Query Hyper-V Virtual machines using Windows PowerShell
By · CommentsI wrote a PowerShell command to query the current state of the VMs running on Hyper-V
Get-WMIObject -class "MSVM_ComputerSystem"-namespace "root\virtualization"-computername "."
This will actually display a bunch of information about the VMs running on Hyper-V but what we're really concerned about is the name of the VM and it's currently running state. These two properties are associated with the ElementName and EnabledState attributes of the MSVM_ComputerSystem class. All we need to do with the command above is to pipe the results to a Select-Object cmdlet, specifying only these two properties, as follows
Get-WMIObject -class "MSVM_ComputerSystem"-namespace "root\virtualization"-computername "." Select-Object ElementName, EnabledState
While the EnabledState property will give you a bunch of numbers, I'm only concerned with those values equal to 2, which means that the VM is running. But, then, you might not remember what the value 2 means. So might as well write an entire script that checks for the value of the EnabledState property. I've used the GWMI alias to call the Get-WMIObject cmdlet
$VMs = gwmi -class "MSVM_ComputerSystem"-namespace "root\virtualization"-computername "."
foreach ($VM IN $VMs)
{
switch ($VM.EnabledState)
{
2{$state="Running" }
3{$state="Stopped" }
32768{$state="Paused" }
32769{$state="Suspended" }
32770 {$state="Starting" }
32771{$state="Taking Snapshot" }
32773{$state="Saving" }
32774{$state="Stopping" }
}
write-host $VM.ElementName `,` $state
}
On a side note, make sure you are running as Administrator when working with this script as you will only see the VMs that your currently logged in profile has permission to access. Running as Administrator will show you all of the VMs configured on your Hyper-V server
Reprinted from: http://bassplayerdoc.blogspot.com/
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It’s Third Thursday already! This Thursday at Noon eastern, Third Tier’s Chad Gross will present Disaster Recovery Options in Sharepiont. Sharepoint is an awesome application but if you’re like a lot of IT Pros then the idea of storing files, contacts, calendar, forms all in a SQL database is a bit scary because we aren’t SQL experts. Fortunately for us, Microsoft has implemented several new options for data recovery in sharepoint and the sql part turns out not to be that difficult. Chad will demonstrate how to recover data in Sharepoint using a variety of methods.
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User can’t log into OWA
By · CommentsSometimes a strange situation crops up in which a user can access his Exchange 2003 email from an Outlook client without trouble, but can’t successfully log into Outlook Web Access. You will get the standard, “You could not be logged on to Outlook Web Access” error message.
Chances are this user recently had a password change, or maybe the users account was deleted and then recreated again. But you’ve checked everything: the password, the OWA feature turned on for that user, the ability to log on with other user accounts, the temporary internet files cache, IISRESET. But nothing works–no matter which workstation you use to access OWA, you can’t log on as that user.
If you really press on and actually reboot the server, you find that the problem is resolved, but you are left uneasy. What actually happened, and why did it take a server reboot to fix it? Very unsatisfactory.
The problem is actually related to how IIS caches credentials when it uses Forms Based Authentication. If you change a user password or delete and recreate a user account, sometimes IIS has a different SID/password cached for that user and any attempts to authenticate will fail until that cache is emptied. An IISRESET will not resolve the problem, but a reboot will.
But there’s another way to resolve this without a reboot.
1. Open up the Exchange System Manager and drill down into the Server section and down into Protocols.
2. Open the HTTP folder and get properties on Exchange Virtual Server.
3. Go into the Settings tab and uncheck the Enable Forms Based Authentication checkbox. Apply it.
4. Go to the command-line and do an IISRESET.
5. Now go and recheck the Enable Forms Based Authentication checkbox.
That’s it. You should be able to log into OWA with that user now.
ACT! 2010, OpenDNS, & peer-to-peer networks don’t mix.
By · CommentsOpenDNS is an incredble service, and I highly recommend using it. Word of caution though. If you are sharing an ACT! 2010 database across a peer-to-peer network, the computer names will attempt to resolve to the OpenDNS servers (on the Net) and your other ACT! clients on the network will be unable to attach to the database. A workaround is to use IP addresses, but it's simpler to remove the OpenDNS server settings and use the default DNS for your upstream ISP.
Otherwise, you'll be looking at the likes of this:
Error: "The database <Database name> could not be accessed. In order to access this database, check your network connection and verify that your database server is available. It may be necessary to disable any firewall software...
Reprinted from: http://msmvps.com/blogs/steveb/default.aspx
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We're Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
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We’re Speaking at SMB Nation East
By · CommentsThe content is lining up for SMB Nation East and we’re proud to be part of it. Third Tier staff members Amy Babinchak and Eriq Neale will be presenting in separate sessions. Amy is partnered with SBS-MVP Kevin Royalty, together they will talk about how they have implemented a range of new backup solutions for their clients. There’s no one size fits all anymore, so we’ll be trotting out lots of different solutions to show when, where and why we implemented them. Eriq will be a busy guy during his presentation. The world of IT is changing and boy to we have choices. Choices are a good thing, or are they?
GS103: Backup here, backup there, backup everywhere
Speaker: Amy Babinchak, Kevin Royalty 
Agenda
By now everyone knows that backup has changed. We’ve gone from tape backing up data only to the wonderful world of hardware independent image backup and restore. Suddenly the options are endless. We can backup workstations incrementally, a whole server every 15 minutes, we can store them locally, on removable media, send it off-site or all three! But will your client pay for all of this wonderful new backup technology? How do you present it to them? Amy and Kevin will discuss the various technologies and show you what they are doing for their clients and how to sell it.
GS101: Alternative Solutions in the SMB Space
Speaker: Eriq Neale Agenda
“What if SBS isn’t the best solution for my client?” If you’ve been asking yourself this question recently, you may find some answers in this session. Eriq Neale demonstrates two on-premise solutions and other cloud-based services that might be a more viable option for some of your customers, with real-world implementation examples. Is the notion of “one size fits all” still viable in the SMB space? Come learn and decide for yourself!
If you haven’t registered for the conference yet, then now we would be a good time to do so. Your conference fee includes accommodations at the Hyatt! Can’t beat the value. Use the link below to register.
http://www.smbnation.com/Events/SMBNationSpring2010/PricingandRegistration/tabid/288/Default.aspx
Great tip from the folks at Calyptix:
On DSL connections, if you are experiencing slow Web browsing, or certain Websites and downloads not loading across multiple computers on your network, you might need to change your firewall's MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit, or largest packet size that can be transmitted) value from the default of 1500 (default on most firewalls) to either 1452 or 1492.
You can check with your ISP for their recommended setting, but a simple way to check is to run a speed test from behind your firewall using each of the three settings (1500, 1492, and 1452) and take the one that reads the highest over a couple tries. For example, with Actiontec DSL modems, Calyptix and SonicWALL firewalls, and Qwest in Seattle, Washington, 1452 is working the best from what I've personally seen so far. If you are on Qwest, use http://speedtest.qwest.net/ (always use your ISP's test if they have one for the best accuracy).
Reprinted from: http://msmvps.com/blogs/steveb/default.aspx
---
So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We're Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals.
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Webinar: Friends of Third Tier – Calyptix
By · CommentsBen Yarborough of Calyptix will be with us next week for our Friends of Third Tier webinar. Calyptix was a first vendor partner for us. Together we are helping Calyptix customers implement and solve security issues in their clients networks.
Ben will give us an overview of the Calyptix product and show what sets it apart in the market. They have designed this firewall specifically for the under 100 user business and it’s a UTM appliance that can help you consolidate some of the security services your clients need into a single device. Being a lawyer by trade, Ben also has a keen understanding of the risks and responsibilities that businesses have.
Please join us next week. Mark your calendar now. The show will start at 12 Noon Eastern (-5gmt), Thursday February 10th.
Third Tier has invited you to attend an online meeting using Live Meeting.
Join the meeting.
Unable to join the meeting? Follow these steps:
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Copy and paste the required information:
Meeting ID: 3ZR5M8
Entry Code: zsH6z"?]4
Welcome Wayne Small
By · CommentsThird Tier is pleased to announce the addition of Wayne Small to our staff.
Wayne has expertise in many areas including: Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, Trend Micro, Hyper-V Virtualization, Exchange, ISA, Networking, DNS/DHCP, and Active Directory. He is also a long time SBS MVP. His biography is located at http://www.thirdtier.net/who/wayne-small
Wayne lives and works in Australia, which is +10 GMT, effectively presenting Third Tier with an opportunity to better serve our clients across a wider range of hours. You may know Wayne as the Aussie that attends and speaks at many conferences in the USA and the owner of SBSFAQ a well known community resource.
Welcome to Third Tier, Wayne!
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So who wrote this blog and what do they do for a living anyway?
We’re Third Tier. We provide advanced Third Tier support for IT Professionals. 
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Foundation Webinar Q&A
By · CommentsHere is the Q&A from today’s Foundation Server webinar. The recording will be available soon in our Store, http://www.thirdtier.net/store.
Question: Good to hear that Texas twang again. 
Answer: you’re quite welcome, sir!
Question: Will it run on Hyper-V?
Answer: No, we’ll cover the limitations of the product in the presentation.
Question: Russell Clements – Systems Administrator at Institute for Creation Research (DFW-SBS President in my spare time…). I’ve used Third Tier twice and was VERY impressed with the OUTSTANDING service provided. It’s a GREAT resource – THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
Answer: Thanks, Russell.
Question: He mentioned 15 users in AD. Does that count include all the “default” users (Administrator, Guest, IIS_WPG, IUSR_SVRNAME, IWAM_SVRNAME, etc.)? Or only the named users that we add for the customer’s employees?
Answer: No it does not includes those users. Only the named users. There is a licensing service then runs every few minutes and checks for users in the domain.
Question: I am not seeing slides changing
Answer: You should be on the slide What CAN Founcation Server do? Slide. If not, you may have lost connection and need to sign out and back in again.
Question: they are changing REALLY slowly
Answer: OK, well at least moving. Eriq hasn’t shown many slides yet.
Question: In Server 2003, there was a POP3 mail server. Is there one available for Foundation?
Answer: If there is in Server 2008 R2 then it’s available in Foundation Server.
Question: If a vendor says in there specis that they need server 2008 will a Foundation Server work?
Answer: Yes, unless it hits upon one of the feature limitations that eriq mentioned. But in almost all cases, yes it will.
Question: How are you handling email with this solution?
Answer: I am using hosted Exchange. POP mail through an ISP would also be an option.
Question: Do you have a link that compares windows home server with foundation server?
Answer: There is no direct comparison because they are housed in different divisions within Microsoft.
Question: Will there be evals or NFR’s that we can get maybe through the Action Pack to get familiar with the software?
Answer: Foundation Server came in the Action Pack with the last quarter delivery.
Question: For the small offices that have been limping along on Server 2000 or Server 2003 is there a migration path to Foundation? What about SBS03 users that have decided to move to hosted Exchange?
Answer: There is no direct migration from 32-bit to 64-bit.
Question: Can you add Exchange, Sharepoint ect. and is there any separate pricing for it.
Answer: Sharepoint services is a free download. Anything that you install onto Foundation Server will need to be purchased.
Question: Since this is sold in OEM only, if the server hardware dies then we cannot do bare metal restore because it violates OEM license EULA, correct? Or am I missing something.
Answer: Yes, regular OEM licensing limitations apply.
Question: What about a migration path similar to SBS03->08? If we want to preserve the existing AD …
Answer: Yep, you can join it to the existing domain as a domain controller, it will then have a copy of the AD. Don’t forget to move the FSMO roles after you remove the old SBS03 server.
Question: I’m not that familiar with the low-end Dell boxes. What is your recommendation for RAID? PERC S100/S300 (”software based”)? Or a hardware RAID card?
Answer: This is a matter of opinion. But in my mind, this is a low end box and therefore mirror is probably most appropriate. There are no limitations in the product itself regarding drives.
Question: Great job, but I joined late. Is this recorded?
Answer: YES! http://www.thirdtier.net/store
Question: So we need to be careful with additional users, like backup service, zenith remote admin, etc (which aren’t specifically “named Users” but it sounds like they will take up a foundations CAL?
Answer: Yes, any created user would count as one of the 15 users.
Question: 15 users – counting disabled? // What if foundation is not a DC role, can it be in a domain with trusts? // Can virtualization be used for validation of recovery processes OR as a temporary solution for recovery in case of critical hardware failure? // What are you doing to address Backup of foundation server?
Answer: answering live
Question: can Foundation Server software be purchased from Ingram or D&H?
Answer: No. Foundation Serveris OEM only and only to the major manufacturers at that.
Question: There was some debate in forums about whether you can attach in a larger domain as long as the user usage is 15 or lower. IE. 50 user shop. 10 users hitting FS with TS?
Answer: Nope. It can only be installed at the root of the domain, so it will count all of the users in the entire domain.
Question: You said Dell will ship this preinstalled. How do they configure RAID, disk partitions, etc.? Are there OK options or do you end up blowing it away and rebuilding?
Answer: The options availalbe from Dell have seemed OK to me. We have left it as installed and just setup our own data partitions.
Question: Foundation was recently sent to SBSCs for test setup
Answer: Yes, SBSC’s did get a copy of Foundation Server.
Question: Can you comment on why one would put in a foundation server vs a windows home server?
Answer: answering live
Question: Standard Microsoft Action Pack subscribers do not get Foundation server. I just checked on my online product downloads page. I am not SBSc.
Answer: It was shipped as a seperate DVD and not available for download. It may have been for SBSC Action Pack subscribers only.
Question: so the “administrator” counts as one user already, out of the 15?
Answer: We are not certain. We will get the answer and post it to the blog.
Question: Does the administrator user account count as one of the 15 users?
Answer: Look for the answer to this on our blog.
Question: Very good stuff guys. Thanks!
Answer: Welcome
Question: Excellent webinar.. thank you very much.
Answer: Welcome
Question: Thanks good info
Answer: Welcome
Question: Great info as usual.
Answer: Thanks Tom
Question: Foundation server only adds AD and TS?
Answer: Group Policy and all features of Windows 2008 R2
Question: is $299 the msrp?
Answer: Yes
Question: Thanks – Great Info
Answer: Welcome
Question: except direct access
Answer: It can be a DA client, just not the server side
URLs mentioned in the webinar:
Foundation Server Marketing Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/foundation.aspx
Foundation Server Technical Page: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744832(WS.10).aspx
Server 2008 R2 Feature Comparisons: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-compare-features.aspx
Server 2008 R2 Role Comparisons: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-compare-roles.aspx
Third Thursday Webinars
By · CommentsWhile you’re waiting for today’s Third Thursday Webinar on Windows Server 2008 Foundation Server at Noon EST (https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/harborcomputerservices/join?id=5ZTH8D&role=attend&pw=jj%7D%3E%3F%4093X), you can head over to the Store (http://www.thirdtier.net/store) and download last week’s Friends of Third Tier webinar on Virtualization with Dave Sobel!
