Jason Yoder, MCT

By default, once you specify a backup location in the WINS MMC, Windows will backup the WINS database every 24 hours. Here is how you can back it up on a schedule. First you need to configure WINS to do a backup when it shuts down. • Open the WINS MMC . • Right mouse click the server and select Properties . • On the General tab, check Backup database during server shutdown . • Also, specify a default backup path. A simple batch file will do the trick. Net Stop WINS Net Start WINS Exit Use the Task Scheduler to run this at the required interval. Don’t forget to give the task the credentials to perform this task. To maintain availability, make sure that you have 2 WINS servers and your clients knows about both servers. Configure them as Push/Pull partners. The backup only needs to be done on one server. Class: 6421A Configuring and Troubleshooting a Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

When a file in a DFS folder is changed in two or more locations between replication, a conflict occurs. The last one saved is going to be the one that is replicated. To ensure no critical data is lost, look for a folder on the local path of the replicated folder called DfsrPrivate/ConflictandDelete. You should find what you are looking for there. Reference: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc773238.aspx#BKMK_049

Simply put, anything lower is not supported. Microsoft did not include NAP compatibility in the older Service Packs. XP is compatible with NAP as long as it is up to date with SP3. Windows XP Home and Vista Home editions are also not compatible because they lack the ability to join a domain with is an NAP requirement. Reference: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd125301.aspx

Airports are designed to #1 get you to your flight, #2 get money out of you. Let's take a look at some ways to save money. Book your parking as well as your ticket ahead of time. In this industry, we do not always know when we are going to need a plane ticket. We could get that call on Friday to be 2000 miles away by Monday morning. When ever possible though, book a parking space. Airport offsite parking is by default, cheaper then on site parking. Also, you can get up to 50% off by making a reservation. Food is another big one. Can you say "captive audiance?" Its true. Even if you are picking someone up and cannot get through security. They know that the nearest fast food joint is usually 20 - 30 minutes away. Once you go through security, well, make it a few hours away. Try eating before you leave. At the very least, before you get to the airport. By not arriving hungry, you will be less tempted to grab a snack. Reading material. It's nice to browse t...

I’m sorry to say that no, it does not. Take a look at the second Note at the bottom of this article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926185 It would be nice for those using Server 2008 as a workstation OS, but it looks like we will have to rely on Volume Shadow Copy Service and good old backups. Update to this article - May 8, 2009 For those of you running your environments in Hyper-V and want some sort of system restore, take a look at Hyper-V snapshots. Just remember to keep your data elsewhere and to thoroughly test using snapshots before using them in a production environment.

Microsoft tries to work with vendors to make their products compatible with the Windows Security Center. The product must be registered with Windows Security Center for its status to be reported to NAP for a validation check. As for how far out of date a definition file can be, NAP does not provide for this. APIs are available to developers so they can develop SHA’s (System Health Agents) to work with NAP to says the software is up to date or not. For a listing of Network Access Protection Partners: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/nap-partners.aspx Reference: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753550.aspx Class: 6421A Configuring and Troubleshooting a Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

Proceed with caution. The Schema Operations Master role is the hardest of the Flexible Single Operations Master roles to find. That should be a clear single to not tamper with it unless told to do so. Here is what you need to do: •Register the Schema Snap with this click Start --> RUN • Type regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll and press Enter . • Click OK . • Open an MMC . • Click File --> Add\Remove Snap-in . • Click the Add button and select, Active Directory Schema. •3) Select Active Directory Schema , Right Click, Operations Master .

Yes you can, but not like you can for other services like DHCP or WINS. There are also different procedures for active directory integrated zones and non-integrated zones. Below is a link to an article in MCPMAG.COM that explains the steps in detail. http://mcpmag.com/columns/article.asp?editorialsid=1024 Class: 6421A Configuring and Troubleshooting a Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

The Application Server Role is designed for applications that take advantage of one or more of the following: Internet Information Services (IIS) (the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server that is built into Windows Server) Microsoft® .NET Framework versions 3.0 and 2.0. (If you have applications that are built with the .NET Framework 3.5, you can download and install the .NET Framework 3.5 onto the operating system.) ASP.NET COM+ Message Queuing Web services that are built with Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) As always, check the documentation of your application or the developer’s web site for specific instructions on how to deploy to a Windows 2008 Server environment. Reference: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754024.aspx Class: 6421A Configuring and Troubleshooting a Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

Windows Server 2008 has some really neat features to help make your users (and your) life easier. One of them is Distributed File System. There is a sure fire way to ruin this feature, having an incompatible antivirus product. Since a move to Windows Server 2008 and antivirus protection is a big investment in your business, neglecting compatability in your antivirus protection can cause a serious cost over run. Below is a list of compatible antivirus products from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/815263/en-us . There is also a hot fix availible for ForeFront client users. If your files take unexpectedly long to replicate, check out this link. 3rd party antivirus vendors may also have this issue as well. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=956123 Antivirus • Microsoft ForeFront • Computer Associates eTrust Antivirus build 96 or later with the "NTFS incremental scan" feature disabled • Computer Associates eTrust 7.0 • Eset Nod32 version 1.199.16 • Grisoft AVG Antivirus 7.0 •...

Every once and a while I jump into some IT forums to try and help others achieve there goals. Here is one from the forums at MCPMag.com. Help! Applied for IT Job need some advice Hello. I have a B.A. in Geographic Information Systems. After ten years in this field I have found that I have really enjoyed troubleshooting Windows and fixing computers in general. I am the family and friends IT guy. I'v taken classes in XP Pro and Linux systems administration, as well as DOS and Linux commands. But most of my experience has been in Database analysis and SQL. My problem is that I don't have any certifications yet. I'm currently pursing my MCSA. But I don't have any certs yet. I've recently applied fot these types of positions, but I don't seem to get into the interviews. Is it possible for someone like me to land an IT position? Can anyone give me some advice as to what I could focus on so that I can just get in the door? Any advice would be welcomed. I have just rece...

OK, time to shake that hang over and start on that New Years resolution that you will break by next week.