AZ SMB IT Thoughts

Security in the Air...

2009-08-13T17:19:00.013-07:00

With the new trend on internet on airplanes, I am presented with a new question.

Is airplane wireless any different than coffee shop or or other public hotspots or cell carrier wireless?

Of course, that goes on top of these other questions I already had. What do you tell your clients about their security concerns when accessing internet access while on the road or a business trip? Should clients be using those "privacy screens" on their laptops? Does wifi devices have any additional concerns?

These are all questions that I have asked myself about lately. Right now, at this very moment, I am for the first time using internet on a Delta flight. I find that the questions are even more insistent as I type this from my seat at 28C.

Now, I know that it seems that I have an answer for everything. But I do not. I post those things were I have reached a conclusion based on my long experience in the field as both technician and business advisor. But for this, I do not have answers.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have some ideas, but they are not as polished as I would like, and the final conclusions are still in a state of flux. Of course, shield your laptop screen if possible, but do we push this with our clients, especially if they are using a business laptop for recreation on vacation? Do we get them to use those little wireless routers or the new hotspot devices from Verizon and Sprint? Do we advise them to not use the free Wifi at the airports because nefarious people put up hotspots cloning the same SSID as the airports wifi? (True story, that does happen and I have seen it!)

There is help on the way! I am excited about the new multi policy firewall inside Windows 7 that will allow multiple network connects at once with a different policy for each. Paul Cook writes about how it will help to enable the mobile workforce.

Lots of questions and I am still looking for my final answers on this.

Justifying the Cost of Security...

2009-08-09T22:21:00.008-07:00

Security is always a balance between available money and potential for threats.

Ever been in that situation with a client were they NEED some righteous security upgrades, but you haven't figured out how to get them to pay for it?

Yep, if you have been in business any amount of time, you can say "YES" to that statement. I have often been there and have tried different methods to get the client to do the right thing. So, here are my thoughts on how best to do this.

FIRST, decide if this is a keeper client. If they fight you on every upgrade that you advise, then disengage with them. This becomes the item you can use to "request" the client become serious. Let them know that, if they do not "get with the program", you will have to refer them to another tech firm.

SECOND, Do not result to lists of feature sets. Most smaller clients (50 desktops and under) could care less. They do want to know that this will help them be compliant, and that you truly believe it is best for them, but they do not want to understand the plumbing.

THIRD, Use your Trusted Advisor status. If you have done well with the client, then you will have it. If they see your confidence in the security solutions, and they have confidence in you, then they will buy in emotionally.

FOURTH, Relate to them that this is STANDARD security, and that you are not selling them anything exotic. Let them know that you require this level of security in your clients because it will save the network from disruption and downtime. This means better ROI from their investment in personnel and capital.

FIFTH, Explain the possible consequences of not doing it. While Amy Babinchak of Harbor Computer Services makes a very good point about the dangers of using FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) to sell, the client still needs to be focused on the problem to solve. If no evident risk, no need for solution. Use examples of botnets, etc to focus the client on the fact that a solution is needed. Preventive in nature, but still needed.

SIXTH, Sell them on the fact that this is a duty to their clients to keep their client data as secure as possible. You can also relate the legally mandated (in some states) cost of having to inform their clients of security breaches.

SEVENTH, Help them find some way to pay for it. Either spread it with financing (such as Microsoft Financing) or leasing or HAAS. Another idea is to use a vendor such as Calyptix that can bill a monthly MSP fee so the client can "pay as they go".

So many of our clients are out of balance. Hopefully, this will help you help them get the security that they need.

No Frankenstein Backup Solutions, Please...

2009-07-29T13:54:00.006-07:00

If you are creating your own backup solutions out of open source software, BEWARE! Unless you are willing to invest in the support staff to really know that software inside and out, don't risk your clients' data (and business survival) on it.

I was talking to Jim Hunton last night about some things that he is finding at new prospects that will scare the life right out of you. Solutions that were "stitched" together open source programs that had no builtin monitoring or alerting abilities. He and I both agreed that the responsible IT consultant is going to use disaster prevention solutions that have been thoroughly tested, have a support desk with engineers when we need them, and that we can thoroughly train ourselves on.

Now, I am all for experimentation. If you want to take some Rsync and some SSH and mix it with instructions from some internet forums to produce your own low cost backup solution, then go ahead. Heat the test tubes in your lab and howl at the moon while you do it. Sew a lot with the needle and fishing line, and beat your chest about how smart you are. But don't visit your creation on your clients. Use REAL, PROFESSIONAL, SUPPORTED disaster prevention software, and spend the time LEARNING it.

Before you pull out the client cost issue, STOP! I don't want to hear it. Cheap is CHEAP. Free is UNSUPPORTED. We are talking about the ULTIMATE protection for your client. Quit being a wimp! Get in there and sell them the good stuff that you know works and you can get support for when the need arises.

You know, in the end, it turned out bad for Dr. Frankenstein and his creation. Don't let it turn out bad for you and your clients.

Living Next To The Security Graveyard...

2009-07-29T00:47:00.012-07:00

IT Consultants and Business Clients are both ignoring the gravestones in their networks, when it comes to security.

When I was a kid in the sixth grade, I lived right next to a graveyard. When I went out to mow the grass (BTW, something I hated), the grave stones were there. When I went to the swing to play, the grave stones were close by. When I looked out the second story windows... well, you know what goes here. When I first moved there, it really bothered me. I got so use to it being close, though, that I successfully learned to ignore it. I only consciencely realized it when a new friend would come over and make a big deal out of it.

IT Security issues are the same as the graveyard I put up with as a preteen. We may know about security holes at our and our clients networks, but we have lived with them close for so long, that we have learned to ignore them. If someone points out a glaring hole in our security practices, we take notice and might get motivated to do something about it. If the news harps on a new "disaster computer worm aka Conflicker", our clients suddenly check their antivirus definition dates or call us to be reassured that we have it under control. Otherwise, we and they get numb to the fact there are security problems.

Here are the names on some of the grave stones:

EXPIRED ANTIVIRUS - very common, frightfully so. And rather than just renewing what they currently have, review the best of the current suites out there. Get the LATEST security suite (Trend Micro Worry Free is my favorite!).

CONSUMER GRADE FIREWALL - Might be OK for protecting your grandmother's pictures, certainly not your customers' client social security numbers. You need a Business Grade firewall with an IPS (Intrustion Prevention System). All Hail Calyptix, here!

NON WORKING LOCAL BACKUP - Yes, backup is a security component. Start thinking that way. Get some imaging software if nothing else and store to an external device. Storagecraft is GREAT! And setup some way to verify that backups actually HAPPEN and are RESTORABLE.

NO OFFSITE BACKUP - No protection against fire, flood, bad employee or theft, tisk tisk. This should at least be a device you can take offsite, but ideally a complete internet encrypted backup of your server and critical workstation files.

NO OR POOR SPAM BLOCKING - As per my earlier post on the human mind, social engineering is getting really crafty. Users are easily tricked into opening email and clicking on links. Block it so they will not have to make the wrong decision! Best if appliance based or third party filtering.

POOR PASSWORDS - I know, I know, I feel the pressure from my clients too to let them use weak passwords. Just make sure there are at least letters and numbers and a symbol, and it is at least 8 characters, more if possible. Passphrases are even better.

UNSECURE OR OLD STANDARDS WIRELESS - If you are an IT consultant and set up a client with unsecure wireless, SLAP YOURSELF! Get something for your client that is WPA2 and setup it up as WPA2. (And consider making it a 20+ character passphrase.)

UNPATCHED OS AND SOFTWARE - Everyday, a piece of software on your computer gets a new "hole" that needs to be filled. The Russian mobsters, script kiddies, Black Hats, Chinese nationalists, etc actively attempt to find and exploit these holes for their own purposes. And it is not just Microsoft software with the holes. Active patch management is a must, whether a duty assigned to a staff member or a duty that a computer consultant does for the client.

Now, look at your network. Do you see any of these grave stones? Do you see any in your clients' networks? Remember, your client will become numb to these over time. Have a serious talk with them. Clients pick up clues from you as to how serious a security issue is, so stress it. Do the right thing and point the stones out, repeatedly, before the network ends up on a cold, hard slab.

Hacking the Weakest Link... The Human

2009-07-17T22:12:00.010-07:00

There is a device in all our networks that is gullible, unpredictable, and lazy. It talks to foreign devices with no firewall between, ignores group policies, and even actively seeks to compromise our security measures. No amount of technology will correct these shortcomings. It's THE HUMAN. And it is amazing easy to hack...

I ran across a Steve Riley video on Defending Layer 8, about the various different ways social engineering is used to get security related information for company employees. You have to have a TechNet account to go straight to the video, but if you go to the link above, you can get to the video through the Related Videos frame on the right side without logging in. At least I did. He is amazingly entertaining...you won't fall asleep for sure...and informative. He exposes the underbelly about why humans are such easy targets. Some methods of compromise I already knew, but alot were eye opening. One such example is our genuine desire to be helpful. He also explains why we all love Wayne Small so much...Americans automatically (and inexplicably) trust Australians. It sounds weird, but I think he is right. And an astute hacker can use that knowledge (and a fake accent) to advantage. Better watch this one, folks, so you have a better idea how to educate your users on this very subject.

As to education, what do we do about it? He gives some good examples on what to tell your clients. He also said that it is a workplace education process. Native Intelligence has a presentation that you can give your clients to "raise" their awareness on the different ways they are solicited. The site also has a number of printed and electronic materials that can be used. There are even some free education materials that you can download and print.

So, what course of action did I get from this? I mean, is it so hopeless that I just throw up my hands and walk away. No. Admittedly, I can never fully secure that part of my networks. But I can reduce the footprint of the problem. I have enough here in the listed resources to start a "drip" campaign, just to raise the awareness of the average user over time. I plan to set up a series of emails that gives several "awareness" bits to my users, and then have them time released so the clients get one every couple of weeks. I do not expect my clients to understand the inner complexities of security, but I do want them to pause and ask "Should I be doing this? Who is this person? Etc."

What Clients Want...

2009-07-14T23:50:00.003-07:00

I was originally put off by the idea of seeing Mel Gibson in pantyhose, so had not watch the movie that inspired this title. However, it came up in a marketing conversation. I decided I better see the "relationship" to clients, so I watched it tonight. There is definitely a marketing message in there we had better sit up and notice.

Here is Mel, stuck in the past in his view of the ad world, not understanding the target market that he needs to survive. A lot of arrogance and lack of personality. Then he really gets inside into the "heads" of his target market by "magical" means, figures out what is important to them, and succeeds.

Imagine that Mel is an tech consultant that thinks he knows best about what the client needs and proceeds to "lecture" the client with his superior view. A little out of touch with the changes in the market. Not really paying attention to what is important to the clients. So... What "magic" turns Mel the IT guy around?

In the movie, Mel involuntarily finds out what his market wants. In real life, Mel has to exert effort to find out. If you are Mel the IT guy (most of us are), take these steps:

Have a heart to heart talk with yourself, and realize that the word "NEED" is not equal to the word "WANT". If you are competent, you already know the technical needs of your clients. Your attitude toward clients that don't see the importance of your recommendations is that they just don't get it. And you may be right. Since your solutions don't line up with the client's wants, the clients thinks you are asking them to eat broken glass. You have to be able to make the business case from the client's perspective.
Take your clients to lunch and ask them the 5 things they want to solve. Not just the 5 IT things they want to solve, but business challenges they want to solve. You may have an IT solution to a business challenge. Plus, they may start to think of you as a business partner, not just the IT pusher.
After you have talked to a few clients, check your notes and see if you need to develop new services to meet those needs. If the needed solutions are way outside your core competency, find some competent partners that can fill those needs.
Continue to poll your clients as to their satisfaction level on a regular basis. This could be a review meeting, a website survey invitation, or some other way. This lets the clients know that you care how they perceive your service. Keeps listening. And be sure to keep the "What else do you want solved that is not currently being solved" question in the mix every time you do this.

It all turned out well for Mel the ad man. Will it turn out well for Mel the IT guy? Well Mel, get busy.

Attending WPC09...Virtually!

2009-07-13T23:05:00.014-07:00

Microsoft has given us partners a great window into its yearly massive partner conference. Susan Bradley sent out an email today with the links to Digital WPC, the website where "everything" Worldwide Partner Conference will be available over the web. I took time out today to watch the Keynote Videos. Almost 3 hours of powerful stuff with lots of annoucements about overall direction, Office 2010 Desktop and Web Editions (watch out Google Apps), and Windows 7 (watch out Vista and Mac OS). My hat is off to Microsoft for making these resources available. With Silverlight, its almost like being there.

Wweeelll, its not the same as being in New Orleans. The pushing, shoving, scrambling for seats, sore feet, lots of BEADS, lack of sleep... need I go on? As I hinted in earlier posts, I love conferences. However, WPC is the MOTHER of Conferences. Its size makes it unwieldy, exhausting, and mind boggling. Its like gorging on fine chocolate until you can't stand the sight of it. Yet...I would love to be there. The secret is being selective and not worrying about all the events that you can't make. Maybe next year...

I know that Frank Vers and Michael Coconower from our local Arizona SMB Users Group made the trek to New Orleans. They will get the full experience. I will only get a piece of it, but I can watch from my couch with my favorite beverage. ;)

If you want to know where Microsoft is going and how to work alongside them, you better be watching these Keynote Videos.

Behavior Monitoring and Peachtree Issues in Worry Free 6.0...

2009-07-12T15:11:00.010-07:00

Behavior Monitoring is one of those features for watching apps to see if they "stray" from what programs should normally do.

I had installed TrendMicro Worry Free 6.0 at a client, updating the client from TrendMicro CSM 3.6. The client had no issues running Peachtree 2009 before the upgrade. After I completed the upgrade on the server and the workstations, Peachtree would take a very long time (up to one minute) to open.

I checked back with the server. Peachtree program directory was excluded. Check. Disabled the Active Scan on the server and workstations and made sure the changes took effect. Still same problem. Hummm. (Rubbed chin) I did remember that Bill Kam said something about Behavior Monitoring having an issue in the initial release of WF 6.0. By default, it would be disabled. Checked the Behavior Monitoring settings. It was on. Still should not cause this type of problem. Disabled Behavior Monitoring on the server and the workstations. Made sure ya-da-da-da-da-da, you know. Peachtree opened quickly. According to the client, the same as before the upgrade. Hummm. (Rubbed chin again)

Bill Kam is one of those choice people that all vendors should fight over. He had said to email him whenever we had an issue. So, I emailed him about this. He opened a trouble ticket and I got an immediate call from Trend support. Turned out that this issue with Peachtree had just surfaced. They had already created a hotfix to correct the issue inside Worry Free for Peachtree and other programs that had a similar behavior. I declined to apply the patch as it involved extra work (I AM lazy, after all). They bugged me over the next 2 weeks about applying that patch. That is good tech support there. Now, there is no longer a need to apply the hotfix. As of July 6, the hotfix was rolled into the automatic def and program updates.

Again, I cannot say enough about Bill and the program support he gives us.

Backing Up While Driving...

2009-07-09T22:26:00.018-07:00

Are you so dedicated to backing up that you would do it during your commute? I doubt it. However, our confidence in our tools have advanced to the point that we could.

This topic comes up because I had another IT consultant handling a problem from one of my clients that was vacationing in California. The consultant was in a pinch for time and started a Shadowprotect image backup before he started driving. The backup continued while he and the laptop were in the car, proceeding to my client. He arrived at the client's condo as I was on the phone with the client, and proudly announced that the backup was at 92%. It finished and he released the laptop to the client.

After I stopped laughing, I admired Jim's audacity. I found myself contemplating what had just happened, and realized a couple of things. Now, here are a number of observations to go with this little story. PARTNERING :: It is great to have partners in other areas that you can depend on. In this case, my client benefited from the relationships that I have built. Raises my value in the clients eyes as they see me as not being just another computer consultant. CONFERENCES : Conferencing made this possible. I met Jim at 3 different conferences. My conversations with him gave me the confidence to sub this out. Going to a conference will let you meet people like this. Everyone that knows me knows that I really love conferences. Developing solid relationships with other IT consultants is one of the reasons. RELIABLE TOOLS : The reliability of our imaging tools have gone up, to the point that this consultant was willing to start an imaging job and drive to the client with the confidence that it would work. He wasn't worried about showing up at the client with a failure on the laptop screen. While I would not have thought of doing that, I certainly agreed there was no reason that it would have not worked. StorageCraft products are AWESOME!

So next time you feel that you are wasting driving time, get that much needed laptop backup done! Please start it BEFORE you start the trip. I don't want to run into you unexpectedly. :)

Best "Visual" Way to Destroy Data Storage?

2009-07-07T23:36:00.012-07:00

Bill from a local recycling center is holding a piece of shredded hard drive. I had a visit with him and his company today. They offer NIST standards drive erasure, shredding, or both for hard drives that come inside the computers they receive. It is all up to the wish of the client delivering the equipment. Their facility is secure with video recording, metal detectors, guards, employee background checks, and restricted entry and egress. Clients can even watch their hard drive be shredded.

Sorry Bill. While your methods are effective, they just are not spectacular enough for me. Don't get me wrong. Bill and his company are great. But there is room for a "marketing" dimension. I have been asking around for a really effective method that would be "satisfying" to the client. In other words, I would let the client see the drive "done in" in their presence, and they would leave with the confidence that their scrap hard drive will never be read again.

You may ask why we need to go through all this effort? Statistically, the chances that information will be lifted from a hard drive are quite small. But information is power. And the PCI complaint standards are becoming stricter. Add in that the fact that many of your clients will be subject to HIPAA and SARBANES-OAXLY regulations. If any information is retrieved from a storage device that the client as "disposed of", the client is considered responsible. Clients also desire that "comfort" level from knowing their secrets are NOT sitting in a landfill somewhere, waiting to be picked up. That need for the client to be reassured that there is NO chance the information can be retrieved should be satisfied by you, the guardian of their data. And we all know that a visual is worth a 1000 words. Hence, the reason I am looking for a "visual" destruction for the client to witness.

So, what method to use? I have had suggestions of rifles, shotguns, C4 (yep, he is crazy that suggested that), hydraulic jacks... Even a garbage disposal. Hum, I think garbage disposals need water to work...that would get messy.

Please, comment and give me suggestions of your favorite way to "visually dispose" of data storage devices. Have fun with it. LOL

Still Waiting For Independence Day...

2009-07-04T13:07:00.006-07:00

"What are you talking about?!" I can just hear readers asking that. Yes, today is July 4th, American Independence Day. Yes, I am an American, so it is my Independence Day. No, it is not the Independence Day that I am referring to.

My Independence Day that I am looking forward to is the day that I no longer have to rely on Break/Fix for the revenue to pay my company expenses, my payroll, and my salary. No longer reliant on that highly variable revenue, but on the definate contracted revenue. Call it "Covering the NUT Independence Day".

I have Managed Service contracts now (some call them Maintenance Contracts), so recurring reveneue is part of my revenue stream every month. And it is nice to see that monthly revenue come in automatically at the start of every month. I am not covering all expenses with that recurring revenue yet, but well on my way.

This does not mean that I will abandon Break/Fix entirely. Just that I will treat those service calls as small immediate projects that get placed in the service queue. They will have to take a position behind my MS clients, though. I have to give first divs to those clients willing to commit to monthly revenue with me. If you are a client that does not have a contract with me and you want to be at the top of my service queue, let's talk. I would be happy to show you why it is to your advantage.

I have to thank the biggies for getting me here (King Karl, Amy Luby, Mark Crall) and the smallies that suffered with me (Ben Ahlquist, Josh McCullough, Bob Nitrio), and just about everyone in the Arizona SMB Users Group (sorry, too many to name). Without you, this would not have been possible.

It may not be Independence Day for me, but it turned out to be Thanksgiving Day. :)

New Wine In Old Wineskins

2009-07-03T00:40:00.010-07:00

When is an old computer too old for your client's new software? It is definitely a balancing act. Often, putting new programs into the older computer is like the foolishness of putting new wine in old wineskins. There is a lesson in this parable that Jesus taught that can apply to IT. The principle is easy enough. Like new wine bursting the old wineskin, new software will ruin the use of an old computer.

I have a client that has gotten an update to a line of business app. They were using a version from 2004, but were finally force to upgrade to the new 2009 verison as they simply could not get support for the previous version. Well, 5 years and several versions of the LOB app has resulted in a much larger program with hefty requirements on the workstation and the server. What was a comfortable fit before is now strained and "bursting" for the server.

This is also a downside of partnering. An impromptu "partnering" forced by the client... In this case, I am not schooled in this business app. The client has a separate consultant come in and handle upgrades and special troubleshooting for this app. Unfortunately, I did not pay enough attention during the upgrade. I trusted a little too much. Sorry, another topic for another post...

It happens a little at a time sometimes. A new verison of Yahoo Messenger, the latest version of the antimalware program, Google Updater now installed, Windows Search, etc. Remember when Windows XP ran in 256 megs of ram, but now you want 1 gig? Software upgrades over time will put you slowly in this position. Maybe a ram upgrade will save you. Our challenge is that the client will want to hang on to the computer too long. If you are hourly, it costs the client extra dollars as the computer is simply slower to work on. If you are on a maintenance plan, then the extra time to maintain the computer comes from your pocket.

As I am comparing to a parable, there is a moral to this story. Always check if the software is too new to go into your "wineskin". If your objective opinion is that it is time to retire that unit, let the client know. Convince the client to not hold on to the old stuff too long.

When Your Prospects Don't See Value...

2009-06-30T15:37:00.008-07:00

Or even your existing clients do not see the value in your services, you get situations like these.

Of course, we do not sell prepackage videos or a casual meal. Both of those were not necessary, but optional services that the clients could have done without. We sell productivity, business continiuty, no worries, etc. Don't you? If you see yourself selling network infrastructure and cannot translate that into the above topics in your prospects mind, you are much more vunerable to what happens in the video.

Don't get me wrong. Not all prospects (or clients) will get the value proposition, no matter how good you are at relating value. You will always appear to them as the evil company attempting to get their money. Unless you are starving, walk away from them.

Many thanks to Joel Simpson at Simpson Computing in NC for bringing this video to the attention of the SBS Group Leads. He is a class act.

Its Christmas in June! The twinkles in your clients eyes...

2009-06-30T13:40:00.011-07:00

Clients do not realize how many treasures are still hidden away inside their SBS server. For whatever reason, lots of SBS servers out there are not having their secondary features used. Features such as SBS Connector, RWW, OWA, etc. Opening up those features for your clients is like giving them Christmas gifts they have already paid for.

I have a client that had a SBS 2003 server that was not being utilized for its SBS features. They had pain points that they did not know they had the solution for. After telling the clients about the goodness they were missing out on, they had me expose these features so they could use them. In this case, the client was worried about checking their accounting while out of town. Hey, tailor made problem for RWW. A few router changes and some basic training, and Voila!. Now, even though I had explained the features they were getting, their faces lit up when they actually "experienced" the feature. Reminded me of Christmas morning. The kid knows what they will get. Its the experience of getting it that that gives the kid..eh..client the positive emotional rush.

Trust me. A positive emotion from your client about something you made happen... candycane for you. So, check your clients and see if there are pain points that you already have the solutions in place for. Our clients under utilize the systems we have already put in place. Unwrap any presents that your clients haven't yet discovered, and spread some Christmas cheer!

Your Vendors VS Your Clients : Your Dilemma

2009-06-28T22:54:00.009-07:00

I've been stuck in a dilemma.

How do I develop strong relationships with my vendors while preserving my impartial judgement on behalf of my clients?

In the industry, the sage wisdom is to develop strong relationships with my vendors and then have my vendors fund, sponsor, and otherwise support my efforts in return for aggressively pushing their products. How do I develop strong relationships with vendors that want me to produce sales, and still safeguard the trust that the clients have in me to not sell them stuff or services they do not need?

There is the added self interest that my company is more profitable and productive by standardizing around fewer vendors. Yet, I must bring in new vendors that understand the new paradigms that are coming, or do better at a lower cost. Still, I cannot force clients away from the old vendor unless I really believe they will be benefited by the new vendor's product or service. Or that they at least will not be hurt...

But my whole practice has been built around tailoring to the clients specific needs. That sometimes means using different vendors in the same product or service category. Backup is a prime example. Some clients need a backup solution that can give fast virtualization, due to production requirements or commitments to their clients. Other clients need just backup, as they are willing to suffer some downtime. Some have large datasets they want offsite and others have small amounts that need to be backed up. Most vendors do not cover all of this, and none do all well.

I have accepted that I must have 2 to 3 vendors in most categories for my existing client base. I am toying with the idea of making 1 a prime vendor and then putting together a marketing program to find new clients that need the best-in-class product from that vendor. That would give the vendor the activity to justify supporting me. That means I will have to change from growth by referral to actual marketing. Ouch, that is a brave new world for me. Hope to share with you as I work my way through that.

EDIT - Actually, I meant direct response marketing was new. I have put out the fishhook (Yellow Pages, Stuffers, etc) before just hoping something would bite, but you never know what you will get. More directed marketing at a specific profile of potentials, that is what I mean.

Facing a Tough Crowd

2009-06-23T22:27:00.018-07:00

I had my first presentation at a conference with a national audience. Computer Troubleshooters had their national conference here in Phoenix. They had some requests for a speaker on SBS 2008. I got a call for a local expert that could present on that subject. Well, I am not that expert, so I roped Mike Effertz into doing the show. He is our hands down best expert on SBS 2008 in the AZ SMB Users Group. Mike carried most of the load. I had been doing alot with migration for SBS 2008, so I volunteered to do an overview of the options for migrating to SBS 2008.

All in all, it went quite well. The CT crowd was kind to us. We did not stumble in the presentation. Questions were intelligent. I may have to do this again.

One thing I did discover. Between Mike and I, we had a combined total 48 YEARS in business. Wow!

The problem with EWaste, Part 1

2009-06-23T21:36:00.013-07:00

EWaste, that ever growing mountain of discarded electronic parts, has been on my mind for some time.

I gave a talk about a year ago at Lunch Bunch networking group of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce on the improper disposal of ewaste in third world countries. I had intended to follow that with practical steps on what the local small business could do to make sure their ewaste was disposed of correctly. Alas, so many things to do...

Anyway, tonight PBS had a special on Ewaste disposal in Ghana. Powerful stuff! The full video, Ghana:Digital Dumping Ground, is available on line. Very revealing information on SSNs, checking accounts, passwords, defense contractor documents, etc that were found on the hard drives in Ghana. Watch and Learn!

I will be back to add to this issue. Just need to do some more research...

Ken

When Windows Update Takes A Dive...

2008-02-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

Danger Danger!!!

Windows Update is not perfect and can become unable to install updates!

What??? You are not surprised? No revelations here to you?

OK. This is not news. If anything, it is a reason to start drinking.

Maybe I can save you from the unrelenting desire to find a fifth of Jack Daniels. That is if your error in the Windows Update log is "FATAL: Error: 0x80004002".

First things first. Lets cover some steps for locating and correcting the 0x80004002 error.

Identify the symptoms.
In the case of the 0x80004002 error that I ran into, the updates would download, but fail as soon as you attempted to install them. This was the same behavior whether you started the Windows Update process from Internet Explorer or approved the updates that Windows had downloaded by itself. If Windows Update 3.1 or Geniue Advantage was attempting to install, they would also fail.
Look in the Windows Update Log.
This log is in the Windows directory and is named "windowsupdate.txt". The latest entries are at the bottom of the log. Look there for "FATAL: Error: 0x80004002" error. If you find it, then perhaps the solution that follows will correct your issue.
Reregister the Windows Update dlls.
I located these commandline entries on this Microsoft Forum link. Make a batch file from these entries and run the batch file. At least in my case, I was able to install the updates without further incident.

net stop wuauserv
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
regsvr32 wups2.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wuapi.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
regsvr32 msxml.dll
regsvr32 msxml2.dll
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 softpub.dll
regsvr32 initpki.dll
regsvr32 mssip32.dll
regsvr32 wintrust.dll
regsvr32 dssenh.dll
regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32 sccbase.dll
regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll
net start wuauserv

You don't have to become a drunk over Windows Update issues.

Think Your Day Is Going A Little Rough?

2008-01-26T00:35:00.000-07:00

Whether Vendors, Clients, the dog next door, the bozo driving next to you... you just feel beatup...

Straddling Multiple Networks safely using Virtual PC

2008-01-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Oh Man!!! Let a virus attempt to pass that Firewall!

If you need the functionality of 2 computers accessing two different networks on the same monitor and keyboard while using one physical machine, listen up!

I have a client that was subcontracting some work for another company. The other company moved in to an ajoining suite, so physical connection of the networks was possible. Some of my client's employees needed access to the LOB of both companies. That originally meant purchasing second computers for these employees and placing them on kvm switches. Cost was limiting how many employees could be setup this way.

What if we load virtual machines on the existing workstations? We can install a second network adapter in each computer to allow the virtual machine to connect to the second network. Tinker, install, load OS, expand memory... 2 hours later, it works! Duplicate virtual machine to additional computers. Client saves a bunch of money. IT consultant looks like he knows what he is talking about. Employees do not have to switch between 2 computers. Power utility sells less power. All positives!

Well... There were a couple of snags along the way.

SEPARATE THE NETWORKS : To make the networks not intermingle, attach the second adapter to the virtual machine. Then, uncheck all services on the second adapter inside the host OS except Virtual Machine services. Just run "ipconfig" on the host OS to verify that the second adapter does not appear. That way, neither the host nor the virtual can access both networks.

ERASE THE MAC ADDRESS : Open the vmc file for the virtual machine and erase the mac address. Don't worry. A dynamic mac address will be generated the next time the machine is started. If you don't do this, every copy of the virtual machine will have the same mac address and will pull the same ip address from DHCP. You will see some strange thing happen on your network then!

Hopefully this will encourage you to think of offbeat ways to use Virtual PC...

Accessing Multiple Exchange Accounts for Multi-Company Executives

2007-07-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Have you got an executive that has more than one company to exec at? I do. What do you do to allow them access to multiple Exchange accounts from one computer? Pop3? You lose Calendar, etc. OWA? A little different interface with limitations. RWW? Got to have a pc at the office or a virtual machine at the office to login to. RDP? Same issue as previous.

Well, none of those are very elegant. All either require extra steps and/or give up some of Outlook's strengths. BAH! Need real Outlook that is local and quick. Something simpler that allows them access to their all their different companies' exchange accounts from the same computer/laptop even when not connected to the internet.

You see, Outlook will only support one exchange account at a time. "AT A TIME" is the magic phrase. With some extra thinking, I thought myself out of this box. Two solutions (gems produced by the overheating of my brain and pressure inside my head) have come to mind.

Outlook Profiles:
Create a profile for each exchange account, setting them up as "Outlook Via HTTP". The executive would have to select which profile to access at a time, but not a time intensive or error prone problem.

Virtual Machines (Coolness!!)
This is the techie "Cool" way to do it. It involves running Outlook in multiple virtual machines at the same time. I created a virtual machine on an XP Pro workstation, loaded XP Pro on the virtual machine, and then loaded Outlook into the virtual machine. The host XP Pro computer had Outlook that accessed one exchange account and the virtual machine had an Outlook that accessed a different exchange account. Sure its more complicated. Sure it requires more licenses. But it is COOL. ... And it does work. I can have both Outlooks open and see them get email AT THE SAME TIME! Did I mention it was COOL?

I am glad to "work around" my original problem of providing this for an executive. The practical way is the first one. It can be done without any additional software cost. The second is appropriate if the executive requires more than one PC attached to the domains of the different companies. Thankfully, that is not the case with my executive.

2007-07-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

TO MY FELLOW IT PROFESSIONALS.. Why aren't you HERE?

I am sitting in the Yellow Lounge at the Microsoft World Wide Partner Conference 2007, in Denver. This is the premier conference for All IT professionals that support Microsoft software and the Vendors that make the software and hardware that depends on Mr Softie's software.

"Sure", you say, "but it is expensive!" Yes, you are right!. Microsoft is not a cheap date.

Exposure to new products, discussion with product managers, business courses, networking with your peers, etc... How can you not be here? We are saving a space for you.

2007-07-07T02:44:00.000-07:00

Swapping Motherboards - No More Nail Biting!

Swapping motherboards in a existing computer is nothing to be relished. Driver incompatibilities will drive you to chew your nails off.

Fear no more.

The HIR (Hardware Independent Restore) feature in the ShadowProtect IT 3.o Edition is marvelous! But it can be used in a case where you did not backup an image.

I had a client that had a computer go to electric heaven this week. Just the motherboard stopped working. The hard drive was replaced within the last four months. Told the client today that I would build them a new computer and have it ready with all the employee's stuff on it before the employee returns from vacation on Tuesday. There is just one problem.

EQK! I am leaving for WWPC in Denver on Sunday.

How could I get this done in time? StorageCraft to the rescue. I had a revelation earlier this week. Since ShadowProtect HIR has a mode to allow it to work on the image after it is restored, I could use it to change and match drivers on hard drives without restoring an image!

That fit my current situation. I ran by my favorite component distributor just before they closed on Friday and picked up all the parts for a new computer except the hard drive. I constructed the new computer and transferred the old hard drive to the new computer. I booted from the IT Edition cd and used HIR to replace the drivers. I only used drivers that were a fair match or higher. The network card and audio card showed no driver matches, so I did not replace the drivers. A quick reboot and Voila! Windows XP booted on the new motherboard. I then ran the drivers cd for the new motherboard.

What a relief! I will hand the computer to my backup tech tomorrow night at dinner and he will install it on Monday for me while I am hobnobbing at the Small Business Symposium :^).

Wow! A quick switch of all hardware except the hard drive, a HIR config, load some drivers, and now a network station from a SBS network is ready to go back on the network WITHOUT any additional configuration! And I still have my nails!

2007-07-07T01:28:00.000-07:00

The Waiting Game - Virtual Server 2005 R2 and ShadowProtect

I think Mr. Gates is smiling about that Fossal watch. I could have really used it to track the hideous amount of time that it takes to restore ShadowProtect images to virtual disks mounted in virtual machines under Virtual Server 2005 R2.

Mark Crall inspired me to try this. His presentation where he restored a Windows 2003 server ShadowProtect image stored on a flash drive to a virtual machine over a wireless link has now become the stuff of legends. Well, we all know that legends are made from people that were foolish enough to do things that everyone else was too smart to do, and they succeeded! So, I had to take my hand at it. Unfortunately, I used Virtual Server instead of Virtual PC. My bad :(

I have just replaced my server with a new box and used the Swing Migration method to move my AD over. As stated in another post, it took some time, but I finally got a good result. No fault of Jeff Middleton; just preexisting issues that had to be cleared up.

So, I say to myself, "Self, lets virtualize the old server so that we can refer to it in the future!" You tend to use "we" in such conversations. I am very cautious and always want to be able to "dial back" to a previous point in time.

I re-setup the old server and made fresh ShadowProtect images of the system and data partitions, and set them aside. Then I decided to use the old server to actually create the virtual machine and drive. I loaded Virtual Server 2005 R2. Hey, why not? If Virtual PC is good, Virtual Server should perform even better! I gave the new virtual machine a name and created a static virtual drive for it. After creating 2 partitions and formatting them, I booted the virtual machine with ShadowProtect IT Edition 3.0. Since I had the virtual machine and the ShadowProtect images on the same USB drive and since Virtual Server cannot directly give a virtual machine access to a usb drive, I had to create a share for the partition containing the images and let the host share it with the virtual machine.

Do you get all that? Not a wireless network like Mark, but a images on a usb drive being accessed going through 2 virtual network adapters to be restored to a virtual hard drive located on the same usb drive. Well, I was not sure it would work and, sure enough, it gave me the devil for 3 days. The restore of 30 gigs of data to the system partition on the virtual hard drive lasted 14 HOURS before failing. The time indicated to completion climbed to 2 DAYS PLUS! 3 Hours was what I would have expected. 2 DAYS PLUS? Crips!

What was happening here? A problem with the virtual network adapters? Was this just TOO weird for VS 205 R2 to handle?

I was not to be deterred! So, change up on the setup. I placed the images on another drive on another machine on the network. Started the restore again except this time I was not accessing the images on the same drive as the virtual hard drive I was restoring to. Though shorter (1 DAY PLUS), the restore time was ridiculous.

I mentioned to Mark Crall that I was having this weird super elongated restore to a virtual hard drive. A discussion in sued. That is when I learned that he had never done his test with Virtual Server, only Virtual PC. What the Heck! I'll try it with Virtual PC. I installed Virtual PC 2007. Setup and restored the images from a network drive.

U-RE-CA !

It worked. And within the original time frame I expected! Just over 3 hours to restore both partitions ( one 30 gig and one 40 gig).

So... why the drastic difference in performance for this situation? Who knows! I just know that, if I am doing demos, I better use Virtual PC.

"Swing" Away and Hit a Home Run on Your Next Server Change

2007-06-25T21:33:00.001-07:00

Had an issue with a server that had way too many experiments performed on it. You know. Failed CRM installs, bits and pieces of monitoring packages left over, etc. It was, unfortunately, my main SBS server. Reloading from scratch was not the best option; losing my profiles was unacceptable. I worked hard to gum up that Active Directory and wanted to keep as much of it as possible while cleaning out the refuse (taking out the trash).

Hallelujah, there is an option! Many of you have hear about the Swing Migration technique that Jeff Middleton has produced for cleaning and moving Active Directory to a , new server, saving the lone IT guy from endless hours of work and "cross your fingers" data transfers. My need was for a specific iteration of his technique called "Redeploying SBS 2003".

Success though is predicated on the originating server having a healthy AD. As it turned out, mine did not. I was ignorant of my AD issue and began my "redeploy"...more than once. Much weeping and gnashing of teeth later (screams, howling at the moon, reexamination of my purpose on earth), I found the resources that Jeff provided for diagnosing and repairing AD issues. My server must have just finished a personal diary, because it had a "Journal Wrap" error. Further study indicates that this is possible side effect of CRM installations on SBS.

Oh, Jeff, you are good. Thanks for the information and excellent troubleshooting guides. I should have turned to you sooner. Then I could have smacked that home run much much quicker!

Put an X-Man in your laptop bag

2007-06-16T00:11:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Brendan I. Koerner for putting the Lenovo T61 laptop's Magnesium Rollcage into perspective.

Thinkpads have an excellent reputation. With this latest line of the R61, T61, and X61 models, Lenovo had made them even better. Wow! True shock mounted hard drives! Rollcage on the main body and the lcd! Much increased cooling and a super quiet fan! And more!

Many have wrung their hands over Lenovo buying IBM's laptop and desktop divisions. Security concerns about the China connection are well published. If there is controvesy about this vendor and so many other products to choose from, why am I looking here? Thats easy.

Despite the political and economic angst, Lenovo has kept up the quality and actually improved on a legendary product. Panasonic with its Toughbook line is the one other vendor that I would place in this class. To be fair, I will let any other vendor prove to me that they are as tough and innovative as these two vendors. Any takers?

I am sooooo tired of consumer ( and some so called business grade) laptops that place my clients' data at risk and waste their time (and, by extension, my time)! Hard drives shoved into torturous hell holes, cases that flex like warped 2x4s, broken display hinges, excessive bottom heat that lowers your chance of having children... Enough!!

Some of this is my fault, of course. Personally, I thought my clients would not pay for "business grade" laptops. I did not see enough difference to speak with conviction that such units were worth the extra dough. Some recent experiences, though, have left me wanting more for my clients.

They may not be made of "adamantium", but I am going to do my best to put these "super skeletons" in my clients' laptop cases.

Wherefore Art Thou, Workshop?

2007-02-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

Pain and strain... Lack of sleep... Equipment malfunctions... Friends in the crowd hee-haw-ing at you... A nightmare? Well, sort of. I just planned and conducted my first workshop.

Susan and Dana, is it always like this?

The short version. We at the AZ SMB UG have been discussing the viability and subjects for Saturday training workshops, but had not had any recently. I have used ShadowProtect from StorageCraft and knew there was a new HIR version coming out. Storagecraft agreed to go through the beta version with some select IT guys. So, I volunteered to plan a workshop to facilitate putting the "squeeze" on the product beta. Sorry, I can't tell you what HIR stands for. That's why they call it a Non Disclosure Agreement (if you aren't Dis-close-tur the meeting, we Agree you get Non of the information, yuk, yuk).

What goes wrong when you plan a workshop? Quite alot. Clients suddenly want service, equipment doesn't get completely prepped, the equipment I supplied did not have the specs I thought they did, Virtual Server admin page cannot be displayed, etc. Griping, embarrassed, humiliated. Well, I can just get up again and do better next time.

Actually, though my high plans did not get accomplished, work did get done at the workshop, peer networking occurred, and other topics of interest got covered. :)

The Importance of the Small Business Specialist

2007-02-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Why is it important for a computer consultant to become an SBSC? Does it say anything about the consultant that takes the time to earn the certification and recognizable from Microsoft? Darn toot'n.

From the start, the SBSC program at Microsoft is "different" than their other certifications. A good portion of the test is on "right-sizing" the technology solution to the client size and technical savvy. In doing so, Microsoft generated a "filter" to sift out the serious Microsoft oriented independent computer consultant from the have beens, hobbyists, stales, and incompetents. Am I saying that all SBSCs are competent and all non SBSCs are not? NO! If we relate computer techs to mechanics, I would use a repair shop with a AAA sticker in the window as I have confidence in the AAA (RAC in UK) to monitor and only recommend shops that have a good reputation. In the same way, the SBSC designation is an indicator of quality to the small business community.

I was just listening to a conference call on the subject of "The Benefits of Hiring a Small Business Specialist". A number things were brought up that characterize your average SBSC. 1) An SBSC will work to improve their technical skills. 2) SBSC's will partner with other competent IT professionals that have expertise in areas that the SBSC may not. rather than trying to "fake it" through something they don't know. 3) SBSC's have the health and welfare of the client's business at heart, recommending appropriate technology. What more reason does anyone need to hire an SBSC?

There may well be additional monetary benefits soon. Eric Ligman put on an excellent webcast yesterday about Microsoft's strategy with the retail chains. There are programs coming that will allow the retail chains to partner with SBSC's to roll out technology projects to small business clients. Vlad has an excellent recap of the webcast. It is refreshing to see Microsoft trying to be a "rainmaker" between its partners and the big box retailers. There is a catch, though. Only consultants that are at least an SBSC will be invited to participate.

With so much benefit to being an SBSC, why would any computer consultant working with Microsoft technology not strive to become one. Additionally, why would any business looking for computer help not hire one? There are still mysteries in this world...

Why oh Why did I stay up to get Vista?

2007-01-30T02:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, that's easy. I wanted to see how many other crazy small business people stayed up to midnight to get Vista. Has Microsoft created "froth" in the small business community?

Strolled down to the local Best Buy just before Midnight to find out. Should have been in bed, but a personal invitation from my Best Buy for Business guy overrode my practical judgement.

There were 35-45 non staff in the store, looking like lost sheep waiting for some one to open the gate to their favorite pasture. Mostly hobbiests and geeks. Did not see anyone I would classify as accountants and business owners. Perhaps they bought a "Geek" outfit so they could be there incognito. Susan Bradley, our beloved accountant/geek mix, could probably tell us. My Best Buy for Business guy was NOT there, How did he get out of this? He invited me! Ryan, I will wring your neck!

Midnight came and went with no Vista. Maybe the truck was late? Flat tire on the Interstate? Cargo hijacked and driven to Mexico where the duplicating factories are waiting? Oh, good. They brought out the boxes! Best Buy's version of a dramatic pause, I guess. Finally, they started selling at 12:15. Darn, I did not win the HP laptop giveaway. Now I needed something to lift my spirits. Good that I found a couple of things...

1) I got to buy a "Signature Edition" copy of Vista. I didn't even know about these. Bill is supposed to have signed all 25K copies himself. Yep, it has a serial number on the front to tell which one it is out of 25 thousand. I dunno. If he signed it, he is the lightest writer I have ever seen. Hold it so the light reflects off the signature area and you will see NO indication of indention. Looks printed to me.

2) Ran into a Windows MVP in the parking lot and found out about the "Family Pak". If you have multiple computers at home, this is a great deal! If you buy any retail copy of Vista Ultimate (Full or Retail), you can go to this website and buy up to TWO copies of Home Premium upgrade for $50 each. The product keys will be digitally delivered to you and you can use your Ultimate media to install the Home Premium copies.

CAUTION : Do not get IMPATIENT while loading Vista. This public service announcement (eh, WARNING!) was handed to everyone that purchased Vista. Nice of Best Buy to make sure that your first experience with Vista is not a blown computer.

Yes, folks. The Ultimate Edition comes in Black. I guess that makes it as exclusive as American Express's "Black Card". Thanks to Brian for his Vista modeling skills. He is really taken with the shiny case. I would call him a monkey, but then I would need to go to Vlad's School of Monkey Management. Brian really is a great guy. Brian, remember this at raise time.

** After all the fun I had, did I answer my question? Is business waiting for Vista? About as much as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick! Forced change, while beneficial in the long run, is painly in the near term and always distracts from sales, marketing, and customer service. In regards to Vista, very few businesses will embrace it today. That is today's answer. Perhaps it will be different 6 months after the launch.

EDIT - 1/31/2006
Thanks Susan for those wonderful comments. Yes, I am an Uber Geek. But a Business Uber Geek. That means that, since I run my own company, I can relate to my clients about how the introduction of new technology can affect the immediate cash flow in the form of lost productivity. A new technology must be compelling to get a client to suffer that pain. We will have to talk them into it by the use of practical examples that WE have experienced.

A funny thing happened on the way to Google...

2007-01-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

This did not happen to me, but it could have.

Thanks Dana for giving me a laugh on a stressful day. View this hilarious video on the perials of clicking on Google searches.

Am I a "Cesspool of Knowledge"?

2006-09-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

I do not intend to use this blog to post about myself. However, I have receive a label that I find both hilarious and disturbing.

After finishing a wonderful IT conference in Redmond, Washington, I am at Seattle Airport awaiting my flight back to Phoenix. Individuals in my Phoenix users group told me yesterday that I have been very helpful and am a "Cesspool of Knowledge". After a hardy round of laughter, I was told that it was not derogatory term? Not derogatory? How about an unheard of term!

I hope they mean that I am like a junk yard. If you look long enough (or listen, in this case), you will receive a gem of knowledge. Well, guys, I will try to keep out the sluge and just bring you the gems.

BTW, if you are an IT professional, own your company, want to grow and/or better serve your clients, then get yourself to SMB Nation. You will not regret it!

** EDIT ** I got on my flight. The guy next to me was so happy to get in First Class, he drank 3 glasses of wine and spent the rest of the flight using an air sick bag.... Ughhhh!

Higher Roofs for Mailbox Limits

2006-08-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

I have always believed that Exchange mailboxes were stuck at 2 Gigs maximum. What has supported this belief? The fact that 2097151 is the largest number that can be entered by using the GUI has always reinforced my impressions that the 2 Gig number was the absolute limit.

I got told tonight by Harold Wong, exceptional Microsoft Exchange expert, that the 2 gig limit did not exist in Exchange 2003. I have researched this tonight, and found that the GUI does have a 2 gig limit, but that limit can be set higher by using the ADSIEdit mmc snapin. Why set higher limits? To allow users to have more than 2 gigs in their mailboxes, but to have some control over maximum mailbox size.

"Increasing mailbox storage limits settings in exchange 2003" details how to do this.

Frustrated because you need to access the Console remotely, but don't know how?

2006-08-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

Arrrgghhhh!&*#$ What do you do when you need to remotely access the console of a server? Maybe you have a program that you need to close... Maybe a installation prompt to click continue on... Maybe just double check before a reboot...

Kudos go to Keith at Tarosoft for putting me on to this.

Type "mstsc /console" at the Run prompt in Windows XP. Remote Desktop Connection will come up. Enter the URL or ip of the computer you want to access. Login and find yourself at the console of the remote computer, not in an Administrator TS session!

Boy, this has made my life much easier.

FACEOFF : Is SATA faster than USB2 for SBS Backups?

2006-08-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder if using SATA hard drive enclosures instead of USB2 hard drive enclosures for external backups was worth the extra expense? So have I. A problem with a client's server backup of SBS prompted this FACE-OFF. Mind you, this is not a scientific experiment, just a rough test.

Setup : I utilized a combo exclosure from AMS called Venus (DS-2316SU2SBK). This one supports USB2 and SATA external interfaces and accepts a SATA drive up to 500 Gigs. I inserted a 250 Gig WDC hard drive into the enclosure. The tested server had a Asus P4P800 motherboard, 2.4 Gig Intel P4 processor, and a SIIG SATA Raid controller based on their 3112 chipset.

Results : I ran the standard SBS backup configurated by the SBS Backup Wizard. 55 Gigs in 100 minutes for SATA, 129 minutes for USB2. USB2 backup took 29% longer than the SATA backup. Here are the details for the USB test and the SATA test.

Conclusions : 1) SATA is far faster at the Verify function than USB2, twice as fast! 2) SATA does give some speed increase during backup of data 3) Your milage may vary, but SATA generally will give you faster performance.

You CAN have more than one person receive faxes by email in SBS 2003

2006-07-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

I had a client that needed more than one person to be copied on faxes received by their SBS 2003 server in their email. I had email Microsoft on this issue, but the SBS expert that responded thought I was talking about something else. So, I set the issue aside to be answered at a later date.

I connected with the client today regarding another issue, and decided to try an experiment. I added 2 email addresses into the email address field, separated by a semicolon. The test fax went to both mail boxes! Hurray!

I know that some of you will say

Use a distribution list!

I did try a distribution list, but something wasn't right.

Intel finally kicks by in the Publishing Department

2006-07-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it has taken some time. Intel finally got off their rear-end and bested AMD in every category!

Inte l Core 2Duo Adobe Photoshop Tests

Maybe this will shut up those AMD geeks! At least, it makes it easier for me to continue selling Intel based servers and workstations.

A new blog

2006-03-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

I did not set out to blog. I was just trying to answer Vlad at Vladville.Com

But here I am....

I do not know if I will blog in the future... But perhaps there will be future content.

Come back and see