The Replication diagnostics tool is a command-line tool that enables you to report the status of replication on each domain controller. The tool is built into Windows Servers 2008 and Windows Servers 2008 R2 and the information retrieved by Repadmin.exe can help you identify potential problems related to replication within a forest. The detailed views allow you to even identify where and when a change to Active Directory had created problems and hopefully you are still in time to troubleshoot before the problem gets out of control. Another useful feature of Repadmin is that it allows you to create the replication topology and force replication between domain controllers. To read more about the Repadmin tool go here.
A potential competitor to Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating Systems may be round the corner! ReactOS a new Operating System similar to Windows is just waiting for funding before it can be finalized. A venture which took off some years ago by Russian students is said to be compatible with all Windows-based applications, programs and services. According to the young Russian developers, the new operating system runs much faster than Windows and users should not experience any differences in the overall usability. Similar to community-driven initiative such as Linux, ReactOS is for free and is based on a non-commercial initiative, and if these guys manage to get the necessary funds a completed version can be released in a year's time. Unlike, Linux and other non-windows operating systems ReactOS can host all Windows compatible applications! The guys behind the new system claim that ReactOS is the first direct rival or alternate solution to Windows systems. While this is true, the timing may be wrong as the desktop operating system may be losing its market strength to the new web and mobile devices operating platforms which are taking the lead. Would they be able to get the necessary funds? Is the Russian government willing to help these students before someone else turn the idea into a business opportunity? Read the full story here . Source: BBC News
DNS implementations in Windows Server 2008 environments can have four types of deployments. The most productive is the dynamic DNS server which is integrated with every DC in the network. Read-write DCs will also contain read-write DNS servers. In remote sites where a DC may be present for availability purposes, read-only DCs will also include read-only DNS servers. External networks will include at least one primary standalone DNS which will be maintained manually. If more DNS are required they should be secondary, read-only DNS servers. Read-only DNS servers are more secure than read-write servers and should be deployed in areas that demand the highest security levels. To read more about DNS Processes and Interactions in Windows Server 2008 environments go here.
Federal Communications Commission published a final set of "open internet" rules. These rules should come in effect on the 20th of November 2011. Here if the summary from the official document: This Report and Order establishes protections for broadband service to preserve and reinforce Internet freedom and openness. The Commission adopts three basic protections that are grounded in broadly accepted Internet norms, as well as our own prior decisions. First, transparency: fixed and mobile broadband providers must disclose the network management practices, performance characteristics, and commercial terms of their broadband services. Second, no blocking: fixed broadband providers may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices; mobile broadband providers may not block lawful websites, or block applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services. Third, no unreasonable discrimination: fixed broadband providers may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic. These rules, applied with the complementary principle of reasonable network management, ensure that the freedom and openness that have enabled the Internet to flourish as an engine for creativity and commerce will continue. This framework thus provides greater certainty and predictability to consumers, innovators, investors, and broadband providers, as well as the flexibility providers need to effectively manage their networks. The framework promotes a virtuous circle of innovation and investment in which new uses of the network—including new content, applications, services, and devices—lead to increased end-user demand for broadband, which drives network improvements that in turn lead to further innovative network uses. You can access the final document here: http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-24259_PI.pdf
Imperva, a leader in data security solutions is offering an amazing cloud-based solution that helps organizations mitigate Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Imperva can guarantee protection against DDoS attacks that are capable of consuming up to 4Gbps of bandwidth (burstable) even though most attacks are in the range of 10Mbps to 200Mbps. The cloud service can scale automatically to handle various types of attacks and can be effective within minutes. The solution will allow business online applications and services to continue operations by filtering out the malicious traffic. To read more about Imperva's Cloud DDoS Protection service go here.