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[Keith] Welcome to the Mind Of Root. I'm Keith Albright

[Rich] and I'm Rich Niemeier.

[Steve] and I'm Steve Murawski; and this is Episode 74 recorded on November 5th, 2008. Today's show sponsors are Quest and Idera

Chit-Chat - What's going on with you?

[Steve]

  • Just to get this out of the way.. here in the US, we elected a new president. I try to keep my political views out of my technical/career focused outlets, so I'll leave it at that.

[Rich]

  • Hows the new internet??

[Steve]-Gets installed on Friday. Got my fingers crossed tonight.

  • Time to start writing the 2008 Holiday gift guide - our personal wish list. Not to steal Kieths thunder as it is his idea.

[Keith]

  • Eee PC ordered. I ordered the Linux one (cheaper) but will probably load XP Pro on it. I'm not thrilled with the Linux GUI they put on Eee. If I want Linux, I'll load Ubuntu or gOS. I may try that first before I go XP.
  • Took Verizon until late Thursday night to get my line fixed last week. They fixed the correct line Thursday afternoon then had to dispatch again for the original line I called on because it was down. Turns out, tech left off jumper when he was here troubleshooting the day before.

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Housekeeping Items

[Rich]

[Steve]

[Keith]

  • I'm behind on getting the resume's distributed. I will get them out tonight for peer review.

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  • OSSEC Update [STEVE]
-Installs easily, the service process is very lightweight (noticed no impact on the initial machines).
-Remote Syslog from Pix works well
-Working on tuning the configuration and notifications
-It is very cool to KNOW when things are changing on my system.
-The next step will be moving the logging to MySQL?, for additional reporting.
-And then I will be deploying the agent on my squad computers for an expanded test.
-Link: http://www.ossec.net
  • Broadband Caps Coming to AT&T [RICH]

JR Raphael, PC World

Nov 4, 2008 4:38 pm

-"AT&T is now testing the idea of a monthly data cap for its broadband Internet users, the company has confirmed, and could move toward a more widespread rollout in the future."
-Well Comcast!!
-As for AT&T, the company will provide customers with a bandwidth measuring tool so they can keep track of their usage and be aware where they stand in relation to their limits.
-[STEVE]Crap.. I'm stuck with bandwith limits (AT&T) or no actual bandwith (RoadRunner?).. what to do?
-Link: http://www.pcworld.com/article/153312/broadband_caps_coming_to_atandt.html
  • Removable Disk Detection Problem [KEITH]
-Only way to see it is to run 'Scan For Hardware Changes' in Device Manager. Once you do that, the device is seen on any subsequent removal and re-insertions until the laptop is rebooted.
-Until I can find out how to fix this, I wanted a quick shortcut for user to call the 'Scan' process. This utility supplied by Microsoft does exactly that and more.
-You can run this remotely as well. Check out some of the features on the KB article.
-Link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q311272
  • Performance Monitoring [STEVE]
-RunAs? Radio recently did an interview with Shane Cramer, who works for Microsoft Premier Field Engineering and he mentioned 25 Perfmon counters that every admin needs to be familiar with.
-Since PolyMon can monitor PerfMon? counters, I've set them up on a couple of servers, to see how the advice applies. I've already noticed one system that will benefit from a faster disk subsystem or adding another spindle.
-Link: http://www.runasradio.com/default.aspx?showNum=81
-Link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc718984.aspx?pr=blog Perfmon article
  • Open Source Accounting [KEITH]
-For consulting work other business stuff, I wanted a FOSS package for accounting.
-I grabbed GNUCash? and there is also a PortableApps? version at http://www.PortableApps.com. I like it because, I can have it loaded on my PC as well as USB stick and I can run it from PC and point to the DB on the stick. If I am at a PC without it, I can run the client from the USB stick.
-I recently found PostBooks from xTuple and it is really high end. I am just starting to play with it now, but if you have a need for a small to mid-sized business accounting package, check it out. Uses PostgreSQL? and has clients for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
-Link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/postbooks
-Link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/gnucash/
-Link: http://www.PortableApps.com
  • Outlook addon [RICH]
-Does some sort of indexing helps identify related people and topics
-XOBNI - I like it, will keep it for a while and let you know.
-Link: http://www.xobni.com/
-Only two free versions available for 64-bit.
-I went with Avast and it has been working great
-Interestingly, when I went back to get my links for this topic, MS has added Windows 7 to the partner info page.
-To give an update on my whole Windows Vista x64 experience; two items:
-First, I never did get drivers for either my Hauppauge PVR-350 or my ATI TV card. As I said, not a show-stopper.
-Second. It doesn't matter since the hard drive crashed last night as I was editing this wiki page.
-Link: http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2007/02/17/64-bit-anti-virus-for-vista.aspx
-Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-vista.aspx
  • Procedures for letting go IT Staff [STEVE]
-Could this happen to you? -> IT worker let spammers into ex-employer's servers [ComputerWorld?]
-He logged onto company servers on Sept. 30 after trying an old password that had been valid before he was fired. "To my complete disbelief, I soon realized ... they had no firewall, and the passwords were not even changed," he said.
-[He] turned the Internet media company's mail system into an open mail server that spammers could use to send out messages. He also deleted the company's Microsoft Exchange e-mail database and files that the computer needed in order to boot up.
-Is this a threat in your organization.. do you have a policy for the termination (or suspension) of people with access to privileged accounts?
-Link: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&taxonomyName=Servers+and+Data+Center&articleId=9118984&taxonomyId=154

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This show is sponsored by Idera; automate your admin tasks FAST with PowerShellPlus? - THE Power Tool for PowerShell. Download a free 14-day trial at http://www.idera.com/PowerShellPlus

Listener Feedback

From listener....InetBogey?

I wanted to talk to you about my job. I am the Network Admin for a "Mom and Pop" company. I have about 50 users on my LAN at any given time. The company has two remote locations and five outside sales guys. The company has five servers, each running their own specialized software.The UNIX box runs a business software, the "default gateway" is an e-mail server, the threatwall helps the e-mail server by running a "spam filter" software (both run Linux), I have a "voice mail" Box for the phone system (runs windows 2000 pro). I also have a few assorted other boxes for Credit card processing and Accounting functions.

My qualifications are: I have an MCSE (have not used in 5 years), CCNA (have not used in 5 years) CNA (have not used in 5 years), and several other cert.'s that I do use.

I listen to as many podcasts as I can. (Not at work). When I listen to some of these great shows that are geared towards "network administration" I find that some podcasts claim that some administrators routinely do things I have never heard of, or I scratch my head and say "why are they doing that?" Others claim their day is consumed by things I have automated and /or skim through and move on to other tasks (i.e.: maintenance, repair).

I have been with the company for 7 years; I know that I can improve, and want to be the best network administrator I can be.

As we all know, you manage an IT team for a large company. Over time, I have come to respect your knowledge, and the position you hold in the "tech" field. Now for my question: Would you extend your thoughts on what a network admin should be doing? Or should I say, what is your idea of what a good administrator "is/does"?

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my e-mail. inetbogey."

[KEITH]

What do I expect from an IT person that works for me and what do I hope I deliver as an IT person:

Duties

-Security
-Educate users
-AntiVirus
-Network security - Review, assess, test.
-Application security/role-based security
-Physical Security - Not just access, environmental and other dangers.
-Service
-Reliability/Server Uptime
-Services available - i.e. flexibility in delivering on users neeeds
-Performance - Speed of network/Internet connection
-Recovery
-Backups
-Disaster Recovery Plan
-Off-site backups
-Integration
-Learn the business
-Listen to the users
-Innovate
-Understanding IT's role in the business - All of these things require you know the business of your company
-Prioritize activities
-Add value
-Cost savings
-Innovation
-Personal development
-Learn the business - Have I beaten that drum enough?
-Learn new technologies - determine where the can enhance and innovate for the business
-Invest in yourself - If you don't feel you are something worth investing in, why should I?

[Steve] Keith has done a very thorough job documenting this and concur with his opinions. Learning the business is ESSENTIAL. I also can't stress enough the Learn New Technologies, since working in a single environment can put some blinders on when it comes to other technologies. Keeping up with the current developments makes you a greater resource to your company and/or makes you more marketable when the time comes to find other employment (if that time comes). Find the time.. skip a TV show a week and read a couple of articles on some new technology or get involved in an open source project (if you aren't a developer, they are always looking for testers, people to write documentation, suggest features, etc... It's a great way to participate in new technology) or do SOMETHING :)

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Website Picks

Rich - http://www.ilient.com/free-help-desk-software.htm Sysaid, helpdesk software that is free

Steve - http://

Keith - http://landofsilly.mypodcast.com/ I got this one from Hal Rottenberg over at the PowerScripting podcast. This guy, Sean Kearney, is determined to get a job with Microsoft. He's put together a bunch of funny songs and sketches toward that goal. The latest, though not Microsoft centric, is two Monty Python reworks. The Dead Cisco Switch and IT Pro song. Sadly, I was in the process of writing a spoof of the Lumberjack Song, but never got it finished.

Last Call

Anyone....Anyone....Buehler.....Buehler....

Closing

All right, well that is it for the show. For listener feedback; you can email us at Feedback [at] mindofroot.com or post a comment on the main site at mindofroot.com. If you use iTunes, you could write a review. If you just want to show us your listening, drop a pin on the Frappr map...there's a link on the show site.

Lastly, you can drop any show ideas or topic requests on the wiki. There is a link to the wiki on the main show site. If you would like to participate in the show; either through an interview, a segment contribution, or any other way, please let us know. We are also a member of the Techpodcast networks. Check out some other great shows by going to Techpodcast.com.

Thanks everyone.