December 2008 - Posts

Me Too, my Zune is dead!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 5:42 PM

Hum now I will wait a few days to see what the deal is but I'm glad I did buy one for my wife! I wonder how MS will deal with this situation!

 

For more deals, see Chris' post.

http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/cstauffer/archive/2008/12/31/dead-zune-30.aspx

 

or the Zune Support site.

http://www.zune.net/en-US/support/default.htm

 

image 

by Garth Jones
Filed under:
70-671, 70-672 and 70-673
Sunday, December 21, 2008 2:57 PM

70-671 Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Small and Medium Organizations

70-672 Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations

70-673 Designing, Assessing, and Optimizing Software Asset Management (SAM)

 

Since 70-122 and 70-123 have now been retired this means in the blog post about System Center Configuration Manager Enterprise Administrator the section about Licening neeed to be update as well:

 

Licensing

Compliancy is one of those topic that is always over looked. As an Enterprise ConfigMgr admin you will get ask “how many of X do we have” but what is missed is ConfigMgr Eadmin need to help management not violate licensing agreements, therefore this need to know about this.  By completing any of these will fulfil the Licensing requirement for System Center Configuration Manager Enterprise Administrator

 

CSAM Certified Software Asset Manager

70-671 Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Small and Medium Organizations

70-672 Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations

70-673 Designing, Assessing, and Optimizing Software Asset Management (SAM)

 

After the holidays I will be working on one of these or maybe OpsMgr exam. :-)

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , , , ,
Finding all chained apps
Thursday, December 18, 2008 5:44 PM

SELECT
    PRO.ProgramName,
    PRO.PackageID,
    PRO.CommandLine,
    PRO.Comment,
    PRO.Description,
    PRO.DependentProgram
FROM
    dbo.v_Program PRO
WHERE
    PRO.DependentProgram !=''

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , ,
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuration
Thursday, December 18, 2008 8:09 AM

 

This morning checking my email and I saw the following email.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: mswwprog@microsoft.com [mailto:mswwprog@microsoft.com]
Sent: December-18-08 12:26 AM
To: Garth
Subject: Congratulations on Your Microsoft Certification! Access Your Benefits

 

Congratulations on earning your Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuration certification! We hope you enjoy the benefits of your certification and of membership in the Microsoft Certified Professional community.

 

WHAT IS NEXT?

 

Visit the private Microsoft Certification site (https://mcp.microsoft.com/mcp/Default.mspx) to download your new logo, request your new certificate, or view and share your transcript.

 

If you have not already accessed the private site using the Microsoft Certification ID and password you received upon joining the program, you may follow these steps to do so now:  http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcpsecure.asp.

 

KEEP IN TOUCH!

 

Visit the profile center and make sure you are subscribed to the MCP newsletter for updates on exams, training, and program benefits: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/newsletters/default.mspx.

 

Connect with your peers for networking and advice in the MCP newsgroups: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/community/newsgroups.mspx.

 

Thank you, and congratulations once again.

The Microsoft Certification Program Team

 

So I doubled checked it on the Prometric site.

 

So this means I can officially cross of the 70-403 exam from my list of exams!

 

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , , , , ,
1st Anniversary
Thursday, December 11, 2008 10:30 AM

Well today is 1st anniversary of me taking steps to upgrade my certifications to Windows 2003 / Windows 2008. As many of you know I have blog about my experiences with all the exams. So this blog post is designed to talk about a few things.

  • Which exam I write and pass?
  • Which certifications did I achieve?
  • What exam tips can I give you?

 

Which exams did I write.

With the exception of one exam, I have passed all the exams below. The only one I have not passed yet is the 70-403 exam which is still in Beta and the results have not been released yet. (crossing finger)

  • 70-647 MCITP: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator 07-Nov-08
  • 70-403 MCTS: MS System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuring 21-Oct-08
  • 70-646 MCITP: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator 10-Oct-08
  • 70-652 MCTS: Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring 24-Sep-08
  • 70-649 MCTS: Upgrading MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 24-Sep-08
    • 70-640 MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
    • 70-642 MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
    • 70-643 TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
  • 70-298 Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network 01-Aug-08
  • 70-624 MCTS: Deploying & Maintaining Vista & Client Office System 07 Desktop 06-Jun-08
  • 70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure 30-May-08
  • 70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure 30-May-08
  • 70-291 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure 04-Apr-08
  • 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment 08-Feb-08
  • 70-431 SQL Server 2005 Implementation & Maintenance 22-Jan-08
  • 70-622 Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Enterprise Support Technicians 03-Jan-08
  • 70-620 Configuring Windows Vista Client 17-Dec-07
  • 70-401 Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring 11-Dec-07

Yes that is 14 exams and one upgrade exam which counts are 3 exams. (17 exams)

Which certifications did I achieve?

  1. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  2. Microsoft Certified IT Professional Enterprise Administrator
  3. Microsoft Certified IT Server Administrator
  4. Microsoft Certified IT Enterprise Support Technician
  5. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server Virtualization, Configuration
  6. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server 2008 Active Directory: Configuration
  7. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure: Configuration
  8. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure: Configuration
  9. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Business Desktop Deployment
  10. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist SQL Server 2005
  11. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Microsoft Windows Vista: Configuration
  12. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Configuration
  13. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  14. Microsoft Certified Trainer

Yes that is 14 different certifications!

What exam tips can I give you?

  • Find a local User Group
  • Find a Study Group or create one
  • Buy your books online vs at a book store
  • Book the exam in advance, this is a great motivator!
  • There are NO trick questions on the exams! I could write entire blog post on this subject!
  • Write a review of the exam. Like I did for 70-298
  • Be proud of the exams you passed!
  • Don’t use brain dumps, this only hurt you!

The last question that might be asked is what is next for me.

Well, I still plan to finish the exams outlined in my blog posts System Center Configuration Manager Enterprise Administrator and System Center Operation Manager Enterprise Administrator. Which are 70-400, 70-122 and a packaging exam. I’m starting to regret adding that one to the list, mostly because it is hard to find CBTs for that one. On top of those, I might pick up 70-432 (SQL 2008) and 70-635 (MDT). Yes, it is a never ending battle.

Why did I do this? The biggest reason was to put my money where my mouth was! I was preaching to other User Group members about you should get certified but I was not doing it myself! Plus I always feel that I learn something new while studying for each exam!

So what are you doing about becoming certified?

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Postponed Dec 10th User Group Meeting - SQL Server 101 for the IT Pro & SQL Server Chalk Talk
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 2:18 PM

Due to the OC Transport Strike and Weather issues, we are postponing tomorrow’s meeting until January 22nd 2009.

 

The event page has been updated to reflect the new date.

https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=133776

 

 

Topic: SQL Server 101 for the IT Pro & SQL Server Chalk Talk


SQL What?!?  What every IT Pro needs to know about SQL Server

More and more products require a SQL Server database.  Are you an IT Pro installing SQL Server but not sure how to support it?  Do you work at a place where you are the IT department?  Well this event is for you!

The OWSUG and OttawaSQL.net user groups are teaming up to bring you a special session dedicated to SQL Server for the non-DBAs.

We will cover important topics that are often overlooked until it is too late, and talk about ways to simplify SQL Server administration.

Topics include:

·         Backup and Restore

·         Checking for data corruption

·         Creating Maintenance plans

·         Sending alerts

·         Setting up email for notifications

·         Security Basics

·         Tips and Tricks, and time saving tools

… and much more!

After the presentations we will have a panel of local DBAs, SQL Server veterans and Microsoft MVPs ready to answer your questions in an informal SQL Server Chalk Talk

 

Product Showcase (15 minutes):   SQL Response - Red Gate Software, David E. Myers

 

No flashing lights. No repetitive emails. No complicated configuration required. Only the intelligent alerts and diagnostic data you need to resolve problems on your SQL Servers sooner. All from a single, intuitive interface.  SQL Response monitors the health and activity of your SQL Servers, so you can work proactively to resolve the problems that matter most. See how no-nonsense monitoring from Red Gate's new SQL Response™ can help you make the most of your office hours.


Location:
Microsoft Canada Co.
100 Queen Street Suite 500
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1J9

Date: December 11th, 2008

Agenda:

5:00 p.m.  Event registration
5:30 p.m.  Presentation
7:30 p.m.  Q & A
8:00 p.m.  Door Prizes

Notes: Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.


RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=133776

by Garth Jones
ARP for Collection SMS000ES
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 8:32 AM

SELECT
    CS.Name0,
    CSUM.TopConsoleUser0,
    ARP.DisplayName0,
    ARP.Publisher0,
    ARP.Version0
FROM
    dbo.v_GS_ADD_REMOVE_PROGRAMS ARP,
    dbo.v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS,
    dbo.v_GS_SYSTEM_CONSOLE_USAGE_MAXGROUP CSUM,
    dbo._RES_COLL_SMS000ES ES
WHERE
    CS.ResourceID = ARP.ResourceID
    AND CS.ResourceID = CSUM.ResourceID
    AND CS.ResourceID = ES.MachineID

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , ,
NIC PNP Devices
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:44 AM

SELECT DISTINCT
PNP.DeviceID0,
PNP.Name0,
PNP.PNPDeviceID0
FROM
dbo.v_GS_NETWORK_ADAPTER NA,
dbo.v_GS_PNP_DEVICE_DRIVER PNP
WHERE
NA.Name0 = PNP.Name0
AND NA.MACAddress0 Is Not Null

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , ,
PC, OS, SP1 and IP Address
Friday, December 05, 2008 6:39 PM

SELECT
    CS.Name0,
    OS.Caption0,
    OS.CSDVersion0,
    NAC.IPAddress0
FROM
    dbo.v_GS_Computer_System CS
    JOIN dbo.v_GS_NETWORK_ADAPTER_CONFIGUR NAC on CS.ResourceID = NAC.ResourceID 
    JOIN dbo.v_GS_OPERATING_SYSTEM OS on CS.ResourceID = OS.ResourceID 
WHERE    
    (NOT (NAC.IPAddress0 = 'NULL'))
    And NAC.IPAddress0 != '0.0.0.0'
ORDER BY
    CS.Name0

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , ,
Ports Used by Configuration Manager
Friday, December 05, 2008 11:35 AM

I was looking up information about ports used by ConfigMgr and notice that the article has been updated. The content is now dated Dec 1 2008, so this means that something is new.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/library/bb632618.aspx

 

Here is a list of other things that have changed too.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/library/dd252743.aspx

by Garth Jones
Filed under: ,
Job posting
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:47 PM

Make sure that you stop by the OWSUG Job forums. There have been 10 new posting within the last month with more that half of them for Microsoft!

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
How to add AD data to ConfigMgr reporting
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:25 PM

First off, this will not be supported by Microsoft or me. :-)

AD it just another database, just like SQL server is. With that in mind there is nothing stopping you from using SQL to link to AD to give you data about your AD environment!

1) Create Linked Server using SSMS

exec master.dbo.sp_addlinkedserver 'ADSI', 'Active Directory Service Interfaces', 'ADSDSOObject', '<DC Name FQDN>'

2) Modify the security for ADSI using SSMS

exec master.dbo.sp_addlinkedsrvlogin @rmtsrvname = N'ADSI', @locallogin = NULL , @useself = N'False', @rmtuser = N'<Domian>\<User Id>', @rmtpassword = N'<Password>'

3) The hard part is over!

4) Create query to query AD and ConfigMgr

This query will list all PCs within AD that are NOT within ConfigMgr (or SMS)

select

AD.cn as 'PC Name(AD)',

AD.operatingSystem as 'OS (AD)',

AD.operatingSystemServicePack as 'SP (AD)'

from

openquery (ADSI,

'SELECT cn,

operatingSystem,

operatingSystemServicePack

FROM ''LDAP://<DC Name FQDN>''

WHERE objectCategory = ''Computer''') as AD

Where

AD.cn not in (Select name0 from v_GS_Computer_System as CS)

order by

AD.cn,

AD.operatingSystem,

AD.operatingSystemServicePack

This query will give you a count of all OS that are NOT within ConfigMgr (or SMS)

select

AD.operatingSystem as 'OS (AD)',

count(AD.operatingSystem)

from

openquery (ADSI,

'SELECT cn,

operatingSystem,

operatingSystemServicePack

FROM ''LDAP://gartek-dc.gartek.tst''

WHERE objectCategory = ''Computer''') as AD

Where

AD.cn not in (Select name0 from v_GS_Computer_System as CS)

Group by

AD.operatingSystem

order by

AD.operatingSystem

So what does this report look like.

image

So there you have it.

Now for the bad news!

While researching this there was some indication that AD will only return 1000 records! There was also some indication that there are some complicated queries out on the Internet to solve this problem but I did not find them. So...

by Garth Jones
Filed under: , , ,
Scotch
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 2:52 PM

40yearold 

So the other day I when out and purchased a special bottle of Scotch. On Sunday night, some of my friends “who are of the correct age” had a dram of Scotch. Let just say that everyone who partake, really enjoyed this scotch! Feel free to order a bottle or two, and let me know if you do, as I will stop by for a dram.

 

What do you think my chance are that Ellen (my wife) will let me buy this Scotch in 10- years from now?

 

BTW, I think if you double click the picture you will get a better shot of the box. Yes, I do have bottle 277/294 from cask 11009!

by Garth Jones
Filed under:
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