MP Update: Fix for the Windows Server OS Management Pack for SCOM

Recently the Windows Operating System Management Pack for SCOM 2012 R2 environments was pulled down due to some necessary fixes that needed to be done. The Product Group has just re-released the new MP with the following fixes:

Changes in version 6.0.7296.0

·       In 2003, 2008, 2008R2 platforms, the mount point discovery script was also discovering logical disks as mount points which appeared to many as duplicates. These mount points for logical disks were removed to prevent confusion.

·       In 2012, 2012R2 platforms, mount point discovery was causing rediscovery of logical disks and this rediscovery resulted in rules being run again. This was fixed.

·       In all platforms, duplicate performance rules were shown for mount points and logical disks. This has been fixed.

New Widgets and Dashboards available with the latest UR2 for SCOM 2012 R2

So other than some bug fixes and an update to the Unix/Linux Management Pack (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2706783), UR2 also comes with some new widgets and dashboards. Some are updated, but for example, there is the new summary tile widget...

... and the Image Widget

 

 

For more info about all the new widgets and dashboards:: http://blogs.technet.com/b/momteam/archive/2014/04/24/new-widgets-and-dashboard.aspx 

SCU APAC 2014 - Balancing Your Datacenter Feng Shui

My session at System Center Universe Asia Pacific is done! I had a blast!

In my session, I talked about common and key scenarios of how to use System Center Orchestrator to automate popular IT processes. These are useful scenarios to build runbooks on and get started on Automation

http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/32399645

Free Exam Voucher for Microsoft Virtualization Specialist Certification Exam 70-409

Sign up for the Microsoft Virtual Academy course: Server Virtualization w/ Windows Server Hyper-V & System Center Jump Start here AND once you've completed it, you get a voucher code for a free exam - 70-409: Microsoft Virtualization Specialist Certification Exam

Asus UX31A: Unable to pass BIOS screen on reboot after BIOS flash upgrade

I updated the BIOS to the latest version using WinFlash utility provided by Asus on my UX31A Touch notebook. I went from BIOS v218 to v219. The WinFlash utility stated my upgrade was successful and proceeded to ask me to reboot... which I did.

After reboot, the notebook immediately went into the BIOS config screen. I immediately tried to 'Quit and Exit'... and the notebook rebooted... and it went back to the BIOS screen. I tried doing 'Save Configuration and Exit'... same thing... rebooted into BIOS screen. No matter what I did... it wont go pass the BIOS screen.

oh crap...

Played around with the BIOS settings to try and figure out what was going on... To cut the long story short, I did the following...

• In Boot Menu --> Change FastStart to [Disable]
• In Security Menu --> Change Secure Boot to [Disable]
• .. then 'Save Configuration & Exit'
• When the BIOS screen appears again, go to the Boot Menu again --> Change Launch CSM to [Enable]

After doing the above... my PC booted into Windows 8.1 fine...

PHEW!!!!.....

Speaking at TechEd North America and TechEd Europe! 2013

My session "Key Metrics and Practices for Monitoring Virtualization Platforms" is approved for both TechEd North America and TechEd Europe 2013! sweet! Time to get cracking on the presso!

If you are going to be at Tech Ed, and would like to hear something specific during this session, do drop me a note! and I will do my best to put it in. Any ideas on the session is welcomed!

See you in June!

Channel 9 Interview at MMS2013

Had an interview with Rick Claus for Channel 9 during MMS2013. Spoke about my session on Benefits and reasons to Upgrade to Active Directory 2012.

http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/MMS/2013/MMS227

MMS2013 - Benefits and Reasons to Upgrade to Active Directory 2012

MMS2013 this year was a little bit more special as it was the first time I got accepted to speak! After trying for the last 4 years...

My session was done with Adam Hall and we got pretty good comments on our session so I was happy that we managed to help some people from our content.

Here is a link to the recording of our session: http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/MMS/2013/AI-B301