Daniel TechTips: May 2015

May 29, 2015

Batch - Consistent Operating Environment

Consistent Operating Environment (COE), does anyone really understand what is this means ?

To my understanding, COE means that all computers must be running on a same OS, same applications/programs, same interface and same settings/configurations.

It is very hard achieve and yet simple to implement, the most troublesome thing is to make it compatible with all kind of models. Put it simple (using HP's model series and ranges), a single image to cater for almost all types of models yet the ability to install it's own drivers, applications etc. and make it function/working.

Luckily HP (Hewlett-Packard) does have a tools to help us in this tasks, but drawback would be custom scripting/batch file(s) have to be created & tested to ensure the workability of it.

It is called the SSM (Softpaq System Manager), what this tools does is to ensure the reliability of the downloaded drivers and the ability to differentiate the models being install and subsequently install the relevant drivers for the system.

I'm in the midst of compiling a "Universal Master Image" capable of installing the drivers base on the models detected and of course the customised settings required for the specific corporate environment.

Although I can't disclose much details of it, but I will post the scripts and hopefully might be usefull to someone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - S View Cover Custom Wallpaper

I've been trying to customised the S View wallpaper ever since I got it but to my surprise it doesn't allow me ???

What Samsung are thinking ?!!??

Nevertheless I've been using it without any customization ever since not until recently when Samsung decided it's about time to release "Lollipop" version for it's Note 3 series.

Well, I'm surprise to receive a notification prompting for an upgrade and as usual proceeded the upgrade when the time permits.

After the upgrade and still to my dismay the S View Cover still doesn't have such function available as default to customised the wallpaper.

Frustrated and furious, I start "googling" and found a very interesting website and decided to give it a go.....

To my joyous life, I was now able to customised the S View Cover wallpaper with my preferred photos.... Hurray !!!

As such, it will be selfish not to share with everyone and many thanks to the website author who make it all possible for me.... Bravo !!!

S View Cover Custom Wallpaper

May 26, 2015

Windows 7 - Enable USB Storage

If you ever encounter where your USB flash drive are suddenly inaccessible, this maybe due to conflicted GPO.

It's simple and easy to enable back the access :-

1. Go to START --> Run.

2. Type --> gpedit.msc.

3. Browse to --> Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> System --> Removable Storage Access.

4. Search for "Removable Disks: Deny execute access" policy = Disabled.

5. "Removable Disks: Deny read access" policy = Disabled.

6. "Removable Disks: Deny write access" policy = Disabled.

7. "All Removable Storage classes: Deny all access" policy = Disabled.

8. Once done, close the policy editor then run command prompt (cmd).

9. Type --> gpupdate /force.

10. Now plugin back the USB flash drive and it should be all working.

Windows XP - Enable Classic Logon Screen

Today encountered a user where she have created a new user account for her computer and it ended up that her own "Administrator" account cannot be selected at the logon screen.

1. A workaround is to restart the computer in "Safe Mode" by pressing "F8" key repeatedly after the POST screen to invoke the "Safe Mode Menu".

2. Now just select "Safe Mode" option and let it boot.

3. At the desktop it will prompt you a message... just click "Yes" button to continue.

4. Go to START --> Control Panel --> User Accounts.

5. Select "Change the way users log on or off" option.

6. Un-check both the option "Use the Welcome screen" checkbox and "Fast User Switching" checkbox option.

7. Next is of course to apply the changes and then restart the computer and let it boot normally.

8. Now the classic logon screen should be displayed, you have to manually type-in the "Administrator" username and password (if any) to continue logon back to your account.

MS-DOS - Batch File Color Codes

Syntax : COLOR [Background] [Foreground]

Colour attributes are specified by 2 of the following digits, each digit can be any value as below :-

0 = Black
8 = Gray

1 = Blue
9 = Light Blue

2 = Green
A = Light Green

3 = Aqua
B = Light Aqua

4 = Red
C = Light Red

5 = Purple
D = Light Purple

6 = Yellow
E = Light Yellow

7 = White
F = Bright White

Example : COLOR 0B

* A black background colour with Light Aqua text.

May 17, 2015

Exchange Server 2013 - Missing POP3 Manager

As everyone know that Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 no longer comes with the "POP3 Manager" like those in Exchange 2003.

The missing features have caused some companies to purchase 3rd party utility in order for it work with local hosting provider.

This have caused me some headaches as there's tons of utilities available out there and I'm not sure which works the best.

I do find the following programs to be best :-

1. POPCon.

2. QSS Exchange Connector.

Both programs work as its designed to be, lightweight, small and use less resources. Although POPCon does provide some value-added features such as anti-spam and anti-virus, I feel it will be an overkill since the Exchange server already have it's own anti-virus & anti-spam programs.

So I decided to for the QSS Exchange Connector, since it's faster to load and uses less resources. It also give me some sort of control over the throttling bandwidth.

VPN - Protocols and Ports Used

Just for my references, VPN protocols and ports used.

1. PPTP = TCP 1723

2. IPSec\L2TP = UDP 1701, 500, 4500

3. OpenVPN = UDP 4300

May 16, 2015

VMWare - Installing Windows Server 2012 from HP Media CD

Recently I was assigned to install Windows Server 2012 R2 from a HP Media CD into a HP Proliant ML10 v2 server with VMware Hypervisor.

At first I did encountered some roadblocks whereby the media doesn't allow such installation as it is detecting the SMBIOS details (which in this case was created by VMWware) thus the installation failed with error message "Incorrect BIOS detected and must be installed on HP Proliant servers.....blah... blah... blah"

Well, HP does have a workaround on this and VMware acknowledged it too.

Just very simple steps :-

1. Browse to the newly created VM guest folder (example : VSVR01) in the "datastore".

2. Look for a filename called "VSVR01.vmx" and download it to your local computer.

3. Edit the file using notepad program and add the following line into the file :-

smbios.ReflectHost = "TRUE"

4. Save the file and upload it back into the original location "datastore" and overwrite when prompted.

Note : You might want to save a copy of the original file before any attempts on the modifications.

5. Once done, now you can install the Windows Server 2012 R2 from HP media CD, the rest was just a mere follow-on-screen instructions.

May 10, 2015

Ubuntu Server - Change Hostname

Change a hostname in Ubuntu server is very easy. From the command line terminal, type hostname newname. View the new hostname with hostname command. See the step by step example on how to change Ubuntu server hostname below:

View current hostname:

master@SVR01:~$ hostname
SVR01

Change hostname and view latest hostname:

master@SVR01:~$ sudo hostname Ubuntu
master@SVR01:~$ hostname
Ubuntu

Don't fall for it. That doesn't change anything. The hostname is still the same as you can see at the prompt. Even reboot won't change anything. The exact method to change the hostname permanently is by editing /etc/hostname file. Here is the step:

Open /etc/hostname with your favorite text editor:

master@SVR01:~$ sudo nano /etc/hostname
master@SVR01:~$ sudo shutdown now -r

Now you can change hostname and save. The changed is permanent even after you reboot your system.

Cisco - Catalyst Switch Factory Reset (IOS)

The procedure in this section applies to the router cards, the modular or fixed configuration switches, and GL-3 Catalyst series switches running Cisco IOS Software:

· Router cards

o WS-X4232-L3 (Catalyst 4006/4000)

o RSM/RSFC (Catalyst 5500/5000)

o MSFC/MSM (Catalyst 6500/6000)

· Catalyst modular switches

o Catalyst 6500/6000

o Catalyst 4500/4000

· Catalyst fixed configuration switches

o Catalyst 2940

o Catalyst 2950/2955

o Catalyst 2970

o Catalyst 3550

o Catalyst 3560

o Catalyst 3750

o Catalyst 2900XL/3500XL

· GL-3 Catalyst switches

o Catalyst 2948G-L3

o Catalyst 4908G-L3

Switches running Cisco IOS Software have a running configuration file and a startup configuration file. The RAM stores the running configuration, and the NVRAM stores the startup configuration. When you make a configuration change to a switch running Cisco IOS Software, the change becomes part of the running configuration. You must save the configuration changes to the startup configuration; otherwise, the configuration is lost during the next reload or power outage. This is because you lose the running configuration stored in RAM when you reload the switch or turn off the power. To save the configuration into NVRAM, issue the write memory command or the copy running-config startup-config command. If you do not save your changes to NVRAM, the changes clear from RAM and are no longer part of the startup configuration when the switch reloads.

On the Catalyst modular or fixed configuration switches running Cisco IOS Software, a separate file stores the VLAN information. The file is called vlan.dat file and is stored in NVRAM for modular switches or in Flash for fixed configuration switches. To reset these switches to factory defaults, you need to delete the startup configuration and the vlan.dat file. To restore the Catalyst 2948G-L3/4908G-L3 switches and router cards to the factory defaults, you only need to delete the startup configuration file. These switches do not contain VLAN information because they do not participate in VLAN Trunk Protocol (VTP).

Reset Switch Configuration

To reset the switch to factory default, issue the erase startup-config or write erase command. This command does not clear the boot variables, such as config-register and boot system settings. You can alter the boot system parameters with the boot command. In Catalyst 4500/4000 and 6500/6000 series switches running Cisco IOS Software, you can change the configuration register value with the config-register command.

This example shows how to reset a switch running Cisco IOS Software to factory defaults with the write erase command:

Cat2950# write erase

Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all files! Continue? [confirm]y[OK]

Erase of nvram: complete

Cat2950#

Cat2950# reload

System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n

!--- Do not save the configuration at this prompt. Otherwise, the switch

!--- reloads with the current running configuration and does not reset to default.

Proceed with reload? [confirm]y

2w0d: %SYS-5-RELOAD: Reload requested

C2950 Boot Loader (C2950-HBOOT-M) Version 12.1(11r)EA1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Compiled Mon 22-Jul-02 18:57 by antonino

WS-C2950G-12-EI starting...

!--- Output suppressed.

32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.

Base ethernet MAC Address: 00:05:DC:C9:79:00

Motherboard assembly number: 73-5781-08

Motherboard serial number: FAB0515A069

Model revision number: 02

Model number: WS-C2950-24

System serial number: FAB0517Q00B

--- System Configuration Dialog ---

Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]:n

00:00:16: %SPANTREE-5-EXTENDED_SYSID: Extended SysId enabled for type vlan

00:00:21: %SYS-5-RESTART: System restarted --

Cisco Internetwork Operating System Software

IOS (tm) C2950 Software(C2950-I6Q4L2-M)Version 12.1(19)EA1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Compiled Tue 09-Dec-03 00:12 by yenanh

Press RETURN to get started!

00:00:37: %LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface Vlan1, changed state to administratively down

00:00:38: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Vlan1, changed state to down

Switch>

At this stage, the switch configuration has reset to the factory defaults, with the exclusion of the VLAN information.

Reset VLAN Information

To reset the VLAN information to the factory defaults, delete the vlan.dat file from the Flash or NVRAM and reload the switch. On the 6500/6000 series switches running Cisco IOS Software, the vlan.dat file is stored in const_nvram. On the 4500/4000 series switches running Cisco IOS Software, the vlan.dat file is stored in cat4000_flash:. On the 2940, 2950/2955, 2970, 3550, 3550, 3560, 3570, and 2900XL/3500XL fixed configuration switches, the vlan.dat file is stored in flash:.

To erase the vlan.dat file on the 6500/6000 switches, issue the erase const_nvram: command. On the 4500/4000 switches, issue the erase cat4000_flash: command. On the fixed configuration switches, issue the delete flash:vlan.dat command.

The example steps show how to delete the VLAN information on Catalyst fixed configuration switches. You can use the same steps, with their respective commands, for the 6500/6000 and 4500/4000 running Cisco IOS Software:

1. To verify the VLAN information, issue the show vlan command, and to verify the vlan.dat file, issue the dir command.

2. Cat2950# show vlan

4. VLAN Name Status Ports

5. ---- -------------------------------- --------- -------------------------------

6. 1 default active Fa0/1, Fa0/2, Fa0/3, Fa0/4

7. Fa0/5, Fa0/6, Fa0/7, Fa0/8

8. Fa0/9, Fa0/10, Fa0/11, Fa0/12

9. Fa0/13, Fa0/14, Fa0/15, Fa0/16

10. Fa0/17, Fa0/18, Fa0/19, Fa0/20

11. Fa0/21, Fa0/22, Fa0/23, Fa0/24

12.

13. 2 VLAN0002 active

14. 3 VLAN0003 active

15. 4 VLAN0004 active

16.

17.

18. !--- Despite the erase of the startup configuration file,

19. !--- these user-created VLANs remain.

20.

21.

22. 600 VLAN0600 active

23. 1002 fddi-default active

24. 1003 token-ring-default active

25. 1004 fddinet-default active

26. 1005 trnet-default active

27.

28. VLAN Type SAID MTU Parent RingNo BridgeNo Stp BrdgMode Trans1 Trans2

29. ---- ----- ---------- ----- ------ ------ -------- ---- -------- ------ ------

30. 1 enet 100001 1500 - - - - - 1002 1003

31. 2 enet 100002 1500 - - - - - 0 0

32. 3 enet 100003 1500 - - - - - 0 0

33. 4 enet 100004 1500 - - - - - 0 0

34. 600 enet 100600 1500 - - - - - 0 0

35. 1002 fddi 101002 1500 - - - - - 1 1003

36. 1003 tr 101003 1500 1005 - - - srb 1 1002

37. 1004 fdnet 101004 1500 - - 1 ibm - 0 0

38. 1005 trnet 101005 1500 - - 1 IBM - 0 0

39. Switch#

40.

41.

42. Cat2950# dir flash:

43.

44. !--- On the 4500/4000, issue the dir cat4000_flash: command.

45. !--- On the 6500/6000, issue the dir const_nvram: command.

46.

47. Directory of flash:/

48.

49. 2 -rwx 2487439 Mar 11 1993 01:25:32 c2950-i6q4l2-mz.121-9.EA1d.bin

50. 3 -rwx 840 Mar 20 1993 09:20:09 vlan.dat

51.

52. !--- This vlan.dat file stores user-configured VLANs.

53.

54. 4 -rwx 2491435 Mar 08 1993 16:14:13 c2950-mvr.bin

55. 6 -rwx 42 Mar 01 1993 00:07:35 env_vars

56. 7 -rwx 109 Mar 11 1993 01:23:56 info

57. 8 drwx 640 Mar 11 1993 01:26:35 html

58. 19 -rwx 109 Mar 11 1993 01:26:35 info.ver

59.

60. 7741440 bytes total (1088512 bytes free)

Switch#

61. Delete the VLAN information from Flash or NVRAM, and reload the switch.

Note: On the 6500/6000 and 4500/4000 running early versions of Cisco IOS Software, the delete command may not work. Instead, you must issue the command erase const_nvram: or the command erase cat4000_flash:. Do not specify the vlan.dat file in the command syntax. However, on later versions of Cisco IOS Software, the delete const_nvram:vlan.dat command works for the 6500/6000, and the delete cat4000_flash:vlan.dat command works on the 4500/4000.

Cat2950# delete flash:vlan.dat

Delete filename [vlan.dat]?

!--- Press Enter.

Delete flash:vlan.dat? [confirm]y

Cat2950# reload

Proceed with reload? [confirm]y

4w5d: %SYS-5-RELOAD: Reload requested

62. After reload, check the VLAN information with the show vlan command.

The user-configured VLANs no longer appear in the command output. Only factory-default VLAN information is on the switch.

Cat2950# show vlan

VLAN Name Status Ports

---- -------------------------------- --------- -------------------------------

1 default active Fa0/1, Fa0/2, Fa0/3, Fa0/4

Fa0/5, Fa0/6, Fa0/7, Fa0/8

Fa0/9, Fa0/10, Fa0/11, Fa0/12

Fa0/13, Fa0/14, Fa0/15, Fa0/16

Fa0/17, Fa0/18, Fa0/19, Fa0/20

Fa0/21, Fa0/22, Fa0/23, Fa0/24

1002 fddi-default active

1003 token-ring-default active

1004 fddinet-default active

1005 trnet-default active

VLAN Type SAID MTU Parent RingNo BridgeNo Stp BrdgMode Trans1 Trans2

---- ----- ---------- ----- ------ ------ -------- ---- -------- ------ ------

1 enet 100001 1500 - - - - - 0 0

1002 fddi 101002 1500 - - - - - 0 0

1003 tr 101003 1500 - - - - - 0 0

1004 fdnet 101004 1500 - - - ieee - 0 0

1005 trnet 101005 1500 - - - IBM - 0 0

Switch#