Server Room - Temperature & Humidity

Well, thought I'd talk about this a little bit since this is something that isn't very clear cut. While temperature and humidity levels can vary among all server rooms depending on the number of servers there are, other hardware, type of room, size of room, location of room, etc. Most people aren't sure what the ideal temperature and humidity levels should be to properly cool their equipment.

I can say that from my experience it varies a lot, but there are general guidelines to follow. Most of the IT community (from talking with individuals in the field and through sources on the Internet) agree that the server room should not exceed roughly around 28 degrees Celsius in general. I think that's way too high in my opinion, 28 degrees in a room is pretty warm!

I've had the server room hit 26-27 degrees before and to me it was really warm. APC wrote a white paper to give their general guidelines (http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5UDSLG_R2_EN.pdf). They say around 22-24 degrees Celsius is adequate with about 35%-50% humidity. Sun Microsystems in a articles (which I cannot find anymore) suggested around 21-23 degree Celsius for temperature.

From what I've read and heard so far and my own opinion on the matter, "normal" server rooms should have temperature of about 19-23 degrees Celsius and about 30%-50% humidity.
Minimum temperature I would say don't go below 16 degrees Celsius and for maximum temperature don't go above 25 degrees Celsius.

Server rooms should always be "cool" and "dry", but not "too cold" or "too dry". Anyway, that's my thoughts on that.

Microsoft Surface

I have to admit when I saw this I was impressed. Although this is something you've seen in movies and what not, to actually see this coming to home use very soon is exciting. Technology is just great (when it works that is). The possibilities for this type of technology are endless, a computable surface table, awesome.

Take a look at the site:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

Check out "The Possibilities", that's amazing!

Metal Gear Solid 4 Gameplay Revealed!

The only thing I can say about after watching this is I wish I didn't watch it. It is so sick that I can't wait now. Damn it! Thanks a lot Kojima-san! >.<

Sysvol

Many people may overlook this very important folder. By default, Windows 2003 Server gives "authenticated users" full control of this folder. Patches will automatically adjust the security settings to accommodate for it, but you can easily do it yourself after installation of a new 2003 server machine.

The System Volume (Sysvol) is a shared directory that stores the server copy of the domain's public files that must be shared for common access and replication throughout a domain. The Sysvol folder on a domain controller contains the following items:

• Net Logon shares. These typically host logon scripts and policy objects for network client computers.
• User logon scripts for domains where the administrator uses Active Directory Users and Computers.
• Windows Group Policy.
• File replication service (FRS) staging folder and files that must be available and synchronized between domain controllers.
• File system junctions.

Best Practices for Sysvol Maintenance
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324175

Authenticated Users Group Has Too Many Permissions to the SYSVOL Network Share
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812538

Group Policy - Notes

Workstations check with Active Directory every 60 to 120 minutes to see if there are any new policies. If there are, then the workstations apply them - both user and machine policies.

If you are using group policies, local policy is always processed before site, domain, or OU group policies

Policies are reapplied every 90 minutes, with a 30-minute "randomization" to keep the domain controller from getting hit by many computers at once

Policies on DCs are refreshed every 5 minutes

Order in which policies are applied: local > site > domain > OU
If multiple GPOs attempt to set a setting to conflicting values, the GPO with the highest precedence sets the setting

GPO-links that are enforced cannot be blocked from the parent container

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Managing inheritence of Group Policy:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/212eb1fd-11f4-465f-b243-73e542d06b2c1033.mspx?mfr=true

Referenced from "Mastering Windows Server 2003" by Mark Minasi

Best Ending in Gaming History

I thought I'd post this clip to give tribute to the best videogame ending in history (IMO of course).
The story, the characters, the music, all top notch. By far, the most emotional ending out there to date.

Dictionaries all over there world should change their definition of "patriotism" to:
Boss from Metal Gear Solid 3.

Great game.

MGS4 - The End of a Masterpiece

After 20 years, it finally looks like the Metal Gear Saga will be coming to an end. I can't wait to see how everything unfolds.

Props and hats off to Kojima for being one of the few out there to show a sense of honour in a money driven world.

Killzone 2 - OMFG!

I have to admit that this is not the same quality as back in E3 2005, but that's because Sony didn't want to say it really was pre-rendered. But now in E3 2007, they show a trailer with live in-game graphics. Quality might not be the same, but it still looks damn good. Definitely made me drool a bit.