Enabling SSH on ESXi server

A great article on how to enable SSH for ESXi, which if you didn’t already know does not have a Service Console to speak of, but is built on the BusyBox distribution. However, it is still possible to remote manage it using SSH with a tweak here and there.

Full article

Microsoft Hyper-V FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Microsoft Hyper-V Server at http://www.microsoft.com/servers/hyper-v-server/faq.mspx

Microsoft Hyper-V Server – Overview

Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 is a stand-alone FREE hypervisor-based server virtualization product that allows to virtualize workloads onto a single physical server. It provides a simplified, reliable and optimized virtualization solution that easily plugs into  existing IT infrastructure enabling to improve server utilization and reduce costs.

See the full overview here

Transfering files and folders rapidly in Windows

One of the most common task of a computer user is transferring (copying or moving) files and folders. Pathetically, the default windows  file transferring tools are too primitive and slow. Thankfully, there are free and commercial, file transferring utilities at our disposal. My personal favorite are teracopy and richcopy.

Links:
Teracopy – http://www.codesector.com/teracopy.php
Richcopy - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.utilityspotlight.aspx
Few more similar tools – http://www.techmalaya.com/2008/06/11/windows-file-copy-faster-speed/

Seven things to love and hate about Windows 7

As per NetworkWorld testing team.

Love first:

1. Improved GUI include application search bar
2. Running applications view is revamped & resizing applications on screen is a snap
3. The wonders of ‘One-click’ WiFi
4. The easy-to-understand, unified user-maintenance application (Action Center)
5. Better Backup will be a blessing & policy-based Auditing Enhancements
6. The Ability dial down system screams (a.k.a UAC)
7. A Firewall with a brain

and now 7 hates:

1.Windows Explorer still needs work
2. An insecure Windows Credential Manager
3. Having to track down “essential” apps
4. It’s still Windows Device Configuration, stupid
5. Obscure SMB/CIFS support
6. Library Indexing requirement limits sources
7. Resource and Performance Monitor need a face lift

Take a look at this slideshow

Download licensed software for free

Giveaway of the Day web site allows you to download licensed copy of commercial software. Just subscribe your email address and receive notifications about the software available for download on a daily basis.

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Windows 7 Guides for IT Professsionals

Microsoft, recently published two white papers outlining the new features in Windows 7 operating system. Some of the features worth looking at are:

• Direct Cache (Allows remote users to access their corporate network without using traditional VPN solutions)
• Branch Cache (Now you can cache web and file server data, reducing network bandwidth)
• App locker (Control what applications, the users can or cannot run on their workstations)
• VHD Boot (Now, it’s possible to make a Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 VHD file and boot the computer from it)
• Native Biometric Support
• And a host of other technical features which I think will be very useful for IT Admins to manage their windows 7 client base.

These guides are available for download here

Handy Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows 7, the upcoming Microsoft desktop operating system has a several keyboards shortcuts, which I think the keyboard junkies will like. Below is the list.

General
Win+Up Maximize
Win+Down Restore / Minimize
Win+Left Snap to left
Win+Right Snap to right
Win+Shift+Left Jump to left monitor
Win+Shift+Right Jump to right monitor
Win+Home Minimize / Restore all other windows
Win+T Focus the first taskbar entry (Pressing again will cycle through them, you can can arrow around.)
Win+Shift+T Cycles backwards.
Win+Space Peek at the desktop
Win+G Bring gadgets to the top of the Z-order
Win+P External display options (mirror, extend desktop, etc)
Win+X Mobility Center (same as Vista, but still handy!)
Win+# Launches a new instance of the application in the Nth slot on the taskbar.
(# = a number key) Example: Win+1 launches first pinned app, Win+2 launches second, etc.
Win + + Zoom in
Win + – Zoom in or out.

Explorer
Alt+P Show/hide Preview Pane

Taskbar modifiers
Shift + Click on icon Open a new instance
Middle click on icon Open a new instance
Ctrl + Shift + Click on icon Open a new instance with Admin privileges
Shift + Right-click on icon Show window menu (Restore / Minimize / Move / etc) Note: Normally you can just right-click on the window thumbnail to get this menu
Shift + Right-click On grouped icon Menu with Restore All / Minimize All / Close All, etc.
Ctrl + Click On grouped icon Cycle between the windows (or tabs) in the group