uploading custom windows server 2012R2 image on Google cloud - google-cloud-storage

I want to upload Windows Server 2012 R2 image on Google cloud to save license cost from Google, as i already have spare licenses to use.
please let me know the procedure.

I believe you're asking about a possibility of bringing your existing Windows Server licenses to Google Compute Engine (BYOL).
Windows Server licensing terms are quite complicated and can sometimes vary from customer to customer, so it is recommended to contact
Microsoft licensing specialists that can give you the most qualified answer about BYOL tailored to your unique circumstances.
Having said this, under Microsoft Volume Licensing, you are generally not eligible to run Windows Server in a shared compute environment
such as GCE or any other public cloud. Instead, Google like other providers licenses Windows Server from Microsoft using SPLA program that
has its own unique terms.
On the other hand, Microsoft applications, such as SQL Server, Exchange, Sharepoint, and others can be brought to GCE (or other public clouds)
relatively easily using Microsoft license mobility program. You can read about license mobility program here:
https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/operating-systems/windows#microsoft_license_mobility
--Alex

Related

Dependent objects for New-Object -ComObject Word.Application

We created multiple powershell scripts that read from word document and extract required information.
Locally on laptop all works fine, but when we deployed on production server.... they dont work.
We run powershell scripts through asp.net web app... that's where any powershell scripts that refers to WORD.APPLICATION are not working
Components we deployed on production server:
operating system: Windows Server 2012
Powershell: Version 5
MsOffice 2010 installed
Asp.net 4.5 all components installed
We have created web application in ASP.NET 4.5 Core where user upload documents and based on certain criteria documents will be searched for specific keyterms. if keyterms found, values will be displayed.
Asp.net invokes powershell script which has all document library code to search through. Everything gets executed in PS script, except where WORD-APPLICATION code is referred.
Has anyone faced any issues while deploying them on server?
Required reading:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/257757/considerations-for-server-side-automation-of-office
All current versions of Microsoft Office were designed, tested, and configured to run as end-user products on a client workstation. They assume an interactive desktop and user profile. They do not provide the level of reentrancy or security that is necessary to meet the needs of server-side components that are designed to run unattended.
...
Besides the technical problems, you must also consider licensing issues. Current licensing guidelines prevent Office applications from being used on a server to service client requests, unless those clients themselves have licensed copies of Office. Using server-side Automation to provide Office functionality to unlicensed workstations is not covered by the End User License Agreement (EULA).
As you can see, the scenario you're trying is officially unsupported, and license wise very expensive, as you officially require an Office license for each user invoking your functionality or for whom you're invoking the functionality.
There is an official Open XML SDK, which will allow server-side processing of the XML-based office documents:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/open-xml/word-processing
If that isn't enough, there are a number of 3rd party libraries that provide server-side execution and don't require office licensing, some commercial, some open source:
Aspose: https://www.aspose.com/
NPIO: https://github.com/dotnetcore/NPOI
There are ways to get your code working on the server from an ASP.NET Application. They are officially unsupported, they open up your server to a number of extra security issues, they are very expensive from a licensing perspective and there is no guarantee they will remain working.

What could happen if I install all server roles on Windows Azure Pack: Web Sites on one machine?

At work, I'm in the process of installing Windows Azure Pack: Web Sites in a VMWare ESXi lab environment. I have little available RAM and hard drive space on the ESXi.
I originally thought I would be able to do this without spending too much resources. The Azure Pack Express variant is advertised as if it only requires one machine with 8 GBs of RAM. However, after completing the first installation, I discovered that the Azure Pack: Web Sites extension requires no less than 7 different server roles installed on 7 different machines, each with Windows Server 2012 R2. I need a separate Cloud Controller, Cloud Management Server, Cloud Front End, Cloud Publisher, Cloud Shared Web Worker, Cloud Reserved Web Worker and Cloud File Server.
I have no way of freeing up that much resources. In the installation guide for Windows Azure Pack, they "advice" me to use separate VMs for each role, but they don't say explicitly that it won't work. Is it because multiple server roles on one machine will strain resources, or is it because the roles are incompatible and will make the system malfunction? In my case, the Azure Pack will only be used for penetration testing by a single user, so I imagine resources should not be a problem.
I'm not a web administrator, and I'm in over my head on this task. If anyone could give me some advice before I proceed on this, that would be much appreciated.
TLDR: Will there be a critical conflict if I install seven server roles on one machine, or will there just be a strain of resources?

Oracle IAM/WNA protocol fallback to form-based logon page fails when Microsoft Online Services Sign-In Assistant is installed

First post here. Facing a problem where on Windows 10 an Oracle Identity Access Management (IAM) Windows Native Authentication (WNA) protocol fallback to a form-based logon page always fails whenever the Microsoft Online Services Sign-In Assistant (SIA) is installed. Whenever we remove the SIA, the WNA fallback to a form-based logon page always succeeds. This error is reproducible 100% of the time. We have not tested on Windows 8 or Windows 7. I've researched it, and there is not much out there to read about the SIA; it does not look to be configurable on the client end. Really want to avoid changing up code on the IAM WNA side.
Anyone out there seen this before? This is a large enterprise network, using all Windows 10 computers, which has both Oracle IAM running for some applications as well as Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Active Directory, to which all the Windows 10 computers are joined. We are also standardized with Office 2016 with all back-end servers supporting Office apps such as Outlook, Lync, etc. in the cloud (Office 365).
Please let me know if I need to show the Oracle IAM/WNA SSO fallback code.
The Microsoft Online Services Sign-In Assistant is not configurable. But, if all your computers are running Office 2016 you do not need it anyway and it can be safely uninstalled, which as you said will make the fallback to form-based logon page work. If you were running Office 2013 you would need it however. Office 2016 apps such as Outlook and Lync can go direct with ADFS whereas previous versions could not do this. I don't have a URL reference for you, this is based on my experience.

TFS configurations to support distributed teams

We are investigating using TFS for a small development group. All the developers are remote to the office. VPN is an option but not preferred, as we have to change vpn connections several times daily to support other functions in the business.
So I'm trying to figure out the different options that TFS can be configured with to support that model. I've read about setting up Proxy Servers but that was using an older version of TFS so I'm not sure that still is/was the best option.
I haven't been able to locate good current documentation about the best/different ways to configure TFS to support this model.
I don't need comments about using Mercuial, GIT or something else. I'm aware of them and including them in my overall evaluation but right now I'm trying to see what solutions TFS does or does not offer. All developers have MSDN licenses and so TFS is free to the group.
You have 2 options (without VPN)
1) Like Martin suggested, look at VSO (Visual Studio Online, http://www.visualstudio.com) this is the cloud based version of TFS it's free for up to 5 developers.
2) Setup TFS internally inside your organization and make that instance available on the internet through your firewall. You can secure it with certificates so only you team can connect in. There is a lot of information on MSDN on how to secure it using SSL and certificate.
Cheers,
ET

Microsoft CRM 2011 IFD vs Windows Auth

Can someone explain to me why one would use IFD (Internet Facing Deployment) to access Microsoft CRM vs. just using Windows Authentication? They seem equivalent to me in their features. Not sure of the benefits of IFD over Windows auth however.
Thanks!
Take a look at this previous answer for some discussion on this topic: Exposed onsite vs IFD deployments for MS Dynamics CRM
I would say from my standpoint the biggest issue with using Windows Auth over the internet for CRM is the issue of Outlook integration. The second point I would make is that Windows Auth can present issues to people accessing CRM from a non-domain computer when outside the domain - i.e., their home computer. Not always but I have seen issues pop-up (not very often) that are avoided in a forms based configuration.
As a reminder in 2011 the IFD feature has been changed signficantly so that you must use Active Directory Federation Service which is claims-based. I recommend reading over http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/archive/2011/01/13/configuring-ifd-with-microsoft-dynamics-crm-2011.aspx and watching the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD5qaa-G99E.
You can certainly go with Windows Auth but if you are willing to put in the extra work go with the Internet Facing setups for a more robust and better supported install.
I want to add to privious answer.
Integrating Outlook client from outside the domain can be done by reseting windows credential in the control panel from time to time.
another complication is SharePoint integration which can't be used outside the domain with SSO.
If you do use IFD, I recommand on this blog:
http://dynamics.co.il/configuring-crm-2011-ifd