How to Archives

Configuration Manager 1606 Hotfix KB3180992

by Mark | Oct 23, 2016 | How To, Patch Releases, SCCM

Configuration Manager 1606 Hotfix KB3180992

If you’re using System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) and haven’t updated to build 5.00.8412.1204 yet, it’s time to do so. Microsoft has released a hotfix KB3180992 to fix various issues with SCCM. In this article, we’ll guide you through the installation process and explain how to fix the known issues that this hotfix addresses.

What’s New in SCCM 1606 Hotfix KB3180992

This hotfix addresses several known issues with SCCM, including:

An exception error that occurs when selecting the “Update all clients in the hierarchy using production client” option on the Client Upgrade tab of Hierarchy Settings Properties.
Software update installation freezing on SCCM clients.
Inaccurate client counts on the Production and Preproduction Client Deployment dashboards.
Incorrectly showing a state of Compliant on the Device Compliance section of the Software Center application.
Incorrectly showing an error state that indicates the role is not available on the Service Connection Point after upgrading to version 1606.
The SMS Agent Host process consuming excessive CPU resources on Pull Distribution Points after updating to version 1606.
The ccmexec.exe process stopping responding when distributing a software update package containing many updates to a Pull Distribution Point.

SCCM 1606 Hotfix FAQ

Question	Answer
What is System Centre Configuration Manager?	System Centre Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a software management tool that allows administrators to manage large numbers of computers and devices from a single location.
What is Configuration Manager 1606 Hotfix KB3180992?	Configuration Manager 1606 Hotfix KB3180992 is an update for SCCM that fixes various issues identified with SCCM, including a freeze during software update installation and inaccurate client counts.
How do I install Configuration Manager 1606 Hotfix KB3180992?	To install this update, go to Administration, then expand Cloud Services and highlight Updates and Servicing. In the main console window, you should see the SCCM 1606 Hotfix has downloaded and is available for deployment. Highlight the update (KB3180992), right-click, then run the prerequisite pack. This will now check that your SCCM meets the prerequisites for this update. Once the prerequisite check has completed, highlight the update once again, right-click, and choose Install Update Pack.
What should I do if the Service Connection Point incorrectly shows an error state after upgrading to version 1606?	If the Service Connection Point is already showing an error state after upgrading to version 1606, you need to change the Availability State registry value from 1 to 4 under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE-SOFTWARE-Microsoft-SMS-Operations Management-SMS Server Role-SMS Dmp Connector, then restart the SMS Executive service on the site server.
How do I validate the client update on my preproduction SCCM members?	On the Client Update Options Tab of the Configuration Manager Updates Wizard, you have the chance to validate the client update on your preproduction SCCM members. Simply select the checkbox next to “Validate in pre-production collection” and choose the pre-production collection to use for validation.
How long does it take to install SCCM 1606 Update 1?	Installation of SCCM 1606 Update 1 may take some time, as it installs in the background. Keep refreshing the window to see when KB3180992 shows a status of installed.

How to upgrade SCCM

To install this update, go to Administration, then expand Cloud Services and highlight Updates and Servicing.

In the main console Window, you should now see the SCCM 1606 Hotfix has downloaded and is available for deployment.

Highlight the update (KB3180992), Right Click then Run Prerequisite Pack. This will now check that your SCCM meets the prerequisites for this update.

This may take some time, so be patient and be sure to refresh the console to make sure the prerequisite check has been successful.

Now that the prerequisite check has completed, highlight the update once again, right click and choose Install Update Pack

Next you are presented with the Configuration Manager Updates Wizard. Click on Next to start the installation.

On the Client Update Options Tab, you have the chance to validate the client update on your preproduction SCCM members. In this example, I am upgrading without validation.

Click Next to continue.

Accept the License Terms and click Next.

Review you are happy with the options you have selected on the Summary Tab, then click Next.

Installation of the SCCM 1606 Update 1 will now occur. If all goes well, you should see the Completion Window as below. SCCM will install this in the background, so it may take some time. Keep refreshing the Window, to see when KB3180992 shows a status of installed.

Automate Azure Shutdown

by Mark | Sep 26, 2016 | AVMS, Azure, Cloud Computing, How To, Schedule

Automate the Shutdown and Startup of your Azure VMs

If you’re using Microsoft Azure, you know that time is money when it comes to running virtual machines. Fortunately, you can automate the shutdown and startup of your Azure VMs to save both. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of automating your virtual machine schedules and provide a step-by-step guide to getting started..

Azure Overview

As one of the leading providers of IAAS, SAAS, PAAS, and DRAAS, Microsoft’s Azure cloud is flexible and supports a huge selection of operating systems and programming languages. You can run Windows or Linux servers, as well as Windows and Linux containers with Docker integration. Azure also allows you to build applications on a solid, highly scalable infrastructure built by Microsoft.

Benefits of Microsoft Azure Cloud Offering

Some of the benefits of Microsoft’s Azure cloud offering include:

No upfront costs
No termination fees
Pay only for what you use
Per minute billing
Quick to build, deploy, and scale (up or down)

Automating Azure VM Shutdown and Startup

To save time and money, especially with virtual machines that aren’t required to operate outside regular business hours (for example, development and test VMs), having the ability to automate a scheduled shutdown and power back on of your virtual machines is crucial. Here’s how to get started:

Download and Install Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler (AVMS)

First, download and install the Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler (AVMS) that we’ve developed. You can run this application within your on-premise network as long as it has internet access, or alternatively, as a Virtual Machine running within Azure itself. However, if you’re running it in Azure, be mindful not to select this machine to be one of those you choose to power down.

Configure Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler (AVMS)

Once installed, configure the Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler by following the instructions provided in the link.

Automate Azure VM Shutdown and Startup

Now that you’ve installed and configured the Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler, it’s time to automate the shutdown and startup of your VMs. Follow the link to see how to automate Azure shutdown and power on of your virtual machines.

Automating the shutdown and startup of your Azure VMs is a simple but effective way to save time and money. With Microsoft’s Azure cloud, you have the flexibility and scalability to meet all your business needs. Follow the step-by-step guide we’ve provided to start automating your virtual machine schedules today.

How to Automate a scheduled power down and on of Azure VMs

by Mark | Sep 8, 2016 | AVMS, Azure, Cloud Computing, How To, Schedule

How to Automate a scheduled power down and on of Azure VMs

Automate the Shutdown

If you need to create an automated process that shuts down or powers on your Azure VMs to save you from paying fees to Microsoft for services while they are not being utilised, you can do this with the Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler tool that we have created. AVMS as it is known can automate a schedules that you specify to do all this for you and to send you email alerts during the process. You could use AVMS for your Development and Test systems housed within Azure, saving you money while they are not being used.

It is quite a simple process to create a new schedule. Open up the Azure Virtual Machine Scheduling tool and first let it sync with your Microsoft Azure Subscriptions so that it can populate all your VMs.

Start your Azure VM Automation Schedule

Click the Virtual Machines Icon to show your Azure virtual machines.

Schedule Azure VM shutdown

List all your Azure VMs

The Azure VM Scheduler / Orchestrator will scan your total Azure Environment and list all your Azure VMs.

Shutdown Azure VM

Select your Azure VMs

Select the Azure VMs you want to either power down or power on and make sure that you tick the according checkbox for each machine. Once you have selected all the machines you wish, right click in the console as below and choose create new schedule.

Azure Create new schedule

Azure VM Schedule Details

Next, give the schedule a name, use the drop down box to choose whether to automate a power on or shutdown schedule for your Azure Virtual Machines and then a description if you wish to do so. Click OK to continue. In the example below, we can see we are creating a Power on Schedule. Keep in mind, if you wish to power machines on and then off, you will need to go through these steps twice, choosing the appropriate Job type.

Azure VM Schedule Creation

Schedule the Power on of your Azure VMs

Click NEW to create a new schedule

AVMS Power On Schedule execute

Choose your Azure VM Power On date and time

Now choose a date and time you wish your Azure virtual machines to Power On. Click OK when ready.

Azure VM Power On Schedule

Confirm the Azure VM Power On schedule

Confirm the Date and Time are what you created and then click OK.

Azure VM Power On Schedule Complete

Thats all there is to it. You have now automated a scheduled power down or power on of your virtual machines within Azure.

The Azure Virtual Machine Scheduling tool will now start up your virtual machines with Microsoft’s Azure cloud at the time you specified. If you have setup email alerts, you will be notified when the job starts and completes.

Azure VM Shutdown Schedule

If you now need to complete a Power Off schedule, go through these same steps again, but choose Shutdown Virtual Machines (Deallocate) as show in the window below.

Click this link to learn more about the Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler. Feel free to Download a fully functioning 30 day trial and test it for yourself.

Also, see the other products that SmiKar Software have developed. From SnaPatch our patch management addon for SCCM, SnapShot Master that automates your Vmware or Hyper-V snapshots and even AVMD our free tool that helps deploy Virtual Machines to Microsoft’s Azure cloud.

The Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler tool is an excellent way to automate the power down and on of your Azure VMs, saving you money while they are not being used. It is a straightforward process that can be completed within a matter of minutes. Try it out for yourself and see how it can benefit you. For more information on the Azure Virtual Machine Scheduler and other tools developed by SmiKar Software, click the link provided in this article.

Microsoft patches KB3177725 & KB3176493 causing printing issues

by Mark | Aug 18, 2016 | Deployment, Errors, Fixes, Security

Microsoft August Patch Tuesday Release Causes Printing Issues: How to Fix it

Are you experiencing printing problems on your Windows PC after installing the latest security updates from Microsoft? If yes, then you are not alone. Two recent patches released by Microsoft, KB3177725 and KB3176493, seem to be causing printing issues on multiple Windows versions. In this article, we will discuss the details of this issue and how to fix it.

What are KB3177725 and KB3176493?

KB3177725 and KB3176493 are two security updates released by Microsoft in its August Patch Tuesday Release. These updates were designed to patch security vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and server editions of their software, including Windows server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, and 2012 R2.

What is the issue caused by these updates?

The issue caused by these updates is the inability to print more than one page at a time. Some users have reported that it corrupts all print jobs with an error. Initially, Microsoft claimed that the problem was due to incompatibility issues between Windows and Printer Drivers. However, the company later acknowledged that the issue was caused by these two updates.

Update

What is the fix for this issue?

UPDATE: Previously we mentioned the only work around is to uninstall either or both KB3177725 and KB3176493.

Well Microsoft have come through and have released another patch that will fix the issues caused by these two security updates. KB3187022 – Print functionality is broken after any of the MS16-098 security updates are installed

Patch is available to download from the Microsoft site https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3187022

There has been other issues this month, caused by the August Security Patches. Microsoft Patch KB3179575 causing authentication issues with Windows 2012 servers and KB3176934 breaks Windows 10 Powershell

If you are a SnaPatch customer, you are in luck. SnaPatch allows you to quickly and easily roll back your virtual machines to the prior security update deployment snapshot, thereby avoiding further issues. To learn more about what SnaPatch offers and how it can help you avoid similar issues, click the link provided.

In conclusion, if you are experiencing printing issues on your Windows PC after installing the latest security updates from Microsoft, then you are not alone. The patches causing these problems are KB3177725 and KB3176493. However, Microsoft has released a fix for this issue in the form of KB3187022. We recommend that you download and install this patch to resolve the issue.

How to snapshot multiple VMs

by Mark | Aug 9, 2016 | How To, Microsoft HyperV, Snapshot / Checkpoint, VMWare

How to snapshot multiple VM servers with SnapShot Master

SnapShot Master is a software that helps to create or delete snapshots of multiple VMs in unison. It is a useful tool for VMware’s Vsphere and Microsoft’s HyperV users. With this software, taking snapshots of multiple VMs is a relatively easy task. In this article, we will guide you through the process of snapshotting multiple VM servers using SnapShot Master.

Installing SnapShot Master Before you can use SnapShot Master, you need to install it in your environment. If you haven’t done so, you can download the software and request a 30-day trial key. Once you have installed and are running SnapShot Master in your environment, you can proceed to snapshot multiple VMs.

Synchronous or Asynchronous Snapshotting SnapShot Master can perform snapshotting synchronously or asynchronously. This means that it can keep systems that need to be in sync, have snapshots taken at the same time, or one after the other. To learn more about the functions of SnapShot Master, click this link.

Syncing with Your Virtual Environment Open your SnapShot Master console and let it synchronize with your VMware or HyperV environment. Depending on your virtual environment, this may take some time.

The need arises at times for the creation or deletion of snapshots of multiple VMs in unison. Creating snapshots of multiple VMs (virtual servers) for VMware’s Vsphere or even for Microsoft’s HyperV with SnapShot Master is a relatively easy task. Hopefully you have installed and are running SnapShot Master in your environment, if not, you can download and request a 30 Day trial key and try it out for yourself.

SnapShot Master can do this synchronously or asynchronously. This can keep systems that need to be in sync, have snapshots taken at the same time, or one after the other. To learn more about the functions of SnapShot Master, click this link.

VM Console Screen

Open you SnapShot Master console and let it synchronise with your Vmware or HyperV environment. Depending on your virtual environment, this may take some time.

Virtual Machines Populated.

Now that the console has populated, Tick the checkboxes of the corresponding virtual machines that you wish a snapshot to be performed for.

Virtual Machine Selection

Once you have selected the multiple VMs for a snapshot, right click on any VM and scroll down the drop down menu to Selected VMs then across to Take Snapshot.

VM Snapshot Name

Once you have selected the multiple VMs for a snapshot, right click on any VM and scroll down the drop down menu to Selected VMs then across to Take Snapshot.

Execute or Schedule VM Snapshot Job

You are now prompted to either Execute Now or Schedule Job. If you choose to execute now, the job will start to immediately snapshot multiple VMs. To schedule the snapshot for a later time, choose Schedule Job.

Schedule Snapshot Time

We now need to create a schedule for when you wish the snapshots to be performed. Click on New in the scheduling window and set the Date and Time then close the Windows.

Scheduled Snapshot Notifications

So thats all there is to it. You have chosen the virtual machines that require a snapshot, set your snapshot schedule and SnapShot Master will complete all this. If you have setup email notifications, you will receive emails detailing success and any failures.

Taking a snaphot multiple VMs has never been easier than with SnapShot Master. To learn what else SnapShot Master can do, other than snapshot multiple VMs, click this link.

Download a trial of SnapShot Master today.

To trial SnapShot Master, fill in the form below to get access to download the trial software.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Send download link to:

SnapShot Master FAQs

Disaster Recovery

SnapShot Master can be used to create snapshots of multiple VMs at once, ensuring that all the VMs are captured at the same point in time. This makes it easy to restore the VMs in case of a disaster.

Testing and Development

SnapShot Master can be used to create a snapshot of a VM before making any changes. This allows developers and testers to revert back to the original state if anything goes wrong during testing.

Reporting and Auditing

SnapShot Master can be used to create snapshots of VMs on a regular basis for reporting and auditing purposes. This ensures that you always have a historical record of the VMs.

Performance Tuning

SnapShot Master can be used to create snapshots before making any performance tuning changes. This allows you to compare the performance of the VM before and after the changes.

Patch Management

SnapShot Master can be used to create snapshots before applying patches to the VMs. This ensures that you have a backup of the VM before applying any changes.

Overall, SnapShot Master is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of use cases, providing a simple and efficient way to create and manage snapshots of multiple VMs.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Configuration Manager 1606 Hotfix KB3180992