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Using Transparent Data Encryption in SQL Server 2008 For MBAM

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If you want to install Microsoft Bitlocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM), then you will need to encrypt the SQL database that houses the keys for bitlocker.

You will need at least the Enterprise version of SQL Server 2008 (I used R2, but 2008 SP2 should also work).

The command to enter in a SQL Query tool is
use master
go

create Master key
encryption by password = 'PasswordHere'

This will allow MBAM to continue and install provided you met the other requirements.

In another post, I will cover off recovering the MBAM database and building a disaster recovery plan for MBAM.

 



Bitlocker Administration and Monitoring Registry Edit


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I have been in the pilot stages of a Bitlocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) implementation here at the school board. For my pilot, I am using a single server implementation. Now, in real life to implement MBAM you should be using a three server or five server implementation. I pinged @StephenLRose asking what the difference would be between three and five and the response was basically around where you would want the roles hosted and not about scalability. Size wise, 25,000 clients is what each MBAM implementation can handle.


So my pilot was to check out the implemenation guide, see how it works for encrypting the drive. The issue I did have so far was clients not checking in with the MBAM Server. What I found was a registry hack that needed to be done. The hack is this (from the TechNet forums):


Add a registry key on MBAM server under HKLM\Software\Microsoft

Create a new key called MBAM and then create a new Dword 32-bit value called DisableMachineVerification and set to 1


After you do this, on client restart the MBAM client service and then this issue should be resolved.


I performed that step and I was off to the races. The computer checked in to MBAM and then prompted me to encrypt the drive.  Another next step is to provide some automation for our imaging process.


Windows 7 – The Lineup is Released


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Microsoft announced their Windows 7 lineup today. The plan for Windows 7 is to promote 2 main versions in North America, Professional and Home Premium, but the other versions will be there as well. 


The versions being offered are as follows and the points listed are my interpretation of the what I read in the article. 


    

  • Starter – Only available to OEM’s.
    • 

  • Home Basic – Not available in North America
    • 

  • Home Premium – The version for home users
    • 

  • Professional – Mainstream version for business customers
    • 

  • Enterprise – For customers who opt to purchase Software Assurance, has bitlocker and other security features
    • 

  • Ultimate – For those customers who want every feature available
    • 



According to the article, there is supposed to be a natural progression from version to version, as opposed to having some features in some versions and not others at the same level like we saw in Vista. (The example given was Media Centre being available in Vista Home Premium but not Vista Business). 


It will be interesting to see what the differences between versions on Windows 7 will be. From the press release, it looks like Bitlocker will only be available to customers who buy Ultimate or purchase Software Assurance and utilize the Enterprise edition of Windows 7. That’s a shame because I think the value of Bitlocker should be available to home users along with businesses. Home users have a need to protect their data just like a company, but I guess I can’t have everything in one version. 


The complete plan is located at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/feb09/02-03Win7SKU-QA.mspx


 


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