My Notes to Myself and Others... : Server

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) Beta is now available

Erik Rozman — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:29:46 GMT

Basically provides you with remote management tools for Windows 2008.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windows/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?DownloadID=9561

Also,check out the post on the Windows Server Division Blog.

Citrix to acquire XenSource

Erik Rozman — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 07:42:28 GMT

Somewhat surprising but understandable. The question is how will Citrix size up against Microsoft
if Microsoft will see them as a competition and not a partner.

Official announcement by Citrix

Brian Maddens comments

Windows 2008 Technical Library

Erik Rozman — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:27:03 GMT

With the advent of Windows 2008 (Beta),and basically everyone getting their hands on a copy and
trying to learn how to use it, the Windows 2008 Technical Library can be a great resource.
The library describes what's new and provides step by step guides to explore the features:

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/bab0f1a1-54aa-4cef-9164-139e8bcc44751033.mspx?mfr=true

Hotfix Request Web Submission Form

Erik Rozman — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:49:00 GMT

Instead of calling Microsoft for a hotfix you can now use the Hotfix Request Web Submission Form at:
https://support.microsoft.com/contactus2/emailcontact.aspx?scid=sw;en;1410&WS=hotfix

A memory leak occurs if the DNS dynamic update protocol is enabled on a DHCP server that is running Windows Server 2003

Erik Rozman — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:18:00 GMT

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939928

Windows Server 2008 Component Posters

Erik Rozman — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 20:21:00 GMT

These two posters, originally published in the July 2007 issue of TechNet Magazine, provide a
strong visual tool to aide in the understanding of various features and components of Windows
Server 2008. One poster focuses exclusively on powerful new Active Directory technologies,
while the other provides a technical look at a variety of new features available in Windows Server
2008 (such as Server Core, Network Access Protection, and more).

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c2b9e44e-0bbd-47cb-bc09-b3d48be7f867&displaylang=en

Windows 2008 Impressions: Attended Installation

Erik Rozman — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 18:36:00 GMT

The attended installation process of Windows 2008 has been simplified.

Until Windows 2008, the process of installing a Windows system included the basic configuration of the system.
In other words the installer was asked a bunch of question he had to answer and once he was done he had a running
system. The system still needed to be configured but a basic system was up and running.

Windows 2008 changes this, (the installation no longer provides a running system) in order to simplify the installation
process almost all configurative questions have been removed and we are left with the bare necessities. The installation
process (very similar to Vista’s installation process) is comprised of the following questions:

1. Location (locale and time zone)

2. Disk partitioning-note that you do not have to create a partition, you can simply choose empty space and the
installation procedure will configure it for you

3. Product Key-by entering the correct key the correct version of the OS is chosen, if no key is entered the installer is
warned yet he is allowed to choose the version of the installation and he has to provide the key later on.

That’s it.

To Windows veterans this may seem a bit strange, you may be asking yourself, where is the part in which we configure
networking, you may also be asking yourself where do I chose the components I want installed…the answer is that they
have been removed from the installation process for the sake of simplicity.

When you are done with the installation all you get is a system with a very basic installation of Windows 2008 Server. System
configuration has been moved from the installation further down the line. Do not fear though, it has not been moved too far down
the line, you actually configure your server just after you have installed it with two new tools provided by the system (I will write
about them in my next post on the subject).

I am not sure how to treat this change or how I feel about it. On one hand there is no doubt that this change simplifies the installation
process of the OS which in turn allows quicker installations due to it’s “fire and forget” style, yet on the other hand it provides less
flexibility during the installation phase and it makes it seem a lot simpler to deploy a server. In addition to that it also makes it seem simpler
to deploy the OS. You may be asking why does that seem problematic?

Begin rant: The field of IT is being treated with less respect due to the fact that everyone feels that they can get involved with IT,
they understand IT and they can do IT since IT is simple. When all you need to deploy and OS is to click a mouse things
will get a lot worse…
Obviously this isn't the root of all evil yet deploying a server correctly isn't as simple as clicking on a button and in my opinion
the impression that it is as simple as clicking on a button shouldn't be created...after all perception is everything.

Disclaimer- The experiences and the ideas expressed in this post are my personal experiences. If you feel that they are inaccurate
or incorrect feel free to contact me about them.

Active Directory Explorer

Erik Rozman — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:29:00 GMT

This tool (from Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell) is basically ADSI Edit on steroids.
It allows you to connect to your AD environment directly thus providing you a "raw" view
of your directory and in turn the ability to change the directory directly(which might cause a lot
of pain since you are working without the net provided by the traditional AD tools).

A feature of this tool that seems extremely useful to me is it's ability to take a snapshot
of a directory (and then another snapshot) and eventually to compare the two snapshots
providing you with a list of what has changed.

The tools ability to filter the results and to provide a very focused view of what has changed
makes this tool very useful even in dynamic environments.

Download the tool from:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/adexplorer.mspx

TCP Header Checksums Displayed as Corrupted (using Network Monitor)

Erik Rozman — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:12:00 GMT

OK,so I was troubleshooting and odd issue with an FTP server and one of the things
that caught my attention while using Network Monitor (on a Windows 2000 server)
was that some(actually almost all) of the TCP checksums (originating from the server)
were found to be incorrect.

At first I thought I was having a networking problem,yet someone pointed out the fact
that since the calculation was being offloaded to the NIC Network Monitor may be
calculating the checksums incorrectly.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/243294

TechNet Webcast: The New Server Core Installation Option in Windows Server 2008 (Level 300)

Erik Rozman — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 19:27:00 GMT

The description from the website:

Summary

In this session, we explore Server Core, a new minimal installation option included in Windows Server 2008. A Server Core installation provides a minimal environment for running a subset of the server roles, the Active Directory directory service, Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services, Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and file, print, and media services. Server Core also can reduce the servicing and management requirements and the attack surface for those server roles. In this webcast, we discuss the architecture of Server Core, in addition to installation, configuration, and administration of Server Core.

Presenter: Andrew Mason, Principal Program Manager Lead, Microsoft Corporation

Follow the link to view the webcast.

ADModify- Making bulk changes in style

Erik Rozman — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 17:15:00 GMT

ADModify is a tool that will enable an AD/Exchange admin to make bulk
changes in user properties.

One of the special treats of this tool is the fact that it provides a simple GUI for
configuring the accepted MAPI level for clients.

You can download the tool at:
http://www.gotdotnet.com/workspaces/workspace.aspx?id=f5cbbfa9-e46b-4a7a-8ed8-3e44523f32e2

You may receive a "Stop 0x0000000A" error message when you shut down or restart a computer that is running Windows Server 2003

Erik Rozman — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 22:54:00 GMT

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;902069

Who said fonts aren't important???

Erik Rozman — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 22:51:00 GMT

You may receive a “Stop 0x000000ab” error message when you log off a Terminal Services session on a Windows Server 2003 SP1-based Terminal Server

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;901150

You cannot connect to a Telnet server that is running on a Windows Server 2003-based computer

Erik Rozman — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 22:48:00 GMT

Don't really see a major reason for using Telnet,but:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;902439

LimitLogin v1.0

Erik Rozman — Tue, 15 Mar 2005 15:00:00 GMT

Microsoft has released a tool we have been waiting for-a tool that enables
SysAdmins to control conccurent logins to their AD environment.

Based on the short time I have been exposed to this tool I can say that
it looks cool but it has its limitations.

The download can be found at:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/d/0/fd05def7-68a1-4f71-8546-25c359cc0842/limitlogin.exe

Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

Erik Rozman — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 15:58:00 GMT

SP1 is on the way and so are its changes. Take a look:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C3C26254-8CE3-46E2-B1B6-3659B92B2CDE&displaylang=en

Proactive managemnet

Erik Rozman — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 19:36:00 GMT

Slogans are something that I do not particulary like-especially if they stay slogans.
On the other hand when you start implmenting slogans you may gain an advantage or two.One
of the widely used slogans for IT managemnet is “Be Proactive”. This is one of the slogans I can relate
to. Managing your IT inrastructure in a proactive manner will make you look better to your
user community and managemnet.

One of the things I hate most is reacting-when you react since one of your users is calling and saying that
the E-mail system is down you are in trouble(actually when the users come breaking down your door you are
in real trouble).

To be able to be proactive you need tools that will help you be proactive, these tools will keep you up to
date on the status of your systems. Some of these tools may cost money(and a lot of it) while others are free.

One of the tools I have lately came face to face with is called SiteScope from Mercury. I have to admit
that I am very impressed with it. It will provide you with all the info you need without placing a burden on
your systems.

http://www.mercury.com/us/products/application-management/foundation/monitors/sitescope/

If you want something that is for free(less features) and for windows systems only you can use the
built in System Monitor which is quite good.

It doesn't really matter what you use-just use something and do yourself a favor be proactive.

The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Erik Rozman — Wed, 12 Jan 2005 15:19:00 GMT

From the article:

“Microsoft has released the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to help remove specific, prevalent malicious software from computers that are running Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP, or Microsoft Windows 2000. The Malicious Software Removal Tool supersedes all virus-cleaner tools that were previously released by Microsoft. You can download the Malicious Software Removal Tool from the Microsoft Download Center. You can also run an online version of the tool from the Malicious Software Removal Tool Web site on Microsoft.com. To run the Malicious Software Removal Tool from either location, you must log on to your computer with an account that is a member of the Administrators group. If you are running Windows XP, you can also run the Malicious Software Removal Tool from the Windows Update Web site or by using Automatic Updates.”

Security Updates(Microsoft) January 2005

Erik Rozman — Wed, 12 Jan 2005 15:17:00 GMT

Take a look at:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200501_windows.mspx

Comparing directory (AD) information between DCs

Erik Rozman — Sat, 08 Jan 2005 00:28:00 GMT

While verifying AD replication it may be useful to compare the directory information
stored on different domain controllers. There is a toold that can compare the information
and it is called DSASTAT.EXE. The tool can be found among the Windows Support Tools.

For additional information take a look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/techref/en-us/Default.asp?url=/Resources/Documentation/windowsserv/2003/all/techref/en-us/dsastat.asp