The SysAdmin Lounge

The Website is Down

By Alex Hervas, on October 7th, 2009

The first time I saw this video was during a Cisco WAAS class with a reputable training company. The instructor was a CCIE with a good deal of knowledge and this was towards the end of the class, he had wrapped up all the material and we were just having fun. This video is very typical . . . → Read More: The Website is Down

Cisco ACE Context Switchover

By Alex Hervas, on September 28th, 2009

There is a set of Cisco ACE 4710 appliances at work that have several contexts configured. Failover is setup between each ACE appliance in an active-passive configuration so that the contexts are distributed between the devices. The good thing about this setup is that, similar to a Microsoft server cluster, the contexts can be switched over . . . → Read More: Cisco ACE Context Switchover

All Operating Systems are Flawed

By Alex Hervas, on September 21st, 2009

This video proves that no one operating system can do it all! Okay maybe not quite, but it is a clever way to show that Windows is good for business applications like spreadsheets, Mac reigns supreme with multimedia (at least that’s what the typical graphics designer will tell you) and Linux is a server operating system. Ultimately, every OS has . . . → Read More: All Operating Systems are Flawed

Setting Up Basic Router Authentication for SDM Installation

By Alex Hervas, on September 21st, 2009

As part of my CCNA Security certification studies, I’m trying to become thoroughly familiar with Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM). I’ll admit I have never used this management interface in the real world but Cisco emphasizes it on the IINS exam. The lab that I’m using is setup using GNS3 (http://www.gns3.net/). This is the best network . . . → Read More: Setting Up Basic Router Authentication for SDM Installation

Cannot Open the Outlook Window

By Alex Hervas, on September 21st, 2009

This morning I encountered an error message when I tried to open Outlook:

“Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.”

In all the years I’ve used Outlook, this is the first time this has occurred to me. Like every good IT “guru” I immediately consulted the technology oracle that goes by the name of . . . → Read More: Cannot Open the Outlook Window

Strategy for the CCNA Security Exam (IINS 640-553)

By Alex Hervas, on September 21st, 2009

In a few days I am going to start studying for the CCNA Security exam (IINS 640-553). I took the test in January 2009 and missed the passing score by a few points. I will admit that my preparation wasn’t the best and vow to be more thorough this time. In my work environment I get . . . → Read More: Strategy for the CCNA Security Exam (IINS 640-553)

Can IT Certifications Advance Your Career?

By Alex Hervas, on September 21st, 2009

When I first started in IT over 10 years ago, I tried going to a technical school to get the job skills necessary to be an SE. I had worked in a different field previously and while it payed well, it was very unstable. Staying in that field would have required relocating every few years, I . . . → Read More: Can IT Certifications Advance Your Career?