Modern Data Protection Built for Virtualization

Sponsor post

Veeam has always been committed to communicating the value of virtualization to IT professionals. Recently, we launched the new campaign, "Modern Data Protection Built for Virtualization," to help delivering this message even further to non-technical audiences, including decision makers.

Learn more about Modern Data Protection Built for Virtualization:
- Five Fundamentals of Modern Data Protection
- Annual Data Protection Report
- ESG Lab Review: Veeam Backup & Replication – Built for Virtualization

Just have a look at these whitepapers for more information!

There is also a video available on this topic.

Install OpsMgr 2012 SP1 on Server 2012 and SQL 2012 SP1

This time I installed a new lab environment with new components: OpsMgr 2012 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 SP1. All Configuration will be mentioned in this blogpost. Here we go!
 
In my setup I'm using 2 VM's: 1 Domain Controller (VDC01) with 2GB memory and 1 SQL/OpsMgr server (VOM01) with 8GB memory. Let's start with the Domain Controller first.
 
- Install Windows Server 2012 (5 minutes on SSD);
- Change computer name to VDC01 and restart;
- Add static IP-address (192.168.137.x) to the network-adapter;
- Add Roles with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature -Name AD-Domain-Services,DNS,RSAT);
- Add Features with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Core -Source D:\Sources\SxS);
- Promote to Domain Controller in Server Manager (Add a new forest);
- Choose Contoso.com as Root domain name (for example) and use default settings in the wizard. Only warnings are displayed in the Prerequisites check, so choose Install after read them;
- After restart login with a Domain Administrator account. Disable Windows Firewall and IE ESC for all profiles/accounts;

- Create 5 service accounts for SQL (SVC_SQL) and SCOM (SVC_SCOMSDK, SVC_SCOMDR, SVC_SCOMDW) as Domain User. Only the SCOM Action Account (SVC_SCOMAA) has Domain Admin permissions.

Let's start with the OpsMgr server now!
 
- Install Windows Server 2012 (5 minutes on SSD);
- Change computer name to VOM01 and restart;
- Add static IP-address (192.168.137.x) to the network-adapter;
- Promote to Domain Server in Server Manager (Contoso.com);
- After restart login with Domain Administrator account. Disable Windows Firewall and IE ESC for all profiles/accounts;
- Add Roles with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature -Name NET-Framework-Core,AS-HTTP-Activation,Web-Static-Content,Web-Default-Doc,Web-Dir-Browsing,Web-Http-Errors,Web-Http-Logging,Web-Request-Monitor,Web-Filtering,Web-Stat-Compression,AS-Web-Support,Web-Metabase,Web-Asp-Net,Web-Windows-Auth,NET-HTTP-Activation -Source D:\Sources\SxS);
- Install Microsoft Report Viewer 2010 Redistributable Package: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=6442

- Install SQL Server 2012 SP1 and make sure the collation is set to "SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS";
- Choose: Database Engine Services, Full-Text search, Reporting Services and Management Tools (2x);
- Choose default settings where possible and start installation;
- Configure SQL Server and SQL Server Agent to run with the SVC_SQL account (SQL Server Configuration Manager);
- Configure Reporting Services to run with the SVC_SQL account (Reporting Services Configuration Manager);
- Assign maximum server memory (4096 MB) in SQL Server Management Studio in SQL Server properties.

 
At last OpsMgr installation can be started!
 
- Install all features (Management server, Operations console, Web console, Reporting server);
- Choose the default installation location;
- All prerequisites have passed;
- Management group name: CONTOSO;
- Configure the operational database: VOM01 (default settings);
- Configure the data warehouse database: VOM01 (default settings);
- SQL Server instance for reporting services: VOM01;
- Use the Default website & Mixed authentication;
- Configure Operations Manager accounts (4 service accounts, the SDK account must have local admin permissions on the SCOM server);
- Choose the Microsoft Update setting of your choice;
- Installation is done within 30 minutes on SSD.

If you installed .NET Framework 4 before installing the IIS you’ll get an error:
- The ASP.NET 4.0 handler is not registered with IIS
- Web Console cannot operate properly because the ISAPI and CGI Restrictions in Internet Information Services (IIS) are disabled or missing for ASP.NET 4.0.
To fix this, you should run: %WINDIR%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis.exe -enable -r

Above steps can be done in just one day. After that a new lab environment is running with new components: OpsMgr 2012 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 SP1. Have fun!

Cumulative Update 1 for ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 released

2 days ago Cumulative Update 1 for ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 is released. It contains 18 fixes and 39 new cmdlets. Here's a list of the issues that are fixed:

- Administrator console (2 fixes)
- Site systems (2 fixes)
- Device management (1 fix)
- Software updates (3 fixes)
- ConfigMgr client (4 fixes)
- PowerShell (6 fixes)

Just install it in your environment when experiencing problems described in this article. When not affected by these problems, Microsoft recommends to wait for the next service pack that contains this update.

For more information or download the update have a look here:
Microsoft Support

Xian Wings HD Review

Sponsor post

Just have a look at this 5 minutes demo from Jalasoft, which mentions a interesting Review of Xian Wings HD. - Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA2e5AENJJ4

With Xian Wings for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM/OpsMgr) you have a real client application for your smartphone, which means states, alerts, performance graphs, and more are always at your fingertips. Perform any task, from anywhere.

How to change language in Windows Intune Console?

A while ago I installed Windows Intune for our company. When you setup your account, and choose Dutch for region, all consoles will be displayed in Dutch by default. But what to do when you want to change language to English? This because my Windows 8 system is installed in English language also. I don't want a Dutch language on my device for doing management :)

Here are the steps which must be taken.

First open the Admin Overview for Windows Intune and choose My profile. Within My profile it's possible to change your Display language to English (for example). Just choose save and your done!? Yes, partly! When opening the Company Portal or Admin Console they will be still displayed in Dutch language. This because of Internet Explorer settings. That settings must be changed also.

Open Properties - Internet options for that in Internet Explorer. Choose Languages - Set Language Preferences. Just make sure English (for example) is the first choice in the list here. In my case it was set to Dutch first, and English as a second choice. Just choose Move up and you're done. The Company Portal or Admin Console will also be in English from now on!

Much better this way :)

Galaxy S4 vs. Lumia 920 vs. BlackBerry Z10

Yesterday I posted a comparison between Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone 5, HTC One, and BlackBerry Z10. You can find that one HERE. Today a new comparison is available. This time between Galaxy S4 vs. Lumia 920 vs. BlackBerry Z10. Yeah, finally a new comparison with Windows Phone 8 in it. Let's have a look at the specs!

Hope you can make a choice between the new 2013 mobile phones this way. My choice will be probably the Nokia Lumia 920 with Windows Phone 8 onboard. Hope you like it :)

Nokia Lumia 920 review - Youtube

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone 5, HTC One, and BlackBerry Z10

Last week a new comparison is released between the Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone 5, HTC One, and BlackBerry Z10. Just have a look at it, and decide it's enough for choosing a new mobile phone. Unfortunately no Windows Phone 8 is added to this comparison. A few other comparisons can be found here:
 
- Mobile phone comparison for iOS, Android and Windows Phone
- Windows Phone 8 comparison for HTC, Nokia and Samsung phones
 
Just have a look at the comparison:

Within a month it's my turn for choosing a new mobile phone. My choice is between Android (Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy S3 plus) and Windows Phone 8 (Samsung Ativ S, Nokia Lumia 920). I'm curious about it, and post my choice later :)

How to upgrade OpsMgr 2007 R2 to 2012 SP1

This week I received a question if OpsMgr 2007 R2 can be upgraded to 2012 SP1. The answer is Yes, that's possible! However you have the choice between an in-place upgrade or a side-by-side upgrade. Both options has their own benefits, disadvantages and configuration steps. Let's start to have a look at them.

Your first start is here: Microsoft TechNet

It's all about the existing configuration, how many OpsMgr servers there are, custom management packs, used Windows version, used SQL version and SQL Collation set, which must be SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS. There are a few "Upgrade Process Flow Diagrams" which can be used during the upgrade process. They can be found HERE.

Another choice is about having pollution in the existing database. Do you want a new, nice and clean installation with new management packs and configuration, or do you want to use your existing environment with all custom management packs and configuration in it? Is history/trending important or do you want to start all over again? It depends on the situation I guess.

The upgrade to OpsMgr 2012 SP1 is a two way step. First a migration from OpsMgr 2007 R2 to 2012 is needed. Then the 2012 SP1 setup can be started for the next upgrade. To help you with the upgrade, a "Upgrade Helper Management Pack" is available on the OpsMgr 2012 installation media. Just use it, and follow the steps in the right order. More information can be found HERE.

For the first upgrade to 2012, the minimum cumulative update (CU) for OpsMgr 2007 R2 must be CU4. It's recommended to use the latest version available, which is CU7. Just download it HERE.

There are a few prerequisites which are needed before the upgrade: Just make sure there is a full backup of the Management Server and OpsMgr database, install DotNet Framework 4.0 and Report Viewer 2010 redistributable. Also make sure both Management Server and database is upgraded to the last patch level. A few manual steps are needed also, which can be found HERE. (Manual operations that must be performed after you update the root management server and the data warehouse).

After following all needed steps for prerequisites, the upgrade can be started. When ALL is configured right, this might not be a problem. In my LAB environment things went very well, but hey that's an almost clean environment. In a real situation I prefer a clean installation or side-by-side upgrade above an in-place upgrade. That way you can startover again and their is less risk for issues.

Hope it helps!

Veeam extends support for VMware vCloud Director

Sponsor post

Great news! Veeam extends support for VMware vCloud Director

 

 

Veeam is extending its support for VMware vCloud Director (vCD). NEW integration with vCD will extend Veeam support for vCD, which currently includes the ability to backup and restore virtual machines (VMs) managed by vCD. Using the vCD API, Veeam Backup & Replication v7 will also:

• Display the vCD infrastructure directly in Veeam Backup & Replication
• Backup all vApp metadata and attributes
• Restore vApps and VMs directly to vCD
• Support restore of fast-provisioned VMs—and more!

 

Sound exciting? Learn more about upcoming updates here! 

 

LEARN MORE

Which sessions to attend on MMS 2013

In a few weeks (26 days left) Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) 2013 is there! Last month I have choosen my sessions in the schedule builder. The following sessions types are available:

• Breakout session (162 sessions)
• Exam prep (16 sessions)
• Instructor-led Lab (18 sessions)
• Keynote (only 1 this time)
• Self-paced lab (58 sessions)

My time will be filled with breakout sessions only, and some self-paced labs when I have spare time. Also it's very nice to meet people who are sharing the same knowledge. The following sessions I will attend, so expect information on this products/topics later: 

• Application Virtualization (App-V) 5.0
• Configuration Manager 2012 SP1
• Endpoint Protection 2012 SP1
• Microsoft Private Cloud
• User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)
• Operations Manager 2012 SP1
• Remote Desktop Services (RDS)
• Updates Publisher 2011 (SCUP)
• Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
• Windows 8 & Windows RT
• Windows Intune
• Windows To Go

It will be an interesting week again, with a lot of sessions. I'm happy to attend this great event for the third time. Stay tuned for more!

Source: http://www.2013mms.com/

Install ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 on Server 2012 and SQL 2012 SP1

Last month I installed a new lab environment with new components: ConfigMgr 2012 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 SP1. All Configuration will be mentioned in this blogpost. Here we go!
 
In my setup I'm using 2 VM's: 1 Domain Controller (VDC01) with 2GB memory and 1 SQL/ConfigMgr server (VCM01) with 8GB memory. Let's start with the Domain Controller first.
 
- Install Windows Server 2012 (5 minutes on SSD);
- Change computer name to VDC01 and restart;
- Add static IP-address (192.168.137.x) to the network-adapter;
- Add Roles with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature -Name AD-Domain-Services,DNS,RSAT);
- Add Features with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Core -Source D:\Sources\SxS);
- Promote to Domain Controller in Server Manager (Add a new forest);
- Choose Contoso.com as Root domain name (for example) and use default settings in the wizard. Only warnings are displayed in the Prerequisites check, so choose Install after read them;
- After restart login with a Domain Administrator account. Disable Windows Firewall and IE ESC for all profiles/accounts;
- Create 2 service accounts for SQL (SVC_SQL) as Domain User and SCCM (SVC_SCCM) as Domain Admin.

Let's start with the ConfigMgr server now!

- Install Windows Server 2012 (5 minutes on SSD);
- Change computer name to VCM01 and restart;
- Add static IP-address (192.168.137.x) to the network-adapter;
- Add Roles with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server, WDS, RDC, BITS);
- Add Role Services with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-WMI); 
- Add Features with PowerShell cmdlets (Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Core -Source D:\Sources\SxS);
- Promote to Domain Server in Server Manager (Contoso.com);
- After restart login with Domain Administrator account. Disable Windows Firewall and IE ESC for all profiles/accounts.

- Install SQL Server 2012 SP1 and make sure the collation is set to "SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS";
- Choose: Database Engine Services, Full-Text search, Reporting Services and Management Tools (2x);
- Choose default settings where possible and start installation;
- Configure SQL Server and SQL Server Agent to run with the SVC_SQL account (SQL Server Configuration Manager);
- Configure Reporting Services to run with the SVC_SQL account (Reporting Services Configuration Manager).

- Add WSUS with PowerShell cmdlets for SQL database (Install-WindowsFeature -Name UpdateServices-DB, UpdateServices-Ui);
- Start C:\Program Files\Update Services\Tools\WsusUtil.exe Postinstall SQL_INSTANCE_NAME=VCM01 CONTENT_DIR=C:\WSUS.
 
- Start Extadsch.exe on VDC01 from ConfigMgr media for a schema update (D:\SMSSETUP\BIN\X64);
- Create a System Management container (beneath System) with ADSIEdit at set permissions for VCM01 (Full control, This object and all descendant objects);
- Install Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) on VCM01 (Deployment tools, Windows PE, USMT);
- Assign maximum server memory (4096 MB) in SQL Server Management Studio in SQL Server properties.

At last ConfigMgr installation can be started!
 
- Install a Configuration Manager primary site;
- Enter License key or start an evaluation version (180 days);
- Download required files or Use previously downloaded files;
- Choose Server and Client languages (english default);
- Choose a Site code and Site name for the ConfigMgr environment;
- Install the primary site as a stand-alone site;
- Choose SQL Server and SMS Provider location;
- Configure the communication method on each site system role;
- Install a Management point and Distribution point (HTTP);
- Watch the prerequisite check, which shows only a "SQL Server process memory allocation" warning in my environment;
- Installation is done in 12 minutes on SSD.

Above steps can be done in just one day. After that a new lab environment is running with new components: ConfigMgr 2012 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 SP1. Have fun!

Xian Wings Contest

Sponsor post

Every month we will raffle 1 free Xian Wings license! Are you an OpsMgr user? Just fill out a simple form and prepare to win! 

www.jalasoft.com/xian/wings/contest

No more running back to the office when your network beckons you. With Xian Wings for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 and 2012 (OpsMgr) you have a real client application for your smartphone, which means states, alerts, performance graphs, and more are always at your fingertips. Perform any task, from anywhere. www.jalasoft.com/xian/wings

SQL Server 2012 SP1 support in ConfigMgr 2012 SP1

Since a few weeks (2013/2/12) there is SQL Server 2012 SP1 support in ConfigMgr 2012 SP1 available. That way it's not needed to install Cumulative Update (CU) 2 anymore!

We are announcing support changes for the following releases. These changes will be reflected in the Configuration Manager 2007 Supported Configurations and System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Supported Configurations within the next month.

Configuration Manager 2007 and System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Service Pack 1 now support Microsoft SQL Server 2012 SP1.

Source: Support Announcements for February 2013