Driskell's iDeal Collaboration

SQL Server is invalid or is an Unsupported Version

There are a number of customers working to properly secure their SharePoint implementations.  The Security Hardening documentation from Microsoft titled, "Plan and Design for Security (Windows SharePoint Services and Office SharePoint Server combined".

In fact, the Security Hardening guide recommends restricting access to the SQL ports: TCP port 1433 and UDP port 1434. Also, there are a number of SharePoint Technology - Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and Office SharePoint Server 2007 - related recommendations; for example, Block UDP port 1434, Configure SQL Server named instances to listen on a non-standard port; block TCP port 1433 and re-assign the port; Configure SQL client aliases on all Web Front End and Application layer servers - ES, Index, Query and others in the farm. 

This approach provides a greater degree of protection for your SQL Server communications.  It also ensures that all servers in the SharePoint Farm follows a more restricted communication model.

Let's say that after properly configuring your security strategy your organization decides to use the Microsoft Single Sign On (SSO)  technologies.  You navigate to the SharePoint Central Administration v3 web site.  You locate the configuration link for the SSO.  You configure all of the settings and click on OK button. 

Your browser refreshes.  You notice that there is an error message.  The error message encourages you to verify your SQL Server name and other configuration on the page. 

You begin to bang your head against the monitor gently.  As you take a look at the event logs - on the WFE server and the SQL Servers - and troubleshoot the TCP/IP stack.  You notice that there is not an indication of of a notable error. 

What we found that was encouraging the return of the SQL Server error message was the organization's security hardening policies.  If your organization plans to use the SSO, the 1434 port must remain open.  Of course, it would have been great to receive an error message that would provide more - specific - information that would have saved quite a few man hours. 

In order to get rid of this error message, you would need to unblock port 1434 on your SQL Servers.

That is just my $19.11 worth.

posted @ 12:03 PM | Feedback (0)

Pages of the past creates sceptics of the present..

I have worked with many organizations building web based applications on the SharePoint Technologies platform.  We have used tools such as Visual Studio, Front Page and, now, SharePoint Designer. Equally important, I present at a number of SharePoint summits across North America. The presentations delivered range from Designing and Implementation – of the various SharePoint related solutions – to branding – using SharePoint Designer. So, it is safe to say that I have quite a bit of experience in working with customers that are resistant to using SharePoint Designer as a customization (some would say branding) tool. 

Many of those customers and attendees moved from the Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 platform to the Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 platform.  Not only did they migrate the content, but also the skepticism associated with customizing the pages in a SharePoint environment. Or, they have heard about the nightmares associated with rendering customized - back then called unghosting - pages.Therefore, I decided to blog about the new features provided by the ASP.NET 2.0 framework and how it eliminates the problems experienced in the Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 environment. That is, Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 – due to the limitations of ASP.NET 1.1 – had a difficult time parsing pages from the database. As a result, all user requests - for SharePoint sites - were routed to the SQL Server database. All together, that means that Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 had a difficult time parsing and caching pages on the Web Front End servers.

For all that, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 integration with ASP.NET 2.0 has been completely redesigned. First, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 is built on ASP.NET 2.0, which provides significant enhancements over ASP.NET 1.1. Furthermore, the routing infrastructure was improved by removing the ISAPI filter and by adding an HttpModule and an HttpHandler that are registered with ASP.NET using entries in the web.config file.

When a SharePoint Administrator creates a Web Application, the SharePoint Administrator is extending an IIS web site to function as a Web application. Also, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 adds a wildcard application map to the IIS Metabase file.

That is, all incoming HTTP requests are always processed by the ASP.NET runtime environment and are fully initialized with the ASP.NET context before the HTTP Requests are forwarded to the code that processes all Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 related requests. For the most part, the map routes are due to the wildcard application maps in the IIS Metabase. As a result, all incoming HTTP requests to the ASP.NET runtime- regardless of file types .pdf, .doc, … etc

Overall, the ASP.NET 2.0 framework addressed a number of gaps from the previous – Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 - version of SharePoint Technologies. The most notable gap addressed by the newASP.NET architecture addressed the gap related to how .aspx pages are parsed and compiled. The problem in SharePoint Technologies was that it could not leverage the .aspx page parser used by ASP.NET 1.1. The fact that Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 stored .aspx pages in the SQL Server database presented a problem. ASP.NET 1.1 worked only with pages that reside on the local file system of Web Front End servers. As a result, Windows SharePoint Services could not take advantage of the ASP.NET 1.1 page parser.

Virtual Path Providers were introduced in the ASP.NET 2.0 framework. The new framework allowed developers to write their own custom virtual providers. The value add allowed the SharePoint Product team to write a customized virtual provider – SPVirtualPathProvider - that retrieves .aspx pages from the SQL Server Database. Also, the PageParserFilter affords the SPVirtualPathProvider the capability to control how pages are parsed and compiled.

Once the SPVirtualPathProvider retrieves a .aspx page from the SQL Server database it leverages the ASP.NET 2.0’s .aspx parser. So then, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 does not fall victim to the performance reduction, with respect to the limited page parsing, experienced by the Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 environment.

Figure 1 Page Rendering Using the SPVirtualPathProvider

In simplier terms, the perceived problems with customizing pages in a SharePoint environment has been addressed from page rendering view point. Despite the negative perception of the ASP.NET 1.1 limitations and how it affected the page rendering in the Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 environment, I think that it is time for the masses to accept the fact that ASP.NET 2.0 addressed those limitations. Whether pages are rendered from the Web Front End file system or from the SQL Server Database, ASP.NET 2.0 ensures that all pages are properly parsed.

That is just my $19.11 worth....

posted @ 7:27 AM | Feedback (0)

Contributor Settings.... Site by Site

There are a number of blogs that focus on configuring ( Create a Contributor group) the the Contributor Settings in SharePoint Designer 2007.  It is not my intentions to provide the step by step to create and configure contributor settings. 

Also, I can site a number of sites that clearly define the intentions of Contributor Settings (Introduction to Contributor Settings).  In summary, the intent of the Contributor Settings is to control the use of SharePoint Designer on a site by site basis. 

I am posting this blog to discuss the limitations of the Contributor Setting configurations and proposed work arounds. The fact that contributor settings are configurable on a site by site basis is not a great option in a number of site deployments.  The fact that new sites are created within site collections at an alarming rate, is a compelling reason to ask for more of a centralized capability to set the contributor settings at the site collection level and to push it down throughout its namespace.  In fact, it would be great to ensure that all sites across all web applications - scoped at individual sites - are dynamically configured with the required contributor settings.

The fact remains that Contributor Settings can only be set by using SharePoint Designer as the Site Manager.  After the [contributorsetting].htm - generally named using the GUID of the site - is created, the [contributorsetting].htm can be added to a site template using the File element in the ONET.XML file. 

But, in the event that Designers do not have access to the Web Front End (WFE) servers, adding the [contributorsetting].htm as a file element to the ONET.XML file, is not a viable option.

What we have found that adds some value for our SharePoint Designers - using SharePoint Designer 2007 - is that you can create a site - using the Browser or SharePoint Designer 2007 as a tool.  After creating and customizing - it is titled Branding in some eyes - the site. 

Once the site is customized, the Site Manager can create Contributor Groups and Region Types.   After configuring the Contributor Settings, the Site Manager, Site Owner or Site Collection Owner - that all depends on the level of the site and the tools - Browser or SharePoint Designer - can save the site as a template. 

To ensure that the save template(s) are used, the Site Collection Administrator or Site Owner can limit the template choices to the template(s) configured with the Contributor Settings.

The option presented is not the most centralized way to ensure the use of a consistent contributor settings across a number of sites within a site collection.  But, it presents an option to ensure the authorized use of SharePoint Designer 2007 on each sub-site.

I hope that this helps.....

posted @ 7:01 AM | Feedback (0)

Design by behavior...

After reading the January 2008 edition of KM World, I was compelled to blog my thoughts about a great article I read.  The title of the article is, "Web 2.0 kick it up a notch", by Judith Lamont from Zantech Corp.   

Judith made a number of great points in her article about knowledge management.  I was taken by her statements referencing the influence designers has on the behavior of its users.  Specifically, stating that designers encourage the use of the search features and contributing to the overall interest of an individuals acceptance of a solution that increases productivity.

Who am I to argue the facts?  Especially, when I believe the points to be true.

--

Corro'll H. Driskell

posted @ 11:24 PM | Feedback (0)

Speaking @ Hampton Roads SQL Server User Group

All,

I am on my way to the Norfolk - Hampton Virginia area.  I will speak at the Hampton Roads SQL Server User Group on Thursday, May 15th, 6:30 PM at INFOTEC.  I am speaking about SharePoint Designer and InfoPath Form Services support for a number of connection scenarios. It is going to be a great presentation.

Location: (Click her for the directions)

INFOTEC

5501 Greenwich Rd

Virginia Beach, VA 23462-6540

posted @ 11:26 AM | Feedback (1)

Rolling up Calendars using SharePoint Designer

Rolling Up Calendars

For the full text: http://sharepointdesignerfaq.blogspot.com/2008/01/rolling-up-calendars-using-sharepoint.html

posted @ 9:24 PM | Feedback (0)

Configuration of the BDC in a testing environment..

Configuration of the BDC text

For the full text:  http://mossfaq.blogspot.com/2008/01/configuration-of-bdc-in-testing.html

Note: Additional documentation will follow for demonstrations for, both, SharePoint Designer and Excel Services. If you are familiar with the existing Excel Services and Business Data Catalog (BDC) Web Parts, you can start using the BDC.

posted @ 8:57 PM | Feedback (0)

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 receives DoD 5015.2 certification...WooHoo

During many of my seminars, I have spoken about the scheduled DoD 5015.2 certification exam for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, specifically the Records Management Application.  Microsoft is now DOD 5015.2 certified.  Now, we have to await the Add-on updates.  I have copied the URL for more information.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointserver/HA102314141033.aspx

Congradulations Microsoft!!!!

posted @ 10:40 AM | Feedback (2)

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Summit FAQ

NOTE: All responses for each question is based on collective feedback from ALL Mindsharp Instructors.  By no means, were any questions answered exclusively by me.

During the Mindsharp Summits, there are a number of questions that are consistently asked.  We, please visit  www.mindsharpblogs.com for a list of Mindsharp instructors,  decided to provide an answer to those questions asked.  We will continue to update this posting.  In order to remain up to date, We recommended that you sign up for the RSS feed for Mindsharp Blogs. 

http://www.mindsharpblogs.com/MainFeed.aspx

Questions:

1. Can a Web Application (WA) be associated with multiple Shared ServiceProviders (SSP)?

Ans: a Web Application can only be associated with one Shared Service Provider (SSP).  That is, a Web Application (WA) has a 1:1 relationship with an Shared Service Provide (SSP).

2. Can you configure multiple Shared Service Providers (SSP) to crawl other Web Applications (WA)?

Ans:  Yes.  It is possible to configure multiple Shared Service Providers (SSPs) to crawl multiple Web Applications (WA) within and between Farms.

3. Can the user profile write back to Active Directory (AD)?

Ans:  Natively, there is not a two way synchronization between Active Directory (AD) and the Profile Store (PS).  Currently Out of the Box (OOB), there is only a one way copy, from AD to the PS.  But, you could use Microsoft Identity Integration Server (MIIS) or even script it. Yet, many of the postings refer to the one way copy as a synchronization between AD and the PS.

4. What are the implications of associating a Web Application (WA) to another Shared Service Provider (SSP)?

Ans:  Most evident and noticeable is that you lose all global search scopes, audiences and related targeting on list items, navigation links/bars, Web parts, etc. Oddly enough, Excel Calculation Server (ECS), Business Data Catalog (BDC), personalization links, and office ‘save as’ integration won’t be affected, UNLESS the Web Application (WA) that was changed is the Web Application (WA) hosting the My Sites.

5. What is the Internal URL section in Alternate Access Mapping (AAM) settings?  What is its purpose?

 Ans:  Alternate Access Mapping (AAM)  is used to identify possible internal URLs that could be returned to a user.  To avoid returning the incorrect URL and relative links, we would provide an entry that ensures that the appropriate Public URL is returned along with its relative links.  For instance, in a load balanced scenario it is possible to return the web1 and web2 URLs.  We would ensure the return of a public url by configuring an internal url for both web1 and web2 servers.  In configuring the Internal URLs we ensure that the public URLs are returned and, at the same time, ensure that the relative links are reflective of the public URLs.  Yet, all alerts and notifications would continue to reflect the default URL.

6. When do we create a new Web Application (WA) versus a Site Collection (SC)?

Ans:  Many teach that one Web application for collaboration is a great start. Also, we would leverage the politics of an organization to force the use of more than one WA, i.e. http://portal is tightly controlled whilst http://hogwild has self-service site mgmt enabled for short-term collaboration, with http://hogwild using the broken Dead Site Delete functionality.  That is, the business requirements are the drivers for determining the use of a Web Applications versus Site Collections.

7. Is there a limitation on the number of Content Databases (CD)? (We are assuming this is referencing assigning CD to a WA.)

Ans:  This is really a SQL Server 2000 SP4/SQL Server 2005 issue, subject to both hardware and software limitations.  For the most part, the theoretical limit is very high.

8. Can you define Site Collections (SC) in a Content Database (CD)? (We are identifying the process and options used to create a Site Collections (SC) to a specific Content Data (CD).)

Ans:  Ben and Nick posted a blog referencing the creation of Site Collections (SC) in specific Content Datases.  Please see posting at:  http://sharepointnick.com/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=17  Also, please register for the Mindsharp Premium area, http://mindsharp.com,  and download Ben Curry and Kath Hugh’s whitepaper on the STSADM command line tool.

From the GUI:

1, Take the existing contentDB(s) for that web app OFFLINE (this doesn't actually take the Site Collections offline, but prevents new Site Collections from being created in the database)

 2, Then, create a new ConentDB.

 3, Create the new Site Collection

 4, Take the step 2 content database offline. It will function normally, but refuse NEW site collections

 5, Set the original contentDB online

 From the command line:

 Stsadm.exe –o createsiteinnewdb –url -owneremail -ownerlogin -databasename

will allow you to create a Site Collection in a dedicated content database. Don't forget to take the database offline after creation, or future sites could be created in the new database.

9.  When would you recommend using Kerberos?

Ans:  If your organization is using the Kerberos authentication method, you can configure MOSS’s Web Application to use the same.

10. Do all the members of the Farm have to be the same bit (32 or 64)?

Ans:  No. we recommend that all servers of a similar function be the same. i.e. all WFEs serving a given Web App be the same H/W, S/W. There is not technical limitation here, just a Best Practice.

11. In the event a user is absent, Can someone else approve a task? If so, how does that affect the status of the task?

[BC] if you allowed that permission during creation. You can also assign a task to a group, so that any member of that group can approve. This is a checkbox available during creation. I STRESS the difference in the two options. The first allows anyone in the group to approve, the second option forces all members of the group to approve.

[PPS] using the same options with groups you can also setup that one member from each group must approve before approval is complete. Two from the same group would not be the same thing then as two from different groups.

[CHD] Also, any user that has approval rights on the item can approve or reject the item. Of course, the actual approver/rejector of the item name is listed. The name of the person assigned will only be listed when it is approved/rejected under their identity.

11.  Does Workflow point to the document item or to the task item? (This question is referencing the assignment of workflow after it is configured on the Document Library.)

[PPS] Assignment of Workflow is to a document library, list or content type. They normally use a Task list and a History list to implement the workflow. Users typically interact with the workflow by completing tasks in a task list.

12. What is a content type? What is its purpose?

Ans: A content type is a reusable collection of settings you want to apply to a certain category of content. Content types enable you to manage the metadata and behaviors of a document or item type in a centralized, reusable way. Content types, a core concept used throughout the functionality and services offered in Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, are designed to help users organize their SharePoint content in a more meaningful way. Content types are independent of file formats.

Microsoft. (2006). Windows SharePoint Server Solution Developer Kit (SDK). Redmond, Washington, USA.

13. What is a column? What is a columns purpose?

Ans: A site column is a reusable column definition, or template, that you can assign to multiple lists across multiple SharePoint sites. Site columns decrease re-work and help you ensure consistency of metadata across sites and lists.


Microsoft. (2006). Windows SharePoint Server Solution Developer Kit (SDK). Redmond, Washington, USA.

14. Why would I consider using a Feature?

Ans: The use of Features ensures consistency and availability. All in all, the deployment via Features makes site customization and upgrades simple. That is, Features eases the distributed deployment of specific functionality.

Microsoft. (2006). Windows SharePoint Server Solution Developer Kit (SDK). Redmond, Washington, USA.

posted @ 7:16 AM | Feedback (2)

Planning and architecture for Office SharePoint Server 2007 Documentation Links

Wow.... It has been a number of months since the RTM of MOSS 2007.  I have spoken with a number of individuals referencing the complexity of planning for the deployment of MOSS.  So, I decided to post a link to the planning and architecture documentation.  Please enjoy.

Planning and Architecture for Office SharePoint Server 2007, part 1

Planning and Architecture for Office SharePoint Server 2007, part 2

posted @ 6:23 AM | Feedback (2)