We will be streaming episode #77 live on Ustream.tv on Wednesday, November 26th at 8:30 PM CST.  We will have Brent Ozar, SQL Server Expert for Quest Software, joining us to talk about becoming a DBA (Database Administrator), a sysadmin’s guide to working with DBA’s, and tips for sysadmins who have become “Accidental DBA’s”.  We’ll also have a discussion about DBA’s and scripting, and some news from the PASS (The Professional Assoication for SQL Server) Summit.

 See you there!!

Microsoft has released for download the Hyper-V Server, which is just the hypervisor.  From the website -

Since Hyper-V Server is a dedicated stand-alone product, which contains only the Windows Hypervisor, Windows Server driver model and virtualization components, it provides a small footprint and minimal overhead.

This version is recommended for Server Consolidation, Test & Development, and Mixed OS Virtualization (Linux and Windows).  It does not includes some of the more advanced features for Clustering or Quick Migration.

You will need an instance of Server 2008, Vista with the Hyper-V Manager MMC, or using System Center Virtual Machine Manager.

Hyper-V Server is a free download and available today.

You can get it here.

My apologies for the long delay in getting this out. This is a sanitized version of my Server Staging Checklist for Windows 2000/2003 servers. I use this as a guide when staging new servers to prevent missing those little detail tweaks. The original document was developed as part of a comprehensive set of policies and procedures at my former company to promote standard server builds throughout my line of business. I used our corporate server groups document as a basis and modified and added to it to suit our environment. You may have different requirements in your organization, but hopefully it will serve as a foundation for you.

Let us know your thoughts and suggestions about the document through feedback here on the blog or email the show at Feedback [at] MindOfRoot.com.

Windows Server Staging Procedure

Via Greg Shields at the Concentrated Technology blog -

Hyper-V is being released today.  I really excited about Hyper-V and am going to be deploying it in my environment soon, to replace some Virtual Server 2005 installs.

I’ve used it a bit in a test environment and it works great.  More information here.

Recorded: August 14, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright and Rich Niemeier

Show Length: 1:33:58

Sorry it took so long to edit and post. I took a couple vacation days and didn’t get to do the final steps.

Just Rich and I this episode…..unless you count ‘Virtual Ted’. Rich and I cover the usual gamut of news topics; Novell/SCO Unix lawsuit, Google’s 700Mhz Spectrum bid, and a NJ beach town’s plans to be the next technological marvel. Rich uncovers follow-up information about the health-risks of laser printers. We discuss what Apple can do to help with lost/stolen iPods and how to audit USB device usage on your network. We end with our website picks and as usual, we hope you enjoy.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Laser Printer Health Risks
• Ocean City NJ Beach Of The Future
• Guy Gets a BSOD Tattoo
• Google Bids On 700Mhz Spectrum
• Novell Wins SCO Lawsuit
• Stolen iPods
• OLPC Update
• Kixtart Quick Reference Guide
• Audit USB Device Usage
• Wi-Spy Spectrum Analyzer

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

None

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Keith’s Pick: NPA Lookup Tool

Rich’s Pick: New video site - VBS.TV

Download Here

Recorded: July 5, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright and Rich Niemeier
Show Length: 1:47:02

Rich and I discuss legacy devices and the problems encountered when trying to replace them. It extends our discussion from last episode on the conflicting viewpoints between the business leaders and the IT organization. News items on VoIP regulations and contact-less payment methods. Rich starts exploring Network Access Control (NAC) while I rebuild all of my mail security servers. A new resource for portable apps for your USB drive. We finish off with a couple of website picks and a musical finale courtesy of Pantless Knights Productions.
As usual, we hope you enjoy.

Links mentioned in this show:

• Kevin Devin Announces his departure from the In The Trenches podcast
• VoIP provider regulations
• Contact-less Payments Use About To Explode
• Contact-less Payment Insecurity
• Network Access Control
• ZDNet Webcast on NAC
• ProxMox Mail Gateway
• SnapFiles.com Apps for your USB Drive
• Best Practices - When to Upgrade Your Hardware

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

• In The Trenches
• Technorama

Full Show Notes

Website Picks:

Keith’s Pick: MacorPC.org
Rich’s Pick: Slide.com

Download Here

Recorded: May 8, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright and Rich Niemeier
Show Length: 1:54:28

Rich and I discuss development of IT policies and procedures; how to start and why they are important. In addition, I throw in a couple of my thoughts on how to audit yourself and how to handle an audit. Rich talks about his move from the Treo to the Blackberry and his battles with a SCO Unix box that died. Rich uncovers some new Virtual Machine appliances available from Microsoft. We discuss Microsofts proposed $3 educational software bundle for developing countries. I attended a seminar on wireless network troubleshooting by Fluke Networks and we discuss their products as well as our own personal experiences troubleshooting wireless systems. This episode marks the debut of our show promos that we’ve asked other podcasts to play. Take a listen and we hope you enjoy.

Thanks everyone.

Links mentioned in this podcast:

• Fluke Network AnalyzeAir Spectrum Analyzer
• Microsofts VHD Test Drive Program
• Microsofts $3 Educational Software Bundle
• Google’s Website Translator
• Airtroductions.com
• SANS Security Policy Project

Download Here