4 Feb
This one was surprise to me. This 2008 blog post was the #3 most popular ITKE blog post for the week ending February 4, 2010.
Regarding VirtualBox, I like the interface and the features available to this free desktop virtualization product. Among these great options is one that lets users configure the VirtualBox server to view virtual machines remotely with VRDP, or VirtualBox Remote Desktop Protocol.
Read the entire blog post at the TechTarget ITKE.
4 Feb
Network consolidation can help a virtual infrastructure run more efficiently and cost-effectively. With consolidation, administrators can have fewer network peripherals and ports to purchase and manage — while boosting network and server performance. But network consolidation comes with potential downsides, such as security concerns.
This is the theme of my latest SearchServerVirtualization article. Click here to read the full piece.
4 Feb
When it comes to protecting a system that is critical, sometimes establishing a security zone needs additional configuration to make it function correctly. Two practices that are commonly used are to establish internal firewalls and stand up a jump box. A jump box is simply a system, usually a single operating system, that is connected to two networks. The first of these networks is the common network and the second is the sensitive security zone.
This is what I’m trying to shake down to see if anyone still does this practice. Read the entire post online at the Network Administrator blog at TechRepublic.
4 Feb
I’ve come across some systems that for one reason or another can’t run VMware Tools. This can be due to support reasons, an operating system that doesn’t officially have VMware support from the version of the hypervisor or family of operating systems, an appliance that is designed to run on a physical system but doesn’t offer virtualization support, or it simply won’t install on that system without something else going awry. (While this does not happen frequently, usually the vendor or application owner’s response is "The application isn’t supported yet with virtualization" or worse, I have to explain what virtualization is.)
This is the theme of my latest Everyday Virtualization blog post online at Virtualization Review. Read the entire post here.
4 Feb
In some situations, the core installation of Windows makes sense for a server deployment. The core installation of Windows Server 2008 R2 release ushers in new changes for server administrators. For instance, all editions of Windows Server 2008 R2 are only available for an x64 platform. Other changes for core installations for Windows Server 2008 R2 are a little less obvious but nonetheless important.
This is the theme of my latest Builder.AU and TechRepublic Servers and Storage blog post. Read the entire post here.
3 Feb
OK, I have to admit it. I love this recipe. A Fallasburg Taco is a baked t0rtilla filled with Chorizo sausage and cheese. It is then cut in half on a small bed of lettuce or cilantro, to let the ooey-gooey cheese and chorizo release. It is then topped with the other items that would be associated with an American taco. Here is the end product (click image for link to detail of ingredients):
Here are the steps to achieve this super-tasty dinner:
That’s it! Really easy as well. I like the chorizo sausage variant, but beef and chicken taco meat would work. Refried beans could also be a vegetarian version.
31 Jan
2009年におけるIT技術者の目標10選
新しい年を迎えたこの時期は、企業をより良いものにしていくためにできることを考える良い時期でもある。持つべき具体的な目標はあなたのいる環境によって変わってくるだろうが、以下に挙げるものは、どのようなIT部門においても適用できるはずだ。
新しい年を迎えるこの時期は、ITに関連するプラクティスをさらに洗練したり、業務全体を推進し続けるための新技術の導入を図ったりするチャンスであるはずだ。そこで、2009年に検討すべきポイントを以下に挙げていく。
31 Jan
I am convinced we are at a point where, for many organizations, fibre channel has limited days. In my most recent TechTarget tip, I explain how successful virtualization installations involve substantial planning in several categories — especially networking. In the first installment of this two-part tip, I focus on the current server virtualization hardware configurations for network virtualization infrastructures and their costs.
Read the full article at TechTarget’s SearchServerVirtualization.com.
31 Jan
如何虚拟化服务器I/O
对于大型企业来说，管理服务器I/O是件麻烦事。诸如外围设备、许可密匙、专用系统组件及额外的网络连接这样的附加连通性使虚拟化过度复杂或不可能实施。在本文中，中国的特约虚拟化专家Rick Vanover将提供一些策略，在交付必须的功能时增加虚拟环境的灵活性
28 Jan
Last weekend, we took a quick trip up to Port Huron, Michigan, for the Chilly Fest winter festival. We couldn’t allocate too much time to the event as I had to be in Cincinnati for a work-related event late Saturday night. But, I had a good winter getaway! Winter is my favorite season, though it was somewhat warm for January I enjoyed myself.
Friday January 22
We left Columbus about 6:30 PM and headed straight North! We stayed in Sarnia, Ontario because the hotels were all full. When we arrived, I was given a room with a single king size bed. I asked if we could get a two bed hotel room, but was told there were none available. Apparently there was a hockey tournament (Silver Sticks) and a Taekwondo event in the area. I’d lose both of those fights – so I passed on arguing for a room.
When we got in the room, my daughter had fun. Here she is chilling in the hotel: 
Saturday January 23
I started the day with a swim in the hotel pool. My daughter went with me and decided a “piggy-back swim” was really fun. So, I got a good workout and she was toured around the pool for what felt like a forever!
After the quick swim, I went back to the room and headed out to get breakfast. I went to a local Tim Horton’s there in Ontario and can definitely tell the difference between the Canadian and US stores. I believe the US stores receive frozen donuts, the Canadian ones still bake in-store. Clear difference, far better there with in-store baked products.
We then got ready for Chilly Fest, crossing back into the US at the Blue Water Bridge. Funny part here… My car has the new Ohio license plate, shown below:
The US customs agent made me STOP in the middle of the lane before I got to the booth, yet was after the place where I was supposed to stop. They asked me about it and I said it was the new Ohio plate. We then crossed back into Michigan and headed over to Water Street to go to Chilly Fest.
The first thing we did is take a carriage ride to the Knowlton Ice Museum. It sounds incredibly boring, but unless you like both history and cold stuff – it is. I actually enjoyed it. I had no idea of the history of the ice harvesting industry. For a period from 1860-1930 or so, it was one of the top 10 industries in the US. Here is a photo of an ice truck taken in the museum:
We then took a horse carriage ride back over to the main part of Chilly Fest. We went in and saw some snowmobile drag racing. Wow. I could watch that all day! I don’t know how fast they were going, but it was something to see. Here is the best shot I could get:
After watching that for a bit, we went into the tents to check out the stuff inside. There, we got a quick snack/lunch for our daughter and then… the bouncy things. This is the view my wife and I had for a while while she bounced:
We then headed out and returned back to Ohio. I caught a good view of the waterway between Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair. I was in awe just watching the ice chunks flow by. That was really cool:
We made good time heading home. I then headed to Cincinnati for a work topic and my wife and daughter were at home for the night.
Not sure if we’ll go to Chilly Fest again, but I’m always on the prowl for a good winter festival.
