Best posts made by NetworkNerd

I agree with @Vladimir-Eremin about the config backup. Make sure you are doing this daily. I recently had to restore a configuration backup because I rebuilt my Veeam server, and it saved me a ton of setup time. As for the SQL install, I think Express makes the most sense if you can do it. That way your Veeam server is self-contained, and you don't have to worry about having your Veeam server and a separate SQL Server up to be able to restore from backup in an emergency.

@scottalanmiller said in SpiceWorld DFW Pregame Meetup:

@NetworkNerd said in SpiceWorld DFW Pregame Meetup:

@scottalanmiller said in SpiceWorld DFW Pregame Meetup:

@NetworkNerd said in SpiceWorld DFW Pregame Meetup:

I agree it would be fun to invite the DFW SpiceCorps crowd.

Pretty sure that I can get a bartender again, too.

I can throw something on the SpiceCorps calendar no problem. You or @Texkonc will probably have to run the show. It can be the Pre-Spiceworld meetup with special guests from NTG.

Cool. I can talk, too. Give it some content. But mostly... meetup and drink up, I think.

How about Happy Hour with SAM and the NTG team? It can be a no-holds barred discussion with Q and A from attendees unless you want to give tips on how to make the most out of peer networking events or something else that's on your mind.

I'm behind on my posts.

Episode 11 kicks off with more questions you should ask during an interview, and we address whether being in IT can give someone a hero complex. Get the full episode here.

I'm about to create a VM for our Estimating department to use to access a particular software. The company only wanted to get one seat, and as most know, a single seat tied to a specific computer is cheaper than network licensing most of the time. Basically this VM will run Windows 7 / 8.1 and allow one user at a time to login and use the program via RDP. We don't use VDI in any way. Other than the fact that this will be a VM, it is literally no different than having a desktop computer that is always online.

My CDW rep is telling me I need a license of Windows 8.1 Enterprise rather than Pro so I can leverage the VDA usage rights. I thought I just needed a license of 8.1 Pro (open license, not retail) to cover the requirements here. Can someone straighten this out for me?

I finally got around to posting the slide deck on my blog. And I added some corrections to the video: http://blog.thenetworknerd.com/2017/07/05/dfw-mango-meetup-whats-new-in-vsan-6-6/.

In this episode, we talk about elements of an effective 1-1 with your manager and how to leave an organization gracefully. Get the full episode here.

We have an XP VM running on an ESXi 5.5 host (recently upgraded to the latest ESXi) running on local storage. This VM is specifically for some programming software used in conjunction with our press brakes. This VM is running on VM hardware 8. The user that uses this VM for programming has to access the VM via VNC since the software requires a USB HASP to run. The HASP prevents anyone from using the software via RDP, so VNC was the way to go..

Since the ESXi upgrade, the video performance has been a little odd. Opening the software works fine, but some menus within the software will open, show the text you would expect, and then show up completely white on the screen. Once that happens you can take another window and drag it over the one that it solid white to show the text. I tried different VNC viewers with different connection speeds and even fewer colors but have not really found a solution. Yes, I realize it is XP, but if there's anything I can do to boost the video performance I would like to do it.

I did check processor usage (only using 1 vCPU, but I am not seeing that it is taxed in anyway). RAM usage is pretty normal (again, not taxed here), even at the limit of just over 3 GB usable by XP. IOPs on the server are not an issue to my knowledge. I tried increasing the video memory a little, but that did not really help. The VM is using the standard VGA adapter that VMWare Tools installs. I am not certain the VMware SVGA 3D adapter will even install in XP.

I'd appreciate any help people can offer on this one. Is the issue here because we have to connect via VNC, lack of video memory for the VM, the fact that we are running XP, etc.? Will a VM hardware version upgrade help or hurt here?

For those who could not make it, this was a great meeting and another example of how great the content we as attendees can create when we are together and share our experiences. I'll post links to videos, etc. hopefully by this weekend. Many thanks to @scottalanmiller for being a part of the completely fluid O365 panel we had.

This week we follow part 2 of Tom Delicati's journey as he branched out to start his own business. The transition from IT Operations to business owner was pretty interesting. I'm curious if others here can relate to the story. You can get the full episode here.

Maybe?
http://www.telrex.com/integrations/cisco-call-recording.php

Consider the cost to implement and manage in addition to your current PBX. Is the TCO justified?

Here's my full write up with takeaways - https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2053346-dfw-spicecorps-9-12-2017-google-g-suite-vs-microsoft-office-365.

Many thanks to @NetworkNerdWifey for helping with video editing and thumbnails.

The journey continues on another Podcast Tuesday. Have you ever thought about factors that would cause you not to pursue an opportunity? This week we tackle what to consider before you apply. Take some time for your career today, and get the full episode here.

I love the CompuServe plug. I remember when Compuserve WOW was our ISP.

Youtube Video

‪This week it’s a Nerd Journey BONUS episode with a focus on being thankful through the lens of career. Take some time to be thankful for what you have, and do it often. Get the full episode here - http://bit.ly/2DBQajx‬

For those using VMWare, if you have vCenter, are you using vCenter Operations Manager?

I only have vSphere Essentials (3 hosts), and it would probably help us to some degree. I get that we don't have access to all the bells and whistles that other VMWare versions paired with Operations Manager may bring, but what I really wonder is how much more helpful Operations Manager would be than just vCenter by itself.

I'd love to hear any feedback you can give me.

Date: Thursday, April 19, 2018
Time: 6:30pm - 10:00 PM CDT
Location:
Holiday Inn Las Colinas
110 W John Carpenter Fwy
Irving, TX 75039

Spring is in the air, and it is time for another SpiceCorps meeting. If you like to talk technology, enjoy free refreshments, and want to meet your peers in the industry, come nerd out with us! This meeting is the result of a topic suggestion from our February meeting. Here's what we will cover:

Imaging 101 for the IT Pro

Is workstation imaging the bane of your existence? Is it as simple as pushing out a golden image to a new machine when onboarding employees, or are there other ways to approach the imaging process? Should everything just be scripted? How can we make image management easier and deployment faster for administrators? What about dealing with different hardware, a changing set of applications for end users, and multiple operating systems? How can we image at scale without needing to scale the department? We'll discuss different imaging methodologies and have plenty of time for questions.

Kudos to our very own ITGamer for securing a venue and volunteering to give a talk. Light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

RSVP here - https://community.spiceworks.com/meeting/show/2671

What better way to spend Podcast Tuesday than listening to the latest episode of Nerd Journey? Check out part one of our interview with Joseph Griffiths this week, and soak in his nuggets of wisdom on career trajectory, strategy, and tactics. Get the full episode here.

@scottalanmiller said:

First new vendor that we met from the conference: https://www.aetherstore.com/

One of these days I want to try this. It seemed like a very neat product.

Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00 PM CDT
Location:
Dallas Makerspace
1825 Monetary Ln #104
Carrollton, TX 75006

It's time once again to get together and talk about something nerdy under the IT umbrella! We are back at the Dallas Makerspace for this meeting and will be in the Lecture Hall. As you RSVP for this meeting through the community, please also RSVP with the Makerspace here so they will understand how many are attending.

Topics

We'll have Joseph Griffiths back to talk to us about container usage in the SMB. What is a container, how do SMBs use them, what are some benefits, and what are some ways to get started? Come with all your questions about containers.

Be prepared for a possible second topic to be determined as the meeting approaches.

As always, we look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP here - https://community.spiceworks.com/meeting/show/2801