When working with sql server recently, I changed the initial configuration so that I could use it via a VPN IP address that was used and I also told sql server NOT to listen on all IP addresses also. I found that a website I was working on had stopped working, turns out that the sql server process had restarted and failed to start! (more…)
28.Nov.09 
Databases, Sys Admin 
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If you’ve upgraded to Windows Server 2008, you’ll have noticed that it comes with a much better firewall compared to previous versions. It’s also a little more complicated to configure too. (more…)
Tags: firewall, ftp, windows server 2008
19.Sep.09 Sys Admin Submit a comment
Ever get that message? It stumped me for a while, but then I found the solution. The problem is that the cached software is just out of sync with the version on the appliance itself, you just need to clear it: (more…)
Tags: asa, asdm, cisco, configuration, firewall
17.Aug.09 Sys Admin, network Submit a comment
There has been a lot of activity recently with websites displaying malicious code (iframes), in many cases, every default document in all folders across a website may have been corrupted. The are a few things you can do to mitigate any future damage, here are some steps you can take:
Tags: avg, hacks, iframe, rogue, spybot
30.Jul.09 Sys Admin, Web Development Submit a comment
I’ve been working with IIS and needed to change a website from v1 asp.net to v2, you can normally do this easily via the IIS console. Once when I tried to make this change for myself, I noticed that there was no asp.net tab, even though I was sure that it was there before, I couldn’t figure out what the problem was, but after a little investigation, I found that because I had VMWare installed on the machine that it conflicted with IIS a little, though it is fixable. (more…)
Tags: asp.net tab, iis, vmware
14.Jul.09 General, Sys Admin Submit a comment
The shutdown event tracker is used to store information about the nature of the shutdown in progress for analysis later, usually by a team enquiry. Rebooting servers in a production environment can be a costly exercise as they are (or at least should be) constantly in use by team members, when it is being rebooted, it is unavailable for a short period of time. Usually the reboot itself is quite quick, but often, depending on the number of services configured to start at boot time, the services required by network users may not be available. (more…)
Tags: 2003, event, shutdown, tracker, windows
23.Jun.09 General, Sys Admin Submit a comment
All of your emails (and attachments, tasks, appointments, etc) in outlook are stored in a database (a .pst file). When you delete your emails, even if you empty your deleted items folder, it’s not actually deleted at all, it’s just flagged internally as deleted, effectively outlook will ignore it from now on, until the next time your PST file is compacted. Compacting your PST file will free up the space that deleted items use causing your PST file to shrink. (more…)
28.Feb.09 General, Sys Admin, email Submit a comment
Having recently got myself a cheap linux VPS, I started to install some server software on it, having only got SSH access (no gui), everything has to be done via the command line, having said that, if you know what to install, it’s probably easier than windows! no, really! (more…)
Tags: dns, linux, network, proftpd, ubuntu
12.Feb.09 Sys Admin Submit a comment
Ever needed to install windows from a usb stick or drive? It could be because the pc you are installing windows on doesn’t have a dvd drive (netbook for example) so you can use the installation dvd, a usb stick would seem an obvious choice in this case. (more…)
Tags: dvd, install, usb, windows, xcopy
31.Jan.09 Sys Admin Submit a comment