Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Our network provider wanted to provide us with some new client softwares related to better network connectivity and administration tools. The files are big and even due to security reasons not advisable to sent through emails.
The solution to this is either they ship CD's or we provide them with an access to our FTP site where they can upload and we can download straight away and its secure as well.
How it all works? We have a web server (meaning it can be accessed from around the world) and every web server has an ftp( file transfer protocol) site. To manage the ftp we have ftp secure server software. using this software we can configure he site and authenticate different users to access our web server as much as we want to. Every user is given a home drive on web server which they can access for uploads and downloads. So every time some files are to be exchanged customers can log into the ftp site using their provided username and password.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

James Thompson's machine was not fixed yet and I had a deadline to sort it before lunch. The problem was that the system used to freeze if you eject and load the DVD RW ROM. I tried everything out from replacing the dvd rom, IDE cable, BIOS settings, local settings of the machine, ran dell diagnostics but nothing helped. One thing was for sure that it was due to some driver or service running on his machine because when logged in safe mode (system only uses the drivers and services critical for running the machine) it seemed to get fixed.
After spending quite along time with it I realized to individually stop services one by one and check alternatively how does the rom react to it. I came across one service controlled by InCD.exe which created the problem. I disabled the service permanently and hence resolved the issue.
Hollywood wanted me to look into a P1 customer log which required a new ftp access setting up for the customer. I took the details down from him and logged into our web server. Using the FTP secure server I configured access for a new user and filled in the relevant details. There is a standard which is followed to configure a new user so that it becomes easier for anybody to troubleshoot in case ant thing goes wrong. Hence I had to go through the documentation meant for this purpose.
Kim needed a spare laptop for doing some work from home. We had a Compaq NX9010 machine which could be given away. Steve asked me if I could re-install the OS and configure it for her.
I formatted the hard drive and booted the system. It did not pick up the network drivers. Went to HP website and looked for the relevant driver but even after installing them I could manage to get it working.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Its been quite long that we have been looking at making a backup strategy for some of the critical machines in MK. Eventually its been decided to configure a Dell PowerVault 122T LTO Autoloader tape drive on mkhqfile server for this purpose.
Steve has asked me to look into the installation and configuration of it onto our network. Hence I have been keeping busy studying manuals preparing successful strategy for the same.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Steve has always been obsessed about not allowing people to copy huge data files over the network in cases where you tend to use those files pretty often since it traffics the network pipe. So we want to test with some alternatives for it. Ben has just had a new laptop and looking to migrate all the stuff from his old to new machine. We were eager to utilize cross over ethernet cable to transfer data files. Its a bit tchi stuff but cost effective.
You join the machines in parallel using an ethernet cable and create a sort of LAN between them with static IP addresses. It allows you to access the shared stuff on the other machines and because systems are connected together it doesn't bother the network at all.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

How to expire an Active Directory user account? I was delegated a task to expire some of the active directory user accounts from specific dates. These accounts were meant for some contractors and guests which leave on that date.
I log into the active directory server and goto active directory users and computers tool. Then select the user right click goto properties. Select account tab in the list and select expire account from the date as required.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

A call was logged to allow some of the employees to access support emails i.e support@workplacesystems.com. How to do it? It is configured using Active Directory. In Active Directory users and computers tool there are Incidental Mailboxes which contains support email. If you right click on that goto properties under Exchange Advanced you can find mailbox rights. Just enter the name of the person who you want to give access to and click check names. Provided the employee is the member of the Domain Users it would get authenticated and allow him to access the specified emails.
In Outlook 2003 the mailbox of the user can be configured by opening Email Accounts in control panel and then opt change email account hence more settings. Goto advanced tab and add mailbox you want to view i.e support in this case.

Then I needed to set up a new Incidental Mailbox called fogbugz@workplacesytems.com. The best way to do without any confusions is to copy one of the existing mailboxes and fill in the details. Then configure the properties as required.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Tessa had accidently denied the Sbase software (used for customer services) when prompted by mcafee firewall. She was working from home at the moment using Cisco VPN and could not log in to Sbase. We had to reconfigure her mcafee to allow sbase. She had VNC o her machine and hence I took control of her machine.
To reconfigure McAfee Right click on the icon and click options. Goto firewall settings which shows all the available network connection and logs the locations you have been through. Under VPN connection click internet browser. I could find logged setting to deny Sbase simply right clicked on it and allowed.
Kate had asked me create an ftp site for a new client so that we could upload all softwares and patches for them. Remote desktop to our web server. We use a ftp file server software for administration and configuring our ftp site. With the aid of a document and wizard created a new client login and password.Allotes space to them on th server and copied couple of documents. Now using web browser opened the ftp site logged in as client to verify if I can see the files I have copied for them.
Jo had been experiencing problems with wireless at MK. According to her she could connect to the wireless in the office but it kept on dropping. Actually she's been using a BT broadband router at home and hence installed a BT adapter(device driver). Unfortunately the adapter doesn't seem to be working fine with our internal wireless network. So I had to uninstall her BT software and install the Intel Pro Set mini adapter. Added the work wireless profile and her home BT one as well.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Alan Stephens, Sales Consultant, could not access all the folders under sales on share server. The properties of the sales folder gives full access to all of the sales department. He could get in the sales folder but could not see all the sub folders.

Friday, February 09, 2007

I have now finished with creating new active directory and VPN accounts for the LSI people sitting in USA. A compiled document has been creating to assist with deployment procedure.
The consultants have been experiencing problems with wireless. So wehad decided to put up a repeater router around that area to boost the signal.
Steve had alloted me the task to configure and deploy it. It was not straight forward since to configure the repeater you need to know the configuration of the actual router. I had to first find out the configuration of wireless router and with aid of the instruction manual I managed to configure the repeater.

Friday, February 02, 2007

I have been busy building Cerian's new laptop. Apart from the standard build comprising basic device drivers and some security softwares I had to configure Sequel Server 2000 Personal edition for handling databases, SnagIt 8 for documentation, PC Anywhere for supporting remote clients, Net Support Manager, Visio2000, Citrix, Aqua data Studio for analysing databases to name a few. Installed SBase, our internal call management system which uses oracle application forms.
I had the job of setting up VPN accounts for some colleagues working in LSI Consultants, North America. I had to log on to the VPN concentrator and create accounts with username and passwords which could allow them to access our network resources.
Further I added their credentials onto to Domain Controlller (Active Directory) which would give them complete access to our network.