Kitkatninja

We're currently putting one of our tech's thru an IT apprenticeship. This is some of the experiences: 1. Has to be on a recognised training scheme, we've put him on one thru a college (see here). 2. It's 4 days at work, 1 day at college. 3. Depending on age and Government funding it can be free or your organisation may have to pay for it. 4. For the first year, the minimum wage that a apprentice earns is £95, then after a years satisfactory service it goes up to minimum wage. 5. The NVQ program can start at level 1 (comparable to GCSC D-G) and can go all the way up to NVQ level 5 (Master's degree level), if you can find a provider up to that level, most go up to NVQ level 3 or 4* *NVQ do not use the new 8 tier NQF, they use the pre 2006 one which is a 5 level NQF. 6. After they gain the NVQ 3, and the relevant experience. They can go for the C&G's LCGI (level 4) Diploma and the ICTTech award from the ECUK/IET. If you have any other questions, just questions, just ask -Ken

It does really depend on what they are quoting for? For instance: Redundancy, what virtual environment they will be implementing, any additional licensing, any new hardware, a new backup solution, etc... For instance, A single server setup New equipment: (what I would call) a new "standard" server to host 4 virtual servers would cost between £2500 - £3000. A cheap-ish SAN about £2500 - £3000 (if the server is not hosting it), licensing/administration tools (dependant on what you go for and what type of licensing you currently have, eg software assusrance from MS), then labour on top of that. With the old equipment, it does depend on the spec and whether or not it can be upgraded, added to that you have to take into consideration the cost of upgrade vs the lenght of warranty left on the server. Is it worth spending £xxxx's amount on a 2 year old server if you only have 1 year left on the warranty? Like Modey said, we've implemented virtualisation at a couple of primary schools, our's included (secondary) and we've kept the prices low, but it does really depend (like we've said) on what they've quoted for and what you go for in the end. -ken

This sounds promising, thanks -Ken

Apart from OP Software, I'm looking at DNA Helpdesk (it's ITIL so a more complex version of FITS) and Microsoft's own System Center Service Manager 2010. It's currently in beta, but it supports Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). We'll see if they're any good. -Ken

Two questions... 1. Have you updated the BIOS to the latest version? 2. Have you tried Windows 7 drivers (as Windows 7 & 2008 r2 basically have the same core)? Download page for the server. -Ken

Have you tried the publisher of the book? They may send out the CD at some sort of cost. Other places that you can try would be ebay & amazon. You may have to re-buy the book, but second hand it may not cost as much. -Ken

You won't be a MCP if you pass the 70-640 (or any of the new Gen exams), you'll be a MCTS. However you'll be part of the MCP program. You'll only gain the MCP credential if you pass one of the old gen exams. -ken

We use the Sophos WS1000 which protects against Virus/Malware/Spyware. -ken

Personally, I would do it in this order, if starting from fresh: Client (either the 70-620 or the 70-680), then 70-640, then 70-642, then 70-643, then the 70-647. Because I did the upgrade path, I did it in this way: Client (70-620), upgrade exam (which is equivilant to the 640, 642 & 643), then the Pro exam (70-647). -Ken

It has to do with licensing, Standard let you run 1 VM before you have to start licensing VM's. Enterprise covers 4 VM's before you have to start licensing them, Datacentre cover all VM's within it -Ken

IMO, go for Standard, unless you're going to run more than 1 VM within 2008 r2 and/or you're going to implement clustering. Plus standard is cheaper -Ken

I have, and I have to say that they are a very good resource. Not as dry as books, that's for sure. Other vendor's that I've used in the past include: Trainsignal & Learnkey. Both again very good -Ken

If you have the MCSE already, then in order to get the MCITP: EA you need two exams, the 70-649 (upgrade exam) and the 70-647 (Pro exam). Otherwise it's five exams, see here. -Ken

Tips: 1. Do not just use one form of study resource, use multiple. For example two different books, CBT's, audio books, flash cards, etc... 2. Don't just follow the books, experiment with the OS... 3. Use legit practice tests (eg Preplogic, Transcender, Measure-Up) and stay away from braindumps... 4. If you can, grab yourself a study buddy. When I was studying for it, the extra pair of eyes really helped 5. Don't rush & take your time. -ken

Cool, glad it's sorted -Ken

Because I have 2003 installed, it's slightly different as 2010 and 2007 run in the same Administrative group (I believe). Do this at your own risk, as you'll be modding your own AD environment. Run ADSIedit.msc Go ADSI edit -> Configuration -> CN=Configuration -> CN=Services -> CN=Microsoft Exchange -> CN= -> CN=Administrative Groups -> CN= -> CN=Servers You can "hard" delete the offending server in there. However, please be aware that anything you do can affect your exchange environment, please ensure that you have a valid backup of AD, and that you take full responsibility of any changes. I (like MS) take no responsibility of any actions taken. I've delete 2010 many times this way as we're migrating over to it - however that is in my environment. Hope this helps otherwise -Ken

Sorry what version? 2003 or 2007? -Ken

You can use ADSIedit to remove the server. Are you running other exchange servers? -Ken

Don't know, however I would like to know that too... If we're going to upgrade to SQL 2008, then we might as well upgrade the server at the same time -Ken

You sure that they're not talking about SQL 2008? We get supported by Bedford and last time I spoke with them, they didn't have a time frame -Ken

We currently use Exchange 2003, started the move to Exchange 2010 last week and hopefully will finish and have it up and running next week -Ken

Just sent them an e-mail -Ken

Thanks for that -Ken

That's the thing, we don't know how much it'll cost. So we're looking around to see... Who's Richard Willis? And what's SIF? -Ken

Hey all, Got a request, does anyone know any companies/individuals who can create a specific database in a proper DB (SQL based, not access), that can pull data in from Sims .Net - have multiple security levels, create a front-end interface (web-based preferable) and have this database linked in with our VLE (possible). This db also needs to store a wide varity of doc's, conversations, other data, etc... If you guys/gals knows, if you can let me know, that be great -ken