Garth Jones

How to Perform a Basic Software Audit (Query)

Garth — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:36:58 GMT

Quick follow up to How to Perform a Basic Software Audit

Do you want to know how many ARP entries you have?

How many page of paper you will get if you print all of the entries?

What about bundles of paper?

Use this query to help you determine this for you.

declare @ARP BIGINT
Set @ARP = (select count(*) from dbo.v_Add_Remove_Programs)

Select
'Number of ARP entries ' + convert(varchar(10), @arp),
'Number of pages '+ convert(varchar(10), sum(Round(@arp/80,0)+1)),
'Number of papper Bundles '+ convert(varchar(10), round(sum(@arp/40000.0),2))

What Virtual Labs, Labcasts, and Webcasts are there to help you with Preparing for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Exam (70-401)

Garth — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:51:00 GMT

Based on the Microsoft Skills Measured web page for 70-401, here is a list of items that can help you with your studying for the exam.

Deploying a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SCCM) Server (9 percent)

· Set up and configure an Active Directory schema.

· Migrate from an SMS 2003 hierarchy to SCCM 2007.

· Configure an SCCM hierarchy.

· Set up and configure security accounts.

TechNet Virtual Lab: Deploying System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

TechNet Virtual Lab: Upgrading SMS 2003 SP2 to System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

TechNet Virtual Lab: Upgrading from Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 to System Center Configuration Manager 2007

TechNet Virtual Lab: Introduction to System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

How to Extend the Active Directory Schema for SMS 2003

Screencast (Part 2 of 4): Master Your Environment with System Center Configuration Manager 2007

Configuring an SCCM Infrastructure (19 percent)

· Configure client agents.

· Configure site boundaries.

· Configure core site system roles.

· Configure discovery methods.

· Configure client installation.

· Configure SCCM infrastructure for Internet-based client management.

TechNet Virtual Lab: Deploying System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

TechNet Virtual Lab: Configuring Configuration Manager 2007 Security including PKI

Managing Resources (14 percent)

· Build an SCCM collection by using queries.

· Meter software usage.

· Manage assets.

· Manage inventory flow.

· Manage client agents.

TechNet Virtual Lab: Generating Asset Intelligence Data with Configuration Manager 2007

Configuration Manager 2007: Collections

How to create a Query and Modify (SMS 2003)

How to Create Collections based on Active Directory Groups (SMS 2003)

Distributing Applications (17 percent)

· Manage packages.

· Manage programs.

· Manage advertisements.

· Schedule distribution.

· Track success and failure rates for distribution.

· Manage distribution points.

TechNet Virtual Lab: Implementing Branch Distribution Points in System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

TechNet Virtual Lab: Implementing Maintenance Windows for Software Distribution in System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

Step by Step: Creating Packages, Collections & Advertisements (SMS 2003)

Deploying Operating Systems (13 percent)

· Capture a reference computer image.

· Manage task sequences.

· Configure site system roles related to deploying operating systems.

· Deploy operating system packages.

· Customize user state migration.

· Deliver applications.

Zero Touch Vista deployments in Belfast

SCCM2007 and Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Setup and Config

TechNet Webcast: Automated Windows Server 2008 Imaging and Deployment Using the Microsoft Deployment Accelerator (Level 300)

Securing a Network Infrastructure (13 percent)

· Configure Network Access Protection (NAP).

· Maintain NAP.

· Migrate from Inventory Tool for Microsoft Update (ITMU) to Windows Software Update Services (WSUS).

· Deploy software updates.

· Manage vulnerability compliance.

TechNet Virtual Lab: Managing Custom Application Updates using Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

TechNet Virtual Lab: Managing Microsoft Updates with System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

Introduction to Network Access Protection” white paper Webcast updated

Network Access Protection Part 2

Network Access Protection with 802.1x (Part 1)

Managing and Maintaining an SCCM Infrastructure (15 percent)

· Manage system health.

· Configure automatic maintenance tasks.

· Create custom reports.

· Maintain clients.

· Manage systems by using configuration management.

· Manage Wake on LAN.

TechNet Virtual Lab: Determining Client Health in Configuration Manager 2007 R2

TechNet Labcast On-Demand: Security Compliance Management Toolkit – Configure the Desired Configuration Management (DCM) feature

TechNet Labcast On-Demand: Security Compliance Management Toolkit – Use the Built-in and Customized Reporting Capabilities of Configuration Manager

TechNet Virtual Lab: Implementing Desired Configuration Management in System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007

Other Labs

TechNet Virtual Lab: Integrating Application Virtualization into Configuration Manager 2007 R2

TechNet Virtual Lab: Integrating SQL Server Reporting Services into Configuration Manager 2007 R2

TechNet Virtual Lab: Upgrading System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to Service Pack 1

How to Perform a Basic Software Audit

Garth — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:28:26 GMT

Over on the Enhansoft Blog, we posted a blog on “How to Perform a Basic Software Audit”. This should help answer the question of how to perform a basic software Audit and why “I need a report of all software for all PCs” is a bad idea.

List Collections a PC belongs to

Garth — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:34:18 GMT

select
FCM.CollectionId,
C.Name
from
dbo.v_R_System r
join dbo.v_FullCollectionMembership FCM on R.ResourceID = FCM.ResourceID
join dbo.v_Collection C on C.CollectionID = FCM.CollectionID
Where
R.Name0 = 'ES-03'

Coffee Management Pack!

Garth — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:29:02 GMT

Now this is cool! I would have love this back when I had roommates!

http://blog.coretech.dk/opsmgr07/opsmgr-2007-r2-scom-coretech-coffee-monitor-management-pack-0001/

How Google Maps has out done Bing Maps! (in Ottawa)

Garth — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:10:12 GMT

What Bing Maps sees.

http://www.bing.com/maps/?mkt=en-ca#JndoZXJlMT0xODAraG9sYW5kK2F2ZSZiYj00NS4yNjk3ODk0Mzg2NDQlN2UtNzUuNzYwMjgxMzMwNDgzMSU3ZTQ1LjI2Nzg2NjIwNjYzMDklN2UtNzUuNzYzNjE5NzEzNzUwNA==

What Google Sees.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=150+Holland+Ave,+Ottawa,+Ottawa+Division,+Ontario&sll=45.324163,-75.712321&sspn=0.008449,0.022252&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=Fa-5tAIdBW98-w&split=0&hq=&hnear=150+Holland+Ave,+Ottawa,+Ottawa+Division,+Ontario&ll=45.400936,-75.732644&spn=0.008437,0.022252&z=16&layer=c&cbll=45.401019,-75.732707&panoid=ILd5WdrsllLJTXZC1MoSzA&cbp=12,88.05,,2,-16.6

So what is the Foolish Chicken, Well this is great chicken and ribs place with fantastic desserts! Ellen and I try to go ever few weeks! If you are in Ottawa check it out!

Windows Messenger and Window 7

Garth — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:43:45 GMT

So are you like me and don’t understand why MSN has to sit task bar taking up real estate? Well here is the answer to fix this big annoyance!

First browse to Messenger directory

32bit: C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger

64bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger

Find msnmsgr.exe, right click and click Properties

Select the Compatibility tab

Select Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows Vista (Service Pack 2)

Reboot

Once you reboot you might have to unpin it from the task bar but it will no longer sit on the taskbar!

Hooray for small miracles!

Windows 7 first impressions

Garth — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:26:07 GMT

The upgrade from Vista is slow slow slow!
I’m not impressed that VMRCPlus can’t be run on Windows 7. I almost want to return to Vista just because of this one Program alone! However I have a note into the author at MS to see if/when there will be an update to VMRCPlus. I will hold out for a week to see how much this p1$$ me off, by not being able to work with my VMs. SCVMM will do the trick, but I don’t like that you can’t adjust the screen size on the fly.
What happened to my Quick Launch bar?
Why does MSN stay on my task bar when I’m signed in? I need/want the real estate for other things!
What happened to Texas Hold’em and Tinker?
I’m not finding it faster than Vista.

It is amazing how the little things drive you nuts!

Computers, IP and MAC's in a specific collection

Garth — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:04:52 GMT

SELECT Distinct
    v.Name,
    CASE WHEN v.ResourceType = 3 THEN '*' ELSE '' END as C066,
    CASE WHEN v.ResourceType = 4 THEN '*' ELSE '' END as C067,
    CASE WHEN v.ResourceType = 5 THEN '*' ELSE '' END as C068,
    v.SiteCode,
    CASE IsDirect
        WHEN 1 THEN '*'
        WHEN 0 THEN ''
    END AS C069,
    vrs.User_Name0,
    MAC.MAC_Addresses0
FROM
    v_FullCollectionMembership v
    join dbo.v_R_System vrs on v.ResourceID=vrs.ResourceID
    Join dbo.v_RA_System_MACAddresses MAC on MAC.ResourceID=vrs.ResourceID
WHERE
    CollectionID = @ID

Sept 17 User Group Event: How to protect SQL Server using Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 SP1 (DPM)

Garth — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:22:47 GMT

Topic:

How to protect SQL Server using Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 SP1 (DPM).
Through discussions and demonstrations, we will be covering how DPM offers a continuous data protection for SQL Server with simple and advance configuration.

Presenter Bio:

Islam Gomaa is a Senior Systems Administrator at e-academy. He has over eight years of experience in IT in a Windows Server environment. Additionally, he has 3 years of experience deploying and implementing System Center Data Protection Manager in several sites. Islam is a member of the Ottawa Windows Server User Group executive committee and the Team Lead of the SharePoint study group.

Agenda:
5:30 p.m. Event registration
6:00 p.m. Presentation
7:30 p.m. Q & A
8:00 p.m. Door Prizes

Location:
Microsoft Canada Co.
100 Queen Street Suite 500
Ottawa, ON K1P 1J9

http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=141173

Notes: Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.

Please note that no one will be admitted after 5:55 p.m.!

Wrth gyhoeddi'r System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3

Garth — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:09:06 GMT

Ddoe, cyhoeddodd Jeff W oddi wrth y grŵp System Center y bydd yn R3 ar gyfer System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Dyma cyhoeddiad Jeff gyfieithu i'r Cymraeg. :-)

http://blogs.technet.com/systemcenter/archive/2009/09/08/announcing-system-center-configuration-manager-2007-r3.aspx

Heddiw, mae'r tîm System Center yn falch i rannu gyda chi ein cynllun i ryddhau System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3. Mae hyn yn rhyddhau o'r newydd yn llawn ConfigMgr gyda rhai nodweddion hynod o oer, a dros y misoedd nesaf rydym yn bwriadu i rannu gyda chi mewn gwahanol ffyrdd.

Newidiadau diweddar yn yr economi byd wedi dod â ffocws newydd ar adrannau TG, a hefyd i buddsoddiad technoleg. Sefydliadau yn cael eu bwysau i wneud mwy gyda llai, tra ar yr un pryd yn rheoli amrywiaeth cynyddol o sefyllfaoedd gwaith, gofynion symudedd, a gofynion busnes. Trwy hyn oll, mae angen i gynnal lefelau diogelwch, cydymffurfio ateb heriau a mynd i'r afael â'r tyfu Werdd TG tirlun.

Wrth edrych ar sefydliadau i leihau costau ariannol ac effeithiau amgylcheddol, rheoli pŵer hwn yn profi i fod yn ddull llwyddiannus. Mae'r ad-dalu ar gyfer rheoli ynni yn glir - pan fydd PC yn defnyddio llai o ynni yn cyfateb yn uniongyrchol i leihau costau gweithredol - naill ai'n uniongyrchol drwy'r defnydd o ynni lleihau neu o nifer cynyddol o gwmnïau trydanol sy'n ad-daliadau yn cynnig i gwmnïau sy'n gallu profi gorfodi rheoli ynni canolog polisïau. Yn ogystal, PC parhaus rheoli ynni yn talu ffordd amgylcheddol mesur mewn termau fel Kwh, neu arbedion allyriadau CO2.

Amcangyfrifon Forrester bod mwy na 90% o gwmnïau yn cael eu gweithredu neu ystyried rheoli ynni PC. Er gwaethaf y galluoedd uwch a ddarperir i mewn Ffenestri Vista a Ffenestri 7, yr Amgylchedd yr Asiantaeth Diogelu yr Unol Daleithiau yn amcangyfrif mai dim mwy na 10% o'r holl gyfrifiaduron menter yn defnyddio eu galluoedd rheoli pŵer droi ymlaen heddiw. Heb grym canolog rheoli rheoli nid yn unig yn digwydd. Drwy waith ymchwil â'n cwsmeriaid, partneriaid, ac arbenigwyr diwydiant, daeth yn amlwg bod angen System Ganolfan i gyflawni hyn gallu yn y blwch, gyda 'R3' fel y cerbyd rhyddhau.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3

Mae ychydig o feysydd o ffocws ar gyfer ConfigMgr R3, gyda'r ymdrech peirianneg prif canolbwyntio ar Power Rheoli. Dyma nodau ar gyfer y nodwedd yma:

Power Rheoli
Mae nod y gallu hwn yw galluogi Ffurfweddiad Rheolwr i leihau'r costau gweithredol TG drwy ddarparu rheoli ynni sylfaenol nodweddion brodorol i'r cynnyrch. Mae ein dull yn seiliedig ar ardaloedd 3 cynradd:

A. Cymorth y cynllun sefydliad strategaeth ynni trwy fonitro wladwriaeth grym ar hyn o bryd a consumptions ac adrodd ar dueddiadau utilization peiriant, lleoliadau grym ar hyn o bryd ac yn y defnydd o ynni ar hyn o bryd

B. Galluogi'r Gweinyddwr hawdd i greu, defnyddio a gorfodi lleoliadau pŵer penodol gan ddefnyddio'r seilwaith presennol ConfigMgr
    -Y gallu i osod prysuraf ac nad ydynt yn brig amserlenni
    -Y gallu i leoliadau adfer os newid
    -Y gallu i optio allan o'r peiriannau polisi ynni

C. Darparu fformatau y busnes adroddiad ystyrlon sy'n berthnasol i Power Rheoli

Dyma fideo cyflym o rai o'r adroddiadau sampl yr ydym yn bwriadu rhyddhau. Mae'r rhain yn 'mockup' ac nid ydynt yn cynrychioli cyfrifiadau terfynol, barn, gwerthoedd ac ati

Mae dull effeithiol o reoli anghenion pŵer i wneud y gorau ddefnyddio polisi ynni tra minimizing yr effaith ar y diwedd-defnyddiwr. System Center Configuration Manager helpu cwsmeriaid ymhellach i leihau eu costau gweithredol drwy ychwanegu newydd yn gallu blwch i'w ConfigMgr seilwaith, a thrwy ddi-dor pŵer galluogi rheoli gwasanaethau asiant cleient i'w tirlun Casgliad presennol.

Ym ogystal â rheoli ynni, bydd ConfigMgr R3 darparu cwsmeriaid gyda graddfa gwell a chefnogi perfformiad uchod niferoedd presennol. Yn ogystal, bydd galluoedd pellach - mewn pryd ar gyfer eich Ffenestri 7 deployments - tua System Weithredu Defnyddio yn galluogi.

Bydd Rheolwr Ffurfweddiad 2007 R3 rhyddhau fel beta ar ddiwedd mis Hydref 2009, gyda datganiad wedi'i dargedu ar ddiwedd y calendr C1 2010. Blogio Parhad a newyddion am ein cynnyrch, Twitter updates, bydd cyfweliadau â phobl allweddol ar y prosiect, a rhai fideos a demo y cod newydd yn gweithredu yn cael ei ryddhau dros y misoedd nesaf.

Configuration Rheolwr 2007 R3 Enwebiadau Tap nawr Agored
Cynnyrch adborth yn bwysig iawn i lwyddiant unrhyw gynnyrch. Yr arolwg enwebiad ar gyfer ConfigMgr 2007 R3 tap bellach ar agor. Gallwch gael gafael ar yr arolwg hwn enwebiad yma.

Edrychwch ar yr adnoddau canlynol yn ystod y misoedd nesaf am fwy o wybodaeth ar ein cynlluniau:

System Center homepage
Configuration Manager homepage

What am I doing tonight?

Garth — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:59:37 GMT

5sfbymzxc7

Stepping Down

Garth — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:42:29 GMT

Well it is official, as of Thursday Aug 20^th 2009, I have step down as President of OWSUG. I have been running the OWSUG since 2003! and it is about time to pass the reins on to someone else, and that someone else is Brad Bird. With this change to OWSUG, we have worked to increase the number of people within the user group executive committee and started to review the process of how to improve the OWSUG.

But I’m not going anywhere! I will assume the “Past President” role and will mentor all executive members this year to help ensure that the OWSUG will continue without issues.

So what is coming this year with the OWSUG? Well I will not spoil Brad’s fun but I’m sure that he will announce the study group for this fall very shortly. I will also tell you that the first 2 UG group meetings have been booked and all the events dates have been decided too. To be honest, this could be the best year yet for the OWSUG and it is up to YOU to help make it that way! So I encourage you to offer your help to Brad and the whole executive group. Remember that Brad et al, will need your help deciding which topics to present to the OWSUG, so make sure that you tell him what you want to see.

So some of you will ask what does that mean for me? Well as I stated above I am not going anywhere however I will be taking a much smaller role in the UG. I’m fairly sure that I will be in January’s study group. (Hint, Hint) J If you are not sure of the hint look here. I will be spending a bit more time with the www.SMSUG.ca user group, Mark Carriere has taken on a new job and we need a bit more activity on the site. (If you are a System Center person and want to give back to your community, feel free to contact myself or Mark.) For my non-user group stuff I will be spending a lot more time designing new products and services for Enhansoft, I’m excited about the new products and service offerings that we have designed and some are coming out shortly too. Maybe, just maybe, I will offer to present to the OWSUG on ConfigMgr R2 or something along those lines.

So, are you ready for a new user group season? And remember if you want the best user group even then Brad et al need your help! Watch his blog for details!

SharePoint and Belly Dancers!

Garth — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:20:46 GMT

As some of you who follow me on Twitter found out on Aug 14^th, I was at the award night for the Ottawa 70-631 study group with my wife, Ellen.

I have to say it was an interesting night! Where else can you heard the words “My wife couldn’t come tonight because my dog is getting a massage” and someone else saying “My Labrador ate the spoon!” it gives new meaning to the “My dog ate my homework!”

Anyways back to the main story, we were eating at local restaurant, I became curious when the manager started to move some of the tables around in order to make space. I found out that this restaurant “Chez Fatima” has a belly dancers on Friday night! This girl danced for ~20 minutes and it was very interesting. I’m also glad that it was none of the OWSUG execs doing any of the belly dancing either! I just don’t want to imaging that! Although the manager had to “wipe the sweat” from the brow of one of the OWSUG exec. during the dancing. I will let you guess who that was and no it was not me!

It was a good turn out and interesting evening for the study group. Thanks go out to Islam Gomaa for his hard work on this study group and for organizing this event.

BTW it looks like the study group will be doing the MOSS exam in the fall and maybe one of the Exchange exams too and Windows 7 in January! (The MS Press book is not released until Nov 4, 2009) Also keep your eyes open for a smaller study group for 70-400. I will most likely join that one!

Software History

Garth — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:43:31 GMT

select distinct
    CS.Name0,
    HARP.*
from
    dbo.v_HS_ADD_REMOVE_PROGRAMS HARP
    join dbo.v_GS_ADD_REMOVE_PROGRAMS ARP on ARP.ResourceID = HARP.ResourceID
    join dbo.v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS on CS.ResourceID = HARP.ResourceID
Where
    HARP.ProdID0 not in (    select
                                ARP2.Prodid0
                            from
                                dbo.v_GS_ADD_REMOVE_PROGRAMS ARP2
                            where
                                ARP2.ResourceID = HARP.ResourceID)