Archive for the ‘Windows Server 2008’ Category

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Windows Server 2008: NTLDR is missing

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

Couple days ago I imported one of my VMs into ESX server. This VM was setup with VMWare Workstation and worked fine before. After VMWare Converter was finished I boot the machine. The boot process stopped with the message below:

  • NTLDR is missing Press Crtl+Alt+Del to restart

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Oeps my boot record was missing or something went wrong during the import. Therefore I mounted the Windows Server 2008 DVD and boot from it.

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Click “Repair your computer”

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Make sure “System Recovery Options” finds a Operating System and click Next.

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Systems recovery tool is started and click “Command Prompt”

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Since Windows 2008 or even with Windows Vista (not sure :-( ) the Windows Setup includes some new tools. We are going use the bootrec.exe.

Execute the following commands:

  • bootrec.exe /FixMbr
  • bootrec.exe /FixBoot
  • bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd

Close “Command Prompt” and click Restart

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Windows Server 2008 boot now and I was able to login. Changed the network settings and reboot with success.

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Windows Server 2008: SSH remote console with freeSSHd

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

If you managing routers,switches and linux machines than it really makes sense to install a SSH daemon on your Windows machines. I installed freeSSHd daemon which is free on couple of my Windows Server 2008 machines. See my log below:

What is freeSSHD?

freeSSHd, like it’s name says, is a free implementation of an SSH server. It provides strong encryption and authentication over insecure networks like Internet. Users can open remote console or even access their remote files thanks to buit-in SFTP server.

Current version: 1.2.1

Go to http://www.freesshd.com/index.php?ctt=download and download the latest version of freeSshD deamon.

Run and allow the setup file.

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Click Next, Next, Next, Next and Install. Click Yes to generate the private keys.

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Click Yes to run the freeSshD as system service.

Click Finish to close the installation wizard.

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Open FreeSSHd shortcut on the desktop. FreeSSHd will start and new icon will appear on the right side of the taskbar. Right-click and choose settings.

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Click here to start it for SSH server.

Start putty or add mRemote SSH connection to your Windows Server:

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PS: don’t expect too much on the performance as you would connect to a linux based SSH server; for example you can’t scroll uo;-( At least there is a remote shell and you can securely transfer files from Internet to it.

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SSL certificate Windows Server 2008 and Exchange 2007 SP1

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

Thanks to guys from Telnetport25 I was able to finish my SSL certificate migration for my new Windows Server 2008 virtual machine running a Exchange 2007 SP1 installation.

My work log:

  • Logon on the old Windows Server 2003 hosting the OWA front-end role
  • Start MMC and add the Certificate Snap-In; choose the Computer Account.
  • Go to Personal/Certificates and locate the SSL certificate assigned to IIS for SSL encryption. Right click ; All Tasks and choose export. Choose the appropriate options like the certificate path; assign password and save the PFX file to "My Documents"
  • Copy the PFX file to your Windows Server 2008 Client Access Server
  • Logon on the Windows Server 2008 and add the Certificate Snap-In to a new MMC console for the Computer Account
  • Go to Personal/Certificates; right click; All Tasks and choose Import.

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  • Locate the PFX file; enter the password and make sure you check "Mark this key as exportable" to enable future migrations of the SSL certificate.
  • Place the certificate in the Personal Store

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  • Open the certificate and go to Details tab. Locate the Thumprint field and select Value with mouse; press CRTL-C to copy the data.

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  • Paste the value in Notepad and replace the "SPACE’ with CRTL-H. In the Find what field press space on the keyboard and click Replace All

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  • Copy the Thumbprint
  • Start the Exchange Management Shell and run the Enable-ExchangeCertificate cmdlet
  • Type IIS as Services and paste the copied data from Notepad to Thumbprint

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  • Start Exchange Management Console and go to Server Configuration /  Client Access / Select the server and open owa from Outlook Web Access tab
  • Type External URL of the SSL certificate and DNS. E.g. https://webmail.domain.tlk

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  • Click OK and you are finished to test the configuration.
  • Start IE and test your OWA role. Review your NAT and Firewall rules also.

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Posted in Exchange 2007, Windows Server 2008 | 1 Comment »

Hyper-V from cmd

Friday, August 15th, 2008

hero_hyper-vHyper-V, a key feature of Windows Server 2008, has now released to manufacturing (RTM) and is available for deployment into production environments. With help of ServerManagerCMD.exe I will install the Hyer-V role.

 

What is ServerManagerCMD.exe?

Server Manager in Windows Server 2008 provides a single source for managing a server’s identity and system information, displaying server status, identifying problems with server role configuration, and managing all roles installed on the server.

ServerManagerCMD is powerful tool and within one command line you can install the Hyper-V role. Make sure you installed the Windows 2008 RTM version and updated your system with KB950050.

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With ServerManagerCMD.exe you will be able to install all those roles:

Active Directory Certificate Services
Active Directory Domain Services
Active Directory Federation Services
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
Active Directory Rights Management Services
Application Server
Availability and Scalability
DHCP Server
DNS Server
Fax Server
File Services
Hyper-V
Network Policy and Access Services
Print Services
Streaming Media Services
Terminal Services
Troubleshooting
UDDI Services
Web Server
Windows Deployment Services

Finally we get a single command line tool for this administrative task. I hate having different text files and run the cmd batch scripts.

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Windows Server 2008 : ServerManagerCmd error

Friday, April 25th, 2008

I tried to query my Windows 2008 Server roles by using the ServerManagerCmd.exe cmd tool and received nice red error as shown below.

C:\>ServerManagerCmd.exe -query

Error: Configuration was started by another administrator.That administrator must log in to complete that action before other administrators can install or remove additional features.

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This tool opens a new horizon for me and other IT administrators but it didn’t work when I tried to use it for the first time. Google and Microsoft forums didn’t help  so tried to troubleshoot myself. I read through the “Server Manager Scenarios Step-by-Step Guide” but this didn’t help me either. I decided to install the PoweShell feature manually and now I got a popup box that another process was in progress but I didn’t see it. I clicked yes and didn’t create a screenshot of this message, but this is how I resolved this issue.

2008-04-25_110150

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Building a Windows Server 2008 Infrastructure eBook

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

Are you busy with your work, traveling and personal live like I am and you want to get started with Windows Server 2008 than check out this eBook?  I personally like the writing style from Realtime Nexus authors and their concept of writing eBooks.  This "The Definitive Guide to Building a Windows Server 2008 Infrastructure" eBook has 10 chapters and first chapter is available for download. PDF document with 32 pages which is easy to read and maybe schedule 2 hours to read it through.

Register your account on their website and download the pdf file.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Windows Server 2008
Chapter 2: Server Manager
Chapter 3: Active Directory Design & Domain Controller Management
imageChapter 4: File Servers & Storage Management
Chapter 5: Server Core
Chapter 6: Managing & Customizing Group Policy
Chapter 7: Introduction to Terminal Services
Chapter 8: Advanced Topics in Terminal Services
Chapter 9: Securing Servers & the Domain
Chapter 10: Windows Failover Clustering

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