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Windows SBS 2008 – Flaky with Trend [with UPDATE]

Jan 302009

Learned today, the hard way, that Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 has some issues working with third-party software in particular Trend-Micro’s AV.

What occurs is the server will experience after several days (~5-6) problems with some servicesstopping, Global Catlog, Active Directory, email, DNS from functioning correctly. The only way to recover from this ‘flaky’ state is to reboot the server. Microsoft report they are working on a patch and are currently testing and should have it available in a couple of weeks. Until then I would recommend anyone to schedule a reboot every 2-3 days to prevent this issue from building to it’s flaky state. This is also the ‘workaround’ that Microsoft has recommended as well.

I will update this post when the patch is made available.

2/17/2009 —-UPDATE——

Microsoft now has a patch/Hotfix available and is working on a KB article. Go to the following link for more info http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2009/02/12/you-may-lose-network-connectivity-on-sbs-2008-when-using-a-driver-which-utilizes-tdi.aspx

and the Hotfix is at http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=961775&kbln=en-us

Will be applying this Hotfix this week.

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Overcoming the size limit – How to send 100Mb files

Random Jitter No Responses »

Jan 302009

Most email servers will allow you to send file attachments up to a certain limit. This limit is normally around 8-10Mb in size. This is by design to prevent email sending/receiving to be as short as possible as it travels from server to server as well as keeping mailbox sizes to a minimum.

However some have needs to send files to someone quickly. They are left with few options 1) Copy the file to some medium such as a CD, USB and ship/mail/walk it to the recipient or 2) upload to a server and have someone retrieve the file as a download. This second option would be the most efficient method but has some complexity for some such as Where do I upload to? Do I need a login/password? How do I get the other person to download? It can be difficult for someone who may be unfamiliar with the process. This is where uSend.io makes it simple.

You can send up to 100Mb with uSend.io. If you browse to uSend.io you will be asked two (2) things: Choose a File to Upload and email address of recipient(s). It’s that simple.

An email will go out to your recipient(s) with a private link to download the file. If you are concerned with privacy/security I would recommend placing a password on the file. If it is an Office document most of them can have a password placed on the file from office or you could simply zip the file (WinZip, 7-Zip) and password protect. This may also allow the file to be smaller but be sure your recipient knows how to unzip the file and also the password.

If you need somewhere to store files for longer periods checkout drop.io A great way of having Voicemail, Faxes or files emailed directly. Your personal drop box.

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De-mystify DNS

WAN No Responses »

Dec 142008

Understanding DNS can be a steep learning curve. The right stuff is needed to reveal what the world knows about your domain names. That’s where DNS Stuff is helpful.

Some of the utilities are free but the paid version is very helpful in determining your Domain Host Names known to the outside world. Also the ability to check reverse lookups, blacklisting as well as email testing.

The ‘paid’ service is well worth it if you want to be notified of any changes to your records as well as giving you more indepth abilities.

Screenshot of the ‘free’ tools		and here is a screenshot of the ‘paid’ (subscription) tools

Check it out at

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