Automation, AWS, Citrix, Cloud, CtxAdmTools, Microsoft, Virtualization, VMware and more...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
CTX: Create a Null Printer
To create Null Printer with a unattended script:
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b "NULL PRINTER" /f "%systemroot%\inf\ntprint.inf" /r "lpt1:" /m "HP LaserJet 4" /z
>> Create a printer called "NULL PRINTER" using the HP Laserjet 4 driver and redirected to LPT1 port
----- optional steps -----
sleep 5
>> Wait 5 seconds
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /y /n "NULL PRINTER"
>> Set "NULL PRINTER" printer as default printer
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b "NULL PRINTER" /f "%systemroot%\inf\ntprint.inf" /r "lpt1:" /m "HP LaserJet 4" /z
>> Create a printer called "NULL PRINTER" using the HP Laserjet 4 driver and redirected to LPT1 port
----- optional steps -----
sleep 5
>> Wait 5 seconds
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /y /n "NULL PRINTER"
>> Set "NULL PRINTER" printer as default printer
Monday, July 28, 2008
CtxAdmTools: Dump Session Printers v1.0 Released!
VMware: VMware released ESX 3i for free
VMware released the Update 2 for VMware Infrastructure 3.5 and that will give away the lightweight edition of the product, ESX 3i, for free.
VI 3.5 and ESX 3i will continue to share a the large majority of the code base.
ESX 3i will continue to have the same features that has today, without additional limitations
VMware will not require the purchase of any software & support subscription to access the product. Customer will be able to get the code without any restriction.
VMware ESXi has the same functionality and performance as VMware ESX but with a 32 MB disk footprint. With the ability to seamlessly upgrade to VMware Infrastructure 3, customers can add the benefits of server consolidation, automatic load balancing and business continuity to VMware ESXi.
Download VMware ESX 3i
VI 3.5 and ESX 3i will continue to share a the large majority of the code base.
ESX 3i will continue to have the same features that has today, without additional limitations
VMware will not require the purchase of any software & support subscription to access the product. Customer will be able to get the code without any restriction.
VMware ESXi has the same functionality and performance as VMware ESX but with a 32 MB disk footprint. With the ability to seamlessly upgrade to VMware Infrastructure 3, customers can add the benefits of server consolidation, automatic load balancing and business continuity to VMware ESXi.
Download VMware ESX 3i
Thursday, July 24, 2008
CtxAdmTools: PrintDriver v1.5 Released!
This tool change or replace a single or multiple Print Drivers installed in Windows servers.
PrintDriver v1.5 is FREE! You can use the Unregistered Version for as long as you would like.
Change the Print Driver of one single Printer.

Change the Print Driver of Multiples Printers
(Available only in the Registered Version)
This option is very useful is you replacing all HP Print Drivers for HP Universal Print Driver (UPD), for example.
You can use PrintCert to search for unsigned Print Drivers and use PrintDriver to replace these Print Drivers.
Monday, July 14, 2008
CtxAdmTools: Registry Compare v1.1 Released!
Registry Compare v1.1
This FREE tool compare two registry files, show differences and generate a report.
Learn more...
Download Registry Compare v1.1
This FREE tool compare two registry files, show differences and generate a report.
Learn more...

Friday, July 11, 2008
CtxAdmTools: PrintCert v1.2 Released!
This tool list Print Drivers installed in your Citrix farm or Windows servers List all Signed/Unsigned/Manufacturer Print Drivers installed on your farm or Windows server and export the results to Excel or Text files. Learn more...
The Print Spooler service terminates sporadically in your Citrix Server.
Event Logs shows "Print Spooler service terminated unexpectedly" Event ID 7031 is logged in Windows Event Logs.
The cause of this, almost of the times is Unsigned Print Drivers or Manufacturer Print Drivers.
PrintCert v1.2 is FREE!
You can use the Unregistered Version for as long as you would like.
You can use the Unregistered Version for as long as you would like.
The Registered Version provide the ability to load Multiple RegKey files and Save Report in Text or Excel files.
Using Multiple RegKey you can query multiple servers or a Citrix Farm.
Using the Load Multiple Servers Print File option, you can generate a report of several servers.
Using Multiple RegKey you can query multiple servers or a Citrix Farm.
Using the Load Multiple Servers Print File option, you can generate a report of several servers.

Your can export the result of a single server or multiples servers to a Text File...or export the result of a single server or multiples servers to a Excel File and order it per Driver Model ...
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
CtxAdmTools: Multiple RegKey v1.0 Released!
This tool query the registry on single or multiple servers If you several servers in your environment, you must know how difficult is compare the registry values between servers.
Now with Multiple RegKey you can query the value of one registry key (and SubKeys, if you want) on a single or multiple servers to compare values.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008
CtxAdmTools: Load Evaluator Info v1.0 Released!

With Load Evaluator Info v1.0, you can list the Load Evaluator of every server on your Citrix farm and export results to Excel or Text files.
Download Load Evaluator Info v1.0
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
CtxAdmTools: ListSessions v1.1 Released!
ListSessions v1.1
This FREE tool list All / Disconnected / Active sessions in your Citrix farm.
Download ListSessions v1.1
This FREE tool list All / Disconnected / Active sessions in your Citrix farm.
Download ListSessions v1.1
Thursday, June 26, 2008
MS: Windows 2008 Hyper-V RTM!
Today, Microsoft released Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, the hypervisor-based virtualization feature included in select versions of Windows Server 2008. Those who have already deployed the x64 versions of Windows Server 2008 can receive Hyper-V from Windows Update beginning July 8, while new customers and partners can Download Hyper-V from Microsoft Hyper-V Web Site.
Be sure to visit the Windows Virtualization Team blog to see daily spotlights on specific features and benefits of Hyper-V technology, as well as to read about customer stories and see postings from guests.
Guest operating systems that are supported on a Hyper-V virtual machine host
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/954958
Be sure to visit the Windows Virtualization Team blog to see daily spotlights on specific features and benefits of Hyper-V technology, as well as to read about customer stories and see postings from guests.
Guest operating systems that are supported on a Hyper-V virtual machine host
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/954958
Friday, June 20, 2008
CtxAdmTools: CTX Server Status v1.2 Released!
CTX Server Status
This FREE report tool show status information about your Citrix farm
Provides you or your boss a list of online/offline servers, amount of sessions, load evaluator, server load, zone.
The registered version provide the ability of filter servers per Zone and generate a Excel report.
Learn more...
Download CTX Server Status
This FREE report tool show status information about your Citrix farm
Provides you or your boss a list of online/offline servers, amount of sessions, load evaluator, server load, zone.
The registered version provide the ability of filter servers per Zone and generate a Excel report.
Learn more...
Download CTX Server Status
Monday, June 16, 2008
CtxAdmTools: List HotFix v1.0 Released!
List HotFix
This FREE tool list all Citrix Hot Fixes installed in your Citrix farm
List all Citrix Hot Fixes / Patches / Upgrades installed on your farm and export the results to Excel or Text files.
Learn more...
Download List HotFix v1.0
This FREE tool list all Citrix Hot Fixes installed in your Citrix farm
List all Citrix Hot Fixes / Patches / Upgrades installed on your farm and export the results to Excel or Text files.
Learn more...
Download List HotFix v1.0
CtxAdmTools: Launch of CtxAdmTools!
In April 2006 I started working as a Senior Citrix Systems Engineer for Sunrise Senior Living (http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com), one of the premier (and largest) providers of senior living services. Sunrise currently operates more than 440 senior living communities (and more than 50 under construction) throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany with more 38,000 employees and a very large Citrix farm.
As soon I started I discovered is really challenging administering and resolve issues with a very large amount of Citrix servers and thousands of users and printers.
You will found in this site a very useful set of utilities for specific tasks. Sometimes you will spend hours and hours of manual tasks or use limited scripts.
I developed this set of tools to help me in daily tasks. I spend several weeks developing and testing these tools. You will save time (and money!) using these tools.
The web site of CtxAdmTools is http://ctxadmtools.musumeci.com.ar
As soon I started I discovered is really challenging administering and resolve issues with a very large amount of Citrix servers and thousands of users and printers.
You will found in this site a very useful set of utilities for specific tasks. Sometimes you will spend hours and hours of manual tasks or use limited scripts.
I developed this set of tools to help me in daily tasks. I spend several weeks developing and testing these tools. You will save time (and money!) using these tools.
The web site of CtxAdmTools is http://ctxadmtools.musumeci.com.ar
Friday, June 06, 2008
MS: Install Print Drivers on Windows Server
To install Print Drivers on Windows Server, Terminal Server or Citrix Servers (just the print driver, not the printer):
1) To install a Driver included in the Windows distribution:
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ia /m "HP LaserJet 5" /h "Intel" /v "Windows 2000" /f "%systemroot%\inf\ntprint.inf"
2) To install a OEM Driver NOT included in the Windows distribution:
Extract the driver. Open the oemsetup.inf included with the driver.
Search the Manufacturer section. The manufacturer is Ricoh.
---- oeminfo.inf ----
; The Manufacturer section lists all of the manufacturers that we will
; display in the Dialog box;
[Manufacturer]
%OEM%=Ricoh
---- oeminfo.inf ----
Now search for Ricoh
---- oeminfo.inf ----
; Model sections. Each section here corresponds with an entry listed in the
; [Manufacturer] section, above. The models will be displayed in the order
; that they appear in the INF file.;
[RICOH]
"RICOH Aficio 3035 PCL 5e" = RIC542,USBPRINT\RICOHAficio_3035B463,LPTENUM\RICOHAficio_3035B463,RICOHAficio_3035B463
"RICOH Aficio 3045 PCL 5e" = RIC542,USBPRINT\RICOHAficio_30458661,LPTENUM\RICOHAficio_30458661,RICOHAficio_30458661
---- oeminfo.inf ----
We can see 2 models here, 3035 and 3045.
To install RICOH Aficio 3035 PCL 5e, we can use this script:
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b "Ricoh 3035" /f "C:\PrnDrivers\RICOH 3035\oemsetup.inf" /r "lpt1:" /m "RICOH Aficio 3035 PCL 5e" /z
1) To install a Driver included in the Windows distribution:
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ia /m "HP LaserJet 5" /h "Intel" /v "Windows 2000" /f "%systemroot%\inf\ntprint.inf"
2) To install a OEM Driver NOT included in the Windows distribution:
Extract the driver. Open the oemsetup.inf included with the driver.
Search the Manufacturer section. The manufacturer is Ricoh.
---- oeminfo.inf ----
; The Manufacturer section lists all of the manufacturers that we will
; display in the Dialog box;
[Manufacturer]
%OEM%=Ricoh
---- oeminfo.inf ----
Now search for Ricoh
---- oeminfo.inf ----
; Model sections. Each section here corresponds with an entry listed in the
; [Manufacturer] section, above. The models will be displayed in the order
; that they appear in the INF file.;
[RICOH]
"RICOH Aficio 3035 PCL 5e" = RIC542,USBPRINT\RICOHAficio_3035B463,LPTENUM\RICOHAficio_3035B463,RICOHAficio_3035B463
"RICOH Aficio 3045 PCL 5e" = RIC542,USBPRINT\RICOHAficio_30458661,LPTENUM\RICOHAficio_30458661,RICOHAficio_30458661
---- oeminfo.inf ----
We can see 2 models here, 3035 and 3045.
To install RICOH Aficio 3035 PCL 5e, we can use this script:
start /wait rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b "Ricoh 3035" /f "C:\PrnDrivers\RICOH 3035\oemsetup.inf" /r "lpt1:" /m "RICOH Aficio 3035 PCL 5e" /z
Friday, May 23, 2008
CTX: Install Symantec Antivirus on Citrix Servers
To install Symantec Antivirus (SAV) o Symantec Endpoint on Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 or Citrix XenApp v4.5, you need to install in Terminal Server installation mode.
I created this script:
change user /install
start /wait MSIEXEC /I "c:\update\sav\Symantec AntiVirus.msi" ADDLOCAL=SAVMain,SAVUI,SAVHelp,EMailTools,OutlookSnapin,QClient NETWORKTYPE=1 INSTALLSERVER=0 SERVERNAME=SAVSRV ENABLEAUTOPROTECT=1 REBOOT=ReallySuppress ALLUSERS=TRUE SYMPROTECTDISABLED=1 /Qn
change user /execute
Enable/Disable Tamper Protection: SYMPROTECTDISABLED
0=Enable / 1=Disable
Optional:
If you want to assign the server to a Client Group, run this extra step:
regedit -s Q:\update\sav\ClientGroup.reg
net stop "Symantec AntiVirus"
net start "Symantec AntiVirus"
---- ClientGroup.reg ----
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\INTEL\LANDesk\VirusProtect6\CurrentVersion]"ClientGroup"="CTX Servers"
---- ClientGroup.reg ----
Reference
Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Terminal Server support
I created this script:
change user /install
start /wait MSIEXEC /I "c:\update\sav\Symantec AntiVirus.msi" ADDLOCAL=SAVMain,SAVUI,SAVHelp,EMailTools,OutlookSnapin,QClient NETWORKTYPE=1 INSTALLSERVER=0 SERVERNAME=SAVSRV ENABLEAUTOPROTECT=1 REBOOT=ReallySuppress ALLUSERS=TRUE SYMPROTECTDISABLED=1 /Qn
change user /execute
Enable/Disable Tamper Protection: SYMPROTECTDISABLED
0=Enable / 1=Disable
Optional:
If you want to assign the server to a Client Group, run this extra step:
regedit -s Q:\update\sav\ClientGroup.reg
net stop "Symantec AntiVirus"
net start "Symantec AntiVirus"
---- ClientGroup.reg ----
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\INTEL\LANDesk\VirusProtect6\CurrentVersion]"ClientGroup"="CTX Servers"
---- ClientGroup.reg ----
Reference
Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Terminal Server support
Monday, May 19, 2008
MS: Capturing and Analyzing Application Crash Dumps
Basic Debugging of an Application Crash
http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/archive/2007/05/29/basic-debugging-of-an-application-crash.aspx
Capturing Application Crash Dumps
http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/archive/2007/06/15/capturing-application-crash-dumps.aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/archive/2007/05/29/basic-debugging-of-an-application-crash.aspx
Capturing Application Crash Dumps
http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/archive/2007/06/15/capturing-application-crash-dumps.aspx
Friday, May 16, 2008
MS: Use NETSH to import or export the Network Configuration
To backup (or dump) the configuration of the network connection:
netsh -c interface dump > c:\network.txt
To restore the configuration:
netsh -f c:\network.txt
netsh -c interface dump > c:\network.txt
To restore the configuration:
netsh -f c:\network.txt
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
CTX: Citrix Optimizations
Turn on Slow-Start Load Balancing
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\IMA\LMS UseILB = REG_DWORD: 1 Reference Citrix Article CTX108645
Using custom, Office and system ADM templates, implement the following user optimizations via GPO:
* Disable Active Desktop
* Reduce cursor blink rate to 1.5 seconds (1500)
* Reduce MenuShowDelay to 100 ms
* Set sound scheme to “No Sounds”
* Disable Word background grammar and spell checking
* Disable Office Assistant and Office Assistant Animation/Sounds
*Always Show Full Menu Items and Disable the Show menu delay
Network performance and system usage HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer NoRemoteRecursiveEvents = REG_DWORD: 1
Reference Microsoft Article 885189
Memory Optimization HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management LargeSystemCache = REG_DWORD: 1
This setting allocates additional memory to the File System Cache. Starting with Windows Server 2003, Microsoft moved the registry from Paged Pool RAM and into the File System Cache. Running out of File System Cache will prevent users’ ntuser.dat files (profiles) from loading. Setting this registry key to 1 is the same clicking the System Cache button shown in the following screen shot:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\IMA\LMS UseILB = REG_DWORD: 1 Reference Citrix Article CTX108645
Using custom, Office and system ADM templates, implement the following user optimizations via GPO:
* Disable Active Desktop
* Reduce cursor blink rate to 1.5 seconds (1500)
* Reduce MenuShowDelay to 100 ms
* Set sound scheme to “No Sounds”
* Disable Word background grammar and spell checking
* Disable Office Assistant and Office Assistant Animation/Sounds
*Always Show Full Menu Items and Disable the Show menu delay
Network performance and system usage HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer NoRemoteRecursiveEvents = REG_DWORD: 1
Reference Microsoft Article 885189
Memory Optimization HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management LargeSystemCache = REG_DWORD: 1
This setting allocates additional memory to the File System Cache. Starting with Windows Server 2003, Microsoft moved the registry from Paged Pool RAM and into the File System Cache. Running out of File System Cache will prevent users’ ntuser.dat files (profiles) from loading. Setting this registry key to 1 is the same clicking the System Cache button shown in the following screen shot:
Additionally, Citrix recommends settings the Visual Effects tab to adjust for best performance as shown below: The following registry settings are optimizations that Citrix recommends be applied to Terminal Servers in order to optimize performance and allow a maximum number of users to be supported.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager]
"RegistryLazyFlushInterval"=dword:0000003c
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Lanmanserver\Parameters]
"MaxWorkItems"=dword:00002EE0
"MaxMpxCt"=dword:00000800
"MaxRawWorkItems"=dword:00000200
"MaxFreeConnections"=dword:00000064
"MinFreeConnections"=dword:00000020
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Lanmanworkstation\Parameters]
"MaxCmds"=dword:00000800
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MRxSmb\Parameters]
"MultiUserEnabled"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]
"DisablePagingExecutive"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows]
"ErrorMode"=dword:00000002
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
"NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers]
"NetPopup"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers]
"Eventlog"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager]
"RegistryLazyFlushInterval"=dword:0000003c
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Lanmanserver\Parameters]
"MaxWorkItems"=dword:00002EE0
"MaxMpxCt"=dword:00000800
"MaxRawWorkItems"=dword:00000200
"MaxFreeConnections"=dword:00000064
"MinFreeConnections"=dword:00000020
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Lanmanworkstation\Parameters]
"MaxCmds"=dword:00000800
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MRxSmb\Parameters]
"MultiUserEnabled"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]
"DisablePagingExecutive"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows]
"ErrorMode"=dword:00000002
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
"NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers]
"NetPopup"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers]
"Eventlog"=dword:00000001
Friday, May 09, 2008
CTX: Memory Dump Analysis
SystemDump 3.1 for 32-bit and 64-bit platforms
http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX111072
The SystemDump utility can force a server to generate a memory dump from the session or when a keyboard is not available or non-standard. Command line options allow you to generate a dump from command files and/or remotely when a console session is not available (for example, IBM blade servers). Whether a complete memory or kernel memory dump is saved depends on the Control Panel settings in place.
Troubleshooting Stop Errors, Server Hangs, and Server Restarts http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX101595
This article is meant to help you investigate stop errors and system restarts.
Complete memory dumps are not available on computers that have 2 or more gigabytes of RAM
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;274598
Gathering Blue Screen Information After Memory Dump in Windows 2000 or Windows NT http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q192463/
This article describes how to gather more information about a blue-screen error message. Note that these steps may not always provide conclusive answers and may only be a symptom of another problem.
Case Study: Intermittent Client Printer Creation and Deletion Failures
http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX112580
Memory dump analysis for printer drivers problems
http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX111072
The SystemDump utility can force a server to generate a memory dump from the session or when a keyboard is not available or non-standard. Command line options allow you to generate a dump from command files and/or remotely when a console session is not available (for example, IBM blade servers). Whether a complete memory or kernel memory dump is saved depends on the Control Panel settings in place.
Troubleshooting Stop Errors, Server Hangs, and Server Restarts http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX101595
This article is meant to help you investigate stop errors and system restarts.
Complete memory dumps are not available on computers that have 2 or more gigabytes of RAM
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;274598
Gathering Blue Screen Information After Memory Dump in Windows 2000 or Windows NT http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q192463/
This article describes how to gather more information about a blue-screen error message. Note that these steps may not always provide conclusive answers and may only be a symptom of another problem.
Case Study: Intermittent Client Printer Creation and Deletion Failures
http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX112580
Memory dump analysis for printer drivers problems
Saturday, May 03, 2008
MS: Microsoft Videos
Life At Microsoft - The Truth Revealed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N24TWrtlJEU
Bill Gates' Last Day At Microsoft
http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/archive/2008/01/08/bill-gates-last-day-at-microsoft.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N24TWrtlJEU
Bill Gates' Last Day At Microsoft
http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/archive/2008/01/08/bill-gates-last-day-at-microsoft.aspx
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