Happy Holidays
I would like to wish everyone seasons greetings and a happy new year
Using SQL Nexus to capture Sql Server Performance Issues
This Tutorial will give you a run through of how you can use the great free tool Sql Nexus from codeplex.com to capture performance data from SQL Server and create a set of reports on how your server is operating
Download Prerequisites
Download the following components on the machine where you wish to carry out the analysis and report creation
SQLNexus
http://www.codeplex.com/sqlnexus
SQLDiag (installed default with SQL2005 and SQL2008)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms162833(SQL.90).aspx
PSSDiag (to use with SQL2000)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa175399(SQL.80).aspx
RML Utilities
http://blogs.msdn.com/psssql/archive/2007/12/18/rml-utilities-for-
microsoft-sql-server-released.aspx
Note:
For the machine upon which you need to collect data from you only require the Performance scripts download which can be downloaded from
http://sqlnexus.codeplex.com/Wiki/Info.aspx?title=Sql2005PerfStatsScript&action=Info
There is a version of the scripts for Sql Server 2005 and 2008 so download the appropriate version for the Sql Server you wish to investigate
On the Analysis Server Install the Required Components
On the Server upon which you will be analyzing the collected data install the following
RML Utilities for Sql Server
Install Microsoft Report Viewer 2008 Redistributable
Extract the SQL Nexus download to a folder on your File System e.g. C:\sqlnexus
You are now ready to collect data from your server that you wish to investigate
Set Up Data Capture Process on the Sql Server to be tested
We now need to setup the Data Capture on the Sql Server that we will be collecting data from using the Performance Scripts downloaded in a previous step
In this example we will be carrying out a data capture on a SQL Server 2005 instance
Download the Performance Scripts for Sql Server 2005 and extract the zip file to a folder on your file system.In this case i used F:\sqldiag
Within this folder you must create a folder called SQLDiagOutput
Next you must edit the batch file that starts the data collection (StartSQLDiagTrace.cmd) and set the path to the correct values for your SQL Server Installation
Make sure you set the path to the output folder and the path to the Sql Server Tools/binn directory
Save the file
Launch the Data Collection
When you are ready to start the data collection navigate to the folder that contains the StartSQLDiagTrace.cmd via a cmd line and start the batch file
This will create a temporary service called SQLDIAG on the system and start the data collection of a set of Performance Monitor Counters and a Sql Server server-side trace and output the data to the SQLDiagOutput Folder
Allow the data collection to run for sufficient time to collect data when your performance issue occurs
Note:
On a busy system quite some data can be collected!!!!. Watch your free space carefully! Have it running for maybe 10 mins and then stop the SQLDiag service.
When you have collected sufficient data run the stop batch file StopSQLDIagtrace.cmd
This batch file will finalize the data collection and remove the service called SQLDIAG
Once the batch file has finished running you can then zip up the contents on the SQLDIAGOutput folder and copy it to your server upon which you have SQL Nexus installed for analysis
Launch SQL Nexus for Analysis of Collected Data
Launch the SQL Nexus Tool by running the binary sqlnexus.exe binary
It will then prompt you for connection information to the SQL Server where you wish to store the collected data and analyze it
Create the Connection to an existing SQL Nexus Database or Create a new one
SQL Nexus uses a standard Sql Server Database to store the imported data from the collection scripts and also the analyzed data and reports
You need to either choose an existing SQL Nexus Database ,using the drop down menu in the top right drop down menu
Import the Collected Data
Click the Import Link on the Left hand side and navigate to the file system location where you have stored the contents of the data collected from the server to be analyzed (Contents of SQLDiagOutput Folder)
Use the Options link to set the options shown in the above screen shot
Then Click the Import button to start the import of the collected data into SQL Nexus and to start the analysis.
Examine the Reports
Clicking on the Reports Link on the Left hand Side we can then examine the various reports that the tool creates
The reports can be exported into an excel sheet (Other report formats are listed but Excel is the only one that works in the current release of SQL Nexus).
Some of the reports are shown below
Blocking and Resource Waits Report
SQL Server 2005 Perf Stats Report
SQL Server 2005 Bottleneck Analysis Report
Top Unique Batches Report
How to Setup a Test LDAPS Bind using Softerra LDAP Browser
This lesson will show you how to configure Softerra’s LDAP browser to communicate with Active Directory over a secure LDAP connection for testing purposes
Ensure your Active Directory Server has a certificate in place
Check that your Active Directory Server will allow LDAPS connections
Export the LDAPS Certificates using the Netscape v4 Browser
Download and install the Netscape web browser version 4.x. Note that it’s vital to use version 4.x – later version like 5+ or Firefox use newer certificate store format which is incompatible with the version used by LDAP Browser 2.x.
Run the Netscape browser.
Open URL: https://yourserver:sslport/, where:
yourserver – Your LDAP server address, provided it is an IP or host name. For example: 192.168.234.33 or ldap.mycompany.com.
sslport – A TCPIP port number used by your server to accept SSL connections. Usually this port number is 636.
You’ll see the Netscape Certificate Name Check window. Follow the instructions provided there and accept the server certificate for this and future sessions.
Close the Netscape browser
Copy the key3.db and cert7.db files from the Netscape user profile directory to the LDAP Administrator or LDAP Browser root directory overwriting the existing files.
Modify Your LDAP Browser Connection Profile
Restart LDAP Administrator or LDAP Browser.
* Open the server profile.
* Change Port number at the General tab. Press Apply.
* Check the Try to use SSL box at the LDAP Settings tab. Press Apply.
* Press OK
Check you can bind successfully over LDAPS
Having fun with Shadowbox
Spent most of today adding shadowbox functionality to my internal company wordpress site
I have to say i am a fan and it looks much nicer now than a normal embedded flash or QT player
How to Connect SLES 10 to a Free NAS iSCSI Server
This How To will give you a guide on how to connect a Suse Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 (SLES) to a Free NAS Server ,using iSCSI.
It is assumed that you have built and configured a Free NAS Server with working iSCSI Targets as detailed in the previous How To on creating a VMware of Free NAS
Install the iSCSI Initiator Package in SLES
Using the Software Management function in YAST add the iSCSI Initiator packages to your system.
Don’t forget to autocheck package dependencies.
Configure the iSCSI Initiator to connect to your Free NAS server
Once you have installed the iSCSI initiator packages it needs to be configured to connect to your iSCSI target in Free NAS
Fire up YAST and go to the Miscellaneous section where you will see iSCSI Initiator.
Launch iSCSI Initiator
Set the iSCSI Initiator Service to start when booting
Once the iSCSi Initiator GUI has launched on the first Tab set the Service Start to when booting
Add the iSCSI target
One the second Tab of the iSCSI Initiator you now need to input the Free NAS Target
Go to the Connected Targets Tab and click add
Input the IP address of your Free NAS Server and leave the TCP Port as the Default
For Free NAS keep the No Authentication Check box in place.
Click Next and the GUI will return to the previous screen with your target attached
Establish Target Connection
Once your new Target has been added Click Connect and in the next screen keep No Authentication checked
Click Next
You should now return to the screen that shows the list of iSCSI Targets and the one you just added should have a status of connected.
Click Next again to return to the main iSCSi initiator Screen
Change Startup
In the iSCSI Initiator GUI on the Connected Targets Tab Toggle startup to automatic by clicking the Toggle Startup button.
Click Finish.
Adding the iSCSI Target to the Linux File system
The next step is to add the newly added iSCSI target to the Linux File system using the YAST tool Partitioner
From YAST launch Partitioner from the system section.
In this screen you should see your iSCSI targets under the /dev/sdb and /dev/sdd devices in my example above
You next need to create a Linux Partition based on your iSCSI target and then assign it a mount point
Creating the Linux Partition and assigning a mount point Part One
Next Click the Create Button to convert Disk to Partition
Choose the relevant device for example /dev/sdd in my example
Click OK and Choose Primary Partition and then OK again
Creating the Linux Partition and assigning a mount point Part Two
You now need to format the newly created partition and set a mount-point
In my case I am using a mount point of /freenas
Click OK to return to the main Partitioner screen and don’t forget to click Apply
A pop up will appear asking if you really want to make the changes and choose apply
It will then return to the main partitioner screen where you should see your new mount point
If everything is ok Click Quit to finish
Close YAST
Check the new Mount-point
Now go to terminal and check that the new mount-point exists and is writeable
cd into your new mount-point and test it is writeable by touching a file there.
Well done you have successfully completed this How To !!!!!!
Apache LDAP Authentication How To
This lesson will show you how to install and configure Apache 2.2.x on Windows with LDAP Basic Authentication against Microsoft Active Directory
Install Apache 2.2.x
Download the latest Apache 2.2.x installer from http:://www.apache.org
Download the AUTH LDAP module for Apache 2.2 and also SUN C++ SDK
Download the SUN C++ SDK for Windows NT4 optimized version from the SUN SDK Website http://www.sun.com/download/products.xml?id=3ec28dbd
Download the version 3.11 of the pre compiled mod auth ldap dll from here http://muquit.com/muquit/software/mod_auth_ldap/mod_auth_ldap.html#directives Choose MS Windows binary v3.11 for Apache 2.2.2
Extract both zip files
Place the file mm_mod_auth_ldap.dll into the Apache modules Directory
Place the dlls from the SDK extracted zip file into the Apache Modules Directory
Open the Apache Httpd.conf file in your Favourite Text Editor
In order to control which URL requires LDAP authentication we use an Apache Location Directive
Add the Following to your httpd.conf and modify to fit your environment
All Values in the Screen Shot above with Red Arrows must be changed
# LDAP Stuff
LoadModule mm_auth_ldap_module modules/mm_mod_auth_ldap.dll
LDAP_UseMemoryCache_G On
LDAP_HashTableSize_G 1024
LDAP_CacheTTL_G 5000
LDAP_Persistent_G On
SupportNestedGroups_G On
<Location /wordpress>
Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
AllowOverride None
order allow,deny
allow from all
AuthBasicProvider “mm_ldap”
#AuthLDAPAuthoritative Off
#AuthAuthoritative Off
#AuthOnBind On
#Sub_DN “ou=CIS,ou=People”
Bind_Tries 3
AuthName “Authorized imaginary staff only”
AuthType Basic
LDAP_Debug On
LDAP_Server 192.168.254.40
LDAP_Protocol_Version 3
LDAP_Connect_Timeout 1000
Base_DN “CN=Users,DC=sjdec,DC=local”
UID_Attr “sAMAccountName”
Bind_DN ”CN=Administrator,CN=Users,DC=sjdec,DC=local”
Bind_Pass “livelink”
require valid-user
</Location>
Save the Httpd.conf and restart Apache
Test the Page in a Browser
Call the page defined by the Location Directive in a browser and a login popup should appear
Then Login with a LDAP User and Password
Use The Firefox Addon Live HTTP headers to check authentication
Install the Firefox Addon Live Http Headers and then repeat the login test above and view the HTTP response headers to check that authentication is working as expected
You should see the server issue an HTTP 401 when the page is called and then Basic Authorization being set once the user has logged in
Creating a Network Attached Storage VMware using Free NAS
This Tutorial will give you a run down on how to create a VMware using the free NAS FreeBSD Distro Free NAS http://freenas.org
Create a new VMware Virtual Server
Using the create new Server wizard create a new vmware server of type Other Linux 2.4 kernel
Assign a HDD of at least 8GB
Assign at least 256MB RAM
Download the freenas distro from the freenas site http://www.freenas.org/
Assign Networking of type bridged or host only as the NAS server should have a fixed IP address
Start up the Newly created VMware Server and allow Free Nas to boot up until it reaches the Console Setup Screen (See Above Screen Shot)
Install Free NAS on the Virtual machine
From the Console Setup Window choose option 9 Install/Upgrade to Hard Drive
Choose Option 2 Install embedded OS on HDD + Data Partition.
Click OK
Click OK
Select the CD-ROM Drive Found as the Installer source
Select the Target VMWare virtual disk as the Installer Target
Allow the Installer to continue
After it has formatted the disk Select Enter to return to the Install & Upgrade Screen
Choose Exit Option to return to the Setup Console
Assign a LAN IP Address for the Install
From the Console Setup Screen Choose Option 2 to Set the LAN IP address
Assign an IPv4 Static Address DO NOT USE DHCP
Once the IP has been assigned shutdown the System from the Console Setup menu and remove the ISO image of Free NAS from the virtual machine and then Start up the VM again to ensure it boots from the newly installed O/S and not the CD-ROM.
Access the Free NAS Admin Web GUI
Once the Virtual Machine has restarted you should now be able to reach the Free NAS Web Admin GUI using the IP address set in the previous Step
Login with user admin and password freenas
Add The Data Portion of the Data Disk
from The Web GUI Go to the Disk Menu and Choose Management
From The Disk Drop Down Choose the Vmware HDD and Click Add
Click Apply Changes
Add the Data Portion of the HDD as a new Mount-point
From the Web GUI Choose the Mount-point Menu Disks/Mount-point
click the Red Cross to add a Mount Point
Choose the Disk from the Drop Down created in the previous Step
Choose Partition of type 2 from the PArtition Drop Down
Input a Share Name e.g DATA
Dont Change any Other Options
Click Add
Then Click Apply Changes
Manually Adding Extents
For Each ISCSI Disk we wish to create for our NAS we must create an ISCSI Extent and Target
The Extents are based on a file in the Mount-point created in the previous step and must be created from the shell
Go back to the VMware and choose option 6 (Shell) from the Console Setup menu and this will return a standard linux Shell Prompt
Change Directory to the mount-point created earlier e.g cd /mnt/DATA
For each iSCSI Disk we require we must create an extent file
In this example I will create just one
At the shell prompt in the mount-point directory type touch QD
The name is not important.
We can now add the ISCSI Targets via the WEB GUI so can now go back to the Web GUI
Adding iSCSI Targets
From the WEB GUI go to the Services / iSCSI Target Page
Adding the Extent to the iSCSI Target
On the iSCSI target page in the Web GUI Click the + to add a new extent
On the Add Extent Page Choose Type File and in the Path window set the path to the extent file created from the shell (Use the Radio Button at the right of the window to choose the path to the file.
Set a Size for the Extent in MB and add a comment if you wish
Click Add and the browser should return to the previous page showing the newly added extent.
Creating an iSCSi Target using the newly created extent
From the iSCSI Target Page Click the + at the right of the Target section to add a new iSCSi target.
Choose the extent created in the previous step
Choose the Authorized Network that will have access to this iSCSI Target e.g. 192.168.254.0 / 24.
Click Add to return to the next page.
Completing the iSCSi Target Creation
From the iSCSI Target Page
Select the Enable Checkbox
Then click the Apply Changes button
Then Click the Save and Restart Button to apply the Changes to the Free NAS Server.
We are now finished with the Free NAS setup.
We should now able to attach a Windows Server to this iSCSI Target using the Windows iSCSI Initiator.
Download and Install the iSCSI Initiator
Download the Microsoft iSCSi Initiator from the Microsoft website http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=12cb3c1a-15d6-4585-b385-befd1319f825&displaylang=en
Once the download has finished run the installer
The Installer will place a short cut to the iSCSi configuration tool on your Desktop
Then Launch the Configuration tool in order to add an iSCSi target from our Free NAS server
In the Discovery Tab add the Free NAS server as a Target Portal
Go To the Targets Tab to see the iSCSi disks
In the iSCSI Initiator Tool go to the Targets Tab and you should see the iSCSI Targets provided by your Free NAs server
Select the relevant one and click the Logon button and then check the Automatically Restore this connection checkbox
Click OK
Click OK
The newly attached Disk should now be available in the Disk Management Admin Tool in Windows
Attach a Drive Letter and format the iSCSI disk
Open Administrative Tools Computer Management and go to Disk Management
A wizard should now run once it detects the new Disk
Assign a Drive Letter and format the Drive (NTFS)
You now have an iSCSI attached NAS disk that can be used for example to create a Windows Cluster
Have Fun !!!
