Installing SQL Server 2008 R2 on a Failover Cluster using Server 2008 R2

17 August 2012 by

Scenario

You’ve configured a Failover Cluster using Server 2008 R2, and now you want to install SQL Server 2008 R2.

Solution

Changes

A few changes were made to the simple Failover Cluster that was previously configured:

  • Several LUNs were added to the FreeNAS VM so separate disks could be used for each function:
  • 3 x Network Interface Cards (NICs) were configured on each node, each on a different subnet:
    • LAN: 10.10.10.0/24
    • SAN: 10.10.20.0/24
    • Heartbeat: 10.10.30.0/24
  • The FreeNAS interface was configured on the SAN subnet (10.10.20.220).

This time round, the Failover Cluster Validation Report didn’t have a single warning; all green ticks 😉

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Microsoft, SQL Server, Storage Tagged With: , , , ,

The Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition installer returned error code 2064843076

9 August 2012 by

Scenario

You’ve just tried to install VMware vCenter with the option to use SQL Server Express, but the installation fails with the following error:

The Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition installer returned error code ‘2064843076’

Solution

  1. Click Explore Media to open an Explorer window:
  2.  Right-click autorun.exe and select Run as administrator:
  3. Every process that is started from the autorun screen will now have full admin rights, so SQL Server will install fine.
Filed Under: Microsoft, SQL Server, VMware Tagged With: , ,

Free iSCSI SAN for your home lab using FreeNAS 8.2

29 July 2012 by

Scenario

You have a home lab set up so you can experiment with the latest and greatest software and technology. You could be using VMware ESXi, Hyper-V or another hypervisor for your lab, but they don’t come with shared storage built-in. You need shared storage to set up features like Failover Clustering.

Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get an iSCSI SAN for your home lab. As the name suggests, FreeNAS is FREE!

Read on to learn how to install FreeNAS 8.2. I’ll be using VMware Workstation, but the process is similar for most hypervisors.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Storage, VMware Tagged With: , , ,

Citrix XenApp lab setup notes including iPad configuration

22 July 2012 by

My good friend Steve and I were up till 02:30 Fri night / Sat morning doing further testing with Citrix XenApp 6.5 and the Citrix Receiver app on the iPad.

There were a few teething errors, but we got everything working fine in the end; including configuring an ActiveSync Profile for the iPad that installs a Root Certificate and pre-configures the Mail app to work with Exchange.

We used Hyper-V to setup a base VM of Server 2008 R2, then installed the following VMs using differencing disks which are similar to linked clones using VMware:

  • A Domain Controller with Certificate Services installed
  • SQL Server 2008 R2
  • XenApp and Licensing
  • Citrix Web Interface and Secure Gateway
  • Exchange 2010

After a few short hours sleep, I decided to do exactly the same in my home lab too. Usually I use my ESXi server, but I thought this would be a great time to test out the latest version of VMware Workstation.

I didn’t take screenshots as usual, but here’s the notes I made:

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Filed Under: Citrix, Mobile Tagged With: , , ,

Installing Active Directory Certificate Services

18 July 2012 by

Scenario

You want to configure and control certificates throughout your IT Infrastructure.

Server 2008 R2 has this functionality built-in, so you just need to add the Server Role.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With: , , ,

Installing Exchange 2010

29 June 2012 by

Scenario

You want to install Exchange 2010 on a Win2008 R2 server.

Here’s how:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exchange, Microsoft Tagged With: ,

Configuring Microsoft System Center Essentials (SCE) 2010

25 June 2012 by

Scenario

You’ve just installed SQL Server 2008 R2 and System Center Essentials 2010. You now need to configure System Center Essentials (SCE).

Read more below.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With: ,

Installing Microsoft System Center Essentials (SCE) 2010

21 June 2012 by

Scenario

You’ve outgrown your current software update and management system for your IT Infrastructure, and would like something better. Microsoft System Center Essentials (SCE) 2010 can handle up to 50 servers, 500 clients and 100 network devices; a perfect fit!

Find out how to install SCE below.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With: ,

Installing SQL Server 2008 R2

21 June 2012 by

Scenario

You need to install SQL Server 2008 R2. That is all. 😐

Follow the steps below to spawn a fresh SQL-child of your own.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Microsoft, SQL Server Tagged With:
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