@scottalanmiller said in Get Windows Version from Command Line:

@pmoncho said in Get Windows Version from Command Line:

@Obsolesce

I get that. Currently, I don't know what I don't know so I need to learn how to know what I need to know that will solve the current "not knowing what I don't know" situation.

That's kind of the Windows thing now - It's constantly changing so no one knows what they need to know. Every release is making for all new challenges.

No doubt. Currently working on getting Server 2019 DC, DHCP, and RDS working in a lab. A few challenges so far. Was going to try using PS to do many tasks I normally do in GUI (force myself to learn as I go) but decided to put it on the back burner due to frustration. I will get there with PS but it has to wait.

@Obsolesce

I get that. Currently, I don't know what I don't know so I need to learn how to know what I need to know that will solve the current "not knowing what I don't know" situation.

@Obsolesce said in Get Windows Version from Command Line:

However, I do understand the possiblility of running into Windows versions that may not have some PowerShell modules and may not be able to automatically obtain it in the script, requiring C

As I start to learn a little more about PowerShell, this has become one of my most aggravating issues.

The 2nd is not having some of the same cmdlets on Server version vs Desktop version for the same feature/function (don't know the right verbiage).

@scottalanmiller said in The Hidden Cost of Licensing Windows Server - Activation:

Just looking at this with a customer that just put in a new Windows 2019 server. The machine was purchased with a volume license agreement for Server 2019 Standard. Everything should be super easy, in theory. Problem is, license key from the volume license center doesn't work. We spend a bit of time trying to get this to apply, but no luck.

I have run into a similar situation this morning and not being able activate the VLSC liscense.

Before I decided to call MS and getting frustrated, I was able to activate from an elevated command line.
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ipk <product key>

Throwing this out here in case someone comes along this post at a later time.

@travisdh1 said in Windows update and Sophos:

@pmoncho said in Windows update and Sophos:

@travisdh1 said in Windows update and Sophos:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4493467/windows-8-1-update-kb4493467
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4493472/windows-7-update-kb4493472

Both react negatively when running Sophos. You're not able to login.

They effect all currently supported versions of Windows, not just Window 7 and 8 like the links would lead you to believe.

No prizes for guessing which anti-virus dashboard we use.

I have read other sites/posts that stated they did not have Sophos installed. Just wondering if I should follow suit and decline the update.

Those two specific ones, you might want to wait until they release a fix for the fix.

That is currently the plan. Hopefully a fix comes soon.

@travisdh1 said in Windows update and Sophos:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4493467/windows-8-1-update-kb4493467
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4493472/windows-7-update-kb4493472

Both react negatively when running Sophos. You're not able to login.

They effect all currently supported versions of Windows, not just Window 7 and 8 like the links would lead you to believe.

No prizes for guessing which anti-virus dashboard we use.

I have read other sites/posts that stated they did not have Sophos installed. Just wondering if I should follow suit and decline the update.

@jevans said in USG Pro 4 and our Company Security:

The "Customer Success Manager"(Rep) just emailed our CEO and President before I could have our IT meeting with them today. Here is what he sent:

"I see you are looking at using Ubiquiti hardware. That gives me pause on multiple levels.
• First Ubiquiti is not an enterprise grade system provider. While they have been making improvements on the last few years they are still pretty immature in their offerings and they are targeting the lower end of the market. I don’t have anything against them personally in fact I use some of their AP’s in my house. But for the environment you are looking to use them in where downtime is a big deal I would not look at using their equipment.
• Second is the lack of Functionality. The USG does not have the advanced security and management functionality that you will find in Fortinet and SonicWALL’s offerings.
o USG does not have any UTM options. If you will be allowing internet traffic to come and go at the branch offices and not forcing it to travers back to the centralized hub then that traffic is at risk. With using the UGS at the Atmosera Hub you will still be at risk only using a USG appliance there. I understand there has been attacks on your systems in the past (server encrypted) and the UTM protection, while not the end all be all, it is the front line defense to try and stop those types of attacks.
o DPI-SSL on the gateways is also becoming an important defensive measure. This is not something the USG can do.
• My third concern is support. Having supported a number of customers in the past that used Ubiquiti hardware for their WiFi and internal network hardware, their support model has not been impressive.
• Ubiquiti is fine for internal WiFi or network switching but I would not recommend them for gateway front line security."

Maybe you should take @scottalanmiller up on his offer for a phone call to this "sales rep" with your CEO on mute. Would definitely be beneficial.

@JaredBusch said in Cost per user:

@pmoncho said in Cost per user:

That got me to thinking, If the company's main LOB app is Windows Only, does that give some "wiggle room" to the IT budget as the business is dictating the additional cost of Windows Server/CAL's verse choosing a SaaS or Linux app? (I'm guessing not really)

I don't get what you mean by wiggle room in this context.

The budget doesn't care if it is Server + CALs or SaaS. You build the budget based on the business choice of platforms. If the business chooses Server + CALs, you build a budget to handle the appropriate acquisitions. If the business chooses SaaS, you build a budget to handle the appropriate acquisitions. See how that works?

The water is much less muddier now.

I've never been in a budge situation so I am ignorant on the inner workings in different types of businesses (larger or smaller). I have always been in a, I state my case and reasons for X hardware or Y software and am told yes or no, situations.

Other IT folks I have spoken with at other places local to me (mostly medical offices/hospitals), have mention how they are given a fixed dollar amount and if Exec's wanted new projects, IT was told to fit within their current budget. Basically, they were not given the extra money for the C-level Execs shiny new hardware/software purchases. (Not the best management)

I am probably over thinking it.

@scottalanmiller said in Cost per user:

The 1% number would generally include the staff cost, too, and of course all vendor support contracts. The problem that a lot of people will find is that doing a budget like this shows why an MSP is the only feasible way to approach SMB IT. Even a single full time staffer is often too much for the percentages.

After further research, it seems that vendor contracts, especially SaaS costs seem eat up most of the budget. Which does make sense as it seems we are in a software defined world.

You made this interesting statement "There is no Windows cost associated with AD, all of the Windows Server and CAL licensing was already required for their apps." in a different post.

That got me to thinking, If the company's main LOB app is Windows Only, does that give some "wiggle room" to the IT budget as the business is dictating the additional cost of Windows Server/CAL's verse choosing a SaaS or Linux app? (I'm guessing not really)

@wrx7m said in USG Pro 4 and our Company Security:

@jmoore said in USG Pro 4 and our Company Security:

@wrx7m $75 a month, just internet though, nothing else bundled

I pay about $50 for 100/100 from Frontier FiOS.

Must be nice. $65 for 10/100. Good old Spectrum.