Cluster Help

More on StarWind Software Version 5.0

2009-11-17T07:03:00Z

Last week, I was in Indianapolis delivering one of our ClusterHelp.com classes. When we did the Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster lab, I configured a Quorum and two other disks for each student by using StarWind Software 5.0. We then set up the clusters for each student after configuring the iSCSI initiator in Windows Server 2008. The performance was fantastic. After class, I went back to my hotel room and continued to play with v 5.0. I am more than just a little impressed. From the StarWind...(read more)

StarWind 5.0 Preview - It is Official

2009-10-18T01:18:00Z

I strongly recommend a visit to StarWind's website to read about the upcoming release of StarWind's iSCSI target software software. I usually explain what it is to people by calling it a software SAN for Windows servers. Any Windows server can be made into a SAN by using StarWind's software. However, version 5.0 adds automated failover between servers to provide fault tolerance for the storage. For more info, visit the StarWind site at http://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-v5-preview...(read more)

Want Replicated Storage Without Buying Multiple SANs?

2009-10-14T01:16:00Z

If the answer is a loud and resounding , "YES!" then you are not alone. I hear from reliable sources that the new StarWind Software release will have this capability in it and will enable WAN separated clustering of file services as well as other services. How? I am glad you asked. From what I have seen, the software will perform the replication and control it and also provide a single user interface for iSCSI so that the cluster can point to a single iSCSI target source and if it fails...(read more)

Exchange Server 2007 CCR on Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster

2009-08-29T00:38:00Z

I did a one day workshop on March 15 in Orlando at the Exchange Connections conference. As usual, it was a great deal of fun. However, for some reason, I never posted this blog entry until today. Anyways, I decided to put some of the key bits of information out here for others to enjoy. I hope it helps everyone. First off, we need to understand that putting up a CCR cluster requires several steps, which can be combined into four categories. Configure the Hardware Install and Configure the Operating...(read more)

PowerShell and Windows Server 2008 Failover Clusters

2009-08-29T00:36:00Z

One of the major changes moving forward into Windows Server 2008 R2 is that some of the tools are being deprecated (I love that word) in favor of PowerShell. Some people just screamed, “Wooo hooo, fantastic!” while others screamed, “Great, now I have to learn another tool after investing all of those years in the tools of the past!” I, personally, take the first view point in that this is great news. It now forces me to start using PowerShell more than just in Exchange Server...(read more)

Antivirus for Windows Home Server

2009-08-13T01:48:00Z

I was using the freebie that came with my WHS, which is provided by McAfee. So, me being a lazy person, I figured I would just purchase the product since the free trial ran out. Once on the console, it looked easy. I clicked the link to buy the product. Well, that is where it because a major pain. While McAfee was more than willing to take my money, they don't seem very willing to tell you how to install it. No problem, I will suck it up and call the tech support team. Well, the tech support...(read more)

StarWind Software - Cluster Presentations

2009-08-12T20:23:00Z

StarWind Software has been a wonderful partner to work with over the last few years. I first started working with the product when it was part of Rocket Division, but it was split off and became its own company several months ago. I recently did a web cast for StarWind Software, and it was a fun project. They also have had several others do web casts on cluster topics. I highly recommend that everyone visit their site to learn more about clustering and to see how their product works with clustering...(read more)

Free Office Communications Server 2007 Architectural Poster - Get Yours!

2009-04-09T00:40:00Z

I love free stuff. https://www.mindsharp.com/Default.aspx?page=Login&destPage=UCPosterRequest You can also get free SharePoint posters, whitepapers, and more....(read more)

Exchange 2007 CCR on Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster - Steps and Videos

2009-04-09T00:35:00Z

I wrote up some information on deploying CCR on Windows Server 2008 after doing a full day workshop. After trying to explain how to perform some of the steps, I found it was easier to demo some of the steps, so I used Camtasia to capture them and save them as .avi files. Make a trip to my Mindsharp blog for more info: http://unifiedcommunications.mindsharpblogs.com/RussK/archive/2009/04/03/Exchange-Server-2007-CCR-on-Windows-Server-2008-Failover-Cluster.aspx...(read more)

Exchange Server 2007 Disaster Planning

2009-03-19T22:03:00Z

During my one day pre-conference session at Exchange Connections, I heard a desire for something that doesn't exist today. Later in the week, I sat in the back during a Harold Wong session, and the same topic/request/demand/whatever came up. The basic is this: Customer sets up CCR in site1. Customer sets up CCR in site1 as an SCR source to a member server in site2. Customer wants to activate SCR destination because of a problem with bandwidth from site1 to site2 and from site1 to the Internet...(read more)

New Office Communications Server (OCS) Blog

2009-01-22T02:54:00Z

I started a new blog on the MindsharpBlogs.com site. So far, I am just having a little fun, but I will be adding lots of new content there in the next few weeks. Make sure to add it to your feed list. My plan is to discuss Unified Communications in general, OCS 2007 and OCS 2007 R2, and hardware such as headsets and phone devices. I have a few headsets that I need to review, so I will post those reviews there, too. For those that hate links, here is the URL: http://unifiedcommunications.mindsharpblogs...(read more)

StarWind Software

2009-01-20T23:44:00Z

Many of us in the clustering community use StarWind for our iSCSI targets so that we can create clusters easily for testing and production. Rocket Division decided to break StarWind into its own company. Right now, they are in the process of making the changes internally, but I decided to spring the leak and let everyone know right now. <G> You can reach them at www.starwindsoftware.com for now. What you will find is a very basic web page, but they will have it all ready to go soon. Along with...(read more)

What is an MCT?

2008-12-19T07:30:00Z

There has been a great discussion string lately on the private MCT newsgroups where we have been talking about what an MCT really is and how the MCT certification is perceived by those that hold the certification and by the general IT public. It made me go back and think a bit about the last 12 years of my life. In 1996, I was working at Digital Equipment Corp (DEC) and we had the contract to support Windows NT Workstation 3.51 for Microsoft. So when people called the 800 support number that was...(read more)

New OCS 2007 Course

2008-12-19T07:23:00Z

Last week was an eventful one for us here at Mindsharp. We had one of our Mindsharp Summits in Washington, DC. What makes this one more special than in the past is that this is the first time that a Mindsharp Summit has included a course focused on Unified Communications. This is a big step for us at Mindsharp. We have seen that Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 in combination with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Unified Messaging provides a real alternative for the communications needs...(read more)

CoMo Error - You must update your version of Communicator Mobile

2008-10-09T13:11:00Z

So, long story, short version: I was trying to hook up Communicator Mobile 2007 on my HTC S710 running WM 6.1. I downloaded the latest version from the Microsoft download site and installed it. So far so good. I then entered all of the important information in the client, you know, like the address info and my log on info. I clicked on sign in and after a couple of minutes, I got this ugly error message that said: "You must update your version of Communicator Mobile before you can sign in.....(read more)

Upcoming Mindsharp Summits and Unified Communications

2008-10-01T19:39:00Z

We have been working really hard these last few weeks completing our courseware for Unified Communciations. OK, it is really just the first round. Our first course will focus on Core Technologies in Office Communications Server 2007. In this course, we will talk about how OCS fits into Unified Communications, the different server roles, and how to implement basic instant messaging as well as conferencing and voice. The second course will be focused on using OCS 2007 and Exchange 2007 Unified Messaging...(read more)

New MVP Award

2008-10-01T19:31:00Z

I received the formal announcement this morning that I am awarded the MVP again for my work in Windows High Availability (Server Clustering). No, that is not the title, but that is the way that I try to treat the subject. As an contributor to the different communities around the world, I try to provide some objective information to questions and issues. One of the hardest things for me to respond to are those that want to implement Failover Clustering (that is the term in Windows Server 2008), but...(read more)

Best Practices SharePoint Conference

2008-08-22T09:44:00Z

The Best Practices SharePoint Conference in Washington, DC is scheduled for September 15-17. Well, first the bad news. It is offically SOLD OUT. The good new? It is officially SOLD OUT....(read more)

Virtualization and Exchange Server 2007 Support

2008-08-21T05:57:00Z

For serveral years, we have had heard in the industry how great virtualization is and how it can save us a fortune in reduced data center foot prints and make our companies more efficient as well as more effective when it comes to moving new products into production and consolidation of servers. The big issue/concern has been whether we can get support from Microsoft for products that we are running in a virtualized environment. Who wants to invest in virtualization if it means that we won't...(read more)

Buy.com and Extremely Poor Customer Service

2008-08-20T08:38:00Z

I have been buying products from the Internet for several years now. I seldom do any of my major shopping in stores anymore. The other day, buy.com advertised a laptop that looked like something that I could use and the price was right. So, I placed an order. It never arrived. I placed it again, and received an email saying that I need to provide more information. They asked that I go to http://www.buy.com/ccalt.htm and fax them the form all filled out so they could ship my laptop. Look at it when...(read more)