NOTICE:   IF THESE STEPS ARE PERFORMED INCORRECTLY OR WITHOUT TESTING IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO WIPE OUT YOUR XENSERVER DATA LOSING ALL STORAGE REPOSITORIES.  TAKE GREAT CARE WHEN FOLLOWING THESE INSTRCUTIONS. Strickland Networks is not responsible for someone erasing their virtual disks by mistake.

Now that that is over, let the fun begin!

I was updating a 6 server XenServer Farm yesterday and came across a memory error.   It started out as a hardware (HW) error and then turned into a BIOS problem.  The Dell Engineer then began to search for the updates that I would need for my Server.  The Dell representative was very helpful and began putting together a list of updates that I would need...  I began to ponder the multitude of different servers that I had to update after I finished with these six.  I also know that I have a Windows update DVD that will update all the Dell hardware on my Windows Server plus the drivers. 

I asked the question to the Dell Tech and he replied that yes there was a solution.  You need these two DVDs:

DVD 1 (System Management Tools and Build - DVD):

ftp://ftp.dell.com/secure/sysman/OM_6.3.0_SMTD_A00.iso.001

ftp://ftp.dell.com/secure/sysman/OM_6.3.0_SMTD_A00.iso.002

DVD 2 (BIOS and Firmware Images - Dual Layer DVD)

ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/sysman/om631_suu_a00.iso.001

ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/sysman/om631_suu_a00.iso.002

ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/sysman/om631_suu_a00.iso.003

ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/sysman/om631_suu_a00.iso.004

This tool can join the files for you:

http://www.treepad.net/download/hjsplit.zip

Proceed down to see the process.

It should be noted that this same process can be run on any Linux Server.  It is not recommended on Windows Servers due to possible driver incompatibilities.

Some people will try to tell you that the only enterprise class virtualization out there is VM Ware, but I am here to tell you that Citrix is a contender.  Not only is it a contender but it is growing in features and in acceptance.  Citrix XenServer is actually the World's largest Internet Facing Virtualization environment, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).  Because the foundation of XenServer is built on the open source Xen, there is lots of opportunity for developers to to build upon the feautres and functionality of the product.  One such features is Everun by Marathon Technologies.  The product will allow you to even unplug the server that your primary node is running on and the transfer to the secondary server is so seemless that if you were running XenApp on the server your end users would never even know that they swicthed to a different server.

  http://www.marathontechnologies.com/high_availability_xenserver.html)

With all of the new features of XenServer 5.6, I have been very excited about rolling it out.  There has been one thing though.  OpenManage and XenServer haven't been the best pals.  When we had been trying to rollout any XenServer on a Dell Server, it seems that we had to jump through hoops to make OpenManage work.  Well Dell has really worked on being more XenServer Friendly and released a Supplemental Pack for XenServer. 

A Supplemental Pack is an install package that can be slipstreamed into the install of XenServer.  So if you were installing XenServer you would simply start with the install CD, then use the Linux Templates Supplemental CD, and then use the Dell OpenManage CD when it asks for you to continue the install.  It is great!

I had to call Dell to get a copy of the ISO because it was not yet available on the website.  Here is the link so that you too can enjoy some Dell and Citrix Xen!

http://ftp.dell.com/sysman/OM-SrvAdmin-Dell-Web-LX-6.3.0-2075.XenServer56_A00.10.iso

By the way, Thank You! Johanness Far (Dell Enterprise Technical Support Senior Analyst) for getting me the link. 

This past year I have spent much time trying to work more efficiently and find excellent solutions for my clients that will not break the bank.  In my pursuit I have tested Linux and Windows software.  Some have been duds and others have been GOLD.  Below you will find my top ten for 2009 and receive David Shoffitt's seal of approval. 

XenServer - http://www.citrix.com

Wow.  Let me say it again, WOW.  Citrix has released a wonderful Virtualization Solution with a robust HyperVisor that allows companys to start a virutalization initiative at NO COST, provided that you have the hardware to run it on.WHen we first started trying it out we ran it on a PC class machine with a Core2Duo at 2.4 GHz.  We ran 6 servers on the small computer with no speed problems.  We then migrated them to an enterprise class environment.  We also converted 2 baremetal machines to virtual in the process all at no cost.  Let me say again WOW.  We have no need for VMWare at our business because we have a enterprise class solution at again no cost.  There are some added features that you can get that cost money like enhanced Storage Link Technologies, and email alerts and notifications, and rapid server provisioning which still would come in at a fraction of the cost of VMWares solutions. Cost :Free

True Crypt - http://www.truecrypt.org

I use this software on my laptop.  It works great!  I use preboot authentication so that if someone were to steal my laptop they would have to know a password that is well over 20 characters before they could access the files or even boot the computer.  My data is safe.  You can also create virtual HardDisks on your computer that are encrypted if you just want to encrypt some data but not all data.  I recently had corrupted my OS on my computer and was able to plug my HardDrive into another computer to recover my files.  The harddrive was not readable until I used the TrueCrypt software on my PC and mounted the drive as an encypted volume and then I was able to read it.  Very Powerful product. Cost :Free

Drop Box - http://www.dropbox.com

This is a nice synchronization tool that allows you to synchronize a folder on your computer with other computers over the internet.  Very useful!  Also it will allow you to go to the website and download your files directly in case you are not around any of your subscribing PCs or laptops. Cost :Free

CloneZilla - http://clonezilla.org/

 In my line of work it is almost a daily necessity to take a point in time fully restorable backup of a PC before you potentialy kill it with some update or possible fix to resolve a problem that would require you to rebuild the computer.  Well with this software you can reapidly redeploy a computer with its configuration prior to when you formatted it along with all of the partitions that were on the harddrive originally. I like the version based on Ubuntu. Cost :Free

Ultimate Boot CD - http://www.ubcd4win.com/

The Ultimate Boot CD is a must have for any technician.  It will empower you to be able to reset the local admin password if you ever forget it.  It will also allow you to browse the HardDrive of a computer that is broken and allow you to fix partition tables and even copy files to a network resource or USB Drive. There are many, many more utilities on this disk that are useful for a technician.  Cost :Free

RichCopy - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.utilityspotlight.aspx

I often have the responsibility of moveing large numbers of files and large amounts of data from location to another and Windows File Copy rarely fits the bill.  What I have found is RichCopy which offers a large amount of options so that you can leverage multiple threads to copy more than one file at a time.  I love this tool and user atleast once a week! Cost :Free

USB to SATA -  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2329300&CatId=3770

A wonderful tool that will allow you to hook your SATA or IDE HardDrive of another computer up to your computer via USB without having to open the case of your computer to use it..  Simple tool, great flexibility. Cost :~$20

CD Burner XP - http://cdburnerxp.se/

My favorite CD Burner application.  Can burn audio or data.  Can make ISOs and burn them too.  Everything I need a nice little package.  Cost :Free

FileZilla Server - http://filezilla-project.org/

FileZilla is a simple and robust FTP server that allows for Secure Encrypted FTP along with normal FTP.  The best thing about this software is that it comes with all the necessary bells and whistles to setup a small business FTP Server.  The big feature I would like to see would be Active Directory Lookups or LDAP Authentication.  Cost :Free

PrtScr - http://www.fiastarta.com/PrtScr

Nice and easy screen capture utility that allows you to do freeform captures and markups.  Cost :Free

Here in Fort Worth we are not too familiar with snow.  We usually get one or two days of ice per year and anything more than that is the end of the world.  This winter, however, has been somthing of an anomaly.  We had the first white Christmas in 83 years.  A couple of weeks ago, we had about 12 inches of snow.  My daughter and I made a snow girl in the front yard.  It was beautiful. 

The problem is that we Texans don't know how to handle snow or ice.  Everything shut down.  Businesses and houses lost their power, schools closed and the city looked likea  ghost town.  This kind of thing can be devastating for the economy.  In my business, managing client's computer networks, we don't have the luxury of taking a snow day.  We have clients around the country relying on us to keep their systems running and to provide help desk services no matter what the weather in Fort Worth is doing.

One of the tools that we rely on to work when we can't get to the office is Citrix XenApp.  This software lets you run business applications from any computer with an internet connection as if you were sitting in the office.  In fact, if it's properly configured, many user's cannot tell that the program isn't running on their local PC.  This software is amazing for when you're on the road and you need to access your company's database application.  Or perhaps your kid's school called to say your child is sick - with this software you can be just as productive at home as at the office.  

To find out more information or to see a demo of this product, give us a call at 817-224-2100.