Andy Kemp

I recently setup a server in our Edinburgh office that was connected to a Dell MD3000i to act as a HyperV host for a number of “low end” guests like our voice manager PC, Antivirus server, and to house those Desktop servers that we all have sitting in our racks in our data centres. We had a couple just services that run on Windows XP but need to be switched on and logged on 24/7.

Originally the server was setup as a single server with 10 guests on it but it became apparent that if that server did fall over, although those Virtuals would still exist on the MD3000i it would still be an issue getting them up and running on another host. Any how another server became available recently so I took this opportunity to re-deploy it and create a cluster with the current HyperV host and this additional server. Both servers have 16GB RAM the primary node has 2 x 2.5GHz Quad Core Processors and the secondary node only has 2 x 1.86GHz Quad Core Processors but can happily run the guests.

I set up the cluster and then using the Virtual Machine Management Console I migrated the storage to shared storage on the same array jsut storage that was part of the cluster. and at no extra cost to the Firm I have now given then a highly available system. The benefit of this not only reduces resources needed in the data centre but also gives me a great proof of concept for when I want to look at virtualising a lot of the key servers in our data centre when it comes to support contract renewal.

Just to mention I am using Windows Server 2008 R2. and some of the features that you get with HyperV R2 make it a truly great product to use Live State migration rocks :)

For the last couple of years we have had a client WiFi on offer for when clients are in the office and they need internet access. We have had issues where a client has wanted internet access and decided to plug their laptops in to our LAN, thankfully we take the precaution of any LAN ports that do not have anything plugged in to them are not patched.

As remote access become more and more popular the demand for internet access increased so we looked at a managed service, that provided a Broadband connection on the 7th and 8th floor of our offices. Along with the Broadband they provided a Wireless Network that utilised a Colubris MSC 3200 and 3 x HP Procurve 420 Access Points. It gave the client free WiFi access all they needed to do was speak to our reception desk who then got a unique username and password generated and the client would then log in via a landing page and have complete internet access. The service was good but it had a hefty price tag attached to it £275 a month. And although there was a demand for it £275 a month did seem to be a bit steep.

So I decided to look at the option of reconfiguring the Colubris Router and HP 420 Access Points and creating our own WiFi. as I have not really looked in to WiFi other than setting up a wireless router in the house I was a bit unsure of what I might need to do but it was incredibly simple.

Firstly I had to factory re-set the kit I had as I did not know what the log in credentials were. the Colubris router was pretty easy to do, open up a paper clip put it in the reset button hole and wait for the 3 LED’s to blink 3 times., the default IP was 192.168.1.1 (surprise surprise)! and the username and password was admin.

I logged in a configured the router. Then it was time to reconfigure one of the AP’s again this was relatively easy the only real issue I had was setting the country code, this is done via a telnet session to the AP. Again its IP was 192.168.1.1 and username is admin and a blank password.

Once I had set the country code I could activate the wireless features and configure the SSID to that of the SSID on the Colubris.

I then connected the colubris router to the internet and hey presto free client WiFi and we were managing it, all we now have to pay is £12.50 (BT Broadband) a month plus line rental. so its a fraction of the cost. The beauty of it too is that you can set up the Cloubris router to have its own landing page. you can create user accounts in the Clubris router that you have to use when connecting to the internet.