Password issue with the initial configuration of a VMware VMA appliance

VMware has a pre-built appliance named VMA (VMware Management Assistant) that offers an alternative to the VCLI offering.  During the initial configuration of version 5.1 of VMA, a password must be set.  But regardless of the complexity of the value, an error would be returned stating the password was too simple.  The following value was accepted as the initial password during setup:

Qazx123!#

To disable the complex password requirement, use the following procedure.

1.  Log in as vi-admin and use the sudo –s command.

2.  Use the command pam-config –d –cracklib.

3.  Use the exit command.

4.  Use the passwd command to enter a new value.

Reset TCP/IP with recent versions of Windows

TCP/IP cannot be uninstalled with recent versions of Windows.  To “reset” TCP/IP for troubleshooting purposes, launch a command prompt with administrative privileges and use the following command:

netsh int ip reset c:\logname.txt

Another command to use if an issue persists would be:

netsh winsock reset

 

A Fix-IT option is available at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357 for resetting TCP/IP.

Limit Ad Tracking option within iOS version 6

Version 6 of iOS includes an option to limit ad tracking.  Access Settings –> General –> About -> Advertising and flip the switch to On.

Network Stuff

Network Stuff is a portable collection of essential networking tools that include a TCP/UDP/CGI port scanner, Whois lookup, DNS resolve, TCP/IP statistics, IP to MAC address conversion (ARP), Wake On LAN and an ICMP ping tool.  In addition, the program also includes a RAW packet sniffer, a transparent proxy server and generic client/server modules that allow you to test TCP and UDP communications.

http://jacquelin.potier.free.fr/networkstuff/

PoSHStats for Hyper-V

PoSHStats is the first free and open source reporting tool of Hyper-V Resource Metering. PoSHStats runs on your Hyper-V server to get detailed statistics like CPU, Memory, Disk and Bandwidth usage of your virtual machines. It's possible to get daily, weekly, monthly usage statistics of Virtual Machines. Also PoSHStats gets hourly performance data of your Hyper-V host to monitor your virtualization environment.

http://www.poshstats.net/

Fingerbank

Fingerbank is a web site that has a database of DHCP fingerprint.  A DHCP fingerprint is an almost unique identifier for a specific operating system or device type. Due to the broadcast and pervasive nature of DHCP, DHCP fingerprinting is a very low-cost low-effort way to do passive system identification and inventory.

www.fingerbank.org

List of VPN Service Providers

Below are some sites that offer VPN services.

BolehVPN

Astrill VPN

Private Internet Access

Witopia

BoxVPN

AirVPN

How to change the product key for Windows 8 and Server 2012

To change the product key for Windows 8 and Server 2012, launch an elevated command prompt and use the following command:

slmgr.vbs /ipk license key