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So I’m experimenting with VMware Player – a departure from the usual Microsoft flavours of Virtualization (only because Windows Virtual PC cannot handle x64 Operating Systems)- and I encountered two issues.

I set up a Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain; installed AD DS, AD CS, DNS, DHCP, RRAS and WDS. With that done, I attempted to create a new Windows 7 VM by using WDS to deploy the OS image. Unfortunately, I ran into a problem, an error message stating: WdsClient: There was a problem initializing wds mode

So, I checked all my server settings. Everything seemed fine so suspecting a DNS issues (it’s always a DNS issue) I ran NSLOOKUP from the DNS snap-in. It didn’t seem promising with the unknown server message. So I created a AAAA record for the server’s IPv6 address.

I re-ran the WDS deployment and it worked! Problem 1 solved!

The second problem that I encountered was joining the installed Windows 7 Enterprise client to the domain. It successfully obtained an IPv4 address but it could not seem to find the domain. So…it’s got to be a DNS issue (it’s always a DNS issue). However, this time it dawned on me that the Scope Option for the DHCP server was not telling my client the IP address of my test DNS server. Click-Click! Problem 2 solved!

But…had I fixed the DNS scope option problem first, I would not have got the first error message. Doh!

Live and learn etc. After all, it’s all about the DNS!

Last November, I was fortunate to be selected as a TLG (Technical Learning Guide) for Microsoft TechEd Europe 2010. It was held at the Messe in Berlin, Germany. Ever since I learnt German at school, I always wanted to visit Germany; however, I never had the opportunity. So, with a spirit of finally using my GCSE and A’ Level German, I was all set…or was I?

One slight problem had emerged over the years. My German vocabulary and grammar had slowly and unconsciously been replaced by Japanese. I never realised that it was such a big problem until I opened my mouth to say “Danke” (Thanks), and would automatically say “Arigato”. Fortunately, by the end of the week the “problem” had subsided somewhat. I think the coolest thing that happened as part of this linguistic nightmare was calling up a Japanese restaurant (Sa-Sa-Ya) in order to make a reservation (unfortunately they were full).  This amused my friend from Microsoft whose next question was “How many languages can you speak?!”

Anyway, this is supposed to be a technology blog, so what did I learn from TechEd:

• The Cloud – it’s here to stay! So time to get familiar with Windows Azure
• Office 365 is here – Office for the cloud!
• Microsoft Learning’s current focus is on using IT certification to improve career prospects
• Windows Intune is quite possibly the best thing for any business – It includes a licence to upgrade each PC to Windows 7 Enterprise AND you get access to MDOP!
• Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RC headline grabbers are Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX
• The Windows Deployment Gameshow showed me that I still need to learn a LOT about deployment
• Lync Server is already HUGE – and the hands on labs for it were pretty cool
• PowerShell – time to learn it!
• Get yourself the Works with Windows Server 2008 Logo
• MCTs ROCK! Especially if you find yourself invited to parties where everyone talks Swedish, you can be sure to bump into Jeremy Moskowitz (GPO guru) while waiting for the lift.

All in all, it was a very productive week.

I’ve just returned from the Zenos National Trainer meeting where I delivered a BitLockerToGo demonstration to approximately 120 technology trainers over three days.

BitLockerToGo is an absolutely fabulous technology that allows you to encrypt removable disk drives such as USB pen sticks and portable hard drives. Thus if you misplace or lose your media, your data is protected! This demonstration is a wonderful introduction to help newcomers to Windows 7 truly understand how its power can be harnessed.

Enjoy and I hope the demonstration is useful!