Archives October 2008

No, I’m actually not talking about the crazy SNL skit and follow-up with Mark Walhberg!

No, I’m talking about Exchange and its IO going through the roof when you use Entourage for the Mac in a typical Exchange environment.

Microsoft has a KB329067 Article which relates to this issue with some ‘guidance’ on how to correct it, but exactly how far you take it is another matter.

Information about performance issues that occur when you use POP3, IMAP, or WebDAV clients, such as Entourage, after you move mailboxes in Exchange Server 2003 or in Exchange 2000 Server

Basically, what you’ll get from this article is this:

1. Start Registry Editor.

2. Locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeWEB\DAV

Note By default, the DAV key is not in the registry. You will have to create it yourself.

3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:

Value name: MaximumResponseSizeInBytes
Data type: REG_DWORD
Radix: Decimal
Value data: value

For example, if you decide to increase this value to 500 megabytes (MB), use the following calculation:

1024 * 1024 * 500 = 524288000 (Decimal) = 1F400000 (Hexadecimal)

Enter the results of this calculation in the Value data field. In this example, you would enter 524288000 (Decimal) or1F400000 (Hexadecimal). Remember that the configurable range for this registry key is 1 MB to 1 gigabyte (GB). Better results occur if customers set it to a value of 500 MB or a higher value, such as 800 MB.
NoteWe recommend that you set the value back to the default value or to a lower value after the content conversion issue subsides in your organization. The default value of this registry key is 128 MB. We also recommend that you set correct messages limits and mailbox size limits on your Exchange server to prevent performance issues.

4. Exit Registry Editor.

I can only read this particular KB article so much before I say “Hmm, but what actually works?”

Here is a solution which is tried, true, and used and tends to work most of the time.

Modify this Key to this value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeWEB\DAV

Value name: MaximumResponseSizeInBytes

Decimal: 838860800

What this does is set it to 800MB, as opposed to the ‘referenced’ 500MB example.

In a majority of all circumstances this will take considerable strain off of both your Exchange server as well as your underlying storage.   The end result is, Marky Mark and the Entourage Bunch won’t cause Exchange to Spike and cause severe latency issues for your users.

I think that calls for a definite win situation!

Kind of like how Andy wins in this situation…!

In light of a recent post by Kate where she analyzes and comments on her Google Analytics, I’ll do the same (this also applies to my respective WordPress Stats :))

So, lo and behold the following – Top keywords people find this blog under!

• 70-432, 70-656, 70-652, 71-432 – Apparently, a lot of people are searching for a lot of MS Certification exams.  And to that point, a majority of the keywords tend to be active based upon specific Cert numbers
• pciven_8086&dev_4227 – Oh, that old chestnut!  You’d be surprised how often that comes up! :)
• ontap 7.3, data ontap 7.3 – Apparently, I’m one of the best sources for material on NetApp’s Data ONTAP 7.3, and I’ve not even touched the surface of the types of things you can do, in general let alone in blog posts.  I have a whole backlog of material I’ve yet to touch, so it’s surprising the following I have as it stands, I fear for the future! :)
• osql shrink database – This one in particular is huge.   How often are you looking to shrink a database using osql, and you don’t remember how? I wrote it for me, and to share the wealth, luckily it looks like the wealth is being shared!
• mcts hyper-v – And other Hyper-V topics.   Seems my Hyper-V rig was good enough to stir up conversation and hits around Hyper-V.  If I were to leverage this more, this could be an even more compelling story, though I feel like almost all of Virtualization is ‘yesterdays news’,  lets find the next new tomorrow item, Virtualization is like 4 tires on a car – Ofcourse you have it, now lets make it go faster!
• defconnectopts – Yea, you sexy little expression you! Damn do I get hit up on this quite often! Get your mad defconnectopts on!
• christopher kusek – Wow, people searching for me, and finding my blog! Who woulda thunk it! :)
• enablerpctunnel, rpc over http outlook 2007 – This and variations of this are quite possibly my most hit articles ever.  I wrote this a few years ago, and it’s still references (quite regularly) to this day, to help people get Outlook 2007, Vista, RPC over HTTP.. etc all working together – So go to town! I wish more people commented on it for the volume who get helped :)
• msde shrink database – This one, similar to the osql one is an especially important one.  “No-one uses MSDE anymore.” Yes, you are correct, except for when they do. :) So, I’m glad this particular item has been able to help out so many as well!

So, while this may not be quite as cool as Kate’s post, it is nonetheless a fairly accurate representation of the type of major hits people come across my blog under :)

Certainly, if you think there is certain material I ought to be covering (in any of these areas or more) don’t hesitate to let me know :) I have content in the backlog meaning to get its way out there, it’s just a matter of time to compose and deliver it! :)

I’ve been sitting on this for awhile (Hey, i’ve been busy and this isn’t free, so lower priority!)

Cisco is kicking off the Beta Exam for the CCIE Wireless!

Cisco is soliciting beta candidates for the soon-to-be-launched Cisco CCIE Wireless Written Exam. We are looking to create a highly qualified group of professional- and expert-level Wireless Networking Engineers who are willing to dedicate three (3) hours to take the beta exam.
The CCIE Wireless certification, to be launched later this year, will validate that a professional has the expertise to design, manage, and support mission- and business-critical wireless networks, as well as the job skills and technical knowledge required of an expert-level network IT practitioner. This written exam is the first step in obtaining the CCIE Wireless certification. Successful candidates will have mastered broad theoretical knowledge of wireless networking and demonstrated a readiness for the CCIE Wireless lab examination.
Be one of the first professionals in wireless to get a peek at the new CCIE Wireless exam!

• Location: Pearson Vue Testing Centers, Worldwide
• Registration Date: 7-Oct-08
• Last Test Date: 14-Nov-08
• Cost: US$50
• Exam Number/Name: 351-050 CCIE Wireless Beta Written Exam

So, you wireless Guru’s and masters out there, Go check this out!

I would if I cared about Wireless anymore, did it for a living or otherwise.  But that ship has sailed and well, I don’t feel like forking up $50.00 at the moment for a test I don’t have time to take for an No Strings Attached CCIE Certification! ;)

If I change my mind, I’ll let you know, but I don’t think I’ll have the time anytime soon!

Microsoft Virtualization launch

Attend the Microsoft® Virtualization Readiness Launch and Take Home the Latest Software*

Get hands-on with virtualization—on us.
Attend the event that lets you touch, talk about, and experience Microsoft® virtualization solutions. Hear from Microsoft virtualization experts on how Microsoft uses virtualization in its own data centers. Dive into robust hands-on labs and gain a technical understanding of the Microsoft virtualization strategy. Then, take home a valuable set of free products and readiness-focused giveaways to help get you started:*

• A one-year evaluation copy of Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008
• A copy of Understanding Microsoft Virtualization from the Desktop to the Data Center, by Mitch Tulloch**
• Vouchers for Microsoft Server Virtualization Certification exam (70-652) and preparation course (a $316 value)

Find out all about Microsoft virtualization.
Spend a day learning how a well-designed virtualization strategy can help you control costs, improve service levels, and drive business agility. See solutions built on the Windows Server® 2008 operating system with Hyper-V™ technology, System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007, and Microsoft Desktop and Application Virtualization. And learn how you can leverage end-to-end virtualization to unlock benefits from the data center to the desktop.
The day’s agenda is simple.

• Begin your day with 300-level technical seminars:
  • Session I: Server Virtualization and Management
  • Session II: How Microsoft Builds Dynamic Data Centers
  • Session III: Understanding Virtualization at the Desktop Level
• Spend the afternoon with experts and technology partners in our Solutions Pavilion, and experience Microsoft virtualization via hands-on labs.
• Go home with the knowledge and products you need to start putting Microsoft virtualization into place in your organization.*

*Free Microsoft evaluation software for all event attendees! You’ll take home an evaluation kit with versions of the latest virtualization products. The Microsoft Virtualization Evaluation Kit is available only for attendees of 2008 Microsoft Virtualization Launch event.
**Registered attendees must be an IT Professional or IT Decision Maker and 18 years old by September 8, 2008 to attend this event. Limit one kit per person. All kits must be claimed at the event. This offer is non-transferrable and expires on December 31, 2008 while supplies last. Offer is not redeemable for cash. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient.

And ofcourse, the fair Platinum Sponsors of the event! Oh, look there’s NetApp and Citrix! :)

Hey everybody! A few updates which will directly impact you that you should know about!

First of all, I’ve updated the Free Testing Archive to age old invalid certs and include new certs – So check it out!

Next of all, we’re getting closer to the availability of the NS1-501 SAN Exam from NetApp.  Prometric has the details published just not available to schedule a test yet.  That should change in the next week or so.   This is an entirely new exam so any old ‘test data’ which one has for it, likely won’t be valid anymore.    I’ll need to rewrite the study guide I wrote for the original version.

Next, welcome the first in a series of .NET 3.5 beta exams!

71-563: Pro: Design & Dev Windows Apps Using MS.NET Framework 3.5 – October 13, 2008 – October 30, 2008 (Code: DW897)

We have a number of folks to thank for this Exam! I’d like to make sure you know about the Beta Exam Blog where this was posted, as well as GerryO who posted about this :)

(This is also posted to the Free Testing Archive!)

Anyone who remembers my Second Chance Promotion post earlier in August (Second Shot)

Well, thanks to the MSL Community and GerryO again for this:

Second Shot now offers two incentives to get certified!
Today, Second Shot provides the benefit of a free retake if you fail a Microsoft Certification exam.
From October 15 – December 31, 2008, you will also be rewarded for passing the exam!
If you pass, you can now use the Second Shot offer to enjoy 25% off a different exam!
The Offer – 3-easy steps :
1.            Register for Second Shot offer and sit for the exam by December 31, 2008!
2.            If you fail the exam you will receive  a free retake exam that can be utilized until June 30, 2009
3.    If you Pass, you will get 25% off a second exam.  You have until February 28, 2009 to utilize the discounted exam.  
Note: If you pass the first exam but fail your 25% off second exam, you will not get a free retake on your second exam.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/offers/secondshot/default.mspx

So, there you go! 2 reasons and 3 ways to get you certified in 2008! Get out there, get your Second Chances and get your BETA On!