Discover core databases for a Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 farm

Posted on March 4, 2010, under SharePoint.

Below are steps for one method to discover databases used by a WSS 3.0 farm. Log in to SharePoint Central Administration for each of these activities.

Configuration Database

  1. Go to the “Operations” tab
  2. Click “Servers in Farm”
  3. Under “Farm Information” see the following items:
    1. Configuration database server
    2. Configuration database name

Central Administration Content Database

  1. Go to the “Application Management” tab
  2. Click “Web application list”
  3. Click “SharePoint Central Administration v3″
  4. Under “SharePoint Site Management”, click “Site collection list”
  5. Under the root “/” site, look in the information table for the “Database Name” value

General Usage Content Databases

  1. Go to the “Application Management” tab
  2. Click “Web application list”
  3. For each web application listed other than “SharePoint Central Administration v3″ (see above), perform the following:
    1. Click the web application name
    2. Under “SharePoint Site Management”, click “Site collection list”
    3. For each listed site collection (by URL):
      1. Click the URL of the site collection
      2. In the information table, look for the “Database Name” value

Search Database

  1. Go to the “Operations” tab
  2. Under “Topology and Services”, click “Services on server”
  3. Click the text “Windows SharePoint Services Help Search”
  4. Under “Search Database”, look for the values:
    • Database Server
    • Database Name

VMware Player – Now creates 64-bit VMs!

Posted on January 25, 2010, under General, SharePoint, Web Dev/Tech.

At home, I recently moved from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. On my Vista setup, I had VirtualPC installed to set up my own labs, installing servers and learning more about various server applications.

I was disappointed to see VirtualPC is no longer supported for Home versions of Windows. I was also disappointed to see the free VMware Server equivalent of VirtualPC had disappeared.

However, I just discovered the free VMware Player now not only runs VMs, as it always has, but also allows you to create them! You can also create and run 64-bit guest VM’s if you have the appropriate hardware, which I do. VirtualPC can’t do that. Sweet!

Update: A co-worker (thanks Shane!) mentioned to me the free VMware Server is still available. I’m going to try out Player, hoping it is more light-weight, and see how it goes first.

Nintex Workflow – “Run If” is King

Posted on November 17, 2009, under SharePoint, Web Dev/Tech.

If you run into logic nesting issues using Nintex Workflow, remember that “Run If” is better than “Set a Condition”.

Walkie Talkie

Posted on November 9, 2009, under Entertainment.

“A Time for Choosing”

Posted on November 2, 2009, under Current Events, General.

“A Time for Choosing” by Ronald Reagan

Windows 7 – Homegroups

Posted on October 25, 2009, under Web Dev/Tech.

Finally! Easy home networking. I bought a Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack (3 licenses), set up a Homegroup to share files and a printer, and I’m loving it. Super easy.

Presidential control of the private Internet

Posted on August 28, 2009, under General, Security, Web Dev/Tech.

Bill would give president emergency control of Internet | Politics and Law – CNET News.

“Translation: If your company is deemed “critical,” a new set of regulations kick in involving who you can hire, what information you must disclose, and when the government would exercise control over your computers or network.”

Yikes.

Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine

Posted on August 14, 2009, under Current Events.

New security risk in SSL implementations

Posted on July 30, 2009, under Security.

More holes found in Web’s SSL security protocol.

It appears most modern browsers are susceptible to a simple man-in-the-middle attack on SSL certificates, meaning your encrypted browsing sessions can be intercepted.

The article lists Firefox 3.5 as the only modern browser not affected by the attack.

‘The Longest Day of My Life’ – D-Day Survivor Recalls Tragic Day

Posted on June 6, 2009, under Current Events.