING SOON!
Microsoft today announced the release of a special TechNet
issue FOR YOU! This special issue of TechNet features more
than 3,000 pages of technical information about NT Server
and WS. The special TechNet issue is scheduled to
be available to subscribers on November 1, 1996.
Some of the content that will be included in the special issue:
* Windows NT 4.0 Features at a Glance
* What's New in Remote Access Service in Windows NT 4.0
* Clustering Technology for Windows NT Server 4.0
* The Point-to-Point Protocol(PPP): An Overview
* The hardware compatibility list for Windows NT 4.0
IS Professionals will gain product expertise, increase response
and service productivity and successfully integrate and deploy
Windows NT with the following content:
* MS Windows NT Server 4.O Resource Kit documentation
* MS Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Resource Kit documentation
* MS Windows NT 4.O Network Communications & Telephony
* A detailed guide to configuring and using the remote-administration
features of Windows NT 4.0
* Many new articles, studies and reports detailing migration to Windows NT
4.0
* Windows Telephony (TAPI) Support in Windows NT 4.0
* Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Frequently Asked Questions
* Tips and tricks for Windows NT 4.0
* Windows NT Knowledge Base
A one-year subscription to TechNet is $299 annually for a single-user
license or $699 annually for a single-server license for unlimited users.
Both are accompanied by a 30-day, money-back guarantee. To order TechNet,
contact your local authorized reseller or call 800-344-2121. Outside the
United States and Canada, call 510-275-0826. For more information visit the
TechNet web site at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/.
----------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
4. "THIRD PARTY NEWS"
* DISKEEPER LITE FEEDBACK / RELEASE CANDIDATE ON WEB
If you have technical questions regarding the free LITE version
of Diskeeper for NT 4.0, send them to dklite_mail@executive.com.
The free version is still available from the sunbelt website.
***
Executive Software Tech Support also announced that for existing
Diskeeper Customers the Release Candidate for NT version 4.0 is
now on their website. You can register as a tester and download
the product at the following URL:
http://www.execsoft.com/fieldtst/dknt20ft.htm
* NT PASSWORD RECOVERY SERVICE (AND MORE)
A) 100% guaranteed Administrator's password recovery service for
Windows NT 3.5x, 4.0. MWC, Inc. uses proprietary procedures to
recover Windows NT installation with a lost administrator's
password. Lost passwords can be recovered both locally and
Remotely! This is a unique service for Windows NT.
http://www.omna.com/yes/MWC/prs-index.htm
B) The purpose of SIMULATED INTRUSION ATTACK Service is to find
potential security holes in a Client's Windows NT 3.5x, 4.0
Operating Systems Computer and / or Intranet / Internet Windows
NT-based network.
http://www.omna.com/yes/mwc/sia-proc.htm
------------------------------------------
* NEW SECURITY PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT: SHADOWARE [tm]
SHADOWARE is an intrusion detection system that provides
sophisticated network security monitoring for Novell and
Windows NT networks. Using artificial intelligence, SHADOWARE
makes it possible to identify both subtle and obvious security
violations caused by outside hackers or even inside authorized
users.
Features:
* Automatically identifies security violations.
* Uncovers security break-ins before they occur.
* Uncovers password guessers, curious users, file browsers,
compromised user IDs, password cracking attempts, network
doorknob attacks, privileged ID abuse, data flooding and
packet browsing.
* By providing a psychological deterrent against system
abuse by insiders, tighter control over privileged users IDs,
such as the Supervisor, can be maintained.
* Focuses special attention on the most sensitive Users,
Workstations and Files.
* Minimal setup time by using our time saving self
populating database of expert security information.
* Security officers, auditors or LAN administrators
can be automatically alerted about unauthorized access.
* Centralized Security Monitoring of all file servers
from one workstation.
* Seamless integration with the Kane Security Analyst,
Intrusion Detection's network security assessment product.
How Does SHADOWARE Work?
SHADOWARE uses artificial intelligence to filter through
security and audit data to create digital signature
fingerprints of all network users. As network audit data
is monitored, both subtle and obvious unauthorized activities
can be identified and tracked to outside hackers or even inside
users.
More info soon via Sunbelt's WebSite.
------------------------------
* BATCH JOB SERVER 2.0 SHIPS: NEW SCHEDULING POWER
As of October 1, 1996, BJS v2.0 has officially begun shipping.
This new version brings the product fully up to par with all
existing NT batch products that can be up to 5 times more expensive.
New Features:
MULTIPLE JOB QUEUES
BJS V2.0 provides multiple logical job queues. These are referred
to as job classes. Each job class has administrator-specified
constraints. These control: the number of concurrently running
jobs, time of day and day of week that jobs are allowed to run,
maximum CPU time for a job, maximum memory for a job, initial
scheduling and executing priority for a job, auto-purge control
for terminated batch jobs.
JOB SCHEDULING
BJS V2.0 allows users to schedule recurring batch jobs both at
specific times and on a recurring basis. This function contains
all the capabilities of the Windows NT AT command, plus the
ability to schedule based on a user-specified calendar of
working days (for instance, first working day of month, third
working day of second week, etc.). It is not necessary to have
system administrator privileges to schedule batch jobs.
Also included is the ability to start jobs on a recurring basis,
as frequently as once per minute and only during a scheduled time
frame (for instance, every 5 minutes between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
IMPROVED JOB CONTROL
BJS V2.0 includes new commands that can be used in the batch
file for a batch job to control the job class, start time,
maximum CPU, maximum memory, scheduling and execution priority
(administrators and server operators only), and other
batch job parameters.
JOB CHAINING
BJS V2.0 includes a batch command that allows a batch job to
submit another batch job. Control over the job class and
other job parameters is provided.
BATCH JOB STATISTICS FILE
BJS V2.0 generates statistics for completed batch jobs
(1 record per job with tab delimited fields). This file is
intended as a source of data for a batch job statistics
database (created by the customer) that can be used for
billing or planning purposes.
More info: http://www.ntsoftdist.com/batchjob.htm
-------------------------
* BLUES NT-MAINFRAME CONNECTION WORKS UNDER 4.0
The BLUES FOR WINDOWS product works fine with NT version 4.0.
The product now has the "Designed For Windows NT Windows 95" logo.
This means that the product is tested for both Windows 95 and
Windows NT 4.0.
-------------------------
* QUOTA MANAGER WORKS UNDER 4.0
We get a lot of questions if Quota Manager supports NT 4.0.
The answer is YES, the current version has always worked, even
under the Beta versions no problems were detected. The current
download eval version is perfectly able to set and maintain
user's disk quota under NT 3.51 and 4.0.
----------------------------
*********************************************************************
5. "HINTS AND TIPS"
Q: I saw somewhere on the web that there is a way to put the
W95 PLUS! Themes icon in the control panel for NT 4.0. I would
like to know how to do this. Does anyone know how?
A: All you need are the files THEMES.EXE and THEMES.CPL in your
\SYSTEM32 directory. If you not only add themes.cpl and themes.exe
to your system32 dir but also msjpeg32.dll and jpegim32.flt to
your system32 dir you will be able to use the jpg files for
background as well.
USA: http://www.ntsoftdist.com
EUROPE: http://www.sunbelt.co.uk
Email for US sales information to:
ntsales@ntsoftdist.com
Email for US Tech support to:
daved@pssi.com
Email for European Sales to:
chris@sunbelt.fr
Email for European Tech support to:
robdixon@sunbelt.demon.co.uk
webmaster
Legal Stuff:
This document is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Sunbelt Software
Distribution on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Sunbelt must respond to changes in market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a
commitment on the part of Sunbelt and Sunbelt cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM
FROM INFRINGEMENT.
The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This document may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1)
All text must be copied without modification and all pages must be included; 2) All copies must contain Sunbelt's copyright notice and any other notices provided
therein; and 3) This document may not be distributed for profit. All trademarks acknowledged.
Copyright Sunbelt Software Distribution, Inc. 1996.
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