Altiris Task clients do not automatically re-assign themselves to the closest or lowest-load task server

Symantec recommends that you run a task to re-assign task clients on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly--depending on how mobile your environment is or how much provisioning you're doing..  A slight modification to this was made in SMP 7.1 where now they will re-check every 24 hours, but this method is not very reliable.  They may also reassign themselves after a delayed time of not being able to connect to their assigned task server..  A simple task to "Reset Task Agent" sent to all clients can keep load balancing fresh, and mobile users assigned appropriately. 

Both the 24 hour re-check and running this task is important to remember when adding new Task Servers, for otherwise, they will not automatically pick up new clients.  Additionally, since the NS is the "fail over" for task agents, so doing this can "pull" clients off the NS.

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=HOWTO48411

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thx,
Gert

Speed up Altiris Web Console

The Symantec Management Console enhanced views let you configure specific settings. You can configure specific search fields so that you can see your results as you type them. You can configure these same search fields so that you can see your results only after you press Enter. You can configure the enhanced views to use IME (Input Method Editor) so that you can input double-byte characters in these views. You can also configure the number of computers and software that appear in the results list. If you manage a very large number of computers, this setting can improve the load time.

To configure the enhanced Symantec Management Console views settings

1. In the Symantec Management Console, on the Settings menu, click Console > Enhanced Views.

2. In the Enhanced Views Settings dialog box, configure the following settings:

Search	As you type - This option lets you see the results as you type the requirements into the search field. The default setting is As you type. After you press Enter - This option lets you see your results only after you type the requirements into the search field and then press Enter. These search options affect the following search fields: Computers view, center pane search field, which includes all saved and filtered searches Software view, center pane search field, which includes all saved and filtered searches
Allow IME (Input Method Editor) for entering double-byte language characters	Turns on IME support for enhanced console views and for the First Time Setup portal. When this option is checked, you can use IME to input double-byte characters on these pages.
Limit Computer and Software result lists to:	Limits the number of computers or software that can appear in a results list. If your environment has a hierarchy with thousands of computers, the lists can take a long time to load and may even timeout. This limit sets how many rows the query should return. The default setting is 20,000, but you can reduce this setting to improve load times. If there are additional rows, the last row indicates that there are more records and lets you load them.

http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO63148

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thx,
Gert

Slow Altiris Web console - Improve Performance

Symantec Solutions based on the Symantec Management Platform can be really demanding on memory, which can have a very adverse impact on production server (systems with an few hundred agent workload) because the Application Pool default configuration causes memory attrition.

The memory attrition is most noticeable in the Web Console, but can also be seen on the server itself with a CPU usage reaching 75 to 100% by the w3wp.exe and a process memory consumption above the 1.1 GiB mark.

This problem is due to a limitation within the .Net framework itself, and varies depending on the count of objects managed by the framework (between 1.1 and 1.3GiB of memory). Once .Net reaches the memory ceiling it spends a lot of time trying to find memory via garbage collection or other internal processing which has a direct impact on the handling of http requests and crafting the http responses.

To avoid this type of problems and optimize the web console experience Symantec recommends implementing additional application pools to partition the Altiris web-applications that are consuming a significant amount of memory or that can be impacted by sharing the default application pool. This way we increase the memory available to the Symantec web-application from 1 x 1.1 GiB to 5 or 6 x 1.1 GiB (which is never used in full with the new configuration)

Scripted configuration of the Application pools:

Here is a script that will implement the application pools as described above:

@echo off
set appcmd=%comspec%\..\inetsrv\appcmd

%appcmd% add apppool -name:Altiris-NS-Agent
%appcmd% set apppool Altiris-NS-Agent -managedPipelineMode:Classic
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/NS/Agent" -applicationPool:Atiris-NS-Agent

%appcmd% add apppool -name:TaskManagement
%appcmd% set apppool TaskManagement -managedPipelineMode:Classic
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/TaskManagement" -applicationPool:TaskManagement
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ClientTaskServer" -applicationPool:TaskManagement

%appcmd% add apppool -name:ActivityCenter
%appcmd% set apppool ActivityCenter -managedPipelineMode:Classic
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ActivityCenter" -applicationPool:ActivityCenter

%appcmd% add apppool -name:PatchManagement
%appcmd% set apppool PatchManagement -managedPipelineMode:Classic
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/PatchManagement" -applicationPool:PatchManagement
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/PatchManagementCore" -applicationPool:PatchManagement
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/PatchManagementMac" -applicationPool:PatchManagement

%appcmd% add apppool -name:SoftwarePortal
%appcmd% set apppool SoftwarePortal -managedPipelineMode:Classic
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/SoftwarePortal" -applicationPool:SoftwarePortal

%appcmd% add apppool -name:ITAnalytics
%appcmd% set apppool ITAnalytics -managedPipelineMode:Classic
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ITAnalytics" -applicationPool:ITAnalytics
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ITAnalyticsCSMP" -applicationPool:ITAnalytics
%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ITAnalyticsSEP" -applicationPool:ITAnalytics

Here is a script that will revert the application pools to the default App pool

@echo off




set appcmd=%comspec%\..\inetsrv\appcmd





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/NS/Agent" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/TaskManagement" -applicationPool"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ClientTaskServer" -applicationPool"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ActivityCenter" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/PatchManagement" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/PatchManagementCore" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET Apppool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/PatchManagementMac" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET Apppool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/SoftwarePortal" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ITAnalytics" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ITAnalyticsCSMP" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET AppPool"





%appcmd% set app "Default Web Site/Altiris/ITAnalyticsSEP" -applicationPool:"Classic .NET AppPool"

Credit goes to : http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-implement-custom-application-pools-smp-improve-web-console-performance

Please be so kind to click on an Advertisement  if you find this information useful. It allows me to keep buying those nifty tech tools :-)

thx,


Gert

Synology Diskstation Manager 4.0 Beta - Released

A download link can be found here
http://ukdl.synology.com/download/beta/DSM4.0_beta/
http://ukdl.synology.com/download/beta/Packages/
http://usdl.synology.com/download/beta/DSM4.0_beta/
http://usdl.synology.com/download/beta/Packages/
http://download.synology.com/download/beta/DSM4.0_beta/
http://download.synology.com/download/beta/Packages/
New Feature Highlights

• DSM 4.0 can only be applied to Synology NAS with DSM 3.0 and onward. For DS108j, DS109j, DS209j, DSM 4.0 can only be applied to these models with DSM 3.2. Download DSM 3.2 at: Americas, Asia, Europe
• Due to the hardware capability, DSM 4.0 will be the last DSM upgrade available for all x08-series DiskStations.
• Due to the hardware capability, not all of the features of DSM 4.0 beta are available to all models; please see below for more information. If you would like to experience the full potential of DSM 4.0 beta or the future release of the DSM operating system, please consider upgrading the Synology NAS to a new one.

1. Cloud Station (Available in Package Center, not available on DS108j, DS109j and DS209j)
   • Cloud Station is a free package which offers a file-syncing solution on multiple computers that lets you bring your docs and multimedia anywhere and backup them easily.
   • 30 historical file versions are available for each synced file which helps you backup your important files automatically.
   • Privilege control allows the selected users to use Cloud Station to safeguard your network bandwidth.
   • Cloud Station client is now available on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, helping you to sync data between your computers and Synology NAS via the IP address or ezCloud ID.
2. ezCloud Service:
   • ezCloud is a cloud service offering QuickConnect, DDNS, MyDS Center, and Push Notification to help you setup/access/manage Synology NAS easily.
   • QuickConnect offers ezCloud ID which allows you to connect your Synology NAS from Cloud Station client or DS file without setting up port forwarding rules on your router.
   • DDNS service is free and now provided by Synology offering you the flexibility to customize your own domain in the easiest way.
   • MyDS Center, a Synology membership service, is now up and running to serve the community at MyDS.synology.com, you may check your Synology NAS status from anywhere via the heartbeat feature and receive the push notification in case of any unexpected shutdown.
   • Push Notification enables you to receive the important messages instantly from your Synology NAS via Windows Live Messenger, Skype, DS cam and DS finder for iPhone/iPad.
   • HTTPS connection from DS file is supported in QuickConnect service.
3. Applications Modularization: Six previously built-in applications - Photo Station, Audio Station, Download Station, Media Server, iTunes Server, and Surveillance Station - are now modularized to be independent packages, and they can be installed or updated separately without interrupting services running on DSM.
4. iSCSI LUN Backup:
   • iSCSI LUN Backup is now available in local and network backup mode.
   • Point-in-time backup technology is used to allow copy-on-write implementation.
   • Space re-claim mechanism is added to take place for any 4GB zero-block to reduce the file size of total backup.
   • Incremental backup is available after running the initial full backup.
5. Desktop Widgets: Seven new widgets are now introduced onto DSM desktop – System Health, Resource Monitor, Scheduled Backup, Storage, Current Connections, System Logs and File Change Logs. You will get an overview of system status and monitor the activities of your Synology NAS right after the login.
6. User Interface Enhancements with HTML 5 and CSS 2D Transform:
   • Instant Preview allows you to take a quick peek of a running app on the task bar before you switch to it.
   • Pilot View gives you one place to see and navigate every app running on your DSM with just one click.
   • You can make groups of shortcuts on DSM 4.0 Desktop.
7. Application Portal: You can customize the alias or HTTP port for Audio Station, File Station, Surveillance Station or Download Station, meaning you may now skip the DSM login page for better privacy and offer an easier way to share these services with your friends.
8. Antivirus Essential (Available in Package Center, not available on DS108j and DS109j):
   • Antivirus Essential is a free and complete antivirus solution from Synology.
   • Scheduled virus scan is available to keep your Synology NAS safe and secure in your network at all times.
   • Automatic virus definition update allows you to perform the virus scan always with the latest virus definition.
9. File Station Enhancements:
   • The previous File Browser has now been integrated and renamed to File Station.
   • Windows ACL user interface is now integrated into DSM, so you can edit Windows ACL directly in File Station.
   • Sharable file links are now provided to allow DSM users to share files to others with these private file links, without creating DSM accounts for them.
   • Uploading/downloading multiple files/folders in a sequential order is now available. (Java running on the PC client is required)
   • Personal favorite is now added for quick access to your folders.
   • Instant cut, copy, and paste are now available to manage folders and files between your Synology NAS and local computer in File Station.
   • File/folder shortcut on DSM desktop is available by directly drag-and-drop from File Station.
   • The number for maximum files to upload is raised to 300.
10. Surveillance Station 5 Enhancements:
    • Live View Analytics lets user track targets and record events intelligently in real time. Live View Analytics History also provides user the ability to view Live View statistics and playback incidents.
    • Evidence Integrity Authenticator tool enables users to verify the originality of Surveillance Station’s recording or snapshot.
    • Fisheye camera is supported to view 360 degree panoramic view. Multiple regions or 180 degrees hemispheric images can be dewarpped from distorted fisheye image.
    • More than 1,000 IP cameras are supported and 200 new IP camera models are added from Samsung, Vivotek, ACTi, Trendnet, D-Link, and etc. Please refer to the special notes below for newly supported models.
    • In addition to e-mail and SMS, push notification supports DS cam, Windows Live Messenger, and Skype and can now be scheduled by individual camera or event type simultaneously.
    • Camera can now be added in batch from different models and brands, to help system integrators efficiently setup a multiple of cameras.
    • Surveillance Station is becoming fast and more responsive.
11. Photo Station 5 Enhancements:
    • Uploading photos to Picasa or Twitter is now supported with just a few clicks. You can upload multiple photos to Picasa Web Album at a time.
    • The new Detail Mode offers you an additional way to view the picture wall in the original aspect of photos along with their titles.
    • A new album, Blog Images, will be created when you share pictures on your blog. The photos shared on your blog will be copied to this public album.
    • Copying photos between albums is now supported for easy management.
12. Download Station Enhancements:
    • Watched Folder is added to allow you to save torrents or NZB files to the specified folder and download tasks will start automatically. (not available on DS108j or DS109j)
    • SFTP and FTPS are now supported (not available when downloading a directory).
13. Media Indexing Service:
    • Media Server, Audio Station and iTunes Server can be configured to include additional indexed folders for media scanning.
    • All picture, audio and video collections can now be customized to be scanned in the 3 default multimedia folders. (music, video, and photo)
    • MPEG-4 video conversion is now supported for playback on mobile devices in Photo Station.
14. VPN: VPN client is now available to allow you to securely access the resources shared within VPN server’s local area network, over the Internet. VPN client supports both PPTP and OpenVPN protocol.
15. Syslog: Syslog client is now added to report to your Syslog server, which centralizes logs in one place for easy management.
16. Hotspot: (not available on all 08 series, DS109j, and DS209j): Wireless access point (up to 3 active wireless connections) is now supported by simply plugging a USB wireless dongle into your Synology NAS.
17. Connection Manager: A real-time connection list is now added to allow you to monitor who is accessing your data and kill the connections of unwanted users. It is supported in DSM, FTP, Samba, and AFP protocols, as well as shown as the widget on DSM desktop.
18. Configuration Backup Enhancements:
    • Configuration backup is integrated with settings of Control Panel, providing easy migration and fast system recovery.
    • Scheduled system configuration backup is introduced to automatically backup the configurations on a weekly basis to reduce the side effects of the system rollback.
    • You can partially restore system configuration now.
19. SMART Test Scheduler: SMART test by schedule is now available to scan HDD for potential risks on a timely basis to prevent data crisis.
20. Apple Routers Support: EZ-Internet now supports Apple routers - Airport Express, Airport Extreme, and Time Capsule by integrating NAT-PMP. Mac users can now publish their Synology NAS onto Internet with just a few clicks.
21. DSM mobile Enhancements: Auto Block, User Groups management, Mounting/unmounting encrypted shared folders, running/stopping packages, iSCSI LUN monitor, and the complete resource monitor are now added.
22. iPhone/iPad Apps Upgrade: (Coming soon on Apple® App Store):
    • DS photo+: Supported photos and videos displayed on Apple® TV.
    • DS file: iCloud and QuickConnect is now integrated.
    • DS audio: The recently added albums are now available displayed as a playlist.
    • Push Notification is now implemented on DS finder and DS cam.
    • Login credential encryption will be supported even with HTTP connection. Your sensitive username and password data will be securely transferred when you use DS cam, DS audio and DS finder with DSM 4.0.
23. Android Tablet Support: (Coming soon on Android® Market):
    • Android Tablet support: DS file and DS photo+ are officially supported for devices with Android 3.1 or later. The user interface has been resigned for Android tablets.
    • Login credential encryption will be supported even with HTTP connection. Your sensitive username and password data will be securely transferred when you use DS cam, DS audio and DS finder with DSM 4.0.
24. Kindle Fire support: (Coming soon on Amazon® App Store): DS photo+, DS audio, DS cam, DS file and DS finder are now supported on Amazon Kindle Fire.
25. The following packages are updated to support DSM 4.0: VPN Server, Syslog Server, Directory Server, and HiDrive Backup.

Please be so kind to click on an Ad if you find this information useful. It allows me to keep buying those nifty tech tools :-)

thx,

Gert

Synology DSM 4.0 - What's new presentation by the product management team

A  presentation by the Synology Product Management Team about the new upcoming features in DSM 4.0

Synology DSM 4.0 - What's new Presentation

View more presentations from killerkessel

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thx,

Gert

Synology DSM 4.0 Beta Preview with screenshots

Going through the Synology forum I found following link to a blogpost ( most of the text is in dutch) which contains a description of the new features together with some nice screenshots.
http://www.mobile-harddisk.nl/blog/firmware-updates/synology-dsm-4-0-preview-met-screenshots/

Here you have the into English translated version of the blogpost via Google Translate

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=nl&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobile-harddisk.nl%2Fblog%2Ffirmware-updates%2Fsynology-dsm-4-0-preview-met-screenshots%2F

The beta should become available here http://ukdl.synology.com/download/beta/DSM4.0_beta/
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Gert

Altiris performance problems caused by web debugging being enabled on Resource Management, Activity Center, and pcAnywhere

Problem

Performance problems caused by web debugging being enabled on Resource Management, Activity Center, and pcAnywhere

Cause

Web debugging is enabled on some pages for Resource Management, Activity Center, and pcAnywhere

Solution

Turn off .NET web debugging on Resource Management, Activity Center, and pcAnywhere.

1. Each component has a Web sub-folder where a web.config file is located.
2. In the web.config file, find debug and set its value to false.

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH175109

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thx,
Gert