Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) brings the convenience of native Linux functionality to Windows Server. You have access to a fully functional Linux kernel in the distribution of your choice embedded right where you have instant access without needing to rely on a heavy virtualization layer or a thick emulator. This article focuses on WSL …
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The growth of digital threats has made our need for security more pervasive. Where possible, we try to use active schemes. However, private key infrastructure and certificates serve a powerful purpose and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. As threats grow, we as systems administrators need to improve the way that we …
[citationic] While not terribly common, sometimes you need to know the “bitness” of an executable (32-bit or 64-bit). The sudden growth of architectures besides traditional x86 and x64 (ARM, etc.) has introduced a related need to know the processor that an executable targets. Every EXE file has this information embedded in a common, easily read …
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The C++20 standard introduced modules. This feature enhances the language by reducing reliance on header files. Visual Studio 2022’s Visual C++ projects have built-in support for modules. However, they don’t automatically provide access to modularized versions of the standard library headers. This article shows a quick way to configure Visual Studio 2022 to use C++ …
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Most yes/no questions in server administration have the wonderfully vague answer of “it depends”. This question, however, does not. Unequivocally: yes, server administrators should learn to code. If you got into this line of work because you enjoy computing but don’t want to program, take heart. You do not need to achieve anything like the …
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The situation that prompted this article involved a Windows Server Standard Edition virtual machine that was migrated from a Windows Server Datacenter host to a Windows Server Standard Edition host. On the source host, the guest had used Automatic Virtual Machine Activation. That feature only exists on Datacenter Edition, so the virtual machine immediately went …
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In a perfect world, server administrators would only need to install, maintain, and troubleshoot hardware and software. We would have access to detailed manuals, walkthroughs, and capable support staff. Employers would give us the freedom we need to select and deploy the best options. Industries and verticals would have standardized on the most superior solutions, …
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Whether setting up a lab or deploying into production, server administrators need to gain comfort with the installation process for Windows Server. This article specifically shows how to install Windows Server 2022. The process has not had much more than cosmetic changes for about a decade. These directions start at the beginning and go through …
Every new field we explore starts with the same basic question: “Where do I start?” Many of us worked with home computers before moving into the world of professional IT. The lucky ones enjoyed a smooth ramp-up. As the field continues to expand and consumer-grade systems require less knowledge to use, that transition becomes rougher. …
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This site focuses on systems administrators, but everyone at every level, technical or not, needs to report problems. As the first point of contact, your trouble ticket (or e-mail, or problem report, or service ticket, or helpdesk request, or whatever your organization might call it) sets the tone for the future interactions necessary to get …
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