Tuesday, January 13, 2015
XenServer 6.5 is released–FAQ CTX141509
XenServer 6.5 Release notes
http://blogs.citrix.com/2015/01/13/xenserver-6-5/
For some details regarding performance:
Christopher Keim - 1 Bit at a Time: Citrix Summit 2015: Day 1
Monday, January 12, 2015
Citrix Acquires Sanbolic
Citrix announced today that is had completed its acquisition of Sanbolic.
www.citrix.com/news/announcements/jan-2015/citrix-acquires-sanbolic.html
Friday, January 9, 2015
Exchange Server and Update Rollups Build Numbers
Detailed listing of Exchange Server build numbers and links to Microsoft articles and downloads
Detailed instructions for updating Exchange 2013
I just finished going through an Exchange 2013 update with my colleague Brandon Nolan. We just followed his step by step instructions that we wrote up.
Excellent write up and very detail.
http://technicalmeander.com/2014/11/06/how-i-update-exchange-2013/
Post a tweet every time a new blog entry is created on Blogger using IFTTT #IFTTT
IFTTT is a automation tool that performs tasks based on rules you setup in a recipe. IFTTT is an acronym for If This Then That. IFTTT has connections to many services such as Blogger, Gmail, Evernote, etc. You build recipes that perform tasks in the same services or different services when an event occurs.
These events can trigger at specific times of day, or using the iPhone/Android client they can trigger when you arrive home or at the office, or when you receive a SMS message from your spouse. The options are literally endless.
I use this service all the time and need to check back often as new services are being connected all the time.
If your not using IFTTT you should be, if you are then here is a simple automation recipe that takes your Blogger posts and sends a Tweet for each one. This can easily be adapted to other blogging sites as long as IFTTT has the connections.
Click the recipe link below.
Citrix- Mac client printer mapping to Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 - CTX139020
Client printer mapping was failing for users connecting to Windows Server 2012 R2 through a Citrix session.
Found that the Microsoft version of the “HP Color LaserJet 2800 Series PS” driver needed to be installed on the server.
The users were not printing to a 2800 series printer, but Citrix uses this driver as part of the Universal Printer setup.
This is a quick process, and has worked every time I encounter Mac OSX auto-creation issues
Thursday, January 8, 2015
CTX133904 - StoreFront Error: "Cannot complete your request"
Very helpful Citrix support article when troubleshooting this common often cryptic error message.
I find issue #5 when troubleshooting existing installs all the time. With the assistance of this article you will make short work of any related issues.
Christopher Keim - 1 Bit at a Time: How to Reset Redirected Folder NTFS Permissions wi...
Christopher Keim - 1 Bit at a Time: How to Reset Redirected Folder NTFS Permissions
Impressive use of Google Earth to facilitate species conservation
Great collaborative demonstration of the power of the Internet and the Google Earth engine
Map of Life
http://googleresearch.blogspot.com/2015/01/map-of-life-preview-of-how-to-evaluate.html
Changing Windows Server 2012 R2 from Standard to DataCenter Edition
First set is to verify the edition of Window Server 2012 R2.
You can check this with the GUI at Control Panel\System and Security\System 
or via the following command line:
dism.exe /online /Get-CurrentEdition
Next lets verify that the install of Windows can be migrated to a different version
dism.exe /online /Get-TargetEditions
We’ve confirmed that this installation can be migrated to DataCenter Edition, now we need to set the installation edition. This change requires acceptance of the End User Agreement and the Windows DataCenter Edition KMS setup key.
dism.exe /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /AcceptEula /ProductKey:W3GGN-FT8W3-Y4M27-J84CP-Q3VJ9
The server will require a reboot for this change to take effect.
To verify the Edition has been changed:
dism.exe /online /Get-CurrentEdition
Now the Server can be activated as a Windows Server 2012 R2 DataCenter server.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Reconfigure XenApp to a new SQL Server or database
Long ago I wrote up this process to facilitate rapid reconfiguration of the SQL datastore on MetaFrame / Presentation Server. A colleague came to me today asking about a way to automate this process on an older Citrix deployment. Ah, sometimes being the old dog comes in handy, happened to know exactly what he needed and BAM! I already had this process written up.
1. Backup of the SQL database
2. Copy the database to the new server
3. Offline or detach the SQL datastore from the existing server
4. Create a SQL account - I usually use ctxuser for the account and ctxpass for the password, but anything you remember works or even SA
5. Attach the SQL datastore on the new server, make sure the SQL account is the db-owner
6. On the Data Collector - Copy the C:\Program Files\Citrix\Independent Management Architecture\mf20.dsn and then edit the original with notepad to change the SQL Server name
7. Stop the IMA service on the Data Collector
8. Run the command dsmaint config /user:ctxuser /pwd:ctxpass /dsn:” C:\Program Files\Citrix\Independent Management Architecture\mf20.dsn” – the quotes are important
9. Restart the IMA service
10. Verify that the server has connected to the new SQL Server
11. Run dsmaint recreatelhc on the server
12. Repeat 6-11 for each server
NTP Vulnerability–Citrix Security Advisory - CTX200355
Citrix has posted a Security Advisory today regarding NTP exploits - CTX200355
By default NTP is disabled on NetScaler appliances, however if NTP has been configured Citrix recommends taking the following steps.
Open the NetScaler’s ntp.conf file in /etc and add the following lines:
restrict -4 default notrap nopeer nomodify noquery
restrict -6 default notrap nopeer nomodify noquery
All other restrict statements should also be reviewed and verified to contain both 'nomodify' and 'noquery'.
Save the file after editing and restart the NTP service.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Remote Desktop license issue with Grace Period timeout
Issue was discovered with Windows Server 2012 RDS license service remaining in Grace Period after license service is applied.
"The remote session was disconnected because there are no Remote Desktop License Servers available to provide a license"
This is due to a bug in Server 2012 RDS licensing system. The RDS licening mechanism continues counting the Grace Period time.
There is a Microsoft hotfix available or follow the workaround.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2916846
To manually resolve:
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM
Grant permissions of the following registry key
If the key Grace Period is present the license service has not removed the entry and will continue in an unlicensed mode.
The fix is the delete the Grace Period key
You will need to take ownership and grant permissions to the registry key
Reboot the the server
If the Grace Period key returns after the reboot, the listed hotfix must be applied
Open File - Security Warning when access content from file server
This is a per user setting in the registry and the easiest method I've found for setting this value is via a Group Policy registry setting.
I've launched Group Policy Management from the domain controller and selected the policy that applies to the users when logging into Citrix.
From the tree on the left expand User Configuration | Preferences | Windows SettingsRight click on Registry and select New | Registry Item
Action: Update
Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key Path: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains\[server name and/or FQDN]
Value Name: file
Value type: REG_DWORD
Value data: 1
Now I've added two entries, one for the server name, and one for the server fqdn. That way if a user accesses a resource as servername or servername.domain.xxx they are both covered by this policy.
After updating the GPO, and logging off then back on the system the policy is in effect and no more warnings.
The fix is to add the file server to the Internet Settings sites list in a less restrictive zone.
Value definitions:
Search Citrix support and faqs with Google custom search tool
Monday, January 5, 2015
Troubleshooting Citrix Receiver from Android - General Problem Try connecting again
Apparently the Receiver has a diagnostic facility that allows for gathering logs from the device. These can then be uploaded to taas.citrix.com for analysis.
1. From the menu select Send feedback
2. Request help from support
3. Send email with log files
Citrix has a CTX support article - http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX137973
Onkyo Receiver - Loss of Sound and Networking NR717
Well, now I went into setup and did a reset of the receiver and found that during setup it would not connect to the network.
Google to the rescue, a quick search revealed that Onkyo has a known issue with certain receivers, and my serial number was included in the warranty extension for repair. You actually can get a rebate for trade-in, or elect for Onkyo to send you a box for repair return. I've elected for repair, so I will post an update as this repair progresses.
Onkyo USA Support Information
08/19/2014 Loss of Audio/Network Connection Customer Care Program
As part of our commitment to quality and customer service we have determined that a limited number of Onkyo Brand receivers manufactured between 2009 and 2012 may experience loss of audio or loss of network connection. This malfunction has been traced back to a defective network chip. We deeply regret any frustration or inconvenience this situation may have caused. To address the problem and help people who may have an impacted receiver, Onkyo is launching a special Customer Care Program to remedy this issue for those receivers that may be affected by this loss of audio/network connection issue.
This program has three steps:
1. Verify if your Onkyo receiver is impacted
2. Decide how you prefer to address the issue
3. Send us your receiver in a prepaid box and label that we will provide at no cost to you.
As part of this program we are also extending our standard limited warranty period to cover this issue for affected receivers through December 31, 2018
All other terms, conditions and limitations of the original limited warranty shall continue to apply for the duration of the original standard limited warranty. Importantly, please note that the loss of audio/network connection issue will not result in harm to any connected components or speakers since the issue is contained to a single element within the affected receivers.
To determine if your receiver is eligible under this Customer Care Program please click here
Loss of Audio/Network Connection Customer Care Program for US and Canada customers
We thank you for your loyalty! Onkyo again apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and will provide this repair as expeditiously as possible.
http://www.onkyousa.com/Support/service_info.php