More VHDs available

On the Microsoft VHD site and there have been some new VHDs added. New on the VHD site recently are:
Biztalk Server 2006, Windows Server 2008 Beta 3, Exchange Server 2007 SP1 Beta 2 and Windows Vista Enterprise 30-day Eval Edition. There is also a new VHD available for Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express.

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Content on log files via browser

I’ve a client that runs special program on about 100 servers. This program writes a log on central server every 3 minutes. So, when I checked main server, I found a directory Logs (C:\Logs). Log’s directory contains many log files (each log for each server). On this server installed and runs a web server, Apache ;). So, I’d like to show a small AppsRuns.php file, which stored on web server. If we go to the http://server1/AppsRuns.php we will see a content of each log file on one web page. This web page refreshing every 10 sec. Here is a content of AppsRuns.php file:

    $refresh_time = 10; // seconds
    $path = "C:\LOGS";

    header("Content-Type: text/plain");
    header("Refresh: $refresh_time");
   

    if($handle = opendir($path)) {
    while (false !== ($file = readdir($handle))) {
        $pi = pathinfo($path . '/' . $file);
        if($pi['extension'] === 'txt') {
        include($path . '/' . $file);
        }
    }
    }
?>

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Updates: Free Deployment System Scripts

I have made a small change in my "Free Deployment System", the set of script allows to deploy, install or run applications on any remote computer.
Equally, I just added a few new lines. In to Config.bat added a new line:

set DSRV= 192.168.211.1

By using a DSRV environment i can set IP or Computer Name of my Deployment Server.
Also, added two new lines to the INSPKG.bat script (Script in original article already changed, so you can simply take a changed script). One of new lines contains following:

%Tools%\psexec.exe \\%RCOMP% -u %USR% -p %PASS% -i cmd /c md C:\Updates

This line creates a directory C:\Updates on remote computer. I use C:\Updates on remote computer to copy there necessary scripts and source of installation programs. The other new line in INSPKG.bat is:

@echo set DSRV=%DSRV%> \\%RCOMP%\C$\updates\config.bat

As you can see, by this line I create a config.bat file on remote computer and put in to environment, that sets a name or IP of our deployment server. Additionally, we need to change a package script. So, after changes, our package script looks like follow:

@echo off
call c:\updates\config.bat
\\%DSRV%\packages\7ZIP\7z442.exe /S

So, now, if we are changed our deployment server, we have not to change our packages script.

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MTEE Commandline Standard Stream Splitter - sends any data it receives to the console and / or to any number of log files

For me and my clients I create many scripts to simplify daily Administration tasks. Many of this script should be running from a command line ( cmd. exe). It’s very easy to run any script and to get a result of it to the log file. But, if you would like to run script and watch the result on the screen and in same time you need a hard copied log, you can use a MTEE command line utility. Mtee is a commandline utility that sends any data it receives to the console and to any number of files. Useful if you want to watch and record the output from a batch file or program.

Mtee is an 11kb standalone executable. There is no installation procedure, just run it.
Mtee is simple to use and only has several options. To list them, type mtee/?

You can download Mtee from offisial web site by following to the http://www.commandline.co.uk/mtee/index.html

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DirectX 9.0c - Unattended (Silent) Installation

I've asked by one of companies, where i provide an IT consulting services, how to install directx on client's computers unattended?

Equally, on internet existed a lot of articles about how to do this. Who use an old dxsetup.exe file, who try to edit an exe file in HEX-Editor and then use switch OPK . Also, admins use other tricks, likes an AutomatIT or similar products. Just one consider i can't understand :), why nobody tries to read a HELP?

By going to the http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742.aspx you can find, black on white, how to install directx in unattended mode. All you have to do, is to add the switch "/silent"!

Admins, I'm also VERY lazy admin, but reading a HELP save your time, remember the RTFM rule ;)

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WSUS will become optional role for Windows Server 2008 Server Manager

In addition to roles and features that are included with Windows Server 2008 by default, Server Manager enables integration of additional roles and features that are available on the Microsoft Download Center and Windows Update Web sites as optional updates to Windows Server 2008.

One role that will be available as an update is Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1). This update to Server Manager enables full integration of WSUS 3.0 SP1 into Server Manager, allowing installation, configuration, and management of WSUS 3.0 SP1 using the Server Manager console and wizards.

Beta testers can download a server manager update for Windows Server 2008 RC0 to enable this new optional role, for now that is just WSUS. But since MS removed Windows Sharepoint Services as default available rol on WS08 I think this will become an optional role for Server manager too.

Source: connect.microsoft.com

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