In this Blog entry I review some of the Monitoring, Health Status Reporting and Alerting capabilities of using the Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft Windows Cluster Management Packs to maintain a Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster running SQL 2008 Failover Cluster Services. I offer details on how System Center Operations Manager 2007 SP1 provides a suitable Operational Management Platform for supporting Windows 2008 Failover Clustering and SQL 2008 Failover Clustering. ...
In this Blog entry, the third of three, I follow step-by-step procedures to SQL 2008 Failover Clustering Services. This 3 Node Cluster running on Windows 2008 Failover Clustering is an example of a configuration designed to support 'Cluster Aware Applications' on Windows 2008....
In this Blog entry, the second of three, I follow step-by-step procedures to 1) Validate Failover of a 3 Node Cluster Configuration, and 2) Installation of a Clustered DTS Service in preparation for the SQL 2008 Failover Configuration. The 3 Node Cluster will be used to Install and Configure SQL 2008 Failover Clustering Services....
In this Blog entry, the first of three, I follow step-by-step procedures to 1) Validate a 3 Node Cluster Configuration, and 2) Create a 3 Node Cluster Configuration using Windows 2008 Failover Clustering. The 3 Node Cluster will be used to Install and Configure SQL 2008 Failover Clustering Services....
In this Blog entry I review several of the primary Windows 2008 Failover Clustering Administrative Consoles. The Consoles reviewed here include 1) using the Failover Cluster Management Console and 2) using a Command Line for Cluster Administration. This Blog entry introduces several of the Administrative interfaces for reference in future Blog entries....
The Forefront Security for Exchange SP1 (FSE SP1) Technical Writing Team has done a good job outlining the considerations and merits for using Forefront Security for Exchange SP1 to reduce Anti-Virus and Spam using the combination of Anti-Virus Products...
Summary: In this Blog entry I review several configuration parameters for the Database and Operating System Environment on a Forefront Client Security SP1 Single Server Topology on Windows 2008 that allow proper data storage for both Short Term Data and Long Term Data transferred by the Nightly Data Transformation Services Scheduled Task....
In this Blog entry I review troubleshooting methods for the DTS Package Task used by MOM 2005 which is part of Forefront Client Security SP1 running as a Single Server Topology on Windows 2008. I demonstrate how to use the DTS Package Task, invoked with Switch Parameters from a Command Prompt to ensure the DTS Package Task executes properly. Additionally, I review the output of a 'successful' DTS Package Task for reference, and to ensure the overall health of a Forefront Client Security SP1 configuration running as a Single Server on Windows 2008....
In this Blog Entry I use a Group Policy Object to modify Security Settings for both Services and Registry Keys critical to Forefront Client Security. This GPO removes Local Administrator ability to modify the Forefront Client Security Services and Registry Entries while providing the Administrative Capabilities to a separate Domain Global Security Group (DGSG) designated as Forefront Client Security SP1 Agent Administrators. ...
In this Blog entry I review the numerous Log Files useful when Administering the Forefront Client Security SP1 Agent. Specifically I focus on using the 'mpcmdrun.exe -getfiles' Command Utility to generate a number of useful Log Files for further analysis. The 'mpcmdrun.exe' utility is a 'Hidden File' and can only be invoked in the User Context of a Local Administrator in the Forefront Client Security SP1 Agent....
In this Blog entry I have taken a single Target Client Workstation running a Standalone Installation of the Forefront Client Security SP1 Agent, created a new Forefront Client Security Client Policy to manage this Target Client Workstation, pushed out the Client Policy using Group Policy Objects (GPOs), then pushed out the MOM 2005 Agent for Alerting and Reporting to the Target Client Workstation. In the end, the Target Client Workstation moved from a Standalone Installation of the Forefront Client Security SP1 Agent to a Fully Managed Forefront Client Security SP1 Agent. Thereby allowing ongoing Support and Management from a single Console....
