Connect an iSCSI SAN to Server 2008 R2 using the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator

Scenario

You’ve installed FreeNAS 8.2 and configured it as a free iSCSI SAN. Now you need to connect to the iSCSI SAN using an iSCSI Initiator.

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Installing Active Directory Certificate Services

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.

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Convert a Server 2008 R2 trial license to a full license

Scenario

You’ve installed Windows Server 2008 R2 and are running it in “trial mode”.

You have a spare full license key, and you want to use this to convert the server from trial mode to the full version.

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Print update rollup for Win7 and Server 2008 R2

Whilst troubleshooting slow printing issues, I stumbled across the following blog post: http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2012/03/16/print-update-rollup-available-for-windows-7-amp-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx

I was surprised to read this in the comments:

At this time there are no plans to make this available on WSUS

Really?! If it is “designed to reduce known issues such as printing performance, print spooler crashes, connectivity to print queues, and print driver installation” then why would Microsoft not distribute this through the normal channels?

You can get the updates at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-US;2647753 but don’t go blindly rolling this out; test first!

Using an elevated command prompt to open Add Remove Programs

Scenario

You’ve noticed there is software that shouldn’t be installed on a client PC, but when you try to uninstall it via a remote desktop connection, a warning message appears saying “This installation can only be uninstalled by a user with administrative privileges”. Smeg!

Solution

  1. Open the run box (windows key + r) and type runas /user:DOMAINADMIN cmd.
  2. You will be prompted for the domain administrator password. Type said password and press enter.
  3. Once the elevated command prompt appears, type control appwiz.cpl to open the Add/Remove Programs control panel.
  4. You will now be able to uninstall the offending software…through gritted-teeth and a wry smile.

Migrating SYSVOL replication from NTFRS to DFSR using Windows Server 2008 R2

Scenario

You’ve raised the domain functional level to take advantage of several new features, one of them being DFS Replication for SYSVOL. You now need to enable this feature.

Here’s how to migrate SYSVOL replication from NTFRS to DFSR:

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Raising the Domain Functional Level using Windows Server 2008 R2

Raising the Domain Functional Level (DFL) is easy to do and can enable many new features.

Read about them here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/understanding-active-directory-functional-levels(v=ws.10).aspx

To raise the DFL, follow these simple steps:

  1. From Active Directory Users and Computers, right-click your domain and select Raise domain functional level:
  2. Select the required DFL, then click Raise:
  3. Read the warning and click OK:
  4. This confirmation message should then be displayed:
  5. Job done!

Reliability Monitor not showing data in Server 2008 R2

I like using the Reliability Monitor to easily show the stability of the server over time. However, sometimes no data is shown at all:

Here’s how to fix it:

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Using GPO to control Local Administrators group

I read an excellent article on how to populate the Local Administrators group via Group Policy Objects (GPO): http://www.grouppolicy.biz/2010/01/how-to-use-group-policy-preferences-to-secure-local-administrator-groups/

However, after following the instructions to the letter, I could only populate the Local Administrators group with the builtin\administrator user account; the other groups I specified were simply ignored.

Here’s how I fixed the issue:

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Cannot see RemoteApp icons for users – only administrators

Scenario

You’ve installed and configured Remote Desktop Services (RDS) on a 2008 R2 server, and configured several RemoteApp Programs to display via RD Web Access.

Despite adding your user account to the Remote Desktop Users local group, and your computer account to the TS Web Access Computers local group, the RemoteApp icons do not display when logged into RD Web Access (https://hostname/RDWeb). However, the icons appear fine when logging in as Administrator.

Here’s how I fixed it:

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