Category: Windows Server
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Windows Server 2016: A pet peeve
Over the next few weeks, as I do my first production infrastructure implementation based on Windows Server 2016 and System Center 2016, I am sure this list will grow longer. In the meantime, I have uncovered my first pet peeve in the new version. Don’t get me wrong, overall I like Server 2016… but to…
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Scheduling Server Restarts
If you manage servers you have likely come to a point where you finished doing work and got a prompt ‘Your server needs to reboot. Reboot now?’ Well you can’t reboot now… not during business hours. I guess you’ll have to come back tonight… or this weekend, right? Wrong. Scheduling a reboot is actually pretty…
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Remotely Enable RDP
Like most IT Managers I manage myriad servers, most of which are both remote and virtual. So when I configure them initially I make sure that I can manage them remotely… including in most cases the ability to connect via RDP (Remote Desktop). But what happens if you have a server that you need to…
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Since When…?
Those of us who have been in the IT industry for a while remember the heady days of never having to reboot a server… otherwise known as ‘The days before Windows Server.’ Those days are long gone, and even non-Windows servers need to be patched and restarted. But how do you know when it last happened?…
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Server Core on VMware
When I was a Virtual Technical Evangelist for Microsoft Canada I spent a lot of time telling you why you should use Server Core… especially if you were on Hyper-V. Why? You save resources. It is now over two years since I turned in my Purple Badge, and I still think Server Core rocks. In…
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SQL Server: How to tame the beast!
One of the benefits of virtualization is that you can segregate your SQL Servers from your other workloads. Why? If not then Microsoft SQL Server will hoard every last bit of resources on your machine, leaving scant crumbs for other workloads. Seriously… when you start the Microsoft SQL Server you will immediately see your memory…
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UNC Path Nightmare
Anyone who has taken a basic networking course will understand that UNC (Universal Naming Convention) paths are one of the common ways we in IT access file shares across our local networks. They will usually look like this: \\oak-mgt-01\Sharename. Of course, you can see all of the shares on a particular server by just entering…
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OEM Servers: Myths vs. Realities
In a recent conversation I realized that there are still a lot of misconceptions about OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) operating system rights with regard to Windows Server. While I am not here to say who is right and who is wrong (whether one should or should not buy OEM operating systems), I still think it…
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Server Core: Every bit the Full Server as the GUI is!
Microsoft introduced Server Core with Windows Server 2008, which means that it was the same kernel as Windows Vista. Now, nobody is going to stand up and sing the praises of Vista, but Server 2008 was a very solid OS. You may (or may not) remember that there was a campaign around Vista called ‘The WOW starts…
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Let’s Spread the Action Around… With NLB! (Part 1)
**AUTHOR’S NOTE: I have written hundreds of articles on this blog over the past decade. Until recently I spent a lot of time taking screen shots of GUI consoles for my how-to articles. For the time being, as I try to force myself into the habit, I will be using Windows PowerShell as much as…
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Keep Up: How to configure SCOM to monitor the running state of services and restart them when they stop
Windows runs on services. Don’t believe me? Open your Services console and count just how many are running at any given time. Of course, some of them are more important than others… especially when you are talking about servers that are critical to your organization. A new customer recently called me for a DEAR Call…
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End Of Days 2003: The End is Nigh!
In a couple of days we will be saying goodbye to 2014 and ringing in the New Year 2015. Simple math should show you that if you are still running Windows Server 2003, it is long since time to upgrade. However here’s more: When I was a Microsoft MVP, and then when I was a…
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Do IT Remotely
A few days ago I was in with my boss and he asked me to perform a particular bit of maintenance during off-hours. ‘Just come into the office tonight after Taekwondo and do it… it shouldn’t take you very long.’ He was right, and I almost did… and then I remembered that in 2014 there…
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Windows 8.1 Bits (RTM)!
This is cut and pasted directly from the TechNet blog: Based on the feedback from you and our partners, we’re pleased to announce that we will be making available our current Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro RTM builds (as well as Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM builds) to the developer and IT professional communities…
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The advantages of selling Office 365 and Windows Server
Many small and midsize businesses today are considering the use of cloud-based software applications for the ease, accessibility, and cost benefits they can offer. At the same time, many still need an on-site platform for a range of needs from hosting applications, to print sharing, to storing sensitive financial data. As our valued partner of…
The World According to Mitch 