Grabbing System Date in a Batch File

Batch programming can be a powerful thing. Basically, anything you can run at a command prompt can be run in a batch file. Coupled with task scheduler, process automation nirvana can be achieved. However, one thing that is conspicuously is the presence of a date or time variable. For example, if you wanted to date or time encode… Read More »

MMS 2012:Desktop Management with System Center 2012

Supporting desktops in large organizations has become increasingly complex. Support teams that are looking to streamline support through improved, remote troubleshooting while working in the security constraints of ‘least privilege’ access need to look at how Microsoft System Center Operations Manager, Opalis and System Center Configuration Manager can be configured to work together to provide a single, easy-to-use… Read More »

MMS 2012: Day One

The first day of any conference is usually pretty hectic.  You have to travel to get there, get checked in at the conference, get checked in at the hotel, etc.  It’s mainly a travel day.  However, there are a couple of good presentations on the first of of MMS that I thought would be useful, and I was… Read More »

vicfg-rescan

Perform a rescan operation each time you reconfigure your storage setup. You can use the vicfg-rescan vSphere CLI or the vSphere Client to perform a rescan. See the ESX Configuration Guide and the ESXi Configuration Guide. The Fibre Channel SAN Configuration Guide discusses rescan on Fibre Channel storage. The iSCSI SAN Configuration Guide discusses rescan on iSCSI storage.… Read More »

vicfg-nics

Get information, set speed and duplex for ESX/ESXi physical NICs. The vicfg-nics command manages uplink adapters, that is, the Ethernet switches used by an ESX/ESXi host. You can use vicfg-nics to list the VMkernel name for the uplink adapter, its PCI ID, driver, link state, speed, duplex setting, MAC address and a short PCI description of the card.… Read More »

Install VB6 on Windows 8

As most of the world knows, Microsoft has made available a consumer preview of Windows 8. While this is still considered beta software, I highly recommend you check it out. Some of us technology minded folks are charged with supporting legacy software, developed with Visual Studio 6 (particulary Visual Basic 6), and with the iminent release of Windows… Read More »

Installing Roles on Server 2008 R2 Core

So, you’ve built your first Server 2008 (or R2) core server. What now? It’s sitting there, authenticating itself from time to time, now it’s now to add some roles to it! Let’s get that box working! Read on to learn how to install the DNS server, File and Print services, Streaming Media Services, and IIS on Windows Server… Read More »

CSS Template: Fruit Punch

Light and airy, FruitPunch is an XHTML and CSS compliant template. The inspiration was a display at a local farmers market. Just goes to show that inspiration can be anywhere!