TechRepublic.com
Link: http://www.techrepublic.com
Desc: Real World. Real Time. Real IT

SolutionBase: Enforce system policies with the Group Policy Diagnostic Best Practice Analyzer
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-22_11-190227.html
Desc: Group Policy can be the most important parts of an IT groups tools to enforce IT standards and manage access, or it can be an indecipherable mess in which you do not want to touch. No matter where you fall in that mix, it is a good idea to take a look at the configuration with the Group Policy Diagnostic Best Practice Analyzer (GPDBPA) explained in this article to identify your risks and configuration.

Fine tuning Microsoft ForeFront Server Security for Exchange
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-22_11-190671.html
Desc: ForeFront is Microsoft s security solution for MicrosoftExchange 2007. Installing ForeFront is less than half the battle however. Afteryou get Forefront installed, you ve got to fine tune its settings for MicrosoftExchange 2007. Brien Posey shows how to fine tune ForeFront Server Sercurityfor Exchange.

Implementing Microsoft ForeFront Security for Exchange
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-22_11-190250.html
Desc: You've seen the Microsoft ads saying how it's easier to defeat viruses using ForeFront than it is to kill zombies. Maybe. But just how hard is it to get ForeFront up and running? And what does it do? Brien Posey explains.

Configuring Exchange 2007 to be an Edge Transport Server
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-22_11-190647.html
Desc: One of the new server roles that was introduced inExchange 2007 was that of an edge transport server. An edge transport server isa specialized server, running a hardened version of Exchange, that sits betweenyour Exchange organization and the Internet. Brien Posey shows how it works.

Get Up To Speed with Interleave
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-22_11-191034.html
Desc: I recently wrote an article covering the installation of avery powerful Enterprise-ready process automation system called Interleave.This tool is exceptional for tracking and accountability. It's features gobeyond the scope of many small company needs (but shouldn't keep smallerventures from deploying it) so it can cover just about any company.Getting the system up and running was no cake walk butit's do-able for just about anyone. Using the system can, at first, seem verydaunting (due to the incredible amount of features), but it needn't be so. It'sjust a matter of making Interleave fit your needs.With that in mind, let's get to work.

Installing System Center Essentials 2007
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-22_11-191300.html
Desc: For some time, Microsoft has focused on large enterprises and small business, as evidenced by products such as Small Business Server. The midmarket (500 PCs, a couple dozen servers) has very similar needs as smaller and larger enterprises, but faces unique challenges. Whereas Microsoft provides some specific products for smaller organizationsincluding the aforementioned Small BusinessServermidmarket organizations have had to utilize full-fledged enterprise tools often without the benefit of large IT staffs or significant server infrastructures to do so.Enter the "Essentials" line, which is targetedat midmarket IT organizations. I'm not sure if all of Microsoft's mid-marketfocused endeavors will use the word "Essentials" but so far, this hasbeen the case. For the monitoring, system management, and software deploymentside of the house, Microsoft has released System Center Essentials 2007. Inthis article, I'll explain the purpose and features of this product, outlineits system requirements and limitations and walk through a sample installation.

SolutionBase: Enterprise-ready Process Automation with Interleave
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-22_11-188371.html
Desc: With Interleave, the Linux community has a tracking system as powerful as any Windows offering. And equally as simple to install. And reliable. And user-friendly. Jack Wallen shows how it works.

SolutionBase: Administer PacketFence with ease via Web interface
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-1035_11-179764.html
Desc: PacketFence is fairlydemanding to install, but once you get into the administration of the system via the Web-based administration tool, things become a whole lot easier. Jack Wallen guides you through installation of the tool.

SolutionBase: Installing and configuring Network Access Control with PacketFence
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-1035_11-179743.html
Desc: PacketFence is the next big thing with network security and open source. Jack Wallen shows you how to run this installation completely by command line.

SolutionBase: Block unwanted network access with PacketFence
Link: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/2415-1035_11-179687.html
Desc: PacketFence does, via open source, what many applicationscosting hundreds to thousands of dollars do. Jack Wallen explains what makes this system a fully viable solution for a variety of situations.