Month: April 2007

Dell we have a problem. It has come to my attention that ALL DELL PE2850’s have a hardware issue. It seems the dudes at Dell really messed up some firmware updates. If you are not running BIOS A06 and BMC 1.68 or higher download Dell’s Server Update Utility 5.1.1. (http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?releaseid=R136532) or later (I have only tested 5.1.1 though). Get 5.2 here http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?releaseid=R146351 So what happens if you are running the bad version? CPU IERR EO7F0 on every CPU in the machine at the same time. And then you get the famous Dell amber flashing light. Every OS locks up without processors, … Continue reading Dell PowerEdge 2850 Hardware issues

But if you want to test failover clustering…. Standard SCSI based clustering will no longer work (yes I tested it, no go).  Rocket Division StarWind will be the product you want to use to test Failover Clustering. http://www.rocketdivision.com/wind.html You will have to wait until the June 2007 time frame while they make it work with Beta 3. FalconStor iSCSI Storage Server http://www.falconstor.com/en/solutions/?pg=Products&sb=iSCSI I am not sure when they will support it. Microsoft bought StringBean (http://www.stringbeansoftware.com/downloads_update2_0.asp) which has a great WinTarget program. The program is now part of Windows Unified Data Storage Server and it called Microsoft iSCSI Software Target. That one works today, if … Continue reading Windows Server Codename "Longhorn" Beta 3 is out

April 18th I was invited to Microsoft http://msmvps.com/blogs/clustering/archive/2007/03/27/it-pro-townhall-with-steve-ballmer.aspx for the first every IT Pro Townhall event. We were not allowed to take pictures, so I don’t have any of those, but we could take notes. Here are my random notes and thoughts:  We started the daily with an early breakfast. Looking around the room everyone had one thing on their mind, how did I make the cut with all these smart people? It was a who-is-who of the IT industry. Panel Discussion #1 – Next generation of the Web and its implications on IT Professionals; both as consumers and in the … Continue reading IT Pro TOWNHALL recap

Problems:1)      You need to install a new machine with Windows Server 2003 or R2. You are required to install SP1 because SP2 is not support by your software or  hardware vendor.2)      You have a Windows Server 2003 SP1 or R2 machine that you need to update, but you don’t want SP2 – yet.3)      You don’t have a WSUS or all post SP1 patches on a CD/DVD Answer:Install your OS with SP1 or R2. Run Windows Update and you will see this screen:   Expand the + next to Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (32-bit x86) and the screen now shows:     Notice that … Continue reading How to create a fresh Windows Server 2003 SP1 without install Service Pack 2 (SP2) and still use Windows or Microsoft Update

SVR306 Top 10 Microsoft Windows Server Codename “Longhorn” Failover Clustering Enhancements over Windows Server 2003 Clustering, Based on Best Practices 6/6/2007 10:15AM-11:30AM Be the very first to learn about Windows Server codename “Longhorn” Failover Clustering. Are you using Windows Server 2003 Clustering? Are you following best practices? In this session we explore Windows Server codename “Longhorn” Failover Clustering by comparing it to Windows Server 2003 Clustering based on current best practices. The session begins with hardware configuration issues, concerns, and best practices—then and now. Next, we explore operating system configuration issues, concerns, and best practices. Then, we move on to the … Continue reading My Tech Ed Session time is on the web

Of course read my other blog posts on SP2, but also go and download this – Hotfix Scan Tool for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Deployment. Its a simple install, then you run it by doing this: From the command prompt type:   cscript c:\windows\system32\HotfixScanTool.vbs  The output should look like this: Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.6 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1996-2001. All rights reserved.   Detecting if any updates in the Block installation list were installed on the system…   No updates in the block installation list were detected. You can proceed to install Windows Server 2003 SP2 … Continue reading Before you run off and install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)…

Clusters are Highly Available and should never be considered Fault Tolerant.Highly Available = is when I come anytime my wife calls me.Fault Tolerant = Marriage.You don’t want to be married to you SQL/Exchange Cluster 🙂 You do want it around whenever you need it though. Active/Active = when your cluster is too busy for its own good.Active/Passive = one worker, one manager, you decide which is which.Node = Clustered computer, could also be the worker who sits in a cube, not to be confused with Dude.Virtual Server = this is kind of like be on a telecom at work, only … Continue reading Clustering terms made easy

I just got done playing Xbox 360 and before I go to bed I thought I would check my email and the hockey scores. Here is what the email said: Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2007 Microsoft® MVP Award! The Microsoft MVP Award is our way of saying thank you and to honor and support the significant contributions you make to communities worldwide. As a recipient of Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professional award, you join an elite group of technical community leaders from around the world who foster the free and objective exchange of knowledge by actively sharing … Continue reading Microsoft MVP for another year