(446,2,'2009-03-06 14:42:55','2009-03-06 19:42:55','<em>Careful planning is the key to minimizing challenges and achieving remarkable business benefits.</em>\n\nServer virtualization has rapidly become a mainstream technology with easily identifiable benefits such as improved server utilization, reduced hardware and management costs, reduced IT footprint, lower power and cooling consumption, and improved disaster recovery/business continuity (DR/BC) practices. It is now routinely viewed as a cornerstone of the automated, dynamic data center of tomorrow.<!--more-->\n\nIt is easy to make a business case for the technology, particularly in the current economic environment. A recent IDC study concludes that the average company deploying basic virtualization could see an ROI of 472 percent and payback in less than a year, including deployment time. Beyond reducing hardware and software costs, IDC notes that virtualization improves IT staff efficiency and end-user productivity, reduces downtime and speeds the performance of business applications.\n\n\"Customers view virtualization as both a strategic investment and a proven way to reduce costs,\" said Tod Nielsen, chief operating officer at VMware. \"Customers understand that virtualization is about much more than just consolidation. It\'s about manageability, flexibility and being smart about how they run their businesses.\"\n\n<strong>Be Prepared</strong>\n\nHowever, Gene Ruth, research analyst for Burton Group, notes that there are challenges in shifting from an existing physical server environment to a virtualized one - particularly if organizations fail to plan properly and set realistic expectations.\n\n\"Server virtualization is a transformative technology, but it has the potential to add to the operational complexity and risk by using unfamiliar technology and requiring disparate operational procedures and architectures,\" said Ruth.\n\nWhile virtualization delivers extraordinary ROI, organizations must be prepared to incur some up-front costs. They may need to upgrade aging equipment to gain the long-term benefits of virtualization, and there will be assorted expenses for virtualization licenses and management software. Even the so-called \"free\" hypervisors aren\'t truly free - they lack the management tools and management interfaces required to perform essential tasks such as dynamic provisioning, live migration and resource pooling.\n\nRobust management features are essential to effective server virtualization. The ease with which virtual machines (VMs) can be generated and deployed creates the risk of uncontrolled proliferation resulting in wasted resources and additional IT burdens. That can be avoided with a high-quality orchestration platform that allows automation of the entire VM lifecycle from requisition to de-commissioning.\n\n<strong>Moving Forward</strong>\n\nThese challenges don\'t need to be deal-breakers, however. Organizations that have a realistic view of the potential challenges and pitfalls, exercise caution, plan properly and develop a clear strategy can realistically expect to craft an infrastructure that makes exceptionally efficient use of hardware and network assets while also simplifying or automating many of today\'s administrative tasks.\n\nTo help ensure a successful implementation:\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Set Goals and Expectations:</span></strong> Document as clearly as possible the desired objectives, such as reducing server sprawl, maximizing utilization, expanding the development environment or improving disaster recovery. Research and understand the challenges created in a virtualized environment and prepare for them. Establish a long-term perspective in which virtualization is just the first step in a multi-year data center transformation process that includes retiring hardware that is no longer needed.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Obtain Buy-In:</span></strong> Solicit input from key stakeholders, including storage, networking, information security, facilities managers, application developers and end-users. It is critical to demonstrate that virtualization can be accomplished without hindering applications performance and without diminishing service to end-users.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Assess the Current Infrastructure:</span></strong> Identify all the existing physical servers and document their current CPU, memory, capacity and utilization levels to identify which servers could and should be consolidated. Determine if there are common applications running on a number of different servers. Consider whether the number of applications is increasing and if the capacity required for those applications is likely to continue expanding.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Understand Licensing Implications:</span></strong> Sometimes, the original licensing terms and conditions can change once an application has been migrated to the virtualized environment. In some cases, independent software vendors require additional licenses for each instance of a virtual machine running on one physical server.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Choose Wisely:</span></strong> When choosing a platform, think \"value\" rather than \"price.\" When evaluating products, check costs based on a per-socket basis, and don\'t forget to check the availability and cost of essential features such as migration, load balancing, recovery, snapshot support and backup management. If internal IT staff is limited, deployment features and ease of use will be particularly important attributes.\n\n\"As more enterprises begin to move virtualization into production environments, they will experience challenges beyond managing physical and virtual resources,\" said Noemi Greyzdorf, IDC Research Manager. \"In order to reap the benefits of server virtualization and drive down capital costs, enterprises need solutions (that) manage the overall architecture, storage resources and operational processes to reduce complexity and increase efficiencies in managing physical and virtual environments.\"\n\nServer virtualization is not without challenges, but with proper planning it can address many of the IT challenges that have been intensified by the current economy. It allows organizations to quickly adapt to change, capitalize on new opportunities and achieve greater business alignment while controlling costs. With that type of value proposition, it\'s not a question of \"if\" but \"how\" server virtualization should be implemented.','ORCHESTRATING SERVER VIRTUALIZATION','','publish','open','open','','orchestrating-server-virtualization','','','2009-03-06 14:42:55','2009-03-06 19:42:55','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=446',0,'post','',0),(451,2,'2009-03-06 16:13:23','2009-03-06 21:13:23','More than 50% of VMware customers use the award-winning VMware Infrastructure for disaster recovery. The reason is simple: disaster recovery solutions that leverage VMware Infrastructure and the new VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager offer faster recovery, more reliable recovery, and recover without the expensive infrastructure required by traditional solutions.\n\nStart building a disaster recovery program that is tailored to fit your IT infrastructure and your budget. <a href=\"http://www.vmwaregrid.com/f1/egroup/?UID=A5FA3A29-49C5-46B1-8CE6-4DF8F6959907&amp;MID=498#/Intro\">CLICK HERE</a>','eGROUP AND VMWARE MAKE DISASTER RECOVERY FASTER, LESS EXPENSIVE AND MORE RELIABLE FOR ANY SIZE COMPANY','','publish','open','open','','egroup-and-vmware-make-disaster-recovery-faster-less-expensive-and-more-reliable-for-any-size-company','','','2009-03-06 16:13:23','2009-03-06 21:13:23','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=451',0,'post','',0),(453,2,'2009-03-09 09:04:48','2009-03-09 14:04:48','Following completion of a rigorous training program, eGroup has been awarded certification in VMware\'s prestigious Site Recovery Manager (SRM) Partner Program.VMware Site Recovery Manager is part of VMware\'s industry-leading suite of management and automation products for the datacenter. VMware SRM delivers advanced capabilities for disaster recovery management, non-disruptive testing and automated failover. SRM can manage failover from production datacenters to disaster recovery sites, as well as failover between two sites with active workloads. It can also help with planned datacenter failovers such as datacenter migrations.<!--more-->\n\nAfter being hand-selected by VMware for the exclusive SRM Partner training track, eGroup was required to meet demanding training objectives, including building its own internal interoperability lab with a variety of storage and replication mechanisms.\n\nThe SRM Partner program underscores eGroup\'s commitment to work with market players that are shaping the technology landscape. One of the key benefits of participation in the program is technical excellence through early access to concentrated VMware SRM content to be used in developing customer-focused SRM solutions.\n\n\"Being selected for, and graduating from, the VMware SRM Partner Program is a huge recognition of the confidence that VMware and its partners have in eGroup and its delivery capabilities. As computing resources move to a cloud or grid format, you can expect that eGroup will deliver high-value, high-touch services to those customers adopting a cloud computing operating model,\" said Michael Carter, Principal with eGroup.','eGROUP CERTIFIED AS \'GO TO\' PARTNER FOR VMWARE SITE RECOVERY MANAGER','','publish','open','open','','egroup-certified-as-go-to-partner-for-vmware-site-recovery-manager','','','2009-03-09 09:04:48','2009-03-09 14:04:48','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=453',0,'post','',0),(457,8,'2009-03-12 09:15:27','2009-03-12 14:15:27','When attempting to Integrate MOSS 2007 with SQL Server 2005 Reporting Server in SharePoint integrated mode there seems to be a few reasons that the above error can occur.  Most of the solutions out there are permissions related by making sure your SSRS application pools are running as a domain user with adequate rights, If you are using the Kerberos option you mat have to set up the SPN with the SETSPN commands,  Make sure \"Trusted Site\" is selected in step 1 of the configuration in SharePoint, etc...\n\nThose have been covered alot and more than likely you have already tried some of them.  One option that I found that wasn\'t reported on as often but has fixed my problems in a few installations is force IIS to use NTLM as your authentication method.  If you are attempting to use NTLM as your authentication method and you are getting a 401.1 Authentication error or the above error message from SharePoint.  Follow these steps and see if your issue isn\'t resolved.  By this time you have beaten your head against the wall for about a day as I have and anything is worth a shot.  This was the magic bullet for me.\n<ol>\n	<li>Open up the command line.</li>\n	<li>Navigate to C:inetpubAdminScripts</li>\n	<li>exceute the following command (and restart IIS afterwards for good measure)</li>\n</ol>\n     <span style=\"font-family: Courier New;\">cscript adsutil.vbs set w3svc/NTAuthenticationProviders \"NTLM\"</span>\n\nNavigate back to the MOSS Central Administration Site and see if you are still receiving the error.\n\nGood Luck!','SharePoint and SSRS Integration error: \"An unexpected error occurred while connecting to the report server. Verify that the report server is available and configured for SharePoint integrated mode.\" ','','publish','open','open','','sharepoint-and-ssrs-integration-error-an-unexpected-error-occurred-while-connecting-to-the-report-server-verify-that-the-report-server-is-available-and-configured-for-sharepoint-integrated-mode','','','2009-03-12 09:15:27','2009-03-12 14:15:27','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=457',0,'post','',0),(461,6,'2009-03-12 17:19:33','2009-03-12 22:19:33','The process of increasing the system drive, or C: drive, of a Windows 2000 or 2003 VM is very straight forward. One item to keep in mind is that the VM in question needs to be shutdown, and the virtual hard disk needs to be mounted to a different (helper) VM. Here are the steps for increasing the C: Drive on <strong>VM1</strong> from 10 GB to 25 GB. We\'ll use <strong>HELPERVM</strong> to complete the job:\n\n \n<ol>\n	<li>Shutdown <strong>VM1</strong>, that needs the C: increased (be sure to note where the virtual hard disk one is stored – local storage, iSCI lun, SAN, etc)</li>\n	<li>Go to Edit Settings and change the virtual hard disk size to 25 GB, and click OK</li>\n	<li>Close out of this <strong>VM1</strong>, and go to the <strong>HELPERVM</strong></li>\n	<li>Edit the settings of the <strong>HELPERVM</strong> and add the virtual hard from VM1 – just browse the datastore locate the hard drive and add it</li>\n	<li>Once the hard disk is added, log into the helper <strong>HELPERVM</strong></li>\n	<li>Go to Disk Management and rescan the disks, you will see the C: drive from <strong>VM1 </strong>in the lower pane</li>\n	<li>You should see the original size, plus you see the additional 15 GB as \"unpartitioned\"</li>\n	<li>Right click on the 10GB drive and click extend, follow the wizard the drive will take up the entire space that has been allocated</li>\n	<li>With the drive now showing up as the entire space, in this case 25 GB, we need to remove it from the <strong>HELPERVM</strong> – TO DO THIS WE NEED TO SHUTDOWN THE <strong>HELPERVM</strong></li>\n	<li>Shutdown the <strong>HELPERVM</strong>, edit the settings and remove the hard drive</li>\n	<li>With the virtual hard disk disconnected from <strong>HELPERVM</strong>, we can go back to <strong>VM1</strong> and power it up,</li>\n	<li>Navigate to disk management and rescan the disks – You should see the 25 GB hard drive now for C:</li>\n	<li>You will probably need to reboot VM1 one more time as Windows will recognize the change</li>\n</ol>\nNow you\'re all set with a bigger C: Drive.','HOW TO INCREASE THE C: DRIVE OF A VIRTUAL MACHINE','','publish','open','open','','how-to-increase-the-c-drive-of-a-virtual-machine','','','2009-03-12 17:19:33','2009-03-12 22:19:33','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=461',0,'post','',0),(462,2,'2009-03-13 13:34:45','2009-03-13 18:34:45','eGroup customer Acryness is a provider of custom statement printing and mailing services in the Charlotte area. Acryness specializes in making the billing process clear and concise for your most important audience - your customers.\n\nWhen Acryness needed a partner to guide them in building a solid, highly available virtual computing infrastructure, they turned to eGroup.<!--more-->\n\nRob LaCorte, Acryness Infrastructure Manager, tells the story. \"We began our VMware journey with another company which ended up not working out. At that time, we had already purchased all of our hardware and software but had no way to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. We made a phone call to VMware, and they highly recommended eGroup.\"\n\nRob continues, \"We met with eGroup Consultant Jonathan Webster who walked us through every step of how we were going to accomplish our goal.\"\n\nToday Acryness has virtualized 100% of the servers that run their business onto three VMware ESX Servers in combination with an EMC AX4 SAN that eGroup recommended and installed. This virtual computing environment gives Acryness a solid foundation that has the capability to grow as their business grows.\n\nRob says, \"We consider eGroup to be a very important part of our business; without them, we would not have the stability we have for our infrastructure today.\"','eGROUP BRINGS NEW LEVELS OF AVAILABILITY AND SCALABILITY TO ACRYNESS','','publish','open','open','','egroup-brings-new-levels-of-availability-and-scalability-to-acryness','','','2009-03-13 13:34:45','2009-03-13 18:34:45','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=462',0,'post','',0),(468,4,'2009-03-16 09:36:20','2009-03-16 14:36:20','Breadth of Storage Software Helps Extend EMC’s Leadership Position\n\nEMC Corporation, the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, led the worldwide storage software market in total revenue again for 2008, according to the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Storage Software Tracker, March 2009. [a]\n\n<!--more-->\n\nIn addition to leading the overall storage software market for the full year of 2008, EMC also led in three storage software categories – storage replication, storage device management and storage management. In the storage device management software segment in 2008, EMC grew revenue more than six times the revenue share of its closest competitor.  In addition, EMC grew revenue more than 20%, year-over-year, in the data protection and recovery software segment for the full year, outpacing the market and all of the top four competitors.\n�\nAccording to EMC, the company achieved 11% annual growth in software license and maintenance revenue during 2008, when combining its storage software market leadership and other areas of software leadership like virtualization, enterprise content management and archive, resource management and information security.  Software made up approximately 40% of EMC’s overall revenue for 2008. \n\n“EMC continues to show the strength and breadth in its storage software portfolio by again leading the overall market,” said BJ Jenkins, EMC’s Senior Vice President, Global Marketing.  “In 2008, we were able to deliver new and updated software functionality that helped customers lower costs, simplify the management of expanding environments, meet new data protection requirements and control explosive data growth.  We continued to expand our broad software support for virtual environments by adding functionality in the areas of backup, data deduplication, replication and resource management.  Additionally, we continued to expand key integration points between EMC storage software and hardware products in 2008, helping customers with turnkey solutions that drive efficiency, mitigate risk and reduce total cost of ownership.”\n\nAdditionally, EMC announced on March 6, 2009 that it was the #1 provider of external disk storage systems again in 2008, according to the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Disk Storage Systems Tracker, March 2009. [b]\n[a] Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Storage Software Tracker, March 9, 2009\n[b] Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Disk Storage Systems Tracker, March 2009','EMC NAMED LEADER IN STORAGE SOFTWARE MARKET','','publish','open','open','','emc-named-leader-in-storage-software-market','','','2009-03-16 09:36:20','2009-03-16 14:36:20','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=468',0,'post','',0),(442,44,'2009-03-16 15:52:17','2009-03-16 20:52:17','The next version of the AMC by Citrix is finally aiming to be MMC compliant!  I\'m pretty excited about this because I think the AMC is one of the buggiest features of XenApp.  Getting this so it\'s a universally accepted standard is a step in the right direciton for Citrix.  Right now this new version of the AMC is only for Web Interface but the hope is that they would continue to move all AMC to these standards.  To check out the beta, and learn more check out the link below:\n\n<a href=\"https://www.citrix.com/English/ss/downloads/details.asp?downloadId=1687206&amp;productId=186\">https://www.citrix.com/English/ss/downloads/details.asp?downloadId=1687206&amp;productId=186</a>','CITRIX WEB INTERFACE CONSOLE TO BE MMC COMPLIANT','','publish','open','open','','citrix-web-interface-console-to-be-mmc-compliant','','','2009-03-16 15:52:17','2009-03-16 20:52:17','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=442',0,'post','',0),(479,44,'2009-03-16 16:07:15','2009-03-16 21:07:15','I thought it fitting to talk about one of the biggest Citrix misconceptions I hear; Citrix logins take to long.  I was recently in an enviroment where there logins were so bad people detested using Citrix.  I think the biggest marketing mistake Citrix ever did was to show their logo during the login process of Citrix.  The fact of the matter is in a lot of environments it does take an extermly long time to log in, the misconception is that this is Citrix\'s fault.  Most likely the cause is one of the follow:\n\n<strong>Adobe:</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>Adobe is installed and by default it has programs running in the startup folder.  (Other programs also might have things in the startup folder)  GET RID OF IT!  This is the number one issue I see out there with logins taking forever, default installations on a Citrix environment whereby the app puts something in startup.  This isn\'t a home computer, this is your server, take control of it and watch (like a hawk) when an app loads something in startup.  Remember this app will start for each and every user that logs in.  Clean it up.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Scripts:</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>Take the time to figure out if your script is exactly what you need when a user logs into Citrix.  Maybe you have your AV deploying via a script, is that really necessary?</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Random Issues:</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>One issue I saw just last week was an IE Branding Policy issue.  After lots of research I found an unlisted hotfix by MS that fixed this issue. </li>\n</ul>\nThese are just a few of the issues that exist.  The point I want to make is that there are a lot of reasons why your logins are slow, Citrix however is probably not one of them.  Use the tools that are available and take the time it takes to diagnose your logins.  A good login time to set your goal to is 10 seconds from click to full application, that\'s using Roaming Profiles.  If you are going over that then take the time to figure out why and see if you can do something about it, chances are you can.','CITRIX SLOW LOGIN MISCONCEPTIONS','','publish','open','open','','citrix-slow-login-misconceptions','','','2009-03-16 16:07:15','2009-03-16 21:07:15','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=479',0,'post','',0),(481,8,'2009-03-17 08:31:45','2009-03-17 13:31:45','In a move eGroup has been expecting for some time, Cisco yesterday announced a server platform that brings us one step closer to delivering a truly optimized cloud infrastructure in the datacenter. eGroup will be all over the opportunity to be an early adopter of this technology, delivering ways for our customers to efficiently leverage the benefits of truly consolidated and virtualized resources scaled to fit business needs like a glove. Stay tuned as this exciting news develops further. Or give eGroup a call for more information. The original article is below.\n\nChris Hogan, eGroup\n\nPublished by IDG News Service - Monday, March 16, 2009 9:00 AM PDT\n\nIn a much-anticipated announcement, Cisco Systems Monday launched its Unified Computing System, comprising virtualization technology, services and blade servers aimed at helping enterprises develop and manage what it calls \"next-generation data centers.\"\n\nCisco\'s new data-center architecture comprises compute, network, storage access and virtualization resources in a single rackable system designed to cut IT infrastructure costs and complexity, stretch existing IT investments and allow enterprise customers to build an agile data center that they can easily extend for future growth, according to the company.\n\nTaking a step into the server market, where it will compete with long-standing partners like Hewlett-Packard and IBM, Cisco announced the UCS B-Series blades, based on upcoming Intel Nehalem processors. Cisco said the blades incorporate extended memory technology for applications with large data sets.\n\nHowever, Cisco also is teaming up with software partners such as Microsoft, VMware and BMC to provide technology for its new system. Cisco will prepackage, resell and support Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V technology and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 as part of the Unified Computing System. For its part, VMware is providing virtualization technology to the new system and BMC is contributing resource-management software.\n\nSystems integrator Accenture has already signed on to be a services partner, introducing on Monday four services options for its customers to deploy the Unified Computing System. Cisco also is inviting its broad network of channel partners to work with the company to provide the new infrastructure to enterprise customers.\n\nPrior to Monday\'s announcement, Cisco had laid out its intention to eliminate the manual integration of computing and storage platforms with networks and virtualization systems. In a recent blog posting, CTO Padmasree Warrior acknowledged this will lead Cisco to compete with some of its partners.\n\nMost enterprises have been able to realize the benefits of the first phase of virtualization, consolidating their data centers for economies of scale and simpler management. But it\'s been hard to achieve full virtualization, in which virtual machines can continuously move among servers, analysts say. This would allow for adding processing power as demand for an application grows, or for moving tasks off a physical server at night for hardware maintenance.\n\nVendors of servers, storage and software all can play roles in managing resources in virtualized data centers. Cisco executives have said the network is the best place to tackle many of these tasks because it is the only element of the infrastructure that touches everything.\n\nIBM and HP have not overlooked the importance of networks in controlling data centers. IBM has aligned with Cisco rival Juniper Networks in a broad strategy called Stratus, and HP is expected to increasingly tie its growing ProCurve networking business in with its computing offerings.\n\nCisco has pushed to bring more functions into the network infrastructure for several years. These have included security, application optimization, and adaptation of multimedia to fit different clients and purposes. As revenue growth from its core routing and switching businesses slows, the company is aggressively branching out into new areas, including consumer electronics and the Telepresence high-definition videoconferencing line.','Cisco Enters Server Market With Unified Computing System ','','publish','open','open','','cisco-enters-server-market-with-unified-computing-system','','','2009-03-17 08:31:45','2009-03-17 13:31:45','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=481',0,'post','',0),(488,8,'2009-03-18 08:59:31','2009-03-18 13:59:31','I recently came across the issue where after a fresh and successful install of SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS2007) that the Central Administration Site would give an application error upon loading for the first time.  After changing &lt;customErrors mode=\"Off\" /&gt; in all the web.config files we are able to see the \"Could not write to output file \'The directory name is invalid.\'\" error pointing to a folder below the WindowsMicrosoft.Net directory.  This error indicates that something is amiss with the ASPNET user account and it doesn\'t have permissions to write to the folders below the Microsoft.Net folder.  To solve this follow these simple steps.\n<ol>\n	<li>Open up Computer Management and verify that the user ASPNET exists.</li>\n	<li>Navigate to the Microsoft.Net directory (typically C:WindowsMicrosoft.Net) and open up it\'s security properties.</li>\n	<li>Add the ASPNET user under the sercurity tab and give it read/write/modify rights.</li>\n	<li>Click on advanced and check the box to replace permissions on child folders.</li>\n</ol>\nRestart IIS and then navigate back to the Central Administration Site and it should be come right up (after a little compile time).','SHAREPOINT .NET ERROR WHEN LOADING CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION. Could not write to output file \'The directory name is invalid.\'','','publish','open','open','','sharepoint-net-error-when-loading-sharepoint-central-administration-could-not-write-to-output-file-the-directory-name-is-invalid','','','2009-03-18 08:59:31','2009-03-18 13:59:31','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=488',0,'post','',0),(492,2,'2009-03-19 10:06:09','2009-03-19 15:06:09','(Hanahan, SC) - Providing quality masonry leadership for over 30 years, Weatherholtz Masonry is a full-service masonry contractor located in Hanahan, SC. Quality work ranges from commercial, industrial, large residential, government, and private sector projects. Led by Ernie Weatherholtz, the company is veteran owned and boasts a proficient workforce that focuses on efficiently getting results.\n\nThe estimating computer recently experienced a hardware failure, and needing to resolve the issue immediately Weatherholtz turned to eGroup. <!--more-->As an HP reseller, eGroup was able to secure a quote for a new machine within minutes. As the estimating computer plays such a vital role in the planning and designing of projects, they were in need of a machine they could rely on for years to come. Once the machine was approved and ordered with priority shipping, eGroup was onsite to get the machine operational and the Weatherholtz team back into action.\n\nPhil Spears of Weatherholtz had this say, \"I just want to thank eGroup for their help in rebuilding my masonry estimating machine. When my estimating program went down, I was a fish-out-of-water. eGroup rebuilt my computer function by function, and then I was up and running.  Thanks eGroup!\"\n\neGroup specializes in assisting its clients with thoughtful support, and design that gets results. eGroup provided the turnaround Weatherholtz needed to get their estimating computer back online so they could resume operations, and continue to focus on their core business of providing quality masonry services.','eGROUP PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO GET WEATHERHOLTZ ESTIMATING COMPUTER BACK ONLINE','','publish','open','open','','egroup-provides-assistance-getting-weatherholtz-estimating-computer-back-online','','','2009-03-19 10:06:09','2009-03-19 15:06:09','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=492',0,'post','',0),(495,44,'2009-03-23 10:54:30','2009-03-23 15:54:30','Good Citrix design in its most basic form is simple.  The number one rule is to remove all single points of failure.  This means there should be redundant servers for everything critical.  I consider the Secure Gateway, Web Interface, and XenApp servers critical.  Those are just for Citrix.  The other things to consider are redundant domain controllers, Clustered SQL servers, and a file server that is already designed for HA.  The most cost effective way of pulling this off is to use virtualization technoligies like ESX.  My typical small/medium business setup to to virtualize two XenApp servers, and two WI/CSG servers.  The WI/CSG is setup using NLB whereas the XenApp servers just use the standard Load Balancing built into Citrix.  Your SQL server should replicate the DS, there are good artilces on how to do this out there.  That\'s about it, just about any design I do starts with this and is customized for the customer requirements.','CITRIX DESIGN BEST PRACTICES','','publish','open','open','','citrix-design-best-practices','','','2009-03-23 10:54:30','2009-03-23 15:54:30','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=495',0,'post','',0),(499,44,'2009-03-23 15:20:43','2009-03-23 20:20:43','If you need to figure out if your Citrix Servers are set to access the datastore directly or indirectly there are two ways to do this:\n\n1) look to see if MF20.DSN exists, this should be found \"c:Program FilesCitrixIndependent Management Architecture\" if it isn\'t there that server is setup for indirect mode\n\n2) look under the follow Reg Key: <span>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARECitrixIMA if there is a key titled PSServer with a server next to it, the server under that value is the server that connects to the DB.</span>\n\n<span>Pretty simple, always use direct not indirect if you have a SQL DB.</span>','CITRIX IMA INDIRECT OR DIRECT CONNECTION','','publish','open','open','','citrix-ima-indirect-or-direct-connection','','','2009-03-23 15:20:43','2009-03-23 20:20:43','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=499',0,'post','',0),(515,44,'2009-03-24 13:39:36','2009-03-24 18:39:36','','screen-shot','Screen shot of Vulnerability Scanner properties page','inherit','open','open','','screen-shot','','','2009-03-24 13:39:36','2009-03-24 18:39:36','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/screen-shot.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(520,44,'2009-03-24 13:48:13','2009-03-24 18:48:13','eGroup uses and recommends the Trend Micro OfficeScan antivirus solution. For OfficeScan customers, here\'s a neat trick to use the Trend Vulnerability Scanner tool that is included with OfficeScan to find unprotected devices on your network and automatically deploy OfficeScan to them.\n\nTo install the Trend Micro OfficeScan client with Vulnerability Scanner:\n<ol>\n	<li>On the computer where you installed OfficeScan server, open OfficeScanPCCSRVAdminUtilityTMVS. Double-click TMVS.exe. The Trend Micro Vulnerability Scanner console appears.</li>\n	<li>Click Settings.</li>\n	<li>Under OfficeScan server settings, type the OfficeScan server name and port number.</li>\n	<li>Select Auto-Install OfficeScan client on unprotected computers.</li>\n	<li>Click OK to begin checking the computers on your network and begin OfficeScan client installation.</li>\n</ol>','HOW TO INSTALL THE TREND MICRO OFFICESCAN CLIENT USING VULNERABILITY SCANNER','','publish','open','open','','how-to-install-the-officescan-client-with-vulnerability-scanner','','','2009-03-24 13:48:13','2009-03-24 18:48:13','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=520',0,'post','',2),(527,44,'2009-03-24 15:56:03','2009-03-24 20:56:03','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Have you ever tried to use RDP to remotely manage a Windows 2003 Server only to discover that there were no available sessions?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Windows servers that are not Terminal Servers provide for up to two concurrent Remote Desktop sessions in addition to a session on the server console.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>If an administrator closes their Remote Desktop session without logging off, the session continues to run forever or until the server is rebooted, whichever comes first.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\">  </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Here are a couple of things you can do if this happens to you:</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">1)</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">log in to another server on the domain and use Terminal Services Manager to connect to the remote server and see the remote sessions that are running.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>You can log off the ones you don’t want and free up a session for yourself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">2)</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Try starting the terminal service client with the command “mstsc /console”.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>When you log in to the remote server you will be connected to the console session instead of a remote desktop session.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>If someone is logged on to the console you will be able to log them off and log in as yourself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Note: there are changes to the way this command works in Windows Server 2008: </span><a href=\"http://blogs.technet.com/peterfi/archive/2008/01/11/mstsc-console-is-now-mstsc-admin.aspx\"><span style=\"font-size: small; color: #800080; font-family: Calibri;\">http://blogs.technet.com/peterfi/archive/2008/01/11/mstsc-console-is-now-mstsc-admin.aspx</span></a></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">3)</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Another potential solution would be to install a 3rd-party remote control application like UltraVNC or GenControl (thanks Gunnar).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>These applications provide for shared access to the console session, although I’ve always preferred the simplicity of just using RDP.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">If your server is behind a firewall you will need to open TCP port 3389 for the RDP protocol to work.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Remote Desktop for Administration is disabled by default in Windows Server 2003.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Here’s how to enable it: </span><a href=\"http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814590\"><span style=\"font-size: small; color: #800080; font-family: Calibri;\">http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814590</span></a></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"> </p>','WHAT TO DO IF THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTIONS HAS BEEN EXCEEDED','','publish','open','open','','what-to-do-if-the-maximum-number-of-remote-desktop-connections-has-been-exceeded','','','2009-03-24 15:56:03','2009-03-24 20:56:03','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=527',0,'post','',0),(534,8,'2009-03-26 14:51:56','2009-03-26 19:51:56','The QuickBooks SDK Web Connector is a great tool for exchanging data between your QuickBooks installation and web services.  Here is an overview of how to implement a skeleton Web Connector so that you can access your QuickBooks data using QBXML. \n\n<!--more-->\n\nI will be touching more in depth on each of these steps in future posts but here are the steps to implementing your own skeleton QBWC.\n<ol>\n	<li>Download and Install QBSDK7 on your QuickBooks server.</li>\n	<li>Configure IIS and ASP.NET 2.0 on the same server or a webserver of your choice.</li>\n	<li>Copy the sample web connector code from the QBSDK installation folder to a virtual directory in IIS.  The sample code can be located at C:Program FilesIntuitIDNQBSDK7.0samplesqbdtc-sharpqbXMLWCWebService if you used the default installation directory.  Copy all of these files to your created virtual directory.</li>\n	<li>Configure the virtual directory in IIS as a .Net 2.0 application.</li>\n	<li>Open up the HTTPWebService.QWC file and change the url in the XML file to your newly created virtual directory.</li>\n	<li>The  AppSupport tag must point to the same domain as the appurl above.  For testing just make it a copy of the appurl.  You can later go back and add an instructional page if desired.</li>\n	<li>Leave the username as \"username\" for the time being.  This username needs to match the username set in the WCWebService.asmx.cs method \"authenticate\" that was set up when copying the files in step 3.  The default is \"username\".</li>\n	<li>Save the QWC file.</li>\n	<li>Open QuickBooks on the server and open the company file you wish to connect the Web Connector to.</li>\n	<li>Double Click the QWC file saved in step 8 on the server and select follow the onscreen prompts for desired access to the current QB company file.</li>\n	<li>Type the password for the Web Connector in the password box.  By default this is hardcoded in the \"authenticate\" method of the WCWebService.asmx.cs file and can be left blank.  I would recommend changing the hardcoded username and password to something of your choice after getting the initial test set up and working.</li>\n	<li>Execute the connector and everything should process successfully.</li>\n</ol>\nAfter the connector has been established and you have selected to run it on a certain interval all that is left is to implement the different methods in the WCWebService.asmx.  I will cover this in more detail in future posts but by default the skeleton task performs a customer query and a bill query in  \"<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">buildRequest\" method.  You can process the returned XML by adding code to the \"receiveResponseXML\" method.  An easy way to accomplish this is to create a database table that each returned record gets inserted into.  Then you can process that SQL table with your various applications.  On the other end you can create a pickup table that your applications send the request XML to.  When the connector executes the \"buildRequest\" method you can query this table for pending requests and add them to the request object to be sent to QuickBooks.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">If will further elaborate on each of the steps involved with samples and screens in future posts.  Please leave comments on anything you would like to see first.</span>','IMPLEMENTING QuickBooks SDK 7.0 (QBWC, QBSDK) WEB CONNECTOR.','','publish','open','open','','implementing-quickbooks-sdk-70-qbwc-qbsdk-web-connector','','','2009-03-26 14:51:56','2009-03-26 19:51:56','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=534',0,'post','',15),(537,11,'2009-03-31 16:09:41','2009-03-31 21:09:41','On Thursday, March 26th eGroup hosted an event along with its technology partners EMC, Cisco, and VMware in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The event brought eGroup and its customers together with eGroup\'s strategic vendors in a unique open forum setting, where a panel of experts representing each of the three manufacturers encouraged the audience to ask questions. This format allowed the discussion to go in the direction that the audience dictated, enabling attendees to take away truly useful information. <!--more-->In keeping with the title, \"What You Need to Know to Keep your Datacenter Afloat\", the event was held in a unique venue aboard U.S.S Yorktown, the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy.The topics of discussion ranged from disaster recovery and business continuity to Green IT and virtualization. After the event attendees were invited to meet with the representatives of each manufacturer and eGroup to ask any additional questions they had, as well as to tour the ship and enjoy \"Top Gun like fighting\" on the Flight Simulator.\n\nStay tuned to <a href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com\">www.eGroup-us.com</a> for future events following this same open discussion format in a city near you.','EGROUP HOSTS CUSTOMER EVENT “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KEEP YOUR DATACENTER AFLOAT” ABOARD U.S.S. YORKTOWN','','publish','open','open','','egroup-hosts-customer-event-%e2%80%9cwhat-you-need-to-know-to-keep-your-datacenter-afloat%e2%80%9d-aboard-uss-yorktown','','','2009-03-31 16:09:41','2009-03-31 21:09:41','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=537',0,'post','',0),(540,6,'2009-04-01 09:09:16','2009-04-01 14:09:16','VMware recently announced that ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 4 is available for download. Here is a brief summary of the features available with this release:\r\n\r\nThis new release of ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 4 comes with the following enhancements:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Enablement for platforms mounting the Intel Xeon 5500 Nehalem-EP processors family</li>\r\n	<li>Experimental support for PXE boot with ESXi installable</li>\r\n	<li>Newly supported guest Operating Systems:</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (32-bit and 64-bit).</li>\r\n	<li>SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (32-bit and 64-bit).</li>\r\n	<li>Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition and Server Edition (32-bit and 64-bit)</li>\r\n	<li>Windows Preinstallation Environment 2.0 (32-bit and 64-bit)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Expanded Support for Enhanced vmxnet Adapter – Update 4 includes an updated version of the VMXNET driver (VMXNET enhanced) for the following guest OS\'s:</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard (32-bit)</li>\r\n	<li>Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard (64-bit)</li>\r\n	<li>Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web</li>\r\n	<li>Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003</li>\r\n	<li>Microsoft Windows XP Professional (32-bit)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>QLogic Fibre Channel Adapter Driver Update — The driver and firmware for the QLogic fibre channel adapters have been updated to version 7.08-vm66 and 4.04.06 respectively. This release provides interoperability fixes for QLogic Management Tools for FC Adapters and enhanced NPIV support.</li>\r\n	<li>Emulex Fibre Channel Adapter Driver Update — The driver for Emulex Fibre Channel Adapters has been upgraded to version 7.4.0.40. This release provides support for the HBAnyware 4.0 Emulex management suite.</li>\r\n	<li>LSI megaraid_sas and mptscsi Storage Controller Driver Update — The drivers for LSI megaraid_sas and mptscsi storage controllers have been updated to version 3.19vmw and 2.6.48.18 vmw respectively. The upgrade improves performance and enhance event handling capabilities for these two drivers.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nNote: Virtual Center should be upgraded to version 2.5 Update 4 and VMware Tools should be upgraded on the VMs to take full advantage of the new feature set of ESX 3.5 Update 4.','VMware ESX and ESXi 3.5 Update 4 is Available for Download','','publish','open','open','','vmware-esx-and-esxi-35-update-4-is-available-for-download','','','2012-03-16 14:18:37','2012-03-16 14:18:37','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=540',0,'post','',2),(544,4,'2009-04-02 08:06:26','2009-04-02 13:06:26','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">OK, so I “upgraded” (in place) my Vista Notebook to Windows 7 Ultimate (Beta or RC1 – whichever was on the download)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The good news:  I made a full backup ahead of time.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><!--more--></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The bad news: I had a lot of weird seizure “issues” post upgrade</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The upgrade process itself went very smooth.  Post-upgrade I had issues with machine “seizures” as aforementioned.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">After a few hours (non-business hours) of troubleshooting, I finally deduced that it was the Windows Search feature (likely indexing?) causing explorer and the system to hang.  I disabled the Windows Search service and all has been well since (I’ve had to tweak some Windows vs. Trend firewall stuff, and remove some other junk that didn’t come thorugh the upgrade too smoothly, but this is minor and all reinstalled just fine after the fact – things like XenApp PNAgent, VMware Workstation, etc.)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">I kind of suspect that if I re-enabled the Windows Search service, and let the machine sit over the weekend, it would likely index and be all happy happy.  I’ll probably try that.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">However, if you upgrade your machine, then a) MAKE A BACKUP, b) note that you may have to disable the Windows Search service at first </span></p>','Windows 7 Notes from the Field (A tale of woe and redemption)','','publish','open','open','','windows-7-notes-from-the-field-a-tale-of-woe-and-redemption','','','2009-04-02 08:06:26','2009-04-02 13:06:26','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=544',0,'post','',0),(546,8,'2009-04-03 10:26:11','2009-04-03 15:26:11','Something I found MSNBC and thought I would share… http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29720710/\nAs a next-generation data center platform, the Cisco Unified Computing System brings together computational, storage access and network resources into a cohesive system optimized for virtualization.....\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThis offers customers a new approach to simplifying data center complexities while lowering cost of ownership by integrating the Cisco Unified Computing System with EMC\'s broad portfolio of information infrastructure technologies. These include automated IT management solutions such as EMC Smarts® and EMC ControlCenter®, industry-leading storage products, and VMware\'s powerful virtualization tools.\nCisco\'s Unified Computing System enables better utilization of IT infrastructure in a fully virtualized environment. These next-generation data center architectures will enable a new style of dynamic IT extending customers\' virtualized data centers, creating a foundation for private clouds that federate with compatible service providers.\n\"Customers are asking vendors to collaborate to address critical data center needs that will drive efficiency and their ability to do more with less. EMC and Cisco share a vision that enterprise IT will eventually evolve towards a private cloud model and both companies are committed to working together to achieve this,\" said EMC\'s Frank Hauck, executive vice president, Global Marketing and Customer Quality. \"Given virtualization is at the core of these next-generation data center architectures, EMC and Cisco, along with VMware, have been working together to invest significant resources together to provide customers the efficiency, control and flexibility they desire in next-generation data center architectures.\"\n\"Customers are increasingly looking to industry leading companies to collaborate and deliver architectural solutions that increase business agility and reduce costs,\" said Rob Lloyd, executive vice president designate, Worldwide Operations for Cisco. \"We have validated this approach through our longstanding strategic alliance with EMC. Together, EMC and Cisco, along with VMware, are unleashing the power of virtualization by pioneering a system level approach to deliver advances in efficient data center management and security and business continuance.\"\nEMC and Cisco have been collaborating for years on creating an optimized information infrastructure that combines EMC\'s expertise in storing, protecting and managing vast amounts of information with the power of Cisco\'s intelligent network. The two companies work together around storage area networking with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement that enables EMC to resell the Cisco MDS multilayer switches and Cisco Nexus 5000 platform as part of EMC Connectrix® family of connectivity products. As part of this relationship, EMC was the first storage vendor to offer a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) switch based on the Cisco Nexus 5000 platform.\n\nMatt Sidlo, eGroup, Inc\nhttp://www.eGroup-us.com','CISCO AND EMC ARTICLE ','','publish','open','open','','cisco-and-emc-article','','','2009-04-03 10:26:11','2009-04-03 15:26:11','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=546',0,'post','',0),(548,44,'2009-04-03 16:49:14','2009-04-03 21:49:14','It’s always been possible to extend the C: drive on a Windows 2000/2003 VMware virtual machine (see the excellent blog entry by eGroup engineer Travis Baird here: <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=461\">http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=461</a>), but the process has always been <a href=\"http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kludgy\" target=\"_blank\">kludgy</a>.  By comparison, extending the C: drive in Windows Server 2008 <em><strong>ROCKS</strong>!</em>\n\nHere’s why:\n1) You can do it while the server is online (no reboot required)\n2) You don’t need a “helper” VM to make it work\n\nHere’s how:\n1) In VirtualCenter, right-click the VM and select <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Edit settings</span>\n2) Select the hard disk and enter the new size. Click \"Ok\"\n3) Log into the VM with Administrator privileges. Right-click the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computer</span> icon and select <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Manage</span>\n4) Select <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Storage</span>, then <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Disk Management</span>\n5) Right-click <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Disk Management</span> and select <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Rescan Disks</span>.  You should see some unallocated space appear to the right of the disk\n6) Right-click the disk and select <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Extend Volume</span>, and follow the wizard.  It’s quick and easy, and no reboot is required!','EXTENDING THE C: DRIVE ON A WINDOWS 2008 VM ROCKS!','','publish','open','open','','extending-the-c-drive-on-a-windows-2008-vm-rocks','','','2009-04-03 16:49:14','2009-04-03 21:49:14','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=548',0,'post','',3),(553,44,'2009-04-03 17:11:09','2009-04-03 22:11:09','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">There\'s been a lot of interest in ESX/ESXi 2.5 Update 4 recently, but we shouldn\'t forget that the next release of ESX (renamed VMware vSphere) is just around the corner.  I took a shot at installing the vSphere beta in my test lab a few weeks ago - and did a face-plant.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">I have a lab server with ESX 3.5 installed, so I thought I’d try doing an in-place upgrade.  I had already downloaded the vSphere beta .iso, so I tried burning it to a CD.  Unfortunately the .iso image is 770 MB and a CD only holds 700 MB, so I needed a blank DVD.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">I didn\'t have a blank DVD.</span></span></span></p>\n\n<!--more-->�\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Next, I figured I could use my server\'s iLO to remote boot from my laptop\'s DVD drive.  I could mount the .iso image directly and not even need an actual DVD.  Unfortunately I couldn’t find my server’s iLO IP address or login info, so I had to reset it to the factory default in the BIOS, then pop the cover to find the factory default password.  Next, I checked the DHCP server to see what IP address it received, and I was finally able to log in.  That’s when I discovered the iLO in my server requires an additional license to enable the remote media feature - another dead end.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Next, I figured I could try installing ESXi instead.  The ESXi 4 beta documentation says that ESXi 4 supports the same hardware as ESXi 3.x, so I searched the HCL (hardware compatibility list) and found my server on the supported hardware list.  Yay!  I downloaded the installable version of ESXi and burned it to CD.  The server booted to it just fine and loaded a bunch of drivers, but would hang right before bringing up the welcome screen.  I checked the server BIOS but didn’t see any settings to change.  Another dead end.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">I went out and bought a blank DVD.  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">I was able to burn the vSphere beta .iso to the DVD in a few minutes using the DVD burner in my laptop, but the server wouldn\'t boot to it.  That\'s when I realized the server only had a CD drive.  I might have been able to get it to work with a USB DVD drive, but I didn’t have one.  Yet another dead end.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">After that I dug deeper into the vSphere beta documentation and found this -</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Important Note: This guide is to be used in conjunction with the VMware ESX 3.5 and ESX 3.5i System Compatibility Guide (informally known as the 3.5 System HCL).  All servers listed in the 3.5 System HCL are supported with VMware ESX 4.0 and ESXi 4.0 RC with the exceptions noted in this document.  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Servers Not Supported - VMware ESX and ESXi 4.0 include a 64-bit vmkernel.  As such servers with 32-bit only processors will not be supported with VMware ESX 4.0 and ESXi 4.0 RC.  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">The processors in my lab server only support 32-bit, so I’m toast.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Oh well.  At least I have the DVD I’ll need to install the vSphere beta on lab servers at the eGroup data center in Greenville, SC the next time I\'m there.  If they have 64-bit support.  And a DVD drive.  Or a fully-functioning iLO.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">I\'ll tell about my successful experience installing the vSphere beta on lab servers at the eGroup data center in Greenville, SC in a separate blog entry.</span></span></span> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;\"> </p>','FUN WITH THE VMWARE vSPHERE BETA (PART 1)        ','','publish','open','open','','fun-with-the-vmware-vsphere-beta','','','2009-04-03 17:11:09','2009-04-03 22:11:09','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=553',0,'post','',5),(581,44,'2009-04-03 19:43:24','2009-04-04 00:43:24','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">eGroup engineer Will Turbeville and I had a successful day at the eGroup data center in Greenville, SC a few weeks ago installing the VMware vSphere beta on two hosts and building a Windows 2008 vSphere (VirtualCenter) server as a VM in our lab there.  For those who might not have heard, vSphere is the name of the next release of ESX and VirtualCenter.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Here are my notes and observations on the process:</span></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">We experienced some of the same issues that I came across in my first attempt at installing the vSphere beta on my lab servers at home (chronicled <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=553\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">).</span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">The primary installation issues we encountered involved the lack of a DVD drive in older servers.  Will was able to install ESX via iLO, but he had to install an iLO Advanced license to enable the remote media feature.  This worked but was very slow, and it took something like an hour to complete the installation.  I was able to install ESXi on the other host just fine via CD.</span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">When ESX 3.5 is installed, remote access by the root account is disabled by default.  In the beta remote root access is enabled by default and there’s a “Lockdown” checkbox to disable it if desired.  This is a great convenience to the installer!</span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">We were able to mix ESX and ESXi in an HA cluster but because ESXi uses a “Management Network” instead of a “Service Console” we had to tweak the HA configuration by adding two das.allowNetwork entries in the HA Advanced section as explained in this <a href=\"http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&amp;cmd=displayKC&amp;externalId=1006541\" target=\"_blank\">VMware KB article</a>.</span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">The installation process was mostly familiar but VMware has added a TON of new features and options to the GUI.  There’s a lot more to explore here (hopefully in a future blog post!)</span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">I think there’s a common misconception that because ESXi is free that it’s crippled somehow, but this is not the case.  The free ESXi does everything ESX does with one exception: </span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Because ESXi doesn’t have a service console there’s no way to install 3<sup>rd</sup>-party management or backup agents.  You can still access the command line using the Remote Command Line Interface (Remote CLI).</span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">The free ESXi is just like ESX in that it cannot be managed by vSphere/vCenter unless it’s licensed.</span></div></li>\n</ul>','FUN WITH THE VMWARE vSPHERE BETA (PART 2)','','publish','open','open','','fun-with-the-vmware-vsphere-beta-part-2','','','2009-04-03 19:43:24','2009-04-04 00:43:24','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=581',0,'post','',0),(595,8,'2009-04-06 14:32:56','2009-04-06 19:32:56','I ran into this issue recently where upgrading a SSL Cert on a Outlook Web Access (OWA) web server can cause a \"Internent Explorer cannot display the Webpage\" error after successfully upgrading the certificate.  After checking the usual stuff...<!--more-->\n<ul>\n	<li>Default Website and Exchange sub folder in IIS is \"SSL Only/Requires Encryption\"</li>\n	<li>The directory security settings are set to allow anonymous access.</li>\n	<li>We are not using Forms Authentication in Exchange Admin.</li>\n	<li>The SSL cert shows up and appears to be applied correctly.</li>\n</ul>\nAfter all of these were tested I turned off SSL and made sure I could browse to the site using http: instead of https:.  All looked good.  Other than when switching back to Https: we would still get the error above.  I found a solution in the MSFT knowledge base that can fix one cause of this issue.  The cause is that the SSL certificate is not associated with a private key or that private key needs to be \"repaired\".  This can happen for a few reasons. One, the base certificate was removed instead of upgraded.  Two, there was a corruption that caused the private key not to be associated.\n\nTo determine if this is your issue.\n<ol>\n	<li>Open IIS.</li>\n	<li>Right Click your OWA site</li>\n	<li>Select Properties</li>\n	<li>Select the DirectorySecurity Tab</li>\n	<li>View the certificate.</li>\n	<li>If the certificate does not say it is associated with a private key then this is most likely your issue.</li>\n</ol>\nTo remedy this follow these steps or this KB for more details... <a href=\"http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc759048.aspx\">http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc759048.aspx</a> (Install certificate after deleting the peding certificate request).  This works for our situation as well.\n<ol>\n	<li>When viewing the certificate in IIS.  Go to the certificate details and copy down the Serial Number (omitting the spaces).</li>\n	<li>Open up the Command Prompt.</li>\n	<li>Type <em>certutil -repairstore my \"serialnumberhereinsidequotes\"</em></li>\n	<li>Press Enter.</li>\n	<li>View the cert in IIS again.  You should see that it is now associated with a private key.</li>\n	<li>Browse to your https:// OWA site and you should be all set.</li>\n</ol>\nGood Luck!','\"Internet Explorer cannot display the Webpage\" received after upgrading SSL Cert on OWA server.','','publish','open','open','','internent-explorer-cannot-display-the-webpage-received-after-upgrading-ssl-cert-on-owa-server','','','2009-04-06 14:32:56','2009-04-06 19:32:56','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=595',0,'post','',7),(604,12,'2009-04-07 15:06:20','2009-04-07 20:06:20','This freeware utility is a small, secure database used to keep track of all your passwords. In the technology driven world we live in today, it’s common to have several passwords for different web sites, computers, bank accounts, etc. Having a secure and highly encrypted password database allows you to use longer, more complex passwords, further protecting your digital identities-- and you don\'t need to memorize your passwords.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nNo installation is required, and the database consists of a single file.  And, since it has a small storage footprint, it can be saved on your thumbdrive and taken with you wherever you go.\n\nIt uses SHA-256 as its password hash, while supporting AES to encrypt the database itself. It supports multiple user keys, and makes a great tool for documenting and safely storing passwords that need to be available to multiple users or colleagues. It can also be used as a strong, random password generator.\nFor more info and to download it for free, see this <a href=\"http://keepass.info\" target=\"_blank\">link</a> .','KeePass PASSWORD DATABASE','','publish','open','open','','keepass-password-database','','','2009-04-07 15:06:20','2009-04-07 20:06:20','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=604',0,'post','',0),(614,5,'2009-04-07 15:10:51','2009-04-07 20:10:51','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Enterprise Flash Drive is the term that EMC uses for the new Solid State Disk or Flash Solid State Disk.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>EFD’s are supported for all Clariion Models with the release of Flare 28.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The maximum number of Enterprise Flash Drives supported is different for each model.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The CX4-960 and CX4-80 will be able to support up to 60 EFD’s.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The CX4-240 and CX4-120 will support up to 30 EFD’s.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"><!--more-->The minimum amount of EFD’s required is 2 drives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The capacity and speed of the drives are 73 GB with a 4Gb/s FC interface.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Formatted capacity will be 67.68 GB and available capacity after binding LUNs will be 66.60 GB.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>EFD’s are not required to have a dedicated bus or enclosure, However, the ordering and Manufacturing Process will structure them independently.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>For new arrays the EFD’s will be placed on busses without other drive types whenever possible.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Configuration adjustments may be made at the time of installation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Any existing 4 Gb/s enclosures will support the new EFD’s specifically model CX4-4PDAE and CX3-4PDAE.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Also EFD’s and other FC drives can be in the same enclosure and SATA drives must be in separate enclosures. </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">A couple of things that can or cannot be done with EFD’s are as follows.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>EFD’s cannot be mixed with FC drives in the same RAID Group.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>All RAID configurations supported for Fibre Channel drives are also supported for EFD’s.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>LUN migration is supported on an EFD RAID Group.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Virtual Provisioning is not supported as of the Q4 08 FLARE release 28.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>EFD LUN’s can be used with NQM policies/goals.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>MetaLUNs are supported but FC drives cannot be in the same MetaLUN.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>All array based replication technologies (SnapView, SAN Copy and MirrorView) are supported. EFDs can also be used in Reserved LUN Pools, Clone Private LUNs and Write Intent Logs. However, EFDs might show less benefit because of the kind of I/O profiles that these applications generate. </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Improvements provided by EFDs in replication environments will not likely be enough to be cost-effective.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Use of EFD’s as vault drives are not supported.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>When using the ASAP throttle rate for rebuilds in a CLARiiON, the performance bottleneck is generally the back-end bus rather than the drives themselves. This is because of the larger and sequential nature of I/O during rebuilds (not an ideal I/O profile for EFDs). So, using EFDs in place of FC drives will not result in significant performance benefits in rebuild rates. When other throttle rates (HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW) are used, the rebuild rate is controlled by the array and having a faster drive will not be of benefit.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">    </span>CLARiiON cache will be turned OFF by default for LUNs bound on EFDs. You can manually turn the cache on using Navisphere. This is consistent with the upcoming recommended best practices for EFDs (there may be some exceptions to this which will be addressed in the Best Practices document).</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">EFDs will show the highest improvements versus FC drives in the following situations: </span></p>\n\n<ul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Multi-threaded applications.</span></li>\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Small block I/Os.</span></li>\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Primarily read workloads.</span></li>\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">Applications where the drive performance is the limiting factor. </span></li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">This leads to a strategy focusing on hotspots by application need, such as the file system, database, and application metadata and map areas. In addition to the characteristics mentioned previously, applications requiring low response times and high IOPS will show the highest performance improvement from EFDs. OLTP applications are well suited for EFD use</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></p>','EMC ENTERPRISE FLASH DRIVES','','publish','open','open','','emc-enterprise-flash-drives','','','2009-04-07 15:10:51','2009-04-07 20:10:51','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=614',0,'post','',0),(601,5,'2009-04-07 15:19:24','2009-04-07 20:19:24','<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">1.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Identify three Exchange mailbox servers to use for your baseline performance gathering. These should be high-end servers that service your most aggressive e-mail users. For this procedure, these servers will be referred to as ex2003base. Often different sites have different types of users. Sometimes it is useful to get mailbox profile data for each site and have different standard mailbox profiles—one for each site.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\"><!--more-->2.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Monitor the ex2003base servers for a 24 hour period on the day that usually experiences peak load (Monday for many companies). On that peak load day, start the Perfmon log on each server at 4:00 A.M and let it run for 24 hours. </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">3.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Log the following Perfmon objects (all counters, all instances) at 15 second intervals:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Logical Disk</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">MSExchangeIS</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Physical Disk</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Processor</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">4.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Compile the following data from the ex2003base servers:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Determine the average mailbox size of the three ex2003base servers. To help determine future storage performance needs, you will use the average mailbox size. </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"AlertLabelinList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 6pt 0in 0pt 0.25in\"><span style=\"mso-no-proof: yes\"></span><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Note: </span></span></strong></p>\n<p class=\"AlertTextinList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0.25in 3pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">        ·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">A mailbox size limit is required to adequately size the storage size/performance for a given user base.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Determine how many mailboxes are on each ex2003base server. This will allow you to determine accurate I/O per mailbox averages for each server later in this process.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Determine which of your ex2003base server volumes are used for each Exchange function, such as transaction logs, databases, and MTA queues.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">5.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Individually analyze each of the three Perfmon logs collected in Step 3. For each log, perform the following steps.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">a.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">In Perfmon, open the Perfmon log.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">b.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Add the following counters:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: \'Courier New\'; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Courier New\'\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">o</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">    </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">MSExchangeIS-&gt;RPC Operations/sec</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: \'Courier New\'; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Courier New\'\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">o</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">    </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Logical Disk-&gt;Disk Transfers/sec-&gt;Instance=Drive letter that houses the Exchange Store database. (Add all drive letters that contain Exchange Database files).</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: \'Courier New\'; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Courier New\'\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">o</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">    </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Processor-&gt;%Processor-&gt;Instance=Total</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">c.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Set the scale so that all counters fall within the 0-100 x axis (so 1 minute variations of all counters can be viewed). Display the Graph View.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">d.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Analyze the Perfmon data and identify a one hour period in which all three counters are highest (RPC Operations/sec, Disk Transfers/sec and Processor utilization). You should see a plateau where utilization is high for extended periods.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">e.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">After you determine this one hour window, reduce the Timeline of the Perfmon log to match this window.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">   </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">6.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">From this one hour window, record the following metrics (Average) for each of the ex2003base servers:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">RPC Operations/sec:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Disk Transfers/sec:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">% Processor Time:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">7.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">Use this data to populate the Server_Sizing.xls spreadsheet that is included with the </span><a href=\"http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69063\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial;\">download of Optimizing Storage for Exchange Server 2003</span></a><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">8.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Identify the ex2003base server that experienced the highest load. Use the data collected from the server with the highest load as your server/processor/storage baseline. Use the following best practices:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Always design your system to allow 20 percent more utilization than you expect for peaks. This allows the storage and processors to handle spikes during peak periods.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Megacycles per mailbox and IOPS per mailbox change as the server configuration changes. The following list includes potential factors that can change the given megacycles per mailbox and IOPS per mailbox.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mailbox sizes are changed significantly</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Max message size is changed significantly</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Third party applications are added or removed</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Exchange features are added or removed.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Average concurrency of the users changes (more or less users are online using the system at any given time).</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"NumberedList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">9.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">After the spreadsheet (included with the download of the guide Optimizing Storage for Exchange Server 2003) is populated and your mailbox profiles are determined, you can design your storage solution. For example, if your analysis indicates that your standard mailbox profile translates to .75 IOPS per mailbox and 1.25 megacycles per mailbox, you can determine the following requirements for a 4,000 mailbox server:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mailbox Count: 4,000</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Peak DB IOPS: (4,000 × .75) = 3,000</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Peak Log IOPS: (DB IOPS/10) = 300</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Peak megacycles: (4,000 × 1.25) = 5,000 megacycles</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"TextinList1\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.25in\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">To handle spikes, you should add a 20 percent buffer to your processor and storage design. With the addition of this buffer, the minimum hardware requirements for this example are:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mailbox count: 4,000</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Peak DB IOPS: (3,000 + 20%) = 3,600</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Peak Log IOPS: (300 + 20%) = 360</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletedList2\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Peak Megacycles: (5,000 + 20%) = 6,000 megacycles</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">10.</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;\">To support these requirements, your minimum hardware for each mailbox server should be dual 3,000 mhz processors, 4 GB RAM, and storage capable of accommodating 3,600 random DB IOPS, and 360 sequential transaction log write IOPS.</span></p>','HOW TO CALCULATE STORAGE IOPS FOR EXCHANGE 2003 ','','publish','open','open','','how-to-calculate-storage-iops-for-exchange-2003','','','2009-04-07 15:19:24','2009-04-07 20:19:24','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=601',0,'post','',0),(628,4,'2009-04-07 17:52:46','2009-04-07 22:52:46','One of the most common objections to systems virtualization is the perception that system performance will not be as “good” in a virtualized environment.  VMware solutions virtualize four key hardware resources: processing, memory, storage and network, using a best-of-breed hypervisor to allocate these resources dynamically to balance changing application needs.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nPerformance Implications for CPUs\nCPU virtualization adds varying amounts of overhead, depending on a number of different factors. For processor-intensive applications, any CPU virtualization overhead likely translates into a reduction in overall performance.\n\nHowever, VMware solutions have the ability to balance processor loads in a highly efficient manner, and VMware virtual machines can fully leverage multi- cores and multi-processor configurations, making it possible to run processor-intensive workloads such as databases and e-mail servers on virtual machines without adversely affecting application performance.\n\nPerformance Implications for Memory (RAM)\nVirtualization does not decrease the amount of RAM required to run an application and its host operating system, and like any software, the virtualization layer requires its own portion of RAM. As such, memory is often a limiting factor in determining the total number of virtual machines that you can consolidate on to a single physical server.\n\nVMware technology adds very little memory overhead offering advanced memory management mechanisms such as RAM over-commitment and transparent page sharing that automatically expand or contract the amount of RAM allocated each virtual machine as application loads increase and decrease. This capability lets you achieve a higher level of server consolidation than is possible with traditional static virtual memory.\n\nPerformance Implications for Storage\nVirtual machines run complete, unmodified operating systems and as such require several gigabytes (GB) of storage space to hold all applications, documents, device drivers and other data. When multiple virtual machines are consolidated on a single physical server, they can impact I/O performance with their combined file size and simultaneous need for rapid access to stored data.\n\nVMware solutions help to improve I/O performance through the VMware vStorage VMFS, which provides virtual machines with simultaneous access to shared data stores. Centralized storage helps reduce latency and increase throughput, and provides the foundation for unique capabilities such as live migration and consolidated backup.\n\nPerformance Implications for Networking\nNetworking sizing and performance considerations in a virtual infrastructure are very similar to networking considerations in physical IT environments. In most cases, network throughput of virtualized workloads is comparable to the network throughput of the physical workloads.\n\nVMware offers an ideal platform for secure, high-speed networking between virtual machines on a single physical server, supporting network topologies that normally depend on the use of additional hardware to provide security and isolation. You can also network virtual machines across physical servers with transparency and high throughput, as each virtual machine gets its own IP address and can utilize up to four virtual network interface cards (NICs).\n\nVMware Performance and Scalability[1]\nVMware sets the standard for virtualization performance. Reviewers can find detailed performance demonstrations and competitive performance comparisons in the Performance Section of the VMware website:\n<a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/technology/performance/index.html\">http://www.vmware.com/technology/performance/index.html</a>\n\nThe results clearly demonstrate that with VMware solutions, users can achieve high-performance throughput in a heavily virtualized environment, even as the number of total supported users and the number of virtual machines increases.\n\nHow fast can VMware go? 100,000 IOPS and more.  I/O is widely referred to as one of the most critical performance bottlenecks in virtual environments. Over the course of VMware ESX evolution, currently in its third generation, VMware has constantly improved the ability of its hypervisor to satisfy even the most I/O-intense applications.\n\nA recent test conducted by VMware with EMC Midrange Partner Solution Engineering Team showed that a single VMware ESX host is capable of driving over 100,000 IOPS, maxing out the throughput of 500 disk drives in a SAN.\n\nTest specs:\n16 virtual machines running Windows 2003\n3 EMC CLARiiON CX3-80 (500 disk, 77TB)\nI/O-intensive workload (8k block size, 100% random, mixed read/write)\n\nWhen do you need such throughput?\n15,000 IOPS - 10 times more IOPS than the average DB\n30,000 IOPS - Higher than the peak load of many databases\n60,000 IOPS - Roughly 120,000 MS Exchange mailboxes\n100,000 IOPS - Roughly 200,000 MS Exchange mailboxes or 85 average 4-way DBs\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n[1] From VMware’s VI3 Reviewer’s Guide - <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vi3_competitive_reviewer_guide.pdf\">http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vi3_competitive_reviewer_guide.pdf</a>','VIRTUALIZATION OBJECTIONS','','publish','open','open','','virtualization-objections','','','2009-04-07 17:52:46','2009-04-07 22:52:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=628',0,'post','',0),(635,5,'2009-04-09 10:19:46','2009-04-09 15:19:46','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Historically, data centers first created \"islands\" of SCSI disk arrays. Each island was dedicated to an application and visible as a number of \"virtual hard drives\" (i.e. LUNs). Essentially, a SAN connects storage islands together using a high-speed network, thus allowing all applications to access all disks.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><!--more--></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Operating systems still view a SAN as a collection of LUNs, and usually maintain their own file systems on them. These local file systems, which cannot be shared among multiple operating systems/hosts, are the most reliable and most widely used. If two independent local file systems resided on a shared LUN, they would be unaware of this fact, would have no means of cache synchronization and eventually would corrupt each other. Thus, sharing data between computers through a SAN requires advanced solutions, such as SAN file systems or clustered computing. Despite such issues, SANs help to increase storage capacity utilization, since multiple servers share the storage space on the disk arrays. The common application of a SAN is for the use of transactional data that requires high-speed block-level access to the hard drives such as email servers, databases, and high usage file servers.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Network Attached Storage (NAS) allows many computers to access the same file system over the network and synchronizes their accesses. With the introduction of NAS heads or gateways, this has allowed easy conversion of SAN storage to NAS.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Shared storage usually simplifies storage administration and adds flexibility since cables and storage devices do not have to be physically moved to shift storage from one server to another.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Other benefits include the ability to allow servers to boot from the SAN itself. This allows for a quick and easy replacement of faulty servers since the SAN can be reconfigured so that a replacement server can use the LUN of the faulty server.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">SANs also tend to enable more effective disaster recovery processes. A SAN could span a distant location containing a secondary storage array. This enables storage replication either implemented by disk array controllers, by server software, or by specialized SAN devices. Since IP WANs are often the least costly method of long-distance transport, the Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) and iSCSI protocols have been developed to allow SAN extension over IP networks. The traditional physical SCSI layer could only support a few meters of distance - not nearly enough to ensure business continuance in a disaster. </span></p>','WHAT IS A STORAGE AREA NETWORK (SAN)','','publish','open','open','','what-is-a-storage-area-network-san','','','2009-04-09 10:19:46','2009-04-09 15:19:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=635',0,'post','',0),(641,4,'2009-04-09 14:52:58','2009-04-09 19:52:58','Finally !\n\nEMC Storage Viewer provides the user a view of the relationships between VMware virtual machines, disk files, datastores and underlying EMC storage devices including Symmetrix and CLARiiON\n\nThe Storage Viewer Plug-in has been posted to EMC Powerlink and is available for download in all the PowerLink views - customers, partners and employees at Home &gt; Support &gt; Product and Diagnostic Tools &gt; Symmetrix Tools &gt; Symmetrix Tools for VMware\n\nAlso see Chad\'s blog here:\n\n<a href=\"http://virtualgeek.typepad.com/virtual_geek/2009/04/where-to-get-the-emc-storage-viewer-vcenter-plugin.html\">http://virtualgeek.typepad.com/virtual_geek/2009/04/where-to-get-the-emc-storage-viewer-vcenter-plugin.html</a>','EMC STORAGE VIEWER PLUG-IN FOR VMWARE VCENTER!','','publish','open','open','','emc-storage-viewer-plug-in-for-vmware-vcenter','','','2009-04-09 14:52:58','2009-04-09 19:52:58','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=641',0,'post','',0),(648,6,'2009-04-09 15:20:23','2009-04-09 20:20:23','Error denotes that AD replication is having issues - try rebooting the DC in question to determine if issue persists.','NTDS Replication Error: 2108','','inherit','open','open','','1','','','2009-04-09 15:20:23','2009-04-09 20:20:23','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/1.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(650,6,'2009-04-09 15:22:58','2009-04-09 20:22:58','Error denotes issue with Active Directory replication - reboot the DC in question to determine if error persists through a reboot.','NTDS Replication Error 2108','Replication Error','inherit','open','open','','11','','','2009-04-09 15:22:58','2009-04-09 20:22:58','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/11.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(652,6,'2009-04-09 15:27:59','2009-04-09 20:27:59','','12','','inherit','open','open','','12','','','2009-04-09 15:27:59','2009-04-09 20:27:59','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/12.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(653,6,'2009-04-09 15:29:24','2009-04-09 20:29:24','If you encounter this, reboot the DC in question to determine if the error persists. There is a good chance your replication errors will go away.','NTDS Replication Error 2108','Replication Error 2108','inherit','open','open','','2','','','2009-04-09 15:29:24','2009-04-09 20:29:24','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2.jpg',1,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(654,6,'2009-04-09 15:32:19','2009-04-09 20:32:19','','21','','inherit','open','open','','21-2','','','2009-04-09 15:32:19','2009-04-09 20:32:19','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/21.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(658,6,'2009-04-09 15:33:59','2009-04-09 20:33:59','','Error','','inherit','open','open','','22-2','','','2009-04-09 15:33:59','2009-04-09 20:33:59','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/22.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(673,6,'2009-04-09 15:51:58','2009-04-09 20:51:58','If you ever run into issue while attempting to setup Outlook for a user but you run into the following error: \"The name could not be resolved. The action could not be completed\"\n\nBe sure to check Active Directory replication (Sites and Services). If you notice that you are unsuccessful when manually replicating you more than likely have found your issue. Rebooting the Domain Controller experiencing the replication issues was the fix for me.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_653\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"404\" caption=\"Replication Error 2108\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-653\" src=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2.jpg\" alt=\"Replication Error 2108\" width=\"404\" height=\"448\" />[/caption]\n\nYou might find it helpful for you as well.','Error when setting up Outlook 2007: “The name could not be resolved. The action could not be completed.”','','publish','open','open','','error-when-setting-up-outlook-2007-%e2%80%9cthe-name-could-not-be-resolved-the-action-could-not-be-completed%e2%80%9d','','','2009-04-09 15:51:58','2009-04-09 20:51:58','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=673',0,'post','',0),(674,44,'2009-04-13 15:13:34','2009-04-13 20:13:34','Not to long ago I did a presentation at the VMWare User Group in Columbia where I compared XenDesktop to VMWare View (VDI).  In this presentation I spent the majority of my time discussing the pros and cons of both of these products.  I wanted to post my main points and give an update to the technologies, which you see below:<!--more-->\n<ul>\n	<li>Design: VMWare has a much simpler design and is easier to administer and to setup, whereas XenDesktop has an overly complicated design.</li>\n	<li>Experience: The XenDesktop user experience was better than the View experience.  This is mainly due to the ICA protocol\'s dominance over the RDP protocol.  VMWare is aware of this and with the new PC over IP protocol, ICA (and Citrix) has a lot to worry about.</li>\n	<li>Virtualization: VMWare View gives you licenses to the number one Virtualization platform in existance, ESX.  XenDesktop gives you XenServer.  Citrix was smart enough to make XenDesktop work on not only XenServer but also HyperV and ESX.</li>\n	<li>Cost: In apples to apples comparison of the two products VMWare wins in cost by about $50 per user.  However, something to keep in mind is that Microsoft always get their cut regardless of the solution.  The VECD license is needed for every virtual desktop.  This license alone can do major damage to any IT departments dream of going virtual on their desktops.</li>\n	<li>Additional costs:  Even with the high license cost of these solutions the one thing to keep sight of is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) on any desktop.  The average IT department spends 20% of the budget purchasing a new workstation and 80% on the maintenance of that workstation.  In a head to head bid with VDI verses a desktop, VDI will lose every time.  However if the TCO is taken into account significant cost savings can be found.  Just keep in mind the real cost savings are found not in the purchase price but by removing all the excess amount of support that goes into each and every desktop on the network.</li>\n</ul>\nSome things I didn\'t get to mention at the VMUG conference is that I feel Citrix needs to revisit their licensing scheme.  VMWareis already beating them on the cost out of the gate and frankly ICA over RDP doesn\'t mean jack to the CFO, not when your CFO wouldn\'t notice any diffence doing spreadsheets.  Also, VMWare gives you ESX for free.  The only caveat to this license is that you are only allowed to run your desktops on these ESX servers.  You can tie in your virtual server environment with your virtual desktop environment all within the same management interface for a lower cost than doing XenDesktop with the free XenServer.  XenServer is a decent product and it can get the job done, but most IT departments who are serious about virtualization are going to lean towards ESX because it\'s superior regardless that ESX cost more.  The beauty of View is that you get ESX and it cost less then XenDesktop.\n\nI think XenDesktop is an excellent product and I personally don\'t think the setup is all that difficult to figure out.  Yes it\'s MUCH more complicated but once you figure out the pieces it makes sense. \n\nI\'ve been through ESX classes and XenServer classes and after all of that I just dont\' feel that I\'d willingly put XenServer anywhere.  I think if Citrix surrenders on XenServer and have the same approach they do with XenApp (it runs on Microsoft Terminal Server but offers superior performance/security/etc) I think XenDesktop can make an impact.  Its sad to me because I think XenServer is superior to HyperV but I doubt MS will back down on HyperV, and it\'s probably in Citrix\'s best interest not to make MS to mad.  That battle has yet to play out, so in the mean time I\'m for the front runner who I don\'t think is going anywhere.','VMWARE VIEW VS CITRIX XENDESKTOP','','private','open','open','','vmware-view-vs-citrix-xendesktop-update','','','2009-04-13 15:13:34','2009-04-13 20:13:34','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=674',0,'post','',0),(677,2,'2009-04-14 09:38:18','2009-04-14 14:38:18','(Columbia, SC) - The Moore Orthopaedic Clinic was founded in 1928 by Dr. Austin T. Moore, who performed the very first total joint reconstruction in 1940. A lot has changed in medicine since 1928, but Moore\'s commitment to incorporate the latest medical innovations and technologies into daily practice in order to improve the quality of life for all their patients has remains the same. <!--more-->\n\nBusiness Leaders are constantly challenged with recouping investments in IT infrastructures, and Moore Clinic is no exception.  The technology staff at Moore Clinic recently approached eGroup in need of help with a firmware upgrade on their Storage Area Network. eGroup worked closely with the staff at Moore Clinic and the SAN manufacturer to ensure that the upgrade was performed correctly and with utmost efficiency. eGroup was also able to reallocate some storage on the SAN to prepare for the testing and application of the newest virtual desktop technology.\n\nDavid Pace from Moore Clinic had this to say, \"eGroup did a great job! I have installed the Pano manager server on the new LUN and configured it. We are now testing these devices in our environment.\"','eGROUP WORK PAVES THE WAY FOR NEW VIRTUAL DESKTOP TECHNOLOGY AT MOORE CLINIC','','publish','open','open','','egroup-work-paves-the-way-for-new-virtual-desktop-technology-at-moore-clinic','','','2009-04-14 09:38:18','2009-04-14 14:38:18','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=677',0,'post','',0),(681,12,'2009-04-20 14:05:23','2009-04-20 19:05:23','Here is a quick list of some easy justifications for moving your datacenter to 64-bit.\n1.    You no longer need to pay for the licensing costs of Server Enterprise editions to access more than 4GB of RAM. The Standard edition of Server 64-bit is the exact same price as the 32-bit version, BUT, the 64-bit version can address up to 32GB of RAM versus the 4GB that 32 bit Standard is limited to.\n\n<!--more-->\n\n2.    Decreases the demand for I/O capacity on SQL and other database driven applications. With the increase in physical memory support and addressable memory space, the size of caches increase allowing for full utilization of hardware-- this improves overall I/O performance while decreasing the I/O need. In certain Microsoft documents, 64-bit databases on servers equipped with appropriate amounts of physical memory are mentioned as running nearly entirely in RAM—incredible!\n\n3.    Compatibility with 32-bit applications makes the transition easy. 32-bit applications run within an isolated execution layer known as the Windows on Windows 64 layer, (WoW64). This makes the migration from a 32-bit environment to a 64-bit environment much easier. HOWEVER, you should always thoroughly test your applications in the 64-bit environment before putting them into production—especially the applications that tend to be a little bit fussier.\n\n4.    Terminal Services / Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server) environments can see much higher user density numbers per individual server. Regardless of what Server edition you are running, all 32-bit versions of Microsoft’s Server OS are limited to 2GB of RAM for the kernel— no matter how many users are connected, or how much physical memory exists.  64-bit versions lift this limitation into the Terabytes.\n\nThe technical benefits provide the ability to immediately see a larger return on investment, consolidate servers, cut operation costs, and provide better performance to the end users.','PART I: BENEFITS OF 64-BIT WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS IN THE DATACENTER','','publish','open','open','','part-i-benefits-of-64-bit-windows-operating-systems-in-the-datacenter','','','2009-04-20 14:05:23','2009-04-20 19:05:23','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=681',0,'post','',0),(692,12,'2009-04-20 14:08:14','2009-04-20 19:08:14','After downloading and installing the new Standalone Converter, I ran into several issues across many different physical machines, all of which reported back the following error message “agent.internal.fault.PlatformError.summary”, and “Failed to clone volume”.\n\nSome of the conversions would fail immediately, some in the 10-15% completion range, and a few that had gone as far as 38%. I could find nothing in common on the physical servers.\n\nLong story short, the simple and 100% effective fix was to hard code the speed and duplex on the active NIC(s) on the source server. Doing this immediately fixed the problem, and cut the time to convert the machines by approximately a third.\n\nSimple fixes are a beautiful thing.','VMware Converter 4.0 Standalone - agent.internal.fault.PlatformError.summary','','publish','open','open','','vmware-converter-40-standalone-agentinternalfaultplatformerrorsummary','','','2009-04-20 14:08:14','2009-04-20 19:08:14','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=692',0,'post','',7),(711,4,'2009-04-21 08:42:20','2009-04-21 13:42:20','It\'s finally out!\n\nVMware vSphere 4 is the industry’s first cloud operating system, transforming the IT infrastructure (servers, storage, networks) into a private cloud—a collection of internal clouds federated on-demand to external clouds—delivering IT infrastructure as an easily accessible service.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nCombining VMware’s industry leading virtualization technology and experience, VMware vSphere delivers greater <strong>efficiency</strong> with uncompromising <strong>control</strong>, all while preserving customer <strong>choice</strong>. \n<div class=\"sub-box2\"><a id=\"c137344\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"blue_header\">\n<h2>Maximize Application Throughput and Operational Efficiency</h2>\n<span><em></em></span><a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/solutions/cost-savings/\">Reduce capital and operational costs</a> by maximizing application throughput:\n<ul>\n	<li>Get up to 8900 db transactions per second per virtual machine<sup>1</sup> and more than 200,000 I/O operations per second per VMware ESX host</li>\n	<li>Increase MS SQL Server throughput efficiency by 20% and Citrix XenApp throughput by 30%</li>\n	<li>Get three times (3x) the network transmit throughput of VMware Infrastructure 3.5 and gain up to ten times (10x) more iSCSI throughput to storage<sup>2</sup></li>\n	<li>Manage a record number of MS Exchange mailboxes per host<sup>3</sup></li>\n</ul>\nIncrease operational efficiency as you:\n<ul>\n	<li>Simplify and enhance network provisioning, monitoring and administration in VMware vSphere™ environments with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vnetwork-distributed-switch/\">vNetwork Distributed Switch</a> and third party switches such as the <a href=\"http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9902/data_sheet_c78-492971.html\" target=\"new\">Cisco Nexus 1000v</a></li>\n	<li>Maximize storage with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vstorage-thin-provisioning/\">vStorage Thin Provisioning</a></li>\n	<li>Save power by automatically consolidating virtual machines and powering off unused servers during periods of low usage with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vi/vc/drs_overview.html#c6194\">Distributed Power Management</a></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<a id=\"c137356\"></a>\n<div class=\"sub-box2\"><a id=\"c137334\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"blue_header\">\n<h2>Increase Control through Service Level Automation</h2>\n<span><em></em></span>Increase control over application availability levels and meet your service level agreements.\n<ul>\n	<li>Deliver zero downtime, zero data loss continuous availability to any application through <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/fault-tolerance/\">VMware Fault Tolerance</a></li>\n	<li>Protect yourself from data outages with built-in, cost effective backup and recovery of any application with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/data-recovery/\">VMware Data Recovery</a></li>\n	<li>Increase scalability of virtual machines with up to 8 virtual CPUs, 255GB of RAM, 21 virtual storage and network devices and up to 120TB of virtual disks, as needed, without disruption with hot add of virtual CPU and virtual memory, hot plug of virtual storage and network devices, and hot extend of virtual disks</li>\n	<li>Enforce compliance to application level security policies across large pools of servers and virtual machines with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vshield-zones/\">VMware vShield Zones</a></li>\n	<li>Enforce compliance to standard physical server configurations with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vi/vc/features.html#c1236\">Host Profiles</a> which allow a designated “golden” server configuration profile to be applied to many physical ESX hosts</li>\n	<li>Control multiple vSphere datacenters from a single pane of glass with VMware vCenter Server 4 <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vi/vc/features.html#c1238\">linked mode</a></li>\n	<li>Automate repetitive day to day tasks and execute routine maintenance activities at the push of a button in virtual environments with workflow automation provided by <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-orchestrator/\">VMware vCenter Orchestrator</a>, a component of vCenter Server</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<a id=\"c137355\"></a>\n<div class=\"sub-box2\"><a id=\"c137340\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"blue_header\">\n<h2>Empower IT Departments with Choice</h2>\n<span><em></em></span>Let users select from a broad range of applications, operating systems or industry standard hardware supported by VMware vSphere to deliver services rapidly.\n<ul>\n	<li>Ensure delivery consistent application service levels regardless of choice of OS, application, hardware or even location with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/mid-size-and-enterprise-business/features.html#vApps\">vApps</a> on VMware vSphere</li>\n	<li>Move new and existing applications between internal clouds or to vSphere-based external clouds while retaining service levels with vApp</li>\n	<li>Increase your choice of end to end physical and virtual enterprise management frameworks, backup solutions and <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/solutions/cloud-computing/vcloud-partners.html\">vCloud service providers</a> with <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/partners/vmware-ready/\">VMware Ready</a> optimized solutions</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<a id=\"c139196\"></a>\n\n \n<div style=\"BORDER-RIGHT: #dadada 0px solid; BORDER-TOP: #dadada 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #dadada 0px solid; PADDING-TOP: 5px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dadada 1px solid\">\n<p class=\"small\"><sup>1</sup> <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/company/news/releases/performance-vmworld.html\">VMware Sets Virtualization Performance Records for Database and Web Workloads</a>\n<sup>2</sup> vSphere 4.0 supports 10 GigE with iSCSI\n<sup>3</sup> <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/company/news/releases/ibm_exchange_vmworld.html\">VMware Sets Capacity Record Running Microsoft Exchange on IBM System x3850 M2 Servers</a>\n\n</div>','WHAT’S NEW WITH VMWARE VSPHERE 4','','publish','open','open','','what%e2%80%99s-new-with-vmware-vsphere-4','','','2009-04-21 08:42:20','2009-04-21 13:42:20','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=711',0,'post','',0),(716,6,'2009-04-21 11:25:53','2009-04-21 16:25:53','VSphere is here &amp; with it comes VMware Fault Tolerance! Absolutely fantastic technology that everyone should check out.\n\nMaximize uptime in your datacenter and reduce downtime management costs by enabling VMware Fault Tolerance for your virtual machines. VMware Fault Tolerance, based on vLockstep technology, provides zero downtime, zero data loss continuous availability for your applications, without the cost and complexity of traditional hardware or software clustering solutions.\n\n    * Reduce IT costs and improve flexibility with server consolidation\n    * Decrease downtime and improve reliability with business continuity and disaster recovery\n    * Increase energy efficiency by running fewer servers and dynamically powering down unused servers with our green IT solutions\n\nSuper hot stuff. Check this link for a <a href=\"http://download3.vmware.com/vdcos/demos/FT_Demo_800x600.html\">video</a>. (not to be missed)\n\n','VMWARE FAULT TOLERANCE - DELIVER 24 X 7 AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR APPLICATIONS','','publish','open','open','','vmware-fault-tolerance-deliver-24-x-7-availability-for-your-applications','','','2009-04-21 11:25:53','2009-04-21 16:25:53','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=716',0,'post','',1),(699,9,'2009-04-21 15:28:45','2009-04-21 20:28:45','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">In a down economy businesses are challenged with holding down costs while maximizing their current IT infrastructure.  Server Virtualization offers low TCO and fast ROI while improving performance and availability.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>With resource utilization up to 80% versus typical 5 – 15%, Virtualization is an easy decision.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Benefits:</span></span></span></strong></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">1.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Hardware and Software Cost Savings</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">a.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;\" lang=\"EN\">Achieve 20-30% lower cost-per-application</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">2.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;\" lang=\"EN\">Reduce power and cooling costs by 80%</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">3.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Utilize existing infrastructure</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">4.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Low cost of entry</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">5.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Improve resource utilization</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">a.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;\" lang=\"EN\">Increase utilization rates from 5-15% to up to 80%</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">6.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Business Continuity/Disaster Preparedness</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">a.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;\" lang=\"EN\">Minimize lost revenue due to downtime</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">b.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">      </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;\" lang=\"EN\">Eliminate business loss due to datacenter outage</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">To learn more, visit our website at </span><a href=\"http://egroup.jasonmangone.com/\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">www.eGroup-us.com</span></a></span></p>','“CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO VIRTUALIZE IN THIS ECONOMY?”','','publish','open','open','','%e2%80%9ccan-you-afford-not-to-virtualize-in-this-economy%e2%80%9d','','','2009-04-21 15:28:45','2009-04-21 20:28:45','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=699',0,'post','',0),(731,44,'2009-04-22 11:30:34','2009-04-22 16:30:34','','keyfeatures','','inherit','open','open','','keyfeatures','','','2009-04-22 11:30:34','2009-04-22 16:30:34','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/keyfeatures.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(740,4,'2009-04-22 14:00:03','2009-04-22 19:00:03','','teamprimetime','','inherit','open','open','','teamprimetime','','','2009-04-22 14:00:03','2009-04-22 19:00:03','',737,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/teamprimetime.gif',0,'attachment','image/gif',0),(737,4,'2009-04-22 14:05:08','2009-04-22 19:05:08','This weekend \"Big Bad\" Ben Gaddy and I are participating in a team push-up contest to raise money and awareness for the Boys and Girls Clubs.\n\nI did this last year and it is loads of fun and a worthy cause. (Last year we did 6,749 push-ups in the 45-minute competition – about 675 per person on our 10 person team)\n\nIf you like, please come out to support eGroup and Primetime Fitness (our team) Saturday at noon at the Sullivan’s Island playground – but more importantly, please look at the following website and donate a few dollars to the event.  You can go to the website <a href=\"http://www.bgclubta.org/main_subItems.asp?id=21&amp;sid=93&amp;ssid=68\">http://www.bgclubta.org/main_subItems.asp?id=21&amp;sid=93&amp;ssid=68</a>. and donate - just MAKE SURE YOU SPECIFY TEAM PRIMETIME !!\n\neGroup as a company will be donating $.10 per push-up for the PRIMETIME team !\n\nThanks !!\n-Mike\n\n<!--more-->\n\nApril 16th, 2008\n\n(Charleston, SC) -- eGroup Principal Mike Carter, represented his company eGroup by participating in a \"push-up challenge\" fundraising event to support the Boys &amp; Girls Club of the Trident Area.\n\n<img src=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/teamprimetime.gif\" width=\"450\" height=\"299\" alt=\"\" />\n\nCarter, along with nine other trainers and members from his local workout studio, Primetime Fitness, won the challenge by an astounding margin, as they pushed their way to victory to raise money for the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs.\n\nKen Brown, certified trainer at Primetime Fitness, organized the fundraising event in 2007 and generated impressive results for the area club. This year, he expanded the effort to include teams from local gyms and personally recruited the team of Primetime participants. After the victory, Ken offered his remarks to the group \"You all were awesome!! I\'m so proud of the effort put forth today.\"\n\nMeredith Nelson, certified trainer and owner of Primetime Fitness, said \"Congratulations and a huge thank-you to Mike Carter, Mark Nelson, Chris McNally, Eric Dodson, Robbie Lewis, Ken Brown, Steve Herlong, Vince Graham, and Lee Lazarus, who joined me in pumping out an amazing 6,749 push-ups in 45 minutes. Helping us out along the way was alternate Julie Nestler, who also trained hard for the event and gave her physical, logistical, and photographic assistance during the competition.\"\n\nCompeting against the PrimeTime Fitness team were health clubs Pitt Street Fitness (with 6,235 push-ups), Shaping Concepts (4,718 push-ups), ECO Fitness (4,058 push-ups), and The Practice Space Yoga Studio (6,157 yogi-style push-ups).\n\nIt\'s not too late to submit a donation. A simple penny per push-up pledge for our efforts last year was only $67.49! Checks can be made out to the Boys and Girls Clubs, and mailed to PrimeTime Fitness c/o Ken Brown or Meredith Nelson.\n\nThe Boys &amp; Girls Club is dedicated to enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.\n\nThe Boys &amp; Girls Clubs provide a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs and character development experiences, and hope and opportunity. They offer core Program Areas in Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development. Health and Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness, and Recreation.','eGROUP PUSHES TO SUPPORT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS!','','publish','open','open','','egroup-pushes-to-support-boys-and-girls-clubs','','','2009-04-22 14:05:08','2009-04-22 19:05:08','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=737',0,'post','',1),(746,2,'2009-04-22 14:08:09','2009-04-22 19:08:09','(Charleston, SC) - In addition to eGroup being a corporate sponsor of The Charleston Digital Corridor Foundation\'s third annual Innovator\'s 5K run (iFive:K) on April 16th, 2009, eGroup employees once again came together as a cohesive team to take part in the fun. Open to runners and walkers, the iFive:K started and finished at the Charleston Maritime Center, with a post-race celebration immediately following on the harbor.\n\nAn official 6 member team comprised of Ben Gaddy, Mike Stokes, Will Turbeville, Liz Wilmes, Tal Lassiter, and Ken Turrentine represented eGroup under the name \"Serious Competitors,\" and raced their way to a 5th place finish out of the eight 6 member teams. <!--more-->Ben Gaddy led the pack with an impressive 20:12 finish time, setting the bar extremely high for team members hoping to shatter his record in the spirit of lighthearted competitiveness in 2010.\n\nMike Carter, eGroup principal consultant, had this to say after last year\'s second annual event, \"The iFive:K provided an invaluable opportunity for our company to unite as a team in a positive, high energy atmosphere. I find it very refreshing to connect with like-minded professionals outside of the typical business environment. This is a not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to participating next year with much anticipation.\"  \n\nThe fact that several team members couldn\'t walk the next day after pushing themselves to their full athletic potential in an attempt to catch \"Run Like the Wind Gaddy\" was overshadowed by the memorable team bonding and networking experience set against a perfect Charleston evening.  For clips of \"Serious Competitors\" in action at last year\'s iFive:K, check out the video below.\n\n[vimeo clip_id=\"1353012\"] ','eGROUP EMPLOYEES COME TOGETHER TO RUN, WALK, AND SHUFFLE ACROSS FINISH LINE AT ANNUAL iFIVE:K RACE','','publish','open','open','','egroup-employees-once-again-come-together-to-run-walk-and-shuffle-across-finish-line-at-annual-ifivek-race','','','2009-04-22 14:08:09','2009-04-22 19:08:09','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=746',0,'post','',1),(774,4,'2009-04-22 19:43:09','2009-04-23 00:43:09','Chad Sakac, EMC Vice President, VMware Technology Alliance, explains the tight integration between EMC PowerPath/VE and VMware vSphere and points out its dramatic performance and availability potential. Learn how your infrastructure behind vSphere can meet your performance and availability requirements.\n\n<flv path=\"http://emccom.edgeboss.net/download/emccom/media/v-sphere-powerpath.flv\" width=\"500\" height=\"300\" title=\"Chad Sakac, EMC Vice President, explains tight intergation between VMware vSpher e and EMC Powepath/VE\"></flv>\n\nPowerPath/VE will be available in June. Pricing starts at $2,100 per physical server for new PowerPath customers and $1,430 for current customers.\n\n\n','EMC POWERPATH/VE FOR VMWARE VSPHERE','','publish','open','open','','emc-powerpathve-for-vmware-vsphere','','','2009-04-22 19:43:09','2009-04-23 00:43:09','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=774',0,'post','',0),(790,4,'2009-04-22 20:41:29','2009-04-23 01:41:29','','chad_emc','','inherit','open','open','','chad_emc','','','2009-04-22 20:41:29','2009-04-23 01:41:29','',774,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/chad_emc.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(686,8,'2009-04-23 07:39:35','2009-04-23 12:39:35','VMWare AppSpeed is on the horizon and will be compatible with ESX 3.5 and 4.0.  For those who haven\'t heard about AppSpeed.  AppSpeed passively monitors key performance indicators (cpu, memory, network, etc...) at the application level in the VMWare virtual environment.  It even has the ability to monitor physical servers as well.   Below is a short list of planned AppSpeed features and compatibility.<!--more-->\n<ul>\n	<li>Increase application performance and uptime</li>\n	<li>Substantially improve consolidation ratios by ensuring that VMs are not over-provisioned with more resources than needed to meet SLAs</li>\n	<li>Dramatically reduce hours spent per server managing resources and wasted trying to troubleshoot and resolve performance “issues”</li>\n	<li>Virtualize more and faster</li>\n	<li>Create End-to-end Logical to Physical Discovery and Mapping</li>\n	<li>Monitor Performance &amp; Service Level Agreement Achievement</li>\n	<li>Identify Root Causes of Performance Issues</li>\n	<li>Remediate Performance Issues &amp; Automate Common Solutions</li>\n</ul>\nAn AppSpeed installation consists of the AppSpeed Brain which will be delivered as an OVF file preconfigured and ready to create the Brain Virtual Machine.  In order to set up the AppSpeed Brain you will need at least 50GB of Hard Disk space and 1GB of RAM to assign to the VM.  Each probe created will consume another 500MB of HD space and 256MB of RAM.\n\nThe potential for this application and being able to gather more information fine tune application and database servers will increase your environments capacity and application performance.  Stay tuned into blogs.egroup-us.com for more information and screenshots as the BETA starts soon.\n\nRead more about AppSpeed at VMWare\'s site. <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-appspeed/\">http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-appspeed/</a>','PART 1: PREPARING FOR VMWARE APPSPEED','','publish','open','open','','preparing-for-vmware-appspeed','','','2009-04-23 07:39:35','2009-04-23 12:39:35','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=686',0,'post','',0),(810,4,'2009-04-23 08:40:21','2009-04-23 13:40:21','Simplify recovery by eliminating complex manual recovery steps and centralizing management of recovery plans\nSimplify and centralize the process of creating, updating and managing recovery plans.\n\nTake the Disaster Out of Disaster Recovery by trying VMware SRM for <a title=\"VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager\" href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com/Default.aspx?TabId=85&amp;svpage=product_srm\" target=\"_blank\">free</a> for 60 days.\n\nEasily manage and implement your recovery plan with VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager. Watch our new VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager video on YouTube below.\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hap4VsC9a1k&amp;fmt=18]\n\n<!--more-->\n\n<strong>Build, Manage and Execute Reliable Disaster Recovery Plans</strong>\nAs an integrated element of VMware Infrastructure, VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager helps you :\n\n<strong>Accelerate recovery for the virtual environment through automation\n</strong>Ensure that you are able to meet your recovery time objectives (RTOs) by automating the recovery process.\n\n<strong>Ensure reliable recovery by enabling non-disruptive testing\n</strong>Eliminate common causes of failure during recovery and make it possible to test your recovery plans thoroughly and easily.','EVALUATE VMWARE VCENTER SITE RECOVERY MANAGER (SRM) FOR FREE!','','publish','open','open','','evaluate-vmware-vcenter-site-recovery-manager-srm-for-free','','','2009-04-23 08:40:21','2009-04-23 13:40:21','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=810',0,'post','',0),(819,4,'2009-04-23 09:04:21','2009-04-23 14:04:21','Before starting down the path to <a title=\"VMware vSphere 4\" href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com/Default.aspx?TabId=85&amp;svpage=product_vsphere4\" target=\"_blank\">VMware vSphere</a>, it is worth taking some time to determine what your current VMware Infrastructure deployment scenario looks like with respect to the setup of VMware vCenter and how it is configured to support VI3 Clusters with Resource Pools, VMware HA and VMware DRS. An <a title=\"eGroup Virtualization Healthcheck\" href=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/egroup-server-virtualization-health-check.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">eGroup Virtualization Healthcheck</a> will help identify the state of your VI3 environment.\n\n<strong><a title=\"Upgrade to VMware vSphere 4\" href=\"http://egroup.jasonmangone.com/Default.aspx?TabId=85&amp;svpage=product_vsphere4\" target=\"_blank\">How Do I Upgrade?</a></strong>\nPhase 1: Complete the upgrade of the VMware vCenter Server along with VMware Update Manager. VMware Converter Enterprise and VMware Guided Consolidation are two additional components that can be installed along with their respective VMware vCenter Client plug-in.\n\nPhase 2: Choose from three VMware ESX migration methods. The three options are: VMware Update Manager, Host Update Utility or Clean Install of VMware ESX 4.\n\nPhase 3: Complete the upgrade of your Virtual Machines by first upgrading VMware Tools, followed by the upgrade of the Virtual Hardware from version 4 to version 7.\n\nClick here to access <a title=\"eGroup VMware vSphere Upgrade Center\" href=\"http://vmware.sharedvue.net/sharedvue/popup.asp?strPage=vsphere-upgrade_center&amp;pid=106\" target=\"_blank\">eGroup\'s VMware vSphere 4 Upgrade Center</a> and to access step-by-step migration videos','UPGRADING TO VMWARE VSPHERE 4','','publish','open','open','','upgrading-to-vmware-vsphere-4','','','2009-04-23 09:04:21','2009-04-23 14:04:21','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=819',0,'post','',1),(832,2,'2009-04-23 15:43:04','2009-04-23 20:43:04','Like our blog?  Follow eGroup on Twitter!  http://twitter.com/eGroup_Inc ','FOLLOW eGROUP ON TWITTER','','publish','open','open','','follow-egroup-on-twitter','','','2009-04-23 15:43:04','2009-04-23 20:43:04','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=832',0,'post','',0),(834,5,'2009-04-24 14:27:43','2009-04-24 19:27:43','VMware Distributed Power Management (DPM) continuously optimizes power consumption in the datacenter. When virtual machines in a DRS cluster need fewer resources, such as during nights and weekends, DPM consolidates workloads onto fewer servers and powers off the rest to reduce power consumption. When virtual machine resource requirements increase (such as when users log into applications in to morning), DPM brings powered-down hosts back online to ensure service levels are met.\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbRS0GGuNc]\n\n \n\n<!--more-->\n\nDistributed Power Management allows IT organizations to:\n<ul>\n	<li>Cut ongoing power and cooling costs by upto 20% in the datacenter during low utilization time periods.</li>\n	<li>Automate management of energy efficiency in the datacenter</li>\n</ul>\nVMware DRS (with DPM) is included in the <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/products/vsphere/mid-size-and-enterprise-business/buy.html\">VMware vSphere Enterprise and Enterprise Plus edition</a> . <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/products/vi/vc/vmotion.html\">VMware VMotion</a> is required to implement VMware DRS.','REDUCE POWER CONSUMPTION WITH VMWARE vSPHERE','','publish','open','open','','reduce-power-consumption-with-vmware-vsphere','','','2009-04-24 14:27:43','2009-04-24 19:27:43','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=834',0,'post','',0),(843,6,'2009-04-24 15:34:39','2009-04-24 20:34:39','New OfficeScan 10 delivers immediate protection for your desktops, laptops, servers, smartphones, and storage devices. This innovative solution combines world-class anti-malware with new File Reputation and Web Reputation security to stop threats in the cloud and remove the burden from your endpoints, reducing endpoint infections up to 5.4% and cutting management time by 25%.<!--more-->\n\nKEY FEATURES:\nFile Reputation - Queries up-to-the second data on the safety\nof a file before it’s accessed\n\nWeb Reputation - Defends against web-based malware, data\ntheft, lost productivity, and reputation damage\n\nSuperior Malware Protection - Delivers powerful protection against viruses,\nTrojans, worms, spyware, and new variants as they emerge\n\nExtended Platform Support - Integrates seamlessly with your Microsoft®\ninfrastructure and provides safe migration to Windows Server 2008\n\nEase-of-Management - Automatically cleans endpoints of malware,\nincluding processes and registry entries that are hidden or locked\n\nHigh-Performance Server Protection - Prevents malware from spreading through\nyour network by blocking it at the server level\n\n<flv path=\"http://us.trendmicro.com/imperia/md/content/us/flv/endpointsecuritynew/officescan_10.flv\" width=\"500\" height=\"300\" title=\"Chad Sakac, EMC Vice President, explains tight intergation between VMware vSpher e and EMC Powepath/VE\"></flv>\n','OFFICESCAN 10 DELIVERS IMMEDIATE PROTECTION FOR YOUR DESKTOPS, LAPTOPS, SERVERS, SMARTPHONES, AND STORAGE DEVICES','','publish','open','open','','officescan-10-delivers-immediate-protection-for-your-desktops-laptops-servers-smartphones-and-storage-devices','','','2009-04-24 15:34:39','2009-04-24 20:34:39','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=843',0,'post','',0),(850,12,'2009-04-27 14:16:23','2009-04-27 19:16:23','The updated benchmark scores are still being posted on VMware’s VMmark site, and when checking in on the vSphere 4.0 numbers, I came across something I found very interesting.\n\nThe Cisco “Unified Computing” Blade servers, specifically the B200-M1 model, had its results posted—it came in as the champion of the “8 Core” servers. But even more impressive than that was the fact that the Cisco B200-M1 with the new Intel Nehalem processors on ESX 4.0 scored higher than the best 16 and 24 core servers on ESX 3.5—and with only 2 sockets. Awesome!','vSphere 4 + Cisco B200-M1 SERVER + Intel Nehalem CPUs','','publish','open','open','','vsphere-4-cisco-b200-m1-server-intel-nehalem-cpus','','','2009-04-27 14:16:23','2009-04-27 19:16:23','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=850',0,'post','',0),(863,44,'2009-04-28 15:41:32','2009-04-28 20:41:32','Wow, getting rid of Citrix can be a pretty big pain.  Let\'s say you have an issue with Citrix but for some reason IMA won\'t start.  Who knows, maybe you installed a Rollout that killed it, or maybe you tried CHFARM and it killed it (I\'ve managed to kill IMA in some very interesting ways) in any case, IMA wont\' work and now you just want to repair, or remove Citrix and start fresh.  Well you can\'t because IMA needs to be running to remove Citrix.  This is very frustrating because the entire reason you\'re trying to remove it is because IMA won\'t run to begin with.  Well here is the quick and simple solution for you:<!--more-->\n\nDownload whatever version you have of Citrix and find the mps.msi file.  This is normally located in the Citrix Presentation Server directory.  After you find this open up a command line and get into the directory that has that file, from within that directory run this command:\n\nmsiexec /x MPS.msi CTX_MF_FORCE_SUBSYSTEM_UNINSTALL=YES\n\nDie Citrix Die!  :-) This will destroy Citrix regardless that IMA isn\'t working.  And the good news is you already have the installer downloaded so now after you get it off the server you can install a fresh new copy.','FORCE CITRIX XENAPP (METAFRAME) TO UNINSTALL','','publish','open','open','','force-citrix-xenapp-metaframe-to-uninstall','','','2009-04-28 15:41:32','2009-04-28 20:41:32','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=863',0,'post','',8),(869,8,'2009-04-30 14:43:29','2009-04-30 19:43:29',' VMware Chargeback BETA program officially kicked off today.  Chargeback allows IT administrators to set up a price modeling structure for Virtual Machines.  With it\'s full suite of reporting tools and tracking administrators can better budget and quantify a virtual machines value to the organization.  Below are some initial notes taken from the Chargeback BETA kickoff meeting.  Read the features below and check back with us for more as the BETA progresses.<!--more-->\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Three types of Chargeback models default available.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">1.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Server Based (Charge per VM)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">2.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Assignment Based (Charge per assigned resources)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">3.</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Consumption Based (Charge per consumed resources regardless of assignment)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Web interface with User/Role admin for non VI users, reporting, etc…</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Supports 3.5 and 4.0 environments</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Does have support for multiple vCenter services</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Report Server (Sheduled or On Demand, PDF, Excel, Word, Email)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Chargeable Items (variable per item)</span></span></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\"> </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">CPU Usage</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Disk IO</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Disk Read</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Disk Write</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Memory Usage</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Network IO</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\"> </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Network Received</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Network Transmitted</span></span></div></li>\n	<li>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Avg. Storage</span></span></div></li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Chargeable Items (Fixed Cost)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Power</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Rack Space</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Chargeable Items (Global Fixed Cost Monthly)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">HA</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">DR</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Fault Tolerance</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">More to come after the BETA install tomorrow.  Please leave any questions in the comments section below.</span></span></p>','VMware CHARGEBACK BETA STARTS FRIDAY MAY 1ST','','publish','open','open','','vmware-chargeback-beta-starts-friday-may-1st','','','2009-04-30 14:43:29','2009-04-30 19:43:29','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=869',0,'post','',0),(881,12,'2009-05-11 18:31:32','2009-05-11 23:31:32','Surprise, surprise! Windows 7 will be available just in time for the holiday season.\n\nhttp://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE54A51420090511\n\nWhile I\'m not one of the Vista-haters, I have to say that the months I used WIndows 7 were some of the best months of my life (yes, I\'m exaggerating... although I did REALLY like it).\n\nNow what are the odds it\'ll be this year\'s Tickle Me Elmo?!','JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Microsoft Windows 7','','publish','open','open','','just-in-time-for-the-holidays-microsoft-windows-7','','','2009-05-11 18:31:32','2009-05-11 23:31:32','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=881',0,'post','',0),(884,2,'2009-05-13 08:31:49','2009-05-13 13:31:49','eGroup is coming to a city near you.  Announcing our VMware vSphere 4<sup>TM</sup> Roadshow!Attend one of our exclusive launch events to see a live demo of VMware vSphere<sup>TM</sup> 4 by an eGroup VMware expert. Learn how vSphere<sup>TM</sup> can:\n\n• Reduce capital and operating costs by more than 50 percent.\n\n• Automate quality of service for availability, reliability, scalability and security.\n\nWho should attend? VMware users planning to upgrade to vSphere<sup>TM</sup> 4, and new adopters of virtualization who want to learn the basics and hear from the experts on best practice planning strategies.\n\nClick on a city below for event details, agenda and registration:\n\n5.27.09      <a href=\"http://vspherecharleston.eventbrite.com/\">Charleston, SC\n</a>6.2.09        <a href=\"http://vspheregreenville.eventbrite.com/\">Greenville, SC</a>\n6.3.09        <a href=\"http://vspherecolumbia.eventbrite.com/\">Columbia, SC</a>\n6.4.09        <a href=\"http://vspherecharlotte.eventbrite.com/\">Charlotte, NC</a>\n\nQuestions?  Contact Liz Wilmes with eGroup at 1-877-eGROUP-1 or <a href=\"mailto:Elizabeth.Wilmes@eGroup-us.com\">Elizabeth.Wilmes@eGroup-us.com</a>.\n\nVisit our vSphere 4<sup>TM </sup><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Verdana&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><a href=\"http://egroup.jasonmangone.com/Solutions/VMWareVirtualInfrastructureSolutions/tabid/85/Default.aspx\">Information Center</a>.</span></span></strong></span>','eGROUP ANNOUNCES OUR VMWARE vSPHERE 4 ROADSHOW!','','publish','open','open','','egroup-announces-our-vmware-vsphere-4-roadshow','','','2009-05-13 08:31:49','2009-05-13 13:31:49','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=884',0,'post','',0),(875,6,'2009-05-15 16:42:37','2009-05-15 21:42:37','For companies looking to:\n\n1. Reduce Costs with the ability to scale-out storage (up to 2 PB - Seamlessly scale from 48 to 2,400 drives)\n2. Implement and better utilize high availability\n3. Utilize ultra-fast Enterprise Flash drives\n4. Improve compliance efforts and reduce risk with integrated  RSA Security technology\n\nthen take a good look at <a href=\"http://www.emc.com/products/detail/hardware/symmetrix-v-max.htm\">EMC\'s Symmetrix V-Max</a>.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nV-Max brings about a revolutionary new architecture, Virtual Matrix Architecture. This provides the foundation to scale to hundreds of petabytes for capacity, supporting thousands of servers, and millions of IOPS delivered to that capacity, all flexibly deployed throughout a data center and be controlled through a single administrative vantage point.\n\nHere are some of the highlights:\n\n1. Provides an entry point into high-end storage, delivering high levels of performance and availability in a small footprint for open systems environments\n\n2. Can be configured with 96 to 2,400 drives for a maximum capacity of 2 petabytes. This can be non-disruptively scale from one to eight V-Max Engines.\n\n3. Supports a range of drive options from Enterprise Flash to Fibre Channel to SATA.\n\n4. Can reduce labor and risk by auto-provisioning (auto-discover hotst, map &amp; mask at group level, &amp; new masking wizard helps to simplify the process)\n\n5. Delivers independent host-addressable, local point in time copies with TimeFinder\n\n6. Enables no data loss at an out-of-region site while lowering costs with Symmetrix Remote Data Facility (SRDF)\n\nBe sure to catch this <a href=\"http://www.emc.com/collateral/demos/microsites/mediaplayer-video/application-view-provisioning-storage-vmax.htm\">video</a>!\n\n\n','EMC SYMMETRIX V-MAX - STORAGE ARCHITECTURE PURPOSE-BUILT FOR THE VIRTUAL DATA CENTER','','publish','open','open','','emc-symmetrix-v-max-storage-architecture-purpose-built-for-the-virtual-data-center','','','2009-05-15 16:42:37','2009-05-15 21:42:37','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=875',0,'post','',0),(903,2,'2009-05-18 09:31:54','2009-05-18 14:31:54','Charleston, SC - May 18, 2009 - <a href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com\">eGroup, Inc.</a> announced today that it is offsetting its carbon emissions with <a href=\"http://www.carbonfund.org/site/more/carbonfree_partner/egroup_inc://\">Carbonfund.org</a>, one of the country\'s leading carbon offset organizations. Through Carbonfund.org\'s CarbonFree(R) <a href=\"http://www.carbonfund.org/business\">Small Business program</a>, eGroup has offset 70 metric tons of CO2-a commitment that establishes eGroup as an environmental leader in the Charleston community and demonstrates the proactive steps it is taking in the fight against global climate change.<!--more-->Carbonfund.org\'s CarbonFree® Partner program supports renewable energy, energy efficiency, and\nreforestation projects in the U.S. and abroad to reduce CO2 pollution and help hasten our transition to a clean energy future.\n\neGroup and its clients are naturally very concerned about global warming. Considering the implications of climate change, carbon offsets through Carbonfund.org are a natural continuation of the work eGroup does on behalf of its clients.\n\n\"Since eGroup\'s inception, our company mission has been twofold-to deliver best-in-class products and services to our clients and to minimize our organization\'s carbon footprint. The eGroup culture promotes forward thinking as it relates to making socially responsible choices, and partnering with Carbonfund.org seemed like a natural extension of our current efforts,\" said Catherine Carter, Chief Financial Officer of eGroup. \"It is our hope that by being a leader in the charge towards a more sustainable future, other local businesses will follow suit in an effort to make the Lowcountry of South Carolina a better place to work and live.\"\n\n\"eGroup is already known for providing information technology solutions,\" said Eric Carlson, Executive Director of Carbonfund.org. \"But it understands that climate change requires solutions of a different kind. eGroup deserves credit for its green initiatives to make technology more sustainable. We\'re very excited about this new partnership.\"\n\n<strong>About eGroup</strong>\n\neGroup provides technology solutions for serious competitors. Specifically, eGroup specializes in IT infrastructure design, Enterprise storage and backup strategies including Disaster Preparedness, data centralization and secure access solutions, network security, and secure LAN/WAN/Wireless architectures. eGroup\'s solutions combine robust high-availability and performance with secure information access. These solutions enable customers to efficiently execute revenue-driving roles, and achieve the goal of cutting the organization\'s acquisition and on-going support costs.\n\neGroup understands that investment-oriented professionals must focus on making sound business decisions that provide significant returns. eGroup provides the thought leadership and expertise for customers to ensure that their technology investments continue to strengthen their competitive advantage in the marketplace.\n\nAfter all, a company\'s success hinges on making critical business decisions that must be supported by its IT systems. By architecting high performance networking and computing platforms, and delivering the industry-proven systems engineering and application development expertise, eGroup helps companies make confident decisions.  To learn more, visit <a href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com\">www.eGroup-us.com</a>.\n\n<strong>About Carbonfund.org</strong>\n\nCarbonfund.org is the leading nonprofit carbon offset and climate solutions organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact.  Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and\nreforestation projects where they are most cost effective. Carbonfund.org works with over 1,000 corporate and nonprofit partners including Discovery, Volkswagen, Amtrak, Dell, Orbitz, Staples, and JetBlue. Visit <a href=\"http://www.carbonfund.org\">www.carbonfund.org</a> for more information.\n\n<strong>For more information please contact:</strong>\n\nEric Carlson, Executive Director\nCarbonfund.org\n(240) 293-2700\n<a href=\"http://www.carbonfund.org\">www.carbonfund.org</a>\n\nLiz Wilmes, Marketing Contact\neGroup, Inc.\n(843) 284-0146 x9012\n<a href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com\">www.eGroup-us.com</a>','eGROUP TAKES AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP POSITION BY JOINING CARBONFUND.ORG\'S CARBONFREE® PROGRAM','','publish','open','open','','egroup-takes-an-environmental-leadership-position-by-joining-carbonfundorgs-carbonfree%c2%ae-program','','','2009-05-18 09:31:54','2009-05-18 14:31:54','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=903',0,'post','',0),(905,2,'2009-05-18 14:52:48','2009-05-18 19:52:48','Charleston, SC - May 18, 2009 - eGroup today announces the release of eGroup eCloud: Hosted Solutions from eGroup including virtual infrastructure hosting, co-location, disaster recovery, and application and service delivery. \n\nWhy do you store and maintain IT systems that carry high operating costs, require constant care, are at risk from countless threats, and are inefficient to grow to your business\' needs?  eCloud is the solution for cost-effective IT. \n\n<strong>What is eCloud?</strong>\n\nThe eGroup eCloud is a hosted, high-performance computing infrastructure, purpose-built to efficiently maintain, protect &amp; deliver IT securely to your business.<!--more-->\n\n<strong>eCloud Solution Options</strong>\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">eCloud IaaS: Infrastructure-as-a-Service</span>\n\n• Hosted Computing Infrastructure\n• State-of-the-art 24x7 Data Center\n• Dedicated Virtual Servers: Resources as-needed\n• Consolidated Storage: Readily Available\n• Highest Levels of Business Continuity\n• Scalable Network and Internet Bandwidth\n• You own and manage the applications and data\n• eCloud stores, maintains, protects and delivers it\n• Primary Data Center or Disaster Recovery colo facility\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">eCloud SaaS: Software-as-a-Service</span>\n\n• Application &amp; Service Delivery via eCloud Data Center\n• Tactical Solutions for Specific Needs\n• Systems Monitoring &amp; Reporting\n• Email and Web Filtering and Security\n• Hosted Backups\n• Web Hosting\n\n <strong>Key Benefits\n</strong><strong>\n</strong>• Robust, Flexible &amp; Scalable Platform\n• Predictable Monthly Costs\n• Reduce Capital and Operational Expenditures\n• Retain Complete Control of IT from Your Location\n• Easily Add Virtual Servers, Storage &amp; Bandwidth\n• Proactive Data Protection, Monitoring &amp; Maintenance\n• Comprehensive Network and Data Security\n• Easy to Implement: eCloud setup and migration services deliver a seamless transition\n\n<strong>eCloud: The Solution for Your Business?</strong>\n\n• Do you have unpredictable IT operations costs and budgets?\n• Is data growth and system complexity overwhelming?\n• Are your IT systems in a location designed to house them?\n• Are you confident that your data is secure?\n• Are your systems truly protected against potential disaster?\n• Does IT enable your business...Or limit it?\n\nWant to learn more?  Contact us at <a href=\"mailto:sales@eGroup-us.com\">sales@eGroup-us.com</a>.','eGROUP eCLOUD IS HERE!','','publish','open','open','','egroup-ecloud-is-here','','','2009-05-18 14:52:48','2009-05-18 19:52:48','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=905',0,'post','',0),(909,44,'2009-05-19 06:40:37','2009-05-19 11:40:37','VMware vSphere includes a number of enhancements that enable it to deliver very high I/O performance. In one study using EMC Enterprise Flash Drives (EFD) a single ESX host was able to achieve just above 350,000 I/O operations per second - enough to host the entire Wikipedia database on a single server with room to spare!\n\nRead more here: <a href=\"http://blogs.vmware.com/performance/2009/05/350000-io-operations-per-second-one-vsphere-host-with-30-efds.html\">http://blogs.vmware.com/performance/2009/05/350000-io-operations-per-second-one-vsphere-host-with-30-efds.html</a>','VMWARE vSphere 4 AND EMC FLASH DRIVES BLOW THE DOORS OFF DISK I/O PERFORMANCE TESTS!','','publish','open','open','','vmware-vsphere-and-emc-flash-drives-blow-the-doors-off-disk-io-performance-tests','','','2009-05-19 06:40:37','2009-05-19 11:40:37','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=909',0,'post','',0),(914,44,'2009-05-19 10:51:17','2009-05-19 15:51:17','If you are like me you can\'t stand the default authentication on all Cisco devices.  I hate giving out one password that allows people to telnet into the box and another for enable mode.  I like creating usernames and having people log in with their own password, that way I can remove access without needing to change all my passwords.  Here are a few commands I commonly use on ASA Firewalls to setup AAA authentication:<!--more-->\n\naaa authentication enable console LOCAL\n\naaa authentication telnet console LOCAL\n\nusername &lt;USERNAME&gt; password &lt;PASSWORD&gt; privledge &lt;LEVEL#&gt;','Cisco AAA Authentication','','publish','open','open','','cisco-aaa-authentication','','','2009-05-19 10:51:17','2009-05-19 15:51:17','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=914',0,'post','',1),(916,44,'2009-05-21 08:16:38','2009-05-21 13:16:38','So you want to modify the ICA Client but you want to do it once and have it affect everybody.  Maybe you need to change the URL of your PNAgent site (in which case I\'d just change the dns entry), I don\'t know your reasons but the answer is simple.  Use Group Policy and a special ADM which can be found here:\n\n<!--more-->\n\n<a href=\"http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX112957\">http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX112957</a>\n\nThis is supported on versions 10 and above.  Good luck, your AD environment needs to be in good shape otherwise ADMs can bring more trouble than they are worth.','CITRIX XENAPP - MODIFY ICA CLIENT CENTRALLY','','publish','open','open','','citrix-xenapp-modify-ica-client-centrally','','','2009-05-21 08:16:38','2009-05-21 13:16:38','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=916',0,'post','',0),(918,12,'2009-05-21 08:21:02','2009-05-21 13:21:02','Tailing off of Part I (<a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=681\" target=\"_blank\">which can be found here)</a> , I will go more into detail on the technical benefits of running Server 64-bit over 32-bit in a Terminal Server environment.\n\nOn single core, older or lower-end servers, processing power tends to be the major bottleneck. But with most servers today being shipped with multiple processors or processor cores, the bottleneck shifts away from hardware.\n\n<!--more-->\nIn this scenario, the 32-bit limitation on kernel memory often becomes the bottleneck—the amount of virtual memory that can be directly addressed is only 4GB, and half of which is allocated to the OS for kernel memory, drivers, system cache, etc. and then shared across all processes.  All other processes can only use a max of 2GB of virtual memory space (per process). This becomes an obvious limitation.\n\nIt is here that 64-bit builds soar to unprecedented levels.  The limit with the addressable memory space currently used in 64-bit versions of the Server OS is 16TB, and when divided into two it provides 8TB of virtual address space for both the OS and application processes (please note: current 64-bit versions only use a 40-bit addressable memory space, and the TRUE number for a 64-bit address is well into the EXABYTES). 8TB of memory space should be plenty for the immediate future (and if not, you might be working for NASA).\n\nThe Citrix XenApp (the artist formally known as Presentation Server) whitepaper does a pretty good job of outlining the benefits of running 64-bit as its backend. For servers with Quad processors (or cores), Citrix claims up to 200% increase in user density. 200%! Just think what the percentage would be if you had 8, 16, or more CPU cores in the servers hosting your farm.\n\nThe bottom line is simple—fewer servers will do more for less.','PART II: BENEFITS OF 64-BIT Windows OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR TERMINAL SERVERS / Citrix XenApp (PRESENTATION SERVER)  ','','publish','open','open','','part-ii-benefits-of-64-bit-windows-operating-systems-for-terminal-servers-citrix-xenapp-presentation-server','','','2009-05-21 08:21:02','2009-05-21 13:21:02','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=918',0,'post','',0),(924,6,'2009-05-21 08:55:31','2009-05-21 13:55:31','','vsphere4','','inherit','open','open','','vsphere4','','','2009-05-21 08:55:31','2009-05-21 13:55:31','',923,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/vsphere4.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(925,6,'2009-05-21 08:56:20','2009-05-21 13:56:20','','vsphere4','','inherit','open','open','','vsphere4-2','','','2009-05-21 08:56:20','2009-05-21 13:56:20','',923,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/vsphere4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(923,6,'2009-05-21 09:02:50','2009-05-21 14:02:50','VMware released vSphere 4 today for download. The product is available in 6 flavors:\n\n<strong>SMALL BUSINESS</strong>\n* vSphere 4 Essentials\n* vSphere 4 Essentials Plus\n\n<strong>Mid-Size &amp; Enterprise Business</strong>\n* vSphere 4 Standard\n* vSphere 4 Advanced\n* vSphere 4 Enterprise\n* vSphere 4 Enterprise Plus\n\nFor more information on vSphere and how it can change the way you look at IT, please go <a href=\"http://egroup.jasonmangone.com/Default.aspx?TabId=85&amp;sid=0181fddaabf172e258126317daac91e8&amp;svpage=product_vsphere4\">here</a>.\n\nHere is the <a href=\"http://vmware.com/download/vsphere/\">link </a>to VMware\'s download page.\n','VMWARE VSPHERE 4 AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD','','publish','open','open','','vmware-vsphere-4-available-for-download','','','2009-05-21 09:02:50','2009-05-21 14:02:50','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=923',0,'post','',1),(935,8,'2009-05-21 11:35:52','2009-05-21 16:35:52','The VMware AppSpeed BETA has been released and running for a little over a week now.  We are about to get it tuned up in many different environments to really get a test of the applications abilities.  In this installment of the VMWare AppSpeed BETA review we will provide insight on the ease of installation and setup for the product and our impressions on how the product delivered.   We will also touch on some of the intial features such as the network topology map and how it can provide increased visibility into yout environment. <!--more-->\n\nThe installer is delivered as an OVF file that can be imported in Virtual Center using the Import Appliance from file method.\n\nOur initial import/configuration went as smooth as possible.  The menus were intuitive and the installation documentation that comes with the product is full of step by step procedures on how to get the AppSpeed Brain up and running.  Once the Brain was installed, it was time to install the plugin.   AppSpeed is accessed in Virtual Infrastructure Clients (VIClient) through the use of the AppSpeed Plugins.  Once the AppSpeed plugin is downloaded to a given machine and enabled you will see an AppSpeed Icon that takes you to the management and anlaysis sections.   The installation and the download/activation of the plugin went as smoothly as the AppSpeed Brain installation and startup.\n\nOnce inside the management area of AppSpeed the next step was to create the AppSpeed probes.  You will remember from the previous AppSpeed post that the probes are created on the ESX servers and one probe can monitor up to 3 vSwitchs at a time.  There is also an option for full installs that allows you to install a probe on all ESX hosts in one shot to save the time of having to do it individually.  Great feature for those of you that have many many ESX hosts in your environment.  Once all the probes were set up and pointing at their assigned vSwitchs the magic then starts to happen.\n\nWe will cover VMWare AppSpeed analysis more in depth in a later post but we were very impressed with how quickly the probes were able to identify the different entities in our environment and start adding the automatically as applications.  The first ones were the heavier used applications like Exchange, MSSQL, HTTP sites...  Then came some of the other applications CRM, Web Services, smaller MSSQL installations, etc...  All while creating a drillable topography of your network environment and it\'s interactions.  You can click on each node or link in the network diagram and see exactly what traffic (fairly detailed as well) has passed through between those servers.  Gone are the days of \"Let\'s turn this box off and see who screams!\".  With AppSpeed you can quickly identify what applcations and processes are utilizing a given server.\n\nThe constant up to date  network topography map is only one of the benefits of an AppSpeed install.  We will get more in depth with analyzing the performance of those connections between servers in a future post as well as how detailed the analysis can be.  As a developer I was very excited to see \"SELECT ... FROM ... WHERE ....\" kind of detail on the analysis with current/max/average error time, latency, execution time, resource usage, etc... on that level.  Time to start cleaning up some underperforming SQL statements!\n\nCheck back with us next week for a closer in depth look at analysis features in VMWare AppSpeed BETA.','VMWare AppSpeed BETA Part 2: Installation and Configuration notes','','publish','open','open','','vmware-appspeed-beta-part-2-installation-and-configuration-notes','','','2009-05-21 11:35:52','2009-05-21 16:35:52','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=935',0,'post','',0),(937,44,'2009-05-22 12:02:10','2009-05-22 17:02:10','I had some major problems deploying Trend OfficeScan version 10 to Windows Vista this week.  Specifically, I was getting this error:\n\n<strong>To install on a remote computer, use an account with administrator privileges.  If the target computer is running Windows XP or Vista Basic, remote installation cannot proceed because there is no remote registry service on these platforms.</strong>\n\n<!--more-->There are two things I had to do to make this work, first I had to disable UAC, second I had to enable Remote Registry.  I tried the fancy ways of doing this via Group Policy but in the end I went with the easiest route I know, I wrote a simple script and I used Sysinternal PSTools.\n\nFirst disable UAC by doing this:\n\npsexec <a href=\"//\\&lt;COMPUTERNAME\">\\&lt;COMPUTERNAME</a>&gt; C:WindowsSystem32cmd.exe /k %windir%System32reg.exe ADD HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem /v EnableLUA /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f\n\nThen enable Remote Registry by doing this:\n\npsservice <a href=\"//\\&lt;COMPUTERNAME\">\\&lt;COMPUTERNAME</a>&gt; setconfig \"Remote Registry\" Automatic\npsservice <a href=\"//\\&lt;COMPUTERNAME\">\\&lt;COMPUTERNAME</a>&gt; start \"Remote Registry\"\n\nGoogle PSTools or Sysinternals and you\'ll find the PStools group of utilities that I used for these commands: psservice and psexec.  I created a script that had a list of every workstation I needed and copied and pasted these lines multiple times, only took a few minutes.  Ya, it\'s not all that fancy, but while you work on your fancy deployment method, I\'ll be drinking a fruit drink with my workstations fully protected.  Cheers!','TREND OFFICESCAN VISTA DEPLOYMENT','','publish','open','open','','trend-officescan-vista-deployment','','','2009-05-22 12:02:10','2009-05-22 17:02:10','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=937',0,'post','',2),(943,44,'2009-05-22 15:06:29','2009-05-22 20:06:29','Check out a quick video giving a demo of Thin Provisioning in vSphere 4.0.\n\n<embed src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/thinprovisioning.wmv\" autostart= 0 width=\"500\" height=\"300\" align=\"center\" style=\"border: 2px solid #808080; \" > <noembed>A Media Player is required.</noembed></embed>','VMWARE vSPHERE 4.0 - THIN PROVISIONING DEMONSTRATION','','publish','open','open','','vmware-vsphere-40-thin-provisioning-demostration','','','2009-05-22 15:06:29','2009-05-22 20:06:29','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=943',0,'post','',0),(945,12,'2009-05-26 13:35:18','2009-05-26 18:35:18','Download it while it\'s hot!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a4dd31d5-f907-4406-9012-a5c3199ea2b3&amp;DisplayLang=en\" target=\"_blank\">32-bit</a> <a href=\"http://\" target=\"_blank\"> </a> or <a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=656c9d4a-55ec-4972-a0d7-b1a6fedf51a7&amp;DisplayLang=en\" target=\"_blank\">64-bit </a>\n\nNot really TOO much going on with this Service Pack--I think my favorite &quot;updates&quot; are as follows (and are more towards Server 2008 than Vista):<!--more-->\n<ul>\n	<li> &quot;SP2 improves backwards compatibility for Terminal Server license keys. Windows Server 2008 changed the licensing key from 512 bytes to 2,048 bytes which caused clients using older Terminal Server versions to fail. SP2 allows legacy license keys on Citrix applications to work with Windows Server 2008 Terminal Server.&quot;</li>\n	<li>&quot;SP2 provides the Hyper-V virtualization environment as a fully integrated feature of Windows Server 2008, including one free instance with Windows Server 2008 Standard, four free instances with Windows Server 2008 Enterprise and an unlimited number of free instances with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter.&quot;</li>\n</ul>','Vista SERVICE PACK 2 NOW AVAILABLE!','','publish','open','open','','vista-service-pack-2-now-available','','','2009-05-26 13:35:18','2009-05-26 18:35:18','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=945',0,'post','',0),(951,12,'2009-05-27 13:28:50','2009-05-27 18:28:50','The performance gains Intel is claiming are bold-- very bold. But something tells me they\'re really not exaggerating, even with statements like this:\n\n\"Its performance increase will be dramatic, posting the highest-ever jump from a previous generation processor.\"\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThe pairing of this processing power in the new Cisco UCS Blade servers with VMware\'s vSphere 4 will provide an incredibly compact data center footprint with outrageous performance capacity. Gotta love it!\n\n\"Nehalem-EX will provide tremendous scalability, from large-memory two-socket systems through eight-socket systems capable of processing 128 threads simultaneously without the need for third-party chips to “glue” the platform together. Additional scalability options including greater sockets counts will be possible with third-party solutions.\"\n\nIntel\'s entire statement can be found <a href=\"http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20090526comp.htm?iid=pr1_releasepri_20090526m\">here</a> .','INTEL NEHALEM - HUGE PERFORMANCE GAINS','','publish','open','open','','intel-nehalem-huge-performance-gains','','','2009-05-27 13:28:50','2009-05-27 18:28:50','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=951',0,'post','',0),(954,4,'2009-05-28 08:12:42','2009-05-28 13:12:42','Customers are often asking what server configuration they should choose for their virtualization environment. Do they go with a 2-socket multi-core based system, the traditional building block of the Data Center, or should they select a 4-socket server, which typically has more RAS features and better capacity in terms of cores, memory, and I/O better support their needs?  It’s kind of like choosing to go on vacation with that convertible you love to drive on the weekends or your trusty sedan that you go to work in every day! They both have their purpose but one may be better suited for the task at hand.\n\n<!--more-->A recent survey conducted by Gabriel Consulting Group highlighted some interesting x86 server purchasing trends.  The largest market for x86 servers is still the 2-socket based servers, with almost 40% of the respondents saying they are planning on purchasing “more” or “many more” systems in the coming year.  But, the survey also reflected an increasing interest in 4-socket servers with 33% of the respondents saying they intend to purchase these systems in greater volumes.\n\nA key driver in this trend towards larger servers is virtualization.  When it comes to virtualization, there are compelling advantages to be realized in implementing 4-socket or even 8-socket systems;\n<ul>\n	<li>Reduced hardware footprint. Particularly important for data centers that are space constrained and want to use fewer numbers of larger servers to consolidate both infrastructure and business application workloads.</li>\n	<li>More cores. There is evidence that 2P servers can adequately support a large number of virtual machines running very light workloads where each virtual machine uses one or at most two virtual CPUs to get the job done.\n<ul>\n	<li>However, for more demanding workloads, the more virtual CPUs you can assign to each VM (in other words, the more cores you have available) the better each workload will run. It should be noted that VMware’s recently introduced vSphere product has increased capabilities to support up to 8 virtual CPUs per VM, anticipating the continued migration of more demanding, production-level applications to virtualized environments.</li>\n	<li>A good example of this is seen in a paper highlighting the best practices for deploying Citrix XenApp with XenServer for HP ProLiant servers, where scalability is shown to degrade if you assign more virtual CPUs than there are physical CPU cores.</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n	<li>Larger memory footprint. The amount of memory available is particularly important for resource intensive workloads that process large amounts of information or stream data to many concurrent user sessions as is the case with a virtual desktop infrastructure. AMD OpteronTM processor-based 4-socket servers like the HP Proliant DL585 G5 and the Dell PowerEdge R905 can handle up to 256GB of memory per server while the HP Proliant DL785 and Sun Fire X4600 can handle up to 512GB of memory while 2-socket servers can only provide up to 144GB of memory.</li>\n	<li>Additional headroom for peak workloads. Often more demanding workloads like transaction-based business applications have less predictable workloads that peak with high demand. The additional cores, memory, and I/O capabilities of 4-socket servers give you this scalability edge to handle these bursts.</li>\n	<li>Consolidation of larger numbers of applications. While theoretically possible, most IT shops are currently not running hundreds of virtual machines on a single server. But, optimal virtual machine density is still a goal of many organizations implementing virtualization today. Four-socket servers provide a reliable and highly efficient platform for consolidation particularly for data intensive or more heavily utilized workload.</li>\n</ul>\nNo discussion on the benefits of virtualization and 4-socket servers would be complete without addressing the aspect of ROI.  There is a fantastic article recently posted by Collin MacMillan that shows Shanghai Refresh Delivers ROI in 2-months using Intel’s ROI calculations for a Nehalem server replacement that yields an ROI in eight months.  Collin also references an Intel/IDC white paper that concludes, “Systems based on 4P platforms provide better consolidation ratios and scalability than 2P platforms.”\n\nIn the end it’s all about having the right balance of resources - CPU, memory, network and storage.  As system utilization increases to 50% or more through virtualization, there is an increased demand for balanced systems with the potential for providing higher levels of CPU and memory resources.\n\nOne thing is for sure, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to virtualization.  Customers are finding more and more workloads that are suitable for virtualization due to technology improvements like you see with AMD Opteron multi-core processors with AMD-VTM technology.  So which one is going to get you to your destination, the convertible or the SUV?','FOUR-SOCKET SERVERS FOR REAL WORLD VIRTUALIZATION (FROM THE AMD FOLKS)','','publish','open','open','','four-socket-servers-for-real-world-virtualization-from-the-amd-folks','','','2009-05-28 08:12:42','2009-05-28 13:12:42','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=954',0,'post','',0),(959,2,'2009-05-28 11:09:08','2009-05-28 16:09:08','','datacenter','','inherit','open','open','','datacenter','','','2009-05-28 11:09:08','2009-05-28 16:09:08','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/datacenter.jpg',1,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(960,2,'2009-05-28 11:13:35','2009-05-28 16:13:35','','full-house-2','','inherit','open','open','','full-house-2','','','2009-05-28 11:13:35','2009-05-28 16:13:35','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/full-house-2.jpg',2,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(964,2,'2009-05-28 11:19:14','2009-05-28 16:19:14','','datacenter','','inherit','open','open','','datacenter1','','','2009-05-28 11:19:14','2009-05-28 16:19:14','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/datacenter1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(965,2,'2009-05-28 11:23:17','2009-05-28 16:23:17','','datacenter2','','inherit','open','open','','datacenter2','','','2009-05-28 11:23:17','2009-05-28 16:23:17','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/datacenter2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(969,4,'2009-05-28 15:23:08','2009-05-28 20:23:08','','disk','','inherit','open','open','','disk','','','2009-05-28 15:23:08','2009-05-28 20:23:08','',967,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/disk.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(971,8,'2009-05-28 15:25:38','2009-05-28 20:25:38','','datacenter3','','inherit','open','open','','datacenter3','','','2009-05-28 15:25:38','2009-05-28 20:25:38','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/datacenter3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(967,4,'2009-05-28 15:26:44','2009-05-28 20:26:44','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">At eGroup we had a LABMANAGER virtual machine with a 40GB vmdk hard drive - Fully allocated! (Thanks to Jason for this)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">However, only 6.5GB was in use – 84% free space – but hogging up a full 40GB on the production vmfs datastore! (Thanks to Jason for this)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-653\" src=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/disk.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><!--more--></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">I detached this from the inventory of our 3.5 environment, and re-attached to the inventory of our new vSphere cluster.  I could do this easily since both the 3.5 and 4.0 clusters see the same vmfs datastores!</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">I then executed a \"migration\" (fancy new Wizard for both VMotion and SVMotion) within vSphere 4 to “migrate” the virtual machine to a t-pro virtual disk device (t-pro=thin provisioned – my new “shizzle term” for it)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">BEFORE:</span></p>\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-653\" src=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/before.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">AFTER:</span></p>\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-653\" src=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/after.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Very nice!!</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>','vSPHERE THIN PROVISIONING ROCKS MY HOUSE!','','publish','open','open','','vsphere-thin-provisioning-rocks-my-house','','','2009-05-28 15:26:44','2009-05-28 20:26:44','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=967',0,'post','',0),(978,4,'2009-05-28 15:35:37','2009-05-28 20:35:37','','after','','inherit','open','open','','after','','','2009-05-28 15:35:37','2009-05-28 20:35:37','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/after.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(979,4,'2009-05-28 15:35:38','2009-05-28 20:35:38','','before','','inherit','open','open','','before','','','2009-05-28 15:35:38','2009-05-28 20:35:38','',0,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/before.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(991,44,'2009-06-03 08:48:51','2009-06-03 13:48:51','Recently when I deployed Trend Micro OfficeScan version 10, I had an issue after the deployment where the password I setup during the deployment didn\'t work.  I, like so many other IT guys, just rushed through the install and missed a big peice of information.<!--more-->\n\nThe default username is: <strong>root</strong>\n\nThe default password is: whatever you set it to during the install\n\nHopefully google will bring up this blog for you so you can find it a little quicker than I did.','TREND OFFICESCAN DEFAULT USERNAME & PASSWORD','','publish','open','open','','trend-officescan-default-username-password','','','2009-06-03 08:48:51','2009-06-03 13:48:51','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=991',0,'post','',15),(997,2,'2009-06-04 10:56:41','2009-06-04 15:56:41','The first stop for eGroup as part of our four-city vSphere 4 Roadshow drew a record crowd and was a huge success.  Hosted at the Cisco office in Charleston, attendees enjoyed a live demo of vSphere 4 by eGroup\'s expert engineers Will Turbeville and Travis Baird.   Coastal SC account rep Mike Stokes discussed new features + licensing, among other hot topics, followed by Tighe Kuykendall of Cisco demonstrating the Nexus 1000 switch. <!--more-->\n\nThe Greenville team followed with a similar agenda, drawing an even larger crowd that packed the house at Immedion\'s facilities.  eGroup engineers Jonathan Webster and Gunner Berger presented, along with Chris Hogan, eGroup\'s Carolinas Sales Manager.  Clay Miller presented for Cisco.  We hit Columbia on June 3rd,  with Jonathan Webster and Tal Lassiter from eGroup, and Tommy Dodd from Cisco, and wrapped up in Charlotte on the 4th with eGroup\'s Jonathan Webster and Ken Turrentine, and Greg Werner from Cisco.   \n\nThanks to all who attended, we hope you found the information presented to be extremely valuable!  If you missed out and weren\'t able to attend, and would like to receive our PPT presentation and speak with an eGroup expert about vSphere 4, please e-mail <a href=\"mailto:sales@eGroup-us.com\">sales@eGroup-us.com</a> or call 1-877-eGROUP-1.  You can also visit our <a href=\"http://egroup.jasonmangone.com/Default.aspx?TabId=85&amp;sid=0181fddaabf172e258126317daac91e8&amp;svpage=product_vsphere4\">vSphere 4 Information Center</a>.\n\nPhotos coming soon!','vSPHERE 4 ROADSHOW A HUGE SUCCESS!','','publish','open','open','','vsphere-4-roadshow-a-huge-success','','','2009-06-04 10:56:41','2009-06-04 15:56:41','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=997',0,'post','',0),(1001,44,'2009-06-05 09:00:24','2009-06-05 14:00:24','If you\'re like me you\'ve been using Google to search the Internet for what seems like forever - and Google has been doing a decent job for me. When I heard this week that Microsoft had released its new Bing search engine I was a bit skeptical, but willing to give it a try.\n\nWow!  Bing does a fantastic job of pulling the search results to the main search page, helping me avoid the need to open search results in separate tabs. Bing also integrates amazing graphics and videos right into the main search results page.  I\'ve set Bing to be my default search engine in IE and plan to give it a good workout over the next few weeks.\n\nCheck out Bing here: <a href=\"http://www.bing.com\">http://www.bing.com</a>','INTRODUCING MICROSOFT\'S NEW BING SEARCH ENGINE','','publish','open','open','','introducing-microsofts-new-bing-search-engine','','','2009-06-05 09:00:24','2009-06-05 14:00:24','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1001',0,'post','',0),(1006,4,'2009-06-05 09:20:32','2009-06-05 14:20:32','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Earlier this week we had a little contest around the office – that is, who could get in and get their vSphere4 VTSP accomplished the quickest.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The VMware Technical Sales Professional Program (VTSP) provides foundational technical knowledge for pre-sales engineering individuals to certify them to successfully architect, engage, and participate in a VMware solutions sales cycle. For VMware partners, the VTSP is a pre-requisite that must be completed before you can obtain Technical Pre-Sales Competency Accreditations.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><!--more--></span></p>\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-653\" src=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/vmlogo_vtsp_w_q208.gif\" alt=\"\" />\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">With 7 of our top VMware engineers in the room, we pulled up Partner University and plowed through the content – digesting massive amounts of new and updated information and “testing out” along the way.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>What a rush!</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The courses and tests consisted of:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">vSphere 4: Architecture </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">vSphere 4: Installation </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">vNetworks </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">vStorage </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">vSphere 4: vCenter Server Management </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">vSphere 4: VM Management </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">As we broke for lunch, with two tests to go, the tension was running high as we all jockeyed for position.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>I don’t think I’ve ever seen people eat faster.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">At the end of the day, we were proud to sit back and reflect on our accomplishment – that is the minting of 7 new vSphere 4 VMware Technical Sales Professionals - all with the “add-on” Desktop Competency (VMware View) and Business Continuity (SRM) specialties.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Now on to all of the new VCP4 content !<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>(Beta available June 29<sup>th</sup>, publicly available August 1<sup>st</sup>!)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">My VCP number is 199, what’s yours?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Please comment!</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>','eGROUP MINTS 7 NEW VSPHERE 4 VMWARE TECHNICAL SALES PROFESSIONALS - ALL WITH THEIR DESKTOP COMPETENCY (VMWARE VIEW) AND THEIR BUSINESS CONTINUITY (SRM) SPECIALTIES ','','publish','open','open','','egroup-mints-7-new-vsphere-4-vmware-technical-sales-professionals-all-with-their-desktop-competency-vmware-view-and-their-business-continuity-srm-specialties','','','2009-06-05 09:20:32','2009-06-05 14:20:32','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1006',0,'post','',0),(1017,4,'2009-06-05 12:35:44','2009-06-05 17:35:44','','vmlogo_vtsp_s_q208','','inherit','open','open','','vmlogo_vtsp_s_q208','','','2009-06-05 12:35:44','2009-06-05 17:35:44','',1006,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/vmlogo_vtsp_s_q208.gif',0,'attachment','image/gif',0),(1021,4,'2009-06-05 13:13:15','2009-06-05 18:13:15','','vmlogo_vtsp_w_q208','','inherit','open','open','','vmlogo_vtsp_w_q208','','','2009-06-05 13:13:15','2009-06-05 18:13:15','',1006,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/vmlogo_vtsp_w_q208.gif',0,'attachment','image/gif',0),(1023,44,'2009-06-05 15:05:44','2009-06-05 20:05:44','','thinprovisioning-wmv','','inherit','open','open','','thinprovisioning','','','2009-06-05 15:05:44','2009-06-05 20:05:44','',943,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/thinprovisioning.wmv',1,'attachment','video/asf',0),(1026,4,'2009-06-09 09:41:46','2009-06-09 14:41:46','','voptimizer','','inherit','open','open','','voptimizer','','','2009-06-09 09:41:46','2009-06-09 14:41:46','',1025,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/voptimizer.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1025,4,'2009-06-09 09:42:36','2009-06-09 14:42:36','Had the occasion to use the vizioncore vOptimizer utility last night – it’s pretty slick.\n\nDoes two things “automagically” that I think you’ll want to add to your toolset – though this is in addition to a ton of other things it can do.\n1) Resize VMDK files (up or down – based on what amount of free space you want left)\n2) Realigns VMDK partitions to the 64k starting boundary (for better i/o efficiency)\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThe best part is, that you can use vOptimizer in a “trial mode” for 14 days which includes two free optimizations.\n\nIn my case, I had a single VM that had a 50GB C: drive (only using 10GB of it) and I wanted to “downsize it” to a VMDK size of 20GB.  This tool allowed me to do that beautifully (though it does power down the VM to do it – naturally you’d expect this – so plan for a maintenance window)\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-653\" src=\"http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/voptimizer.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\nEnjoy !','VIZIONCORE\'S vOPTIMIZER ROCKS MY HOUSE!','','publish','open','open','','vizioncores-voptimizer-rocks-my-house','','','2009-06-09 09:42:36','2009-06-09 14:42:36','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1025',0,'post','',0),(1029,12,'2009-06-11 10:19:04','2009-06-11 15:19:04','It looks like Microsoft is gearing up to release a public beta of their free anti-virus service, &quot;Morro&quot;. While the service is supposedly going to be &quot;basic&quot;, I\'m sure it\'ll help prevent the massive wild-fire like spread of worms that captures media attention (and, of course, adds fuel for most Apple commercials-- poor PC!).\n\n<!--more-->\n\nIt\'s possible this could lead to another antitrust case-- I wonder how much Microsoft lawyers get paid.\n\nEither way, I see this as a GOOD thing. Less viruses floating around the dirty, bad, Internet, the better.\n\nHere\'s the <a title=\"http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE5585IV20090611\" href=\"http://\" target=\"_blank\">link</a>','Microsoft - FREE ANTI-VIRUS? ','','publish','open','open','','microsoft-free-anti-virus','','','2009-06-11 10:19:04','2009-06-11 15:19:04','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1029',0,'post','',0),(1034,6,'2009-06-11 12:29:54','2009-06-11 17:29:54','Trend Micro and Cisco recently teamed up to announce their latest offering – Home Network Defender. Designed with the home user in mind, Home Network Defender has been crafted as an easy-to-install and easy-to-manage service for use in homes with Linksys (Cisco) routers. The new lineup of Linksys routers have been custom built with Trend Micro functionality. \n<!--more-->\nThe ability to lockdown items on the home network is very appealing and this seems like a logical choice that no other vendor or team of vendors have really thought to provide – or at least packaged it so nicely. \n\nThere is a really nice intro <a href=\"http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/personal/home-network-defender/demo/index.html\">video </a>that I think should be checked out.\n\nSome really nice features that caught my eye:\n1.	Parental Controls – Quickly and easily block out content viewed by family members. This Includes access timers and site categories which can be configured per user in the household.\n2.	Automatic Safe Web Surfing – Baked in Trend Micro Web Threat Protection is a good thing. With 3 security levels, configuring browsing levels should be very straight forward and easy to manage.\n3.	Built in Network Activity Reporting – Quickly report on the internet traffic traveling through your router.\n4.	Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware – keep the bad guys out of the home network with baked in virus, Trojan, and spyware protection. This can be installed on up to 4 home computers all included in annual fee of $49.99.\n\n\nPeople approach me fairly regularly to clean up their PC or laptop, and if this new offering from Trend Micro and Cisco can stop home networks from getting infected then I’m for it.\n','PROTECT THE HOME NETWORK WITH TREND MICRO AND CISCO’S LATEST OFFERING: HOME NETWORK DEFENDER','','publish','open','open','','protect-the-home-network-with-trend-micro-and-cisco%e2%80%99s-latest-offering-home-network-defender','','','2009-06-11 12:29:54','2009-06-11 17:29:54','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1034',0,'post','',1),(1046,8,'2009-06-11 12:52:39','2009-06-11 17:52:39','When setting up a MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2005 Database Mirror setup for High Availability you may run into an issue where the databse Mirror fails over automatically from the principle to the mirror when there wasn\'t ever really an issue.  This can be caused by random network issues, response delays, etc...  There is an easy solution that is not part of the GUI that can help reduce or eliminate these \"false positives\" that cause the server quorom to trigger a failover.<!--more-->\n\nConfigure the database mirror PARTNER TIMEOUT SETTING.\n\nTo configure this use the Transact SQL command  \"ALTER DATABASE DBNAME SET PARTNER TIMEOUT 30\".  By setting the partner timeout to a greater number you allow more time for network issues, delays, etc... to work out before the other servers trigger the failover.  Setting the value too high will cause the server to delay the failover and could result in more downtime so fine tuning will be required.   Also, The minimum value for this setting is 5 seconds.','MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2005:  SQL DATABASE MIRRORING TUNING.  SETTING THE PARTNER TIMEOUT SETTING','','publish','open','open','','microsoft-sql-server-2005-sql-database-mirroring-tuning-setting-the-partner-timeout-setting','','','2009-06-11 12:52:39','2009-06-11 17:52:39','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1046',0,'post','',0),(1048,44,'2009-06-11 14:13:49','2009-06-11 19:13:49','There are five roles in a Domain Controller:\n<ul>\n	<li>FSMO</li>\n	<li>Schema</li>\n	<li>Domain Naming</li>\n	<li>RID</li>\n	<li>PDC</li>\n	<li>Infrastructure</li>\n</ul>\nWhen removing a domain controller you need to make sure you move the roles first (if that domain controller has one of those roles.  To do so:\n\n<!--more-->\n\nTo Transfer the Domain-Specific RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Master FSMO Roles:\n<ol>\n	<li>Open the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in from the Administrative Tools folder.</li>\n	<li>If you are NOT logged onto the target domain controller, in the snap-in, right-click the icon next to Active Directory Users and Computers and press Connect to Domain Controller.</li>\n	<li>Select the domain controller that will be the new role holder, the target, and press OK.</li>\n	<li>Right-click the Active Directory Users and Computers icon again and press Operation Masters.</li>\n	<li>Select the appropriate tab for the role you wish to transfer and press the Change button.</li>\n	<li>Press OK to confirm the change.</li>\n	<li>Press OK all the way out.</li>\n</ol>\nTo Transfer the Domain Naming Master Role:\n<ol>\n	<li>Open the Active Directory Domains and Trusts snap-in from the Administrative Tools folder.</li>\n	<li>If you are NOT logged onto the target domain controller, in the snap-in, right-click the icon next to Active Directory Domains and Trusts and press Connect to Domain Controller.</li>\n	<li>Select the domain controller that will be the new role holder and press OK.</li>\n	<li>Right-click the Active Directory Domains and Trusts icon again and press Operation Masters.</li>\n	<li>Press the Change button.</li>\n	<li>Press OK to confirm the change.</li>\n	<li>Press OK all the way out.</li>\n</ol>\n To Transfer the Schema Master Role:\n<ol>\n	<li>Register the Schmmgmt.dll library by pressing Start &gt; RUN and typing:\nregsvr32 schmmgmt.dll1.Press OK. You should receive a success confirmation.</li>\n	<li>From the Run command open an MMC Console by typing MMC.</li>\n	<li>On the Console menu, press Add/Remove Snap-in.</li>\n	<li>Press Add. Select Active Directory Schema.</li>\n	<li>Press Add and press Close. Press OK.</li>\n	<li>If you are NOT logged onto the target domain controller, in the snap-in, right-click the Active Directory Schema icon in the Console Root and press Change Domain Controller.</li>\n	<li>Press Specify .... and type the name of the new role holder. Press OK.</li>\n	<li>Right-click right-click the Active Directory Schema icon again and press Operation Masters.</li>\n	<li>Press the Change button.</li>\n	<li>Press OK all the way out.</li>\n</ol>\nThis information can be found in more detail <a href=\"http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm\">here</a>.','TRANSFERRING DOMAIN CONTROLLER ROLES','','publish','open','open','','transferring-domain-controller-roles','','','2009-06-11 14:13:49','2009-06-11 19:13:49','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1048',0,'post','',0),(1050,8,'2009-06-12 12:43:37','2009-06-12 17:43:37','The VMWare AppSpeed BETA team has issued a refresh version for BETA participants.  Along with some great service enhancements listed below it is now compatible with the VMWare VSPHERE!  We will be installing the new BETA version in our environment soon and will blog about all the changes and user experience enhancements that came out of the first month of BETA testing.\n\nHere are some of the changes for theVMWare AppSpeed BETA Refresh Version.\n<p class=\"listparagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">1.<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Higher mapping limit – more elements in the monitored environments can now be mapped </span></p>\n<p class=\"listparagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">2.<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">UI communication speed significantly improved </span></p>\n<p class=\"listparagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">3.<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Command Line Interface for editing the learning/mapping results </span></p>\n<p class=\"listparagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">4.<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">vSphere compatibility    </span></p>\n<p class=\"listparagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">5.<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Support for most non-English environments – AppSpeed can be installed and operate at vCenters with non-English objects </span></p>\n<p class=\"listparagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">6.<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Broader SSL support – fully compatible with IIS secured applications </span></p>\n<p class=\"listparagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">7.<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">     </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Various stability and mapping improvements </span></p>\n\nStay with us for more info.  If you have any questions about the AppSpeed BETA or how it is performing please leave a comment.','APPSPEED BETA REFRESH VERSION NOW AVAILABLE FOR BETA PARTICIPANTS','','publish','open','open','','appspeed-beta-refresh-version-now-available-for-beta-participants','','','2009-06-12 12:43:37','2009-06-12 17:43:37','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1050',0,'post','',0),(1052,6,'2009-06-18 16:46:41','2009-06-18 21:46:41','While onsite with a customer, it was brought to my attention that Data Robotics has come out with a great storage solution - <a href=\"http://www.drobo.com/pdf/drobo_data_sheet.pdf\">DROBO</a>. I dont think this an Enterprise class solution when you consider redundancy of core components and IOPs, but I do think this would fit in perfectly for the home network.\n\nHere is why:\n\n<!--more-->\n\nUtilizes \"Beyond RAID\" - touted as \"Redundant Protection, with no headaches\", Drobo provides the redundant protection of much more expensive storage, in a format you do not have to configure or manage.\n\nEasy Expandability - you can mix and match hard drives, allowing you to change on the fly as you data grows - Up to 16 TB via 4 drive bays!\n\nSuper Easy Setup - just plug it in and you\'re on your way. Works with Windows, MACs, and Linux\n\nTake a look at a great introdutory <a href=\"http://www.drobo.com/resources/drobodemo.php\">video </a>which showcases its features.\n\nCurrently the unit operates using 3.5\" SATA drives and currently utilizes USB 2.0 and Firewire 800. Plus you can add on the DROBO SHARE and connect it your home network. When the USB 3.0 version comes out with built in networking - Im in.','DROBO - STORAGE FOR THE HOME NETWORK DONE RIGHT','','publish','open','open','','drobo-storage-for-the-home-done-right','','','2009-06-18 16:46:41','2009-06-18 21:46:41','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1052',0,'post','',0),(1073,8,'2009-06-23 07:48:51','2009-06-23 12:48:51','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">To develop and implement a comprehensive business continuity strategy with respect to your IT systems infrastructure, it is vital that you understand that not all systems and data should be treated in the same fashion.  In order to make informed decisions on the investment you are willing to make in a business continuity solution, you must know how all of yor systems and data correspond to the financial bottom line of the business. This is a high level guide that will provide insight into developing a strategy designed for your business.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><!--more--></span></span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">IT Business Continuity - What is it?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The availability and functionality of the systems and data necessary to do your job, ie. “continue business”</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">IT Business Continuity Planning</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The steps an organization takes to ensure that essential business functions can continue during and after a service failure</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Goals of Business Continuity Planning</span></span></strong></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Prevent interruption of mission-critical services</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Return mission-critical services to operation quickly and efficiently</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Minimize the loss of data in the event of a <strong><em>service failure</em></strong>* </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Why? Minimize the financial impact caused by failure of a mission critical IT service</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">With respect to IT, that means different things to different organizations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To develop YOUR business continuity plan for IT…</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Developing a Business Continuity Plan</span></span></strong></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Step 1: </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Understand the criticality of the systems, applications and data you use (with $$ in mind)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Which systems, applications and data would you classify as business-critical?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Email?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Database?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">File Systems?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">ERP System or line-of-business application</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">B2B (EDI) transactions?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Website?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">If you have not identified criticality incrementally, you need to do so </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Dictates what you need to spend on protection/recoverability</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Analysis can be highly detailed (formal Business Impact Analysis) or can be general (brainstorm with key stakeholders)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\">Step 2: </span> </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Identify Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">RTO: How long is ACCEPTABLE for you be without access to these systems, apps and data?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Traditional RTO can be 72 hours and up</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The shorter the RTO, the higher the cost</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">RPO:  How much data is ACCEPTABLE for you to lose in a service failure?  </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Traditional RPO is 24-48 hours</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The shorter the RPO, the higher the cost</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\">Step 3:</span></span>  </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Understand your Risks.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>What <em>could</em> happen and what are the chances?</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Risk assessments can be highly detailed (formal Risk Analysis) or can be general (brainstorm with key stakeholders)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l9 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Most feared, least occurring:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">ü</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Fires, Floods</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Least feared, most commonly occurring:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">ü</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>User error </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">ü</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Power Outage</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">ü</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Hardware/software/Network failures</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">ü</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Virus attack</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">ü</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Minor or localized accidents</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Step 4:  </span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Implement<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>an IT infrastructure that can meet: </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>RTO’s </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>RPO’s </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Your Budget</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Sounds easy enough….So how do I do it?</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Tactical Steps in Business Continuity</span></span></strong></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Backup <em>and Recovery<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></em>Strategy</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo9; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Tape:  Still most common</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo9; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Disk-based:  Dedicated systems or removable devices</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo9; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Online backup services</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><em>3 Pointers  </em></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><em>1.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>It’s not how fast you can backup, it’s how fast you can recover.</em></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><em>2.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Get your backups and restoration EQUIPMENT OFFSITE!</em></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><em>3.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Please test your backup/restore processes AND EQUIPMENT</em></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">System Design</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Use Tier 1 Hardware Providers with Support</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Fault Tolerance – Eliminate single points of failure</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo11; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Redundancy – Power Supplies, Hard Drives, Processors, network connections, etc.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Backup Strategy (I had to mention again…at least have one)</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Shared Storage and Virtualization Platforms </span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Enterprise-Class design, but becoming viable for the SMB</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Application Design</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo13; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Keep Operating Systems up to date (upgrades, patches, supportability)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo13; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Implement Anti-Virus on all systems (and keep updated)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo13; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Clustering, load balancing, fail-over, etc. </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo13; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ø</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">  </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Enterprise-Class design, but becoming viable for the SMB</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Sophisticated Examples of Business Continuity</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Virtualization</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Shared Storage</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Clustering</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Load Balancing</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Data Replication</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Snapshots</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Fail-Over</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Summary</span></span></strong></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">BCP in IT attempts to minimize the financial impact caused by failure of a mission-critical service.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo15; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Step 1: Understand the criticality of the systems, applications and data you use (with $$ in mind)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo15; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Step 2:  Identify Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo15; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Step 3:  Understand your Risks</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo15; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">•</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">          </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Step 4:  Implement an IT infrastructure that can meet RTO’s, RPO’s and your Budget</span></p>','BUSINESS CONTINUITY IN IT - STRATEGY AND TACTICS','','publish','open','open','','business-continuity-in-it-strategy-and-tactics','','','2009-06-23 07:48:51','2009-06-23 12:48:51','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1073',0,'post','',0),(1093,12,'2009-06-24 08:44:46','2009-06-24 13:44:46','Was poking around the tech-news pages yesterday and found this <a href=\"http://www.tomshardware.com/news/dataslide-hrd-ssd-hdd,8115.html\" target=\"_blank\">article</a> .\n\nIt goes on to say that these &quot;Hard Rectangular Drives&quot; can hit 160,000 random IOPS, 500MB/sec transfer speeds, and only uses 4w of power.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nUnfortunately there is no stated (or even rumored) release date for them. I guess my greatest hope is that once available, the price of a few SSDs (or &quot;Enterprise Flash Disks&quot; if you\'re EMC) will fall into the moderately reasonable range.','HRDs Faster than SSDs?','','publish','open','open','','hrds-faster-than-ssds','','','2009-06-24 08:44:46','2009-06-24 13:44:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1093',0,'post','',0),(1097,8,'2009-06-24 19:37:58','2009-06-25 00:37:58','I have seen a lot of issues with the \"No Indexers\" issue when installing and configuring a SharePoint installation in Farm Mode.  In a recent setup I came across it and thought I would put a post out there for people that may be encountering it for the first time.  The \"No Indexers\" issue surfaces when trying to configure your first Shared Service Provider (SSP) after setting up SharePoint for the first time.  There are a few reasons this can happen, all of which are fairly simple to resolve but somewhat annoying as well.  <!--more-->\n\nThe first reason is that you may have simply forgot to install Search Service when installing.  This can happen in Farm Mode setups if you select \"Web Front End\" instead of \"Complete\".  This to me is a little misleading for the first time installer because you most likely are attempting to install the Web Front End Server of the Farm and pointing it to a database.  It does not clearly state that this is for an existing farm.  Combine that with the fact that Complete install makes you think it will install a SQL Database as well on the server (unless you read the fine print of course) it is understandable.  Easy enough to fix though, but this is where it becomes a pain.  You have to uninstall then reinstall to get the desired result.  Good thing the uninstall doesn\'t drop your config database you may have already set up.\n\nThe second reason is the easier of the two.  The indexer service may not be started on a server.  In Central Administration.  Go to Operations tab and then look at the Topology of the farm setup.  Is \"Office SharePoint Server Search\" service started on the desired server?  Change to the desired server and start the service if not in the Topology view drop down list on the page.  If it doesn\'t exist.  See reason number one above.\n\nThis isn\'t necessarily an issue or a bug but it can be annoying and I have seen it happen more than twice so I thought I would at least attempt to explain why.\n\nPlease leave comments below if you have any additional insight or questions.','MICROSOFT OFFICE SHAREPOINT SERVER (MOSS) \"NO INDEXERS\" ISSUE.','','publish','open','open','','microsoft-office-sharepoint-server-moss-no-indexers-issue','','','2009-06-24 19:37:58','2009-06-25 00:37:58','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1097',0,'post','',0),(1099,8,'2009-06-24 22:16:46','2009-06-25 03:16:46','When setting up a SharePoint Shared Service Provider (SSP) for the first time in a new web farm (or any other time really) you can sometimes run into the \"Provisioning In Progress\" issue where SharePoint will tell you there was an error with the text below.\n<blockquote><em>Shared Services Provider creation failed\nReason: No running instances of Shared Services Provider provisioning job\nservice are online\n\nCheck the event log for details.\n\nNote: SSP provisioning will be retried periodically. If you correct the\nerror that caused this failure, provisioning will subsequently succeed. To\nstop provisioning from being retired, delete the SSP.<!--more--></em></blockquote>\nThis is said to happen when the databases and the file system cache get out of synch for some reason.  Corruption,  Incomplete Installation or Removal, etc...  The first thing you need to try is deleting the File System Cache.\n\nDo this by following these steps:\n<ol>\n	<li>Stop the \"Windows SharePoint Services Timer\" Service on all servers in the farm running it.</li>\n	<li>Navigate Windows Explorer to <span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">%ALLUSERSPROFILE% MicrosoftSharePointConfig...</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">Delete all the files (or move them) except the cache.ini file in this folder.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">Edit the cache.ini in notepad and replace the number present with a zero.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">Repeat 2-4 for all servers that had the Timer service running.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">Start the \"Windows SharePoint Services Timer\" Service on all servers in the farm running it.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">This will re-synch the file system cache and allowthe provisioning of the SSP to happen.  SharePoint will automatically retry provisioning on an interval or you could attempt to create a second SSP to test the changes.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">If running WSS3.0.  There is a hotfix that addresses a similar issue to this as well that will need to be applied.  The hotfix can be found at <a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=A49472F9-93EF-4423-BD0B-06B1B331C7AC&amp;displaylang=en#filelist\">http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=A49472F9-93EF-4423-BD0B-06B1B331C7AC&amp;displaylang=en#filelist</a>.</span>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;\">Good Luck and leave comments and questions below.</span>','MOSS 2007.  SHARED SERVICE PROVIDER (SSP) \"PROVISIONING IN PROGRESS\" ISSUE','','publish','open','open','','moss-2007-shared-service-provider-ssp-provisioning-in-progress-issue','','','2009-06-24 22:16:46','2009-06-25 03:16:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1099',0,'post','',1),(1101,9,'2009-06-26 07:46:02','2009-06-26 12:46:02','Veeam recently announced new Essentials Bundles and Acceleration Kits to correspond with VMware\'s recently released vSphere 4.  Along with this release is the announcement that Veeam will no longer offer support for VMware ESXi Free Edition.  Veeam Backup and Replication offers faster DR Recovery, file level recovery for both Windows and Linux in seconds, and de-duplication when backing up multiple VM\'s. \n\n<strong>Veeam Essentials</strong> bundle includes six sockets of:\n	<li>Veeam Backup &amp; Replication</li>\n	<li>Veeam Reporter</li>\n	<li>Veeam Monitor</li>\n<!--more-->\n\n<strong>Veeam Acceleration Kit Standard</strong> includes six or eight sockets of:\n	<li>Veeam Reporter Enterprise</li>\n	<li>Veeam Configurator</li>\n	<li>Veeam Monitor</li>\n<strong>Veeam Acceleration Kit Plus </strong>includes six or eight sockets of:\n	<li>Veeam Backup &amp; Replication</li>\n	<li>Veeam Reporter Enterprise</li>\n	<li>Veeam Configurator</li>\n	<li>Veeam Monitor</li>\n<span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;\">To learn more contact <a href=\"mailto:sales@eGroup-us.com\">eGroup</a> or visit <a href=\"http://www.veeam.com/\">www.veeam.com</a></span>','VEEAM BACKUP & REPLICATION OFFERS NEW BUNDLES - NO LONGER SUPPORTS ESXI','','publish','open','open','','veeam-backup-replication-offers-new-bundles-no-longer-supports-esxi','','','2009-06-26 07:46:02','2009-06-26 12:46:02','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1101',0,'post','',2),(1104,11,'2009-07-01 07:51:06','2009-07-01 12:51:06','Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery 8.5 Desktop Edition enables customers to restore complete Windows desktop/laptops in minutes, even to dissimilar hardware or virtual environments with new functionality to automate physical to virtual conversions for immediate system recovery. <!--more-->Some of the Key Features and Benefits include:\n\n•Recover in minutes to same hardware, dissimilar hardware or virtual environments with Restore Anyware technology\n\n•Create real-time, while-you-work recovery points of the entire system and save to any disk-storage device\n\n•Enables offsite backup copy to an FTP location or secondary disk drive for enhanced disaster recovery capabilities\n\n•Search and retrieve files and folders in seconds via Google Desktop or Backup Exec Retrieve\n\n•Rapid and reliable system recovery even from a bare-metal state, without the need to reinstall and reconfigure operating systems, applications, system settings, and preferences.\n\n•Eliminate backup windows by capturing the entire live Windows system, without disrupting user productivity or application usage\n\n•Simplifies and extends your data and disaster recovery capabilities\n\n•Centrally manage backup and recovery tasks for multiple desktops/laptops across your entire organization (via Backup Exec System Recovery Manager)\n\nTo learn more contact <a href=\"sales@eGroup-us.com \">eGroup</a> or visit <a href=\"http://www.Symantec.com\">www.Symantec.com</a>','SYMANTEC BACKUP EXEC SYSTEM RECOVERY DESKTOP EDITION ALLOWS FOR COMPLETE WINDOWS DESKTOP/LAPTOPS IN MINUTES','','publish','open','open','','symantec-backup-exec-system-recovery-desktop-edition-allows-for-complete-windows-desktoplaptops-in-minutes','','','2009-07-01 07:51:06','2009-07-01 12:51:06','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1104',0,'post','',0),(1109,6,'2009-07-06 10:25:05','2009-07-06 15:25:05','In order to run one of the best new features in VMware vSphere 4, Fault Tolerance, be sure to check to ensure you meet the specific processor and guest OS requirements:\n\n<!--more-->\n\n<strong>Intel Xeon based on 45nm Core 2 Microarchitecture Category:</strong>\n3100 Series\n3300 Series\n5200 Series (DP)\n5400 Series\n7400 Series\n\n<strong>Intel Xeon based on Core i7 Microarchitecture Category:</strong>\n5500 Series\n\n<strong>AMD 3rd Generation Opteron Category:</strong>\n1300 Series\n2300 Series (DP)\n8300 Series (MP)\n\nOf course certain operating systems have different inherent functionality as well, and for the latest information, be sure check out VMware\'s KB <a href=\"http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&amp;cmd=displayKC&amp;externalId=1008027\">article</a>.','IS MY SERVER vSPHERE FAULT TOLERANT CAPABLE?','','publish','open','open','','is-my-server-vsphere-fault-tolerant-capable','','','2009-07-06 10:25:05','2009-07-06 15:25:05','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1109',0,'post','',0),(1115,8,'2009-07-06 21:15:12','2009-07-07 02:15:12','VMware ThinApp and application virtualization are ushering in a new era for Systems Administrators.  Growing in popularity and performance there are numerous benefits to application virtualization.  ThinApp itself is lightweight (Only 400k and 2MB RAM for the VOS) and outperforms the competitors (by a longshot) when recently studied by Competitve Systems Analysis <a href=\"http://www.xpnet.com/appvirt2008.pdf\">http://www.xpnet.com/appvirt2008.pdf</a>.  By utilizing Citrix Servers and deploying ThinApp packages, you can create the ultimate application delivery machine(s).<!--more-->\n\nFirst,  a little about VMware ThinApp and what makes it such a great application virtualization tool. \n<ul>\n	<li>As previously stated, the VMware ThinApp VOS (Virtual Operating System) only consumes about 400k in disk space and 2MB of memory per application instance.  This makes running Thin applications no more painless than native ones.</li>\n	<li>VMware ThinApp application packages can be unlimited size.  A 2TB application packages loads and begins streaming in seconds based on the users commands.  There isn\'t a long period to load the entire app.</li>\n	<li>VMware ThinApp applications are run in independant environments from other applications on the desktop.  (Developer\'s like me rejoice) No longer are the days (pre GAC) where one application upgrade or installation would upgrade your required DLL with a incompatible version.  Run as many .Net versions as you like and each of them run in their own VOS.  Less clutter has to mean smoother performance and lower error rates as well.</li>\n	<li>VMware ThinApp is agent-less.  This means that they run on PC\'s out of the box.  No agents or software to load on the client.</li>\n</ul>\nNow that the ThinApp \"lovefest\" is out of the way we can talk about creating the ultimate application delivery machine.  By combining VMware ThinApp and Citrix we can stop configuring applications on the Citrix server directly.  This will save time in installing an applications on the Citrix server and upgrade costs (version confilct, DLL mismatch mentioned above, downtime) all while providing a more stable and reliable environment.  Instead,  all we have to do is publish the ThinApp application packages to the Citrix Server.  Since all the applications are packaged with their own custom tailored configurations they will run as they were meant to perform with out all the extra overhead all while reducing the overall load on the Citrix server which leads to overall better system performance.','VMware ThinApp AND Citrix.  BUILDING THE ULTIMATE APPLICATION DELIVERY SERVER.','','publish','open','open','','vmware-thinapp-and-citrix-building-the-ultimate-application-delivery-server','','','2009-07-06 21:15:12','2009-07-07 02:15:12','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1115',0,'post','',0),(1117,2,'2009-07-08 15:43:53','2009-07-08 20:43:53','Contact eGroup to take advantage of discounted product offers and efficient migration services.VMware announced on 7/7/09 that it is offering existing Virtual Iron customers an easy way to migrate Virtual Iron software deployments to VMware vSphere. In light of news reports that Oracle will discontinue development and support of existing Virtual Iron products, Virtual Iron customers immediately have a cost-effective way to upgrade to VMware vSphere 4.. Qualifying Virtual Iron customers with active support contracts are eligible to receive a 40% discount off VMware list prices of certain VMware vSphere 4 products and a 10% discount off of Support and Subscription contracts.\n\nAs a VMware Enterprise Authorized Consulting Partner, eGroup has the experience and expertise to enable Virtual Iron customers to maximize VMware discounts while ensuring that their platform migrations are as seamless as possible.\n\nExisting Virtual Iron customers can learn more about how to migrate to VMware vSphere 4 by contacting eGroup at <a href=\"mailto:Sales@eGroup-us.com\">Sales@eGroup-us.com</a> or 1-877-eGROUP-1.','VIRTUAL IRON CUSTOMERS:  VMWARE AND eGROUP OFFER EASY TRANSITION TO vSPHERE, INDUSTRY-LEADING VIRTUALIZATION PLATFORM ','','publish','open','open','','vmware-offers-safe-passage-to-virtual-iron-customers','','','2009-07-08 15:43:53','2009-07-08 20:43:53','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1117',0,'post','',0),(1135,6,'2009-07-10 15:34:59','2009-07-10 20:34:59','','ironport','','inherit','open','open','','ironport','','','2009-07-10 15:34:59','2009-07-10 20:34:59','',1132,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ironport.png',1,'attachment','image/png',0),(1132,6,'2009-07-10 15:40:41','2009-07-10 20:40:41','Cisco\'s industry leading email security appliance, IRONPORT, is the front runner for killing viruses and spam dead in their tracks. For anyone that is spending time from their day and their budgets fighting issues with spam and viruses hitting inboxes and the network, consider Cisco\'s \"Try Before You Buy\" program.\n\nHere\'s Why:\n\n<!--more-->\n\n1. 95% Success Rate - Users that evaluate IronPort 95% of the time become happy customers\n2. IronPort runs a proprietary Cisco Operating System, <strong>AsyncOS</strong>, which paves the way for tigher security and higher performance\n3. Integrates Easily into Existing Network\n4. Spam Protection uses Multi-Layered Protection - IronPort Reputation Filters and IronPort Context-Based Anti-Spam Filters\n5. Virus Protection uses IronPort Outbreak Filters respond to virus outbreaks an avergage of 14 hours ahead of legacy solutions\n7. IronPort utilizes SenderBase network (world\'s largest email and web traffic monitoring network) to power the Reputation Filters and Virus Outbreak Filters\n8. Provides outbound email encryption via IronPort PXE Encryption\n9. Can be implemented in a highly effective and redundant active/active load balanced deployment\n\n<img src=\"wp-content/uploads/2009/01/IronPort.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\nBe sure to check out Cisco\'s intro video to get up to speed - <a href=\"http://ironport.com/products/how_it_works.html\">LINK</a>.\n\nFor the link to Cisco\'s Try Before you Buy program click <a href=\"http://pages.ironport.com/evalrequest.html?source=eval_req\">HERE</a>.','CISCO OFFERS IRONPORT \"TRY BEFORE YOU BUY\" PROGRAM','','publish','open','open','','cisco-offers-ironport-try-before-you-buy-program','','','2009-07-10 15:40:41','2009-07-10 20:40:41','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1132',0,'post','',0),(1144,6,'2009-07-10 15:47:42','2009-07-10 20:47:42','','ironport','','inherit','open','open','','ironport-2','','','2009-07-10 15:47:42','2009-07-10 20:47:42','',1132,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ironport.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1150,12,'2009-07-16 11:25:19','2009-07-16 16:25:19','With the CCIE being the &quot;king of the hill&quot; IT certification for years, I was a little skeptical when a friend of mine told me Cisco had released a new, HIGHER ranking IT certification. But sure enough, they\'ve raised the bar again.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThe new Cisco Certified Architect track has a prerequisite of a CCDE (or CCIE depending on which news release you read), requires an application and subsequent acceptance into the program,  pre-board exam work, and finally, a board exam.\n\nCisco explains, &quot;<span><span style=\"font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">A Cisco Certified Architect gathers the business requirements and objectives necessary to produce a blueprint for an integrated, large-scale, complex, global network. They can translate business parameters and objectives into functional requirements for a network design.  In addition, Cisco Certified Architects can clearly communicate and advocate proposed Cisco network architectures.&quot; </span> </span>\n\nIt\'s been referenced as the &quot;Phd&quot; of certifications-- awesome! Less than 10 per year are expected to be certified within the first few years of program, which launches in January of 2010.\n\nFor more info, please visit this <a title=\"Cisco Certified Architect\" href=\"http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/cisco_certified_architect/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">link</a>','NOTCH ABOVE THE CCIE?','','publish','open','open','','knotch-above-the-ccie','','','2009-07-16 11:25:19','2009-07-16 16:25:19','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1150',0,'post','',0),(1154,6,'2009-07-16 15:50:20','2009-07-16 20:50:20','Check out this video on how Trend Worry Free Business can help protect your PC. This is a great quick white-board session that illustrates what goes on behind the scenes when you are not protected and you venture upon an infected website - and how Trend can help.\n\n<flv path=\"http://us.trendmicro.com/imperia/md/content/us/flv/smallbusiness/library/whiteboard2.flv\" width=\"500\" height=\"300\" title=\"Chad Sakac, EMC Vice President, explains tight intergation between VMware vSpher e and EMC Powepath/VE\"></flv>\n\nWorry-Free comes in two flavors: You can install it on a server in your environment or you can go with Trend\'s hosted option. Both are viable options and it really depends on your business needs.\n\nHere\'s a couple highlights on the product Worry-Free Business Security 6.0 Advanced:\n• It is #1 for Small Business Security\n• InterScan Messaging Hosted Security (IMHS) inbound email traffic protection\nagainst spam and emails which contain malware infected attachments. \n• Anti-virus and anti-malware protection with an optimized scan engine using minimal RAM and CPU throttling\n• Behavior-based anti-malware monitoring and lock-down protection\n• Improved Quarantine\n• Smart Scan file reputation technology hosted mainly on the local Worry-Free\nSecurity Server with out-of office computers protected by Trend Micro’s Data\nCenters in the cloud\n• Smart Feedback to help Trend Micro combat emerging threats\n• URL Filtering to restrict users from visiting appropriate or insecure websites\n• Web Threat Protection: Web reputation technology stops web threats before they\ncan download\n• Transaction Protector against browser hijacking\n• TrendProtect against phishing Web sites\n• Location-awareness: maximum security both inside and outside the office\n• Wireless Protection\n• POP3 Anti-Spam\n• USB Device Control to help prevent malware entering your network\n• Remote management for clients and servers, even from outside of the office\n\n','STOP DRIVE BY DOWNLOADS WITH TREND WORRY-FREE BUSINESS SECURITY ADVANCED','','publish','open','open','','stop-drive-by-downloads-with-trend-worry-free-business-security-advanced','','','2009-07-16 15:50:20','2009-07-16 20:50:20','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1154',0,'post','',0),(1168,5,'2009-07-17 08:57:36','2009-07-17 13:57:36','The root cause turns out to be new functionality in the 10.x client for sensing a network connection based on the result of a Windows API call which is made every 3 seconds.  This call (pnagent calls InternetGetConnectedStatus, which in turn calls IsNetworkAlive) has been available since Windows 2000, and essentially \"guesses\" as to the state of your connection based on traffic.  If you have a very quiet network, as we did on this particular wireless network, pnagent will go offline after roughly 300 seconds of network inactivity.\n\n<!--more-->According to Microsoft, this Windows API call was never meant to be used in this way, and should never be substituted for an actual connection attempt, but Citrix isnt changing this as they rely on it for the offline application functionality of streamed apps.\n\nThe new functionality in the private client that resolves this issue involves a registry value that can be set to determine whether it should use the normal 10.x mode of sensing network connectivity, or if it should attempt to open a socket to the pnagent server before it assumes there is no valid network connection.  The default is the normal 10.x mode.\n\nThis functionality will likely go in the 11.2 client, as the 11.1 client is mostly application virtualization fixes.  11.2 isnt expected until late spring of 09, so if you are encountering this issue, you may want to request the 10.224 client.','PNAGENT KEEPS DISCONNECTING FROM SERVER','','publish','open','open','','pnagent-keeps-disconnecting-from-server','','','2009-07-17 08:57:36','2009-07-17 13:57:36','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1168',0,'post','',0),(1171,5,'2009-07-17 09:04:48','2009-07-17 14:04:48','Here some note from an interview with Margaret Lewis conducted by Tom Foremski.  Margaret  is director of commercial solutions and software at Advanced Micro Devices.   This sheds some light into what AMD is doing around the Cloud Computing initiatives.\n\n<!--more-->- To get the most benefit from virtualization and cloud computing you should have software that can run in parallel. There are 3 buckets of software: the legacy software which will run faster because the hardware is better; there is software that has been optimized for parallel processing; and there is software that has been created from scratch to take advantage of parallel processing.\n\n- In most cases it is not worth trying to adapt legacy software you might as well just start from scratch.\n\n- Operating systems and tools can help optimize some software to run in parallel, but there is a limit to how much can be done with this approach.\n\n- A data center of the future will consist of many standard modules that can be used for general purpose computing, but there will also be modules that are tuned for specific applications such as databases. The key is to provide common kernels so that data centers can assemble the types of specialist or general purpose computing systems that suit their business.\n\n- Virtualization is inevitable because it provides you with flexibility and agility in the data center. It can also help reduce admin costs.\n\n- AMD believes that there is a sweet spot out there for processors that run fast, consume low power, at a great price. Not everyone needs the fastest processor.\n\n- Intel has its Atom processor, which is designed for netbooks but AMD has no plans for a similar processor. The performance of Atom based netbooks is poor. AMD is focused on providing high performance in a netbook form factor so that people’s user experience is much richer.\n\n- AMD led Intel in low power and we still do. We also lead in virtualization.\n\n- We will be leveraging our ATI graphics technology. There is a lot of video and graphics pre-processing that can be done in the cloud rather than at the client end.\n\n- The poor economy means that customers are delaying upgrading their data centers but that doesn’t mean that their IT systems can run forever. We are able to extend the life of some servers through a processor upgrade. At some point people will have to upgrade their data centers because they are running out of capacity. The economy might be bad but that doesn’t mean that company’s business requirements have gone down. And there is a need to comply with upcoming government regulations–some of the older systems will have trouble running those applications.\n\n<a href=\"http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=568\">http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=568</a>','AMD AND CLOUD COMPUTING','','publish','open','open','','amd-and-cloud-computing','','','2009-07-17 09:04:48','2009-07-17 14:04:48','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1171',0,'post','',0),(1178,8,'2009-07-21 13:21:01','2009-07-21 18:21:01','Recently ran into an issue with a fresh out of the box MOSS2007 installation where we were getting uncontrolled log growth in the SharePoint logs in C:Program FilesCommon Filesmicrosoft sharedWeb Server Extensions12LOGS.  Throttling the logs to keep less and rollover to new files more frequently in Central Administration did not solve the issue (or at least mask it) because the logs would fill up with 40+ GB of data in the matter of a few minutes.  As you can tell from the log location above, this would fill the primary disk up and only leave the logging mercy rule of 200MB remaining on the disk.<!--more-->\n\nThere are a few ways in which we can resolve this issue and even a few common causes of it.  The most common which was the case in this instance was the logs were getting filled with the error message \"Preserving template record with size…\" which would lead you down the path of questioning whether your system had enough resources.  Which could very well be the case since this message is commonly thrown when not enough memory is available and the system is stressed.  The real reason for this error in this instance is a mistake in the way the this message is logged.  By default, SharePoint logs ERRORS of MEDIUM severity or higher for the DEFAULT log category.  This message (not error) is mistakenly logged as a MEDIUM severity when in reality it is only supposed to appear when VERBOSE logging is enabled.  There is a hotfix out for WSS3.0 that can be found at <a href=\"http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=968850&amp;kbln=en-us\">http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=968850&amp;kbln=en-us</a>.  This hotfix requires WSS3.0 SP2 to be installed prior. \n\nAlso, as a workaround and a typical best practice that should be observed anyways.  I recommend the following steps when configuring your SharePoint setup.\n<ol>\n	<li>Redirect the trace logs to a secondary disk.  The trace service will stop automatically in later versions with 200MB of disk still available.  This will allow your services to continue operations.  You can monitor the trace service to alert you when it has stopped.</li>\n	<li>Change your GENERAL logging settings in Central Admin -&gt; Operations to only log GENERAL, ERRORS of HIGH severity. </li>\n	<li>Apply the patch listed above to correct the logging on a WSS setup.  Use the steps 1 and 2 as a workaround for a MOSS installation.</li>\n</ol>\nHave any questions or additional workaround ideas?  Post them below.','WSS3.0 and MOSS2007:  CONTROLLING SHAREPOINT LOG GROWTH','','publish','open','open','','wss30-and-moss2007-controlling-sharepoint-log-growth','','','2009-07-21 13:21:01','2009-07-21 18:21:01','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1178',0,'post','',0),(1180,12,'2009-07-23 16:07:57','2009-07-23 21:07:57','Would you believe that your everyday users could pose the biggest security risk to your company? I know, I know, that\'s impossible. People never share too much information or put convenience over security-- ever.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nBut according to this security report from <a href=\"http://www.sophos.com/sophos/docs/eng/papers/sophos-security-threat-report-jul-2009-na-wpus.pdf\">SOPHOS</a> , users who post on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other networking sites while on the job can pose the greatest risk to your company\'s digital security. Not surprising, a good portion of users have been spammed or scammed while accessing these sites-- they\'re graphed via pie chart in the report linked above.\n\nPossibly scarier than that is the amount of &quot;I don\'t know&quot; responses received-- yikes!','GREATEST SECURITY RISK -- USERS?!','','publish','open','open','','greatest-security-risk-users','','','2009-07-23 16:07:57','2009-07-23 21:07:57','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1180',0,'post','',0),(1183,6,'2009-07-27 11:43:55','2009-07-27 16:43:55','Auto archiving and personal storage folder (.pst) in Outlook can become an issue, and in the event you need to turn these off, follow these steps and you\'ll be all set. Below are the instructions for Outlook 2007:\n\n1. Close all open programs\n2. Click START | RUN and type in REGEDIT\n3. In the registry browse to ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftOffice12.0Outlook\n4. Create a new DWORD value: DisablePst with a value of 1\n5. Close the registry\n\nWhen you open Outlook PST usage and auto-archive will not be available.','OUTLOOK: HOW TO DISABLE .PST AND AUTO-ARCHIVE','','publish','open','open','','outlook-how-to-disable-pst-and-auto-archive','','','2009-07-27 11:43:55','2009-07-27 16:43:55','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1183',0,'post','',1),(1185,6,'2009-07-30 14:27:07','2009-07-30 19:27:07','In order to get the most out of your Virtual Infrastructure you should consider enabling Jumbo Frames in your network. Jumbo Frames simplified is ethernet frames that can carry up to 9,000 bytes of payload. VMware added support for Jumbo Frames with ESX 3.5, Build 64607 (ESX 4.0 supports Jumbo Frames as well):\n\nBuild 64607 Release Note:\n* Enhanced VMXNET—Enhanced VMXNET is the next version of VMware\'s paravirtualized virtual networking device for guest operating systems. Enhanced VMXNET includes several new networking I/O performance improvements including support for TCP Segmentation Offload (TSO) and<strong> jumbo frames</strong>.\n\nBelow are the steps needed to get Jumbo Frames online in your network:\n<!--more-->\n\n1. Ensure that your switch supports Jumbo Frames and that it is turned on (at this point you should all set, but it is definitely worth double checking)\n2. Log in via the VI client or vSphere client and select the vSwitch in question (in this case vSwitch2), edit the properties and set the MTU to 9000 (click OK)\n3. Putty into your ESX host and double check the currently vSwitch config by typing: esxcfg-vswitch -l (you should see output under the MTU column referencing 1500)\n4. Input this command to change the 1500 to 9000 by typing: esxcfg-vswitch -m 9000 vSwitch2\n5. Double check the command is in place by typing: esxcfg-vswitch -l (and this time around you should see the MTU column referencing 9000 aka Jumbo Frames)\n\nAgain this is something that you proceed carefully through as enabling this on in your VM environment with a switch that does not support Jumbo Frames will result in dropped packets, but if you on the right side of the hardware equation you\'ll be glad you did. Reducing the load on the CPU by requiring fewer headers and overhead to be processed is a good thing.','HOW TO ENABLE JUMBO FRAMES ','','publish','open','open','','how-to-enable-jumbo-frames','','','2009-07-30 14:27:07','2009-07-30 19:27:07','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1185',0,'post','',2),(1189,12,'2009-08-03 14:45:46','2009-08-03 19:45:46','According to VMware\'s Thin Provisioning data sheet, there is ZERO performance penalty when disks are thin provisioned.\n\n<!--    [if gte mso 9]&gt;  Normal 0     false false false  EN-US X-NONE X-NONE              MicrosoftInternetExplorer4              &lt;![endif]--><!--    [if gte mso 9]&gt;                                                                                                                                            &lt;![endif]--> <!--    [if gte mso 10]&gt;--> <!--   [endif]-->\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;MyriadPro-Light&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">“Thin provisioning of virtual disks allows virtual machines on VMware ESX™ hosts to provision the entire space required for the disk’s current and future activities, but at first commits only as much storage space as the disk needs for its initial operation. It achieves this <strong><span style=\"color: red;\">with zero performance impact</span> </strong> ,continuous service availability and complete data integrity.”</span></p>\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;MyriadPro-Light&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><!--more-->\n</span>\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;MyriadPro-Light&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">So for those of you who are rapidly running out of space, but shied away from Thin Provisioning for fear of a performance hit, you might want to rethink things. And if you have the capability and licensing to use Storage vMotion, you can Thin Provision your disks as you move them. Recover that space!<a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/thin_provisioning_datasheet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"></a>\n</span>','vSphere THIN PROVISIONING - PERFORMANCE','','publish','open','open','','vsphere-thin-provisioning-performance','','','2009-08-03 14:45:46','2009-08-03 19:45:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1189',0,'post','',0),(1194,5,'2009-08-04 08:57:41','2009-08-04 13:57:41','<p class=\"Body\" style=\"MARGIN: 6pt 0in 3pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">EMC Data Protection Advisor is customizable data-protection management software that enables backup reporting, alerting, monitoring, and analysis of your data protection software, hardware, and related infrastructure. It<span style=\"COLOR: red\"> </span>allows customers to make the right decisions faster, saving them time and money and improving their data protection. By collecting information from across backup, file servers, databases, and virtualization infrastructures in a single, configurable interface, it automates manual tasks, enables faster problem solving, and allows easy management of service levels—all while significantly reducing the time involved with audit, compliance, and other reporting requirements.</span>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"MARGIN: 6pt 0in 3pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\"><!--more--></span></p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"MARGIN: 6pt 0in 3pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Data Protection Advisor collects and reports on a variety of backup environment components, including the backup software, tape drives, operating system, and network. Some common uses for Data Protection Advisor are:</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Monitoring entire backup infrastructure for issues and failures</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Complying with audits and service level agreement reporting</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Identifying slow clients and developing issues</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"FONT: 7pt \'Times New Roman\'\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Reporting on size of backup, tape, and EMC Disk Library utilization </span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in\"> </p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><strong>Lower costs and improved protection:</strong> Reduces the required level of effort by making operations more efficient and helps customers avoid buying the wrong hardware through better operational insight.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><strong>Efficient risk management:</strong> Reduces risk by alerting customers if critical data is protected and if recovery service levels can be met.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><strong>Effective change management:</strong> Tracks and enforces configurations so only standard ones are used—keeping configuration conflicts to a minimum, and reducing errors, failures, and other operational issues.</span></span></p>\n\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in\">\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"MARGIN: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in\"> </p>','EMC DATA PROTECTION ADVISOR','','publish','open','open','','emc-data-protection-advisor','','','2009-08-04 08:57:41','2009-08-04 13:57:41','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1194',0,'post','',0),(1198,5,'2009-08-04 09:06:55','2009-08-04 14:06:55','<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">NetWorker enterprise backup and recovery software centralizes, automates, and accelerates data backup and recovery across IT environments. Boasting record-breaking performance and flexibility, NetWorker protects critical business data in a fast, secure, and easy-to-manage way with both traditional and next-generation backup capabilities such as data deduplication, continuous data protection, and replication. </span></p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\"><!--more--></span></p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">NetWorker features:</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 27pt; tab-stops: .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Centralized backup and recovery across SANs, NAS, and direct-attached storage</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 27pt; tab-stops: .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Source-based deduplication for applications and file systems</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 27pt; tab-stops: .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Integration with replication technologies to provide higher degrees of protection and recoverability</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 27pt; tab-stops: .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Heterogeneous platform support to protect UNIX, Windows, Linux, Netware, OpenVMS, Macintosh, Hyper-V, and VMware operating systems</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 27pt; tab-stops: .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">Complete application coverage for Oracle; SAP; Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint, Exchange, and Data Protection Manager; IBM DB2, Informix, Lotus Notes; MEDITECH; Sybase; and EMC Documentum</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 27pt; tab-stops: .5in;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">NetWorker enables you to s<span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">implify, centralize, </span>and <span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\">automate<em> </em></span>backup and recovery of your heterogeneous enterprise with one application to ensure complete protection and reduce administrative overhead.</span></p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"> </p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;\">NetWorker differentiators:</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><strong>Centralized control of traditional and next-generation backup</strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\">—</span>Combining today’s technologies with tomorrow’s in a common framework.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><strong>Virtual server protection—</strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\">Solutions for every stage of virtualization adoption including guest and host-level protection, proxy-based backup, and traditional or deduplication backup.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><strong>Enterprise</strong><strong> performance and security—</strong>Nothing securely backs up and recovers like NetWorker.<span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><strong>Industry-leading global data deduplication—</strong>Reduces backup storage by up to 50 times and data moved by up to 500 times—ideal for VMware, Hyper-V, and SharePoint.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><strong>Broad backup to disk—</strong>EMC Disk Library integration, replication, deduplication, continuous data protection (CDP), and NAS backup to disk.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><strong>Better recoverability—</strong>Disaster and granular recovery to meet the right service level agreement with the right recovery, including single-step recovery from snaps, disk, tape, and future-proof Open Tape Format with better recoverability from damaged tape media.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"> </p>','EMC NETWORKER','','publish','open','open','','emc-networker','','','2009-08-04 09:06:55','2009-08-04 14:06:55','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1198',0,'post','',1),(1202,5,'2009-08-04 09:20:49','2009-08-04 14:20:49','There have been a lot of rumors going around that Miccrosoft will not be supporting Exchange 2007 on the new WIndows 2008 R2 release.  I can reassure you that this is not true.  After speaking with several folks at Microsoft I have gotten an answer for everyone and you can all relax. \n\nHere is what I found out.   There are some compatibility issues with running Exchange 2007 on Windows 2008 R2.  Engineering is still working through those issues.  They are very positive that this will work as they continue to resolve some of the compatibility issues. \n\nWe will have to wait and see as the issues are worked out, but it is looking like the supported configuration will end up having to be Exchange 2007 Service Pack 2 runnning on Windows 2008 R2.','EXCHANGE 2007 SUPPORT ON WINDOWS 2008 R2','','publish','open','open','','exchange-2007-support-on-windows-2008-r2','','','2009-08-04 09:20:49','2009-08-04 14:20:49','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1202',0,'post','',0),(1207,5,'2009-08-04 09:26:35','2009-08-04 14:26:35','<p class=\"cueParagraph\">Exchange 2010 includes improvements in performance, reliability, and high availability that enable organizations to run Exchange on a wide range of storage options. Building on improvements to disk input/output (IO) that were introduced in Exchange 2007, the latest version of Exchange requires less storage performance and is more tolerant of storage failures.</p>\n<p class=\"cueParagraph\"><!--more--></p>\n<p class=\"cueParagraph\">The improvements made to Exchange Server 2010 storage add new options to the menu of Exchange storage choices, including the use of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives and Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)-less configurations. Whether administrators choose SAN, direct attached, or JBOD storage, Exchange helps them provide larger mailboxes at lower cost without sacrificing system availability.</p>\n<p class=\"cueParagraph\"><strong>IO Reductions:</strong> Exchange 2010 delivers up to a 50% reduction in disk IO from Exchange 2007 levels.  This means that more disks meet the minimum performance required to run Exchange, driving down storage costs.</p>\n<p class=\"cueParagraph\"><strong>Optimizations for SATA Disks:</strong> IO patterns are optimized so that disk writes do not come in bursts. This removes a barrier that had previously limited the use of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) desktop class hard disk drives disks.</p>\n<p class=\"cueParagraph\"><strong>Automatic Page Patching:</strong> Exchange Server 2010 is more resilient to storage problems. When corruption is caused by minor disk faults, Exchange automatically repairs the affected database pages using one of the database copies configured for high availability. Automatic detection and repair of data corruptions from minor disk errors means that you can take advantage of lower-cost storage options while maintaining system reliability.</p>\n<p class=\"cueParagraph\"><strong>JBOD Support:</strong> Exchange 2010 can be deployed with up to 16 replicated copies of each mailbox database, and fast database-level failover makes it possible for administrators to swap failed drives with minimal impact to users. This application-level redundancy allows RAID-less (JBOD) storage configurations to be used, resulting in dramatic cost savings.</p>','EXCHANGE ON SATA DISK?  REALLY???','','publish','open','open','','exchange-on-sata-disk-really','','','2009-08-04 09:26:35','2009-08-04 14:26:35','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1207',0,'post','',0),(1212,6,'2009-08-05 14:16:13','2009-08-05 19:16:13','','e2k7ff','','inherit','open','open','','e2k7ff','','','2009-08-05 14:16:13','2009-08-05 19:16:13','',1211,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/e2k7ff.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1211,6,'2009-08-05 14:22:18','2009-08-05 19:22:18','If you find yourself using Outlook 2007 and the Follow Up Flags, which are very handy, then you might also run into an issue where the &quot;Reminder Date&quot; changes to default to the year Jan 1, 4501. Clicking on the drop down arrow to adjust the date is rendered inoperable as well.\n\nIn the event this happens follow these quick and easy steps to resolve.\n\n<!--more-->\n\n1. In in the Outlook main screen, click on the Red Follow Up Flag\n2. Click on Set Quick Click\n3. Change the setting to a setting other than &quot;Complete&quot; (choose Today or Tomorrow)\n4. Click OK\n5. Go back and open an email, and click on the Follow Up Flag, select Custom\n6. You should see the Reminder Date default to today\'s date\n7. Issue resolved','OUTLOOK 2007 BUG AND HOW TO FIX IT YOURSELF','','publish','open','open','','exchange-2007-bug-and-how-to-fix-it-yourself','','','2009-08-05 14:22:18','2009-08-05 19:22:18','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1211',0,'post','',0),(1215,6,'2009-08-05 14:23:42','2009-08-05 19:23:42','','e2k7ff','','inherit','open','open','','e2k7ff-2','','','2009-08-05 14:23:42','2009-08-05 19:23:42','',1211,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/e2k7ff.gif',0,'attachment','image/gif',0),(1220,2,'2009-08-10 15:21:59','2009-08-10 20:21:59','Join one of our Webinars to get the facts on your current vSphere 4 Entitlements, Upgrade Paths, Promotional Pricing and eGroup Professional Services! Let us guide you in your journey to Cloud!\n\nChoose from 2 convenient times - Please click on a date below to register:\n\nWednesday, <a href=\"http://egroupcoffeebreak19.eventbrite.com/\">August 19th</a> from 9:00-9:30 A.M.\nFriday, <a href=\"http://egroupcoffeebreak21.eventbrite.com/\">August 21st</a> from 9:00-9:30 A.M.\n\nClick <a href=\"http://egroup.jasonmangone.com/Default.aspx?TabId=85&amp;sid=0181fddaabf172e258126317daac91e8&amp;svpage=product_vsphere4\">here</a> to access the vSphere 4 Resource Center.\n\n<em>Everyone who joins us will receive a gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts!</em>','TAKE A COFFEE BREAK WITH eGROUP + VMWARE!','','publish','open','open','','take-a-coffee-break-with-egroup-vmware','','','2009-08-10 15:21:59','2009-08-10 20:21:59','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1220',0,'post','',0),(1225,8,'2009-08-11 10:08:12','2009-08-11 15:08:12','With VMWare ThinApp AppLink you can create multiple \"ThinApped\" packages and tie them together via AppLink for easy upgrades and maintenance of application dependencies while saving yourself the time of going through multiple installs of the same dependencies across multiple applications. \n\nHere is how to package one of the more common application dependencies.  The .Net Framework.  This can also be applied (without the extra steps as well to Adobe, Flash, Office, etc...).<!--more-->\n<ol>\n	<li> Start with a clean Capture and Build Machine in VMWare Workstation.</li>\n	<li>Run the ThinApp Capture process.</li>\n	<li>Minimize or Close the ThinApp Capture Window (don\'t worry, ThinApp will restart after the reboot .Net Framework requires).</li>\n	<li>Install the .Net 2.0 FrameWork.</li>\n	<li>Once Complete, Install the recommended .Net 2.0 Framework and Windows Updates.</li>\n	<li>Shutdown the .Net 2.0 Framework Service.</li>\n	<li>Run the ThinApp Post Install Capture to populate the captures folder in the directory you choose.</li>\n	<li>Clean up the Captures Folder by performing steps 9-15.  Thanks to the vmware blog for following steps... <a href=\"http://blogs.vmware.com/thinapp/2008/11/step-by-step-in.html\">http://blogs.vmware.com/thinapp/2008/11/step-by-step-in.html</a></li>\n	<li>Delete the <strong>%Cookies%</strong> folder and all subfolders and files.</li>\n	<li>Delete the <strong>%drive_C%</strong> folder and all subfolders and files.</li>\n	<li>Delete the <strong>%History%</strong> folder and all subfolders and files.</li>\n	<li>Delete the <strong>%Internet Cache%</strong> folder and all subfolders and files.</li>\n	<li>Delete the <strong>%Profile%</strong> folder and all subfolders and files.</li>\n	<li>Any subfolder of the <strong>%SystemRoot%</strong> folder which starts with a \"$\" sign.\nExample: <strong>%SystemRoot%$NtUninstallWIC$</strong>\nNOTE: Don\'t delete the %SystemRoot% folder or files, just the folder(s) which start with the $ sign.</li>\n	<li>Delete the <strong>%SystemRoot%LastGood</strong> folder and its subfolders and files.\nNOTE: You may need to reset file/folder attributes and/or delete each item one at a time.</li>\n	<li>Make additional configuration changes as necessary.</li>\n	<li>Build and Deploy the Application Package.</li>\n</ol>\nAfter this you should have a working Package to use AppLink from your applications to associate the .Net Framework!\n\nStay tuned for how to configure AppLink to add the Framework and other dependencies to your applications.','Step 1: VMWare ThinApp AppLink How To (.Net Framework)','','publish','open','open','','step-1-vmware-thinapp-applink-how-to-net-framework','','','2009-08-11 10:08:12','2009-08-11 15:08:12','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1225',0,'post','',1),(1230,5,'2009-08-11 11:02:21','2009-08-11 16:02:21','The Symmetrix V-Max series is built on a revolutionary Virtual Matrix architecture. Symmetrix V-Max, along with Enginuity 5874, delivers unprecedented performance, availability, functionality, and economic advantages.\n<p class=\"Body\"><!--more--> The Symmetrix V-Max series, with the unique scale-out Virtual Matrix architecture, can be configured with 96 to 2,400 drives and usable capacity up to 2 PB. Systems provide up to 1 TB of global memory and up to 128 Fibre Channel ports, 64 FICON ports, 64 Gigabit Ethernet ports, or 64 iSCSI connections.</p>\n<p class=\"Body\">The Symmetrix V-Max series is a distributed multi-node storage system that can scale from one to eight highly available V-Max Engines. Systems are configured around a central system bay and adjacent storage bays of up to 240 drives each. A full range of drive options is available scaling from ultra-fast enterprise Flash drives, to Fibre Channel drives, to the highest capacity 1 TB SATA II drives.</p>\n\n<p class=\"Body\">\n<p class=\"Body\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span></span></span><!-- [endif]--><strong>Reduce total cost of ownership with scale-out and tiering capabilities</strong> . Symmetrix V-Max provides the highest performance and capacity over competing platforms in a smaller footprint—multi-core CPU processors, twice the cache memory expansion, up to 2 PB usable capacity, and twice the port connectivity to consolidate more workloads in a single system. This platform is optimized for increased capacity utilization on all tiers and RAID types, reducing total cost of ownership.</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span></span></span><!-- [endif]--><strong>Second generation of enterprise Flash drives</strong> meets the demands of the most stringent workloads with new 200 GB and 400 GB capacity offering Tier 0 storage with 30 times more IOPS and 98 percent lower energy costs per IO.</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span></span></span><!-- [endif]--><strong>Lower power consumption </strong>via<strong> </strong>innovative architecture with high-density electronics that consumes up to 16 percent less power for demanding, high-growth customer environments.</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span></span></span><!-- [endif]--><strong>New management abstraction</strong> enables ease, speed, and automation. Symmetrix V-Max with Enginuity 5874 provides simpler and more efficient management of large and virtualized environments with initiator groups, Virtual LUNs, and Virtual Provisioning—allowing quick response to rapidly changing business requirements.</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span></span></span><!-- [endif]--><strong>Transparently optimize service</strong> <strong>levels</strong> to lower total cost of ownership with second-generation Flash, Fibre Channel, and SATA drives, as well as policy-based Quality of Service capabilities. New Virtual LUN technology allows transparent migration of information across all storage tiers and RAID types.</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span></span></span><!-- [endif]--><strong>Delivers 24x7 application availability</strong> . Rock-solid availability and proven disaster recovery continue to be leading reasons why customers exclusively deploy Symmetrix technology, and with SRDF/Extended Distance Protection (SRDF/EDP), customers can now get a cost-effective, zero data loss solution that spans long distances.</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRound\"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span></span></span><!-- [endif]--><strong>Symmetrix V-Max provides “always-on” application service</strong> <strong>levels</strong> with fully nondisruptive operations that eliminate unplanned and planned outages.</p>','EMC SYMMETRIX V-MAX ','','publish','open','open','','emc-symmetrix-v-max','','','2009-08-11 11:02:21','2009-08-11 16:02:21','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1230',0,'post','',0),(1238,44,'2009-08-11 15:40:44','2009-08-11 20:40:44','Here\'s a quick and easy way to change the Service Console VLAN ID on an ESX host:\n\n1) Log in to the host console as root, or SA to root\n2) Check which vSwitch the Service Console is on with the command \"esxcfg-vswitch -l\"\n3) To set a vlan id on the service console: esxcfg-vswitch vSwitch0 -v X -p “Service Console” (replace the \"X\" with the VLAN ID)\n4) To remove the vlan id completely, just set it to 0, like this: esxcfg-vswitch vSwitch0 -v 0 -p “Service Console”\n\nThat\'s it! The change takes place immediately. No reboot is required.','A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO CHANGE THE ESX SERVICE CONSOLE VLAN ID','','publish','open','open','','a-quick-and-easy-way-to-change-the-esx-service-console-vlan-id','','','2009-08-11 15:40:44','2009-08-11 20:40:44','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1238',0,'post','',0),(1242,44,'2009-08-11 16:01:00','2009-08-11 21:01:00','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Here\'s a quick and easy way to install the Windows 2003 R2 sysprep tools on a VMware vCenter server:</span></p>\n\n1) Download and run <a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=93F20BB1-97AA-4356-8B43-9584B7E72556&amp;displaylang=en\">http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=93F20BB1-97AA-4356-8B43-9584B7E72556&amp;displaylang=en</a>\n2) Open this compressed file <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">c:windowssystem32deploy.cab</span>  and copy the contents to the folder <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataVMwareVMware VirtualCentersysprepsvr2003</span>\n\nHere\'s a link to a great page with instructions for obtaining sysprep files for other Windows versions: <a href=\"http://www.vm-help.com/esx/other/sysprep_download_links.html\">http://www.vm-help.com/esx/other/sysprep_download_links.html</a>','A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO INSTALL THE WINDOWS 2003 R2 SYSPREP TOOLS ON A VMWARE VCENTER SERVER','','publish','open','open','','a-quick-and-easy-way-to-install-the-windows-2003-sysprep-tools-on-a-vmware-vcenter-server','','','2009-08-11 16:01:00','2009-08-11 21:01:00','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1242',0,'post','',0),(1245,44,'2009-08-11 16:27:16','2009-08-11 21:27:16','I\'ve been a fan of Vizioncore\'s vRanger Pro for a long time now, having used it for several years to backup a VMware 3.x farm I managed.  So I\'ve been particularly eager to try out the recently-released version 4.0 (<a href=\"http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vRangerPro/\">http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vRangerPro/</a>)\n\nA clean installation of version 4.0 went flawlessly, but I was surprised when I encountered problems running backup jobs.  A call to Vizioncore Support revealed a suprising undocumented fact: running vRanger Pro 4.0 on your vCenter server is not a supported configuration.  It\'s been reported in a few isolated cases that rebooting the vCenter server while the vRanger Pro 4.0 gui is open can sometimes prevent the vCenter services from starting properly.  Vizioncore has a KB article on the issue that can be found by searching for KB Article 00000296 at this link: <a href=\"http://www.vizioncore.com/support/knowledgebase/index.php\">http://www.vizioncore.com/support/knowledgebase/index.php</a>\n\nIn my case, I reinstalled on a new vm and it\'s working great.  Some other tips gleaned from the call:\n<ul>\n	<li>Version 4.0 is supported on Windows Server 2008, but Windows 2003 might be more stable for this first release</li>\n	<li>Using the local Administrator account instead of a domain account to run the vRanger Pro services will provide the best stability</li>\n	<li>vRanger Pro 4.0 was released without support for VCB (but VCB support will be released soon)</li>\n</ul>','AN INTERESTING \"GOTCHA\" WITH THE NEW VIZIONCORE VRANGER PRO 4.0','','publish','open','open','','an-interesting-gotcha-with-the-new-vizioncore-vranger-pro-40','','','2009-08-11 16:27:16','2009-08-11 21:27:16','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1245',0,'post','',3),(1251,44,'2009-08-11 17:00:18','2009-08-11 22:00:18','Having a difficult-to-guess or \"strong\" password is always a good idea.  If you manage an Active Directory implimentation (and your corporate politics will allow it), it\'s a good idea to require users to have strong passwords on your domain.\n\nI recently learned of a nifty Microsoft online Password Checker tool that makes it easy to test the strength of your passwords: h<a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx\">ttp://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx</a>\n\nThat information and TONS of other good info on the subject are contained in an awesome Windows Secrets Newsletter article by <span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">Becky Waring, found here:</span>  <a href=\"http://www.windowssecrets.com/2009/08/06/01-Gmail-flaw-shows-value-of-strong-passwords\">http://www.windowssecrets.com/2009/08/06/01-Gmail-flaw-shows-value-of-strong-passwords</a>\n\nWindows Secrets is a paid newsletter.  I\'ve been a suscriber for years, and have always found it to be a source of useful and interesting information.  The link above is to their public content.','CHECK OUT THE MICROSOFT PASSWORD CHECKER TOOL','','publish','open','open','','check-out-the-microsoft-password-checker-tool','','','2009-08-11 17:00:18','2009-08-11 22:00:18','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1251',0,'post','',0),(1259,6,'2009-08-12 10:59:09','2009-08-12 15:59:09','While onsite with a customer rolling out a new wave of Dell Laptops, I noticed Dell has quietly released a built-in backup and recovery suite, specifically geared for their laptop lineup. I commend them on finally bringing a simple easy to use interface into the mainstream. Microsoft\'s Backup Utility has been under the hood for years, but most end users are not familiar with it. Dell has jumped in, and think end users backing up their data and their entire system is good thing.\n\nBelow is quick summary of the features and functionality:\n\n<!--more-->\n\nBackup Features:\n* Create automatic scheduled data backups\n* Easily manipulate system backup files (append, export, etc)\n* Selectively backup data or the entire laptop\n* Backup to internal hard drive or to external device\n\nRecovery Features:\n* Easily go back to original factory-shipped image\n* Recover your entire system from any saved backup image\n* Restore individual files &amp; folders, or the entire system\n* Create Dell Recovery Media, Diagnostic CDs, and Operating System media\n\nOnly time will tell if this application will be considered as rock solid as <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=1104\">Symantec\'s Backup Exec System Recovery</a>, which comes highly touted and prides itself on a trophy case full of awards. Never the less, it is a start.\n\nRemember: You\'re only as good as your last backup. \n','DELL BACKUP AND RECOVERY MANAGER','','publish','open','open','','dell-backup-and-recovery-manager','','','2009-08-12 10:59:09','2009-08-12 15:59:09','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1259',0,'post','',2),(1262,12,'2009-08-12 12:38:24','2009-08-12 17:38:24','Microsoft lost (another) battle in court yesterday-- this time for infringing upon patents held by &quot;i4i&quot;, with it\'s Microsoft Word product. A permanent injunciton was ordered that &quot;prohibits Microsoft from selling or importing to the United States any Microsoft Word products that have the capability of opening .XML, .DOCX or DOCM files (XML files) containing custom XML.&quot;\n\n<!--more--> You can find the article <a href=\"http://sev.prnewswire.com/banking-financial-services/20090811/DA6039911082009-1.html\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>\n\nOf course, Microsoft has already stated it plans on appealing-- it has only 60 days to comply with the ruling otherwise\n\ni4i is to be awarded over $290 million dollars in damages.','TO Microsoft: STOP SELLING Word!','','publish','open','open','','to-microsoft-stop-selling-word','','','2009-08-12 12:38:24','2009-08-12 17:38:24','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1262',0,'post','',0),(1273,12,'2009-08-13 22:18:45','2009-08-14 03:18:45','I can never remember the frequency-to-channel, so I figured I\'d post this up to help you, and help myself as well\n<table border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" width=\"90%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Channel</td>\n<td>Lower Frequency</td>\n<td>Center Frequency</td>\n<td>Upper Frequency</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td></td>\n<td></td>\n<td></td>\n<td></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1</td>\n<td>2.401</td>\n<td>2.412</td>\n<td>2.423</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2</td>\n<td>2.404</td>\n<td>2.417</td>\n<td>2.428</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3</td>\n<td>2.411</td>\n<td>2.422</td>\n<td>2.433</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4</td>\n<td>2.416</td>\n<td>2.427</td>\n<td>2.438</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5</td>\n<td>2.421</td>\n<td>2.432</td>\n<td>2.443</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6</td>\n<td>2.426</td>\n<td>2.437</td>\n<td>2.448</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7</td>\n<td>2.431</td>\n<td>2.442</td>\n<td>2.453</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8</td>\n<td>2.436</td>\n<td>2.447</td>\n<td>2.458</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9</td>\n<td>2.441</td>\n<td>2.452</td>\n<td>2.463</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10</td>\n<td>2.451</td>\n<td>2.457</td>\n<td>2.468</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11</td>\n<td>2.451</td>\n<td>2.462</td>\n<td>2.473</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody></table>\nCisco still recommends three channel designs to minimize interference, despite the rise in popularity of a four channel deployment.','802.11 Wireless Frequencies ','','publish','open','open','','80211-wireless-frequencies','','','2009-08-13 22:18:45','2009-08-14 03:18:45','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1273',0,'post','',0),(1278,44,'2009-08-14 12:02:56','2009-08-14 17:02:56','VMware released the final set of patches for ESX 3.0.2 on August 7, 2009, and with this release ESX 3.0.2 reaches the End of Support milestone. If you\'re still on this release IT\'S TIME TO UPGRADE! Take a look at all of the <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/support/vsphere4/doc/vsp_40_new_feat.html\" target=\"_blank\">new features in vSphere 4.0</a> and give eGroup a call to help plan your upgrade strategy. It\'s probably time to upgrade your servers and storage as well. We can help!  Purposeful design and good planning can make your upgrade experience a smooth one.\n\nVMware recommends:\n• UPGRADE: Customers currently running ESX 3.0.2 should upgrade to a newer ESX release, such as ESX 3.5 or ESX 4.0 as soon as possible.\n\n• REVIEW END OF LIFE MATRIX: The <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/support/policies/eos_v_chartsi.html\" target=\"_blank\">End of Support Matrix</a> published on VMware\'s website has the latest information on the support lifecycle for their products.','END OF SUPPORT FOR VMWARE ESX 3.0.2','','publish','open','open','','end-of-support-for-vmware-esx-302','','','2009-08-14 12:02:56','2009-08-14 17:02:56','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1278',0,'post','',0),(1292,8,'2009-08-19 14:31:56','2009-08-19 19:31:56','In <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=1225\">Part One</a> of the VMWare ThinApp AppLink Series we talked about how to package dependant packages in a seperate package than the main virtualized application using VMWare\'s ThinApp.  In Part Two we will continue with that process by explaining how to tie all thos packages together and discussing the benefits of seperating your packages.<!--more-->\n\nWhen thinking about the benefits of being able to package dependant applications seperatley from their parent applications there are a few things that jump right out at you.\n<ol>\n	<li>Single Source for Upgrades and Patches:  Continuing with the .Net Framework example, being able to have a single package that can be updated and immediatly and seamlessly be pulled by all of your virtualized applications is a huge timesaver.  This means that you only have to apply that security patch to one package and all the applications linked to it start using the latest version.  You can get around compatibility issues with upgrades and packages by maintaining a version history of the packages in your file share and associating the correct package version with the application.</li>\n	<li>Reducing the storage footprint:  In virtualized application environments, packaging and linking applications reduces the redundancy of code and functionality across all of your packages.  In addition to reason 1, this reduces the amount of storage required for your virtualized application environment.</li>\n</ol>\nNow that we have made a case for creating multiple packages and linking them together using AppLink.  This is how it is done.  We will start with the VM that we just installed and \"ThinApped\" the .Net Framework on from Part 1.  No need to revert to the pristing snapshot since .Net will be a dependancy of our parent application.\n<ol>\n	<li>Restart the VMWare ThinApp Capture Tool.</li>\n	<li>Gather the Pre-Install Snapshot</li>\n	<li>Install the parent Application normally.</li>\n	<li>Gather the Post-Install Snapshot.</li>\n	<li>Enter your Isolation Mode, Capture Folder, MSI options and create the application capture folder.</li>\n	<li>Browse to the application package folder and open the package.ini file using notepad.</li>\n</ol>\nThe Pacakge.ini file contains many configuration options for your application that you should get familiar with.  The ones we are looking for at the moment are OptionalAppLinks and RequiredAppLinks.  OptionalAppLinks is just about what it claims to be, these are application packages that are optional and if cannot be found or unable to load they will be ignored by the parent app.  RequiredAppLinks are the opposite.  If these pacakges cannot be loaded then the application will not continue to load.  Use the RequiredAppLinks for dependancies required for the parent application to run.  Easy enough, right?\n\nWe start by removing the comment (semi-colon) from the beginning of the RequiredAppLinks line since .Net is a requirement for our package to execute normally.  There are many ways in which you can reference a package.  Here are a few examples...\n<ul>\n	<li>Relative Path: ..foldernameappname.exe</li>\n	<li>UNC Path: <a href=\"//\\servernamesharenameappname.exe\">\\servernamesharenameappname.exe</a>.  Remember to set up a file share with appropriate access permissions for the UNC path to utilize as the admin shares (c$, etc...) can cause permissions issues.</li>\n	<li>Local Path: e:path.  You can enable a new \"Virtual Drive\" below by copying the default link \"VirtualDrives=Drive=C...\" if you want to add another disk location such as an e: drive or a cdrom.  The only thing required is the Drive= so you need not worry about the serial number or the type.  Fixed is default.  Also see the examples in the package.ini for removable disks.</li>\n	<li>Plugins folder with wildcard:  Create a plugins folder in the bin folder of the captured application and copy all of your dependany executables into it.  You can reference them individually or by using a wildcard. plugins*.exe.  Remember, this way requires you to have multiple copies for dependant applications.</li>\n</ul>\nAfter the package.ini is configured, save it and select \"Build Now\".  You now have a package that references dependant packages.  I recommend putting some thought into the storage structure of your packages before building them so that you can maintain organization and standards for your virtualized applications file share.','Step 2:  VMWare ThinApp AppLink HOW TO (.Net Framework)','','publish','open','open','','step-2-vmware-thinapp-applink-how-to-net-framework','','','2009-08-19 14:31:56','2009-08-19 19:31:56','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1292',0,'post','',2),(1296,5,'2009-08-19 16:01:30','2009-08-19 21:01:30','<p class=\"Body\">EMC Rainfinity File Management Appliance provides automated policy management to move files across NAS tiers. The standard Rainfinity File Management Appliance is a dedicated appliance (hardware plus software) that supports Celerra and NetApp primary storage and archiving to NetApp, EMC Celerra, and EMC Centera. Rainfinity File Management Appliance/VE is a software-only offering delivered as a VMware virtual appliance that supports Celerra-to-Celerra file tiering only.</p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><!--more--> Rainfinity File Management Appliance is a component of the Rainfinity File Virtualization portfolio and can serve as an entry point for a complete solution to optimize all enterprise file content, including active and inactive data.</p>\n<p class=\"Body\"></p>\n<p class=\"Body\">Rainfinity File Management Appliance allows organizations to:</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\"><!--  [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span> </span> </span> <!--  [endif]-->Lower the total cost of ownership of their NAS infrastructure by moving inactive data to lower cost tiers of storage</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\"><!--  [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span> </span> </span> <!--  [endif]-->Meet backup windows by removing inactive data from the backup process</p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\"><!--  [if !supportLists]--><span style=\"font-family: Symbol;\"><span>·<span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\"> </span> </span> </span> <!--  [endif]-->Meet their compliance and retention requirements by leveraging industry-leading EMC Centera Single Instance Store (SIS) technology and Celerra File-Level Retention features</p>','EMC RAINFINITY -- FILE MANAGEMENT APPLIANCE','','publish','open','open','','emc-rainfinity-file-management-appliance','','','2009-08-19 16:01:30','2009-08-19 21:01:30','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1296',0,'post','',0),(1301,5,'2009-08-19 16:17:05','2009-08-19 21:17:05','<div class=\"Section1\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span class=\"style6\" style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">VMware <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> is the easiest way to get started with virtualization <span class=\"style21\"></span> and its free. Consolidate your applications onto fewer servers and start saving money through reduced hardware, power, cooling and administration costs. With VMware <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> you can:</span> <span></span></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li> <span class=\"style6\" style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Run      multiple operating systems on a single server and reduce hardware costs</span> <span> </span></li>\n	<li> <span class=\"style6\" style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Run      a greener datacenter and reduce your energy cost</span> <span> </span></li>\n	<li> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> <span class=\"style6\">Enable      easier back</span> <span class=\"style21\" style=\"font-size: small;\">-</span> <span class=\"style6\">ups and restores for your      applications</span> </span> <span> </span></li>\n	<li> <span class=\"style6\" style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Run      the most resource intensive applications in production</span> <span> </span></li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"style6\"><!--more--></p>\n<p class=\"style6\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">VMware <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> 4 has been tested to run on supported <span class=\"SpellE\">ProLiant</span> platforms listed at <a href=\"http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/software/index.html\">www.hp.com/go/ossupport</a> .</span></p>\n<p class=\"style6\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">HP<span class=\"style21\"></span> s <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> Support Pack includes management CIM providers that provide systems management for your <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> platforms with HP Systems Insight Manager.</span></p>\n<p class=\"style9\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Whats New</span></p>\n<p class=\"style6\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">HP VMware <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> 4.0 CIM providers allows to collect information on</span></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>\n<p class=\"style6\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Smart Array Providers  Smart Array controller, external storage enclosure, internal drive cage, data and spare drive and logical volume information.</span></p>\n</li>\n	<li>\n<p class=\"style6\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;\"><span class=\"GramE\"> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Networking</span> </span> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> providers  Ethernet ports, statistics, port link status, IP and MAC addresses.</span></p>\n</li>\n	<li>\n<p class=\"style6\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;\"><span class=\"GramE\"> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">PCI Providers  PCI device, adapter card and slot information.</span> </span></p>\n</li>\n	<li>\n<p class=\"style6\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Sensor Providers  Temperature Sensors information (for CPU, chassis, Memory), temperature sensors threshold values and current readings</span></p>\n</li>\n	<li>\n<p class=\"style6\" style=\"margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;\"><span class=\"GramE\"> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Software Inventory  Ethernet adapter driver versions, CIM provider version and Server Active ROM and redundant ROM versions.</span> </span></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"style6\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">The HP VMware <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> solution requires the following: </span></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> <span class=\"style6\">VMware      ESXi 4.0 free downloadable product. To upgrade      your license to Enterprise or Enterprise </span> <span class=\"style6\" style=\"background-position: 0% 0%; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat; background-attachment: scroll;\">Plus,</span> <span class=\"style6\"> Please contact sales@egroup-us.com for a quote.</span> </span> <span> </span></li>\n	<li> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> <span class=\"style6\">HP      ESXi 4 CIM Providers</span> </span> <span> </span></li>\n	<li> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> <span class=\"style6\">Registration      on the VMware ESXi Hypervisor web page to obtain      permanent license serial number</span> </span> <span> </span></li>\n	<li> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> <span class=\"style6\">Acquire      your choice of HP supported and qualified media </span> <span class=\"style21\" style=\"font-size: small;\"></span> <span class=\"style6\"> any HP supported hard drive, USB or SD Flash devices listed below. </span> </span> <span> </span></li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"style8\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Please note that all devices will need to be imaged for <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> 4.0.</span></p>\n\n<p class=\"style8\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">The following Flash drive are the only ones supported by HP today.\n</span>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-weight: normal;\">HP Standalone USB Key for VI3 508291-B21</span> </strong> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> (This key is pre-imaged with <span class=\"SpellE\">ESXi</span> 3.5 U3.)  Available through Sep 30, 2009<strong></strong> </span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><strong><span class=\"style6\" style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-weight: normal;\">PNY USB Flash Drive:</span> </strong> <span class=\"style6\"> FD2GBHP100<span class=\"style21\">-</span> BLK<span class=\"style21\">-</span> SMA<span class=\"style21\">-</span> T</span> </span> <strong></strong></li>\n	<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-weight: normal;\">Kingston SD Flash Memory:</span> </strong> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> 2GB Elite Pro SD Card  <span class=\"GramE\">50</span> </span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"></span> Kingston part number: HP<span class=\"style21\">-</span> <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">SD<span class=\"style21\">/</span> 2GB<span class=\"style21\">-</span> S</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<h4 class=\"style2\"><strong> <span class=\"style6\" style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">NOTE: HP does not support any other USB or SD flash devices.</span> </strong></h4>','VMWARE ESXi 4.0 RUNNING ON HP SERVERS','','publish','open','open','','vmware-esxi-40-running-on-hp-servers','','','2009-08-19 16:17:05','2009-08-19 21:17:05','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1301',0,'post','',0),(1306,44,'2009-08-19 18:31:52','2009-08-19 23:31:52','1. A modernized, intuitive, and rich user experience - XenApp 5 introduces a redesigned, intuitive, and consistent user experience on the desktop and over the Web. The innovative fresh look for Web Interface – with extended support for third-party authentication products – provides users with simpler site navigation through an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.  A new small form-factor interface is also available for mobile workers who want to access applications using handheld devices.\n\n<!--more-->\n\n2. Broader application compatibility - Maintaining applications is a resource-intensive task for IT organizations. XenApp 5 simplifies application delivery and maintenance and minimizes the time to update or patch streamed applications. Streamed applications operate as if they were installed locally, while ensuring that they execute within their own discreet isolation environment. If a single application needs to be updated or patched, it only needs to be done once centrally instead of on each desktop. The addition of HTTPS support enables applications to be streamed securely to branch office and mobile users.\n\n3. Assured service-level performance - Existing XenApp load balancing capabilities monitor server load to equally distribute user and application load across the servers in the farm. XenApp 5 enhances these capabilities through a new intelligent load management system that includes Preferential Load Balancing and CPU management. Preferential Load Balancing can ensure the best performance for the most critical users and scenarios by enabling administrators to control the priority of a user session based on a combination of application, user, and location level importance.\n\nApplication Performance Monitoring provides a detailed view of application performance as experienced by end users. XenApp 5 introduces expanded monitoring capabilities and metrics to provide greater visibility into the user experience enabling administrators to make faster and better assessment of performance issues. The new Active Application Monitoring feature enables administrators to proactively identify performance issues before they are experienced by end users. This real-time check of application availability and responsiveness of production applications enables service level alerting and readiness checks.\n\n4. Simplified printer management and a more seamless printing experience - XenApp 5 includes Printer Management, a comprehensive set of tools for managing printers, printer drivers, policies and performance. Through its advanced printer management capabilities such as driver management, XPS-based Universal Print Driver, compression, bandwidth control, and printer routing, XenApp 5 reduces administrative effort by providing administrators the tools they need to manage a high-performance printing environment. With XenApp 5 users now have a printing experience with the performance and flexibility they demand, resulting in greater satisfaction and productivity.\n\n5. Improved network performance - The efficient use of WAN bandwidth has a direct impact on the productivity of branch office and mobile users. XenApp 5 provides WAN Optimization to deliver LAN-like application performance over the WAN by accelerating the movement of data across the WAN, making branch office and mobile workers more productive and enabling increased collaboration over existing links.\n\n6. Enhanced security and stability with Windows Server 2008 - XenApp 5 leverages the new security and architectural enhancements in Windows Server 2008. Some of the key platform enhancements include User Account Control (UAC), Protected-mode Internet Explorer, Windows Firewall, and Service-specific Security Identifiers (SIDs).\n\n7. Multi-platform support - With support for both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 and the ability to use both platforms within a single XenApp server farm, XenApp 5 enables a smooth transition to the Windows Server 2008 platform.\n\n8. Additional application delivery enhancements - XenApp 5 delivers more than 50 additional features and enhancements to improve user productivity, reduce operational costs, and provide businesses the flexibility and agility they need to operate. These include IPv6 support, ClearType Font smoothing, Special Folder Redirection, a new Installation Manager on Windows Server 2008, Single Sign-on enhancements, and many others.','TOP REASONS TO UPGRADE TO CITRIX XENAPP 5','','publish','open','open','','top-reasons-to-upgrade-to-citrix-xenapp-5','','','2009-08-19 18:31:52','2009-08-19 23:31:52','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1306',0,'post','',0),(1310,12,'2009-08-20 10:36:22','2009-08-20 15:36:22','Microsoft and Harvard University researchers are looking into ways to utilize the &quot;whitespace&quot; previously used for analog broadcast television. Trying to follow the technical details of their documentation has proven to be rather challenging-- though I\'m sure it\'ll be translated into simpler terms as it becomes more and more viable.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThe entire 12 page research document can be found <a href=\"http://research.microsoft.com/pubs/80952/whitefi.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> .','WhiteFi! ','','publish','open','open','','whitefi','','','2009-08-20 10:36:22','2009-08-20 15:36:22','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1310',0,'post','',0),(1312,6,'2009-08-24 08:38:57','2009-08-24 13:38:57','Windows 7 is just around the corner, and the OS comes packed with new features and promises to be more streamlined and functional than Vista. As a huge fan of XP and quiet skeptic of Vista, I loaded up the 7 RC on my laptop months ago. To my surprise, Windows 7, even in release candidate status is clearly the real deal!\n\n<!--more-->\n\nAs it currently stands, release day for Windows 7 is October 22nd and the new feature set is a pretty long list. I really like the focus Microsoft has put into streamlining the current list of apps. Clearly fine tuning the OS solidified itself as THE top priority. In addition, you can reportedly turn it up to 11. That’s right, the Windows Experience Index is back under the hood, and now it goes to 11 (up from 7.9 in Vista).\n\nWindows 7 comes in 6 Flavors:\n•	Home Basic\n•	Starter\n•	Home Premium\n•	Professional \n•	Enterprise \n•	Ultimate\n\nNote: 64-Bit capability starts at Home Professional, and I would encourage users to shuffle towards the top end editions, as I have seen too many people frustrated with the laptop performance and fail to note that they only have 256 MB under the hood. For instance, in Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate you can install 192 GB of RAM! Windows 7 will open the door completely for 64 Bit apps and in 5 years time, I foresee the application landscape completely changing as 64 Bit apps really hit the mainstream.\n\n\nAs noted earlier the list of additions and enhancements is a large one. The new features and enhanced programs include:\nAccessibility Improvements, Action Center, Aero Peek, Aero Shake, Aero Snaps, Aero Themes, Backup &amp; Restore, Bitlocker-To-Go, Blu-Ray Support, Calculator, Credential Manager, Device Stage, Devices &amp; Printers, DirectAccess, DirectX11, Getting Started, HomeGroup, IE8, Libraries, Location-Aware Printing, MinWin, Paint, Parental Controls, Power Config, Problem Steps Recorder, Ready Boost, Sensor Support, Scenic Ribbon, Start Menu, Startup Repair, Sticky Notes, System Restore, Tablet PC, User Account Control, View Available Networks, Virtual Hard Disk Support, VPN Reconnect, Windows Anytime Upgrade, Windows Defender, Windows Easy Transfer, Windows Explorer, Windows Experience Index, Windows Media Center, Windows Media Player, Windows Gadgets, Windows Live Essentials, Windows Search, Windows Taskbar, Windows Touch, Windows Update, Windows XP Mode, WordPad, and XPS Viewer.\n\nIndulge yourself, go heavy with the RAM, and enjoy!\n','WINDOWS 7: TURN IT UP TO 11','','publish','open','open','','windows-7-turn-it-up-to-11','','','2009-08-24 08:38:57','2009-08-24 13:38:57','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1312',0,'post','',0),(1316,12,'2009-08-25 12:57:10','2009-08-25 17:57:10','Go to the command prompt, enter &quot;Diskpart&quot;\n\nEnter &quot;List disk&quot; to get a view of all the hard disks the computer recognizes. Before you align the partition, make sure you select the right disk! Verify the disk number in Disk Management!\n\n<!--more-->\n\nEnter &quot;select disk &lt;#&gt;&quot; where &lt;#&gt; is the number of the disk you are planning to align.You should be prompted with &quot;Disk &lt;#&gt; is now selected&quot; and if you do another &quot;list disk&quot;, it should show up with an * next to it.\n\nEnter &quot;create partition primary align=64k&quot;, press enter, and you should be prompted with a &quot;success&quot; statement.\n\nDone! While <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx3_partition_align.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">this document</a> is a little out of date, it explains the benefits/use cases for aligning your partitions within a VMware environment-- most admins forget to do this (or simply don\'t know they should/can)!','DISKPART - ALIGN YOUR PARTITIONS!','','publish','open','open','','diskpart-align-your-partitions','','','2009-08-25 12:57:10','2009-08-25 17:57:10','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1316',0,'post','',0),(1318,6,'2009-08-28 16:27:24','2009-08-28 21:27:24','If you have not seen the new dual monitor laptop, GSCREEN\'s SPACEBOOK 2009, then you should do yourself a favor and hop on over and check it out.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThis new dual screen laptop will feature 2 LED backlit display screens. 4GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive, and your choice of an NVIDIA GeForce® 9800M GT (512MB) or an  NVIDIAQuadro FX 1700M Graphics (512MB). Follow this link to bask in it\'s glory.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.gscreencorp.com/\">LINK</a>\n\nThe screens are currently noted at 15.4&quot; and with the laptop weighing in at 12 lbs, I don\'t think they can bring out the 17&quot; version until they can get the weight down. Who wants to lug around at 25 lb laptop? I commend gScreen on coming out with something that\'s been on my Christmas list for years. Productivity is about to shoot through the roof!</a>\n\nGo ahead and mark your calendars, as this modern marvel is set to hit the market sometime in Q4 2009. (Just in time for Christmas)','THE COOLEST LAPTOP EVER?','','publish','open','open','','coolest-laptop-ever','','','2009-08-28 16:27:24','2009-08-28 21:27:24','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1318',0,'post','',0),(1329,2,'2009-08-31 13:25:55','2009-08-31 18:25:55','Charleston, SC - August 31, 2009 - eGroup, Inc. joins area non-profit organization Lowcountry Local First in their efforts to create a more just and sustainable local economy. eGroup, Inc. understands that local businesses need to support each other, that local independent businesses have less impact on the environment, create better jobs, maintain our historic and rural spaces and prevent economic leaks.<!--more--> \n\nPartnering with Lowcountry Local First is just one of eGroup\'s commitments to supporting the local economy and mitigating its impact on the environment. Other efforts include but are not limited to promoting \"Green IT\" through virtualization and server consolidation which drastically reduces datacenter energy costs, partnering with Carbonfund.org to offset its carbon emissions as a company, adopting a comprehensive recycling program, offering cash incentives to employees who purchase a new hybrid vehicle, and supporting local eco-minded organizations through corporate donations and sponsorships.\n\n\"The eGroup culture promotes forward thinking as it relates to making socially responsible choices, and partnering with Lowcountry Local First seemed like a natural extension of our current efforts. It is our hope that by being a leader in the charge towards a more sustainable local economy, and pledging to support other local businesses whenever possible, that others will follow suit in an effort to make the Lowcountry a better place to work and live.\" - Catherine Carter, CFO, eGroup\n\n\"Lowcountry Local First is excited to have a business like eGroup join our efforts. They epitomize so many of the values of our organization and are leading the way to a greener and more sustainable local economy.\"  - Jamee Haley, Executive Director, LLF\n\nLLF is a member of the Business Alliance for Living Local Economies (BALLE), a national organization that seeks to build community wealth by catalyzing, connecting, and strengthening local business networks dedicated to building Living Economies. LLF serves to educate people on the values of buying locally whenever possible, noting that for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $45 goes directly back into the local economy, versus only $14 when spent at a national chain store.\n\n<strong>About Lowcountry Local First</strong>\n\nLowcountry Local First (LLF), headquartered in North Charleston, SC, is the 44th member organization in a national network of non-profits dedicated to strengthening their local economies, called the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. LLF is committed to uniting local businesses with the mission to promote and preserve the Lowcountry economy through the promotion of local goods and services. LLF recently held the 2nd Annual \"Buy Local\" week and also manages the program, \"Farm Fresh Food,\" a sustainable agriculture initiative that focuses on strengthening local farms and producers by creating partnerships with local restaurants, institutions and the community. To learn more about LLF, visit <a href=\"http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org\">www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org</a>.  \n\n <strong>About eGroup</strong>\n\neGroup provide technology solutions for Serious Competitors. Specifically, eGroup specializes in IT infrastructure design, Enterprise storage and backup strategies including Disaster Preparedness, data centralization and secure access solutions, virtualization, network security, and secure LAN/WAN/Wireless architectures. eGroup\'s solutions combine robust high- availability and performance with secure information access. These solutions enable customers to efficiently execute revenue-driving roles, and achieve the goal of cutting the organization\'s acquisition and on-going support costs. eGroup understands that investment-oriented professionals must focus on making sound business decisions that provide significant returns. eGroup provides the thought leadership and expertise for customers to ensure that their technology investments continue to strengthen their competitive advantage in the marketplace. After all, a company\'s success hinges on making critical business decisions that must be supported by its IT systems. By architecting high performance networking and computing platforms, and delivering the industry-proven systems engineering and application development expertise, eGroup helps companies make confident decisions. To learn more, visit <a href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com\">www.eGroup-us.com</a>.\n\n Visit eGroup\'s blog at <a href=\"http://blogs.eGroup-us.com\">blogs.eGroup-us.com</a>.','eGROUP JOINS EFFORTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMY','','publish','open','open','','egroup-joins-efforts-to-support-local-economy','','','2009-08-31 13:25:55','2009-08-31 18:25:55','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1329',0,'post','',0),(1338,5,'2009-09-01 05:05:09','2009-09-01 10:05:09','CISCO &amp; VMWARE Announcement at VMWorld 2009!!!\n<p align=\"left\"></p>\n\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\">The VMware and Cisco solution  enables customers to perform live application migration across data centers. The components used are a VMware vSphere 4.0 server cluster enabled with VMware VMotion in each data center, a VMware vCenter server, and a data center interconnect (DCI) WAN. The applications provisioned on the VMware vSphere server can be migrated across the data centers or a private cloud with no application downtime. The solution itself does not need any new software or hardware to perform these migrations. </span>\n\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\">Link to the White paper:  <a href=\"http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns340/ns517/ns224/ns836/white_paper_c11-557822.pdf\">http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns340/ns517/ns224/ns836/white_paper_c11-557822.pdf</a> </span>','CISCO AND VMWARE TEAM UP FOR LONG DISTANCE VMOTION','','publish','open','open','','cisco-and-vmware-team-up-for-long-distance-vmotion','','','2009-09-01 05:05:09','2009-09-01 10:05:09','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1338',0,'post','',0),(1342,12,'2009-09-01 13:52:28','2009-09-01 18:52:28','In versions of Cisco PIX prior to 7.0, you could use the alias command to allow a host on the &quot;inside&quot; network to get to a server in the DMZ via its public IP address. This command would essentially redirect the requests for the public IP address to the DMZ IP address when originated from the &quot;inside&quot; network-- thus accomplishing the goal.\n\n<span><!--more-->\nALIAS (inside) xx.xx.xx.xx  yy.yy.yy.yy  255.255.255.255\nWhere xx.xx.xx.xx is the OUTSIDE address  and yy.yy.yy.yy  is the address in the DMZ</span>\n\n<span>However, the alias command was deprecated in PIX 7.0 and later. So in order to allow the same type of access, you now use the &quot;static&quot; command to create a static NAT entry.</span>\n\n<span>STATIC (dmz,inside)  xx.xx.xx.xx  yy.yy.yy.yy  netmask 255.255.255.255\nWhere xx.xx.xx.xx is the EXTERNAL address  and yy.yy.yy.yy is the address on the DMZ</span>\n\n<span>This command basically says for communication across the real interface (dmz) and mapped interface (inside), map yy.yy.yy.yy to xx.xx.xx.xx\n</span>','ACCESSING A SERVER IN THE DMZ VIA ITS PUBLIC (OUTSIDE) IP ADDRESS','','publish','open','open','','accessing-a-server-in-the-dmz-via-its-public-outside-ip-address','','','2009-09-01 13:52:28','2009-09-01 18:52:28','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1342',0,'post','',0),(1344,44,'2009-09-01 18:57:37','2009-09-01 23:57:37','At VMworld 2009 this week VMware released a beta version of VMware Go, a new web-based service designed to make it even easier for first time customers to get started with virtualization using VMware ESXi.\n\nVMware Go is a free web-based service that will enable SMB customers to fly through the ESXi setup process with just a few mouse clicks. \n\nRead the VMware Go press release <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/company/news/releases/vmw-go-vmworld09.html\">here</a>.\n\nSign up for the VMware Go beta <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/go/vmware-go-beta\">here</a>.','CHECK OUT THE BETA OF VMWARE GO!','','publish','open','open','','check-out-the-beta-of-vmware-go','','','2009-09-01 18:57:37','2009-09-01 23:57:37','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1344',0,'post','',0),(1347,2,'2009-09-08 09:48:55','2009-09-08 14:48:55','<strong>CHARLESTON, SC, 9/8/2009</strong> - eGroup, Inc. announced today it has achieved Premier Partner Certification from Cisco®. To earn Premier Certification, eGroup had to meet Cisco\'s demanding standards for networking competency, service, support and customer satisfaction.\n\n\"Attaining this level of certification is an important achievement for our company. It signifies that we have exhibited proficiency in both the sales and technical aspects of working with Cisco networking solutions, and that we can effectively service every stage of a networks\' development-from the network design through procurement, deployment and support,\" said Mike Carter, Principal, eGroup.<!--more-->\n\n\"Cisco is committed to providing tools, training and programs to help drive partner growth, differentiation and profitability,\" said Surinder Brar, senior director of worldwide channels at Cisco. \"With the Premier Certification and specific product specializations, eGroup has made an investment in delivering the integrated and customized technology solutions today\'s customers demand.\"\n\nAs a Cisco Premier Certified Partner, eGroup demonstrates a range of technical expertise. eGroup was required to achieve the Cisco Express Foundation Specialization. This specialization includes tests on technical competency in the integration of basic routing and switching, wireless LANs, and security technologies. In addition, eGroup was required to integrate a base level of Cisco Lifecycle Services into their offerings and demonstrate measurably high levels of customer satisfaction based on independently audited customer satisfaction surveys.\n\n<strong>About eGroup</strong>\n\neGroup provide technology solutions for Serious Competitors. Specifically, eGroup specializes in IT infrastructure design, Enterprise storage and backup strategies including Disaster Preparedness, data centralization and secure access solutions, virtualization, network security, and secure LAN/WAN/Wireless architectures. eGroup\'s solutions combine robust high- availability and performance with secure information access. These solutions enable customers to efficiently execute revenue-driving roles, and achieve the goal of cutting the organization\'s acquisition and on-going support costs. eGroup understands that investment-oriented professionals must focus on making sound business decisions that provide significant returns. eGroup provides the thought leadership and expertise for customers to ensure that their technology investments continue to strengthen their competitive advantage in the marketplace. After all, a company\'s success hinges on making critical business decisions that must be supported by its IT systems. By architecting high performance networking and computing platforms, and delivering the industry-proven systems engineering and application development expertise, eGroup helps companies make confident decisions. To learn more, visit <a href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com\">www.eGroup-us.com</a>.\n\nVisit eGroup\'s blog at <a href=\"http://blogs.eGroup-us.com\">blogs.eGroup-us.com</a>.\n\nCisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems Inc. in the United States and certain other countries.','eGROUP ANNOUNCED TODAY IT HAS ACHIEVED PREMIER CERTIFICATION FROM CISCO','','publish','open','open','','egroup-announced-today-it-has-achieved-premier-certification-from-cisco','','','2009-09-08 09:48:55','2009-09-08 14:48:55','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1347',0,'post','',0),(1354,12,'2009-09-10 08:34:46','2009-09-10 13:34:46','VMware is allowing all of the VCPs from VI3 to test and certify on vSphere to obtain their VCP4 without having to take a VMware authorized course-- this is, however, only until the end of the year.\n\nSo while gathering some information to &quot;get my study on&quot;, I came across the new scoring format of the exam, which I found to be pretty interesting.\n\n&quot;The current number of items on the VCP exam is 75, with a 70 required to pass. The passing score is not a raw 70 (example: 70 out of 75), and it is not really a percentage of the items (example: 53 out of 75), it is what is called a <strong>scaled score</strong> . A scaled score is calculated using a mathematical formula that considers a variety of factors, including the number and type of exam questions included in a specific version of the exam. Because this combination may vary in different versions of the same examination, scaled scores provide a fair score for each individual based on the version of the exam they took.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nNow I am sure everyone knows that we periodically release new versions of the exam as items become obsolete or as needed to address new features in the same revision. This is how the exam remains consistent with the latest updates. These varying versions of the exam have different combinations of questions and is why we take the approach of using a scaled score.&quot;\n\nThe link for that post is <a href=\"http://communities.vmware.com/thread/221038\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>\n\nThere are also an additional 10 or so questions on the exam that do not count towards your score-- this is common across the board for IT exams though. The exam is scored from 100-500-- you must score greater than 300 to pass, and greater than 400 to become a VMware instructor.','VCP 4 EXAM SCORING CHANGE','','publish','open','open','','vcp-4-exam-scoring-change','','','2009-09-10 08:34:46','2009-09-10 13:34:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1354',0,'post','',0),(1357,8,'2009-09-13 19:37:54','2009-09-14 00:37:54','Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS 2007) provides integration with many Microsoft products to present rapid delivery of data and functionality to SharePoint setups while removing the requirement that you have to be a programmer/developer to achieve what you want. Such systems include SQL Server 2005/2008 for Reporting Services, Analysis services to generate KPIs, InfoPath to create Forms, Windows Workflow (WWF) to create custom and complex workflows, and the list goes on...\n\nBut what about other Line of Business (LOB) applications such as CRM, SAP, QuickBooks, Web Services, etc... that contain key business data needed by Portal Applications. In comes the Business Data Catalog (BDC). This feature while not necessarily new as of this post is worth mentioning to those who may be new to SharePoint. <!--more--> BDC allows you to import custom XML definitions of your key information sources and \"connect\" that data to the BDC in SharePoint for use in Web Parts, Lists and other custom solutions without having to write a line of code. There are many tools out there that can generate these XML definitions for your data sources as well. One of my favorites that I use is <a href=\"http://www.lightningtools.com/bdc-meta-man/default.aspx\">http://www.lightningtools.com/bdc-meta-man/default.aspx</a> which allows you to deploy the XML directly to the SSP in SharePoint after creation.\n\nOnce the definition has been imported into SharePoint (which is really much easier than it sounds, only requires a little bit of relational database knowledge to get the data how you want it) you have a BDC connection that can pull that data onto your SharePoint Portal. For example, if you have a SQL Server Database out there that houses CRM data of all your accounts. You have personalization sites set up so that Sales representatives go to their \"My Site\" and do a variety of tasks. You could create and XML definition that hooks into a database view that displays Accounts not active in the last 30 days. With this data now available to SharePoint you can add a quick BDC Web Part and add it to the Sales reps pages so they can have a quick reference of accounts to follow up with.  The list goes on of how you can mix and match this data.\n\nThis post isn\'t meant to be a how to on setting up BDC connections for SharePoint admins... more so a heads up to management and non-technical staff that there is a intuitive way to collaborate data from many many systems of various design and purpose and present it to end users in a efficient and time saving manner.\n\nAny comments or questions?  Contact Us or Leave them below.','Business Data Catalog (BDC) and SharePoint 2007 intro...','','publish','open','open','','business-data-catalog-bdc-and-sharepoint-2007-intro','','','2009-09-13 19:37:54','2009-09-14 00:37:54','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1357',0,'post','',0),(1359,12,'2009-09-14 18:50:26','2009-09-14 23:50:26','After 7 years of  hearing about it, reading about it, and for some, buying/implementing it, the IEEE has finally ratified the standard for  802.11n. The publication\n\n<span class=\"Article_Date\" style=\"font-weight: bold; display: block; float: right; padding-top: 10px;\">This was an extraordinarily wide-ranging technical challenge that required the sustained effort and concentration of a terrific variety of participants,&quot; Bruce Kraemer, chair of the IEEE Wireless <a class=\"iAs\" href=\"http://www.eweek.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">LAN</a> Working Group, said in the statement. &quot;When we started in 2002, many of the <a class=\"iAs\" href=\"http://www.eweek.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">technologies</a> addressed in 802.11n were university research topics and had not been implemented.&quot;</span>\n\n<!--more-->\n\n<span class=\"Article_Date\" style=\"font-weight: bold; display: block; float: right; padding-top: 10px;\">\n</span>\n\n<span class=\"Article_Date\" style=\"font-weight: bold; display: block; float: right; padding-top: 10px;\">\n</span>\n\nIn addition to greater wireless speeds, the 560-page 802.11n amendment—<a title=\"WLAN Enhancements for Higher Throughput\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http://standards.ieee.org/prod-serv/80211n.html\" target=\"_blank\">WLAN Enhancements for Higher Throughput</a> —also enhances &quot;quality of service, reliability, range optimization, device link options, <a class=\"iAs\" href=\"http://www.eweek.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">network management</a> and security,&quot; IEEE said.\n\nThe amendment should be available for your reading pleasure in the middle of next month. Are you going to move to 802.11n, are you already running it, or does it have no impact on your job/life? Post your comments!','802.11n - FINALLY RATIFIED!','','publish','open','open','','80211n-finally-ratified','','','2009-09-14 18:50:26','2009-09-14 23:50:26','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1359',0,'post','',0),(1364,12,'2009-09-15 08:23:35','2009-09-15 13:23:35','<p class=\"line862\">It looks like ESXi is the way to go-- it\'s free (until you want to upgrade it to the vSphere feature set), and apparently has a better architecture. It also looks like it\'s going to be the main focus hypervisor-wise for VMware moving forward. This was posted on the ESXi team blog on the VMware site:</p>\n<p class=\"line862\"></p>\n<p class=\"line862\">VMware made the decision to make <a class=\"http\" href=\"http://vmware.com/download/esxi/\">VMware ESXi, our next generation hypervisor, freely available</a> to proliferate the VMware platform and allow administrators to prove its value at no cost. However, the fact that the older platform, VMware ESX, is not also available for free has lead some people to believe that ESXi may be inferior or not as feature-rich as ESX. This is certainly not the case. In fact, the opposite is true.</p>\n<p class=\"line862\"><!--more--></p>\n<p class=\"line862\">ESXi has a superior architecture and we encourage customers to deploy ESXi as part of any new vSphere deployment. Our future posts will compare ESX 4 and ESXi 4 in detail on topics like hardware compatibility list, performance, and management to demonstrate that ESXi is either on par with or superior than ESX. But for now, here are some key points you should know about ESXi vs. ESX:</p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li>The functionality and performance of VMware ESX and ESXi are the same; the difference between the two hypervisors resides in their packaging architecture and operational management. VMware ESXi is the latest hypervisor architecture from VMware. It has an ultra thin footprint with no reliance on a general-purpose OS, setting a new bar for security and reliability (learn more).</li>\n	<li>In the future, ESXi’s superior architecture will be the exclusive focus of VMware\'s development efforts.</li>\n	<li>New and existing customers are highly encouraged to deploy ESXi. Many Fortune 100 companies have already standardized on the ESXi platform.</li>\n</ol>','VMware ESXi vs. ESX','','publish','open','open','','vmware-esxi-vs-esx','','','2009-09-15 08:23:35','2009-09-15 13:23:35','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1364',0,'post','',0),(1367,44,'2009-09-16 06:46:02','2009-09-16 11:46:02','KATHERINE BOEHRET has a great article in today\'s Wall Street Journal column, The Mossberg  Solution:\n\nIf you have a job, chances are you use Microsoft Outlook.\n\nBut are you using it to your best advantage?\n\nDespite the popularity of Microsoft Outlook, several of its functions aren\'t noticeable unless you dig around in menus or try out keystroke shortcuts. Many of these tricks can be found by reading a user manual, but users would rather be spending their time in Outlook responding to or writing emails.\n\nIn last week\'s column I reviewed a program called Postbox, which displays email and its contents in unique ways. In that review I mentioned that Outlook, too, has extra functions, but that these aren\'t always as obvious as they should be. Below, I\'ve compiled a list of what I consider to be some of Outlook\'s lesser-known talents.\n\nRead the rest of the article on the WSJ web site <a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203917304574414972562141470.html\">here</a>.','HOW TO TWEAK OUTLOOK EMAIL TO WORK FOR YOU','','publish','open','open','','how-to-tweak-outlook-email-to-work-for-you','','','2009-09-16 06:46:02','2009-09-16 11:46:02','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1367',0,'post','',0),(1374,44,'2009-09-16 07:18:04','2009-09-16 12:18:04','','image','','inherit','open','open','','image','','','2009-09-16 07:18:04','2009-09-16 12:18:04','',1373,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/image.docx',0,'attachment','application/msword',0),(1375,44,'2009-09-16 07:21:22','2009-09-16 12:21:22','','untitled','','inherit','open','open','','untitled','','','2009-09-16 07:21:22','2009-09-16 12:21:22','',1373,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/untitled.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1376,44,'2009-09-16 07:24:34','2009-09-16 12:24:34','','untitled1','','inherit','open','open','','untitled1','','','2009-09-16 07:24:34','2009-09-16 12:24:34','',1373,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/untitled1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1377,44,'2009-09-16 07:28:18','2009-09-16 12:28:18','','Image 1','','inherit','open','open','','untitled2','','','2009-09-16 07:28:18','2009-09-16 12:28:18','',1373,'http://localhost/eGroup/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/untitled2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1379,44,'2009-09-16 08:56:32','2009-09-16 13:56:32','The fastest, most powerful XenApp yet, with more than 50 new features.\n\nRead the full announcement <a href=\"http://www.citrix.com/English/ps2/products/subfeature.asp?contentID=1857097\">here</a>.','CITRIX RELEASES XENAPP 5 FEATURE PACK 2','','publish','open','open','','citrix-releases-xenapp-5-feature-pack-2','','','2009-09-16 08:56:32','2009-09-16 13:56:32','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1379',0,'post','',0),(1378,8,'2009-09-16 14:53:22','2009-09-16 19:53:22','I recently got my hands on the latest version of Citrix EdgeSight for Load Testing (3.5) and got some time to use it to determing performance differences under similar loads for various operating system versions.  For those that have not seen or heard of ESLT.  ESLT is an EdgeSight product that allows you to record user sessions in ICA,Web Interface and XML interface sessions and replay them using many users simultaneously against a target machine.<!--more-->\n\nThis gave us a valuable tool for producing consistant loads and measuring performance on each.  For our test we used a load of 40 users over a 10 minute period doing typical operations in the system then logging out.  With ESLT\'s ability to capture performance monitor (perfmon) counters in it\'s interface then providing reports it made crunching the data even easier.  Being untrusting of new to me software I went to the servers and captured the perfmon information there as well and analyzed the logs to find the results comparable (which it should be since it is from the same source).  I would recommend working with ESLT when trying to gather critical performance data to make educated decisions about server sizing and performance issue remediation.  Here are some uses for ESLT (straight from Citrix themselves).\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Deliver tried and tested application virtualization environments</strong> - Simulate thousands of users to identify system bottlenecks or application instability before systems go live</li>\n	<li><strong>Reduce costs associated with change management and application regression testing</strong> - Reusable scripts simplify before and after comparison following application patches or operating system updates</li>\n	<li><strong>Assess new hardware such as 64bit servers</strong> - Understand the capcity limits of different hardware types to make informed purchasing decisions</li>\n	<li><strong>Perform branch office application performance testing</strong> - Create real traffic from remote sites ensuring bandwidth and server resources are available to deliver the best user experience</li>\n</ul>\nTo add on to the stock information from Citrix I would suggest ESLT for comparing loads against several server versions and operating systems.  Comparing virtual to physical server performance.  Comparing virtualized application performance to their native counterparts.\n\nAdd in VMWare\'s AppSpeed to continually monitor multi-tiered application performance after the environment has been built and you have a well thought out, measured applications environment.','CITRIX EDGESIGHT FOR LOAD TESTING (ESLT)','','publish','open','open','','citrix-edgesight-for-load-testing-eslt','','','2009-09-16 14:53:22','2009-09-16 19:53:22','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1378',0,'post','',0),(1383,2,'2009-09-17 13:12:34','2009-09-17 18:12:34','eGroup, EMC, Cisco &amp; VMware Present:\n\n\"The Virtualization, Storage, &amp; Networking Ecosystem: How to Make the Most of Intelligent Integration\"\n\nA roundtable lunch event with your peers and industry experts.\n\nFriday, October 2, 2009\n11 A.M. - 1 P.M. (w/ Lunch)\n\nThe Grand Bohemian Hotel\n11 Boston Way\nAsheville, North Carolina 28803\n828.505.2949\n\n<a href=\"http://ashevilleroundtable.eventbrite.com/\">CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!</a>','eGROUP, EMC, CISCO & VMWARE PRESENT A ROUNDTABLE LUNCH EVENT IN ASHEVILLE','','publish','open','open','','egroup-emc-cisco-vmware-present-a-roundtable-lunch-event-in-asheville','','','2009-09-17 13:12:34','2009-09-17 18:12:34','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1383',0,'post','',0),(1382,8,'2009-09-17 14:35:56','2009-09-17 19:35:56','In the second of several posts regarding SharePoint development and integration with other systems and how you can make consolidate points of entry in your business applications I will discuss connecting BDC connections into SharePoint Lists.  Connection BDC objects into SharePoint lists or document libraries allows you to associate busineed objects in other systems to information or documents within SharePoint.  As the Line of Business Object (LOB) changes in the other system SharePoint is updated with the information as well.  <!--more-->\n\nOne of the most useful examples and the one I will use in this walkthrough is association documents to CRM server database (doesn\'t matter which one as long as there is access to the data) Accounts.  This allows you to quickly create a searchable dashboard of Company documents without having to manage two seperate lists of accounts.  You can provide information on the accounts, project server information, and related documents all in dashboard while still maintaining a single \"master list\" of accounts and details.\n\nTo do this we start by creating our BDC connection.  I will skip over this step as it has been covered in the previous BDC post located here <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=1357\">http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=1357</a>.  After you BDC has been created and imported into SharePoint server you can start to create your custom dashboard.\n\nOur Custom dashboard will have 3 areas.  A list of Accounts, a detailed Account information window and a document library.  Now that we have a BDC connected list of accounts pulling from our CRM system we can configure the linking of the web parts and the document library.\n<ol>\n	<li>Edit your document library and add a column</li>\n	<li>Select the column to be business data (requires Enterprise features to be enabled on Site Collection and Site)</li>\n	<li>Select the field (usually \"Account Name\") you want the column to contain from your BDC list</li>\n	<li>Add the field.</li>\n</ol>\nNow you have a BDC driven column in which you can associate documents to BDC driven Accounts.  The next step is to link the web parts.  This is easy...\n<ol>\n	<li>Select the web part account list to publish information to the Document library and specify the field.</li>\n</ol>\nRadio buttons will now be a part of your list.  As you select these radio buttons the document library will filter to the documents for the selected account.  You now have a CRM integrated searchable SharePoint document library.\n\nFor more detailed instructions watch this video that demonstrates the process step by step:\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITPHd5BmRaM&amp;w=320&amp;h=240]\n\n(Thanks to Youtube presenter \'akalli\' for the great demonstration!)','BUSINESS DATA CATALOG (BDC) CONNECTIONS INTO SHAREPOINT LISTS w/ demonstration','','publish','open','open','','business-data-catalog-bdc-connections-into-sharepoint-lists-w-demonstration','','','2009-09-17 14:35:56','2009-09-17 19:35:56','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1382',0,'post','',0),(1388,12,'2009-09-21 18:46:33','2009-09-21 23:46:33','Check these guys out-- the same stackable Cisco 3750G switches we\'ve all come to love, but with a twist-- an integrated Wireless LAN Controller to handle up to 50 of your Cisco Aironet access points. They can be used in conjunction with your Wireless Control System or your Cisco Wireless Location Appliance-- and they\'re stackable!\n\nAvailable in two models-- both of which are equipped with 24 10/100/1000 ports and Stackwise connectivity, the lesser model supports 25 APs, and the greater model supports up to 50. Check \'em out <a href=\"http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6915/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> !','Cisco Catalyst 3750 WITH INTEGRATED WLAN CONTROLLER ','','publish','open','open','','cisco-catalyst-3750-with-integrated-wlan-controller','','','2009-09-21 18:46:33','2009-09-21 23:46:33','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1388',0,'post','',0),(1391,44,'2009-09-22 09:03:01','2009-09-22 14:03:01','\"There was once a dream that was DHCP.  You could only whisper it.  Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish...\"<!--more-->\n\nFinally.  This is the only word I can use to describe this post; finally.  DHCP is an unsung hero, sitting quietly in the background of just about every network in the world, yet this little service has been overlooked by Microsoft for the past decade.  Any administrator that has setup a reservation knows one of my biggest peeves with this service.  You\'d think it wouldn\'t be that hard to right click a work-station\'s lease and say \"add to reservation\" or something to that effect.  Unfortunately I, like everyone else, have been manually typing MACs into my DHCP reservation table since inception.  The time has come for a change, and that time is now.\n\nWith Windows 2008 R2, we see one of the first overhauls in DHCP (in Microsoft\'s world) since they first built the service.  The reason I\'m excited about this is due to some changes with MAC security built into DHCP but honestly being able to click a lease and add it to reservation deserves a special parade.  So this is a bit of a slap in the face, pat on the back for Microsoft.  Great job, you did it... finally!\n\nFor more features with DHCP in Windows 2008 R2 see the link below:\n\n<a href=\"http://blogs.technet.com/teamdhcp/archive/2009/02/26/new-features-in-dhcp-for-windows-server-2008-r2-windows-7.aspx\">http://blogs.technet.com/teamdhcp/archive/2009/02/26/new-features-in-dhcp-for-windows-server-2008-r2-windows-7.aspx</a>','WINDOWS 2008 R2, DHCP UPDATED... FINALLY!','','publish','open','open','','windows-2003-r2-dhcp-finally-updated','','','2009-09-22 09:03:01','2009-09-22 14:03:01','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1391',0,'post','',0),(1396,9,'2009-09-23 14:24:11','2009-09-23 19:24:11','eGroup will begin a monthly webinar series beginning in January of 2010. We will be teaming up with our technology partners to deliver content rich sessions on the hottest/most current topics and technologies in the market today. These partners will include VMWare, Cisco, EMC, Vizioncore, Fatpipe as well as many others. The format will be a casual “Coffee Break” session lasting approximately 30 minutes, and will occur the beginning of every month around 9 AM. For additional information or to sign up please contact eGroup at <a href=\"mailto:lwilmes@eGroup-us.com\">lwilmes@eGroup-us.com</a>.','eGROUP ANNOUNCES UPCOMING \"COFFEE BREAK\" WEBINAR SERIES TO BEGIN IN 2010','','publish','open','open','','egroup-announces-upcoming-coffee-break-webinar-series-to-begin-in-2010','','','2009-09-23 14:24:11','2009-09-23 19:24:11','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1396',0,'post','',0),(1399,44,'2009-09-24 05:54:58','2009-09-24 10:54:58','Yesterday Data Domain announced the industry’s first cascaded replication capability for inline deduplication storage.  Cascaded replication enables enterprises to enhance their disaster recovery strategy by efficiently transferring deduplicated backup and archive data to a third offsite location.\n\nYou can read the press release <a href=\"http://www.datadomain.com/news/press_rel_092209.html\">here</a>.\n\nHere are my two favorite quotes from the press release:\n\n“According to our 2009 spending survey, the top storage investment enterprises plan to make is in replication for offsite data protection,” said Brian Babineau, senior analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group. “It is clear that companies want to shift from transporting backup tapes as the primary means of moving data between multiple sites so long as they can find an affordable disk alternative. With its inline deduplicated replication, EMC Data Domain provides an economically feasible, disk-based, off site data protection solution as it minimizes the amount of bandwidth and secondary storage needed to set up a disaster recovery site. The company’s latest advances in cascaded replication capabilities and fan-in ratios for remote office make it possible for larger enterprises to cost effectively incorporate even more applications – regardless of where the data is stored – in their business continuity initiatives.”\n\n“Most deduplication storage systems are very immature and inflexible in replication,” said Brian Biles, vice president of Product Management of EMC’s Backup and Recovery Systems (BRS) Division. “Data Domain Replicator not only has more production implementations and years of production use than comparable deduplicating VTLs, it also has significant functionality differentiation, as demonstrated by these new features.”','DATA DOMAIN ADDS CASCADED REPLICATION','','publish','open','open','','data-domain-adds-cascaded-replication','','','2009-09-24 05:54:58','2009-09-24 10:54:58','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1399',0,'post','',0),(1405,8,'2009-09-24 14:01:09','2009-09-24 19:01:09','Ran into this issue working with SNMP services.  When installing SNMP Services on a Windows 2003 SP2 standard (not enterprise) server.  The SNMP installation stops three processes without any notification to the user  before completing.  The SQL Server Process, The SQL Server Agent Process and the Remote Access Connection Manager process.  This only happens in this instance of Windows.  After installation SNMP Services starts automatically but the other three services will remain stopped.  Nice \"feature\".','INSTALLING SNMP SERVICES STOPS SQL SERVER SERVICES','','publish','open','open','','installing-snmp-services-stops-sql-server-services','','','2009-09-24 14:01:09','2009-09-24 19:01:09','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1405',0,'post','',3),(1407,12,'2009-09-29 11:00:48','2009-09-29 16:00:48','Upgrading an ASA out of the box, I noticed the new version of the ASA code is available (and has been since June it seems). Some of the new features that caught my eye:\n\nBotnet Traffic Filter -  Malware that attempts network activity such as sending private data (passwords, credit card numbers, key strokes, or proprietary data) can be detected by the Botnet Traffic Filter when the malware starts a connection to a known bad IP address. The Botnet Traffic Filter checks incoming and outgoing connections against a dynamic database of known bad domain names and IP addresses, and then logs any suspicious activity. You can also supplement the dynamic database with a static database by entering IP addresses or domain names in a local &quot;blacklist&quot; or &quot;whitelist.&quot;\n\n<!--more-->\n\nSNMPv3 &amp; Encryption - This release provides DES, 3DES, or AES encryption and support for SNMP Version 3, the most secure form of the supported security models. This version allows you to configure authentication characteristics by using the User-based Security Model (USM).\n\nPretty good stuff-- and unlike ASA 8.1, which was only for the ASA 5580, the 8.2(x) code runs on any 5500 series ASA.','Cisco ASA 8.2(1)','','publish','open','open','','cisco-asa-821','','','2009-09-29 11:00:48','2009-09-29 16:00:48','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1407',0,'post','',0),(1410,12,'2009-09-30 12:20:11','2009-09-30 17:20:11','Microsoft has finished the beta of their &quot;Security Essentials&quot;, and have moved it to public release. For those who didn\'t follow the original story, this is the Microsoft free anti-malware software.\n\nIt really is free, and can be downloaded at <a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/</a> . It requires that you have a &quot;Genuine&quot; copy of Windows-- so those pirated copies of Windows are still gaping security holes.\n\nIt requires Windows XP SP2 or later, and is also compatible with Windows 7 (which rocks). I\'m installing it here shortly and will post up some feedback when finished!','Microsoft - FREE Security Essentials!','','publish','open','open','','microsoft-free-security-essentials','','','2009-09-30 12:20:11','2009-09-30 17:20:11','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1410',0,'post','',0),(1412,6,'2009-09-30 15:14:43','2009-09-30 20:14:43','Previous versions of ESXi in version 3 were released with the HP Management Agents embedded. For those utilizing HP Servers, this downloadable version was well received. If you have logged in recently to VMware\'s Download Site, you\'ll notice first off that VMware has changed the download site (old download site is still available).  But secondly you\'ll notice that ESXi with the embedded HP Management Agents have disappeared.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nFear not. They still live on, but you\'ll have to go to a different location to get them - The Manufacturer. HP\'s new landing page for the embedded ESXi 4.0 with the HP Management Agents can be found here: \n\n<a href=\"https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=HPVM06\">LINK</a>\n\nYou\'ll have to fill out a little information about yourself and then the download will commence. Having the embedded HP Management Agents is one less thing to worry about and should be considered the route to go if your installing this on an HP Server.\n\nYou have the option to download the following:\n* ESXi HD-USB-SD Image Installer CD\n* ESXi Getting Started Guide\n\n\nFor more information on the HP Integrated version of ESXi 4.0 from HP, please go here: <a href=\"http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/software/vmware-esx3i/index.html\">LINK</a>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n','ESXi 4.0 WITH EMBEDDED HP MANAGEMENT AGENTS','','publish','open','open','','esxi-40-with-embedded-hp-goodies','','','2009-09-30 15:14:43','2009-09-30 20:14:43','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1412',0,'post','',0),(1426,11,'2009-09-30 16:46:46','2009-09-30 21:46:46','eGroup is now offering a Critical Application Healthcheck for its customers, using VMware AppSpeed to non-intrusively monitor multi-tiered application performance in virtual and physical infrastructures. This healthcheck will help customers: discover and map application dependency across virtual and physical infrastructures, inspect and analyze traffic flow across virtual switches, and identify application latency and performance at the transaction level.<!--more-->\n\nDeliverables for this heathcheck include:\n\n• Topology of your existing application environment with network diagrams\n• Analysis and diagnosis of problem areas in application dependencies\n• Detailed recommendations for optimizing critical application performance\n• Recommendations for ongoing application monitoring\n\neGroup can also provide VMware Appspeed either as a service, or we can install and train customer staff on its permanent use in your infrastructure\nTo learn more contact eGroup at <a href=\"mailto:Sales@eGroup-us.com\">Sales@eGroup-us.com</a>.','eGROUP OFFERS CRITICAL APPLICATION HEALTHCHECK USING VMWARE APPSPEED','','publish','open','open','','egroup-offers-critical-application-healthcheck-using-vmware-appspeed','','','2009-09-30 16:46:46','2009-09-30 21:46:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1426',0,'post','',0),(1428,12,'2009-10-02 07:56:25','2009-10-02 12:56:25','The installation was straight forward and it auto-updated its definitions once the install wrapped up-- this took a few minutes longer than I thought it would, which may be a good thing. A lot of people have asked what the difference is between this and the Malicious Software Removal Tool Microsoft releases an update for every month, and my understanding is that the MRT is an &quot;after-infection&quot; tool that does what the name says-- it removes malicious software &quot;on demand&quot;.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThe Security Essentials actually runs and monitors the system  in real time, not on-demand, so it\'s actively protecting your system at all times (well, that\'s the goal at least ;). I would compare it to AVG-Free. Right now I\'m running it on the same machine I have Trend Micro OfficeScan installed-- and still no issues.\n\nSo if you\'re looking for free antivirus/anti-malware software, I would suggest starting with the Microsoft Security Essentials. If my experience with it changes at all, I\'ll be sure to post it up. Have you installed it / are you using it yet? If so, comment!','Microsoft Security Essentials CONTINUED','','publish','open','open','','microsoft-security-essentials-continued','','','2009-10-02 07:56:25','2009-10-02 12:56:25','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1428',0,'post','',0),(1431,44,'2009-10-02 08:02:32','2009-10-02 13:02:32','Vizioncore vRanger Pro 4.1 is now available with bug fixes and new enhancements.  Those of us who have been using version 4.0 since June have been waiting for this release to resolve some issues with version 4.0.  The release notes for version 4.1 list 37 issues that have been resolved.  For additional information see the version 4.1 release notes <a href=\"http://www.vizioncore.com/downloads/vRangerPro/vRanger_Pro_DPP-4_1.ReleaseNotes.pdf\">here</a>, or visit the vRanger Pro product page on Vizioncore\'s web site <a href=\"http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vRangerPro/\">here</a>.\n\nVizioncore has also released vReplicator version <span lang=\"EN\">2.5.4 which supports environments that have upgraded to vSphere 4.  Additional information is available on the vReplicator product page <a href=\"http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vReplicator/\">here</a>.</span></span></span></span></span>\n\nIf you are running an older version VMware Infrastructure you should consider upgrading to vSphere 4. There is no license cost to upgrade if your VMware support is current, and the upgrade process is fairly straightforward when done by experienced professionals like those at eGroup. Contact us today if you\'d like to discuss upgrading your environment.','VRANGER PRO 4.1 IS NOW AVAILABLE!','','publish','open','open','','vranger-pro-41-is-now-available','','','2009-10-02 08:02:32','2009-10-02 13:02:32','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1431',0,'post','',0),(1444,2,'2009-10-05 13:17:47','2009-10-05 18:17:47','Charleston, S.C.-October 5, 2009-eGroup, Inc. was named as one of the South Carolina\'s Fastest-Growing Companies program\'s 2009 Top 25 winners. The South Carolina Chamber is co-sponsoring the 2009 Fastest-Growing program with The Capital Corporation, a middle market investment banking firm located in Greenville, SC. The program recognizes an exceptional and diverse assembly of businesses from across the state. The ranking system tabulates results based on a combination of increases in gross revenue (or assets) and increases in full-time employment in South Carolina in the two most recently completed fiscal years.<!--more--> \n\n\"The Capital Corporation is delighted to have the opportunity to continue to bring the South Carolina Fastest-Growing Companies competition to the businesses of our great state,\" said Dan Adams, president and CEO of The Capital Corporation. \"We look forward to continuing to recognize the achievements of top-performing private and publicly-owned companies that have contributed to South Carolina\'s economy.\"\n\n\"eGroup is honored to receive this prestigious acknowledgement,\" said Mike Carter, Principal of eGroup. \"This award recognizes our company\'s strategic approach to sound growth, and it is important to the growth of our state that we continue to have companies that persevere in a tough economy. I\'m proud to be a part of a program that celebrates such an outstanding group of entrepreneurs and business owners who continue to rise to the top.\"\n\n\"We would also like to acknowledge The Charleston Digital Corridor for the exposure they have afforded eGroup, and for their efforts to nurture &amp; promote Charleston\'s knowledge economy to help technology companies like ours thrive,\"  added Carter. \n\nThe executives of the Top 25 ranking companies will be guests at the Chamber\'s prestigious Annual Summit in November, where they will network with representatives from other top-performing companies and key business leaders. During the Annual Summit, the Top 25 ranking companies will be honored at the South Carolina Fastest Growing awards luncheon held at Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, on November 12th. The ranking of the Top 25 winners will also be announced, and the top executives of the winning companies will be recognized and awarded.\n\n<strong>About eGroup</strong>\n\neGroup provide technology solutions for Serious Competitors. Specifically, eGroup specializes in IT infrastructure design, Enterprise storage and backup strategies including Disaster Preparedness, data centralization and secure access solutions, virtualization, network security, and secure LAN/WAN/Wireless architectures. eGroup\'s solutions combine robust high- availability and performance with secure information access. These solutions enable customers to efficiently execute revenue-driving roles, and achieve the goal of cutting the organization\'s acquisition and on-going support costs. eGroup understands that investment-oriented professionals must focus on making sound business decisions that provide significant returns. eGroup provides the thought leadership and expertise for customers to ensure that their technology investments continue to strengthen their competitive advantage in the marketplace. After all, a company\'s success hinges on making critical business decisions that must be supported by its IT systems. By architecting high performance networking and computing platforms, and delivering the industry-proven systems engineering and application development expertise, eGroup helps companies make confident decisions. To learn more, visit <a href=\"http://www.eGroup-us.com\">www.eGroup-us.com</a>.\n\nVisit eGroup\'s blog at <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com\">blogs.egroup-us.com</a>.','eGROUP NAMED AS ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA\'S FASTEST-GROWING COMPANIES','','publish','open','open','','egroup-named-as-one-of-south-carolinas-fastest-growing-companies','','','2009-10-05 13:17:47','2009-10-05 18:17:47','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1444',0,'post','',0),(1449,8,'2009-10-05 14:42:38','2009-10-05 19:42:38','EMC\'S FULLY AUTOMATED STORAGE TIERING (FAST)\nTaking ILM to the \"Next Level\"\n\nAt VMworld Europe held in Cannes, France, EMC made a number of key announcements. Two of these were most significant in my mind. First, 50% of all customers using VMware are doing so on an EMC Unified Storage Platform. The second was the scheduled release of FAST across DMX, Clariion, and Celerra by the end of Q2 2010. Over the next couple of blogs I will be answering: Why are so many VMware Customers working with EMC? Where does Cisco UCS fit into the cloud puzzle? What will \"Cloud Computing Technology\" mean to your business continuity plans? And ultimately what the business value is for building \"Your Private Cloud\". All critical issues faced today by business competing in a global economy. For the purposes of this discussion I will be addressing the net effect of EMC\'s FAST technology will have on your ILM strategy and your company\'s ability to react quickly to customer demands.\n<!--more-->\nWhat is FAST?\n\nPut simply, EMC\'s FAST technology is designed to automate the allocation and relocation of data across two or more storage tiers based upon the performance requirements of the applications. By intelligently migrating workloads to the most suitable disk, based on real-time resource requirements, FAST ensures optimal performance and optimal storage design simultaneously.\n\nMany of us in IT are familiar with the term ILM or Information Lifecycle Management. ILM is defined on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Lifecycle_Management as: ILM is the practice of applying certain policies to the effective management of information throughout its useful life. In real world terms: ILM is the general understanding that as our company\'s data ages, it becomes less relevant to running our business. I.E. it is a depreciating asset.\n\nTraditionally in a networked storage environment we addressed this by \"tiering\" our drive shelves. We would migrate the flow of data from more expensive Flash (if you are using these) and/or Fibre Channel Drives (smaller, high speed 15K RPM) to an additional DAE\'s of less expensive Sata Drives (larger, slower moving). On EMC\'s platforms: DMX is done with Optimizer and in the Clariion/Celerra world it is done with LUN migration built into the FLARE and DART operating systems based on the aged policy we set.\n\nAnother aspect of ILM is the concept of Virtual Provisioning. Defined by Chucks blog: http://chucksblog.emc.com/chucks_blog/2009/09/stacking-storage-technologies-to-tame-the-information-beast.html Virtual Provisioning is also known as thin provisioning, the idea is deceptively simple: allocate big virtual chunks of storage to applications and users initially, but only allocate physical storage when it\'s actually needed. Best describe in real world terms by thinking of your local bank. If every customer came in on the same day and emptied out their respective accounts. The bank would not have enough money on hand to give everyone. Just like in the storage world not every application and user is going to demand this all at once. The net result of both Tiering and Virtual Provisioning is delivering aged value data to applications and users in the most economical means possible. Makes sense, right?\n\nLet\'s look at a business example that is common place in today\'s fast paced world. You\'re an IT Manager working at a large law firm and your biggest client calls one of the Partners to tell him that an acquisition the firm worked on last year is now \"red hot\" and they want get this deal constructed and closed in the next couple of business days. This sets off a fire drill at the firm. It is \"all hands on deck\" to get back up to speed and develop a deal to meet your clients tight timeframe. In order to do this your firm must gather all relevant matter and bring the files up to date and work as a team to develop the new deliverable. To make matters worse, it is Friday afternoon and you have plans to head out of town with your family.\n\nYou have done a great job of leveraging ILM to save the firm money from a flexibility and cost of storage perspective. The data has been Virtual Provisioned and resides on Sata Drives as it is historical with little current value (Remember, it is over a year old and had been written off as a dead deal). In a matter of seconds that application and data is now the most important information in the firm. It is being hit hard by Partners, Junior Attorneys, Paralegals, ect. It is literally what is running the business. But the SATA drives are just not designed to handle the I/O to meet these high performance needs. Traditionally, before Virtualization and Virtual Provisioning you knew exactly where these applications and data sat (down to the spindles) according to Gestalt IT http://gestaltit.com/featured/top/gestalt/emc-unified-platform-storage-tiering/ In today\'s virtual world this is a much more complex issue. Bottom line, call the wife. You\'re not going anywhere this weekend; and if the Partners hear all the end user complaints steaming from the lack of performance you could be in hot water as well.\n\nHere is where the beauty and business value of FAST comes into play. Starting in Q4 2009 and with phased releases in 2010 EMC will bring FAST technology to the DMX, Clariion, and Celerra product lines. What this would mean in the example above is the application and customer matter (data) needed by the firm would be automatically moved and temporally stored on Flash Drives (Fibre Channel if you don\'t have Flash as of yet). Sometime after Tuesday when the deal is complete and this information again has very little value it will be automatically moved back to the DAE of Sata for you. The real world business impact is huge! The company\'s data is demand driven based upon its needs and not only its age. The Tiered and Virtually Provisioned storage solution is cost effective and now dynamically reactive to the business. The best part you ask? Your job is secure and you get to go on your family trip confident that your end users will have optimized performance.\n\nReference Material:\n\nhttp://gestaltit.com/featured/top/gestalt/emc-unified-platform-storage-tiering/\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofKBDvo8214\nhttp://chucksblog.emc.com/chucks_blog/2009/09/stacking-storage-technologies-to-tame-the-information-beast.html\n\nhttp://storage-news.com/2009/08/17/emcs-fully-automated-storage-tiering-coming-soon/\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDPPX9twAZw&amp;feature=related Chad Sakac','FULLY AUTOMATED STORAGE TIERING','','publish','open','open','','fully-automated-storage-tiering','','','2009-10-05 14:42:38','2009-10-05 19:42:38','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1449',0,'post','',0),(1452,12,'2009-10-06 05:31:55','2009-10-06 10:31:55','VMware announced yesterday the release of SRM 4.0-- fully compatible with vSphere 4. With hardware compatibility aside, there is now no reason to NOT upgrade your ESX/ESXi servers to vSphere 4 (assuming you have an Active SnS contract).\n\nHere are the new features in SRM 4.0\n\n<!--more-->\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Full compatibility with vCenter 4.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>Full support for NFS-based arrays.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>Support for shared recovery sites.</strong>\nEnables many-to-one pairings of protected sites with a recovery site. For more information, see the technical note <em>Installing, Configuring, and Using Shared Recovery Site Support</em> , which is available at <a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/srm_pubs.html\">http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/srm_pubs.html</a> .</li>\n	<li><strong>Resilience in the face of vCenter unavailability during a test recovery.</strong>\nPlaceholder virtual machines can be quickly repaired after the protected site vCenter becomes available again.</li>\n	<li><strong>New repair-mode installation features.</strong>\nYou can run the SRM installer in repair mode if you need to change configuration parameters such as vCenter credentials, database connection information or credentials, and certificate details.</li>\n	<li><strong>Graphical interface to advanced settings.</strong>\nEliminates most requirements to edit the XML configuration file</li>\n	<li><strong>Support for DB2 as an SRM database server.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>New licensing options.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>Improved scalability.</strong>\nA single protection group can now include up to 1000 virtual machines.</li>\n	<li><strong>Full Compatibility With DPM (Distributed Power Management)</strong>\nSRM recovery plans can now power-on or power-off a host that is in standby mode.</li>\n	<li><strong>New Option to dr-ip-customizer Utility</strong>\nThe dr-ip-customizer utility now logs less verbose diagnostic output by default. To force dr-ip-customizer to log the same level of diagnostic output that it produced in earlier releases, use the -verbose option.</li>\n	<li><!--  407799 (4.0) --> <strong>Change in Certificate Validation</strong>\nWhen you select certificate authentication, the SRM installation validates the certificate you supply before continuing. Certificates signed with an MD5 key are no longer allowed.</li>\n	<li><strong>Support for Protecting Fault-Tolerant Virtual Machines.</strong>\nSRM can now protect virtual machines that have been configured for fault-tolerant operation. When recovered, these virtual machines lose their fault tolerance, and must be manually reconfigured after recovery to restore fault tolerance.</li>\n	<li><strong>Improved context-sensitive Help.</strong></li>\n</ul>\nNew installations of SRM 4.0 are NOT compatible with older installations, though an upgrade is supported. It requires vCenter 4, however.','VMware - Site Recovery Manager (SRM) 4.0 AT LONG LAST','','publish','open','open','','vmware-site-recovery-manager-srm-40-at-long-last','','','2009-10-06 05:31:55','2009-10-06 10:31:55','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1452',0,'post','',0),(1455,8,'2009-10-06 22:38:08','2009-10-07 03:38:08','Package configurations in SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) gives you a powerful tool to manage configuration data (server names, ip addresses, file shares, resource locations) and make them portable from environment to environment with small amounts of changes. Although there are several package configuration options in the SQL Server 2005/2008 arsenal, one of the best is creating a configurations database. This gives you the ability to...\n<ul>\n	<li>Include configuration data in your normal SQL backup routine by backing up the configuration database.</li>\n	<li>More familiar for DBAs and Programmers.  Use TSQL statements to update large amounts of configuration data quickly.</li>\n	<li>Manage multiple configuration scenarios across production, test and development environments by having local configuration databases on each allowing you to seamlessly move packages from environment to environment.</li>\n</ul>\nNow that the benefits have been laid out and the overall benefits of having completely mobile platform to de<!--more-->velop and deploy SSIS packages on are apparent.  We can take a look at what we will need to do to set up packages to utilize this layout.  Configuration of a package can be completed in three steps.\n<ol>\n	<li>Create a Environment Variable on the datbase server to reference the location of the SSIS Configuration database.</li>\n	<li>Create the SSIS Configuration Database.</li>\n	<li>Build/Modify packages to utilize this new configuration data.</li>\n</ol>\n<strong>Step 1:  Creating a Environment Variable on the database server to reference the location of the SSIS Configuration database.</strong>\n\nTo achieve this we must have planned out what we will call the configuration database in step 2.  For this example we will use \"SSISConfig\" as the database to house our configuration data.  In order to create the environment variable we will use the built in Windows Control Panel System Manager.  Go to Control Panel -&gt; System -&gt; Advanced -&gt; Environment Variables.  Select Create New.  In the name field use SSIS_CONFIG and in the value use\n\n\"Data Source=localhost;Initial Catalog=SSISConfig;Provider=SQLNCLI.1;Integrated Security=SSPI;Auto Translate=False;\"\n\nsave the environment variable then exit out of control panel.  This has set up a Environment Variable we can use to point to the location of our config database within our SSIS packages.\n\n<strong>Step 2:  Create the SSIS Configuration Database.</strong>\n\nUsing SQL Management Studio.  Create an new database.  For this example we called it SSISConfig.  Also, if no other databases with test data exist on the server, create a test database (no data necessary) to connect to.  For this example we will call it SSISTestData.\n\n<strong>Step 3:  Build/Modify packages to utilize this new configuration data.</strong>\n\nNow comes the fun part.\n<ol>\n	<li>Open up BIDS (Business Intelligence Design Studio) and create a new project (SSISTest)</li>\n	<li>Add a connection manager to the default package for the SSISConfig database.  Do this by right clicking in the Control View and selecting New Connection, Add, and specifying the SSISConfig database.</li>\n	<li>Repeat Step 2 for the SSISTestData database connection.</li>\n	<li>Go over to the Package Explorer tab and make sure they appear under Connection Managers.  If not you most likely did not select them after creating them in steps 2 and 3.  Go back and make sure they are highlighted in the list and select \"Add\".</li>\n	<li>Back in Control Flow Panel.  Right Click and select Package Configuration</li>\n	<li>Check off \"Enable Congfiguration\"</li>\n	<li>Add a new \"Environment Variable\" package configuration and specify the SSIS_CONFIG Environment Variable.</li>\n	<li>On the next screen target the connection string of SSISConfig Connection as the target of the package configuration.</li>\n	<li>Save that configuration and Add a new \"SQL configuration\".</li>\n	<li>Specify the SSISConfig as the connection.</li>\n	<li>Select New next to the configuration table and use the default options (or make changes as necessary if you like)</li>\n	<li>Select the configuration filter to be the SSISTestData connection</li>\n</ol>\nYou now have a database configured connection string where the connections database is specified in an environment variable on the machine.  This makes the package configurations and the configuration database portable and easy to manage from any server location.\n\nGood luck.  Leave comments with any questions.','PACKAGE CONFIGURATIONS: SQL SERVER INTEGRATION SERVICES (SSIS) HOW TO','','publish','open','open','','package-configurations-sql-server-integration-services-ssis-how-to','','','2009-10-06 22:38:08','2009-10-07 03:38:08','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1455',0,'post','',1),(1459,6,'2009-10-07 11:08:48','2009-10-07 16:08:48','If you run into issues with HP Printers having difficulty printing multiple copies of a document, then please check the following to see if this helps you out:\n\n<!--more-->\n\nFor me, I ran into an issue with an HP Color LaserJet 5550 printer and the error page, which printed out once it had successfully completed printing the first set of a 3 page document, then produced this HP job storage status page:\n\n<strong>Error: Unable to store job at printer\nReason: Insufficient disk space for this job\n\nSolution: Delete some files from the disk before resending this job.\n</strong>\n\nFor me this solution worked:\n(1) Go into the properties of the printer and select the Device Settings Tab\n(2) Set Printer Hard Disk to \"Not Installed\"\n(3) Set Job Storage to \"Disabled\"\n(4) Set Mopier Mode to \"Disabled\"\n\nFor me, the steps listed above did the trick.\n\n','HP COLOR LASERJET ERROR: UNABLE TO STORE JOB AT PRINTER','','publish','open','open','','hp-color-laserjet-error-unable-to-store-job-at-printer','','','2009-10-07 11:08:48','2009-10-07 16:08:48','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1459',0,'post','',8),(1469,44,'2009-10-07 14:22:49','2009-10-07 19:22:49','I love finding free tools that make my life easier.  I just upgraded the firmware on two HP Procurve 2510G switches and I needed a TFTP server to upload the images. You sure can\'t beat the free Solarwinds TFTP server. It\'s easy to set up and use, and highly configurable.  Did I mention that it\'s FREE?\n\nCheck it out <a href=\"http://www.solarwinds.com/products/freetools/\">here</a>.','SOLARWINDS FREE TFTP SERVER ROCKS!','','publish','open','open','','solarwinds-free-tftp-server-rocks','','','2009-10-07 14:22:49','2009-10-07 19:22:49','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1469',0,'post','',0),(1487,44,'2009-10-08 07:06:23','2009-10-08 12:06:23','From todays\'s Charlotte Observer -\n\n\"The decision to close the plant was part of Dell\'s ongoing effort to streamline its operations and a byproduct of the fact that fewer people are buying desktop computers, spokesman David Frink said. In the past two years, Dell has closed another plant in the company\'s hometown of Round Rock, Texas, as well as a remanufacturing facility in Tennessee.\"\n\nAfter investing about $140 million to $150 million in the 750,000-square-foot facility, Dell is ready to walk away. The plant near Winston-Salem is the company\'s only plant in North Carolina.\n\nRead the complete article <a href=\"http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/990134.html\">here</a>.','DELL TO CLOSE N.C. PLANT IT OPENED JUST FOUR YEARS AGO','','publish','open','open','','dell-to-close-nc-plant-it-opened-just-four-years-ago','','','2009-10-08 07:06:23','2009-10-08 12:06:23','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1473',0,'post','',0),(1488,44,'2009-10-08 09:58:50','2009-10-08 14:58:50','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">I came across an interesting situation recently. After upgrading three VMware ESX 3.5 hosts to vSphere 4, I noticed that the hosts were not accessible on the network for 3 or 4 minutes after the reboot completed and console page appeared. This was troubling – I always sweat things out waiting for a server to come back on line following a major upgrade – but not that big of a deal since everything was working fine after a few minutes.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  There were </span>no performance issues with the hosts or connectivity to the iSCSI SAN.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Later I noticed the same thing was happening every time a VM was moved to another host with VMotion – it was not accessible on the network for 3 or 4 minutes following the move.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ouch!</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The ESX hosts were connected to two HP ProCurve 2510G 48-port switches.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  After</span> validating the switch settings and searching the Internet for a solution unsuccessfully, I opened a case with HP ProCurve Support.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The resolution was to upgrade the switches to a newer firmware release.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Even though the switches were purchased a year apart, one within the last few weeks and one 12 months ago, they contained the same firmware release, Y.11.01, which was the initial release for the switch.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  After</span> upgrading the firmware to the current release, Y.11.12, the problem went away. The release notes for the new version mention this fix that was implimented in release Y.11.08:</span></p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">■ If a client moves from one port or switch to another, the MAC address is not relearned on the new port until the MAC address timer expires on the original port.</p>\n\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The interesting part for me is that the issue did not occur until after upgrading to vSphere 4.  ESX 3.5 had been running just fine on one of these switches for more than a year.</span>','VMOTION ISSUES WITH VSPHERE 4 AND OLDER HP PROCURVE FIRMWARE','','publish','open','open','','vmotion-issues-with-older-hp-procurve-firmware','','','2009-10-08 09:58:50','2009-10-08 14:58:50','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1477',0,'post','',2),(1373,44,'2009-10-08 10:28:15','2009-10-08 15:28:15','I am completely impressed with Windows 7.  I installed the beta version on my home computer a few weeks ago following  hard drive problems that corrupted the Windows XP OS I had been running.  I added a second hard drive to my computer and installed Windows 7 in a 100 GB partition.  When I decided to load all of my apps and switch to ruinning Windows 7 full-time a few days later, I wanted the C: drive to be larger.\n\nTo make the change all I had to do was:\n<ol>\n	<li>Click the Start button</li>\n	<li>Right-click \"Computer\" and select \"Manage\"</li>\n	<li>Select \"Disk Management\"</li>\n	<li>Right-click the C: drive and select \"Extend Volume...\"</li>\n	<li>Tell the Extend Volume Wizard how much space to add</li>\n	<li>Click &lt;Finish&gt;</li>\n</ol>\nThe actual change took about one second and didn\'t even require a reboot - wow!\n\nThe key requirement for this to work is that only unallocated disk space that is on the same physical disk and contigious with the existing volume can be used to extend the volume.','EXTENDING THE BOOT DRIVE IN WINDOWS 7','','publish','open','open','','expanding-the-boot-drive-in-windows-7','','','2009-10-08 10:28:15','2009-10-08 15:28:15','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1373',0,'post','',0),(1490,44,'2009-10-08 11:34:02','2009-10-08 16:34:02','Walter S. Mossberg has a great article in today\'s Wall Street Journal that discusses the new features in Windows 7, and how with the release of Windows 7 Microsoft is putting all the bad vibes from Vista behind them.\n\nYou can read the article on the WSJ web site <a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703298004574459293141191728.html\">here</a>.','WINDOWS 7 WILL HELP YOU FORGET VISTA','','publish','open','open','','windows-7-will-help-you-forget-vista','','','2009-10-08 11:34:02','2009-10-08 16:34:02','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1490',0,'post','',0),(1497,12,'2009-10-08 14:49:49','2009-10-08 19:49:49','Identifying Fault Tolerance use cases is a part of the VCP 4 exam blueprint-- and digging through some of the VMware docs, this is what VMware considers use cases:\n<ul>\n	<li>Applications that require 100% uptime, especially those with longer-term connections that must be maintained during/after a failover event</li>\n	<li>Customer applications that have no other way of clustering</li>\n	<li>Cases where high availability may be offered through customer, highly complicated clustering technologies that are difficult to implement/maintain</li>\n</ul>\nThey also mentioned &quot;On-Demand Fault Tolerance&quot;, which is essentially turning on FT when you feel it is most necessary. The example they give is if your company is running it\'s end-of-quarter reports, and they have a strict deadline of being finished, you can protect the VM by enabling FT and then simply disabling it once completed.','VMware - FAULT TOLERANCE USE CASES','','publish','open','open','','vmware-fault-tolerance-use-cases','','','2009-10-08 14:49:49','2009-10-08 19:49:49','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1497',0,'post','',0),(1500,8,'2009-10-08 15:31:16','2009-10-08 20:31:16','When you just created your SharePoint Shared Services Provider (SSP) and are trying to navigate to the admin page through Central Administration you can get prompted for credentials...  The problem is, even using the Farm adminstrator credentials do not work and it results in a HTTP 401.1 unauthorized error.  Not to worry,  the fix is easy.  The issue is a default security setting in Windows 2003.  Open up your registry editor (regedit.exe) and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlLsa.  Add a new DWORD value called \"DisableLoopbackCheck\" and set the value to 1.  Close out of the registry editor and restart IIS.  Go back to your SSP admin site and you should be able to login now.','MOSS 2007:  GETTING PROMPTED FOR CREDENTIALS WHEN ACCESSING SHAREPOINT SHARED SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (HTTP 401.1)','','publish','open','open','','moss-2007-getting-prompted-for-credentials-when-accessing-sharepoint-shared-services-administration','','','2009-10-08 15:31:16','2009-10-08 20:31:16','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1500',0,'post','',0),(1503,44,'2009-10-10 13:54:46','2009-10-10 18:54:46','Check out this <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&amp;v=APVP0DUu34c\">video</a> of engineers at VMware who added a multi-monitor graphics card to a Wyse thin client and used it to drive four monitors inside of a VMware View virtual machine.  The video stream is arriving over the network using software-based <a href=\"http://www.teradici.com/pcoip/pcoip-technology.php\">PC-over-IP</a> (no Teradici chip required).\n\nHat tip to Chad Sakac for blogging about this <a href=\"http://virtualgeek.typepad.com/virtual_geek/2009/10/coolest-thing-ive-seen-all-week.html\">here</a>.','VMWARE VIEW DRIVING FOUR MONITORS ON A WYSE THIN CLIENT? YOU BET!','','publish','open','open','','vmware-view-driving-four-monitors-on-a-thin-client-you-bet','','','2009-10-10 13:54:46','2009-10-10 18:54:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1503',0,'post','',0),(1510,12,'2009-10-12 12:15:57','2009-10-12 17:15:57','VMware\'s official documentation states that when you have in excess of 200 ESX/ESXi hosts to manage with your vCenter server, you should go 64-bit. However, they also mention that in the smaller deployments, where 32-bit would be just fine, 64-bit is still recommended.\n\n&quot;When you have up to 200 hosts, you can use a 32-bit Windows operating system, but a 64-bit Windows operating system is preferred.&quot;\n\n<!--more-->\n\n50 hosts and 250 powered on VMs has a hardware requirement of 4GB of RAM, 2 CPUs, and 3GB of disk space.\n\n200 hosts and 2000 powered on VMs requires 4GB of RAM, 4 CPUs, and 3GB of disk space.\n\n300 hosts and 3000 powered on VMs requires 8GB of RAM, 4 CPUs, and 3GB of disk space.\n\nThese requirements are on the VCP 4 exam blueprint-- so study them!','VMware vCenter 4.0 - 64-BIT & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS ','','publish','open','open','','vmware-vcenter-40-64-bit-hardware-requirements','','','2009-10-12 12:15:57','2009-10-12 17:15:57','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1510',0,'post','',2),(1512,5,'2009-10-12 18:04:13','2009-10-12 23:04:13','<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">New virtualization-aware Navisphere Manager, a feature available to all CLARiiON CX4 customers with FLARE 29, enables Storage and VMware Administrators to reduce infrastructure reporting time from hours to minutes </span></p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">With virtualization-aware Navisphere Manager, CLARiiON CX4 is now the industry’s only storage platform to provide: </span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">Automated discovery and simple reporting on VMs</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">End-to-end mapping between physical and virtual servers, I/O paths, and LUNs on CLARiiON CX4 storage</span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">Real-time dynamic view of VMware environments through integration with VMware vCenter Server </span></p>\n<p class=\"BulletRoundIndent\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">Simple search capability enabling Administrators to quickly identify VMs and their associated server and storage resources</span></p>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"margin: 6pt 0in 3pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">The combination of this powerful new CLARiiON capability and the recently introduced EMC Storage Viewer plug-in for VMware vCenter provides CLARiiON users and VMware Administrators with a common view of their virtual infrastructures. The visibility that they now have into the environment enables them to quickly identify and address issues and conduct capacity planning very efficiently.</span></p>','VIRTUALIZATION AWARE NAVISPHERE MANAGER','','publish','open','open','','virtualization-aware-navisphere-manager','','','2009-10-12 18:04:13','2009-10-12 23:04:13','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1512',0,'post','',0),(1516,5,'2009-10-12 18:20:24','2009-10-12 23:20:24','MirrorView over iSCSI is supported between FC/iSCSI systems.  FC/iSCSI storage systems include all CX4 series systems and the CX3-10 through CX3-40.  The storage systems must also be running a minimum of release 26 FLARE code.  It is possible to have iSCSI connections between FC/iSCSI systems and CX300i and CX500i storage systems, but those connections are only valid for SAN copy use.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nThe connection type (Fibre Channel or iSCSI) is determined for each storage system pair.  A system can mirror over iSCSI to one or more storage systems while mirroring over Fibre Channel to other storage systems.  Any combination of iSCSI and Fibre Channel MirrorView connections is possible within the 4:1 storage system fan out ratio.\n\nThe MirrorView Wizard supports both Fibre Channel and iSCSI connections.  If Fibre Channel and iSCSI connectivity are both present, you can simply choose which connection type to use in the wizard.  If connectivity exists over the preferred link, the wizard performs all setup and configuration steps.','MIRRORVIEW OVER iSCSI','','publish','open','open','','mirrorview-over-iscsi','','','2009-10-12 18:20:24','2009-10-12 23:20:24','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1516',0,'post','',0),(1521,5,'2009-10-12 18:25:44','2009-10-12 23:25:44','<div><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Note</strong>: The host must be in <strong>maintenance mode</strong> before applying it to a profile.</span></div>\n<div> </div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">To apply a host or cluster to a profile:</span></div>\n<ol>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">In the <strong>Host Profiles</strong> main view, choose the profile to which you want to associate the host or cluster.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">Click the <strong>Host</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Clusters</strong> tab. The list of attached hosts and clusters are shown under <strong>Entity Name</strong>.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">Right-click on the entity and click <strong>Apply</strong> or click <strong>Apply Profile</strong>.The\n\n</span> <span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Compliance Status</strong> is updated.</span></li>\n</ol>','HOW TO APPLY A VMware HOST PROFILE','','publish','open','open','','how-to-apply-a-host-profile','','','2009-10-12 18:25:44','2009-10-12 23:25:44','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1521',0,'post','',0),(1524,5,'2009-10-12 18:34:08','2009-10-12 23:34:08','<div><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">ESX hosts might become incompatible with ESXi hosts for VMware Fault Tolerance (FT) purposes after they are patched, even though they are patched to the same level</span><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">. </span></span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">This issue is a result of the ESX and ESXi patching process. It will be resolved in a future release so that compatible ESX and ESXi versions are able to interoperate with VMware FT Primary and Secondary virtual machines, even though patch numbers do not match exactly.</span></span></span></div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\n<div class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">In particular, ESX 4.0 and ESXi 4.0 hosts with patches ESX400-200906401-BG (ESX) and ESXi400-200906401-BG (ESXi) become incompatible and can no longer run a Primary and Secondary virtual machine of the same FT pair. </span></div>\n</span></span></span></div>\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">When creating a cluster that will have fault tolerant virtual machines, the cluster should consist of all ESX hosts or all ESXi hosts and not a mix of ESX and ESXi hosts. </span>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">If you have a mixed cluster, the ESX and ESXi hosts might become incompatible for VMware Fault Tolerance purposes, even if they are patched to the same level. There will be less flexibility in running fault tolerant virtual machine pairs in the cluster, and it may also mean that a compatible host for starting a new Secondary virtual machine cannot be found if a host in the cluster fails.</span></div>','DO NOT USE BOTH ESX & ESXi HOSTS IN CLUSTERS WITH FAULT TOLERANT VMs','','publish','open','open','','do-not-use-both-esx-esxi-hosts-in-clusters-with-fault-tolerant-vms','','','2009-10-12 18:34:08','2009-10-12 23:34:08','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1524',0,'post','',0),(1532,5,'2009-10-12 18:47:31','2009-10-12 23:47:31','To upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(1a) from SAN-OS Release 3.2(3a) or earlier, first upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(x) and then upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(1a).\n\n<hr class=\"Cautn1table\" /><a name=\"wp693898\"></a>\n<p class=\"pB1_Body1\">Use the following guidelines when upgrading to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 4.2(1a):</p>\n\n<a name=\"wp140319\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu1_Bullet1\">•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Install and configure dual supervisor modules.</p>\n\n<a name=\"wp140414\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu1_Bullet1\">•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Issue the <strong>show install all impact</strong> <em>upgrade-image</em> CLI command to determine if your upgrade will be nondisruptive.</p>\n\n<a name=\"wp614779\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu1_Bullet1\">•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Be aware that you need to enable Telnet following the upgrade.</p>\n\n<a name=\"wp217468\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu1_Bullet1\">•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Follow the recommended guidelines for upgrading a Cisco MDS 9124 or MDS 9134 Switch.<a name=\"wp217472\"></a></p>\n\n•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Follow the guidelines for upgrading a single supervisor switch.\n\n<a name=\"wp614834\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu1_Bullet1\">•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Make note of the information concerning SANTap when performing upgrades on a Cisco MDS 9222i switch.</p>\n\n<a name=\"wp614838\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu1_Bullet1\">•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Be aware of the impact of an upgrade on VSAN 4079 if you are upgrading from SAN-OS Release 3.x to NX-OS 4.2(1a).<a name=\"wp217473\"></a></p>\n\n•<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\" />Be aware that some features impact whether an upgrade is disruptive or nondisruptive:\n\n<a name=\"wp410132\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu2_Bullet2\">–<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"17\" height=\"2\" /><strong>Fibre Channel Ports</strong>:<strong> </strong>Traffic on Fibre Channel ports<strong> </strong>can be nondisruptively upgraded.<a name=\"wp410136\"></a></p>\n\n–<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"17\" height=\"2\" /><strong>SSM</strong>: Intelligent services traffic on the SSM, such as SANTap, NASB, and FC write acceleration, is disrupted during an upgrade. SSM Fibre Channel traffic is not.\n\n<a name=\"wp288268\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu2_Bullet2\">–<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"17\" height=\"2\" /><strong>Gigabit Ethernet Ports</strong>:<strong> </strong>Traffic on Gigabit Ethernet ports is<strong> </strong>disrupted during an upgrade or downgrade. This includes IPS modules and the Gigabit Ethernet ports on the MPS-14/2 module, the MSM-18/4 module, and the MDS 9222i switch. Those nodes that are members of VSANs traversing an FCIP ISL are impacted, and a fabric reconfiguration occurs. iSCSI initiators connected to the Gigabit Ethernet ports lose connectivity to iSCSI targets while the upgrade is in progress.</p>\n\n<a name=\"wp288269\"></a>\n<p class=\"pBu2_Bullet2\">–<img src=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/i/templates/blank.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"17\" height=\"2\" /><strong>Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR)</strong>: With IVR enabled, you must follow additional steps if you are upgrading from Cisco SAN-OS Release 2.1.(1a), 2.1(1b), or 2.1.(2a).</p>','UPGRADE CISCO MDS SERIES SWITCHES TO THE NX-OS','','publish','open','open','','upgrade-cisco-mds-series-switches-to-the-nx-os','','','2009-10-12 18:47:31','2009-10-12 23:47:31','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1532',0,'post','',0),(1537,5,'2009-10-12 18:51:16','2009-10-12 23:51:16','The Cisco Unified Computing System is a next-generation data center platform that unites compute, network, storage access, and virtualization into a cohesive system designed to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and increase business agility. The system integrates a low-latency, lossless 10 Gigabit Ethernet unified network fabric with enterprise-class, x86-architecture servers. The system is an integrated, scalable, multichassis platform in which all resources participate in a unified management domain.','CISCO UNIFIED COMPUTING SYSTEM','','publish','open','open','','cisco-unified-computing-system','','','2009-10-12 18:51:16','2009-10-12 23:51:16','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1537',0,'post','',0),(1542,5,'2009-10-12 21:25:35','2009-10-13 02:25:35','Exchange 2010 delivers new, integrated e-mail archiving functionality–including granular multi-mailbox search, item-level retention policies and instant legal hold–making it easier to address compliance and discovery issues. Administrators get centralized control of all archives while users get direct access to their archived mail, including a familiar archive experience that does not disrupt the way they manage their inboxes every day.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nWith these new features you can:\n<ul>\n	<li> Easily move unwieldy Outlook Data Files (PSTs) from the PC back to Exchange for more efficient control and legal discovery</li>\n	<li> Simplify the classification of e-mail with new centrally definable Retention Policies that can be applied to individual e-mail messages or folders</li>\n	<li> Conduct cross-mailbox searches through an easy-to-use Web-based interface, or through Roles-based access control, empowering your HR or compliance officers to execute targeted searches</li>\n</ul>\nLearn More about Archiving and Retention\n\nExchange 2010 also expands Information Protection and Control support, making it easier to encrypt, moderate and block sensitive or inappropriate e-mail based on specific sender, receiver and content attributes. Key functionality enables you to:\n<ul>\n	<li> Combine Exchange 2010 and Active Directory Rights Management Services (ADRMS) so that you and your users can apply Information Rights Management protection automatically to restrict access and use of information within a message–wherever it is sent.</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li> Enable partners and customers to read and reply to IRM-protected mail–even if they do not have Active Directory Rights Management Services (ADRMS) on premise</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li> Enable managers to review mail and either approve or block transmission</li>\n</ul>','EXCHANGE 2010 BUILT-IN ARCHIVING','','publish','open','open','','exchange-2010-built-in-archiving','','','2009-10-12 21:25:35','2009-10-13 02:25:35','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1542',0,'post','',0),(1546,12,'2009-10-13 09:31:51','2009-10-13 14:31:51','The VMware Networking team mentioned this as a VMware development in the works--\n\n<strong><em>Wireshark Plug-ins</em> </strong> . <a href=\"http://www.wireshark.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wireshark</a> is a great tool for frame-by-frame dissection of your network traffic. You can just install Wireshark in a Windows or Linux guest VM on a promiscuous vswitch port and away you go (select appropriate VLAN via the Port Group or all with VLAN=4095). The plug-ins add additional protocol dissectors so you can get analyses of VMotion, HA heartbeats, FT logging and so on (<a href=\"http://communities.vmware.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadBody/10690-102-1-9170/TA3521_formatted_v3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">look at Howie’s presentation for some screenshots</a> ).','WIRESHARK - VM-AWARE?','','publish','open','open','','wireshark-vm-aware','','','2009-10-13 09:31:51','2009-10-13 14:31:51','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1546',0,'post','',0),(1549,12,'2009-10-13 13:17:37','2009-10-13 18:17:37','The new Cisco 5500 series WLAN controllers are awesome-- but this one particular image really caught my attention.\n\n<a href=\"http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3569/wlan5508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">POWER!</a> <a href=\"http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3569/wlan5508.jpg\">\n</a>\n\n10 physical CPUs with two cores each-- mucho horsepower!','Cisco 5508 Wireless LAN CONTROLLER CPUs','','publish','open','open','','cisco-5508-wireless-lan-controller-cpus','','','2009-10-13 13:17:37','2009-10-13 18:17:37','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1549',0,'post','',0),(1548,44,'2009-10-13 13:47:01','2009-10-13 18:47:01','Many of our customers are upgrading to VMware vSphere 4 and typically one of the first new features they take advantage of is VM thin-provisioning. Because thin-provisioning permits Administrators to allocate more disk space to VM’s than the VMFS volume actually contains, it’s essential to learn to use the new vSphere Storage Views and to also configure appropriate alerts to warn you when a VMFS datastore begins running out of free space. I’ve found it useful to configure vCenter alerts send these types of alerts as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS\">SMS</a> text messages to a cell phone since these are often read more quickly than emails.\n\nEach cell phone carrier provides a way to send SMS messages to their cell phones via email. Here’s a handy list of the email formats for some common cell phone carriers:\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net\nVirgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com\nCingular: phonenumber@cingularme.com\nSprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com\nVerizon: phonenumber@vtext.com\nNextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com\nUS Cellular: phonenumber@email.uscc.net\nSunCom: phonenumber@tms.suncom.com\nPowertel: phonenumber@ptel.net\nAT&amp;T: phonenumber@txt.att.net\nAlltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com\nMetro PCS: phonenumber@MyMetroPcs.com\n\nReplace phonenumber with the 10 digit cell phone number with no spaces or punctuation.\n\nNOTE: Make sure your cell phone plan includes free text messages or you might have an unpleasant suprise when your cell phone bill arrives!','SENDING VSPHERE TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS VIA EMAIL','','publish','open','open','','sending-cell-phone-sms-messages-via-email','','','2009-10-13 13:47:01','2009-10-13 18:47:01','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1548',0,'post','',0),(1566,5,'2009-10-13 19:44:43','2009-10-14 00:44:43','<p class=\"Body\">Ionix ControlCenter Automated Resource Manager automates the end-to-end provisioning process, from the storage array to the storage area network (SAN) to the host. Automated Resource Manager allows users to easily meet or exceed time-to-provision service level commitments by quickly fulfilling application requests for storage. It simplifies storage allocation by establishing repeatable, auditable provisioning policies that rapidly identify free storage available from your hosts, host bus adapters (HBAs), ports, arrays, or devices.</p>','IONIX CONTROLCENTER AUTOMATED RESOURCE MANAGER','','publish','open','open','','ionix-controlcenter-automated-resource-manager','','','2009-10-13 19:44:43','2009-10-14 00:44:43','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1566',0,'post','',0),(1570,5,'2009-10-13 19:53:37','2009-10-14 00:53:37','Did you forget about all the fancy CPU masking you did in version 3.x to get vMotion to work across different CPU revisions.  Well if you did you may run into this when you upgrade. You can reference VMware Knowledgebase article 1011294 when calling VMware support if the resolution does not work.\n<!--more-->\n<strong>Symptoms</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">VMotion fails after upgrading from ESX 3.x to ESX 4.0</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">You receive an error similar to:</span><span style=\"font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;\">Unable to migrate from &lt;source server&gt; to &lt;destination server&gt;: The CPU of the host is incompatible with the CPU feature requirements of the virtual machine; problem detected at CPUID level.</span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">or\n</span>\nHost CPU is incompatible with the virtual machine\'s requirements at cupid level 0x1 register\'ecx\'\nHost bits: 0000:0100:0000:1000:0010:0010:0000:0001\nRequired: 1000:0100:0000:100x:xxx0:0x1x:xxx0:x001\nMismatch detected for these features:\n*General incompatibilities; refer to KB article 1993 for possible solutions. <span style=\"font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;\">\n</span><span style=\"font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;\">\n</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">This issue occurs after upgrading the virtual hardware in the virtual machines</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">A new virtual machine created on vSphere 4.0 migrates successfully</span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<strong>Resolution</strong>\n\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">The upgraded virtual machines may have some CPU masks applied which are causing the migration difficulties.</span>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">To ensure that VMotion is successful:</span>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Power down the virtual machine.</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Click the link to <strong>Edit Settings</strong> of the virtual machine.</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Click the <strong>Options</strong> tab.</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Select <strong>CPUID Mask</strong> under <strong>Advanced</strong> .</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Click <strong>Advanced</strong> .</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Click Reset All to Default.</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Click <strong>OK</strong> .</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Click <strong>OK</strong> again.</span></li>\n	<li>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;\">Power on the virtual machine and migrate.</span></li>\n</ol>\n','vMOTION FAILS AFTER UPGRADE FROM 3.X TO 4.X','','publish','open','open','','vmotion-fails-after-upgrade-from-3x-to-4x','','','2009-10-13 19:53:37','2009-10-14 00:53:37','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1570',0,'post','',0),(1572,5,'2009-10-13 19:57:58','2009-10-14 00:57:58','The <a title=\"http://www.cisco.com/go/nexus4000\" href=\"http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=146888128278&amp;h=0f699a7f7fb731de33b7fa8336f5f472&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cisco.com%2Fgo%2Fnexus4000\" target=\"_blank\">Cisco Nexus 4000</a> Series is a family of blade “switches” for scale-out x-86 blade servers ( non-Cisco).  Nexus 4000 is NOT a Fabric Extender, Nexus 4000 is a “Switch”.\n\nNexus 4000 Series Blade Switches are the fourth generation of blade switches from Cisco. It will fit inside blade server I/O slots to provide network connectivity for blade servers. The first generation blade switch was the Cisco IGESM blade switch. The second generation was the <a title=\"http://www.cisco.com/go/bladeswitch\" href=\"http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=146888128278&amp;h=8d5fdb74923163ca67f6e6d99db53601&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cisco.com%2Fgo%2Fbladeswitch\" target=\"_blank\">Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3000 family</a> , the third generation is the <a title=\"http://www.cisco.com/go/bladeswitch\" href=\"http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=146888128278&amp;h=8d5fdb74923163ca67f6e6d99db53601&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cisco.com%2Fgo%2Fbladeswitch\" target=\"_blank\">Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3100 family </a> (aka VBS). And now the fourth generation is the Nexus 4000 Blade Switches.\n\nSo Cisco is not new to the blade switch market, in fact they are clear leader in blade switch market space both in terms of installed base of blade switches &amp; market share even with our Catalyst blade switch product line.\n\nThis newest addition to the Cisco Nexus family of data center products, the Nexus 4000 Series will extend the benefits offered by the Nexus family to our partner blade servers. More specifically it provides the <a title=\"http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns945/index.html\" href=\"http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=146888128278&amp;h=c0186b1d3b262f07380d4bfbac0da3b9&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cisco.com%2Fen%2FUS%2Fnetsol%2Fns945%2Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">Unified Fabric </a> functionality to  partner blade servers.','CISCO NEXUS 4000','','publish','open','open','','cisco-nexus-4000','','','2009-10-13 19:57:58','2009-10-14 00:57:58','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1572',0,'post','',0),(1576,5,'2009-10-13 20:08:31','2009-10-14 01:08:31','In a forest, there are at least five FSMO roles that are assigned 		  to one or more domain controllers. The five FSMO roles are:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Schema Master</strong> : The schema master domain controller controls 				all updates and modifications to the schema. To update the schema of a forest, 				you must have access to the schema master. There can be only one schema master 				in the whole forest.</li>\n	<li><strong>Domain naming master</strong> : The domain naming master domain 				controller controls the addition or removal of domains in the forest. There can 				be only one domain naming master in the whole forest.</li>\n	<li><strong>Infrastructure Master</strong> : The infrastructure is responsible 				for updating references from objects in its domain to objects in other domains. 				At any one time, there can be only one domain controller acting as the 				infrastructure master in each domain.</li>\n	<li><strong>Relative ID (RID) Master</strong> : The RID master is responsible for 				processing RID pool requests from all domain controllers in a particular 				domain. At any one time, there can be only one domain controller acting as the 				RID master in the domain.</li>\n	<li><strong>PDC Emulator</strong> : The PDC emulator is a domain controller that 				advertises itself as the primary domain controller (PDC) to workstations, 				member servers, and domain controllers that are running earlier versions of 				Windows. For example, if the domain contains computers that are not running 				Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows 2000 client software, or 				if it contains Microsoft Windows NT backup domain controllers, the PDC emulator 				master acts as a Windows NT PDC. It is also the Domain Master Browser, and it 				handles password discrepancies. At any one time, there can be only one domain 				controller acting as the PDC emulator master in each domain in the 				forest.</li>\n</ul>','WHAT ARE FSMO ROLES??','','publish','open','open','','what-are-fsmo-roles','','','2009-10-13 20:08:31','2009-10-14 01:08:31','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1576',0,'post','',0),(1582,5,'2009-10-13 20:14:18','2009-10-14 01:14:18','In Exchange 2003, if you delete a mailbox, it is disconnected for a default period of 30 days (the mailbox retention period), and you can reconnect it at any point during that time. Deleting a mailbox does not mean that it is permanently deleted (or purged) from the information store database right away, only that it is flagged for deletion. At the end of the mailbox retention period, the mailbox is permanently deleted from the database. You can also permanently delete the mailbox by choosing to purge it at any time.\n\nThis also means that if you mistakenly delete a mail-enabled user account, you can recreate that user object, and then reconnect that mailbox during the mailbox retention period.\n\nConfigure the deleted mailbox retention period at the mailbox store object level.','DELETED EXCHANGE 2003 MAILBOXES','','publish','open','open','','deleted-exchange-2003-mailboxes','','','2009-10-13 20:14:18','2009-10-14 01:14:18','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1582',0,'post','',0),(1584,5,'2009-10-13 20:19:33','2009-10-14 01:19:33','Designed especially for small IT environments with fewer than 20 physical servers, VMware vSphere Essentials Editions combine the high availability, performance and reliability of our enterprise class solutions in a package ideal for smaller IT environments and a price starting at less than $1,000 USD for a complete solution that includes central management.\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/small-business/buy.html\"><strong>VMware vSphere™ Essentials</strong> </a> provides an all-in-one solution for small offices to consolidate and manage many application workloads while reducing hardware and operating costs with a low up-front investment.</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/small-business/buy.html\"><strong>VMware vSphere™ Essentials Plus </strong> </a> adds high application availability and data protection for a complete server consolidation and business continuity solution for the small office IT environment.</li>\n</ul>\nBoth editions are all-inclusive packages that enable you to virtualize and consolidate many application workloads onto three physical servers running vSphere and centrally manage them with vCenter Server for Essentials.','VMWARE SOLUTIONS FOR SMB','','publish','open','open','','vmware-solutions-for-smb','','','2009-10-13 20:19:33','2009-10-14 01:19:33','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1584',0,'post','',0),(1587,12,'2009-10-14 10:30:48','2009-10-14 15:30:48','So what does Cisco do best? Buy other companies, of course!\n\nComing right off of their multi-billion dollar acquisition of Tandberg, Cisco has announced it plans to pick up Starent Networks (www.starentnetworks.com) for over $2 billion. The agreement announced this morning shows Cisco will purchase the company for thirty-five bucks a share as well as assume outstanding equity awards, bringing the total to roughly $2.9 billion.\n\nKeep on growin\'!','Cisco - WHAT THEY DO BEST!','','publish','open','open','','cisco-what-they-do-best','','','2009-10-14 10:30:48','2009-10-14 15:30:48','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1587',0,'post','',0),(1590,5,'2009-10-14 13:25:07','2009-10-14 18:25:07',' Proper protection of Microsoft Exchange data through regular backup practices is critical for all organizations today. In choosing to use disk-based technologies in the backup environment, Exchange administrators can realize the benefits of performance and reliability for both backup and restore functions.  For environments where the Exchange users rely on the messaging system to regularly share content (attachments) and organize their information (public folders) it is not unusual to accumulate growing amounts of data – often with a high degree of redundancy. Some of the redundant data is handled within Exchange through built in single instance storage techniques. However, this does not help if mail attachments are saved first or copy and pasted into new message threads. The ability to exploit data deduplication technology on the backup data allows organizations to keep more data for longer periods of time without incurring the linear cost of storage associated with standard disk or tape solutions that do not deduplicate the data.\n<p align=\"left\"><!--more-->In an organization, Exchange backups do not happen in a vacuum. When the Exchange backup sets are sent to the same deduplication storage systems that are holding the backups of other Windows based user files, the overall deduplication effects can often be compounded. This is partly due to the fact that much of the data moving through Exchange is usually similar to the data that exists or is being saved on the users’ systems.</p>\n<p align=\"left\">When combined with Exchange-aware backup applications, Data Domain deduplication storage systems provide an excellent platform for the backup and restore of Exchange environments.  By following some simple guidelines, Exchange administrators can make the backup and restore process simple and effective at the same time leveraging the capabilities of the Data Domain deduplication storage systems.  By avoiding practices that can alter the original data set (e.g., compression, encryption, defragmentation) and by relaxing the practices that try to minimize the amount of data handled (e.g., deleted items, incremental) it is possible to leverage the disk based solutions from Data Domain without sacrificing performance or capacity considerations.</p>','EXCHANGE BACKUPS AND DATA DOMAIN','','publish','open','open','','exchange-backups-and-data-domain','','','2009-10-14 13:25:07','2009-10-14 18:25:07','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1590',0,'post','',0),(1594,5,'2009-10-14 13:51:40','2009-10-14 18:51:40','<div class=\"line867\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">Fragmentation is when blocks belonging to the a file are scattered over the volume in a non-contiguous way, thus increasing disk seek and rotational latency.</span></div>\n<p class=\"line874\"><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">Fragmentation is <em><strong>not</strong></em> relevant to VMFS performance for the following reasons:</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"line874\"><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><!--more--></span></span></p>\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span><span>Fragmentation causes performance degradation when I/O request from application spans multiple blocks and these blocks are discontiguous. The VMFS block size is so large that most of the I/O requests do not straddle block boundaries. Even if blocks are discontiguous, I/O requests execute to locally contiguous regions.\n</span></span></span></li>\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span>Virtual Disks are very large files. When a gap occurs, the gap is also large. Performance latency is most acute when the drive head(s) need to perform multiple seeks to assemble a file. In the case of a single (or very few) gap(s) between large sections, the seek time increase is negligible. This is especially true of preallocated (Thick provisioned) disks.\n</span></span></li>\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span>Disk arrays have huge caches, and most writes are absorbed there. It is very difficult for fragmentation to have a noticeable impact when it comes to SAN devices. Local storage may see more impact from fragmentation as disk caches are much smaller.\n</span></span></li>\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">Sequential virtual machine streams become random on disk arrays as it is servicing I/O requests from multiple virtual machines on different hosts. In other words, a virtual machine workload is highly concurrent due to many virtual machines running on the same datastore from the same host or from multiple hosts. Higher performance can be achieved by localizing the global storage working set (or hot blocks) on a given datastore than by co-locating a particular file\'s hot and cold blocks.\n</span></li>\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">Thin provisioning is not adversely affected either. The major growth of a thin provisioned file usually occurs when the operating system is installed into the virtual machine. Post install, the number of changes that require growth of the virtual disk, on average, decreases. This means that the hot blocks for all virtual machines are typically clustered around the same section of the volume.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><em>**Note:  <span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt\">Hot block –  A block of data that undergoes many changes. Areas a database write to are hot.</span></em></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt\"><em>**Note: <span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt\">Cold block – A block that is mostly static. After the operation system is installed, these files change rarely if ever.</span></em></span></span></p>','DOES FRAGMENTATION AFFECT VMFS DATASTORES?','','publish','open','open','','does-fragmentation-affect-vmfs-datastores','','','2009-10-14 13:51:40','2009-10-14 18:51:40','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1594',0,'post','',0),(1598,5,'2009-10-14 14:31:33','2009-10-14 19:31:33','Here is an update on upcoming support lifecycle changes for Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 and help clarify some misperceptions of Service Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003.\n\n<strong><!--more--></strong>\n\n<strong>Windows 2000 Server</strong>\n\nExtended Support for Windows 2000 Server will end on July 13, 2010. At this time, Windows 2000 Server will no longer be publicly supported.  You will be able to continue using \"Self-Help Online Support\"*\n\n<strong>Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 </strong>\n\nAlso on July 13, 2010, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 (at a supported service pack level) will move from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase.  During the Extended Support phase:\n<ul>\n	<li>Microsoft will continue to provide security updates and paid support (Example: Premier and Essential support, per-incident telephone/web support, etc.)</li>\n	<li>Customers will continue to have access to all security updates and Self-Help Online Support options (Example: Knowledge Base articles, online product information etc.)</li>\n	<li>Non-security hotfixes developed during the Extended Support phase will be provided ONLY to customers who enroll in Extended Hotfix Support (EHS).</li>\n</ul>\n<em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Please note:</span></em> If you\'d like to enroll in EHS, customers must already have a Premier Support contract. In addition, customers must enroll in EHS within the first 90 days of the Extended Support phase.  Program and per fix fees may also apply.  Customers with Software Assurance can enroll in EHS at any time.  \n\n<strong>Service Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003</strong>\n\nWe have received inquiries from our customers and partners on whether or not there will be a need for a Service Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003.  Microsoft will not have a SP3 release for Windows Server 2003. \n\n<strong>To Summarize...</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>Self-Help Online Support* will be available for Windows 2000 Server after Extended Support before it ends on July 13, 2010.</li>\n	<li>Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 will begin an extended support phase on July 13, 2010</li>\n	<li>There will be no Service Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003</li>\n</ul>\n*Self-Help Online Support is available throughout a product\'s lifecycle and for a minimum of 12 months after the product reaches the end of its support. Microsoft online Knowledge Base articles, FAQs, troubleshooting tools, and other resources, are provided to help customers resolve common issues.','MICROSOFT WINDOWS SUPPORT LIFECYCLE UPDATES','','publish','open','open','','microsoft-windows-support-lifecycle-updates','','','2009-10-14 14:31:33','2009-10-14 19:31:33','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1598',0,'post','',0),(1600,8,'2009-10-14 17:09:34','2009-10-14 22:09:34','Here is how to successfully migrate a SQL Server Reporting Server Instance (SSRS) from one location to another using the same major database release. SQL Server 2005 -&gt; 2005 for example. These steps also apply if you are looking to migrate reporting services to a dedicated report server or x64 instance of SQL Server 2005 or 2008.<!--more-->\n<ol>\n	<li>The number one step is to install Database Services and SQL Server Reporting Services on the target machine to be migrated to.  Making sure the service packs are all up to date on both instances is always a good step as well.  When asked, select to create a default SSRS instance.</li>\n	<li>The next step is to Backup the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases on the source machine.</li>\n	<li>Back up the Report Server encryption key on the source machine.  To accomplish this start the Report Server Configuration Tool and navigate to the encryption keys section.  This will require you to enter a password for the key.  This password will be needed later when restoring the encryption key to the target server.</li>\n	<li>On the target Server.  Restore both the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases with the overwrite option to overwrite the default config machines created in step one.</li>\n	<li>Open up Server Manager and navigate to the Services Console.  Change the service accounts for SQL Server and Reporting Services to the desired accounts matching them up with the source server.</li>\n	<li>Open up the command prompt and type \"RSKeyMgmt -l\" to get a list of the stored encryption keys on the target server.</li>\n	<li>Delete all of these keys with the command \"RSKeyMgmt -r &lt;keyid&gt;\".  Repeat this command for all the key ids listed.</li>\n	<li>Go to SQL Report Server Configuration tool on the target server and configure all services and tabs to mimick the credentials and settings of the source server.</li>\n	<li>On the Encryption keys tab, import the encryption key backed up from that source server using the password you specified.</li>\n	<li>Navigate to C:Program FilesMicrosoft SQL ServerMSSQL.xReporting ServicesReport Serverrsreportserver.cfg and edit that xml file.  Delete the encrypted values in the \"username\",\"pwd\" and \"domain\" sections.  Replace this with the appropriate domain credentials and save the config file.</li>\n	<li>Restart IIS and navigate to the new servers report address.  <a href=\"http://targetserver/reports\">http://targetserver/reports</a></li>\n</ol>\nBelow is a good MSFT Knowledgebase article on how to do this as well although there are some omissions.\n\n<a href=\"http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842425\" target=\"_blank\">http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842425</a>','MIGRATING A SQL SERVER REPORTING SERVICES 2005/2008 (SSRS) INSTANCE TO A NEW SERVER','','publish','open','open','','migrating-a-sql-server-reporting-services-20052008-ssrs-instance-to-a-new-server','','','2009-10-14 17:09:34','2009-10-14 22:09:34','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1600',0,'post','',4),(1613,5,'2009-10-14 19:57:50','2009-10-15 00:57:50','That\'s right Windows 7 is almost here, with its release date coming on Oct. 22, 2009 many users are awaiting in anticipation. \n\n<!--more-->\n\nMicrosoft is offering six versions of Windows 7: Starter, <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/windows/microsoft-windows-7-home/4505-3672_7-33704139.html\">Home Premium</a>, <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/windows/microsoft-windows-7-professional/4505-3672_7-33704140.html\">Professional</a>, <a href=\"http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/windows/microsoft-windows-7-ultimate/4505-3672_7-33704141.html\">Ultimate</a>, OEM, and Enterprise. The three versions that Redmond will be promoting most heavily are <a href=\"http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare-editions\">Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate</a>, although Starter will also be available to consumers.\n\nWindows 7 will support both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. The bare minimum requirements for the 32-bit include a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB available hard-disk space, and a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver. 64-bit systems will require at least a 1 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, 20 GB of free space on your hard drive, and a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver. A touch-screen monitor is required to take advantage of the native touch features. Do note that some users have claimed to have limited success running the Windows 7 beta with less than 1 GB of RAM, but that\'s not recommended.','VISTA DONE RIGHT!','','publish','open','open','','vista-done-right','','','2009-10-14 19:57:50','2009-10-15 00:57:50','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1613',0,'post','',0),(1616,5,'2009-10-14 20:15:56','2009-10-15 01:15:56','Microsoft Security Essentials is the company\'s newly released, free, real-time consumer antimalware solution.  Microsoft is planning to roll out MSE in an ongoing beta program that will have new private beta builds and a much bigger number of testers.  Microsoft notes that those who are not selected to participate in the beta will have an opportunity to participate in a Customer Preview Program, available next year.  Beta testers will know by November 1, 2009 if they are selected for the MSE Beta Program.','Microsoft Security Essentials ','','publish','open','open','','microsoft-security-essentials','','','2009-10-14 20:15:56','2009-10-15 01:15:56','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1616',0,'post','',0),(1620,5,'2009-10-14 20:34:38','2009-10-15 01:34:38','The PowerPath family provides advanced path management with multipathing for physical and virtual environments, nondisruptive migration, and encryption capabilities.\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>PowerPath Multipathing and PowerPath/VE</strong> are host-resident software applications that intelligently manage host-to-storage I/O data paths to maximize the performance and availability of mission-critical applications in physical and virtual environments.</li>\n	<li><strong>PowerPath Migration Enabler</strong> insulates hosts from changes in the storage infrastructure; allows nondisruptive data migrations; and enables array-based replication, virtualization, and host-based migrations to eliminate application downtime during data migrations or virtualization implementations. It enables migrations through an array, within an array, through the network, or through the host.</li>\n	<li><strong>PowerPath Encryption with RSA</strong> is a host-based, data-at-rest encryption solution utilizing RSA Key Manager for the Datacenter to protect information in the event it becomes compromised through unauthorized access or disk removal, and to ensure compliance with internal, private, and government standards.</li>\n</ul>','EMC POWERPATH FAMILY','','publish','open','open','','emc-powerpath-family','','','2009-10-14 20:34:38','2009-10-15 01:34:38','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1620',0,'post','',0),(1599,12,'2009-10-15 09:47:46','2009-10-15 14:47:46','When trying to configure a Cisco 5508 WLAN Controller to use an external DHCP server running on an older PIX, clients were unable to obtain IP addresses. After spending some time troubleshooting, it turns out that the DHCP Proxy option must be disabled for this-- it\'s enabled by default.  But because other WLANs require this to be enabled, a different solution was needed.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nSo we configured a DHCP scope on the &quot;Internal DHCP Server&quot; on the WLAN Controller for the appropriate subnet, and reconfigured the logical interface used for the WLAN to point to the MANAGEMENT IP address of the WLC for its DHCP services. Once the scope was enabled, users were able to immediately and consistently pull IP addresses--\n\nFor networks that are not available &quot;from a wire&quot;, like Guest networks, I highly recommend using the Internal DHCP Server on the WLCs for quick and easy IP address assignment!','Cisco WLAN CONTROLLER - INTERNAL DHCP SERVER','','publish','open','open','','cisco-wlan-controller-internal-dhcp-server','','','2009-10-15 09:47:46','2009-10-15 14:47:46','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1599',0,'post','',0),(1629,5,'2009-10-15 10:12:43','2009-10-15 15:12:43','The Wi-Fi Alliance is nearing completion of a new specification to enable Wi-Fi devices to connect to one another without joining a traditional home, office, or hotspot network. The Wi-Fi Alliance expects to begin certification for this new specification in mid-2010, and products which achieve the certification will be designated Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct.\n\nThe specification, previously code-named &quot;Wi-Fi peer-to-peer,&quot; can be implemented in any Wi-Fi device, from mobile phones, cameras, printers, and notebook computers, to human interface devices such as keyboards and headphones. Significantly, devices that have been certified to the new specification will also be able to create connections with hundreds of millions of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED legacy devices already in use. Devices will be able to make a one-to-one connection, or a group of several devices can connect simultaneously.','Wi-Fi DIRECT','','publish','open','open','','wi-fi-direct','','','2009-10-15 10:12:43','2009-10-15 15:12:43','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1629',0,'post','',0),(1632,6,'2009-10-16 14:00:28','2009-10-16 19:00:28','Quest\'s Spotlight on Active Directory offers proactive performance monitoring and real-time diagnostics for detecting, troubleshooting, and resolving a number of issues (performance, replication, availability, etc).\n\n<!--more-->\n\nHere are some of the highlights:\n\n* Displays entire AD site and replication infrastructure visually indicating where replication, performance, and availability problems exist in the environment\n* Visually represents the flow of data from the network and through the domain controllers using flow charts, graphs, and icons so administrators can easily identify, diagnose and resolve issues\n* Contains a number of pre-configured tests allowing in-depth diagnostics reporting such as Directory Replication, DNS, File Replication, Domain Controller Performance, Schema Health, and Time Synchronization\n* Built in Live Topology Viewer allows admins to identify problems at a glance\n* The Unified Diagnostic Console will aid the process of discovering and resolving bottlenecks\n* Provides proactive, real-time diagnostic information and statistics to quickly identify and prevent problems\n* Eliminates the need to learn command-line tools and alleviates time-consuming manual troubleshooting\n* Offers more than 100 customizable tests and automated repairs\n* Integrates with Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 and System Center Operations Manager 2007 to provide a consolidated view of diagnostic data and performance information\n\n\nTo learn more and download a free trail, please go <a href=\"http://www.quest.com/spotlight-on-active-directory-pack/\">here</a>.\n\n','SPOTLIGHT ON ACTIVE DIRECTORY PROVIDES GREAT INSIGHT INTO ACTIVE DIRECTORY','','publish','open','open','','spotlight-on-active-directory-provides-great-insight-in-active-directory','','','2009-10-16 14:00:28','2009-10-16 19:00:28','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1632',0,'post','',0),(1635,6,'2009-10-21 14:53:20','2009-10-21 19:53:20','Manage Engine\'s ADMANAGER PLUS is a simple to use and easy to operate Active Directory management application. As administrators responsible for AD look to add automated reporting, bring in automation (create, delete, and manage), and serve as the centerpiece during a compliance audit (SOX and HIPAA), then ADManager Plus is worth a good look.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nIn these economic times doing more with less, and saving money all the while speaks to businesses throughout the economic landscape. So large and small companies alike should take heed in ManageEngine\'s highly touted <strong>90:10 Promise</strong> (\"Gets you 90% of the features of the Big 4 at 10% of the price\"). \n\nThere are 2 flavors (Standard and Professional Edition), and the big takeaway I took from Professional Edtion are Group Management, Scheduled Reports, and OU-Based Administration. I can\'t stress scheduled reports enough - adding in automated scheduled reports to the admin\'s busy day is a big time saver. \n\nHere are some of the highlights that caught my eye:\n* <strong>Super Easy Install &amp; Setup</strong> - many bigger programs on the street today require multiple installations of various components and tend to be somewhat of a pain to get off the ground\n* <strong>Web Page Access</strong> - access from anywhere in the company via a secure web page access view\n* <strong>Scheduled Reports</strong> - ton are great pre-canned reports that come ready to go without any customization (Disabled User &amp; Computer, Compliance, NTFS, Exchange, and Windows Folder Permission Reports to name a few)\n* <strong>OU-Based Delegation</strong> - get help desk in the game quickly and easily by delegating tasks to non admin users\n* <strong>Contact Management</strong> - eliminate time consuming processes for creating bulk contacts. Import from a CSV and you\'re on your way\n* <strong>Group Managemen</strong>t - instead of modifying one user at a time, modify group attributes in bulk (including Exchange attributes)\n\n\nSupports 32-Bit and 64-Bit platforms.\n\nKudos to ManageEngine for being a proud VMware Technology Allilance Partner - read more <a href=\"http://www.manageengine.com/products/opmanager/vmware-support-statement.html#VMwareSupport\">here</a>.\n\n\nFor more information on ManageEngine\'s ADManager Plus, please go <a href=\"http://www.manageengine.com/products/ad-manager/index.html\">here</a>.','SIMPLIFIED ACTIVE DIRECTORY MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING WITH ADMANAGER PLUS','','publish','open','open','','simplified-active-directory-management-and-reporting-with-admanager-plus','','','2009-10-21 14:53:20','2009-10-21 19:53:20','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1635',0,'post','',0),(1652,2,'2009-10-23 10:01:41','2009-10-23 15:01:41','Sticky Fingers Restaurant is known for the best authentic Memphis-style ribs and barbecue in the South.  Headquartered in Mount Pleasant, SC, Sticky Fingers has 17 locations throughout the Southeast.  Having undergone a change in ownership in late 2008, Sticky Fingers identified a need to review their current IT Strategy along with a need to partner with a local IT Solutions provider.<!--more-->\n\neGroup, also a Mount Pleasant based company, is an enterprise solutions and services firm delivering sophisticated solutions for progressive corporate customers across the Carolinas since 1999. In early 2003, Sticky Fingers engaged eGroup to design and deploy a robust virtualized network infrastructure with a shared storage, and a first class backup strategy.\n\nAfter a thorough systems review and much planning, eGroup and Sticky Fingers developed a solution that reduced the number of servers in their network from 5 Physical Servers to 2 VMware Hosts, with an EMC AX4 SAN for shared storage. To accomplish the goals for the backup strategy, Veeam Backup &amp; Replication for VMware was utilized for backup to disc. This positions Sticky Fingers to also take advantage of an offsite backup/replication strategy for their virtual environment down the road.\n\nSticky Fingers realized several immediate benefits from this solution. With space at a premium in the data center, they were able to reduce their server footprint.  Also, with a server refresh on the horizon, Sticky Fingers was able to avoid the costs of purchasing 4 to 5 new servers. One of the existing servers was re-purposed as a VMware Host and only one additional server purchase was required to serve as a second host. This will reduce ongoing costs related to power and cooling consumption, along with maintenance costs for multiple physical servers. Additionally, their per application costs and time associated with application deployment have been greatly reduced. Sticky Fingers will also be able to take advantage of increased application uptime with VMware features such as vMotion, HA and Fault Tolerance.\n\nThis robust solution will position Sticky Fingers to utilize technology to drive business and provide flexibility to grow as the business needs arise.','eGROUP DESIGNS AND DEPLOYS 1ST CLASS VIRTUAL NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE FOR STICKY FINGERS RESTAURANT','','publish','open','open','','egroup-designs-and-deploys-1st-class-virtual-network-infrastructure-for-sticky-fingers-restaurant','','','2009-10-23 10:01:41','2009-10-23 15:01:41','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1652',0,'post','',0),(1656,8,'2009-10-29 12:53:55','2009-10-29 17:53:55','Have you noticed in the last week that your appointment times seem to be off by an hour?  The \"new and improved\" daylight savings time law went into effect in 2007.  Two years later we are still finding systems that have not been appropriately patched for the new daylight savings time window.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nIn 2007, daylight savings time was moved from the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October to the second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November.  The only time you would notice a problem is during the periods between the old start and new start as well as the old end and the new end of daylight savings time, so it might slip past most people.  Most computer and e-mail systems rely on accurate timestamps for complete reliability and security.\n\nIf you have any questions or concerns about daylight savings time issues please contact us and we\'ll be happy to assist you.','DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS THIS WEEKEND','','publish','open','open','','daylight-savings-time-ends-this-weekend','','','2009-10-29 12:53:55','2009-10-29 17:53:55','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1656',0,'post','',0),(1663,44,'2009-10-30 08:02:14','2009-10-30 13:02:14','Here\'s a cool (and free!) new way to store your files on the Internet and access them from any computer.  You can share specific folders with others too.  Watch a DROPBOX demo video <a href=\"https://www.getdropbox.com/tour\">here</a>.\n\nThis is one way to solve the problem of how to share files with others that are too large to send as email attachments.\n\nThanks to Brad D. for clueing me in to DROPBOX.','CHECK OUT DROPBOX FOR STORING AND SHARING FILES ON THE INTERNET','','publish','open','open','','check-out-dropbox-for-sharing-files','','','2009-10-30 08:02:14','2009-10-30 13:02:14','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1663',0,'post','',1),(1667,12,'2009-11-03 14:46:02','2009-11-03 19:46:02','ICANN has approved international domain names that will be able to contain &quot;non-Latin characters&quot;--  characters other than the letters A-Z and 0-9.\n\nI can\'t even begin to imagine the creative domain names that are going to pop-up-- and I wonder how DNS servers will handle the funky characters.\n\nIf you plan on registering a domain with a creative name, post a comment so we can check it out!','INTERNATIONAL DOMAIN NAMES','','publish','open','open','','international-domain-names','','','2009-11-03 14:46:02','2009-11-03 19:46:02','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1667',0,'post','',0),(1669,6,'2009-11-04 15:47:59','2009-11-04 20:47:59','If you have not upgraded to Windows 7 yet. Do it. If you are starting with a fresh copy of Windows 7 (highly recommended), consider easing the upgrade process by harnessing the power of <strong>Ninite Easy PC Setup and Multiple App Installer</strong>. It utilizes a simple 3 step process to bundle the apps you need into an app bundle. You pick the apps you want, start the customized installer, wait and then you’re done. \n\n<!--more-->\n\nApps to pick from range from latest web browsers, messaging agents, media players, imaging apps, document readers, anti-virus programs, runtimes, file sharing, compression programs, developer tools and more. It is very easy to navigate. Just check the apps you want, and at the bottom select “Get Installer”. Your app bundle will work in the background. \n\nIt is easy to use and simplifies getting your OS configured as you want in quick fashion. \n\nTo get started with Ninite go <a href=\"http://ninite.com/\">here</a>.\n\n','SIMPLIFY WINDOWS 7 SETUP WITH NINITE MULTIPLE APP INSTALLER','','publish','open','open','','simplify-windows-7-setup-with-ninite-multiple-app-installer','','','2009-11-04 15:47:59','2009-11-04 20:47:59','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1669',0,'post','',0),(1672,44,'2009-11-05 12:50:59','2009-11-05 17:50:59','The Telnet client is not installed on a Windows 2008 server by default, but installing it is easy. Just open a command prompt and enter the command:\n\npkgmgr /iu:\"TelnetClient\"\n\nComplete documentation on this command is available on Microsoft\'s web site <a href=\"http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771275(WS.10).aspx\">here</a>.','INSTALLING THE TELNET CLIENT ON WINDOWS SERVER 2008','','publish','open','open','','installing-the-telnet-client-on-windows-server-2008','','','2009-11-05 12:50:59','2009-11-05 17:50:59','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1672',0,'post','',0),(1675,6,'2009-11-05 16:47:28','2009-11-05 21:47:28','Working on a Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Core server this week, I came to the realization really quick that things were different. This is for the better. With an extremely reduced attack surface, Server 2008 R2 Core matures right before our eyes.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nYou might find yourself in a bit of a quandary if your command line skills are not up to date. Take a minute to refresh yourself with some the command line options out there. Go <a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5FB255FF-72DA-4B08-A504-1B10266CF72A&amp;displaylang=en\">here </a>for a refresher. Some might prefer a quick visual reference to get on track. This <a href=\"http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc772390%28WS.10%29.aspx\">link </a>on Technet is very helpful.\n\nSome might find a visual aid helpful too. I found <a href=\"http://ctxadmtools.musumeci.com.ar/VisualCore2008/VisualCore11_Beta2_Refresh.html\">Visual Core 2008</a> by Guillermo pretty cool, and <a href=\"http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/guyt/archive/2008/03/22/windows-server-core-coreconfigurator-to-the-rescue.aspx\">Server Core Configurator</a> by Guy is another good one. Nice work, fellas. \n\nBoth can help you get your want to be with your new Server 2008 R2 Core installation.\n\nCheck them out and let me know what you think.\n','TIPS ON MANAGING SERVER 2008 R2 CORE','','publish','open','open','','tips-on-managing-server-2008-r2-core','','','2009-11-05 16:47:28','2009-11-05 21:47:28','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1675',0,'post','',1),(1681,44,'2009-11-11 10:05:47','2009-11-11 15:05:47','Here\'s an interesting issue I came across recently. We\'re starting to see our customers deploy Windows Server 2008 VM\'s in greater numbers, and this is an issue you might come across as well.\n\nAfter upgrading an ESX 3.5 environment to vSphere 4, using VMware Update Manager to push the new VMware Tools to a Windows Server 2008 guest fails to properly install. A manual installation attempt fails as well. VMware has documented the solution <a href=\"http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&amp;cmd=displayKC&amp;externalId=1012693\">here</a>.\n\nTo resolve this you must perform a forced uninstall and install of VMware Tools on the client.\n\nTo uninstall and re-install VMware Tools:\n<ul>\n	<li>Right-click on the virtual machine you are having an issue with.</li>\n	<li>Click Guest &gt; Install/Upgrade VMware Tools.</li>\n	<li>Open a Console to the virtual machine and log into the guest operating system.</li>\n	<li>Ope the Command Prompt in Windows and change the drive to your CD-ROM drive.</li>\n</ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">For example, D:</p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>Type setup /c and press Enter to force removal of all registry entries and delete the old version of VMware Tools.</li>\n	<li>In My Computer, double click the CD-ROM that contains VMware Tools.</li>\n	<li>After Auto-Run starts, follow the prompts to install.</li>\n</ul>\nNote: This must be done from the GUI interface, do not launch the install by running Setup from the Command Prompt.\n\nWhen the installation is complete, reboot the guest operating system.','PROBLEM INSTALLING VMTOOLS ON W2K8 GUEST OS','','publish','open','open','','problem-installing-vmtools-on-w2k8-guest-os','','','2009-11-11 10:05:47','2009-11-11 15:05:47','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1681',0,'post','',0),(1689,8,'2009-11-11 16:44:17','2009-11-11 21:44:17','When creating custom reports or datagrids for web parts and other .Net applications outside of SSRS there is always the need for the user to export the results of the application lists into excel or other external sources.  You can always iterate through your datagrids and output row by row but there is a much easier way that maintains formatting and is much easier to implement.  All you need to do is change the target of your Response from the screen to a file.  To do that in C# see below...\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Response.Clear();\nResponse.AddHeader(\"content-disposition\", \"attachment;filename=outputfilename.xls\");\nResponse.Charset = \"\";\nResponse.Cache.SetCacheability(HttpCacheability.NoCache);\nResponse.ContentType = \"application/ms-excel\";\nSystem.IO.StringWriter stringWrite = new System.IO.StringWriter();\nSystem.Web.UI.HtmlTextWriter htmlWrite = new HtmlTextWriter(stringWrite);\nmyDataGrid.RenderControl(htmlWrite);\nResponse.Write(stringWrite.ToString());\nResponse.End();\n\nAfter that your browse will provide the option to download or open the file providing they have excel installed.','OUTPUT ASP.NET DATAGRID TO EXCEL OR OTHER OFFICE PRODUCTS THE EASY WAY','','publish','open','open','','output-aspnet-datagrid-to-excel-or-other-office-products-the-easy-way','','','2009-11-11 16:44:17','2009-11-11 21:44:17','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1689',0,'post','',0),(1694,12,'2009-11-13 14:56:30','2009-11-13 19:56:30','Google will be providing free wireless Internet access at 47 airports and all Virgin American airlines flights throughout the holiday season.\n\nThis is how the inflight WiFi works, as posted on <a href=\"http://www.freeholidaywifi.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.freeholidaywifi.com</a> :\n\n&quot;WiFi on Virgin America is powered by Gogo® Inflight internet. Here\'s how Gogo turns a plane into a flying hotspot. When you\'re using a mobile phone in your car (hands free of course), your phone continuously searches for the strongest connection. As you move, your phone switches cell towers to maintain the best signal.\n\n<!--more-->\n\nGogo has built a mobile broadband network of ground towers covering the entire sky above the continental United States to do the same thing for a plane. Equipment onboard continuously selects the strongest connection from the towers below. With nothing but air between these towers and your plane, it\'s possible to get a strong connection even at 35,000 feet.&quot;','FREE WIFI FROM GOOGLE ','','publish','open','open','','free-wifi-from-google','','','2009-11-13 14:56:30','2009-11-13 19:56:30','',0,'http://blogs.eGroup-us.com/?p=1694',0,'post','',0),