Active Directory, Cluster and other fun stuff... : Server 2008

Quick Tip: Back up your NTFS security permissions

justintu — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:09:00 GMT

Here is a simple command that you can run right now in order to save you from some down-time the next time your file system permissions get set back to the Windows defaults. Proactively running this from time to time (think: task scheduler) can save you a lot of time and money the next time disaster strikes. There are multiple backup solutions and utilities that you can use for this purpose, however this one is easy to use and the price is right. (free)

Subinacl.exe

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=E8BA3E56-D8FE-4A91-93CF-ED6985E3927B&displaylang=en

Here is example syntax that you can use to proactively back up your NTFS permissions:

Subinacl /noverbose /output=c:\ntfs_perms.txt /subdirectories "Path to the Folder whose NTFS permissions we have to Backup"

To backup the permissions of the folder, subfolders and files on folder called Data on the G: drive:

subinacl /noverbose /output=c:\ntfs_perms.txt /subdirectories G:\data\

If you wanted to just backup the NTFS permissions for the entire drive, the command would look like this:

subinacl /noverbose /output=c:\ntfs_G_drive_perms.txt /subdirectories G:\*.*

Most of you will probably not be concerned with backing up down to the file level, and are satisfied with just backing up the permissions at the directory level. Backing up the permissions for just the directories can be achieved with the following syntax:

subinacl /noverbose /output=c:\G_driveNTFSperms.txt /subdirectories=directoriesonly G:\*.*

The contents of the file created by subinacl are viewable in your favorite text editor:

To restore the permissions on the drive using the file that you backed them up to:

Subinacl /playfile c:\G_driveNTFSperms.txt

Test it out thoroughly in your lab environment before rolling it out to production.

Thanks for reading,

Justin Turner

Technorati Tags: Permissions,Server 2008,Server 2003,Security

Microsoft Certified Master registration...

justintu — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:35:00 GMT

Hi Everybody!

Have you heard about the new certification from Microsoft? In the grand scheme of things (as far as MSFT certification goes) it is the next level above the MCITP. (MCITP is what many consider to be the replacement for the old MCSE)

Check out the pic for a better description:

Public registration for the new Master certification is finally open. Full details about the program are available here.

Quick overview:

Cert requirements:
-Mandatory three week training session
-in-class written and lab-based exams
-Pass qualification lab exam

It seems that they haven't updated the registration link yet. Here is the direct ~~link~~.

They've updated it now. Here is the registration page.

Steps to apply:

Fill out application here ($125) IMPORTANT: If the pre-requisite exams don't show up on your MCP transcript then you forfeit the application fee. (70-219 or 70-297, MCSE 2000 or MCSE 2003 or IT Pro: Enterprise Admin (MCITP: EA))
Upload resume (if you are eligible)
Register: Pay (and choose class dates)

Training will be in Redmond only in FY09. Dates for the first training session: (at half the price)

Exchange Server 2007: October 6-25, 2008
SQL Server 2008: October 13 – November 1, 2008
Windows Server 2008: November 3-22, 2008

Pre-recorded Live meeting session linked to from Trika's blog here.

Sysinternals developer answers your toughest Vista questions...

justintu — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:37:00 GMT

Hi Everybody!

This should be a pretty good presentation on Windows Vista internals. Mark Russinovich has co-authored several books on Windows Internals, and is one of the developers for all of the cool troubleshooting utilities over at our Sysinternals site.

Springboard Series Virtual Roundtable
Under the Hood: Windows Vista Performance...Need Answers?
Join Mark Russinovich and a panel of industry experts for a LIVE virtual roundtable to explore your top of mind performance issues, common misconfigurations, and tips on how to fix them. From boot times and applets to disk performance and battery life, find out how to optimize Windows Vista and what you can do to improve overall system performance.

Submit your performance questions live during the event or send them in advance to vrtable@microsoft.com.

Save the date!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
9:00am Pacific Standard Time

Find answers to your Windows Vista adoption questions with resources, tools, monthly straight-talk articles, and upfront guidance based on early adopter and community feedback. To learn more, visit www.microsoft.com/springboard,

Springboard Series: The resource for Windows desktop IT professionals

Windows Server 2K8 Reviewers Guide

justintu — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:32:00 GMT

Hi Everybody!

This one comes at the request of several customers. Many of you out there are trying to determine which version of Server 2008 you will deploy. For most it comes down to deciding between two of the five major versions: Server 2008 Standard edition and Server 2008 Enterprise edition. Given the amount of features included in the OS and all of the different versions we shipped, trying to determine what version includes what feature can be confusing.

Fortunately we have released a very detailed treatise on this very subject in the form of a 247 page document appropriately titled, Windows Server 2008 Reviewers Guide.

Inside you will find a pretty thorough support matrix and technical nuggets like:

In Standard Edition you are limited to one standalone DFS Namespace. (DFS Root) This limit does not apply to domain-based DFS implementations.
Cross-File Replication for DFS-R is not available in the Standard or Web editions.
Server Core is available in all editions except for Itanium.
Hyper-V is included in Enterprise, Datacenter and Standard editions as long as you don't buy the version that say "without Hyper-V"
TS Licensing in Windows Server 2008 now allows you to track per-user CALs
Still no support for Cluster (failover) in Standard Edition, but you can now have 16 nodes with the Enterprise and Datacenter editions (8 with Itanium)

Here are some screen snags taken right from the guide:

Enjoy!