P2V (Physical to Virtual) Conversion

This is the concept that been buzzing around the IT world. Convert your physical machine to Virtual.(Not exactly the correct meaning as it is, but we’re talking about converting the OS and the apps in the physical to virtual OS that can be run on any platform. VMware company goes extra mile to introduce this method and really keep on their word on it. They are so keen about this concept and released out a free tool to people to test this method. This software can be downloaded here (http://www.vmware.com/download/converter/)

Actually they have come with 2 version and more details can be found from the VMware web site itself.

So I took the liberty of testing this out in our office Exchange server!!!!! (People don’t try this out in your office unless you got a another job) I have given a task of cleaning out the mess in our exchange server and remove the unnecessary mail boxes. Knowing this clean is not the best method than a fresh installation I thought of trying this out. So my first task is downloading the software and then install it to the Exchange server itself. After that I make sure we have a spare server or a hard disk with enough free disk capacity for the migration. Armed with all the necessary tools and the brains start the process. Cannot recall the whole time it took for the conversation but I assume it was around 6 hours. (I start the process in a weekend and found it was completed when I arrived to office on Monday)

So what I found is a 30GB vmdk file! Start the Virtual server in a dual core machine and start the vhdk file assigning 1GB ram. The process went smoothly and after the bootup I had to install the VMware tools get the connectivity with the actual network. After assigning the IP connectivity I brough down the physical PC down. I ran the company Exchange server in a virtual environment for 2 weeks time. The only problem I found is network card stop sending packets and loosing the connectivity once in a while. I assume I have not done a proper house work for the virtual file. (Assuming I have to boot the virtual OS in safe mode and remove the existing network cards and then let the VMware tools to install its emulated network drivers.) But apart from that whole project is a success.

I really like to hear from others who have done a process like this. My next plan is to host a SharePoint portal server and our anti virus server (Symantec Endpoint Security) in virtual appliances and host in one physical server.

Virtualization is a cool concept and sooner or later it will crawl into you office too. So be prepared!!!

So I'm MCSA now

Well I'm so glad I made it. I've been out of the certification track after doing my Small Business Server exam in year 2006.
It relly took me 2 months time and my previous job experince really helped me in that. I still think SBS exam is really worth for the money. The product itself really cool and really look forward to post some information about it soon. One cool product I start to fall in love is Microsoft ISA server 2004/2006. I know Cisco rocks in everyones minds, but this is a cool product to give a serious thouhgts. Glad to Local IT security giving attention to that. Look forward to share some information with other peer members about this product.

So that's my small roaring about the MCSA and look forward to get few more certificates under my belt and look foward to Windows 2008.

Ubuntu back in action

Ubuntu Linux has released their latest desktop version-Ubuntu 7.0.4 aka "Feisty Fawn"

In my previous articles I've mentioned I use the version 6.06 and 6.10 and been really impressed with their easiness of usage. New version has even more promsing features and also options to data and user migrations from windows operating systems. The truth is Microsoft Vista has been requesting lots of resources leaving it's customer base with less options. Most of them are looking for alternatives and to keep their existing PC's. Specially in Asian countries windows Vista migration might get slower phase due to the Computer hardware component prices. Microsoft still hasn't come up with good pricing schmene for the developing countries and this is another kep point they loose average Joe's. Anyway I've not yet installed the latest version cause it's still on it's way through ADSL line (lol)
Will update the blog one I get my hands dirty on the product. But in da meantime I found out the following features and offered bt the product,

Windows migration tool - The new migration tool recognises Internet Explorer favorites, Firefox bookmarks, desktop wallpaper, AOL IM contacts, Yahoo IM contacts and imports them in Ubuntu. This offers easier and faster migration for new users of Ubuntu and individuals wanting to run a dual partition. In addition to single accounts, you can migrate several users' settings in Ubuntu. (I think this may get rapid improvement to support more data to be transferred)

Easy installation of multimedia codecs -Playing an MP3 or other media file just got a lot easier. If the required pieces are not yet installed, 7.04 will get the correct codecs for you, no more searching and no need for long and complicated instructions.

Easier connection to wireless networks - This is really timesaver. Just like windows XP wireless configuration options. Configuration going to be breeze.

apart from that Ubuntu 7.0.4 using the latest kernel (2.6.20) and Gnome's most awating 2.18 desktop enviroment.

Cannot clear ARP cache

I've been facing this matter numerous times. Couldn't find the cause of it until today. This time problems occurs in windows 2003 server computer after installing RRAS (Routing and Remote Access Service) . As soon as I start the service server couldn't access the internet and won't allow new clients to join the network. Stopping the service allowed me to connect to the service but won't allow to join new clients to the domain.
After quick Googling I found out this problem is common for all windows versions. Foud out various answers and most popular one is clearing the ARP cache through command line (netsh interface ip delete arpcache) Microsoft has been kind enough to offer the solution starting from ABC (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314067)
Just a another day in computer nightmare! Hope to see a ray of light tomorrow. Will post as soon as I come up with an answer.
Cheers

How to survive in OS battle in year 2007

First of all wish everyone a Happy Ney Year! We're on the era of expecting windows VISTA to come out and surprise windows fans. I've once reviewed the windows Vista and couldn't find much interesting things to stick around it. I'm really disappointed to hear minimum/ recommended hardware requirement for the OS. You can run any Linux OS in very good condition in that kind of specs.(This is my personal blog so bare with my ideas...lol)
But things may change as usual. If we look into the Windows OS history most of us keep on moaning and blaming when they initially released their OS. I remember most of us blamed windows XP and told we'll stick to to windows 2000 Professional no matter what. But it changed ultimately. Even though we moan about the windows Vista hardware requirement in the market we se hardware components exceeding Vista requirement and far more capability packed. But it's the question is how far we want to go on purchasing hardware and software to do the same task we did years back. As always security and information theft is a the biggest risk in the current and present future. So software vendors have busy time looking after their product and keep on covering their products t minimize such attacks.
As a summary of the situation I see year 2007 will be interesting place for OS battle. With Microsoft windows Vista and their latest server product range their will be significant change from the fans for the Linux world. They will think twice before jumping to OS.