Author: Bob Lin

Bob Lin, Chicagotech-MVP, MCSE & CNE Data recovery, Windows OS Recovery, Networking, and Computer Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net How to Install and Configure Windows, VMware, Virtualization and Cisco on http://www.HowToNetworking.com

How can we get Extended Security Updates from SQL/Windows 2008/ 2008 R2

  • The End of Support date for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 is July 9, 2019.
  • The End of Support date for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 is January 14, 2020.

You may get SQL/Windows 2008/ 2008 R2 Extended Security Updates (ESU) for on-premises or hosted environments. Quoted from Microsoft: SQL Server or Windows Server under licenses with active Software Assurance under an Enterprise Agreement (EA), Enterprise Subscription Agreement (EAS), a Server & Cloud Enrollment (SCE), an Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES), or Subscription can purchase Extended Security Updates annually for three years after End of Support date.

Extended Security Updates can be purchased directly from Microsoft or a Microsoft licensing partner.

More information can be found in Microsoft website:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/extended-security-updates

How to create a conditional policy to block international sign in

Q: We use Office 365 and would like to create a policy to block international sign in. Can we do it and how?

A: Yes, you can create a conditional access policy. Here is how.

  1. Login Azure with Administrator account. Note: although you use office 365, we manage Active Directory account on Azure.
  2. Navigate and create the policy here: to Home>Conditional Access – policy>Block Access Policy>Conditions>Locations.

Where to check the Azure Sign-ins status?

Q: We have blocked all international sign-ins. Where can I view the status?

A: 1. Login Azure with admin account.

2. Navigate to Azure Active Directory>Your company name>Sign-ins.

3. Double click on the account to check the details.

Also please refer to this post:

Also for users to check their sign in status, they can use this website:

https://mysignins.microsoft.com/

Note: you can access Azure Conditional access policy from Office 365. Here is how.

Login Office 365, go to Admin Center. Navigate to Azure Active Directory.

in Azure, go to Azure Active Directory>Security, you will see the Conditional Access.

Add two Hard drives to Dell R740 server RAID 10

Q: We have Dell R740 server running on windows 2016. There are 12 Hard Drives created RAID 10. We would like to add two more same size Hard Drives into the RAID 10. Can we do it without restarting the server and how to do it?

A: Yes, you can do it. Here is how.

  1. Insert the hard drives into the server.
  2. Login Dell OpenManage Server Administrator.
  3. Navigate to System>Storage>PERC H740R Adapter>Connector 0 (RAID 10)>Virtual Disks.
  1. The State shows ready.
  2. In Tasks, select Reconfigure…

6. Click Execute to start the configuration.

7. Check the new added HD and click continue.

8. Click Finish to start the reconfiguration.

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9. Monitor the process until 100% complete.

10. Now the Server Disk Management should show the new added and unallocated Volume. Extend or create a new drive.