Virtualization

Create a bootable VMware ESXi 5 USB stick in Windows and perform a scripted installation

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Step 1
Be sure removing all partitions and format a FAT32 partition on the USB stick by using the following command:

Open the command prompt and enter the following commands: 

diskpart (make sure you run diskpart as administrator)
list disk (list the disk in your system including the USB)
select disk USB number
clean
create partition primary
active
format fs=fat32 quick
assign
exit

Step 2
Download the Windows LinuxLive USB creator utility here.

Step 3
Start the Lili USB creator utility.

image

Follow the steps 1,2,4 and click 5 to create the USB stick. Wait till the USB creation process is finished.

Step 4
Edit the BOOT.CFG file in the root of the USB stick and add ks=usb between /b.b00 and — /useropts.gz modules

The BOOT.CFG should look like this:

bootstate=0
title=Loading ESXi installer
kernel=/tboot.b00
kernelopt=runweasel
modules=/b.b00 ks=usb --- /useropts.gz --- /k.b00 --- /a.b00 --- /ata-pata.v00 --- /ata-pata.v01 --- /ata-pata.v02 --- /ata-pata.v03 --- /ata-pata.v04 --- /ata-pata.v05 --- /ata-pata.v06 --- /ata-pata.v07 --- /block-cc.v00 --- /ehci-ehc.v00 --- /s.v00 --- /weaselin.i00 --- /ima-qla4.v00 --- /ipmi-ipm.v00 --- /ipmi-ipm.v01 --- /ipmi-ipm.v02 --- /misc-cni.v00 --- /misc-dri.v00 --- /net-be2n.v00 --- /net-bnx2.v00 --- /net-bnx2.v01 --- /net-cnic.v00 --- /net-e100.v00 --- /net-e100.v01 --- /net-enic.v00 --- /net-forc.v00 --- /net-igb.v00 --- /net-ixgb.v00 --- /net-nx-n.v00 --- /net-r816.v00 --- /net-r816.v01 --- /net-s2io.v00 --- /net-sky2.v00 --- /net-tg3.v00 --- /ohci-usb.v00 --- /sata-ahc.v00 --- /sata-ata.v00 --- /sata-sat.v00 --- /sata-sat.v01 --- /sata-sat.v02 --- /sata-sat.v03 --- /scsi-aac.v00 --- /scsi-adp.v00 --- /scsi-aic.v00 --- /scsi-bnx.v00 --- /scsi-fni.v00 --- /scsi-hps.v00 --- /scsi-ips.v00 --- /scsi-lpf.v00 --- /scsi-meg.v00 --- /scsi-meg.v01 --- /scsi-meg.v02 --- /scsi-mpt.v00 --- /scsi-mpt.v01 --- /scsi-mpt.v02 --- /scsi-qla.v00 --- /scsi-qla.v01 --- /uhci-usb.v00 --- /tools.t00 --- /imgdb.tgz --- /imgpayld.tgz
build=
updated=0

Step 5
Create a Kickstart configuration file for the scripted installation in the root of the USB stick. Here is an example:

#Sample kickstart scripted installation
vmaccepteula
rootpw VMw@re
install --firstdisk --overwritevmfs
network --bootproto=static --ip=192.168.250.21 --gateway=192.168.250.1 --nameserver=192.168.250.6 --netmask=255.255.255.0 --hostname=esxi5-01.beerens.local --device=vmnic0 --addvmportgroup=0
reboot

%firstboot --interpreter=busybox
# Rename local datastore name
vim-cmd hostsvc/datastore/rename datastore1 "$(hostname -s)-local-storage-1"
# DNS names
esxcli system hostname set --fqdn=esxi5-01.beerens.local
esxcli network ip dns search add --domain=beerens.local
# DNS server addresses
esxcli network ip dns server add --server=192.168.250.6
esxcli network ip dns server add --server=192.168.250.1
# SSH and ESXi shell
vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh
vim-cmd hostsvc/start_ssh
vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_esx_shell
vim-cmd hostsvc/start_esx_shell

For editing and creating the boot.cfg and ks.cfg file in Windows I use Notepad++ so NO hidden carriage returns are in the files. And the USB stick creation in ready.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: http://www.ivobeerens.nl/ for this post.

William Lam’s blog has real good information about Kickstart scripts found here.

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Security & SSL

McAfee is blocking email on SMTP port 25

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By default McAfee Enterprise, and some other versions, automatically block port 25 by default. This is an Anti-MailWorm feature. To disable it, do the following:

  • Rt Click on the McAfee icon in your system tray
  • Select “Open VirusScan Console” or Manage Features > VirusScan Enterprise. Depending on the version you have.
  • Double click on Access Protection Properties, this will open the dialog for this area
  • Under Anti-Virus Standard protection there is a rule that is set to block, it is “Prevent Mass Mailing Worms from Sending Mail
  • Uncheck the box under BLOCK and you are all set….click ok, and try it again. A reboot is NOT needed.
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Security & SSL

Creating a Keystore for LDAP SSL

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Exporting your Active Directory Certificate
As an Administrative user on your Active Directory server:

  1. Open the Microsoft Management Console by running mmc.exe.
  2. Add the Certificates snap-in for the Computer Account (select the Local Computer).
  3. Locate your certificate in the resulting tree. If you are using a self-signed certificate then this will appear under the Personal folder.
  4. Right click on the certificate, select All Tasks > Export.
  5. Export the certificate (without the private key but will all associated trusted certificates) in Base 64 format.

Creating a Keystore
Once the certificate has been exported you will be able to create a keystore with this certificate that you can use to access your Active Directory server.

  • To do this you will use the keytool (keytool.exe on Windows) utility supplied with your Java runtime with the following command:

keytool -import -alias ldap -file <certificate file> -keystore shdomain.ks

  • Enter a secure password for your keystore. This will create a keystore file called shdomain.ks
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Operating Systems

Missing Sharing Tab in Windows 2003

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Problem

I wanted  to share a certain folder in windows 2003 server, but when I entered the folder’s location > properties , I didn’t see the Sharing tab. (as shown below)

Resolution

Go to start > run > Services.msc > Start the Server service . (as shown below)

In my case , the Server service was stopped due to lack of certain security patches in that server. In order to solve this problem for good , update the server using Windows Update. In order to solve the problem temporarily, start the Server service.

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Education

For the Kids: Want to start learning to develop Video Games?

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My son recently attended the ID Tech Camp at Stanford, he just turned 10, and he LOVED it!  They used Multimedia Fusion Developer to design the self executable cames.  It is a remarkable product, and if you have a child that is interested in this, you may want to look into this product.

Multimedia Fusion Developer

If you are also interested in the great Summer time camps for your kid(s) of all ages go see: ID Tech Camps

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