OWSUG.ca

March 2010 - Posts

• April 7th OWSUG event is Windows 7 Security – by Dana Epp (clarification)

  So, I had input incorrect details in our April 7th event which have since been corrected. This evening event will be a Windows 7 Security workshop hosted by Dana Epp. https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=147202 The registration link is still Read More... Posted Friday, March 26, 2010 1:47 PM by Brad Bird | 3 Comments

• Windows 7 Deployment Deep Dive – Take 2 was a success!

  Last night, we put on a second instance of the Energize IT Windows 7 Deployment Deep Dive. We called it:  Windows 7 Deployment Deep Dive – Take 2. Pierre Roman had a stellar performance!  Thanks Pierre! We also hosted a 30 minute demo from Ottawa Read More... Posted Friday, March 26, 2010 9:29 AM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• Ottawa Windows Server User Group & other – upcoming events

  We have a lot coming! On March 30, we have Install fest at the Hampton Inn on Coventry. https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032440976&Culture=en-CA On March 31, we have Energize IT hosted by OWSUG at Algonquin College. https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032441787&Culture=en-CA Read More... Posted Friday, March 26, 2010 9:10 AM by Brad Bird | 1 Comments

• My Linksys Firmware upgrade post received top billing in the Tech Republic Network Administrator Newsletter

  I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see that my router firmware upgrade project tinkering received top billing in the Network Administrator newsletter on Tech Republic this morning. See the article here: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=2807&tag=nl.e10 Read More... Posted Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:51 AM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• Inspirational Thoughts on Persistence in Life

  Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs.  His story is inspiring and his message is clear.  This is a credit to my friend and colleague Michael Beauchamp: Never, Ever, Give Up! Attitude is Altitude http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/ Read More... Posted Friday, March 19, 2010 6:59 AM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• New Virtualization features have been announced in today’s MS Press Pass.

  With Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 we can expect “dynamic memory” and “RemoteFX” amongst other features. Read more here: http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-18DesktopVirtPR.mspx Read More... Posted Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:04 AM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• DNS 2008 External name resolution monitor is always in “critical” state in SCOM 2007 R2

  I ran into an issue with my SCOM environment that prompted some digging. My external name resolution monitor for my DNS 2008 MP was always coming up critical.  See below: The server health status would roll up to critical and consequently would cause Read More... Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010 11:10 AM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• Dynamic VHD format vs. Fixed VHD format is dramatically improved in Server 2008 R2

  I hesitate to believe what I am told when there is no supporting data.  I have experimented a fair bit with dynamic and differencing disks in Virtual PC, Virtual Server and Hyper-V (Server 2008).  Thanks to my Virtual Machine MVP colleagues Read More... Posted Monday, March 15, 2010 1:03 PM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• My Virtual Home-Office Test Lab

  I submitted a post to Tech republic earlier in the month to detail what I am doing and what makes up my Home Office test lab.  See Below: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=2747&tag=content;leftCol Read More... Posted Sunday, March 14, 2010 3:14 PM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• March 25 OWSUG Event – Windows 7 Deployment Deep Dive – Take 2

  This event was incredibly popular last time and many could not make it either because the registration filled up or the storm so Pierre Roman has offered to run the event one more time! Topic: Deployment Deep Dive on Windows 7 Community Tour-Ottawa Take Read More... Posted Sunday, March 14, 2010 1:47 PM by Brad Bird | 1 Comments

• Wish List Item – Flexibility mapping an ISO image in SCVMM

  I was asked earlier this week about differences between managing VMs using Hyper-V and managing them with SCVMM. For the record, even if you import the Hyper-V host into SCVMM to be managed centrally you can continue to manage said host from Hyper-V manager.  Read More... Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 5:35 PM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• March 31 OWSUG enabled Energize IT Event

  I am excited to announce that Microsoft is coming to town to host Energize IT Community Connection: From the Client to the Cloud on March 31 st in Ottawa and I’d like to make sure you get the invite. Energize IT : C ommunity Connection: From the Read More... Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 4:10 PM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• Recovering data from a ‘Partly’ cooked piece of hardware – Part 2

  I determined that the enclosure’s controller board is indeed “partly” fried.  I used the enclosure with another system and it caused the system to freeze but no POST issues.  This would have been a PAIN to discover. The drive survived though Read More... Posted Monday, March 08, 2010 5:57 PM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• Recovering Data from a “Partly” Cooked Piece of Hardware part 1

  So I was thrilled yesterday to get everything setup the way I needed so that I could connect my eSATA drive to my 4GB DC/SQL 2008 server so that I could back up my data and finally grow my system partition… I had everything perfect, then I made a noob Read More... Posted Monday, March 08, 2010 8:56 AM by Brad Bird | 0 Comments

• Latest tinkering and Virtual Lab craziness – Make it work on a budget…

  I have 2 major systems which I use for my home Virtual lab.  1 system is a 4GB dual core 64-bit small form factor PC which hosts my DC, SQL 2008 server, and VMM 2008 R2.  The other is my quad core 16GB system which hosts most of my VMs on Hyper-V Read More... Posted Sunday, March 07, 2010 6:22 PM by Brad Bird | 1 Comments

• Battle to get SQL 2008 properly installed in my System Center Virtual Lab

  I finally have more than 5 days at home to get some work done which was on the back burner.  1 major task I will complete is to make my home office lab accessible remotely.  I’ll do this with either Direct Access (if I can get the consecutive Read More... Posted Sunday, March 07, 2010 4:38 AM by Brad Bird | 2 Comments

• I am Virtualizing so How is it that I still need more Machines?

  The never ending pit of despair… I am using Hyper-V and SCVMM to their fullest across all of my machines.  I am keeping the systems running optimally as far as performance. Now what do I need? MORE!  I need MORE! I think like most ITPROs I was Read More... Posted Wednesday, March 03, 2010 11:16 AM by Brad Bird | 1 Comments