Brad Bird at myITforum.com

Inspirational Thoughts on Persistence in Life

2010-03-19T12:59:18Z

Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs. His story is inspiring and his message is clear. This is a credit to my friend and colleague Michael Beauchamp: Never, Ever, Give Up! Attitude is Altitude http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/...(read more)

New Virtualization features have been announced in today’s MS Press Pass.

2010-03-18T15:04:15Z

With Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 we can expect “dynamic memory” and “RemoteFX” amongst other features. Read more here: http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-18DesktopVirtPR.mspx...(read more)

DNS 2008 External name resolution monitor is always in “critical” state in SCOM 2007 R2

2010-03-17T17:10:47Z

I ran into an issue with my SCOM environment that prompted some digging. My external name resolution monitor for my DNS 2008 MP was always coming up critical. See below: The server health status would roll up to critical and consequently would cause AD alerts to come up: The issue here is in the way that the actual monitor is performing the test because I can resolve external names. I tested this in my DNS server and clients both by using my DNS server with forwarders or with Root Hints...(read more)

Dynamic VHD format vs. Fixed VHD format is dramatically improved in Server 2008 R2

2010-03-15T19:03:24Z

I hesitate to believe what I am told when there is no supporting data. I have experimented a fair bit with dynamic and differencing disks in Virtual PC, Virtual Server and Hyper-V (Server 2008). Thanks to my Virtual Machine MVP colleagues for putting me on to this whitepaper which was only written a few weeks ago. The data found in this white paper is extremely useful. It also has links to MSDN to clarify some concepts and in certain cases, show scoped code to reinforce the points...(read more)

My Virtual Home-Office Test Lab

2010-03-14T21:14:54Z

I submitted a post to Tech republic earlier in the month to detail what I am doing and what makes up my Home Office test lab. See Below: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=2747&tag=content;leftCol...(read more)

March 25 OWSUG Event – Windows 7 Deployment Deep Dive – Take 2

2010-03-14T19:47:52Z

This event was incredibly popular last time and many could not make it either because the registration filled up or the storm so Pierre Roman has offered to run the event one more time! Topic: Deployment Deep Dive on Windows 7 Community Tour-Ottawa Take 2 Description: Are you running Windows XP? Are you feeling the pressure of creating a deployment plan? Have no fear! Leveraging learning’s from two Windows 7 early adopters this session will give you the skills you need to proceed with...(read more)

Wish List Item – Flexibility mapping an ISO image in SCVMM

2010-03-11T23:35:21Z

I was asked earlier this week about differences between managing VMs using Hyper-V and managing them with SCVMM. For the record, even if you import the Hyper-V host into SCVMM to be managed centrally you can continue to manage said host from Hyper-V manager. This is not the recommended way of doing business for a couple of reasons. 1 reason is since you purchased SCVMM, managing your hosts and VMs centrally is a key benefit. If you have configured things like intelligent placement...(read more)

March 31 OWSUG enabled Energize IT Event

2010-03-11T22:10:27Z

I am excited to announce that Microsoft is coming to town to host Energize IT Community Connection: From the Client to the Cloud on March 31 st in Ottawa and I’d like to make sure you get the invite. Energize IT : C ommunity Connection: From the Client to the Cloud TO REGISTER: Click here . REGISTRATION START TIME: 6:00-6:30PM, EVENT START/END TIME: 6:30PM-9PM LOCATION: Algonquin College. Ottawa, ON SESSION OVERVIEW: Windows Azure. Office System 2010. Visual Studio 2010. Windows Phone 7 Series...(read more)

Recovering data from a ‘Partly’ cooked piece of hardware – Part 2

2010-03-08T23:57:14Z

I determined that the enclosure’s controller board is indeed “partly” fried. I used the enclosure with another system and it caused the system to freeze but no POST issues. This would have been a PAIN to discover. The drive survived though despite some slight data corruption. I lost my Virtual Server 2005 R2 install from the backup as there were too many corrupted files. I simply restored it as is and uninstalled it and then reinstalled it, I did not lose any virtual machines...(read more)

Recovering Data from a “Partly” Cooked Piece of Hardware part 1

2010-03-08T14:56:16Z

So I was thrilled yesterday to get everything setup the way I needed so that I could connect my eSATA drive to my 4GB DC/SQL 2008 server so that I could back up my data and finally grow my system partition… I had everything perfect, then I made a noob mistake. I grabbed the first loose adapter I could find that fit, plugged it in and powered everything on… The drive light went on for a second and then off… strange… I checked the drive, all was well. I checked the adapter… ...(read more)

Latest tinkering and Virtual Lab craziness – Make it work on a budget…

2010-03-08T00:22:32Z

I have 2 major systems which I use for my home Virtual lab. 1 system is a 4GB dual core 64-bit small form factor PC which hosts my DC, SQL 2008 server, and VMM 2008 R2. The other is my quad core 16GB system which hosts most of my VMs on Hyper-V R2. I recently ran into an issue where I need to grow my system partition on my DC so I went out and purchased some much needed storage to replace an existing 500GB SATA drive which my 4GB system will inherit. Well, I ran into a couple of issues...(read more)

Battle to get SQL 2008 properly installed in my System Center Virtual Lab

2010-03-07T10:38:48Z

I finally have more than 5 days at home to get some work done which was on the back burner. 1 major task I will complete is to make my home office lab accessible remotely. I’ll do this with either Direct Access (if I can get the consecutive IP addresses), TS Gateway, or Live Mesh failing the previous 2. I had been using both dedicated lab systems previously for other labs and have installed SQL 2005 which had since been completely uninstalled (or so i thought). I dedicated 1 physical...(read more)

I am Virtualizing so How is it that I still need more Machines?

2010-03-03T17:16:58Z

The never ending pit of despair… I am using Hyper-V and SCVMM to their fullest across all of my machines. I am keeping the systems running optimally as far as performance. Now what do I need? MORE! I need MORE! I think like most ITPROs I was content with less before when hardware was a limitation. Now that virtualization has exploded I am still finding I need more hardware. Sort of… Now, like the customers I deal with, I am finding that I need better quality scalable hardware...(read more)

February 25 User Group Event – Windows 7 Deployment Deep Dive

2010-02-08T14:25:15Z

February 25 2010 User Group Meeting Topic: Deployment Deep Dive on Windows 7 Community Tour-Ottawa Description: Are you running Windows XP? Are you feeling the pressure of creating a deployment plan? Have no fear! Leveraging learning’s from two Windows 7 early adopters this session will give you the skills you need to proceed with your own deployment. The session will focus on free Windows 7 deployment planning and deployment tools that customize operating system packages and automate...(read more)

MVP Classification Error – I am an MVP in the Virtual Machine Area!

2010-01-09T22:08:24Z

Interesting. I was searching for my MVP Profile today to find it under Virtual Machine and NOT under Management Infrastructure ;). It turns out that my classification was changed when I was re-awarded the MVP award. So, now I am a Virtual Machine MVP! Works for me :)...(read more)