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My Year End Review

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had a post a few week back about his certification achievements this past year. Seeing this is the last week of the year, I was reflecting on what I accomplished this past year. Listing what you have accomplished in the past year along with setting goals for the future is a good way to mark your progress and then set goals to achieve going ahead.

This past year I have been fairly steady with the certifications I passed the following exams:

  • 70-640 TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
  • 70-642 TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
  • 70-625 TS: Connected Home Integrator
  • 70-626 Consumer Sales Specialist
  • 70-622 PRO: Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Enterprise Support Technicians
  • 70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
  • 70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
  • 70-297 Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure

As a result of these exams I received the MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician and the MCSE 2003 credential.

I am also taking a program through Loyalist College’s Loyalist Training and Development Centre called Managing and Leading in a Municipal Environment as part of my job at the County.

 

In 2009 my plan is to pass the following exams:

  • 70-643 TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
  • 70-646 PRO: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator
  • 70-647 PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
  • 70-236 TS: Exchange Server 2007, Configuring
  • 70-635 TS: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008, Desktop Deployment

As well as these Microsoft exams, I also want to do an ITIL course this year and Security+ and maybe look at the CCNA from Cisco but probably won’t write that exam in 2009. I may also try and write some other Microsoft exams besides the ones above, but we’ll see how it goes. I am going to try to get through the ones listed first.

January 22 – SQL Server 101 for the IT Pro & SQL Server Chalk Talk

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Note this was the event planned for December 11, 2008.

Topic: SQL Server 101 for the IT Pro & SQL Server Chalk Talk

SQL What?!?  What every IT Pro needs to know about SQL Server

More and more products require a SQL Server database.  Are you an IT Pro installing SQL Server but not sure how to support it?  Do you work at a place where you are the IT department?  Well this event is for you!

The OWSUG and OttawaSQL.net user groups are teaming up to bring you a special session dedicated to SQL Server for the non-DBAs.

We will cover important topics that are often overlooked until it is too late, and talk about ways to simplify SQL Server administration.

Topics include:

· Backup and Restore

· Checking for data corruption

· Creating Maintenance plans

· Sending alerts

· Setting up email for notifications

· Security Basics

· Tips and Tricks, and time saving tools

… and much more!

After the presentations we will have a panel of local DBAs, SQL Server veterans and Microsoft MVPs ready to answer your questions in an informal SQL Server Chalk Talk

Product Showcase (15 minutes):   SQL Response – Red Gate Software, David E. Myers

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No flashing lights. No repetitive emails. No complicated configuration required. Only the intelligent alerts and diagnostic data you need to resolve problems on your SQL Servers sooner. All from a single, intuitive interface.  SQL Response monitors the health and activity of your SQL Servers, so you can work proactively to resolve the problems that matter most. See how no-nonsense monitoring from Red Gate’s new SQL Response™ can help you make the most of your office hours.

Location:


Microsoft Canada Co.
100 Queen Street Suite 500
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1J9

Date: December 11th, 2008

Agenda:

5:00 p.m.  Event registration
5:30 p.m.  Presentation
7:30 p.m.  Q & A
8:00 p.m.  Door Prizes

Notes: Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=133776

Installing Hyper-V Server

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I installed Hyper-V Server a couple of weeks back. I decided to use the standalone server as opposed to installing Windows Server 2008 and adding the virtualization role. I really like how the Hyper-V Server was easy to install and the fact that the guest OS’s sit on top of the Hyper-V Server so there is no host OS that could get screwed up. Yes technically it shares the same kernel as Windows 2008 Server, but the fact you can’t do much with it really helps the stability.

Anyways, I installed Hyper-V server and put two guest OS’s on top. I then found the machines couldn’t route traffic off the guest OS’s, even though they were getting IP addresses from the networks DHCP server and I was able to manage them through the client admin tools. After doing some searches on the internet, I found out it was a common issue. I ended up having to download the network card drivers from the web and installing them. In my case, the drivers were a gui install, but I put them on a memory stick anyways, plugged in the stick to the Hyper-V Server and in the host OS, ran the client command. It installed showing a GUI and after a reboot, the NIC was working properly from within the guest operating systems.

It’s pretty slick and presently the server is in my office as I plan to install more RAM and a quad-core CPU into the server and install a few more guest operating systems.