Configure IP address in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
Posted by Victor Tong in Windows Infrastructure on December 20th, 2012
In W2K8 R2 WinRE, when I used netsh to configure IP address to the NIC, it said “invalid interface name” all the time.
After googling, I found out that a command is needed before setting IP address.
That command is “wpeinit”.
VMware Player (Linux), Add NIC to Host
Posted by Victor Tong in Linux, VMware on December 18th, 2012
It is quite difficult to find information on Internet talking about how to configure NIC for Linux VMware Player.
After studying installed files, I found out it has a command called “vmware-netcfg” which stores in “/usr/lib/vmware/bin“.
We can use this program to configure which NIC will be used for Virtual Machine networking.
QNAP iSCSI file location
Posted by Victor Tong in Uncategorized on November 29th, 2011
Bulk Mailbox creation by using Powershell
Posted by Victor Tong in Active Directory, Exchange Server on November 17th, 2011
Bulk Mailbox creation by using Powershell
Run following command in Powershell Exchange Management Console
$password = ConvertTo-Securestring "P@ssw0rd1" -asplaintext -force
$i = 1
While ($i -le 10)
{
New-Mailbox -Password $password -Name "User$i" -UserPrincipalName user$1@contoso1.com -OrganizationalUnit "contoso1.com/Users" -Database MDB01
$i = $i + 1
}
Postgresql 9.0.4 replication
Posted by Victor Tong in PostgreSQL on July 6th, 2011
Postgresql 9.0.4 replication
I did a simple testing on Postgresql 9.0.4 replication configuration.
This is my flow for the setup. I hope these steps can help for your reference.
Environment:
Master = 192.168.0.82
Standby = 192.186.0.83
Install postgresql 9.0.4 on master and standby server
Edit postgresql.conf on master server
listen_addresses = '192.168.0.82'
Edit pg_hba.conf on master server
# The standby server must have superuser access privileges.
host replication postgres 192.168.0.83/32 trust
Edit postgresql.conf on master server
wal_level = hot_standby
max_wal_senders = 5
wal_keep_segments = 32
Stop postgresql on master server
tar data folder to a tar file (e.g. data.tgz)
on standby server
Stop postgresql
rename data folder
mv data data_org
untar data.tgz
Edit postgresql.conf on standby server
wal_level = minimal
max_wal_senders = 0
wal_keep_segments = 0
hot_standby = on
create and edit recovery.conf on standby server.
standby_mode = 'on'
primary_conninfo = 'host=192.168.0.10 port=5432 user=postgres'
Start postgresql on Master Server
Start postgresql on Standby Server
Grep the following information to verify that replication is running.
On Master:
ps -ef | grep sender
On Standby
ps -ef | grep receiver
You can use createdb to create database on master server. Then, this DB will be replicated to standby server.
You can use “psql -l” to list database on server.
Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 Host backup (wbadmin)
Posted by Victor Tong in Hyper-V / Virtual Server, Windows Infrastructure on May 12th, 2011
Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 Host backup (wbadmin)
After using Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 (Free edition), I have a question about how to backup the Host.
I did research on Internet, most people is talking about using Windows Server Backup to do Host backup. Their instruction is based on Windows Server 2008 GUI.
Then, I tried to use the general server core approach to add Windows Server Backup to Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 to see if it works or not.
And the testing result is positive.
Steps for adding Windows Server Backup in Hyper-V Server 2008 R2
Step 1: Check if Windows Server Backup is installed by using the following command
oclist
Step 2: Use the following command to add feature
ocsetup WindowsServerBackup
Step 3: Check again to see if Windows Server Backup is installed
oclist
Step 4: Use the following command to do system backup with system state
wbadmin start -backuptarget:p: -allcritical -systemstate
Step 5: Backup completed
Failed to start VM in my i7-2600K Hyper-V server 2008 R2
Posted by Victor Tong in Hyper-V / Virtual Server, Windows Infrastructure on May 5th, 2011
MS Hyper-V R2 SP1 (workgroup), Virtual Machine failed to change state
Backgroud:
1. Download Hyper-V R2 SP1 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd776191.aspx
2. This server is running in workgroup mode
3. Disable firewall for all profiles
4. Enable all remote access through sconfig
5. Connect through Vista and Win7 in same workgroup with using Administrator account (Same administrator’s password on all machines)
6. hosts file modifed with adding hyper-v server name and IP
7. Windows firewall is disabled on all clients and server.
8. HRremote run to configure anonymous DCOM on client.
9. Remote Management can access to Hyper-V server and create Virtual Machine.
Problem:
When I start Virtual Machine. It has the error message “XXXXX failed to change state”.
I tried to simulate this issue with W2K8 R2 to the same machine. But this issue does not appear in W2K8 R2. I faced this problem in MS Hyper-V R2 SP1 only.
I re-installed 3 times and this issue can be reproduced in my machine.
I tried W2K8 R2 Standard (Full and Server Core) without problem. I can use my Vista to manage it succesfully.
I checked in event viewer. It has an event 3040.
Log Name: Microsoft-Windows-Hyper-V-Worker-Admin
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Hyper-V-Worker
Date: 5/4/2011 9:27:08 AM
Event ID: 3040
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords:
User: NETWORK SERVICE
Computer: hyperv
Description:
‘W2K8_R2_Trial’ could not initialize. (Virtual machine ID CEF2E5E4-97A1-4393-9B5D-24805C81BE09)
Event Xml:
< Event xmlns=”http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event“>
<System>
<Provider Name=”Microsoft-Windows-Hyper-V-Worker” Guid=”{51DDFA29-D5C8-4803-BE4B-2ECB715570FE}” />
<EventID>3040</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0×8000000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime=”2011-05-04T01:27:08.857Z” />
<EventRecordID>14</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID=”808″ ThreadID=”2224″ />
<Channel>Microsoft-Windows-Hyper-V-Worker-Admin</Channel>
<Computer>hyperv</Computer>
<Security UserID=”S-1-5-20″ />
</System>
<UserData>
<VmInitialize xmlns:auto-ns2=”http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events” xmlns=”http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/Virtualization/Events“>
<VmName>W2K8_R2_Trial</VmName>
<VmId>CEF2E5E4-97A1-4393-9B5D-24805C81BE09</VmId>
</VmInitialize>
</UserData>
< /Event>
Solution:
Finally, I find out a hotfix which is related to this issue.
KB2517374: “You cannot start virtual machines on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2 and on which a CPU is installed that supports the AVX feature”
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2517374
After applying this Hotfix, I can start the Virtual Machine.
Review: Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH-AP
Posted by Victor Tong in Product Review on June 6th, 2010
Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH-AP
I bought this broadband router to replace my Linksys WRT54G (Patched w/ DD-WRT).
Before using a new router, I wonder my Internet access speed cannot be fully utilized due to the speed of the router.
After changing to new router, Internet browser response is difference. And it is very close to the direct connection to computer.
Features:
| • Designed to 802.11n specifications |
| • Wi-Fi Certified™ to insure compatibility with other certified devices |
| • Wireless connections up to 300 Mbps* |
| • MovieEngine™ QoS feature to prioritize streaming traffic |
| • Built-in AirShare™ Storage USB 2.0 Port |
| • BitTorrent™ client |
| • Web Access remote file access |
| • Wireless Distribution System (WDS): Extend your wireless network across access points’ |
| • Greater coverage compared to standard 802.11g |
| • Push-button setup with AirStation One-Touch Secure System™ (AOSS™) |
| • Enhanced multi-level security with WPA2, WPA-PSK (AES, TKIP) and 128/64-bit WEP |
| • Simple Web Browser configuration, no drivers needed |
| • Includes external switch to change between router and access point modes |
| • Adjustable flip-up antennas |
| • Built-in 4-port Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 auto-sensing switch for up to simultaneous wired connections |
| • Built-in Gigabit WAN port |
Specification
Wireless LAN Interface
| Standard Compliance | IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b |
| Access Mode | Infrastructure mode |
| Antenna (Tx x Rx) | 3 x 3 |
| Wireless Security | WPA2, WPA-PSK (AES, TKIP), 128/64-bit WEP |
Wired LAN Interface
| Speed and Flow Control | 10/100/1000 Mbps, Auto Sensing, Auto MDIX |
| Number of LAN Ports | 4 x RJ-45 |
| Number of WAN Ports | 1 x RJ-45 |
USB Interface
| Standard Compliance | USB 2.0 |
| Connector Type | A type |
| Number of Ports | 1 |
Other
| Power Supply | External AC100-240V, 50/60 Hz |
| Setup Utility OS Support | Windows Vista® (32-bit), Windows® XP, Windows®2000 |
Comments:
1. Slim
2. Support VPN server
3. Fast
4. All Gigabit ports (including WAN port)
5. Support USB HDD
6. After upgrade firmware (I upgraded it to 1.74), it supports WDS
Issues:
1. I used it for 2 days, it has serious line drop issue w/ my home HGC 10MB ADSL broadband connection. Line will be dropped after running for 1 hour.
2. Every time having this issue, I need to reset my ADSL modem and broadband router.
3. I have tried different configuration and cannot fix the line drop issue.
4. I flashed it w/ DD-WRT firmware v24 preSP2 Build 14402. The Internet share performance is very poor and cannot be accepted. I reverted it to original firmware.
5. Finally, I give up using this broadband router w/ my home HGC 10MB ADSL broadband connection.
Microsoft Security Essentials (MS free antivirus software)
Posted by Victor Tong in Windows Infrastructure on March 25th, 2010
Just received e-letter from MS and it mentioned that MS has free AntiVirus software for Vista and Win7.
This software is called Microsoft Security Essentials.
I just installed. It looks good.
Reference:
Apple Magic Mouse VS Microsoft Laser Mouse
Posted by Victor Tong in Uncategorized on March 14th, 2010
MS Courier vs Apple iPad
Posted by Victor Tong in Uncategorized on March 9th, 2010
Just researched in Internet and found that MS will have a new device “Courier”.
After watching “Courier” demo video, I want to express my feeling.
My feeling is MS is forcing their staffs to develop a new “fancy” device. I cannot feel that they are going to address existing living necessary.
Just Fancy, not friendly.
They are missing from fundamental thinking again. It is very disappointed to what MS did again.
If you used iPhone and Mac OS, you may understand why I have such feeling.
MS Courier video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFQWc79TYcU
Backup Personal Certificate Store
Posted by Victor Tong in Windows Infrastructure on January 27th, 2010
Platform: Windows XP
Personal Certificate Store is stored in user profile instead of registry.
Location:
%userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My\Certificates
Reference:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc787544(WS.10).aspx
Certutil.exe – Check Personal Certificate Store
Posted by Victor Tong in Windows Infrastructure on January 27th, 2010
Certutil.exe can be found in Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 Administration Pack.
Following command and parameters can let you to query certificates stored in Personal Certificate Store.
That is very useful if you want to verify if user certificate deployed to user computer or not.
certutil -store -user My
Other Certificate Store reference information:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc787544(WS.10).aspx
Reviews: Windows 7 Utlimate
Posted by Victor Tong in Uncategorized on January 16th, 2010
Before installing Windows 7, a lot of friends commented that. It is faster that Windows Vista and it has a lot of improvement that Windows Vista.
When my first touch to Windows 7, my feeling is “It is a Vista”.
After navigating it, it is a Vista. Not much different !!
For my Vista box, I have done a large amount of performance tuning to it. It includes Network and system tuning.
So, I cannot feel a big improvement when I use Windows 7.
I do not have an exciting feeling to Windows 7 as when I used Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, it showed a lot of improvement for me. E.g. Kerbose, Windows Firewall, Remote Desktop.
In Windows 7, it seems facing bottleneck.
Overall comments:
1. If I can have choice, I will stay with WinXP
2. Win7 is an improved Window Vista. I don’t think it is a new version.
Reviews: Windows 7 – Virtual PC and WinXP Mode Comments
Posted by Victor Tong in Product Review, Windows Infrastructure on January 16th, 2010
Just have time to re-install my Vista box to Windows 7.
My initial planning is using Windows 7 Virtual PC for my PoC Lab testing.
After I have installed Win7 and configured the Virtual PC. I found that it is only support Win32 Virtual Machine.
I am very disappeared to it.
And the so-called killer feature “WinXP Mode”. My comment is “that is a marketing word”.
It is a monster for pushing customer moving to Win7.
The cost is very high to maintain 2 OSs for every users.
Overall comments:
1. The interface of Virtual PC for Windows 7 is not good
2. It does not support 64bit platform OS.
3. Monster “WinXP mode” sound attractive. But actually, it is quite difficult to maintain it.
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