April 2008 - Posts

• XP Service pack 3 available

  I have just found out that XP Service pack 3 has been release. This will most likely be the last service pack as Microsoft has stopped shipping XP as on OEM OS and only Vista is now available. Most hardware vendors are also only writing device drivers for Vista, so reverting back to XP is going to become more and more difficult. Here is some information from the Microsoft web site and I will also provide the download URL. The service pack can be downloaded from the following URL: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=114F3599-12AF-42B2-AAB1-B969A62C68A7&displaylang=en Related Blogs: Office 2007 Service Pack 1 released Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server Service Pack 1 release Windows Sharepoint Services Service Pack 1 released Posted Apr 22 2008, 06:54 PM by Neil with no comments Filed under: XP

• Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions

  Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. This two-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to design and architect portals and collaboration solutions based on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Audience This course is intended for experienced technical and solution architects who have a minimum of four years experience with SharePoint Products and Technologies. At Course Completion After completing this course, students will be able to: Describe a typical portal or collaboration solution and explain how one can be implemented with SharePoint Products and Technologies. Architect a portal solution based on SharePoint Products and Technologies. Include business intelligence features in a portal design. Encourage collaboration by portal users. Ensure a portal design scales to accommodate expected user demand. Add custom solutions to a portal design. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: At least two years working with SharePoint Products and Technologies in any of the following roles: Solution architect Technical architect At least two years practical experience as a lead developer (or provided architectural guidance to lead developers) in development projects for SharePoint Products and Technologies. Technical expertise in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. At least six months combined experience as a technical and solution architect for Office SharePoint Server 2007 projects. Led consulting engagements that are focused on the search technologies of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Experience of gathering and analysing customer requirements. Completed course 5060A: Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. Completed course 5061A: Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Course Outline Module 1: Portals and Collaboration Architecture This module explains the collaboration features of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Portals and Collaboration Overview Portal Physical Architecture Lab 1: Using Portal and Collaboration Features Exercise 1: Using Portal Site Templates Exercise 2: Using Wikis Exercise 3: Using a Team Blog After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe portals and collaboration solutions and the reasons for using them. Describe the physical architecture of a portal. Module 2: Architecting a Portal Solution This module describes how to create an architectural proposal for a portal solution based on the requirements of all stakeholders. Lessons Architectural Patterns for Portals and Collaboration Portals and Collaboration Logical Architecture Lab 2: Architecting a Portal Exercise 1: Investigating Functional Requirements for Your Portal Exercise 2: Investigating Physical Requirements for Your Portal After completing this module, students will be able to: List and describe common architectural patterns on which you can deploy SharePoint Products and Technologies. Describe how you reach design decisions for the SharePoint Products and Technologies logical architecture. Module 3: Including Business Intelligence in a Portal This module describes how to design portals that enable key decision-makers to gain a view of the enterprise through business intelligence features. Lessons Gathering and Analyzing Data Gathering Data from Line-of-Business Applications Presenting Intelligence to Users Lab 3: Planning and Using Business Intelligence Exercise 1: Implementing Excel Services Exercise 2: Creating an ADF Using the Microsoft Business Data Catalog Definition Editor Exercise 3: Creating Business Intelligence Dashboards After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the data analysis tools available in Office SharePoint Server 2007. Describe how to use the Business Data Catalog (BDC) to integrate LOB data in Office SharePoint Server 2007. Explain how to present data to the correct users in the most effective manner. Module 4: Facilitating Collaboration This module describes how to design a portal that encourages users to collaborate and communicate. Lessons User Profiles and My Sites Increasing Communication Between Users Lab 4: Using Social Networking Exercise 1: Importing User Profiles from Active Directory Exercise 2: Enabling and Using My Sites After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the use of profiles and My Sites in a portal. Describe the use and configuration of online presence and e-mail facilities. Module 5: Capacity Planning and Performance Monitoring for Portals and Collaboration This module describes how to ensure that your portal architecture responds well to the expected load from users. Lessons Estimating Capacity Requirements Identifying Performance Bottlenecks for Portals Lab 5: Using Portal and Collaboration Features Exercise 1: Estimating Throughput for a Portal Exercise 2: Diagnosing Bottlenecks After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how to estimate capacity requirements for an Office SharePoint Server 2007 portal and collaboration deployment. Describe the major performance bottlenecks that you may experience on an Office SharePoint Server 2007 portal and collaboration deployment. Module 6: Extending Portal and Collaboration Functionality This module describes how to design a portal that includes custom features for collaboration. Lessons Using Custom Web Parts Other Custom Solutions Lab 6: Deploying a Custom Web Part by Using a Solution Exercise 1: Completing the Solution XML Files Exercise 2: Packaging the Solution Exercise 3: Deploying the Solution and Using the Web Part After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how custom Web Parts can extend your portal. Describe other techniques you can use to extend your portal. Related Blogs: Course 5061- Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 5060 - Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50064A: Advanced SharePoint 2007 Development Posted Apr 12 2008, 08:02 PM by Neil with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Sharepoint, Courses

• Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

  Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. This two-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to design and architect document and records management solutions based on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Audience This course is intended for experienced technical and solution architects who have a minimum of four years’ experience with SharePoint Technologies. At Course Completion After completing this course, students will be able to: Describe a typical document and records management solution and explain how one can be implemented with SharePoint technologies. Architect a document and records management solution based on SharePoint technologies. Plan for capacity of a document and records management solution. Performance tune and optimize document and records management solutions. Develop custom document and records management solutions. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: At least two years working with SharePoint Products and Technologies in any of the following roles: Solution Architect Technical Architect At least two years’ practical experience as a lead developer (or provided architectural guidance to lead developers) in development projects for SharePoint Products and Technologies. Technical expertise in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. At least six months combined experience as a technical and solution architect for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 projects. Led consulting engagements that are focused on the search technologies of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Experience gathering and analyzing customer requirements. Completed course 5060A: Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Completed course 5061A: Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course Outline Module 1: Document and Records Management Architecture This module explains the document and records management features of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Document and Records Management Overview Document and Records Management Physical Architecture Lab 1: Using Document and Records Management Features Exercise 1: Using Document Management Features Exercise 2: Using Record Management Features After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe document and records management solutions and the reasons for using them. Describe the physical architecture of a document and records management solution. Module 2: Architecting a Document and Records Management Solution This module describes how to create an architectural proposal for a document and records management solution based on the requirements of all stakeholders. Lessons Architectural Patterns for Document Management Documents Management Logical Architecture Records Management Logical Architecture Lab 2: Architecting a Document and Records Management Solution Exercise 1: Investigating Requirements for Document Management Exercise 2: Investigating Requirements for Records Management Exercise 3: Architecting Your Solution After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe document and records management and the features they include. Describe how to create a document management logical architecture that supports functional and non-functional requirements. Describe how to create a records management logical architecture that supports functional and non-functional requirements. Module 3: Capacity Planning for Document and Records Management Solutions This module describes how to plan for content storage and test a server farm for capacity. Lessons Planning Enterprise Content Storage Testing a Server Farm for Capacity Lab 3: Testing a Server for Capacity Exercise 1: Constructing a MOSSDW configuration file Exercise 2: Populating a Server Farm using MOSSDW After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how to plan for document and records management storage capacity. Test a server farm for capacity. Present targeted business intelligence data to portal users. Module 4: Performance Tuning and Optimization for Document and Records Management Solutions This module describes how to tune and optimize a server farm for document and records management. Lessons Identifying Performance Bottlenecks in ECM Solutions Optimizing Search for Document and Records Management Lab 4: Analyzing Server Load Results Exercise 1: Diagnosing Bottlenecks from Performance Data Exercise 2: Increasing the Performance of Your Farm After completing this module, students will be able to: Diagnose performance bottlenecks in document and records management solutions. Tune a server farm to deliver optimum performance. Module 5: Extending Document and Records Management Functionality This module describes how to extend functionality of document and records management by using workflows and other custom options. Lessons Using Workflows to Add Functionality Developing ECM Solutions Lab 5: Developing a Document Management Solution Exercise 1: Developing Custom Workflows Exercise 2: Testing the Custom Workflows After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how workflows can enhance document and records management solutions. Describe other custom features that can enhance document and records management solutions. Related Blogs: Course 5061- Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 5060 - Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50064A: Advanced SharePoint 2007 Development Posted Apr 12 2008, 08:02 PM by Neil with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Sharepoint, Courses

• Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

  Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. This two-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to design and architect Web Content Management (WCM) solutions based on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. The course focuses on architectural issues and decisions. Audience This course is intended for experienced technical and solution architects who have a minimum of four years experience with Office SharePoint products and technologies. At Course Completion After completing this course, students will be able to: Explain the key features of an Office SharePoint Server 2007 WCM solution. Take advantage of the content management architecture of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Optimize the server infrastructure for a WCM solution. Secure a WCM solution. Optimize the performance of a WCM solution. Customize and extend the WCM features of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: At least two years working with Office SharePoint products and technologies, in any of the following roles: Solution Architect Technical Architect At least two years practical experience as a lead developer (or having provided architectural guidance to lead developers) in development projects for Office SharePoint products and technologies. Technical expertise in Office SharePoint Server 2007. At least six months combined experience as a technical and solution architect for Office SharePoint Server 2007 projects. Experience of gathering and analyzing customer requirements. Completed Course 5061, Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Course Outline Module 1: Web Content Management Overview This module gives an overview of the WCM features of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons What Is Web Content Management? First Steps in Your Web Content Management Architecture Lab: Beginning a Web Content Management Architecture Exercise 1: Creating an Information Architecture Exercise 2: Planning Site and Subsite Structure Exercise 3: Defining Use of Blogs and Wikis After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the use of WCM and implementation options. Describe the role of WCM architecture. Module 2: Architecting Content Management for Your Web Site This module describes how to plan and design the look and feel of your site and how to manage content and the approval process. Lessons Creating a Consistent Look and Feel Managing Content Pages Approving Content Lab: Architecting Content Management for Your Web Site Exercise 1: Designing the Look and Feel Exercise 2: Designing Site Variations Exercise 3: Designing the Approval Process After completing this module, students will be able to: Create a consistent look and feel across a WCM solution. Manage content pages in a WCM solution. Manage the content approval process in a WCM solution. Module 3: Server Infrastructure and Content Deployment This module describes how to plan and design server farms for WCM solutions and how to manage the deployment of content between multiple environments. Lessons Server Farms for Web Content Management Solutions Content Deployment Lab: Using the Content Deployment System Exercise 1: Deploying Content by Using Paths and Jobs Exercise 2: Deploying Content Manually Exercise 3: Using Quick Deploy After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain the main server farm design considerations for WCM solutions. Describe the principal content deployment issues for WCM solutions. Module 4: Securing a Web Content Management System This module describes the security considerations that apply to WCM solutions in Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Securing Servers Network Security Lab: Creating a Secure Site Exercise 1: Planning Authentication and Encryption Exercise 2: Locking Down Forms Pages After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe techniques to secure servers in an Office SharePoint Server 2007 WCM solution. Describe techniques to secure network communications in a WCM server farm. Module 5: Optimizing Performance for Web Content Management This module describes how to ensure that your portal architecture responds well to the expected load from users. Lessons Optimizing Content Optimizing Servers Lab: Optimizing a Web Content Management Site Exercise 1: Optimizing Core Files and Custom Code Exercise 2: Configuring IIS Compression and Output Caching After completing this module, students will be able to: Ensure that authors, editors, and developers create optimized content for a WCM system. Use Internet Information Services (IIS) compression and caching to deliver content to users rapidly. Module 6: Extending Web Content Management This module describes the ways in which you can customize Office SharePoint WCM so that you can include customizations in solution architectures. Lessons Customizing Content Presentation Customizing Content Editing Customizing Content Deployment Lab: Extending Web Content Management Exercise 1: Customizing the Page Editing Toolbar Exercise 2: Customizing the HTML Editor Field Control After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how developers can customize the way Office SharePoint products and technologies present content to site visitors. Describe how developers can change the way that users edit content in Office SharePoint sites. Include custom content presentation in WCM solution architecture. Related Blogs: Course 5061- Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 5060 - Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50064A: Advanced SharePoint 2007 Development Posted Apr 10 2008, 02:31 PM by Neil with no comments Filed under: Sharepoint, Courses

• Content Types the Core of ECM in Sharepoint

  The starting point of any ECM solution is to define the information that needs to be associated with content so that we can categorize and file it. In IT jargon terms this is referred to as meta data. Many companies and standards authorities have created different names for this and one of the more common terms is "Taxonomies".  In Sharepoint we call the grouping of meta data into a useable template, "Content Types". There are a number of technologies built into Sharepoint that allow us to build "Content Types" and then there are some features that are linked to "Content Types". I will start this blog by creating a list of these features and then I will explain each in turn and where they fit into the bigger picture: Site Columns - this is the basis of all meta data in a Sharepoint Site Collection and determines what meta data fields are available and how they are defined. Microsoft Office - this suite of tools becomes the front end for completing the meta data fields and are mapped to the user interface through MS Office Templates. Workflow Rules - Workflow is used to route information through an organization using the meta data fields associated with "Content Types". Event Handlers - allow you to execute custom code stored in assemblies that are connected to events fired by the "Content Types" when the meta data fields change information. Document Libraries/ Web Pages/ Lists - are the objects that "Content Types" are linked too on the user interface of Sharepoint. Site Columns: The easiest way to understand site columns is to think of it in terms of a database with tables and columns. When a developer builds a standalone application, they normally store the data into a database by using columns grouped together as tables. In the case of Sharepoint, we tell it what data to store and it will create the underlying structures for us to stored the data. To put the previous statement into context, Sharepoint will not actually create new tables in the database. It will use standard tables that were created during installation to stored the new columns as records. This form of storing data about data is called metadata. Therefore the column definitions as well as the data stored in those columns are stored as records in static tables. These metadata columns are stored in one big list, but can be categorized. The process of grouping the columns together to form a logical unit is called a "Content Type". Office Templates: The next process in building an application, would be to create a user interface to store the data into the database. This can be achieved through a number of ways: Building Lists in Sharepoint to Store structured data. Building web parts to store data either in the Sharepoint Content database or in an external database. Using MS Office 2007 to fill in the meta data fields. Building 3rd party application that communicate to Sharepoint via the XML web service. Due to the fact that most of the data stored in Sharepoint tends to be unstructured content in the form of MS Office documents, it makes sense to use templates in MS Office to complete the meta data fields. This is done by grouping the meta data fields into content types and then exposing it to the presentation layer via MS Office templates. Workflow: One of the fundamental problems that we face today is the flow of information through an organization. All businesses have processes that they follow to complete a business transaction from initiation to completion. In most organizations this process is still a vary manual procedure that lends itself to all kinds of problems and therefore the processes seem flawed. This particular problem has been addressed by implementing ERM, CRM, EPM and various other systems, but they all have one fundamental flaw. They only work with structured content stored in databases as records in tables. Unfortunately almost 80% of data in the organization is stored as unstructured data in the form of files stored on file servers. The question therefore is: "How do I workflow unstructured content?". This problem can be solved using a number of features together that are all provided by Sharepoint: Document library's in Sharepoint to store the unstructured data. Site Columns to stored the structured data in Sharepoint. Content Types to group the structured data together as logical units. Office templates to link the Content Type to the unstructured file. Workflow to manage the business process by using the structured meta data stored in the content type. Workflow's can also be acquired or built using a number of tools: There are a number of standard workflow's that ship with WSS and MOSS. New workflow assemblies can be download and purchased on the Internet and then installed. New Workflow's can be built using SPD (Sharepoint Designer). Very Complicated workflow's can be built using Visual Studio. Third party tools exists that build workflow's: "K2", "Interwoven", "Documentum","MetaStorm" and many others. Event Handlers: There is still one problem! How do I connect the workflow (built as a .NET assembly) to the Sharepoint interface and when does it activate? This particular problem has always been solved using events in the OOP world of .NET on which Sharepoint is built. Therefore it is only logical that Sharepoint supports events. These events are connected to the Content Type and the Content Type is connected to the user interface. It is therefore possible to connect custom methods stored in assemblies to the events of the Content Type. Of course this will not be possible unless Content Types were used in the first place. Content Types: Content types therefore becomes the glue that brings all the bits and pieces together: Site Columns are grouped together to form a Content Type. Office Templates are built and linked to the Content Type. Workflow's and custom assemblies are built and linked to the event handlers available in the content type. Content types are linked to the user interface by associating them with document library's, lists and web pages. The only reason some people get away with butchering a Sharepoint deployment is the fact all the standard library's and lists come with a default content type. If this wasn't the case, then most developers would still be in the dark and some are still happily destroying their Sharepoint deployments. Conclusion: It therefore should be very clear, that before a Sharepoint deployment goes live. All content in the organization has to be mapped to content types before the content is actually created or uploaded into Sharepoint. A lot of time and effort will be saved. It is very difficult to do this after the content has already been loaded and stored. In my next blog I will guide you step by step through the process that I just explained. Related Blogs: The Importance of Site Columns in Sharepoint High level overview to what workflows are Office 2007: Accepting the Change Overview of the .NET Platform Posted Apr 10 2008, 12:44 PM by Neil with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Sharepoint

• Auditing and Audit reports in a Sharepoint Site Collection

  The process of auditing a Sharepoint site is more than just a security report or a "Big Brother is watching You" process. It is also a means by which site administrators can monitor the content of a site collection and thereby determine whether content is being utilized or not. As a Sharepoint site or Site Collection grows, more and more content is added on a daily basis. If we do not monitor this content, we will eventually end up in the same mess as our file servers are currently are in. The audit reports that Sharepoint provides can give an site administrator a much better idea on how to manage the current hierarchy and content. The process is quite simple and starts by activating auditing under the "Site Settings" section of a Site Collection. There are two options available concerning the audit process: Site Collection audit settings - this option allows you to determine at what level you would like to audit. Audit Log Reports - provides you with a number of Excel templates that will extract the information from the log. It is also possible to do auditing using policies, but that is a blog for another time. Site Collection Audit Settings Excessive auditing can slow down a Sharepoint system quite dramatically depending on the volume of content and the load placed by the user base. It is therefore recommended that you only switch on the auditing required, based on the information required by the site collection administrator. The following list of events can be audited: Opening, Downloading and viewing of content. Editing Content Checking in and out. Moving and copying content. Deleting and restoring. Editing Content Types and Columns Searches performed by users. Changes to security settings. Audit Log Reports Once auditing has been enabled and the site has been in use for a while. Different reports can be pulled from the log. If no data has been recorded in the log, then the reports will simply not open. Here is a list of the reports that can be pulled from the log: Content modifications Content type and list modifications Content Viewing Deletion Custom Reports Expiration and Disposition - based on workflow rules and policy settings Policy Modification Auditing settings - current settings of what is being audited. Security settings - nice report of current security configuration. End Result The reports are based on Excel templates. It would therefore require that your PC have Excel installed for this to work. I am pretty sure I do not have to tell you what version of MS Office to use. The spreadsheet can then be saved back into Sharepoint as a document for auditing history purposes. Related Blogs: Understanding and categorising your data SharePoint - Applications, Site Collections and Sites Creating a Pivot Table in Sharepoint Posted Apr 09 2008, 05:02 PM by Neil with no comments Filed under: Sharepoint

• Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop

  Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. This two-day instructor-led workshop provides students with the knowledge and skills to architect enterprise search solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. The workshop focuses on architectural issues and decisions. Audience This course is intended for experienced technical and solution architects who have a minimum of four years experience with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. At Course Completion After completing this course, students will be able to: Describe enterprise search architecture. Recognize and apply architectural patterns to search scenarios. Performance-tune and optimize enterprise search solutions. Plan capacity for enterprise search solutions. Architect search solutions that include line-of-business data Architect and develop search solutions based on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: At least two years working with SharePoint Products and Technologies, in any of the following roles: Solution Architect Technical Architect At least two years practical experience as a lead developer (or provided architectural guidance to lead developers) in development projects for SharePoint Products and Technologies Technical expertise in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 At least six months combined experience as a technical and solution architect for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 projects. Led consulting engagements that are focused on the search technologies of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Experience gathering and analyzing customer experience. Completed course 5060A: Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Completed course 5061A: Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course Outline Module 1: Enterprise Search Architecture This module explains the Enterprise Search Architecture of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Enterprise Search Overview Enterprise Search Physical Architecture Enterprise Search Architectural Processes Information Architecture and Search Lab 1: Enterprise Search Architecture Exercise 1: Defining Functional Requirements for Enterprise Search Solutions Exercise 2: Identifying Physical Requirements for Enterprise Search Solutions Exercise 3: Designing Enterprise Search Schemas After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the business requirements and goals for enterprise search solutions, and how components in the search technology landscape can be used to achieve those goals and satisfy those requirements. Describe the physical architecture of the enterprise search technologies provided by Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Describe the logical architecture of enterprise search technologies in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 server farms. Explain how information architecture and search architecture combine to shape search solutions. Module 2: Architectural Patterns for Enterprise Search Solutions This module describes a wide range of typical search scenarios and then investigates architectural patterns that meet the requirements of those scenarios. Lessons Departmental Search People Search Internet Site Search Business Data Search Multilingual Search Enterprise Search Geographically Dispersed Search Patterns for Extending Search After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe typical search scenarios. Identify appropriate architectural patterns to meet the requirements of typical search scenarios. Module 3: Performance Tuning and Optimization for Enterprise Search This module explains how to tune and optimize enterprise search solutions that are based on the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 platform. Lessons Enterprise Search Physical Characteristics Architecting Enterprise Search for Non-Functional Requirements Optimizing Enterprise Search Deployment Architectures Optimizing Search Relevance Lab 3: Performance Tuning and Optimization for Enterprise Search Solutions Exercise 1: Monitoring Enterprise Search Performance Exercise 2: Defining a Scaling Strategy for Enterprise Search Exercise 3: Tuning Relevance After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe enterprise search physical characteristics. Architect enterprise search for non-functional requirements. Optimize enterprise search deployment architectures. Optimize search relevance. Module 4: Capacity Planning for Enterprise Search Solutions This module explains how to plan capacity for enterprise search solutions and architectures. Lessons Analyzing Enterprise Corpuses Planning for Index Catalog Files Planning for Search Databases Lab 4: Capacity Planning for Enterprise Search Solutions Exercise 1: Analyzing the Enterprise Corpus Exercise 2: Planning Capacity for Index Catalog Files Exercise 3: Planning Capacity for the Search Databases After completing this module, students will be able to: Analyze enterprise corpuses. Plan for index catalog files. Plan for search databases. Module 5: Indexing Enterprise Data This module explains the architectural issues and guidelines on how to include line-of-business data in enterprise search solutions. Lessons Business Data Catalog Content Sources Business Data Catalog Security Lab 5: Indexing Enterprise Data Exercise 1: Creating Business Data Catalog Applications for Search Exercise 2: Indexing Business Data Catalog Application Exercise 3: Searching Business Data Catalog Data After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the architecture of indexing line-of-business data through the Business Data Catalog. Explain the architectural issues around Business Data Catalog security for search solutions. Module 6: Architecting and Developing Search Solutions This module explains the architectural issues around customizing, extending and developing search applications that use the core Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 indexing and query services. Lessons Customizing Search Center Extending Search Center Custom Search Scenarios in SharePoint Sites Adding Enterprise Search Capabilities to Non-SharePoint Solutions Developing Custom Security Trimmers Lab 6: Architecting and Developing Search Solutions Exercise 1: Implementing URL-based Queries Exercise 2: Creating Query and Result Web Parts Exercise 3: Developing with the Query Web Service After completing this module, students will be able to provide architectural guidance to developers on: Customizing Search Center. Extending Search Center. Creating custom search scenarios in SharePoint sites. Adding enterprise search capabilities to non-SharePoint solutions. Developing custom security trimmers. Related Blogs: Course 5061- Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 5060 - Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50064A: Advanced SharePoint 2007 Development Posted Apr 09 2008, 12:35 PM by Neil with no comments Filed under: Sharepoint, Courses

• Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

  Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. This five-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to plan, deploy, and configure server farm solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. The course focuses on key deployment and configuration tasks. Audience This course is intended for experienced architects and administrators who have a minimum of two years experience with SharePoint Technologies. At Course Completion After completing this course, students will be able to: Explain how SharePoint Technologies server roles map to a server farm environment. Describe how to configure SharePoint Technologies server farms. Describe how to secure SharePoint Technologies deployments. Describe how to configure information architecture and solution architecture in SharePoint Technologies deployments. Explain how to plan for disaster recovery and how to backup and restore SharePoint Technologies solutions. Explain how to manage, monitor, and troubleshoot SharePoint Technologies deployments. Describe how to plan for capacity and how to right-size a SharePoint Technologies deployment. Describe how to configure search and indexing in SharePoint Technologies deployments. Explain how to customize and extend SharePoint Technologies deployments. Describe how to configure the Business Data Catalog. Describe how to configure Forms and Excel Services. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: At least two years working with SharePoint Products and Technologies in any of the following roles: Solution Architect Technical Architect Information Architect Farm Administrator Experience gathering and analyzing customer requirements. Completed course 5060A: Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Completed course 5061A: Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course Outline Module 1: SharePoint Technologies Server Farm Architecture This module explains the server role architecture of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. Lessons WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007 Server Farms MOSS 2007 Server Farm Topology Deploying WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007 Farms Lab 1: Planning and Deploying MOSS 2007 Farms Exercise 1: Planning a MOSS 2007 Server Farm Deployment Exercise 2: Installing a MOSS 2007 Application Server by Using a Script After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of server farms. Explain how SharePoint Technologies map to server farm environments. Describe how to deploy SharePoint Technologies server farms. Module 2: Configuring SharePoint Technologies Farms This module describes how to configure SharePoint Technologies server farms. Lessons Creating Shared Services Providers Configuring Server Farms Configuring Administration Settings Lab 2: Creating and Configuring Shared Services Providers Exercise 1: Create a Shared Services Provider Exercise 2: Configure a Profile Import and Test My Sites After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how to create and configure an SSP. Describe how to configure e-mail, quota templates, and language packs. Explain how to configure key SharePoint Technologies administration settings. Module 3: Securing Microsoft SharePoint Technologies Systems This module describes how to secure SharePoint Technologies server farm deployments. Lessons MOSS Security Accounts Securing Content Securing Communications within a Server Farm Using Server Hardening Lab 3: Working with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Security Exercise 1: Configuring Security Accounts Exercise 2: Creating a Forms-Based Authentication Web Application Exercise 3: Securing Server Farm Communications After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how to configure MOSS security accounts. Explain how to secure content in SharePoint Technologies solutions. Explain how to secure communications within a SharePoint Technologies server farm. Describe server hardening techniques for SharePoint Technologies server farms. Module 4: Microsoft SharePoint Technologies Solution Architecture This module describes the key solution architecture and information architecture issues in SharePoint Technologies deployments. Lessons Information Architecture Solution Architecture Lab 4: Working with Content Types and Features Exercise 1: Using Content Types to Manage Taxonomies Exercise 2: Installing and Activating Features After completing this module, students will be able to: Understand how to plan information architecture. Understand SharePoint features, solutions, site definitions, and templates. Module 5: Backup, Restore, and Disaster Recovery for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies This module describes how to recover from, and minimize the impact of, disastrous data loss and mis-configuration. Lessons Backup and Restore Using Microsoft SQL Server Backup and Restore Using Microsoft SQL Server Failover Solutions Using Data Protection Manager Lab 5: Configuring a Mirror Database Exercise 1: Mirroring Databases Exercise 2: Configuring and Administrating Database Failover Exercise 3: Configuring Content Database Failover After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain how to use SharePoint Technologies Backup and Restore. Explain how to use Microsoft SQL Server backup and restore functionality to protect SharePoint data. Explain how to use Microsoft SQL Server failover solutions to protect a SharePoint deployment. Describe both DPM 2006 and DPM 2007. Module 6: Microsoft SharePoint Technologies Operations This module discusses farm management, migration, and how to use SCOM 2007 with MOSS and WSS. Lessons Managing a Server Farm Using Microsoft Systems Center Operations Manager with SharePoint Technologies Troubleshooting Migrations and Upgrades Lab 6: Installing and Using SCOM Pack for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Exercise 1: Installing the Operations Manager 2007 Agent on a Server Exercise 2: Installing the Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Management Pack Exercise 3: Configuring a performance monitor on Operations Manager 2007 After completing this module, students will be able to: Manage a server farm. Use Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 to manage SharePoint Technologies deployments. Troubleshoot migrations and upgrades. Module 7: Capacity Planning and Sizing for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies This module describes how to plan capacity for and right-size a SharePoint Technologies deployment. Lessons Capacity Planning Right-Sizing Microsoft SharePoint Technologies Architectures Lab 7: Sizing a Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Deployment Exercise 1: Estimating User Requirements Exercise 2: Sizing a Deployment After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain how to plan capacity for SharePoint Technologies deployments. Describe how to right-size a SharePoint Technologies deployment. Module 8: Search and Indexing This module describes the architecture and configuration of the search and indexing features in Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Search Architecture Crawl and Query Processes Search Server Layouts Lab 8: Configuring and Extending Search Exercise 1: Configuring Content Sources Exercise 2: Configuring Crawl Rules Exercise 3: Customizing the Advanced Search User Interface After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the architecture of the Office SharePoint Server Search service. Explain how to configure the crawl process and query experience. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different search server layouts. Module 9: Customizing and Extending Microsoft SharePoint Technologies This module describes the opportunities to customize and extend a SharePoint Technologies solution. Lessons Customizing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Extending Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Lab 9: Customizing and Extending Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Exercise 1: Modifying Master Pages and Layouts Exercise 2: Installing an iFilter and Associate a File Type After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how you can customize Office SharePoint Server deployments. Describe how you can extend the functionality of Office SharePoint Server. Module 10: Configuring the Business Data Catalog This module describes how to configure the Business Data Catalog to access line-of-business application data from Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Planning the Business Data Catalog Configuring the Business Data Catalog Lab 10: Creating a Business Data Catalog Connection Exercise 1: Creating an ADF File Exercise 2: Loading the BDC Application Definition Exercise 3: Creating Managed Properties After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain the principal planning issues for the Business Data Catalog. Describe how to configure the Business Data Catalog. Module 11: Configuring Forms and Excel Services This module describes how to configure InfoPath Forms and Excel Services in an Office SharePoint Server 2007 deployment. Lessons Microsoft InfoPath Forms in SharePoint Technologies Excel Services in MOSS 2007 Lab 11: Installing and Configuring a Workflow with InfoPath Forms Exercise 1: Creating an InfoPath Form Template Exercise 2: Creating and Deploying a Workflow After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe how to configure InfoPath Forms in an Office SharePoint Server deployment. Describe how to configure Excel Services. Related Blogs: Course 5061- Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 5060 - Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50064A: Advanced SharePoint 2007 Development Posted Apr 06 2008, 02:55 PM by Neil with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Sharepoint, Courses

• Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions

  Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. The goal of this one-day instructor-led course is to give you an in-depth look at and hands-on experience with Web Content Management (WCM) capabilities in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Audience This course is intended for developers and system integrators. At Course Completion After completing this course, students will be able to: Understand records management capabilities of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Understand in depth the Web Content Management capabilities of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Customize the authoring capabilities of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Customize the workflow capabilities Office SharePoint Server 2007 that help control the publishing process. Customize the navigation features and capabilities of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Customize the branding features and capabilities of SharePoint Server 2007. Understand how Office SharePoint Server 2007 provides a single integrated platform to manage intranet, extranet, and Internet applications across the enterprise. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: Expertise in Information Technology. Expertise in the Microsoft Office product line. Course Outline Module 0: Introduction Lessons Instructor and participant introductions Course objectives Module 1: ECM Overview Lessons ECM Overview ECM Architecture ECM Components Module 2: Authoring In this session, you will explore and customize the Authoring capabilities of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Authoring Fundamentals Authoring Console Reusable Content Smart Client Authoring Field Controls Lab: Creating Web Sites Exercise 1: Create a Web Site Exercise 2: Create a List Exercise 3: Creating Reusable Content Exercise 4: Implementing a Custom Field Control After completing this module, students will be able to: Analyze and explain the Web authoring experience. Explain and extend the Authoring console. Explain how reusable content works. Explain how Smart Client Authoring works. Explain and extend field controls. Module 3: Controlling Publishing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 has an entire set of workflow capabilities that help control the publishing process and help you solve problems of managing and protecting content. Lessons Workflow vision overview Workflow integrated with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Workflow scenarios SharePoint Designer and Visual Studio Workflow Authoring tools Creating a workflow Lab: Controlled Publishing Exercise 1: Creating a Custom Workflow Exercise 2: Adding a workflow to a list Exercise 3: Publish content to an externals site After completing this module, students will be able to: Analyze and explain how workflows enable a controlled publishing process. Explain and apply built-in Workflow solutions in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Analyze and explain workflow scenarios. Explain and apply workflows within a common document process application. Create a custom workflow. Module 4: Records Management Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 includes features that can help organizations implement integrated records management systems and processes. Lessons Records management Records management features Creating and managing a records management system Lab: Records Management Exercise 1: Provision a records repository Web site Exercise 2: Setting up a file plan Exercise 3: Collecting Content After completing this module, students will be able to: Understand how to setup and configure a Records Center Understand how to configure retention policies Understand records routing Understand how to publish content from the desktop Module 5: Navigation This session explores the Navigation features and capabilities of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Portal Navigation and Site Hierarchy Site Navigation Settings Site Master Page Settings Lab: Portal Navigation Exercise 1: Use Site Master Settings Exercise 2: Customize Web navigation controls After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain portal navigation and the hierarchy of a site. Create different types of navigation controls for a site and its pages. Explain a site hierarchy and how it defines the navigation structure. Use Site Master Settings to modify the appearance and behavior of the navigational structure. Customize site navigation via the provider model for navigation. Module 6: Branding This session explores the branding features and capabilities of Office SharePoint Server 2007. Lessons Page Rendering Site Structure Branding Master Pages Customized CSS styles Lab: Branding Exercise 1: Customize Master Page with the Browser Interface and SharePoint Designer Lab: Configuration Exercise 1: Enable and configure caching Exercise 2: Configure Anonymous Access After completing this module, students will be able to: Understand and explain the page model and how Master Pages and Page Layouts interact Create and apply Master Pages and Page Layouts Explain and customize CSS-based styling Module 7: Learning Paths Lessons Next Steps Exam Guide Additional Resources Related Blogs: Course 5061- Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 5060 - Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50064A: Advanced SharePoint 2007 Development Posted Apr 03 2008, 09:37 PM by Neil with no comments Filed under: Sharepoint, Courses

• Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions

  Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. This one-day hands-on lab focuses on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, a set of add-ons for Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services that extends and complements the functionality of Windows SharePoint Services V3. Attendees should be able to use this workshop to apply collaborative solutions to practical scenarios. Audience This course is intended for IT Professionals. At Course Completion After completing this course, students will be able to: Configure a Web site using Network Load Balancing (NLB). Deploy a Web site to a farm. Create a meaningful intranet portal. Customize a SharePoint Server site with site definitions and features. Create and deploy a Solution. Customize a team site with Office SharePoint Designer 2007. (Optional) Use Microsoft Office Groove to communicate externally. Use wikis. Update the Authentication of an Extranet Site. Trim Site Security. Use Item-level Security and the Recycle Bin. Create a workflow solution using SharePoint Designer. Use a workflow solution. Syndicate an RSS Matches list. View RSS content in Outlook and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: Completed Office System Core Training. Module 1: Introduction Course Outline In this module, we will review the site to be used as the basis for the labs and demos in this course. We will also discuss general SharePoint implementation goals, and look at some common deployment scenarios. Lessons Site Overview Discussion: Implementation Goals Deployment Scenarios Lab 1: Deploying MOSS in a Web Farm Exercise 1: Configure Network Load Balancing Exercise 2: Deploy the Web Site to a Farm Exercise 3: Create an Intranet Portal Lab 2: Deploying MOSS in a Web Farm Exercise 1: Create an NLB solution. After completing this module, students will be able to: Configure an additional Web site using Network Load Balancing (NLB). Deploy the Web site to a farm. Create a meaningful intranet portal. Use LITWAREDC (Lab 2), OSS2, and OSS3 to create an NLB solution to host a highly available MOSS solution. Module 2: Customization In this module, we will introduce students to SharePoint Site customization using Site Definitions, Features, and Office SharePoint Designer 2007. Lessons Site definitions and features Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 Lab 3: SharePoint Site Customization Exercise 1: Customizing a Site with Site Definitions and Features Exercise 2: Creating and deploying a Solution Exercise 3: Customizing team sites with Office SharePoint Designer 2007 (Optional) After completing this module, students will be able to: Customize a SharePoint Server site with site definitions and features. Create and deploy a Solution. Customize a team site with Office SharePoint Designer 2007 (Optional) Module 3: Collaboration In this module, we will show the value of blogs and wikis in a corporate environment, and the controls that can be imposed upon them. Lessons Blogs Wikis Microsoft Office Groove 2007 SharePoint Files tool Office Groove 2007 SharePoint Data Bridge Lab 3a: Customizing the Collaborative Experience Exercise 1: Using Groove to Communicate Externally Exercise 2: Using Wikis After completing this module, students will be able to: Use Groove to communicate externally. Use wikis. Module 4: Security In this module, we will cover security features in SharePoint Server, including site, list, and item security; backup; and recovery. Lessons Site, List and List Item Security Backup and Recovery Lab 4: Enabling Mixed-mode Authentication Exercise 1: Update the Authentication of the Extranet Site Lab 5: Utilizing New Site Security Features Exercise 1: Trim Site Security Exercise 2: Using Item-level Security and the Recycle Bin After completing this module, students will be able to: Update the Authentication of an Extranet Site. Trim Site Security. Use Item-level Security and the Recycle Bin. Module 5: Microsoft Windows Workflow Integration (WF) In this module, we will explain how to create and customize SharePoint workflows. Lessons Workflow Fundamentals Microsoft SharePoint Designer Workflows Customizing Workflow Through Microsoft .NET “scripting” Lab 6: Workflow Customization Exercise 1: Creating a Workflow Solution Using SharePoint Designer Exercise 2: Using a Workflow Solution After completing this module, students will be able to: Create a workflow solution using SharePoint Designer Use a workflow solution Module 6: RSS In this module, we will focus on multiple ways of viewing RSS List Feeds, with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Outlook and SharePoint Server. We will also demonstrate ways to customize RSS feeds. Lessons Using RSS viewers to render list content Customizing RSS feeds Lab 7: Customizing RSS Feeds Exercise 1: Syndicate the Matches List Exercise 2: View RSS Content in Outlook and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 After completing this module, students will be able to: Syndicate the Matches list. View RSS content in Outlook and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server. Related Blogs: Course 5061- Implementing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 5060 - Implementing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50050A: Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50051A: Architecting Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50049A: Architecting Web Content Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Course 50048A: Enterprise Search Solution Architect Workshop Course 50047A : Advanced IT Pro Course for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Course 50003A: Customizing and Extending Enterprise Content Management Solutions Course 50004A: Implementing Advanced Portals and Collaboration Solutions Course 50064A: Advanced SharePoint 2007 Development Posted Apr 02 2008, 10:04 PM by Neil with no comments Filed under: Sharepoint, Courses