.:: (MVP) Raphael ::. : labs

Microsoft Challenge

Raphael — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:47:39 GMT

hi All,

following my other Microsoft Challenge post (http://wmug.co.uk/wmug/b/dotraphael/archive/2013/02/27/microsoft-challenge-can-we-download-windows-server-2012-and-system-center-2012-sp1-15-000-times.aspx), Microsoft UK is now challenging the System Center MVP's and each one will have its own URL. The reason for this is that they want to know how quick we can get 250 downloads (not commulative, but the individual clicks)

if you want to help me to be one of the top in their list, use the following list

System Center 2012 SP1 (Iso): http://www.microsoft.com/uk/SC_DL_02
Windows Server 2012 (Iso): http://www.microsoft.com/uk/WS_ISO_DL_02
Windows Server 2012 (VHD): http://www.microsoft.com/uk/WS_VHD_DL_02

Note that you'll need to use your liveid to logon. Microsoft doesnt want us to click many times on the link...

can you help me out to be 1st to get 250 clicks?

Microsoft challenge, Can we download Windows Server 2012 and System Center 2012 SP1 15.000 times?

Raphael — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:20:11 GMT

Hi All,

Microsoft UK is challenging the UK MVP's and the challenge is simple....

Can we have 15000 downloads of Windows Server 2012 and System Center 2012 SP1?

In my opinion we can as we're a big community (I already downloaded my copies).

If you want to help us it is simple, download the software.

For the System Center 2012 SP1, you can get it from http://aka.ms/MVP_SC_1 and for the Windows Server 2012, there are 2 ways, 1 for the ISO http://aka.ms/MVP_WS_ISO_1 and 1 for the VHD http://aka.ms/MVP_WS_VHD_1

I hope we'll show Microsoft that we are up to any challenge

[Project] - CM12 Automation RC is out!

Raphael — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:19:38 GMT

Hi All,

i've been busy working on the RC release of CM12Automation (http://cm12automation.codeplex.com/) and today i'm happy to say that it has been released...

the codeplex page is being updated and also, i'm uploading videos on youtube. I'll update this page once everyting is there...

hope you'll enjoy using it as much as i'm enjoying creating it.

[Project] - CM12 Automation - RC is coming

Raphael — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:45:07 GMT

Hi All,

This project is really going somewhere, i received lots of inputs, including lots of Microsoft people, what is really great...

Anyway..i'm finishing the RC version (final testings) and i hope i'll be able to publish it before christmas...

at the moment, these are the main changes:
1- fixed bugs (many of them)
2- created ImportReports.ps1 and created few reports (at the moment 8 reports) **if you have any report that you'd like to see, let me know
3- Removed the folder structure from the installation and created CreateProjectStructure.ps1 file and changed it
4- Changed sql folder data/logs location and memory calculation (now it also sets the mim memory)
5- BuildMedia has been upgraded
6- created universion group for exchange connector
7- added system health validator installation point, creation of IP range for the DP ip address

i'll keep you posted, but if you want to download the beta version, go to http://cm12automation.codeplex.com/

New server - lessons learned

Raphael — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:44:50 GMT

Hi All,

it has been a while since my last post but i've been a bit busy with the new server...

unfortunatelly i won't post any pictures yet, nor talk about the performance...it will be in a later post...

basically, i'll talk about 2 problems i had..and i actually..."killed" me few times...

after set everything up, i installed WS2012...and the 1st screen after the reboot was a windows error...

it took me a lot to discover that the main problem was with the bios, booting as "normal" bios instead of edfi..as soon as it as changed, boot happen...

the 2nd problem i got was the network driver...and unfortunatelly, there is no driver for ws2012 yet...and what i did (after looking over the net) was to edit the driver files manually and got it installed...everything was working fine until i did the windows update..and everything stopped working..and why? because the driver that was not signed...

and before you ask..as it breaks instead of help, i won't tell you how to do it...

to "fix" the issue, i bought a new network card with drivers for ws2012 :):):)...

the other problem i faced was with task manager..for some reason it was not showing the disk performance...and after a bit of research, i discovered that using the command diskperf -y fixed the problem **i don't recall where i found the solution...**

anyway, it is it for this post...i'll try to talk about the server and configuration in another post...

New Computer for a Lab

Raphael — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:14:03 GMT

Hi All,

i've been using my laptop to do demos, etc...but it was not enough and i was always struggling with power, speed, etc...and i decided to buy a desktop (well, if we can call it a desktop :))

it has been a while since I bought parts for a pc (by while i mean 6+ years) and i did not know what models, etc i should buy.

this is because things change a lot, one day X is the best motherboard, another day Y is the best..and we never know...

anyway...i used Rob's post about his new pc build (http://wmug.co.uk/wmug/b/r0b/archive/2012/08/01/built-a-new-pc.aspx) but i did some changes...

1st of all, i want a machine that i can run a lot of vm's without thinking about performance issue and i also want run 2 environments (lab and production - yes, i'll be running my small business email, webpage and system center to monitor/manage it as well my family computers)

based on this, i selected the following components:
1x Intel Core i7-3930K 3.20GHz (Sandybridge-E) Socket LGA2011 Processor - Retail
1x Asus Rampage IV Extreme Intel X79 (Socket 2011) DDR3 Motherboard
2x GeIL EVO Veloce Frost White 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Quad Channel Kit (GEW332GB2400C11AQC)
1x BitFenix Shinobi XL Full Tower Gaming Case - Black
1x Asus VS228H 22" Widescreen LED Multimedia Monitor - Black
5x Seagate Momentus XT 750GB Hybrid SATA-II 2.5" 7200RPM 32MB
1x Seasonic G series 550w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply
2x Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST2000DM001)
1x Noctua NH-D14-2011 Dual Radiator CPU Cooler with PWM Fans (Socket LGA2011)
1x Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (B2M-00008)
1x Gainward GeForce 8400GS "SILENT" 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card

As you can see, this is not a gamer PC, it will be my server PC, 6 cores i7, 64gb and lots of disk. As i have already an SSD on my laptop, i'll use it for boot, the 2TB sata barracuda are for backup and the other 5 disks are for vm's...

as i want lots of disk space and did not have lots of money to spend...i bought hybrid disks instead of ssd, lets see how they will work out...

my idea is to install WS2012 and user hyper-v to do it...

i'll create another blog post once the parts arrive...and lots of posts of my lab creation...

Which one is the right method to deploy apps during OS Deployment?

Raphael — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:35:53 GMT

Hi All,

Many times I’m asked: How should I deploy this app: Add it to the base image, during the OS Deployment (as application) or after (sw deployment via computer collections/user)

This is a trick question and my answer is always couple of questions:

1- Size of the application
2- How often it changes?
3- who uses it?
4- How often you rebuild your base image?

Anyway…as you now have an idea, let’s get the office application but let’s ask the following questions:

1- Which deployment method will use less bandwidth?
2- Which deployment method will be faster?

To answer your questions, I created 2 base images, 1 with office and another without office. The size of the base image with office is 4.03GB (4,226,404KB) and without office is 2.82GB (2,966,625KB)

Now, time of the tests:
1- Deploy OS (Windows 8) via TS and Deploy Office via Software Distribution
Result: 27 minutes, 29 seconds and used 3.93GB

2- Deploy OS (Windows 8) and Office via TS (Office is deployed as application and not part of the base image)

Result: 24 minutes, 30 seconds and used 3.93GB

3- Deploy OS (Windows 8) and Office via TS (Office is part of the base image).

Result: 27 minutes, 01 seconds and used 4.36GB

As you can see, method 2 seems to be the fastest and used less bandwidth and the method 3 is using a lot more network badwidth

Now, let’s imagine couple of applications:
1- Office: Office is a large application and, often, you deploy it to all computers (except servers). The application doesn’t change often (and you can use software updates to deploy any update). For service packs, it is released once every few months. In my opinion it is a good example of application that you could add to the base image
2- Flash: Small application, change almost every week, everyone uses. It is not a good example, this is because every time you deploy the software, you need to update it. And updating flash is not only adding couple of registry changes/file changes, it is a complete new set of files (well, flash has only couple of files anyway)
3- Line of business app: App that is deployed to a few people only, maybe changes maybe not. This is an app that I normally do not put on the base, except if you want to manage couple of base images
4- Anti-virus: I normally against putting the AV into the base image, this is because it changes a lot and I prefer have no anti-virus instead of having an anti-virus that does not do anything…but this is my opinion

My recommendations:
1- Put in the base image only applications that doesn’t change or change only couple of times per year
2- Put only large applications. Applications with less than 100MB I do not see the point (my opinion)
3- Do not add AV to the base image (my opinion)
4- Update your base image couple of times per year to add the latest updates to it and same time when performing the OS Deployment…

But why would I add any software on my base image if it is slower and use more data and I’ll need to recreate the base image couple of times a year?!?!?!?!

Before I answer that, you need be aware that there is no network issue on my lab and there is no user intervention, it means, everything works as expected.

As I only used 1 application, imagine that you need add more applications…you may have many reboots, it is more data, etc…

Now, answer your question: You need to test in your environment with your applications to discover which method will be faster and use less bandwidth and only after this you’ll be able to perform the right choice.

Monitoring Bandwidth Transfer

Raphael — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:22:45 GMT

Hi All,

i'm doing some tests and i'd like to monitor the network bandwidth to confirm the amount of data transfered from the server to the client (and vice versa) during many actions, like OS Deployment, SW Deployment, etc...

i was looking over the net (and asked help from MVP friends), but unfortunatelly, all solutions i had was not as easy as i wanted...until the NetWorx (http://www.softperfect.com/products/networx/) this is a free and simple Bandwidth Monitoring and Usage Reporting.

note: I installed it on my on my lab because i only have 1 DC, 1 SCCM Server and 1 client, nothing else to interfere as it doesnt have a way to filter the source/destination

anyway...as soon as you dowload it, it is time to install and configure. I installed it on my SCCM Server..and it is really easy, almost next, next finish.. :)

Now it was time to start the software (if it is not started already), easy, go to start menu, Programs, NetWorx and start the NetWorx...

On the task bar (notification icons), you'll see a new icon there, just right click and select speet meter

on the speed meter, you have 2 main buttons (start and reset) as well as a timer..

on my lab, i started it and swtiched on a "blank" vm to perform the PXE boot and stopped when it downloaded all pxe stuff and was on the PXE Main screen (that one we're you can type the password)

as you can see, it took 01 minute and 57 seconds and used 215MB (8.84 Received and 207 sent). Remember, as i cannot filter, this values also contain a bit of network from/to Domain controller

[Project] - CM12 Automation - beta release

Raphael — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:00:22 GMT

Hi All,

today i'm proud to announce the release of the CM12 Automation beta...

The download can be found at http://cm12automation.codeplex.com/releases/view/95777

and for more information on how to use it, look at this post: http://wmug.co.uk/wmug/b/dotraphael/archive/2012/09/28/project-cm12-automation-beta-is-coming.aspx

[Project] - CM12 Automation - beta is coming

Raphael — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:32:47 GMT

Hi All,

I'm really loving doing this project..and it is almost in a beta stage...there are lots of things to do still and i'd love your imput, even for bugs..(send it to me to raphael AT rflsystems.co.uk)

Anyway...the webpage of the project is http://cm12automation.codeplex.com/ and the beta files will be there soon ((i'm finishing lots of tests)

the 1st powershell script you need to know is the BuildMediaFolder.ps1

as the name says, it will build a folder with all files you need to have...there are files it will download from the internet (if you say to download) or copy from a folder (that you'll tell the folder) and other files (ie ConfigMgr 2012 SP1, SQL Server 2008 R2 RTM) that it cannot download from the next and expect you to have somewhere

if you use proxy authentication, dont worry..it will ask your username/password to connect to the net as well :)

the 2nd script is PrepareActiveDirectory.ps1

as the name says, it will prepare the active directory, create OU's, computer accounts for the SCCM Servers (if it does not exist), groups, etc..and depending on the option you selected, it will perform the schema extensions...

yes, if you have a single domain you'll need run this twice, but if you're not the guy with rights to perform the extension, you can give them the file

the 3rd script is Prerequisites.ps1

this will install all requirements for the site, sql, etc...you can use it in 1 machine or in multiple machines, like, installing the DP/MP on a remote machine, you don't need to select this option on the site server...

as part of the process, it will install the minimum requirement for the role that you'll use...

things it will do:
install and configure CMTrace
Create c:\NO_SMS_ON_Drive .sms
Create d:\NO_SMS_ON_Drive .sms (if needed, basically, if you install a site)
create sql server firewall extensions
disable firewall
add the sccm servers group and sccm admins group as local admin
install .NET Framework 4
install IIS, bits, etc..
install sql 2008 r2 + sp2 or sql express
configure the number of sql files and max memory
if you're preparing for sql server reporting services, it will also configure the execution account and backup the encryption key
install wsus 3.0 sp2 and hotfixes
install ADK
install configmgr toolkit
install powershell 3

the 4th script is the InstallSCCMSite.ps1...

this is the main script as it will install the site, it will ask questions about the site, like, type (Central, Primary Std, Primary Child), sdk server, etc...

what i like most of this are:
1- install and integrate MDT
2- validate the installation (of course, basic validation)
3- automatically add the group you create to a full admin
4- change the logs size to 10MB (yes, it may be too much, but i'm using it on my lab)
5- enable tasks "Rebuild Indexes and Backup SMS Site Server"
6- enable tasks "Delete obsolete client discovery data", "delete inactive client discovery data"
7- disable task "evaluate provisioned AMT computer certificates"
8- automatically add a client push and network access account
9- create cm12 desktop icon and configure the launch of sql reporting builder 3
10- configure the database initial size and number of files
11- create boundary and boundary group
12- enable discovery(***)
13- create device and user folders and collections
14- extend hw inventory to collect extra data (used by the script), create a client settings to collect this extra data and also deploy to the sccm collections created

and the 5th script is SiteRolesInstallation.ps1
this will install all site roles that you want, but at the moment, it only install:
1- cm12 console (i know, it is not a site server :))
2- asset intelligence sync point
3- fallback
4- management point
5- dp (and also create a dpgroup)
6- smp
7- sup
8- application catalog website and webservice point
9- endpoint protection (and create ADR)

few points:
1- script expect to find at least 2 partitions and in many cases 3 (ie c, d and e)
2- all logs are in cmtrace format :):):)
3- ***there is a bug with the discovery, try avoiding using it if possible
4- Creating Secondary site may happen later
5- script only install if needed (ie: it will not install IIS if you don't select anything that uses IIS)
6- you can either run the script without parameters and it will ask you question or you can pass parameters and it will do almost everything in a automated way...

hope you're as excited as me about this project

Deploying Windows 8 Apps

Raphael — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:57:00 GMT

Hi All,

another step-by-step, now on deploying windows 8 apps...

1st of all, create your app (you can follow my post on how to do it here)

Now, on CM console, we need to change the powershell execution policy, to do this, change the default client settings -> computer agent

Next step is to create the application, to do this, import a new app

Distribute the content

Create the deployment

Now the fun begin, On the client, change the Allow all trusted apps to install group policy settings (gpedit.msc) (Computer Configuration -> Administrative Tools -> Windows Components -> App Package Deployment)
**Note: I used gpedit.msc because I was only playing with 1 client and on any environment with more than 1 machine you should use GPO

Import certificate (again, on a corporate environment, use GPO to do this)

Now it is time to refresh the machine policy

When it is done, open the software center and install the application

Note that after the installation a new icon appears on the windows 8 menu

To monitor the deployment, use the deployments under monitoring on cm12 console

ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 Beta & Linux Client

Raphael — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 08:50:00 GMT

Hi All,

over the past few days i was playing with SCCM 2012 SP1 Beta and Linux...and i have to say that there are few bugs (i'll see bellow), but it works quite well...

anyway...before you start, you need a Linux box...I'm using Suse Enterprise Server 11. I downloaded it from https://www.suse.com/ and installed it....i used the default settings and after the installation, checked the network was working fine (i had a couple of problems with vmware 9 network not being able to ping the dns properly...) i added the machine to the domain. as far as i know it is not required, but i wanted to see how easy it was...and it was easy...

2nd..you need to download the linux client, and you can get the .exe from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34609

next step is to extract the file you just download

after this, copy all files to the linux server. I copied them to CM12Client (note: wihtout spaces. this is because i tried before with spaces and it did not work) and as root (i used sudo) use the command ./install (all switches you can find here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj573939.aspx). as you can see, i used -mp for the Management Point, -sitecode for the Sitecode, -fsp for the fallback status point and the name of the taf file

after the installation, if you open the "windows explorer" equivalent, navigage to /opt/microsoft/configmgr

because of a but at this moment, all new linux client will be always not approved...to see this, add a column approved and approve them

after this, stop the client (a list of the switches and location you can find http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj573937.aspx. note that for Suse 11, you'll be using /opt/microsoft/configmgr/bin/ccmexec -s)

delete the cookie file using rm /opt/microsoft/configmgr/root/ccm/policy/servercookies.xml

start the client (for Suse 11, you'll be using /opt/microsoft/configmgr/bin/ccmexec -d)

perform the policy refresh (for Suse 11, you'll be using /opt/microsoft/configmgr/bin/ccmexec -rs policy)

and as soon as it finishes, request the hardware inventory (for Suse 11, you'll be using /opt/microsoft/configmgr/bin/ccmexec -rs hinv)

but keep in mind,Always monitor log file. as we don't have cmtrace you can use tail -f /var/opt/Microsoft/scxcm.log (**Thanks to Rob Marshall for this tip)

the logs are created in 2 different places (unfortunatelly the documentation has the wrong place at this moment)

on suse 11, the scxcm.log is located on /var/opt/microsoft

and the scxcmprovider.log is located on /varopt/microsoft/nanowbem instead /var/opt/microsoft/nanowbem

Couple of extra links:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj573940.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj573941.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj573945.aspx

[Project] - CM12 Automation

Raphael — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:27:58 GMT

Hi All,

I created a project on codeplex called cm12 automation.

The goal is to automate (using powershell) all CM12 basic tasks...

at this moment, there are few scripts:
0- Functions.ps1
- used by the other scripts

1- prepareActiveDirectory.ps1
- this scripts create ad containers, groups, users and extend schema

2- prerequisites.ps1
- this install all requirements needed for the site server and site roles (ie. sql, iis, etc)

3- InstallSCCMSite.ps1
- this install cm12 (Sp1 ctp at the moment) with basic settings and validate its installation. it does not install MP or DP. You can use to install CAS, Primary Child or primary std

there are updates to allow install site servers like management point, fallback status point, etc...

the project is published here http://cm12automation.codeplex.com/

Building your java app for test

Raphael — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:11:17 GMT

Hi All,

this is part of my app for test series..i'm doing this only because later on, when CM12 SP1 will be beta/rtm, we'll start using it to deploy for our lab...

my goal is to have java applications with Appv and metro apps (windows 8)...the last post i created the metro app and now, i'll be creating the java app...

this is really basic and i won't show you how to write any code...

the steps i did were:
Download java 7 up 6 from java site
Copy the java code from http://www.roseindia.net/java/example/java/awt/dataentry-frame-in-java.shtml
open a command prompt and type the following commands:

Javac DataEntry.java

echo Main-Class: DataEntry >manifest.txt

jar cvfm DataEntry.jar manifest.txt DataEntry*.class

java -jar DataEntry.jar

Now its done..you have your java app ready :)

Building your windows 8 app for test

Raphael — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:11:42 GMT

Hi All,

with windows 8 RTM and System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1 CTP available, it is time to create a few windows 8 applications...but how????

it is simple..

1- Download apps sample from http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps/Windows-8-Modern-Style-App-Samples and extract it somewhere

2- Download visual studio express for windows 8 from http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/11/en-us/downloads#express-win8

3- get a developer license (it will ask you when you 1st open the visual studio. At this stage you need to have internet access)

4- open any c# applicaiton (i used Accelerometer c# project)

5- Build or rebuild the app (right click application, click rebuild)

6- Create app package (right click application -> store -> create app packages)

6.1- On Create your package, click No on 1st screen (update to the windows store)

6.2- On output, select the folder and click create

6.3- On Package Creation Completed, Click launch windows app certification kit

6.4- The validation will start and the application will open few times (you dont need close it as it is automatic)

if everything goes ok, you'll see the following: