The BYOB Podcast

**BYOB Episode 140** Feb 17, 2014

I am joined by special guest Ed from Bizmodeller, Director and Lead Developer of iHomeserver. Ed talks in depth about his new upcoming version as well as key features of the existing version. iHomeserver has always an outstanding product addressing a specific need and the upcoming version takes is to a whole new level. I want to thank Ed for taking time from his busy schedule just weeks away from the release of the new version, to talk to me about iHomeserver as well as some of the other supporting products they have. I encourage all of you to test out the free trial and see for yourself.

iHomeserver Main Site: http://www.bizmodeller.com/
iHomeserver v3 beta: http://www.bizmodeller.com/iHomeServer/v3/

Follow Ed on Twitter: @bizmodeller

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BYOB Episode 139 Feb 08, 2014

Today I am joined by Christopher Courtney (aka: Drashna) to dig deeper into the topic of running a domain at home. As enthusiasts, we will be faced with the potential of making the choice to either upgrade to Windows Server 2012 Essentials or possibly to look for other solutions. Our discussion today deals with exploring all the benefits and drawbacks to running a domain at home. After talking today with Chris, I now have a different perspective and viewpoint on this topic. I would like to thank Chris for joining me today and enlightening us with his experience and views. In addition we also discuss an update to Plex which breaks Blu-Ray folder metadata and changes how I am using it. Show Outline Why do you need a domain at home?

Most people don’t
If you have a larger number of computers, it makes management easier
If you have a few computers that everyone shares

What is a Domain/Domain Controller?

It’s an Authentication Server, basically

Authenticates users on multiple machines
Verifies security

Specifically, it allows one user account (a domain user) to access “resources” on multiple machines with the same username and password

What does a domain allow you to do?

Authenticate users (yes, this is a running theme and the main point of domains/active directory)
Enforce security/group policies

Folder Redirection? Part of the “Implement Group Policy” feature in Essentials

Sets user folders (Contacts, Favorites, Downloads, Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos) to use a Network share location by default, and to be synced between domain PCs
Sets these files up in “Offline File Sync” so they are available if you don’t have access to the server, such as “Out of Office”

Push MSI installations such as:

Google Chrome for Enterprises
StableBit Products
TightVNC
PDF Readers

Most any other MSI

Anything that uses “secpol.msc”, aka Security Policies

CryptoLocker Prevention Kit http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/archive/2013/10/15/cryptolocker-prevention-kit.aspx
WHSv1’s Windows 7 x64 Password Conflict issue http://homeservershow.com/windows-7-rc-x64-whs-password-conflict.html
Disabling SMB Signing http://mctexpert.blogspot.com/2011/02/disable-smb-signing.html

Anything that uses “gpedit.msc”, aka “Group Policy Editor”

BitLocker without TPM? www.howtogeek.com/howto/6229/how-to-use-bitlocker-on-drives-without-tpm/
Disabling the annoying new computer wizard in Windows 8
Enabling Remote Management of Event Viewer, Devices, and Disks
Configure Windows Update settings, and even allow configuration for a WSUS server
And many, many other things that you can control via Group Policy, includes Start8 settings.

Organize and manage your network This is a bit more technical, and many not be needed in a home environment

OU’s
Volume Licensing Activation via the Key Management Services

Domain Name Server (DNS)

DNS is the back bone of Active Directory/Domains
Instead of Host file hacking, you can add a “Primary Zone” and “A NAME” here

Useful for blacklisting websites for the network (not as good)

http://www.groovypost.com/howto/remove-ads-skype-windows/ Add “rad.msn.com” as a Primary Zone and add a “A Name” record that uses “0.0.0.0” for the IP address

Good for redirecting resources to a local IP (such as your Anywhere Access URL, and great for bypassing routers that lack a “loopback adapter”

Windows Deployment Services

PXE (Diskless) booting over the network
Server 2012R2 Essentials uses this to boot the restore disk over the network
Can be used to boot any “WinPE” based image, such as EaseUS Data Recovery
Can be used to Install Windows over the network without a disk

“LDAP” Authentication can be used to authenticate against by any software that is capable of using “LDAP”, such as:

Subsonic (out of box)
WordPress (with a plugin)
Does not have to be *on* the server to do this

Why do I say that this isn’t for most people? You don’t just reinstall in a domain controller. You need either a good and reliable backup solution that you can restore from. Or you need a secondary (backup) domain controller. Or, both ideally. The reason being is that if you reinstall the domain, even if it’s using the same name and same user accounts, the “IDs” for the users and computers are not the same. This means that you will need to leave the domain on each client computer. This DELETES the domain user account on the PC. This is also why it’s stupid that Microsoft has depreciated the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard tool in Windows 8 (outright blocks it in 8.1). DNS AutoConfig: In theory, if the DHCP server is handing out your server’s IP Address as a DNS server (ideally the primary), then it will not configure the DNS server. You can also use Group Policy to add this registry entry. And on your DHCP server, you should set the primary DNS server to your Essentials Server, and set the secondary DNS server to the router’s IP or your ISP’s DNS IP (so that when your server is down, you will still be able to resolve domain names)

**BYOB Episode 138** Jan 06, 2014

We got a great show this week. Mike Martis could not make it this week but I have the pleasure of being joined by Paul Braren (tinkertry.com), and John Zajdler to close up 2013 and kick start 2014. It a long show this week so get comfortable as we talk about Essentials 2012, iHomeserver, Synology, and our thoughts on tech for the year. A real special thanks to John and Paul for joining me this week on this extra long show.
iHomeserver v3 beta: http://www.bizmodeller.com/iHomeServer/v3/

Synology DS213J: http://www.synology.com/en-global/products/overview/DS213j

Paul Braren: http://www.tinkertry.com/

John Z: @Dieharder

Additional Information:

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials:

TinkerTry.com/how-to-make-windows-server-2012-r2-essentials-client-connector-install-behave-just-like-windows-home-server

Domain skip join/stop messing with my PC’s DNS, sure wish Microsoft added a simple checkbox to the client connector install to handle this, but meanwhile, it’s well documented here.
I also mentioned that the seamless VPN works in R2 Essentials, no more need for Hamachi (although I forgot to mention that the VPN doesn’t auto-connect by default)

I did need to forward TCP and UDP on ports 443 and 4125 on my Linksys EA6900 router, then it all worked beautifully (I don’t turn on UPnP).

Instead of USB boot media creation, you can now boot from network, Johnny Z. pointed out this could be great for USB-less devices

Just hit F12 or whatever key on your system lets you choose your network device, it begins boot process prompting you to hit F12 to continue, so nice to do bare metal recover without having to hunt down media.

My needs for 2012 Essentials versus 2011 Essentials were need for UEFI compatibility, and ability to handle >2TB drives (which my video library computer requires, it’s been 3TB in size since 2007)

TinkerTry.com/is-that-a-62tb-drive-in-my-home-lab

Superguide: Home Theater Combo – Samsung TV, TiVo Roamio, and Vizio Soundbar:

TinkerTry.com/superguide-home-theater-combo-samsung-tv-tivo-roamio-and-vizio-soundbar

Fresh my mind, a successful 50” Samsung TV/Vizio soundbar/TiVo Roamio install, at my family member’s house last week, it went very well.

YouTube app on iOS works well with TiVo Roamio, playback simply begins on TiVo automatically, avoiding any need for HDMI switching.

Networking:

UPnP (why I leave it off): TinkerTry.com/upnp-vulnerability

I also leave WPS off (Wi-Fi Protected Setup): community.linksys.com/t5/Wireless-Routers/WPS-Vulnerability-status-update-for-Linksys-devices/td-p/486410

OpenVPN Appliance (Hyper-V or ESXi): TinkerTry.com/using-your-home-networks-esxi-or-hyper-v-openvpn-appliance-to-safely-use-public-wifi

Looking forward to what in 2014?

I need to break past 32GB on an affordable PC, here’s where I capture some of this concern:

TinkerTry.com/superguide-home-virtualization-server-enthusiasts-colorful-variety-of-esxi-whiteboxes

Coming up next:
TinkerTry.com/heres-a-taste-of-whats-cooking-for-2014

____________________________________________

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Michael Martis’ Blog

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**BYOB 124** Jun 10, 2013

This week BYOB joins Jim Collision from the average guy network to talk about using VM’s in the home environment. Mike talks briefly about his first round with Haswell. A special thanks to Jim for hosting and recording the show.

Using SSD’s in a VM

Going from physical to VM’s at home

Other articles

Haswell Processors

8-Series Motherboards

Remember to send us an email at **byobpodcast@gmail.com**

Follow BYOB on Twitter!

Mike Faucher’s Blog

Michael Martis’ Blog

E-Mail – **byobpodcast@gmail.com**

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BYOB Episode 122 May 24, 2013

The Xbox One episode.

One Xbox For All – The Xbox One

Mike and Michael give their perspective and insight on the new Xbox One.

Remember to send us an email at byobpodcast@gmail.com

Follow BYOB on Twitter!

Mike Faucher’s Blog

Michael Martis’ Blog

E-Mail – byobpodcast@gmail.com

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BYOB Episode 121 May 20, 2013

Kevin Schoonover joins the BYOB crew this week for an all rants n raves episode. Some new cloud storage services. PlayOn

Cloud Storage – Two New Players

Copy.com

Bitcasa

PlayOn Media Streaming – Re-Revisted

PlayOn DLNA Service

Router Woes

I got the firewall blues. The ZyXell might be traded down for a more consumer grade device like the Asus RT-66U.