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NTP (Network Time Protocol) synchronizes the time for time servers and clients. You can use it to synchronize your routers, switches, and access points. Synchronization also makes logs more useful, by ensuring that the timestamps are reliable.

Unfortunately, a number of things can go wrong with NTP synchronization. If NTP isn’t working properly, there are several debug commands you can use to help troubleshoot the problem.

To initiate any debug commands, first make sure service timestamps are on:

service timestamps debug datetime localtime msec

You can then use debug commands such as the following:
debug ntp events
debug ntp errors

For further information, there are additional debug commands available, including:
debug ntp packet
debug ntp validity
debug ntp authentication

The first one (packet) shows you the NTP packets. The second (validity) displays failed tests. The third shows the authentication key ID.

Another thing you can try if NTP isn’t working is to set client times close to the proper time. If the time is too far off, NTP may not kick in.

For more information on common NTP problems and troubleshooting steps, see the following link:
https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-1263

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As an administrator, one of the most valuable skills you can develop is the ability to analyze and optimize each server’s performance. Windows Server 2003 includes an excellent utility for analyzing your server’s performance: System Monitor. You’ll find System Monitor invaluable for determining exactly what’s going on inside a server. You can even schedule it to run at regular intervals to hopefully head off problems before they arise.

To define a schedule for capturing performance data:

1. Select the Schedule tab.
2. Specify a schedule for when you want to capture the performance data.
3. Click OK to save your changes.

Just remember, it’s best if you record performance information on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday when your network is under its most typical workload. As you probably already know, more people are absent from work on Mondays and Fridays.

If you are in charge of computers open to the public or accessed by employees with a high turnover rate, you want to set the supervisor BIOS passwords on all computers to prevent users from modifying the most basic computer settings. By setting the password, you are also preventing hackers, vandals, and departing employees from setting the password and locking you out of the BIOS. Once you set the password, you must remember it or face the difficult challenge of working around a built-in security feature.

On many desktops, you can disconnect the battery power from the BIOS CMOS for a few hours and make the password, and all non-standard computer settings, disappear from memory. Some computers have jumpers or switches that cut power to the CMOS, while in others you need to unplug or unsolder the battery. Laptops have superior security features, and may require chip replacement. Laptop hard drives may also be password protected when you set the BIOS supervisor password, and can be much harder to recover. A search on “BIOS supervisor password” brings up dozens of sites that offer common backdoor passwords you can try, software programs that attempt to crack the password, and services that will remove the password protection. All these options involve some risk, so avoid all these problems by setting and recording your BIOS supervisor password.

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Learn more ways to keep your network secure with our Certified EC-Council training!

Join Matt Hester and other Microsoft technical experts at a FREE Microsoft IT Camp for hands-on labs, demos, and interactive discussions. Here’s your chance to learn more about getting your datacenter ready for the cloud, whether you want to upgrade your on-premise datacenter or get connected to the cloud. This IT Camp will showcase the next generation of datacenter technologies featuring Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 SP1, and Windows Azure IaaS..

To participate in the afternoon hands-on lab session, you will need to bring your own computer (laptop preferred) with the following minimum configuration:

• 4 GB RAM (8 GB preferred)
• At least 70 GB of free disk space (90 GB preferred)
• x64 compatible processor with hardware assisted virtualization (Intel VT or AMD-V technology)
• Installed OS of Windows Server 2012 (Preferred), or Windows 8.
• NO Drive encryption technology (Bitlocker or 3rd party)
• Required: Come with a Windows Azure subscription. A free 90-day trial is available here.
• Download Windows Server 2012 Trial (both ISO and VHD).
• Download Windows 8 Enterprise Trial.
• Download the free 180 day Private Cloud or System Center 2012 SP1 trial here.
• Recommended: Although wireless internet access will be available, you may find that bringing your own mobile connectivity (MiFi™, phone data tethering, etc.) will be desirable.

If you are unable to attend in person, you may be interested in a Hands-on Lab Online (HOLO) on Windows 8 or Windows Azure.

Here are the dates:

Don’t miss out! Register now!

If you are a Windows Server administrator, one of the critical jobs you usually do is manage the server, especially File Servers.

File Servers are usually accessible to more than one user for retrieving, adding, modifying, or deleting files. And, the reality is, it’s hard to keep track of what changes have been made over a period of time.

The only way to keep track of the changes is to document the baseline and the differences at every step. Sort of like a daily inventory and audit of your directories.

To do this, you need to create a batch file using a text editor. It will record the date & time when the record was taken and the actual details which you can use to compare the changes. Directory structures or files present in the directories will be saved in Filesys.log

1. In your text editor, preferably Notepad, type in the following :echo OFF
   echo Filesystem Snapshot in Progress
   echo OFF
   echo Snapshot Time: %date% %time% >> “Filesys.log”
   echo >> “Filesys.log”
   echo ==== START OF LOG ================== >> “Filesys.log”
   tree /F >> “Filesys.log”
   echo ==== END OF LOG ==================== >> “Filesys.log”
2. Save it as <filename>.bat in C:\ .
   
3. Once saved, on the command line, just type in the name of the batch file to execute.
   Example:   C:\> FSAUDIT.batThis should execute and produce a file Filesys.log on the same directory.
4. Rename Filesys.log into a filename indicating the date when the snapshot was taken.
   Example:   C:\> ren Filesys.log_Mar_24_2010.log
5. To compare changes between various log files, execute gfch command.Example:   C:\> fc Mar_10_2010.log_Mar_24_2010.log
   Comparing files Mar_10_2010.log and Mar_24_2010.log
   ***** Mar_10_2010.log
   C:.
   „    angel.txt
   „    BA_activities.doc***** Mar_24_2010.log
   C:.
   „    jhjhjhangel.txt
   „    BA_activities.doc
   *****

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Learn more about Windows Server with our Microsoft Authorized courses, here!

In a Microsoft-sponsored skills gap study, IDC examined the correlation between the growth of cloud computing and the need for certified, trained, “cloud-ready” professionals to provide support for a rapidly changing technology environment.

The study shows that across 600 hiring managers, the demand for “cloud-ready” IT workers will grow by 26 percent annually through 2015, which translates to  as many as 7 million new cloud-related jobs. The study also reveals that IT hiring managers’ primary reason for not filling an existing 1.7 million open cloud-related positions in 2012 was due to applicants’ lack of experience, training, and certification.

According to IDC Vice President, Cushing Anderson, “Unlike IT skill shortages in the past, solving this gap is extremely challenging, given that cloud brings a new set of skills which haven’t been needed in the past.  There is no one-size-fits-all set of criteria for jobs in cloud computing. Therefore, training and certification is essential for preparing prospective candidates to work in cloud related jobs.”

Read more about this study on Microsoft’s Born to Learn blog.

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New Horizons offers Authorized Cloud Training in a variety of products and vendors to help you achieve essential training and certification in the rapidly growing cloud computing environment. Learn more here.

Microsoft certifications represent a rich and varied spectrum of job roles and responsibilities. Earning a specific credential provides objective validation of the ability to successfully perform critical IT functions. Microsoft Certification distinguishes individuals with technical expertise and proves their ability to design and build innovative solutions across multiple technologies, both on-premise and in the cloud.

Microsoft’s Born to Learn website has released roadmap graphics detailing the pathways to Microsoft Certification.
Read more…

From the office of John R. Kasich, Governor, State of Ohio 

Incumbent Workforce Training Effort Part of Broader Kasich Workforce Development Reform Initiative

Today Gov. John R. Kasich announced a new and aggressive approach to helping Ohio workers improve their skills while also enhancing the economic competitiveness of Ohio companies. The Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program provides $20 million for training opportunities designed to enhance worker skills.

“Continuing Ohio’s recovery means helping job-creators and workers have access to the tools they need to modernize and evolve, and one of the most important tools is knowledge. It used to be that virtually the only way workers could get training help was to lose their jobs. Wouldn’t it be better if Ohio could help prevent lay-offs to begin with by helping workers get the skills they need so their employers are more competitive and workers keep their jobs? That’s the aim of this effort. Workers and businesses across Ohio become more competitive when they can take their know-how to the next level,” said Kasich.

The program provides direct financial assistance to both Ohio workers looking to improve their skills and employers looking to enhance the skills of their workforce. The program is designed to offset a portion of the employer or employee’s costs for training and will provide reimbursement to eligible employers for specific costs accrued during training. Applications will be available for the program beginning January 7, 2013. Workers and companies can learn more about the program and apply for it by visiting www.OhioMeansJobs.com.

The Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program, administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency, is part of Governor Kasich’s overall workforce development reform effort.

An essential part of Ohio’s economic revival is enhancing Ohio workers’ competitiveness by creating a world-class workforce development system. Streamlining Ohio’s fragmented worker training programs and services to be more responsive to the needs of workers and job-creators, better aligning the needs of employers and training programs, and more closely engaging business leaders in workforce development efforts are all new initiatives begun by Gov. Kasich to transform Ohio’s workforce to help further fuel Ohio’s recovery.

CEB, a member-based advisory company, has released its annual “Executive Guidance” report, which indicates that the majority of executives are seeking performance gains of 20 percent from their employees to achieve business goals in 2013.

However, only 5 percent of employees have the ideal mix of core skills and competencies to deliver the results required. And since only 32 percent of executives plan to hire to meet their goals, companies will need to develop and transform existing workforces to achieve high performance and greater productivity, according to the study.

In a study of more than 20,000 employees, CEB determined that the convergence of a sluggish economy, globalization and a host of other business challenges has fundamentally changed workplace dynamics. Employees must work differently to survive where frequent organizational change, knowledge work and increased collaboration are the norm.

To thrive under these conditions, employees must be immune to the complexities of change, willing to collaborate with a broad range of individuals and be able to apply sound judgment in increasingly knowledge-based roles.

Executives seeking to develop and transform their employee base to realize business goals in the new work environment should:

• Accelerate Skill Development Through Guided Stretch Roles: Promote learning on the job by designing stretch roles to drive collaboration as well as business objectives.

• Adjust Employee Roles to the Demand and Supply Sides of Collaboration: Redefine employee roles to emphasize collaboration and broader organizational impact.

• Reorient Managers to Guide and Empower Knowledge Workers: Focus managers on removing complications that arise in a less routine, more ambiguous work environment.

• Target Technology Investments to the Evolving Needs of Knowledge Work and Collaborative Teams: Improve mobility, data usability, collaboration platforms and customized applications by building back from specific employee needs, not broad business objectives.

Source: http://clomedia.com/articles/view/study-enhanced-employee-development-needed-in-2013

For a limited time, Microsoft is offering free downloads and trials of some of their latest software! Use the links below to get your system up to date with Windows Server 2012, Hyper-V, Windows Azure, and System Center 2012.

• Get hands-on experience with the new Windows Server 2012.
• Get the best virtualization platform with a free Hyper-V Download!
• Windows Azure 90-day free trial: Try Windows Azure for free & use any OS, language, database or tool.
• Download System Center 2012 as part of the Microsoft private cloud evaluation.

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Get ready for the newest Microsoft software with New Horizons Authorized Training! Check out our Microsoft Classes.