WSUS Part 3: Tuning you WSUS server with Powershell

WSUS Server cleanup

Because the WSUS server uses a lot of storage, it can be useful to clean the WSUS server regularly. This works well if you starts with cleaning regularly after a clean install. When you wait to long and the WSUS server becomes bigger and bigger, it will take a long time to clean the server. In PowerShell you can use this cmdlet:

Invoke-WsusServerCleanUp 

Parameters:

-CleanupObsoleteComputers

Specifies that the cmdlet deletes obsolete computers from the database.

-CleanupObsoleteUpdates

Specifies that the cmdlet deletes obsolete updates from the database.

-CleanupUnneededContentFiles

Specifies that the cmdlet deletes unneeded update files.

-CompressUpdates

Specifies that the cmdlet deletes obsolete revisions to updates from the database.

-DeclineExpiredUpdates

Specifies that the cmdlet declines expired updates.

-DeclineSupersededUpdates

Specifies that the cmdlet declines superseded updates.

-UpdateServer

Specifies the object that contains the WSUS server. This value is obtained by calling the Get-WsusServer cmdlet and passing the resulting IUpdateServer object into this cmdlet.

Example I use for my script:

Invoke-WsusServerCleanUp -CleanUpObsoleteUpdates -CleanupUnneededContentFiles -CompressUpdates

How to create an ISO with Powershell

I don't like to install ISO creation software on every jump or management server. I use a script from this website:

http://thelowercasew.com/create-an-iso-file-with-powershell

The code is easy to copy to a server in a RDP session or copy a PS1 file to a share and you can run on the server. You don't need any additional modules.

PowerShell: Download updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog

Download updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog

Most administrators use WSUS for deploying updates on a network. But sometimes it is useful to download stand-alone updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog. I found this PowerShell module:

 https://github.com/ryan-jan/MSCatalog

It is regularly updated and works fine for me. Soon I will post some examples.

Permissions and user rights for IIS 7.0 and later..

This is useful information for IIS servers:

Specify an Identity for an Application Pool (IIS 7)
Read more about  Identities in IIS here..

Default permissions and user rights for IIS 7.0 and later 
Read more about default permissions here..

Understanding Built-In User and Group Accounts in IIS 7
Read more about Built-In user and Group Accounts here..

VMware Tools & SIDEBYSIDE Event ID 33

On a few VM's the VMware tools didn't work. After starting the service, I got an error. This is the error in the Event Viewer:

Activation context generation failed for “C:\Program Files\VMWareTools\plugins\vmusr\vmtray.dll”. Dependent Assembly Microsoft.VC90.MFC,processorArchitecture=”amd64″,publicKeyToken=”1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b”,type=”win32″,version=”9.0.30729.4148″ could not be found. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.

The solution:

Install: 

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable – x86 9.0.30729.4148 (32bits)

or

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable – x64 9.0.30729.6161 (64bits)

For more useful information check this website:

http://vpxa.info/index.php/2016/02/16/vmware-tools-10-0-5-3227872-sydebyside-event-id-33/

Vmware to Hyper-V Conversion Tools

Vmware to Hyper-V Conversion Tools:

 More information at:
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/vmware-to-hyper-v-migration

Microsoft Datacenter TCO Analysis Tool

Microsoft Datacenter TCO Analysis Tool.

 

What is it ?

 

The Microsoft Cloud OS solution provides a modern datacenter with enterprise class virtualization, greater resource utilization, end-to-end service management and deep insight into applications so organizations can focus on delivering business value. Together with Windows Azure or a Microsoft Service Provider, you can also create advanced hybrid cloud deployment scenarios where seasonal spikes in demand can be easily managed through the public cloud.

Our web-based tool provides a quick comparison of the TCO and benefits of deploying a Microsoft hybrid cloud vs. a VMware private cloud solution for your new workloads; or migrating your existing VMware workloads.

http://www.datacentertcotool.com/ 

Upgrading VMware Tools Using RPM on a Linux Guest

Upgrading VMware Tools Using RPM on a Linux Guest Imported from Workstation Might Fail (1004319)

Details

Upgrading VMware Tools using RPM on a Linux guest might fail with a message similar to the following:
Error: unpacking of archive failed on file /usr/lib/vmware-tools/lib32/libXrender.so.1: cpio: rename failed - Is a directory
This problem occurs on a Workstation 5.x Linux virtual machine that is installed with Workstation 6.0 VMware Tools using RPM, and this virtual machine is imported into ESX Server 3.5.x.

Solution

To work around this issue:

1. Uninstall VMware Tools from the virtual machine:
   
   # rpm –qa | grep VMwareTools
   # rpm –e <old_tools_RPM_name>
   
   
2. Reinstall VMware Tools on the virtual machine:
   
   # rpm –ivh <new_tools_RPM_name>