Saturday 31 December 2011

DLLs and Drivers

A Quick Guide to DLLs and Drivers
Some of the terminology in computer hardware and operating systems can be a bit confusing. In particular what makes certain components talk to other programs and where things are stored?  This is a quick guide to DLLs and Drivers.
A DLL, or Dynamic Link Library, is how Microsoft stores and shares all the library resources. These are then shared between other programs. DLLs are necessary because they have things like code, data, and resources that help run the layers between the GUI and GDI interfaces. A GDI, or the Graphic Device Interface, has codes that send commands to the GUI, or Graphic User Interface.
Every time a user wants to do something such as run a program, it sends an executable file, or .EXE that is stored in the DLL between the interfaces so that the command is sent. Most early Windows systems and Operating Systems required DLLs for this translation. One of the benefits of this is that it allows for modularity. This means that an older hardware system can accept newer software because the code in the DLL can translate it.
All file formats that are the same are in same libraries and are referred to as resources. The calling between libraries is the actual “linking.” All of this is done in run time so it appears seamless to the user. For example, OCX that calls up Active X controls, are all stored in one library for quick linking.  DLLs also manage the memory usage for these translations.
A similar translation component is a driver. Otherwise known as a device driver, is a piece of software that the operating system, or OS, requires communicating with any type of hardware attached to the computer. Drivers are specifically designed for the hardware they support based on the type of OS. A driver tells the OS how to talk to the device through the main processor.
Most hardware components, such as a printer, need a specific piece of the processing ability. The driver grabs the request of the device and tells the processor where to go. It then transmits what it needs to back to the device so that it functions properly. It also allows translation of information between the two.
Drivers are typically included with the new hardware device when purchased. However, they are usually available on a vendor website as well. These include the updates of the drivers, which increase functionality or provide additional security. Downloadable drivers have made it easier to add new features to computers. For example, a wireless card in the computer may be updated with a higher level of security.
DLLs and Drivers are both critical to support the hardware that consumers add to their computer systems. With constant new technology and updates, it is important that the OS and interfaces be able to talk to any new device or features added. These enable those abilities and users to stay on abreast of advancement in technology.

SCCM with R2 Installation

SCCM with R2 Installation
Now that we have configured all the required settings for SCCM, we will now install the SCCM setup.
1. Go to SCCM installer file and click the installer setup
Once the installer dialog pop-up, select Run prerequisite checker. This is to check whether we have the entire configuration in place before running SCCM.

2. Enter the primary site and management point server name and click ok

3. If the entire configurations are done then the prerequisite checker will display warning or all clear result. Click Ok.

4. Then go back to main installation window and select Configuration Manager 2007.

5. Click next on the welcome installation page

6. Select the first option Install a Configuration Manager site server and click next

7. Select I accept the license agreement and click next

8. Select custom settings and click next

9. Select Primary Site and click next

10.Select I don’t want to participate right now and select next

11.Enter the product key and click next

12.Select the installation location and click next

13.Enter the site code name and description and click next
Note: Site code is 3 characters long so please provide a valid site code name that can be understandable while designing SCCM sites.

14.Select the type of mode and click next
Note: Mixed mode is used to support SMS 2003 clients.

15.Select types of client agent that need to enable with default settings.
Click next

16.Provide a SQL server instance name and SQL database name that will get created.
Click next

17.select the provider name and click next

18.Select install a management server and provide a name.
Click next

19.Select http setting port 80 and click next

20.Select Check for update and download newer versions and click next.
Note: You need to provide a path where setup can download and stores the downloaded files.

21.Provide a path for download location and click next

22.Setup will then start downloading components

23.Once download complete click ok to continue

24.On setting summary page review your configuration and click next

25.Setup will then run a pre-requisite check. Click Begin install to start installation

26.Setup will then start installing each component. The process will take some time to complete.

27.Once installation complete click next to continue

28.Click on view log to check the installation log file

29.The log will have all the details of the installation and configuration of SCCM.

30.Click finish to complete the installation

31.We have now the SCCM shortcuts links are created.

32.We can also verify the SCCM container is now get created in AD.
Go to Active Directory Users and Computers->Expand the DC->Select System->Select System Management. The object is now created there.

33.Open Start menu->Programs->Microsoft System Center\Configuration Manager 2007->ConfigMgr Console
If SCCM is up and running the SCCM admin console will pop-up.

34.The next step is to upgrade the SCCM to SP2.
Download the SP2 setup from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=3318741a-c038-4ab1-852a-e9c13f8a8140&displaylang=en
Start the SP2 setup

35.Select the second option ‘upgrade an existing configuration manager or SMS 2003 installation’ and click next

36.Select I agree the license agreement and click next

37.Select I don’t want to participate and click next

38.Select check for updates and download newer version files option on next page and click next to continue

39.Windows will then start downloading the pre-requisite files

40.Once download completes click ok to continue

41.Setup will then run pre-requisite check. You may see warning message but that can be skip. Click Begin install to continue

42.The R2 installation will then start. The process will take some time to complete.

43.Once the installation complete, click next to continue

44.Click on view log to check installation log file

45.Click Finish to complete the SCCM R2 installation.

46.Verify that SCCM has R2 installed.
Open configuration manager console-> Site database-> Site management
The primary site will be listed here with the build version 4.00.6487.2000 with build number 6487.

System Center Configuration Manager

System Center Configuration Manager
System Center Configuration Manager was usually known as Systems Management Server (SMS) in the last decade. It is a systems management and control software product by Microsoft for managing large groups of Windows-based computer and mobile systems at the same time.
Configuration Manager has a diversified portfolio which provides remote control, software distribution, patch management, operating system deployment, network access protection, hardware innovations and software inventory. SCCM Expert provides an end-to-end visibility across the software purchase, deployment, modification, and usage and compliance cycle in an organization.
Advanced Client Dealing
An Advanced Client system is introduced SCCM to provide a solution to a number of problems that a managed laptop might encounter to a corporate network from multiple locations and should not always download content properly and efficiently from the same place within the enterprise. When an Advanced Client is within another location or SMS Site, it may use a local distribution point of that particular area to download or run a program which can conserve high bandwidth across a WAN (Wireless Access Network).
Self-Automated Service
SCCM is Self automated service that executes the software request, approval, undersigning, and license verification and delivery process for an individual user or the entire organization. A proficient Business benefits by complying with license policies, introducing innovative products and streamlining software purchasing. SCCM ensures IT administrators and help desk staff to focus on strategic tasks, software developments and product enhancement analysis.
SCCM automated service can assist you reduce software license which otherwise requires a lot to be spent by streamlining and easy sharing your technologies and procurement processes. Secure software licensing and compliance can be executed, tracked and ascertained by comparing the current and ongoing purchase data directory with usage data from SCCM. It can help you develop email based campaigns to kindly ask and analyze users to approve the automatic uninstall of unused and underutilized applications and products. It assists Reallocation of your existing license files effectively and prevents needless software purchase by reclaiming unused or underused software in a streamlined and smooth manner. Software suppliers and audit firms have boosted up their services for number of organizations by 50% or so in the last decade. SCCM self automated services will help you stay safe, standardized and up to date regarding audit process.
Request Management Service
SCCM automated service is actually a request management system which saves your time, increases productivity and removes the burdensome task of addressing to every individual software requests and orders. It processes these requests against approval and inventory rules which are dynamically adjustable based on conditions of the end user.
SCCM using “Custom Actions”, Use to assist your help desk staff to invoke remote web services and respond proactively and fast to resolve tickets and inquiries more efficiently and without relying on IT center processing. Automated software gathers specific data from the requesters with our "Question Manager" ensuring little human involvement. SCCM is a web based portal that empowers you to quickly manage the software and services that enhance your productivity and reputation in the market.
SCCM automated services automate the workflow approval by directing the application to your manager who has the proactive and pre-executed list of contractors or customers. Customizable documents, detailed interface updates and emails make satisfied outputs. You will not have to wait longer for busy center managers. SCCM ensures your software to be automatically implemented and the whole installation process and its completion will be done under your consideration.
The SCCM self automated Service portal is very simple to navigate, search and manipulate that allows you to request and order items for any authorized machine with a few clicks. Quick Search functionality of SCCM allows you to quickly find catalog items. Using SCCM services, you can easily deal with the due Software applications, Hardware accessories, Images, sharing devices, office supplies and multiple items simultaneously in typical shopping quality control process. SCCM automated service requires that you identify an account to be used for the interaction with SQL and Active Directory. SCCM service account will require due administrative permissions on the client workstations if you wish Self Service to successfully run machine policy evaluation to accelerate software deployments and modifications.
SCCM automated assistance services can order any software or product on behalf of you and assure a robust deployment in scurry and quick requests. In time visualization of all your worth orders can be accomplished once at the same time by using SCCM. Software Requirements are also so user friendly and easily available. It is required for Self Service. Certain features must be enabled for Self Service to function properly like Hardware Inventory, Software Distribution, Innovative Interfaces, User Discovery and Self Service Installation Platform.
Most of the well renowned and persuasive enterprises own thousands of privileged accounts that control and manage access to the servers, workstations, databases, firewalls, interfaces and devices in the net­work. Due to the large number of such accounts, many of which are un­identified, IT often deploys all systems and interfaces with an identical and static password. If each privileged and secured account in the organization is not frequently and automati­cally updated with a unique and complex password, an unauthorized user can easily decode or decrypt one password and gain unrestricted access to every place in the network that uses the same credentials and passwords. Particularly, the Former employees who are familiar with the privi­leged and secured passwords at their previous organizations, as well as current em­ployees with similar access, pose a serious threat. Improperly implemented or incomplete password changes can imperil and pose some serious consequences to the infrastructure. In this way, Missed account changes can result in intense lockouts, leading to cascading and devastating systems failures.
Robust Solutions
In short, System Center Configuration Manager is a scurry and robust solution to a lot of comprehensively and easy assesses deployments, updated servers and clients. Besides, it also devices a physical, virtual, distributed, and mobile environment that are fully optimized for Windows and IT systems. Built on key Microsoft technologies and innovations such as Microsoft Windows Server Update Services, Windows Server Active Directory, and the Windows architecture are widely been offered by SCCM service. It enhances your control and insight into your IT infrastructure and interfaces that will help you learn about the ideal time when to take the dynamic Microsoft SCCM training courses. It ensures that your IT systems comply with desired and recommended configuration states to improve system’s availability, security, performance and reputation worldwide.

BizTalk Server

BizTalk Server is a product from Microsoft, the software giants. BizTalk server, commonly known as BizTalk, is a Business Project Management server used to automate different business processes. It mainly utilizes the XML and web service capabilities.
BizTalk became known in the early years of this century and is now a popular server which is used by many  businesses to integrate their processes. BizTalk had started with version 2000, but has upgraded to BizTalk Server 2010, thus enhancing its features. BizTalk implementation is done by integrating with Microsoft Visual Studio. By using BizTalk Server, different systems in an organization are integrated in a cost effective and easily manageable way. It can even be used as a message conversion system. Additionally if a business does not need all of its functionalities, it can be used for only selected functionalities.
The different functions offered by BizTalk include Business Process Automation, Business Activity Monitoring, and Message Transferring. BizTalk are:
  1. Message
  2. Message Box
  3. Orchestration
  4. Business Rules Engine
Normally in any business, keeping track of business documents is a real headache. The different documents involved in businesses are commonly purchase documents, such as purchase documents and invoices. This document tracking can be managed using BizTalk applications by converting them into the allowed formats like XML and flat files etc. This is known as a message.
Different messages received for processing should be kept somewhere to ensure that no message is missed not properly processed. Here is where Message Box comes into the picture. Message Box can be considered as a database which actually stores the incoming messages.
Normally some processing needs to be done for the documents in case of business organizations so as to get the required output. For this some steps are to be followed and this is done by Orchestration in case of BizTalk. These steps are defined using Business Process Execution Language. As BizTalk works based on Publish-Subscribe method, even if there are number of orchestrations, the corresponding message will go to the corresponding orchestration only.
Business Rules Engine keeps track of the rules. These are kept separate to avoid issues while making changes to the rules.  As we all know rules are always prone to changes in any organization. The messages received using receive ports and receive pipeline are kept in message box, are processed using orchestrations with the help of business rule engine and goes out through send pipeline and send port.
BizTalk Server installation is a process which needs utmost care as it needs number of components. Installation includes IIS, BizTalk Server, SQL Server, Visio etc.

SCCM 2007 R2 with SQL Server 2005

Installation Sequence of SCCM 2007 R2 with SQL Server 2005 SP2
Installation of SCCM is consists of the following components installation and configuration
  • Domain Controller and DNS installation and configuration
  • Installation and Configuration of DHCP Server
  • Installation of Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
  • Installation of Windows updates.
  • Installation and Configuration of IIS
  • Installation of BITS Server Extension and Remote Differential Compression features.
  • Installation and configuration of SQL Server
  • Installation and Configuration of WSUS Server and Report Viewer
  • Extending the Active Directory Schema and System Management container.
  • SCCM Installation
After SCCM installation and configuration is over we will then cover the software package creation and distribution.
  • Software Package Creation and Distribution
It is good practice to install SCCM on a separate server than where AD is installed. Moreover, SCCM and SQL database can be installed on same machine. WDS and WSUS are the two components required for operating system and patch deployment through SCCM. For client to report to SCCM through client agents for various purposes (data discovery, software updates, etc) BITS service is required.
For getting and creating customized reports from SCCM, we need IIS and report viewer to be installed. All the reports are web based and SCCM allows you to create also query based reports based on the requirement.

System Center Configuration Manager

Introduction and Overview of System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a system management product from Microsoft to support large and small organization all IT related system support.  SCCM reduces the manual tasks for IT staffs and provide asset management for all the systems across the network such as client systems, servers and mobile devices.
Why to Use SCCM
SCCM provides all IT related support across all physical, virtual and mobile environments to improve security, availability and performance across the networks.
With SCCM we can do the following stuffs
  • Software Distribution
SCCM helps organizations to create, implement and distribute software applications. The software management can be managed centrally and can be applied to whole organizations. What else, we have the option to differentiate application packages based on operating systems.
  • Operating System Deployment
Deploy operating systems now centrally from SCCM without any user intervention using various methods such as through PXE, VHD, WIM, zero touch installation etc. This is one of the important benefits of SCCM.
  • Patch Management
Microsoft hotfixes and patch installation as well as other third party patches installation are now simpler using SCCM. Since Microsoft releases fix every month, it is very difficult for IT staff to maintain all the client computers in a healthy state. With SCCM with the help of WSUS server, it is now easier to download, create, distribute and schedule the patches.
  • Hardware inventory
SCCM helps find out the hardware inventory for companies. It helps companies to find out what types of hardware they are using, how long they are using, what is the state and condition of the hardware etc. Based on this they can plan and design the hardware consumption for current and future expansion. We can create various reports based on hardware inventory as per company’s requirement.
  • Software Inventory
Like hardware, SCCM provides support to create software inventory. This helps to find out what are the applications company is using, how much is the usage, what are the licensing cost, how much license is consumed etc. We can create various reports based on software inventory as per company’s requirement.
  • Network Access Protection
NAP helps IT staff to maintain health of the network systems. Using NAP we can now force a computer to automatically update itself with software patches etc.
  • Remote Control solution
SCCM helps IT administrator in remote administration. We can now take remote connection, remote assist of any client machine using SCCM. It helps in troubleshooting and debugging hardware and software problems.
  • Mobile Device Management
SCCM now supports mobile devices. SCCM ready mobile devices now get all the benefits of SCCM on fly including device operating system installation, up-gradation etc.
  • Asset Management
Asset management helps to create recent hardware and software usage inventory, metering rules, licensing usage tracking, security audit logs tracking etc.
  • Reports
We can now get all the required reports such as hardware inventory reports, software inventory, operating system deployment reports, package deployment, package and operating system failure reports, asset management reports and customized reports through SCCM.
New Features in SCCM release R2:
With SCCM R2 release Microsoft has introduced some new cool features.
  • Support for Application Virtualization
SCCM R2 now supports application virtualization platform. Applications packages can now be virtualized using different tools and packages can now be managed and distributed through SCCM.
  • SQL Reporting Services Reporting
We can now use SCCM to find out various reports on configuration manager using SQL reporting functionality.
  • Client Health Reporting
SCCM R2 provides some tools and utilities through which we can now check condition of clients systems whether the clients are in healthy state or not.
  • Improved OS deployment
R2 now supports multicast deployment (earlier it used to use unicast technology) and uses efficient use of network bandwidth.
New Features in SCCM release R3:
  • Resource Management
SCCM R3 now provides option based on SCCM collection to search and add various resources to that collection.
  • Power Management
With new tools we can now configure the power settings of systems across the networks. This really helps in reduction in cost costing for companies.
  • Dynamic collection update
With R3 we have now the option to dynamically add new added resources to the existing collection. E.g. If a new device is added to the network, SCCM will do a discovery of that device and we can install the device software to an existing collection dynamically.
  • AD Delta Discovery
Like dynamic collection update, SCCM R3 now has the option to add only new resources to its database which are get added to AD.
  • Higher number of Client Support
R3 now supports up to 300000 clients per hierarchy.
Configuration Manager Sites:
A site is like a boundary defined in AD with a site server, site roles, clients and network resources. There are various types of sites that we can implement through SCCM.
  • Primary Site
The first site that you create is called Primary site. Primary site always consists of SQL server database and the configuration manager 2007. We will be implementing and installing a primary site in this tutorial.
  • Secondary Site
Secondary site doesn’t contain a site database. They are linked to a primary site and report to it. Any of the information secondary sites get from network; it then forwards that to the reporting primary site. Primary site then stores the information in its database for future use. This is useful in case of small office branch where there is not much user working.
  • Parent Site
A parent site is a primary site with more sites (could be more secondary sites) attached to it.
  • Child Site
A child site is a site that is linked to a parent site. All the reporting it does to the parent site. Moreover a child site could have only one parent site attached to it.
  • Central Site
This is the top most sites in the designing of SCCM hierarchy. When you plan and implement SCCM site servers the first site is called as central site. A central site doesn’t contain any parent site. All the data that central site has get flow downwards to its primary, secondary and child sites.

ISA Server 2006

What is Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006?
ISA server is a complete network and security management application for today’s IT infrastructure. ISA server acts as a gateway that eliminates the threats from Internet to your network environment. ISA also provides fast and secure access to applications and data. With new features such as Array policy, rules, policy based administration, firewall, VPN support, client deployment etc, ISA provide a large significance to information security professional, network and system administrator and overall to the total IT infrastructure.
Why to use ISA 2006?
Provides a protection against internal and external Internet threats coming to your network. ISA acts as a gateway and blocks the threats like malware, harmful web sites and files.
With ISA, we can now securely access remote applications, data, documents etc. Web based applications, exchange, sharepoint applications access are now possible for both internal and external corporate networks to access securely.
With limited usage of bandwidth, securely connect to your branch offices.
ISA 2006 Editions:
ISA 2006 comes in two flavors, ISA Server 2006 Standard Edition and ISA Server 2006 Enterprise Edition. Enterprise Edition has all the full functionality of ISA server available, whereas Standard edition has some of the features are not available or are limited to certain extent such as Windows Network Load Balancing (NLB) Support is not available and some of the policy features are limited to local server and not to whole AD structure.
Components of ISA Server 2006
Configuration Storage server: stores all the configuration information of the arrays in the network using a mechanism called Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM).
ISA Server service: ISA server service could be installed on same computer along with other ISA components or can be installed to other computer. ISA server service runs the virtual private network (VPN), caching information and firewall.
Array: if more than one ISA server 2006 enterprise edition is running on the network then it is called Array. Each Array is connected physically and shares the same configuration.
ISA Server Management: This is the user interface or the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) for administrator to manage ISA server.
Installation of ISA Server 2006 on Windows Server 2003
ISA server is not part of the Windows components and we can’t install it from Server Manager either by adding a new roles or new features. ISA Server needs to be downloaded from Microsoft site to install and configure or can be installed via other methods such as ISA Server CD/DVD etc.
We will use the trail 180 days Enterprise Edition of ISA Server with SP1 for installation and will install all the components in a single server.
Note: We can also install ISA on two separate computers, Configuration Storage Server on first computer and ISA Server services on second computer.
#1. Run the ISA2006SP1-ENU-EE-EVAL.exe (if you are installing a trail version) or ISAAutorun.exe (if you are installing the licensed version). Installer will then run and extract the setup files for installation.
#2. Select Install ISA Server 2006 SP1 on the installation dialog.
#3. The installation wizard will provide a setup installation sequence dialog.
#4. On the welcome installation wizard click next.
#5. Click on I accept the terms of the license agreement and click next.
 
#6. Provide user name, organization and product serial number information and select next.
#7. Choose the third option Install both ISA Server services and Configuration Storage server and click next.
#8. Select the default configuration and click next.
#9. Since we are creating a new ISA server enterprise, select create a new ISA server enterprise and click next.
#10. A warning will appear that this computer will be configured as Configuration Storage manager, click next.
#11. On the Internal Network page, click on Add.
#12. Click on Add Adapter, select the Adapter that are connected to the network and click OK.
#13. On the IP Address page provide the IP address range and Click OK.
#14. Netowrk address range will now display on the Internal Network page, click Next.
#15. Leave the default setting and click on Next on next screen.
#16. Click next on the service warning page.
#17. Click Install on the installation wizard dialog to start installation.
#18. Installation will then start installing Core Components, Additional Components and System Initialization. The whole process will take some time to complete. Click Finish once done.
Configure ISA Server
#19. Open Start->Program->Microsoft ISA Server->ISA Server Management.
Create a New Array
#20. Select Array right click and select New Array.
#21. On the New Array wizard type an Array name and click next.
#22. Type Array’s DNS name and click next.
#23. Since this is a new server, choose Default Policy and click next.
#24. Leave the default and click next.
#25. Review your customizations changes and click finish.
#26. New Array installation will then start, Once done click OK.
#27. New Array that we created will now appear under Array section. Click Apply to update the changes.
#28. Configuration changes will now save click OK once done.
Configure Networks
#29. On the New Array that was just created, Expand configuration and select Networks.
#30. On the middle network page select internal->right click->select property.
#31. Select Addresses tab, click on Add Adapter->Select a Network->Add an IP address range to this Array (same way as we created during installation).
Once done click OK.
#32. On the task section select Enable Network Load balancing integration.
#33. Click next on the Network Load balancing integration wizard.
#34. Set a Virtual IP for both External and Internal networks (by clicking on Set Virtual IP and providing an IP address) and click next.
#35. Click finish to complete the Network Load balancing integration wizard.
Repeat the same procedure for the other Networks that are defined on the Array.
#36. Enable the firewall for the network interface that we created.
Select the Internal network->right click->select property->Select the Firewall client.
#37. Select Enable Firewall client support for this network and click ok.
#38. Same way we can also select Cache Array Routing Protocol (CARP).
Select the Internal network->right click->select property->Select CARP->Select Enable CARP on this network and click OK.
#39. Once the configuration are done, select Apply to save the changes and click ok once done.