Archive for Brian Higgins

Apr
20

Server 2012 BSOD Solution

by amy

This post come from Brian Higgins, former Third Tier staff member.

Brian ran into an issue for which he could find no public information about yet. This issue appears to be quite similar to the known issue with Windows 8 and some video drivers. Since Windows 8 and Server 2012 share much of the same code this isn’t surprising but this is first known documented case.

The server would BSOD after logging off an RDP session (most of the time). After lots of digging I identified from a nearly identical issue someone was having with Windows 8 that the (likely) culprit was the video driver. This server was a brand new Dell R720 server, and while all the “important” drivers had been updated when it was setup a week ago, the video card had not gotten any second thought and was running the default windows driver (who updates the video card driver on a Hyper-V Host?). A update to the correct driver from Dell’s website (which was major 3 version numbers newer) appears to have solved the issue.

In the event log was:
Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-WER-SystemErrorReporting
Date:          4/19/2013 5:53:58 PM
Event ID:      1001
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      SERVER2012.contoso.local
Description:
The computer has rebooted from a bugcheck. The bugcheck was: 0x000000ab (0×0000000000000001, 0×0000000000001160, 0×0000000000000000, 0x000000000000002b). A dump was saved in: C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP.

And an Analysis of the minidump showed:
TAG_NOT_DEFINED_405: Uspf
BUGCHECK_STR: 0xAB_Uspf
IMAGE_NAME: win32k.sys
DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP: 0
MODULE_NAME: win32k
FAULTING_MODULE: fffff960000b4000 win32k
CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT: 1
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID: WIN8_DRIVER_FAULT_SERVE

So if you run into Server 2012 that is suffering BSOD you may want to start by making sure that you update the video driver.

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0 Categories : Brian Higgins, Server 2012

Sep
11

When Computer Logins Fail Randomly, Look at DNS Delegation

by amy

This post was submitted by Brian Higgins. Learn more about Brian at https://www.thirdtier.net/who/brian-higgins/

I recently came across a network that was experiencing some odd DNS problems. Client machines just randomly would fail to contact the domain controller at boot up for no apparent reason. I ran dcdiag /test:DNS /v on the server and it showed in the summary that everything passed except for Del (delegation)

After reviewing the details of the delegation tests it turns out that when the domain was migrated from 2003 to 2008 R2 DC’s, the glue records for the _msdcs delegation did not get automatically updated, and were still pointing to the old DC. For those unfamiliar with what the _msdcs delegation is, see the image below.

If you click on the delegation you will see one or more Name Servers listed (your domain controllers in almost every case), but that is a little deceiving since what is actually recorded and used for the delegation is an IP address, which is not shown. If you right click and go to properties on the delegation you can see the IP address associated with the server name, but if it has a * at the end of the name then it means it is a resolved name, and not a recorded name, which for a Name Server delegation, is invalid.

Remove any invalid entries from the list, you will be prompted at the end to confirm you want to remove the glue record associated with whatever IP address was shown, and add the correct server names (be sure to resolve them to the correct IP first) and that should fix your delegation problems, and the otherwise unexplainable client problems should (hopefully) go away as well.

I took a look through all of the other clients that I manage to see how many of them had invalid glue records and found that all but one other system was correct, that one had a DC that was still valid, but had changed IPs at one point, and the glue record still pointed to the old IP. A simple remove and re-add of the record cleared that problem right away.

0 Categories : Brian Higgins, DNS

Jul
11

Webinar Recording: Future of Small Business IT

by amy

Go to View Recording Info page for Future of Small Business IT

In this webinar we covered the ugly reality of the loss of SBS Standard and the bright future for small business IT with Windows Essentials 2012. There were 235 attendees of this live webinar which also included a live demo of what the Exchange integration looks like. The Q&A from the meeting both live and written was also quite lively.

This is a time of great transition for small business IT and as we said in the meeting, we believe that we will all be stronger as a result. Yes it will take a lot of work to get that to that point but the efforts will be rewarded. Look for Third Tier to provide additional webinars on this topic as well as training opportunities.

Question: hi there…good luck!
Answer: Thanks!. I’m going to promote anyone who’d like to say something to presenter, so if you have mic hook it up.
Question: is there video?
Answer: Right now just slide deck – you really want to see my sweaty face on a web cam?
Question: They “essentially” can’t get away from using the name.
Answer:
Question: for us the 26 to 75 user is the sweet spot. We do work with some smaller – but, are working to make that move into the next level of clients.
Answer: There’s a thing called the “transmorg” that will allow you to go past 25 and get support for backup for 75 devices. hang loose we’ll talk about this
Question: I think that SBS 2011 is not a dead end product, it’s a product with 7 years of support included. You can’t buy a 2009 BMW new today. It’s not a bad car if you want it.
Answer: I would say buy a MINI but yeah
Question: We loose RDS with the SA offering, correct?
Answer: Yes you lose RWA/RDS. Needless to say I’m pushing back and asking about that (Susan)
Question: If Server 2008 R2 gets another service pack, they may extend the support window
Answer: True the support is 24 months AFTER the final service pack (Susan)
Question: Any idea of how soon these SA benefits will be available?
Answer: I’m anticipating it week? two weeks after RTM when technet/msdn gets Server 2012 (Susan)
Question: agreed…better mileage…but for people who are already set to sell SBS 2011 the next 9 months until Windows 2012 and exchange appear in new form….it’s the newest proven product you can sell.
Answer: Correct
Question: any news on the per processor price?
Answer: Brian is talking on this now – dual quad core = two processors
Question: hearing lots of feedback / distortion. maybe ask people to mute their mics unless they are asking a question
Answer: yup she did
Question: and SBS 2011 runs what ISV have available to support today, and they haven’t got that option on Windows 2012 yet.
Answer: Exactly try running QB on 2012 (Susan)
Question: Amy, I can go thru per-processor if you want as I know (as far as anyone can) what the changes are.
Answer: Please speak up
Question: you think i didn’t know i was chatting to susan?
Answer: What the MINI reference didn’t give it away?
Question: thanks – I understand the “per processor” – was more interested in the actual dollar value attached. No need to answer in the con-call – was curious if any of you knew the dollar value attached.
Answer: cool
Question: How are dual socket servers that have SBS w/ SA upgraded to 2012? If you only get a single server license with a single processor license, I come up short on licenses.
Answer: Hilton is answering now -
Question: 2 proc only
Answer: got it
Question: They still have some work to do on Storage Spaces too, volumes drop out under file copy load in the RC. There is a big thread about it on the Win Server 2012 technet forum.
Answer: Look at the bright side, really big customers with really big voices will ge it fixed (Susan)
Question: call Storage Spaces — Drive Extender Version 3. Only difference is that it is in the base OS. Also, don’t forget that the other major feature is that you can support through the admin an on premise exchange server, hosted exchange server or o365 server.
Answer: Yup will talk about
Question: sounds like “automagically”
Answer: Yeah they stole our wizards (Susan)
Question: Will a recording of this meeting be emailed to attendees?
Answer: Yup and posted on the www.thirdtier blog
Question: Lost audio!!!
Answer: try the audio set up wizard
Question: Can I join servers to the Essentails server WITHOUT transmog? In other words, is Essentials still a normal domain controller?
Answer: Yes it is a normal domain controller but you’ll need to purchase cals for any additional servers since there are no cals with essentials.
Question: So in essentails 2012 did they do away with the launchpad?
Answer: Unfortunately no, the launch pad lives
Question: I’m not seeing anything inside the Essentials window.
Answer: There it is. THere’s nothing in the main screen. Black is how it is.
Question: so far the biggest thing I hear we are losing by SBS going away is … pricing. No functionality has been lost!
Answer: You’re also losing pre-built for you. So pricing plus labor.
Question: It would be nice if you could just install exchange 15 on essentials but from what I’m told by a friend within MS on the exchange team, it’s not supported on a domain controller. He also said it is getting BIGGER on resources, lots of RAM needed. He told me to get 48GB – 64GB boxes even for my clients with only 30 – 50 users.
Answer: I haven’t heard any requirements for Exchange yet. But yes nothing should really be installed on the Essentials server.
Question: …but labor is billable!
Answer: Yes, just more explanation to your clients is all.
Question: Is it acceptable to put all of the Exchange Server roles on one box?
Answer: Yes, it still supports a single server install
Question: Give Jeff and Karl a couple of weeks .. they will have it all documented for us!
Answer: Okay Jeff the gaunlet has been thrown
Question: At long last I have ARRIVED.
Answer: Yea!
Question: Everyone should go to channel9 and get the TechEd 2012 videos…tons of great content on 2012, hyperv, and all the new stuff. really technical stuff, FREE!
Answer: Good point!
Question: Audio lost !!
Answer: Try going through the audio wizard?
Question: Does win 2012 std include that essentials “wizard” console aka sbs console? or is that conosle ONLY on Essentials?
Answer: the console I demo’d is only on Essentails
Question: Technet Jump start is good too: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/video/windows-server-2012-jump-start-01-core-hyper-v.aspx
Answer: thanks
Question: thank you!
Answer: I know, we’ll help each other
Question: So hosted 3rd party Exchange (NOT Office 365) is supported/integrated on 2012 Essentials?
Answer: No integration but it is supported
Question: I think Brian tried to block me. . . <– JamesNT
Answer: He wouldn’t do that to you, James
Question: Do you prefer HyperV over VMWare if so why?
Answer: Brian is answering on the call – free licensing from Microsoft
Question: For those of us who came from enterprise / big business … doing those functions of adding DNS/DHCP/Patch management these things are old hat. For me…doing SBS was weird and difficult to figure out at first. Back then – I thought “who in the world would put all that on one server…”
Answer: I thought so too, but it’s been a long time and we get spoiled.
Question: any plans for training items for migrations from SBS 2003 to Essentials 2012
Answer: I believe that SBSMigration.com has plans for such an offering.
Question: is 2012 server essentials a dc out of the box or can it be added to a existinging
Answer: It is a DC. It does assume that it is the first Dc in your domain.
Question: When I throw the Gauntlet, I intend to spell it correctly. (i think)
Answer: got me there (susan)
Question: For those who want to use Exchange on premise, it is viable and cost effective to use Exchange 2010 standard with Essentials? Some people just don’t like the damn cloud. And I know Brian would never block me – we go way back
Answer: We don’t know the cost yet.
Question: Can you publish this recorded Live Meeting for us to share with those that could not make it? THX
Answer: It will be published on thirdtier.net/blog look for a post about it
Question: Will Jeff change his site to SBSMogrification.com ?
Answer: I love it. hmmm
Question: ok cause amy said dns dhcp was not installed by default
Answer: It is not installed by default.
Question: Susan – The Minasi Forum says HELLO!!
Answer: Hello Minasi Forum
Question: If it’s not to heretical to ask, does the licensing allow running VM’s on VMware rather than Hyper-V?
Answer: Yes you are allowed
Question: ESXIi 5.x is absolutly free … Just HyperV is not the only free solution. I have been runnng ESI since 2.x and MS virtulalization is just not up to par. I have all of our SBS 20XX boxes running on ESXi 4 and 5.
Answer: Thanks
Question: ok so this is not making sense to me.
Answer: ?
Question: Question asked, Please answer that Jeff has already announce the partner portal for SBSmigration.com is ITproExperts.com coming to an internet URL near you.
Answer: I like SBStranmorg
Question: so for 25-50 users you think this is a good fit including for on premis exchange?
Answer: absolutly
Question: coke or pepsi .. chevy or ford … hyper-v or esx … I have my favorite in all three of those…
Answer: Or Mountain Dew (Susan)
Question: To the audience – Seriously, you really need to look at Hyper-V. Far more cost effective than VMWare. And like they are saying, the days of putting small servers out is just not effective anymore.
Answer: Yup (Susan)
Question: Could you guys review, super fast, why MS is dropping SBS? I missed that part. I’m sorry.
Answer: simplifying product lines, eliminating the all in one box that is the source of many problems
Question: or kbeares@microsoft.com
Answer: thanks
Question: I will argue all day long that Hyper-V is cheaper…
Answer: thanks
Question: Any good P2V (free conversion tools?) for moving to HyperV?
Answer: disk2vhd from microsoft systernals, used it just a few hours ago
Question: So, with SBS 11 on SA, you get 2 copies of W2012 and Exchange 10, do you still have to purchase Essentials if you want your customer to have that “console”.
Answer: Send that feedback in to Steve and Kevin.turner
Question: did you already send Steve and Kevin links to your SBS Diva blog post about this and the SBS Blog post about this, with over 77 comments so far?
Answer: I will be
Question: Is Essentials 2012 available for download yet? Beta?
Answer: Hang loose we’re really close
Question: Big POINT – has anyone ever tried to migrate from SBS after they reach the 75 user limit? There is NO cost effective way to do that. Better off to start with Essentials and Exchange Standard and pay a little more up front than go over that big hump at the end.
Answer: yup
Question: for clarity, is essentials 2012 officially supported in hyper-v (sounded like it works but not supported)
Answer: It IS supported in HyperV it just can’t be a parent in HyperV
Question: Could you share at final of the webinar the presentation you showed please? How ca I get it?
Answer: thirdtier.net/blog
Question: so if 2012 server ess is not a dc out of the box and it wants to be the first, is there anyway to add it to an existing domain, without doing some kind of swing?
Answer: it is a DC out of the box. Like SBS it has to be a DC, it can be added to an existing domain just like SBS does now
Question: What the feeling on using hosted exchange
Answer: I would have added a button to hook in hosted Exchange
Question: there is a big issue with office 365 and exchange off-site in other countries too, many don’t have broadband speeds / reliability anywhere near what we have!
Answer: Yup along with public folder issues
Question: thanks for the comments Dave!
Answer: Yup thanks Dave!
Question: Release date?
Answer: don’t know yet
Question: Can we please kill the background crap? I would like to hear.
Answer: good idea
Question: Does Esssentials need to have all the FSMO roles?
Answer: Yes same as SBS does now
Question: let me know when i can speak
Answer: talk away please join in
Question: Has anybody heard anything about a storage server 2012 or is that not a product they are making or that we know about yet?
Answer: WSSE will be sold until 2025 but it’s the last of it’s kind
Question: shout out #3 for gramps
Answer:
Question: Do you have compared the prices of a SBS 201 with 10 or 20 CALS with the price model of Win2012E going forward once you add Exchange not to speak about the additional hardware or virtualization layer that needs to be managed? If I am right it means a 150% price increase or there about. Am I off here?
Answer: I know send feedback to steveb@ and let him know we need a sbs pricing bundle
Question: Could you clarify once more what circumstances you would use Standard instead of Essentials. My audio was bad during that explanation
Answer: Essentials is a great SBS console replacment, but you’ll want to use standard for anything like SQL server or exchange server deployments, including many LOB apps
Question: storage sever is dead how rude with the kid.
Answer: Google app generation
Question: Storage server essentials works very well. The Western Digital version is not one I would recommend
Answer: thanks
Question: Where can we access the recording of this meeting?
Answer: thirdtier.net/blog
Question: Someone has found someone who can talk over Jeff.
Answer:
Question: For non-US customers, there are concerns with parking info such as mail on servers subject to the provisions of the Homeland Security laws of the US. When deploying Office 365 does anyone know if you can pick where your customer’s data lives?
Answer: I’m not aware of it at this time, it’s one of the reasons people have concerns
Question: darn … transmogrification.com is already taken…
Answer: lol
Question: In some respects I think the standardization of SBS by MS is good but my concern is the cost differential between a SBS2011 solution vs. an Essentials+Std+Exchange+CALS. It will be like 4x the cost to get what we had with 2011 which will surely cause issues for those clients who want on premises but are not 25+ size – comments???
Answer: Send feedback to steveb@ about the pricing issue
Question: live meeting can’t mute everyone?
Answer: we’re geeks obviously not
Question: thanks for the comments jeff
Answer: thanks
Question: I can’t imagine a customer wanting to upgrade from SBS 2011 Essentials, but do you know if there will be an upgrade from SBS 2011 Essentials to Server 2012 Essentials? Thanks.
Answer: Yes
Question: i am humbled by live meeting
Answer: aren’t we all
Question: Is anyone paying attention to the Novell SBS offering, now called Workgroup?
Answer: I have not.
Question: Has anyone mentioned a third-party alternative to Remote Web Access?
Answer: RDgateway with RDcals directly, install RD web access, but yeah if you don’t have RWA there’s less wiz’s
Question: Would there be a transition/migration of SBS 2003/2008/2011 to Essentials 2012 or is it a rebuild?
Answer: yes there will be a migration path
Question: is WS2012 Essentials based on the WIndows Home Server kernel (like SBS 2011 essentials)?
Answer: it is based on the server 2012 kernel
Question: cAN I ADDRESS THE MIGRATION QUESTION?
Answer: Jeff is talking about migratio now
Question: I assume that Windows Server 2012 Essentials will NOT include Remote Web Access — has this been confirmed?
Answer: It doest include this feature.
Question: Thank the MVPs for pushing the issue of getting past 75 to unlimited.
Answer: thanks
Question: did someone say Novell?
Answer: <crickets>
Question: Amy, any idea when you will be launching your seminars as listed earlier?
Answer: Keep an eye on the blog, I suspect not until end of summer. www.thirdtier.net/blog
Question: ClearOS
Answer: Linux for what?
Question: No RWA with S12E?
Answer: Yes RWA, sorry I think I miss typed before
Question: As small business consultants – I think we are being forced to accept cloud. Even accepting non Microsoft products??
Answer: The barn door has been opened, that can’t be denied.
Question: Jeff, the name of the new website is ITPRO.COM? Is it up and running?
Answer: itproexperts.com
Question: What are the other vendors that USED to have Suites going to do when they realize that a GIANT hole has been opened in the SMB space?
Answer: Not sure, yet.
Question: if i may have the floor again
Answer: Yes certainly
Question: Is there an RSS feed for the thirdtier blog? I can’t find it…
Answer: http://www.thirdtier.net/feed/
Question: does the integrated management experience in the WS12 Essentials dashboard apply to an on-premise sharepoint (foundation or full)?
Answer: No only Exchange.
Question: do you have more details about clients with SA and their CAL’s?
Answer: No more details than what was already mentioned.
Question: How do we get RDA or RWA ?
Answer: install essentials, it’ll be included
Question: Thanks!
Answer: welcome
Question: How about a community contest to come up with an acronym that we can use to describe the product. That way Susan doesn’t have to append “dammit” every time she says Small Business Server….
Answer:
Question: what was the other email address?
Answer: kbeares@microsoft.com Kevin Beares
Question: Many of my clients like LogMeIn more than RWA.
Answer: Some do. Some don’t.
Question: Any way to build the rdgateway to internal workstations from scratch?
Answer: yes, it’s built in with server 2008, but it requires CALs
Question: I’m on the call, but cannot get my microphone to work
Answer: sorry
Question: kevin is on this call – so he is listening.
Answer: thanks
Question: Since 2012 Essentials will be built on the 2012 core – any chance that the Dashboard will be available at some point to be installed on a 2012 Standard machine?
Answer: doubtfull, at least on 2012…
Question: What they need to do is actually start talking to REAL small partners again. Not these huge partners like HTG that Microsoft considers “small business.”
Answer: I have given that message at every opportunity
Question: is there a number to dial in? Audio not working for me
Answer: no, sorry
Question: Be nice if they could include Business critical phone support in SBS silver Comptency..then we would actually have support!
Answer: Yes, a glaring ommissions for sure
Question: Has anyone suggested to MS to sell the RWA code set as a product for the entire 2012 line?
Answer: An interesting idea. MVP’s have suggested it for years.
Question: Thank you ALL for taking time to discuss these upcoming changes!
Answer: welcome
Question: Comment: Biggest cloud problem….. Single point of failure for our clients…even in a major US city. Only two choices in broadband and neither is that reliable.
Answer: There is always a single point of failure. It just depends on where you are comfortable putting it.
Question: Could someone please elaborate on Remote Web Access? is the WinServer2012 Essentials RDGateway different from the regular WinServer2008R2/2012 RDGateway?
Answer: no, exact same rdgateway service on the backend, but the web interface will be custom to essentials
Question: While there is a lull, a HUGE thank you to the organizers for doing this. Your commitment to the community is humbling.
Answer: welcome
Question: What does Essentials 2012l bring that is unique? Other than the cost and user limit of course.
Answer: client backup, integrated management of Exchange and Office 365, management console for users.
Question: As a non-MVP, I would like to thank you guys for all you have done for the community over the past 15 years. Looking forward to the community continuing and thriving, even without a specific product (SBS) to rally around.
Answer: thanks!
Question: Will Steve and Kevin T actually read e-mails we send to them? (I know Kevin B. does)
Answer: They say that they do.
Question: I’m not scared of the cloud – I’m scared of the contracts where the cloud providers won’t accept blame for any problems…
Answer: I am afraid of that too. Actually MS is the only cloud vendor that I have seen that does accept responsibility for your data.
Question: Thanks so much guys. Must go!
Answer: welcome
Question: let me mention what the tour found out about on prem preferences
Answer: sure, will call on you again
Question: this is what I hate. You caNNOT TURN ON THE WEBSITE WITHOUT DOING A DOMAIN NAME FIRST. So you have to do microsoft first to turn it on. Then you can manually install your godaddy cert and change the bindings
Answer: The wizard does seem restrictive to me as well.
Question: so, did he say that we can recreate the “rww” functionality on Win Server 2012, but we have to add CALs ?
Answer: For the most part yes
Question: Microsoft will set the Standard for all other vendors to drop SMB model pricing, NO?
Answer: That’s certainly a worry.
Question: the announcement of SBS demise along with the announcement of Office 365 better reseller relationship makes me a little (repeat – a little) more comfortable
Answer: Yes good news coming from WPC this week.
Question: Also a big thank you to all the MVP’s, Susan, Amy, Jeff et al. Your direct help, blog’s etc. have been invaluable over the years!!
Answer: welcome
Question: Isn’t the RD Gateway CAL needed for RemoteApp?
Answer: Yes
Question: Will GoDaddy SSL’s be seemless to install oppose to 2011 SBS and Essentials?
Answer: The wizard hasn’t changed much.
Question: iTap to a win8 box is useless It is very difficult on the metro screen
Answer: thanks
Question: But about have to import the intermediate certificate first? Still the same?
Answer: Yes still the same.
Question: Godaddy is seamless if you use the wizzards to purchase your certs. You may already own the domain though
Answer: thanks
Question: Check out SplashTop, if you dont like iTap for Win8
Answer: thanks
Question: Do we know if there will be future versions of Essential Server or might this be the last version of Essentials?
Answer: We don’t know.
Question: I can get applause at any conference by complaining aboout MS licensing<g>
Answer: never simple, like the US tax code.
Question: The opinions they get are from HUGE tech companies now, not small 1 or 2 person shops like many of us are.
Answer: Make your voice heard.
Question: this isn’t cold turkey, this has lead time offered
Answer: I’m calling on you shortly
Question: If you transmog essentials for a client that has grown beyond 25 or needs more local premise applications is there a transition to demote and remove essentials so you are on full versions of everything? This would allow you to move FSMO roles anywhere you want for example.
Answer: It has to be a DC with the FSMO roles.
Question: So are you saying that MS is choosing to abandon one set of current clientele in favor of a clientele they want to attract (but don’t actually have yet)?
Answer: We wonder what they are thinking.
Question: Thank you for the comments on pricing on larger installations. It needs to be noted because it hurts. Especially with the higher SQL Server CAL price.
Answer: Please make your voice heard. Send an email
Question: Before we go through the time and work of converting clients to Essentials, we really need a commitment from MS that this is not a dead end.
Answer: Please make your voice heard. Send an email.
Question: What is the cost to transmog?
Answer: The cost of cals. No hard numbers yet.
Question: So, Remote Web Access *IS* included in WinServer2012 Esentials!!
Answer: Yes!
Question: It’s not just the cost of software/hardware, in order for small businesses to use the cloud effectively, costs of internet connections (where appropriate connections are available) will skyrocket. Not only that, but some areas even with faster connections have exceptionally limited caps per month. I’m in Canada, and it’s getting more and more difficult to get a connection with a cap over 200gb, and it’s $2.50/gb over, with that, the cloud is a very scary place.
Answer: Yup you got it (Susan)
Question: If a Win8 tablet with touch would seamlessly integrate through RD Gateway to a Win8 or Win7 client through Essentials, it would be a big win. Huge win actually, allowing corp types to have the full experience without odd finger jestures needed with iTap or GoToMyPC.
Answer: I”m hopeful for Surface.
Question: the discussion is about SBS, but what about the other products discussed in the MVP Tour? Any news about those (Storage Server Essentials, Multiport, etc)?
Answer: Multipoint is alive and well – beta coming
Question: james what is your math on $300 per month to office 365?
Answer: James?
Question: How can small business owners complain about Office 365 pricing — $4/user/month for Exchange Online with the need for only one bundled E-Plan?
Answer: Some people don’t like monthly payments period.
Question: SQL Express with Mgmt tools can do quite a bit too if you just need a small database. FREE
Answer: Yes it does.
Question: does the client backup feature let you pick off-server storage locations to actually store the images? if not, any ideas for use when Essentials is virtualized? I obviously can’t store my workstation images inside my VHD…
Answer: There’s a cloud backup option for the server, you can add an additional drive/vhd for the backups
Question: License pricing for Hosted Exchange only is now just $4 per user. Does not include Sharepoint or Lync.
Answer: thanks
Question: Note the tablet button, – they are designing this for tablet pcs as well
Answer: Note from Susan
Question: I made that price up. I have played with the price thing for O365 but can’t remember the actual number I got.
Answer: Got it
Question: the comparable plan for office 365 is $8/month
Answer: Thanks!
Question: Google this to find the PDF that compares all of the pricing. “exchange online and office 365 feature comparison”
Answer: thanks
Question: essentials must see the folder as local and not usb to use the move folder wizzard. I have no clue, if ISCSI in a VM shows as local, you could do tha
Answer: iSCSI will show as local
Question: so for a virtualized Essentials server, the answer for client backup is add another VHD or cross my fingers with USB passthrough? how about NAS( or other on-premise network storage)?
Answer: Maybe you don’t virtualize Essentials? But virtualize the rest.
Question: When do you think that MS or our favorite MVPs might have an SBS 03 and SBS 08/11 migration doc to Essentials 2012 with W12 and Exchg 10/12 all running under a W12 host?
Answer: We have pressed that they have this information available close the what ever the release date is.
Question: You can mount a VHD(X) from a network location on the host – this will be seen as local disk inside the Guest VM. just another reason to virtualize your Essentials installation
Answer: Windows 2012 does open up new possibilities for disk access. But the storage spaces does have some limitations.
Question: The cost of new business enrty has dropped – a Server and 25 users for less than $1,500. That is a deal
Answer: agreed, but that doesn’t include exchange, sharepoint or sql. those need to be added as needed
Question: WSUS is not part of the WS2012E ,mix is InTune the reccomended replacement?
Answer: you can install WSUS, but it’s not included out of the box
Question: If my microphone works, I’ll comment on what to do for startups . . .
Answer: ok
Question: So Essentials 2012 isn’t given any virtualization rights, but for a client that has 20 users that wants to run an on-perm exchange, can you stand up another exchange to run with it? or do you need to transmog the server first? or can one stand it up on the same server with another virtualization sotware?
Answer: buy a single standard license, install that as the base OS, install essentials as a virtual machine, install a 2nd VM with exchange, no transmog necessary for 20 users
Question: is sql express gone too?
Answer: I don’t think so.
Question: why not use the seamless out of the box integration of the GloStream EMR package?
Answer: There are many EMR packages.
Question: again it must see it as a local drive and not USB. The wizard will not let you move a folder to a usb drive
Answer: thanks
Question: SQl express 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29062
Answer: sql 2012
Question: We can use remote mamagement tools to do updaes and patches. 25 user exchange is 250 per month. (9,000 over three years) Many small clients do not use sharepoint.
Answer: I would say they should be using Sharepoint but to each their own.
Question: This is Jim, microphone not working. Sorry.
Answer: ok
Question: You are right about the sharepoint usage, they should.
Answer: thanks
Question: where are you getting $250/month for 25 users on Exchange online? It’s $100/month.
Answer: ?
Question: what methodology is intended for client update/patch without WSUS
Answer: download install wsus yourself, it’s supported just not included out of the box
Question: While on line I looke at Rackspace, $10.00 per user, per month
Answer: cool
Question: Thank you to all organizers!
Answer: yes!
Question: Any chance this type of event could be done on a regular, but time limited basis?
Answer: planning on it

3 Categories : Amy Babinchak, Brian Higgins, Windows Essentials 2012

May
11

Brain Explosion and IT Pro Conference: 26 days and just a few seats left. You need to register now.

by amy

By now you know that the Brain Explosion 2012 content is going to be amazing. But the date has snuck up on you and it’s time to register. The majority of the seats are full but we’ve still got room for you. We’re about the hit the date when we need to finalize all of the days arrangements so please get your registration in today.

Register now and get your flight. This is only a month away!http://www.conference2012.sbsmigration.com/events/session_presenter/

Brain Explosion – technical sessions by Third Tier’s own staff. We deep dive into these topics. We’ll also be around for the conference afterwards. Gain some quality time with our staff in New Orleans!

• IPv6 Right Now – The next steps you need to take now that IPv6 has been installed by default.
• Active Directory Management – Mastering schema extension and getting ahold of the AD maintenance.
• Exchange 2010 Compliance and Archiving – Doing this the right way
• Managing Data Encryption – Sherlock Holmes can’t crack the code but you can store and manage you data encryption properly

IT Pro Conference – The Cloud is coming. Vendors are changing their strategies. I (Amy) thinks that 80% of IT firms will go out of business as a result. Make sure you aren’t one of the statistics. Attending this conference will get you on the right track. IT Pros are gathering to map out their future in a world of Cloud, no Privacy, Trusting servers you’ve never met and remaining relevant to your clients.

Need more tech? This conference has that too.

Technical Breakout Sessions

• Win8 Server Improved Manageability
• Understanding the VDI Desktop Opportunity
• How Your Secure WiFi and Wireless is Easily Hacked
• The Security Exposure of Using Social Media

Register now and get your flight. This is only a month away!http://www.conference2012.sbsmigration.com/events/session_presenter/

0 Categories : Amy Babinchak, Brain Explosion, Brian Higgins, Cliff Galiher, Dave Shackelford

Apr
9

Custom Active Directory Schema Extensions can be handy

by amy

During Brain Explosion 2012, which is happening on June 7th as a pre-day event of the IT Pro Conference in New Orleans, Brian is going to take the complex out of AD and Group Policy and not only show you how to properly manage them but more importantly how to make them bend to your will! Brian will demonstrate one of the custom schema extension he often uses with his clients.

Active Directory Management Presented by Brian Higgins

Active Directory is a complex and powerful system, and combined with the power and complexity of Group Policy it can be downright difficult to manage sometimes. Proper setup and configuration upfront can make management and troubleshooting of complex system like Active Directory (almost) simple. We will start this session by exploring some of the common topology mistakes when setting up Active Directory, and how proper topology layouts can make managing Group Policy much easier. Next we will dive deeper into some strategies behind planning your Group Policy deployments, and discuss some performance considerations when you create new policies. Finally you’ll learn how to create your own custom schema extensions to store custom information in Active Directory. I’ll show you how to use that schema extension knowledge to effortlessly, and automatically deploy and manage network printers to users in a completely new way.

This is but one of the great sessions that Third Tier staff will present during the Brain Explosion. You should register now to reserve your space.

Register now

To Register select a conference, then choose the number of attendees and press that Order It! button.

0 Categories : Brain Explosion, Brian Higgins

Mar
20

Brain Explosion 50% Discount and Content Revealed

by amy

Important Registration Information: Registration is open for Brain Explosion 2012. This full day of training is taking place on June 7th as a pre-day event of the IT Pro Conference hosted by SBSMigration. Until March 25th you can register at 50% off the price. That makes a full day of training including lunch buffet for $60. If you’ve attended our Brain Explosions in Las Vegas before then you know that we like to have fun. This Brain Explosion will be no different. Join us at the IT Pro Conference Jazz Reception immediately following the last Brain exploding session and kick off your New Orleans experience in style.

Register now

To Register select a conference, then choose the number of attendees and press that Order It! button.

Content Revealed!

Third Tier staff are known for the depth of knowledge they bring to your business. At Brain Explosion 2012 they’ve developed some very practical sessions that will leave you empowered to deploy.

IPv6 Right Now Presented by Cliff Galiher

In this session, we will cut through the theory and dig in to how IPv6 impacts today’s business networks. Will will give you practical tools to understand IPv6, deploy and transition your network, and support an IPv6 infrastructure including DNS, DHCP, and coexisting with IPv4. Will will leave with a better understanding and a few “next steps” to help bring your networks forward with this exciting advancement in technology.

Active Directory Management Presented by Brian Higgins

Exchange 2010 Compliance and Archiving Presented by David Shackelford

Few small and midsized businesses that have clients in the medical, financial and legal professions are actually prepared to provide data to the courts in the event of a lawsuit or investigation. Those who have some measures in place still find e-discovery to be a very tedious process. In this session we’ll look at ways the Exchange 2010 feature set has made storing and retrieving archived emails easier and will also discuss some third-party solutions that have made compliance processes even easier.

Managing Data Encryption Presented by Jeremy Anderson

Jeremy Brings forth the Encryption as he discusses BitLocker. Addressing the physical security of your network, including laptops and tablets Jeremy will discuss Bitlocker and how to Implement and deploy it in your Active Directory Domain. How to back up the recovery keys into AD DS using the BitLocker Active Directory Recovery Password Viewer tool, and how to recover data from a drive will be discussed and demonstrated. New features, including Network Unlock and Partial Drive Encryption that is available in Windows Server 8 and Windows 8 will be discussed. Learn how easy full disk encryption is to deploy and use in your networks, and the security that it brings to your clients knowing that if they have a device lost or stolen, that the data is secure from theft.

0 Categories : Amy Babinchak, Brain Explosion, Brian Higgins, Cliff Galiher, Dave Shackelford, Jeremy

Feb
10

Third Tier featured on Datto One-Take Video Blog

by amy

Amy and Brian were special guests on the Datto video blog. We discuss why should should buy your Datto from Third Tier; The extra benefits we are offering at no cost to you and Brian shares his client’s disaster. That disaster was happening as we recorded the video! Ready to learn more? Head over to the Datto page of our website: http://www.thirdtier.net/datto

Amy and Brian at Datto

0 Categories : Amy Babinchak, Brian Higgins, Datto

Jan
6

Solving the Unresponsive Exchange, SBS Server Problem

by amy

For several months I had a couple of SBS servers that would occasionally fail to respond. Often times I was able to RDP to the server. The event logs would not show a problem but workstations were unable to access anything on the server. A look at the workstations also found nothing wrong. In my experience there are two things that can cause mysterious problems like this: cabling and memory. We look at the cabling and the switch. They weren’t the problem. The problem was server memory sharing or lack thereof.

We’ve gotten used to Exchange hogging all the memory on the server, but in pre-2007 versions it was pretty good at sharing that memory with other applications. But no more. Exchange grabs that available memory and doesn’t let go. When the server comes under load it then becomes unresponsive to additional requests. Wait for a long time and the problem will go away. Reboot and the problem will go away. Restart the Exchange Store and the problem will go away. But what we really need to do is prevent it from happening in the first place.

The solution to this problem is to tune Exchange caching to your environment. TechNet has an article on how to calculate how much cache and therefore memory that Exchange will need. You can find that article here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee832793.aspx. This is a great article in that it gives you the formula for determining the minimum and maximum memory allocation your environment will require and also point us to another TechNet article that shows us where to make this change. (Interestingly enough this later article is from Exchange 2000 days.) That second article is here: How to modify the Store Database maximum cache size in Exchange 2000 Server

If you do nothing then this is now much ram the Store service is taking on your server right now:

The amount of ram that you want to set aside for Exchange will vary based on the number of emails sent by the organization so you will want to perform the calculation outlined in the article above.

I’m a small business consultant with many clients running exchange on-premise. For my purposes I needed to find a standard that fit the majority of my clients. We can of course tweak said standard when the situation warrants, say the client is very small or very large. So I calculated a number that I felt would never be exceeded. My number is 10GB maximum and 5GB minimum. You should note that although it doesn’t say so in the article, the one written for the 2000 era, setting a minimum and a maximum was required in order to have the desired effect on freeing up the ram. You should also know that the value you enter into msExchESEParamCacheSizeMax and Min must be an increment of 32k. Thus 10GB is 326780 an 5GB is 163840. (Many thanks for Michael B Smith for assisting with the calculation and pointing out the importance of 32k)

Where is this parameter? It’s in Active Directory. You’ll need to enable Advanced Features viewing. Browse to the Information Store object and modify the attributes. Yes you will need to restart the Exchange services for this change to take effect.

Many thanks also to our fabulous staff at Third Tier for getting to the bottom of this issue.

1 Categories : Amy Babinchak, Brian Higgins, Cliff Galiher, Exchange, Jeremy, SBS 2011

Sep
23

All the Details for the Brain Explosion

by amy

We had a dress rehearsal of one of the presentations last night with a small local audience. The most technical guy, stopped me on our way out the door and said “I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I learned something tonight. I shouldn’t have but I did. Who was that speaker again?” I was thrilled. That’s what it is all about, isn’t it? Picking up that tidbit that you didn’t know. Even if you think you know something inside and out there is always room to learn just that much more on a technical topic. When you pick up that nugget it make the whole thing worth the effort. That’s why I love IT and I bet that’s why you love it too. I’m looking forward to being in a whole room of amazing IT professionals. See you in Vegas! We have a great day planned for you.

Haven’t registered yet? Please do so now. www.thirdtier.net/registration Your registration fee includes a full day of training, lunch and an evening with Third Tier at the local pub. Space is limited so register today.

2011 Brain Explosion – A Master Class in Remote Access

8:30am – doors open, meet & greet, welcome by Amy Babinchak
9:00am – DNS Mysteries Unveiled
10:15 – break (15 min)
10:30 – Under the Covers of Remote Web Access
12:00 – Lunch – Calyptix Security
12:30 – Securing Remote Access using Radius
1:15 – Direct Access for Smaller Businesses
2:30 – break (15 min)
2:45 – Becoming a Messaging Sleuth
3:30 – Thin Client Standardization and Configuration
4:15 – Final thoughts, dismiss by Amy Babinchak

Later that same evening: PARTY with Third Tier and SBSMigration at McFadden’s Pub.

Direct Access for Smaller Businesses – Cliff Galiher

DirectAccess is a remote connectivity technology that opens new doors for end users to access company resources like never before and can greatly reduce the support burden of managing computers that are regularly outside a company LAN. Implementing DirectAccess can be a daunting task with most of the documentation focusing on large enterprise deployments. In this session you will learn about the DirectAccess from the inside. When you are done, you will know where it can fit in your network, how to do a deployment focusing on the small or midsized business, and some common pain points with troubleshooting tips, making DirectAccess more available to small businesses than ever before.

The Managed Edge – Ben Yarbrough, Calyptix

Calyptix Security is pioneering the development of “The Managed Edge”^tm cybersecurity solution. The Managed Edge is born out of two massive trends that are converging to put extreme pressure on IT security for small and medium sized businesses. We’re seeing a massive migration of computing and network infrastructure from the main office into the cloud; and a parallel rapid proliferation of mobile computing devices in the form of bigger, faster tablets and smart phones. The combination of these two forces has resulted in a dramatic expansion in demand for remote access to corporate computing resources from employees who are increasingly working from home, on-the-road, or deployed virtually in an array of satellite offices.

KISS Edge Security – Brian Higgins

What do your wireless access point, a cable / DSL modem, and a VPN connection have in common? They can all be authenticated against a central user database such as Active Directory using RADIUS. RADIUS is one of the least known / utilized methods of authentication available in Windows, but one of the most useful. The most common use for RADIUS in small business is to authenticate external users who want to connect to a company’s VPN appliance, enabling them to use the same username and password for their remote access as their AD logon, because everything, including their password, is tied back to their Active Directory account. Ever wonder how an ISP tracks who is connected to their network, or what speed internet service you purchased? In this session we will answer that question and more as we explore some of the various uses of RADIUS, ways you probably already interact with it (probably unknowingly), and how you can take advantage of this very useful protocol to provide your clients with a simpler, more streamlined connection process, while actually making things easier to manage.

Under the Covers of Remote Web Access – Eriq Neale

Since SBS 2003, the SBS family of products has included a feature that, quite frankly, has made some of the other product lines jealous – the Remote Web Workplace (now called Remote Web Access in the 2011 series of products). Starting with the 2008 product series, Microsoft made some significant changes to the way this remote connectivity tool works behind the scenes, and in some cases that has led to some frustration on the part of the user and IT support community. In this session, we will show you how remote connectivity works under the hood so you can learn how to gain remote access to servers and workstations while bypassing the RWA interface, as well as finally being able to allow Macintosh and other devices to remotely control PCs using this same mechanism. Plus, we’ll show you how to build your own remote access infrastructure using the same tools that MS uses to make the remote connectivity of RWA work.

Becoming a Message Sleuth – David Shackelford

Sometimes as a consultant you are asked to be the expert on what happened to a message that was or wasn’t delivered. While you may have used the Exchange message tracking logs and the application log, there are also the SMTP protocol logs, the filtering logs and additional diagnostic logging at your disposal. This session will get you familiar with the tools and give you the best practices for getting useful data out of them, making you look like a CSI guy (or gal). I’ll focus on the scenarios that I encounter every week working for ThirdTier.

DNS Mysteries Unveiled – Jeremy Anderson

Name the single most important aspect of any computer network, from the smallest office to the largest multi-national corporation. Name the one thing that each of us use every day, that we don’t even think about. This is DNS.DNS is a complex protocol that is required for daily operation of your networks. DNS is often set up behind the scenes and has little maintenance and configuration. But what do you do if it’s not working? How do you troubleshoot and verify its operation? Can you be certain that you have your DNS set up and configured according to best practices? An overview of DNS and how it works, with an emphasis on ‘WHY’ it matters, how to troubleshoot, and what tools to use to verify its operation. I will go over the different types of DNS servers, split scopes, DNS replication, and other terms that you may have heard. DNS is a practical solution to an everyday problem, that we do not nearly spend enough time on, assuming that it will just work. The intricacies and mysteries of DNS will be explained to you.

Thin Client Device Standardization – Steven Banks

In a world of MultiPoint and increased use Remote Desktop Services it’s time we gained some understanding on how to best manage thin client devices. They aren’t PC’s after all and capabilities and available tools very from manufacturer to manufacturer and even among models of devices. Get too many varieties and you could have a real mess. We’ll have several different types of devices with us to demonstrate management techniques.

We still have a few tickets left, so feel free to share with your friends!

0 Categories : Amy Babinchak, Brain Explosion, Brian Higgins, Calyptix, Cliff Galiher, Dave Shackelford, Eriq Neale, Jeremy, SMB Nation, Steve

Sep
12

Brain Explosion Content Detail: VPN and Wireless Authentication made Easy

by amy

Brian likes simple things and he wants to show you how to use the tools you already own. Using Radius is one of these things. All of our edge devices are capable of it. But hardly anyone uses it. Brian will show us all when to use it, why to use it and how to use it to provide authentication at the edge of our networks.

Remember, register to reserve your space. Last year we sold out. www.thirdtier.net/registration

—–
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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0 Categories : Brain Explosion, Brian Higgins, Security

Archive for Brian Higgins

Active Directory Management Presented by Brian Higgins

Content Revealed!

IPv6 Right Now Presented by Cliff Galiher

Active Directory Management Presented by Brian Higgins

Exchange 2010 Compliance and Archiving Presented by David Shackelford

Managing Data Encryption Presented by Jeremy Anderson

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