Friday 26 April 2013

Kace and Sonic Wall Webinar Updates for April

I thought that I would post a quick update on some of the live on-line webinars from the Dell Software Group (DSG) over the next few days...

May 16 at 8:30 am PT
SonicWALL and KACE team up to talk security from the inside-out
SonicWALL and KACE team up to talk security from the inside-out
Hear from security experts as they look at some of the latest security challenges and provide strategies for defense, including quick & easy implementation of robust solutions that provides the needed protection without negatively impacting network performance or employee productivity. 

Join us as top security experts look at some of the latest security challenges and provide strategies for defence  including how to quickly implement a robust solution that provides the protection you need without impacting your network performance or reducing employee productivity. You will learn how to better protect your networks from the inside as well as the outside, with solutions that reduce work for IT and security teams. 

You will learn about:
  • The malware menace – latest stats and facts 
  • Third party industry firewall comparison results: which firewall is best for you?
  • Best and easiest practices for securing end points
  • How a customer implemented a solution—step-by-step
Register here!


May 30 at 11 am PT
Discover how Dell Desktop Virtualization Can Further Your ESM Strategy
Given that all of your users have different requirements and expectations, it’s unlikely that a single virtualization technology will fit every need. The solution is a blended delivery model – one that reduces costs while delivering simplified management and an exceptional user experience—regardless of the endpoint device.

Register today to join desktop virtualization expert Steven Hunt of Dell Endpoint Systems Management as he demonstrates how the new Dell™ vWorkspace 8.0 can enhance your end-user strategy by:
  • Providing a simplified, blended-model solution
  • Building upon your existing virtualization platforms and enabling the adoption of new ones
  • Delivering the right technology where it’s needed for the best end-user experience
Dell vWorkspace 8.0 now adds full support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, as well as integration with RemoteFX (RDP8). See what it can do to transform desktop management across your enterprise.
Register here


You can find out more about the Dell KACE products here: 


And, you can find out more about Dell's security and firewall product Sonicwall here: 


Tuesday 16 April 2013

Application Virtualization: Powerful Delivery or Problematic Distraction?


Virtualizing applications is on track to become the standard for automating desktop management. With virtualized apps, new software requests can become self-service installations, and uninstalling software only requires deleting a few files. Applications no longer have to impact (or corrupt) the configuration of the machines they’re installed to.

So why aren’t more people using app virtualization?
Platforms such as Microsoft® App-V, Citrix® XenApp, VMware® ThinApp, and Symantec® SWV have traditionally required a time-consuming repackaging process called “sequencing.” However, new automation solutions can now streamline – and greatly automate – this otherwise costly activity.
Join the webcast where our experts will explain the role of sequencing automation in app virtualization. Challenges include:
  • Which of my applications are best suited to a hosted, virtual or cloud deployment?
  • What tools are required to test, remediate and convert my applications for the new target system(s)?
  • Which challenges could cause pain for me?
With good sequencing tools and a few best practices, we’ll show you how you can enjoy powerful delivery in a once problematic desktop management activity.

Webcast Presenters:
Quadrant Diagram
Greg Lambert, co-founder, ChangeBASE (now part of Dell): Greg has considerable experience with application-packaging technology and its deployment. Before setting up ChangeBASE, Lambert worked primarily in the financial services sector, delivering application projects for many leading banks and financial institutions.
Quadrant Diagram
Greg Shields, senior partner and principal technologist, Concentrated Technology: Greg is a contributing editor for “TechNet Magazine” and “Redmond Magazine,” and a series editor for Realtime Publishers. A sought-after and top-ranked speaker, Shields is a regular at prominent conferences such as TechMentor, Tech Ed, VMworld, and others. He is a multiple recipient of Microsoft’s “Most Valuable Professional” award and has received the VMware vExpert award.

Friday 12 April 2013

MokaFive Suite v3.14.2 Released


This release of MokaFive 3.14.2  includes many new features and fixes that improve the reach and breadth of virtual desktops in a Quest DELL vWorkspace environment. 

The vWorkspace - MokaFive Suite solution allows you to securely publish a centrally-managed PC image to a hypervisor running on an employee's laptop/PC. Corporate applications and data are kept within the local virtual machine separated from the client device operating system. 

This solution fulfills several use cases, such as offline Mac users who need access to corporate Windows applications or support for employee owned laptops. For example, with vWorkspace - MokaFive Suite an organization can deliver a secure, policy-driven LivePC image to an employee owned Dell Alienware M14x keeping corporate applications and data separated and isolated from the Alienware's operating system and applications.

Here are some of the features that have included in this latest release.

Improved Synchronization with Active Directory: With 3.14.2, the performance of syncing AD groups with the vWorkspace MokaFive Management Server has been improved. This means faster user logins to vWorkspace - MokaFive Suite Player and improved scalability for large AD environments.

Windows GINA Now Supported: Dell vWorkspace - MokaFive Suite now supports using the Windows GINA (Windows credential provider) for LivePC login. This option allows you to integrate with a wider variety of VPN products to establish a VPN connection before Windows login. The vWorkspace - MokaFive Suite GINA (MokaFive credential provider) can still be used for LivePC login. With this option, pre-login VPN integration is supported with Cisco AnyConnect, Cisco IPSec, or Juniper Network Connect.

Improved Gateway Server Support: The vWorkspace - MokaFive Suite Application Gateway server has been improved to increase performance. Please refer to the release notes for more details.

Client Pack update for Mac OS X: This MokaFive update resolves certificate issues on Mac OS X that would prevent vWorkspace – MokaFive Suite Mac Player from installing properly.

Where to download
vWorkspace – MokaFive Suite download package can be obtained from the following locations:
http://www.quest.com/vworkspace-mokafive-suite/

Click the Try button.

And you can read the MokaFive Whitepaper on transforming end-user desktop computing here: http://www.quest.com/quest_site_assets/pdf/hov-vworkspace-mokafive-us-eh.pdf

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Microsoft Patch Tuesday : April 2013



Executive Summary

With this April Microsoft Patch Tuesday update, we see a set of 9 updates; 2 of which are marked as “Critical” and 7 rated as “Important”.
The Patch Tuesday Security Update analysis was performed by the Quest ChangeBASE Patch Impact team and identified a small percentage of applications from the thousands of applications included in testing for this release which showed amber issues.

Of the nine patches, 6 "require a restart to load correctly", 3 "may require a restart", so as usual, it is probably best to assume all require a restart to be installed correctly.

Sample Results

Here is a sample of the results for two packages, seen in ChangeBASE having reported against the patch Tuesday updates:


And, here is another sample output from the ChangeBASE Patch Impact Analysis


Here is a sample summary report generated.

And, here is the overview of the patches and updates from this Microsoft Patch Tuesday on April 2013


Security Update Detailed Summary

MS13-028
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (2817183)
Description
This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. These vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Internet Explorer. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
Payload
Browseui.dll, Html.iec, Ie4uinit.exe, Ie9props.propdesc, Ieencode.dll,  Ieframe.dll, Ieframe.ptxml, Iepeers.dll, Ieproxy.dll, Iernonce.dll, Iertutil.dll, Iesetup.dll, Ieshims.dll, Iesysprep.dll, Iexplore.exe, Jscript.dll, Jscript9.dll, Jsproxy.dll,  Microsoft-windows-ie-htmlrendering.ptxml, Msfeeds.dll, Msfeeds.mof, Mshtml.dll, Mshtml.tlb, Mshtmled.dll, Mstime.dll, Shdocvw.dll, Spuninst.exe, Tdc.ocx, Url.dll, Urlmon.dll, Uxinit.dll, Uxtheme.dll, Vgx.dll, Wininet.dll, Wow64_ieframe.ptxml, Wow64_microsoft-windows-ie-htmlrendering.ptxml
Impact
Critical - Remote Code Execution

MS13-029
Vulnerability in Remote Desktop Client Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2828223) 
Description
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Remote Desktop Client. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
Payload
Aaclient.dll, Lhmstscx.dll, Spuninst.exe, Tsgqec.dll, Waaclient.dll, Wlhmstscx.dll, Wtsgqec.dll
Impact
Critical - Remote Code Execution

MS13-030
Vulnerability in SharePoint Could Allow Information Disclosure (2827663) 
Description
This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Server. The vulnerability could allow information disclosure if an attacker determined the address or location of a specific SharePoint list and gained access to the SharePoint site where the list is maintained. The attacker would need to be able to satisfy the SharePoint site's authentication requests to exploit this vulnerability.
Payload
No specific file information
Impact
Important - Information Disclosure

MS13-031
Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2813170)
Description
This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logs on to the system and runs a specially crafted application. An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to exploit these vulnerabilities.
Payload
Spuninst.exe, Ntkrnlmp.exe, Ntkrnlpa.exe, Ntkrpamp.exe, Ntoskrnl.exe, Fltmgr.sys, Hal.dll, Mpsyschk.dll, Ntdll.dll, Wntdll.dll
Impact
Important - Elevation of Privilege

MS13-032
Vulnerability in Active Directory Could Lead to Denial of Service (2830914)
Description
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Active Directory. The vulnerability could allow denial of service if an attacker sends a specially crafted query to the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) service.
Payload
Spuninst.exe, Adambsrv_xp.dll, Adamdsa.dll, Ntdsatq.dll, Xpsp4res.dll
Impact
Important - Denial of Service

MS13-033
Vulnerability in Windows Client/Server Run-time Subsystem (CSRSS) Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2820917)
Description
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in all supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logs on to a system and runs a specially crafted application. An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to exploit this vulnerability.
Payload
Spuninst.exe, Winsrv.dll
Impact
Important - Elevation of Privilege

MS13-034
Vulnerability in Microsoft Antimalware Client Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2823482) 
Description
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Microsoft Antimalware Client. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege due to the pathnames used by the Microsoft Antimalware Client. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code and take complete control of an affected system. The attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. An attacker must have valid logon credentials to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability could not be exploited by anonymous users.
Payload
No specific file information
Impact
Important - Elevation of Privilege

MS13-035
Vulnerability in HTML Sanitization Component Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2821818) 
Description
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Office. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker sends specially crafted content to a user.
Payload
Infopath.exe, Ipdesign.dll, Ipolk.dll, Ipeditor.dll
Impact
Important - Elevation of Privilege

MS13-036
Vulnerabilities in Kernel-Mode Driver Could Allow Elevation Of Privilege (2829996)
Description
This security update resolves three privately reported vulnerabilities and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logs on to the system and runs a specially crafted application. An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to exploit the most severe vulnerabilities.
Payload
Spuninst.exe, Win32k.sys
Impact
Important - Elevation of Privilege

*All results are based on an AOK Application Compatibility Lab’s test portfolio of over 1,000 applications.

Monday 8 April 2013

ChangeBASE 5.3 Released



ChangeBASE 5.3 has now been released. Over the past few months, our customers have been asking if we could:
  1. Provide a way for them to incorporate their own application naming standards to the packages listed in ChangeBASE
  2. Group multiple packages under one application name and provide a rolled up RAG
  3. Allow the application identifier name to be assigned via bulk import AND be editable via the GUI
The NEW AppID feature offers all this and will be visible in most reports.
And, with the release of ChangeBASE 5.3 we have delivered this feature request and a few more requirements relating to VMWare and Microsoft's SCCM.

Here is a summary of the changes made in ChangeBASE 5.3

AppID (ChangeBASE Application Identifier) - A new column has been added to the ChangeBASE UI and reports to allow customization of the application name. The AppID field can be edited in the UI. It can be assigned during import of packages or through the UI. A single AppID can be used to represent multiple packages. This better accommodates reporting of applications that contain multiple packages (e.g. Office). In previous versions of ChangeBASE, the separate packages would be reported independently, whereas, in 5.3.0 you can have a combined RAG under one “application” name.

Here’s what it looks like in the Profile Report (look at the column to the left):


Easier SCCM import list revision - ChangeBASE 5.3.0 provides an easier way to manage large numbers of packages from an SCCM database or server. The Export and Import buttons allow you to export the filtered packages/programs into CSV files offline, add the required action flags, view names and AppIDs, and then import the amended CSV file content directly into ChangeBASE. 

Here is a quick snap-shot of this new ChangeBASE feature;
Repackaging with Windows 7 VM (32-bit only) - Repackaging is now possible using a Windows 7 32-bit virtual machine. Previously, only XP virtual machines were supported.

Repackaging using VMware Workstation version 9 - Repackaging can now be performed using VMware Workstation version 9. Previously only version 7 was supported. Note that version 8 is not supported.

Support for Virtualization using VMware Workstation version 9 - Virtualization can now be performed using VMware Workstation version 9. Previously only version 7 was supported. Note that version 8 is not supported.

Where to get it and complete Release Notes
To dowload and for a complete list of changes including fixes, please refer to the release notes which can be found under the Docs tab --> "Support Docs, Notes and Guides" at this link:


Friday 5 April 2013

DELL vWorskspace 8.0 Released


We're very excited to announce the release of Dell vWorkspace 8.0, the first release of vWorkspace in being a part of Dell!

The road to the Dell vWorkspace 8.0 release has been a very interesting one as we worked with our   colleagues in other parts of Dell. Along the way, we’ve had a lot of interest from our passionate customer base and Dell colleagues about the direction of the product. Now that Quest Software is a part of Dell, we can safely say we're more dedicated than ever in providing our customers with a cost-efficient desktop virtualization that provides unique value and enables customers to embrace BYOD while delivering an excellent user experience no matter where they are or what connectivity they might have.

The major new functionality in Dell vWorkspace 8.0 is a great testament to this!

User Experience Boost While Requiring 80% Less Bandwidth
Dell vWorkspace 8.0 has full support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 - we are able to leverage one of the most important features in these new platforms: RemoteFX (or as it is also known RDP8). This new version of RDP provides a true user experience boost and the great thing about it is that it doesn't matter whether you are connected across the LAN or the WAN. Usually, this kind of a performance improvement comes at the price of requiring more network bandwidth but not with Dell vWorkspace 8.0 - you actually need less bandwidth. Using the industry-standard LoginVSI benchmark a staggering 80% reduction in bandwidth usage can be seen!
And on top of that, Dell vWorkspace 8.0 makes the user experience even better by adding value with our EOP technologies like, for example, EOP Flash Acceleration.

Reducing Storage Costs even further and making RD Session Host even more Cost Efficient

We've introduced some amazing new features in the Hyper-V Catalyst Components.
HyperDeploy
in Dell vWorkspace 8.0 we enhanced our patent-pending HyperDeploy technology to optimize the storage of virtual desktops that are managed by Dell vWorkspace 8.0. The disk space savings are amazing: running the industry standard Login VSI benchmark, HyperDeploy only consumed 50% of the disk space normally required when compared to previous versions.
HyperCache
We brought the benefits of our patent-pending HyperCache to RD Session Host! Earlier testing showed that 80% IOPS reduction can be easily achieved. So with Dell vWorkspace 8.0 customers now benefit from the IOPS reduction and performance improvement on RD Session as well!

User Experience Monitoring
In Dell vWorkspace 8.0 we introduce a completely new feature called User Experience Monitoring. This feature was designed from the ground up to help customers get to the bottom of user experience issues as fast as possible. The User Experience Monitor functionality is available right from the single vWorkspace Management Console and allows customer to answer important questions about the user experience, such as for example:
  • What kind of device is being used? For example it might be good to know if it is an iPhone or a Windows PC.
  • What is the network quality like? We show you the current and past network statistics so you can understand if they are a factor.
  • What version of the vWorkspace Connector is connected? Maybe a really old version is being used - important to know.
  • Is EOP being used? We show you exactly which EOP features are in use.
  • How is vWorkspace used? It is important to know whether a student is on campus or not or perhaps whether the user is in the office or working from home.
The features above are the main new features but there is some other great new functionality in Dell vWorkspace 8.0 like: 
  • Multi-Tenancy: The new Multi-Tenancy capability in vWorkspace 8.0 drives down the cost of desktop virtualization by reducing the infrastructure and administrative efforts needed to support complex vWorkspace deployments that span multiple domains, as commonly seen in DaaS customers.
  • Anonymous User Support: Customers can assign vWorkspace resources anonymously, removing the need for authentication before a user can use a vWorkspace resource, for example a Managed Application. This feature is very convenient in environments where shared workstations or kiosk deployments are common; such as in healthcare or education.
  • Quest Password Manager Integration: An option to use Quest Password Manager has been added to vWorkspace Web Access and the vWorkspace Windows Connector to allow customers to use the rich feature set of Quest Password Manager for their password management requirements.
  • EOP Flash Acceleration Improvements: EOP Flash Acceleration automatically adapts for the best possible user experience based on the network characteristics, working together with RemoteFX (RDP8). In addition,  EOP Flash Acceleration is faster and supports even more sites out of the box.
  • Additional RD Session Host Logon Security: Dell vWorkspace 8.0 allows customers to add an extra layer of security because access to a RD Session Host is only allowed if a user is successfully authenticated by the vWorkspace Connection Broker.
Here are some things customers can do to learn more: