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

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

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?

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

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?

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...

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"?

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

Intel 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

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