December 16th, 2008 by Gabriel

If you try to run the Netdom.exe query fsmo command or if you try to run any remote procedure call (RPC)-based tool on the ISA server, you may receive the following error message :

“RPC server Unavailable”

Here is a quick fix for this error message :-

Configure the EnableRSS registry value and the EnableTCPA registry value

1. Click Start, click Run, type in regedit, and then click OK.

2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Tcpip\Parameters

3. On the Edit menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type EnableRSS.

4. Double-click EnableRSS, type 0, and then click OK.

5. On the Edit menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type EnableTCPA.

6. Double-click EnableTCPA, type 0, and then click OK.

7. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the server.

Configure the DisableTaskOffload registry entry

If you continue to receive RPC errors, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Tcpip\Parameters

3. In the details pane, make sure that the DisableTaskOffload registry entry exists. If this entry does not exist, add the entry. To do this, follow these steps :

#. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value
#. Type DisableTaskOffload.

4. Double Click DisableTaskOffload, type 1, and then click OK.

5. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the server.

December 10th, 2008 by Gabriel

Simple steps to configure PHP with Windows

Suppose you have installed IIS and PHP say at C:\PHP on your Windows server then to configure PHP in IIS you can follow the below mentioned steps :-

Open up Internet Information Server(IIS) :-

Click on “Web Service Extensions”, on the left side you will find a green arrow near to “Add a new Web service extension…” click on it.

A pop up window will be appeared. Enter Extension name say .php and for the Required Files put “C:\PHP\php.exe”, enable the check box of “Set extension status to Allowed” at bottom :-

Now to add extension for the web site if its not there, right click on web site in question and select Properties >> Home Directory >> Configuration >> Add >> here you can add the extension shown as below :-

December 8th, 2008 by Gabriel

Basic SQL Statements :

SQL is used to query the database which are almost same for SQL Server, MS Access, Oracle and MySQL.
There are four types of basic queries :-

SELECT
INSERT
UPDATE
DELETE
ORDER BY

Different combination of parameters can be passed to a query.

1] SELECT :-

its the most common SQL statement using which data can be selected from database and the output is returned to user.The result is

stored in a result table, called the result-set.SQL is not case sensitive. SELECT is the same as select.
Here is a simple example -

select name, bdate from user;
this will return all names and bdates from the table user.

select * from user;
this will return all records of user table.

select * from user where name=’john’;
this will return all records in which name = john

select * from user where name=’john’ OR name=’paul’ OR bdate=01012007
this way you can add multiple filtering using “OR” , “AND” clause.

2] INSERT :-

it is used to take the data input from user and insert it into table of the database. Data can be taken from any form or it can be

directly inserted using query.It is used to insert a new row in a table.
Simple example-
Insert into Table1 (FirstName, LastName, Phone) Values (’Gabriel’, ‘R’, ‘1112222′);

3] UPDATE :-

Using Update, we edit / modify any exisiting table. Either all the rows can be updated, or a subset may be chosen using a condition.
Simple example -
Update Table1 Set name=@FirstName, LastName=@LastName, Phone=@Phone where id=@ID

WHERE clause us very important in Update query. If you don’t use WHERE then it will update all existing records in the table.

4] DELETE :-

It is used to delete rows in a table. It also uses WHERE claue. The WHERE clause specifies which record or records that should be deleted. If you omit the WHERE clause, all records will be deleted.
Here is an example of a Delete statement-

Delete From Table1 where ID=10

it will delete all records in which ID = 10

5] Order By Clauses :-

It is used to sort the output returned by a query. Using this clause, you can sort by any field in the table.
Example -
Select * from Table1 Order By name

This will list all returned records sorted by Name alphabetically.

‘ASC’ (ascending order) or ‘DESC’ (descending order) can be included in Orderby query to sort the output in ascending or descending order respectively.
Like -

Select * from Table1 Order By name DESC

November 19th, 2008 by Gabriel

System Databases in SQL Server :-

A Database Administrator shold be aware of system databases which is an integral part of the SQL Server.

System Databases are essential for the operation of a server instance.

Following are System Database in SQL Server 2005 & 2008.

Master Database :-

Master database is the heart of SQL Server, it records all system-level information of a SQL Server which includes instance-wide metadata such as logon accounts, endpoints, linked servers, system configuration settings, System Level Stored Procedures, System level Functions, all other existing databases, their MDF/LDF data file location etc.
Each SQL instance have its own Master database.
Master database consists of two physical files, namely master.mdf (data file) and mastlog.ldf (log file).
SQL Service can not be started if there is any problem with master database or its database files.
There are some restrictions on Master Database, you are not allowed to perform all the operations that you perform with normal database like, you can not add files or file groups, you can not change the owner, you can not drop the database, you can not change the collation, you can not remove the filegroup, primary data file, or log file, you can not take the database offline…

Model Database :-

The model database is used as the template for all databases created on an instance of SQL Server.
While creating a new database, SQL Server create it by getting a template from Model Database. Hence any change that you make in Model Database will reflect in newly created database as well for e.g. if a user creates any tables, stored procedures, user defined data types in Model database then those objects will be available in every newly created database as well.
Model database consists of two physical files namely Model.mdf (data file) and ModelLog.ldf (log file).
If the Model database is damaged or corrupted then SQL Server Service will not start up as it will not be able to create the tempdb database as TempDB database is recreated on every restart of SQL service.
Restrictions on Model Database are the same as that on Master Database.

MSDB Database :-

MSDB is the database used by SQL server Agent to store configuration information, Agent Jobs, Job schedules, Alerts, Operators, Service Broker, Log Shipping, database backups and restore information, Maintenance Plan Configuration, Configuration of Database Mail etc.
MSDB database consists of two physical files namely MSDBData.mdf (data file) and MSDBLog.ldf (log file).
The scheduling information used by SQL Server Agent will be lost in case of any problem occured with MSDB database.
Restrictions on MSDB Database are the same as that on Master Database.

TempDB Database :-

The TempDB is the only database which is recreated every time when SQL Server restarts.
It is besically used to store all the temporary objects like temporary tables, temporary stored procedures, cursors, table variables etc.
TempDB database consists of two physical files namely tempdb.mdf (data file) and templog.ldf (log file).
A clean/new copy copy of TempDB is created on each restart of SQL server, there is never anything stored in tempdb from one session of SQL Server to another.

October 26th, 2008 by Gabriel

100% of CPU usage by Csrss.exe

Csrss stands for client/server run-time subsystem which is essential and must be running all the times.
It is responsible for console windows, creating and/or deleting threads etc.
The csrss.exe file is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32, if you find it at any other location then it may be a virus or spyware.
Csrss.exe process manages most graphical commands in Windows which is important for the stable and secure running of computer.

Whenever Csrss.exe utilizes 100% of the CPU on right clicking an item in Windows Explorer or on the desktop then it may be an issue with user profile, it may be corrupted.

Fix :-

First of all take the complete backup of your “My Documents” folder and all important data stored in your profile.
Log in with an account which has administrative privileges and open the user profiles list.
To retrieve the list of local user profiles right click on “My Computer” icon and select Properties,
click on Advanced tab,
click Settings under User Profiles,
select your profile from the list, and then click Delete.

Logoff, and then log back on as yourself. A new profile will be created when you log on.

October 19th, 2008 by Gabriel

ADSUTIL.VBS is the file that plays important role in creating and managing application pools.
It is a IIS administration utility that uses VBScript to manipulate the IIS configuration.

[NOTE - You must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer to run scripts and executables ]

Following is the example to create a new application pool called “NewPool” and configure it to use a custom Application Pool identity of domain\username with a password of pass :-

CSCRIPT %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Inetpub\AdminScripts\ADSUTIL.VBS CREATE w3svc/AppPools/NewPool IIsApplicationPool
CSCRIPT %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Inetpub\AdminScripts\ADSUTIL.VBS SET w3svc/AppPools/MyAppPool/WamUserName “domain\username”
CSCRIPT %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Inetpub\AdminScripts\ADSUTIL.VBS SET w3svc/AppPools/MyAppPool/WamUserPass “pass”
CSCRIPT %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Inetpub\AdminScripts\ADSUTIL.VBS SET w3svc/AppPools/MyAppPool/AppPoolIdentityType 3

After executing above commands you will find a new application pool “NewPool” created under “Application Pools” in IIS.

October 15th, 2008 by Gabriel

Here is CDOSYS mail script :-

—————————

<%

‘CDOSYS Configuration
Set oMail = Server.CreateObject(”CDO.Message”)
Set iConf = Server.CreateObject(”CDO.Configuration”)
Set Flds = iConf.Fields

iConf.Fields.Item(”http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/sendusing”) = 2
iConf.Fields.Item(”http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/smtpserver”) = “localhost”
‘Note use “localhost” If mail is routed from same server.
‘Use Server IP like “203.90.78.221″ if Domain has MX record having IP “203.90.78.221″ OR Mails are routed from that IP

iConf.Fields.Item(”http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/smtpconnectiontimeout”) = 10
iConf.Fields.Item(”http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/smtpserverport”) = 25
iConf.Fields.Update

Set oMail.Configuration = iConf
oMail.To = “supp0rt_24×7@yahoo.com”
oMail.From = “supp0rt_24×7@yahoo.com”
oMail.Subject = “Script TEST.”

‘If message body is in HTML FORMAT
oMail.BodyPart.ContentTransferEncoding = “quoted-printable”
oMail.HTMLBody = HTML
oMail.Send
Set iConf = Nothing
Set Flds = Nothing

%>

<html>

Message Sent !!!

</html>

October 14th, 2008 by Gabriel

Microsoft SharePoint is a browser based document-management platform.
It can be used by the web sites that access shared workspaces and documents, applications like wikis, blogs etc.
SharePoint interface is a web interface. Share point sites are mainly .Net sites with MS SQL as back end database.
It provide content management features, implement business processes, and supply access to information that is essential to organizational goals and processes.Support specific content publishing, content management, records management, or business intelligence needs.It provide centralized repository for shared documents, as well as browser-based management and administration of them.
Some of its good features includes workspaces and dashboards, navigation tools, lists, alerts (including e-mail alerts), shared calendar, contact lists and discussion boards etc.

The SharePoint family -

Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) :-
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 (WSS) is a free addon in Windows server which offers the infrastructure, supporting HTTP and HTTPS based editing of documents, as well as document organization in document libraries, version control capabilities, wikis, and blogs etc.
WSS 3.0 is built on top of ASP.NET 2.0.

Microsoft Search Server (MSS) :-
Microsoft Search Server (MSS) is a search platform supported by Microsoft. MSS shares its architectural underpinnings with the Windows Search platform for both the querying engine as well as the indexer. MOSS search provides the ability to search metadata attached to documents.Microsoft has made Microsoft Search Server available as Search Server 2008, released on March 2008. A free version, Search Server 2008 Express, is also available.

Microsoft SharePoint Designer (SPD) :-
The “What You See Is What You Get” editor MS SharePoint Designer focus on design of SharePoint sites and end-user workflows for WSS sites. Its nothing but the next-generation Microsoft replacement for Microsoft FrontPage
SPD requires that IIS has Frontpage extensions installed on the server.

October 13th, 2008 by Gabriel

Benefits -

# Improve the performance with faster files

# Reduce Bandwidth Costs with Immediate effect

# Save server resources and in turn save money

Very basic steps that you can easily implement for IIS compression are as follows(provided you have some basic knowledge of IIS :)  )

[Note : Do not forget to  backup your metabase before you proceed ]

You will have to create a temporary folder to cache static file compression with any familiar name or even you can use default folder “%windir%\IIS Temporary Compressed Files”. Make sure IUSR have read/write permissions on this folder.

# Now open your IIS, at the left pane right click on Web Sites and select Properties

# click on Service tab - Enable Compress application files

# enable Compress static files

# change temporary directory to the folder you have created or default temp folder

# set max size of temp folder depending on the size of your hard drive

# Save and close

# edit the metabase at C:\Windows\system32\inetsrv\metabase.xml in Notepad

# locate for IIsCompressionScheme

# There should be two of them, one for deflate and one for gzip.  Basically they are two means of compression that IIS supports.

# add aspx,  asmx, php and any other extension that you need to the list extensions in HcScriptFileExtensions.

# HcDynamicCompressionLevel has a default value of 0, which can vary 0 -10, set it as per the need

# restart the World Wide Web Publishing Service

That’s it

October 12th, 2008 by Gabriel

Some basic security policies that a Web Administrator should have to consider are -

1. who/which user is allowed to use the system
2. when the user is allowed to use it
3. which user granted which level of access
4. procedures for granting access to the system
5. remote and local access methods
6. system monitoring
7. suspected security breaches

If you don’t have a clear picture of what is permitted, you can never be sure when a violation has occurred.

General security precautions to take -

1. Limit the number of login accounts available on the machine and delete inactive users.
2. The Crack programs help to detect poorly chosen passwords hence force the people to use strong             passwords who have login privileges.
3. Unused services should be turned off. For e.g. if FTP is no longer needed then it should be stopped.
4. Check system regularly for suspicious activity.
5. Make sure that permissions are set correctly on system files.