SMB Thoughts by Brian Williams

Looking to see what’s going on with backup, specifically online backup options? Then Backupreview.info is a good resource, they offer reviews, interviews and more. They also offer a good RSS feed.

Here’s the top 25 online backup companies according to Backupreview.info.

http://www.backupreview.info/2008/07/01/top-25-for-july-2008/

As a consultant, and technology enthusiast, I’m always looking for a better way to do things, whether that be software or hardware. If you’ve reviewed some of my blog posts then you’ve probably found that I’m a big proponent of Windows Mobile.

So my latest expedition is to implement Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) and a Blackberry, but before I take the plunge I already see the package completely failing as a solution for our small business clients. Why? Simple, price, the requirement for Blackberry Enterprise Server is ridiculous.

http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/server/exchange/#tab_ddetail_subtab_pricing

To make matters worse, adding BES creates an additional implementation cost to the client. Worse is ongoing support means that I have one more tier or channel of support to resolve client issues.

1. Mobile provider (i.e. ATT, Sprint, Verizon)
2. Blackberry Support
3. One more layer of software that needs to be checked on the client server
4. Add that I must email clients that BES will be down for scheduled outages (http://crackberry.com/reminder-planned-blackberry-outage-americas)

My other reservation is if Blackberry hardware is so much better, why are they trying to emulate Windows Mobile hardware. The new Blackberry Bold has a look very similar to the Motorola Q9.

So the next competitor to Windows Mobile, the iPhone, wait is that Microsoft’s Activesync providing the enterprise sync to Exchange? (Deployment guide) Yes indeed it is, so technically the iPhone confirms that Activesync with Exchange is a reliable solution. So isn’t the iPhone just another hardware device in the line up of Microsoft Mobile Phones? It is if you look on our list of ‘Exchange approved phones’ that we hand out to our clients.

So is my Blackberry expedition dead before I even start, very likely. The iPhone plunge, that may still be on the horizon but I’ll need to see 40GB or 80GB model first.

If you, or your clients, are using a SonicWall TZ180 or TZ190 the latest firmware provides for optimized speed when using the deep packet inspection via security services. This setting is just a  a simple drop down menu.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/140864/page/1

Had a client system blue screening, initial thought hard drive. Ran Dell integrated IDE diagnostics and it returned a fail code of 4. There was no valuable data so I ran Spinrite against the system and Spinrite completed with no errors. Re-ran a Seagate diagnostic (using UBCD diagnostics) and this time no error code. I’ll replace the IDE cable and run a chkdsk /r to see if I get lucky.

Follow up, no luck chkdsk /r did nothing, attempted a clean re-install to the same disk and the disk would not format, tried a low-level format then attempted to install again..failed. Drive replacement and system is back up and running. This was the first time that I’ve seen a disk pass both the short and long disk test but still fail to work.

Below is direct from Dell’s support site, good info to reference when troubleshooting IDE errors codes on Dell systems.

Error Code Description

0 The previous self test routine complete without error or no self test has never been run
1 The self test routine was aborted by the host
2 The self test routine was interrupted by the host with a hard or soft reset
3 A fatal error or unknown test error occurred while device was executing its self test routine and the device was unable to complete the self test routine
4 The previous self test completed having a test element that failed and the test element that failed is not known
5 The previous self test completed having the electrical element of the test failed
6 The previous self test completed having the servo (and/or seek) test element of the test failed
7 The previous self test completed having the read element of the test failed

Troubleshooting the IDE Drive Diagnostics (90/90 Diags)

Remember, the test relies on the BIOS settings, jumper settings and drive cabling to be correct in order to properly test the sub-system. Therefore, it is important that technicians verify these settings and drive setup prior to issuing service for a drive that has failed the test. If the setup and cabling are determined to be correct, the Drive BIOS Quicktest is a very reliable test of the drive’s physical functionality.

Be aware that the diagnostics can only test what it can detect. If a customer reports that the test is not recognizing their drive(s) be certain to verify proper cabling, cable seating, jumper settings and BIOS setup. Also, remember some drives may not comply with the test standards and, as a result, may not be supported by the diagnostics. Finally, remember that the test is primarily designed for Hard Drives. The test can be used to verify that the system is recognizing the presence of CD-ROMS, Zip drives, LS-120’s or other IDE devices, but it CANNOT be used to test the functionality of these devices.

Today we deployed 5 Sprint Motorola Q9c phones for a client, with 15 left to deploy two weeks from now. We did a 1-hour training, including going over Windows Mobile Live.

The client was thoroughly excited with Windows Mobile 6.1 in conjunction with Live, the entire Yellow pages in a little phone, reverse phone look up, driving directions and much more.

The client was so excited about the technology they offered to pay for complete documentation on how to get the most out of every part of these phones.

I don’t recall anyone getting so excited over a Crackberry…maybe an iPhone.

If you’re going to blog and ask for visitors thoughts and comments take the time to approve or deny their comments…don’t waste people’s time who are trying to help create dialogue.

http://sbsc.techcareteam.com/archives/246

Tim Barrett, No Geek Left Behind, posted that owners of Visio 2007 can get LAN Surveyor for FREE through June 30, 2008, that’s a $499 value FREE.

Visit Tim’s blog post to see a video demo and a link to get the software.

Technology Wizards, Oregon and SW Washington’s local user group, will be providing a presentation on Windows Vista to local technology professionals, both in-house IT and IT consultants.

This event will include a 1-hour panel discussion with 4 Technology Wizards.

Click here to sign-up for the event deadline is this Monday at 9 a.m.!

Stay tuned to my blog, on Wednesday I’ll be posting some great resources on Vista discovered during the preparation for this event.

Here’s a good link to displaying today’s patches and their respective critical levels, http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=4552.