Microsoft’s John Howard posted this insightful tip – you can download an ISO of XP SP3 which of course makes it easy to mount as a virtual disk in order to create a XP SP3 virtual image. You might want to do that for testing …perhaps 
– besides testing, if you want the Integration Services to install so say …that you can have a network connection …then this is also relevant.
Who is John Howard? – My top favorite Server Core & Hyper-V blog author & Senior Program Manager, Hyper-V team, Windows Core Operating System Division.
As you are probably aware from KB949219 (RC0 release of Hyper-V), the Hyper-V Integration Services in our RC0 release require Service Pack 3 to install on Windows XP 32-bit. The final build of SP3 was released to microsoft.com yesterday. Here’s the links (and I like the way they are also packaging it as an ISO which makes it dead easy to update a virtual machine).
Landing Page for SP3
Download link for ISO
Download link for standalone install
Cheers,
John.
John Howard : Windows XP SP3 on Hyper-V
Categories: Core Server · Virtualization · Windows 2008 · XP
This applies with XP SP3, Vista SP1, and Server 2008 – read the below linked KB to learn about RDC 6.1 and its nice features including huge important improvements in remote printing. There are nice security enhancements too to fit in with Server 2008’s NLA (Network Level Authentication)
INTRODUCTION
This article discusses the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) 6.1 client update that helps you use the new Terminal Services features. These features are introduced in Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008 and are available from a computer that is running one of the following operating systems:
•Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
•Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3)
•Windows Server 2008
The RDC 6.1 client can be used to connect to legacy terminal servers or to remote desktops as before. However, the new features that are mentioned in this article are available only when the client connects to a remote computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.
Description of the Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 client update for Terminal Services
This fits in series with this earlier post discussing the /admin switch that replaces /console:
http://duitwithsbs.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/unintended-consequences-vista-sp1-gotcha-rdc-61/
Categories: Vista · Windows 2008 · XP
Tagged: RDC 6.1
If you want to learn about this Vista (Ultimate or Enterprise)/Server 2008 feature this is a very definitive BitLocker Resource courtesy of Chris Henley. I’ll even put up with the Dodger jersey this video is so good. Go Reds! ;->
BitLocker Drive Encryption 
Tying a hard drive to a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) through the use of PKI and encryption keys is an incredibly effective methodology for protecting the operating system drive. Microsoft introduced support for BitLocker with Windows Vista and both continues and expands that support in Windows Server 2008. I have been getting lots of questions about BitLocker and how to set it up etc. I decided I would make a short video about the process both with and without a TPM.
Watch the Video Here
The TechNet BitLocker FAQ’s also address many of the common questions I am hearing.
Last but not least it would be pertinent to know that BitLocker is not the ultimate security solution in the universe. (Princeton University claims it can be breached with a recovery of the key if it is resident in DRAM) It does represent a great tool in your security toolbox. The principles of Defense in depth still apply; use BitLocker to add a little more depth to your security.
Posted: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:56 AM by CJHenley
Blue : BitLocker Drive Encryption
Categories: Vista · Windows 2008
I’ve been on a deep dive and am surfacing to share these 5 blogs, a guide, and a forum
Step-by-Step Guide – installation of Server Core option of Windows Server 2008
Forum (Live ID required for ability to correspond)
P.S. **stray thought** The Core product needs a cool logo. OK maybe an apple would be a bad idea.
Categories: Virtualization · Windows 2008
