Post installation actions after installing VMware ESX server

Posted on December 25th, 2007 in ESX Server, VMware by Gil Kreslavsky

Check Name resolution

For the host lookups /etc/nsswitch.conf and /etc/host.conf should be configured to use DNS. Also DNS servers list as well as the primary domain prefix (‘search’ or ‘domain’ parameters in /etc/resolv.conf ) should be set. The ‘A’ record should be specified for the server’s hostname.
As you might know the host names are retrieved from the following files and they should be identical:

The localhost entry should be in the /etc/hosts .
Network configuration should be in the etc/sysconfig/network.

  • /etc/vmware/esx.conf
  • /etc/sysconfig/network
  • /etc/hosts

Enable SSH access to VMware ESX server

To allow the root user to login to a VMware ESX Server over the network using SSH, do the following:

  1. Go to the service console on the physical server & login
  2. vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config
  3. Change the line that says PermitRootLogin from “no” to “yes”
  4. Restart sshd with command /etc/init.d/sshd restart

Windows DHCP MAC Address filtering

Posted on December 20th, 2007 in Microsoft by Gil Kreslavsky

Usually in MS systems any device requesting for IP address will get IP from DHCP server without any authentication. DHCP MAC address authentication can help prevent unauthorized devices to connect corporate network.

With DHCP Server Callout DLL installed Windows administrators can filter DHCP requests to DHCP server by Mac address. DHCP Server Callout DLL checks if this device MAC address is present in known list (text file) of MAC addresses configured by administrators If it is present, device will be allowed to obtain IP address or device requests will be ignored based on access list configured by administrator.

The Callout DLL (read: hook-in DLL) also works and should continue to work on Windows Server 2008 .


This DLL will help administrators to enforce additional security into network. After installation, both the DLL (MacFilterCallout.dll ) and the installation/configuration instructions (SetupDHCPMacFilter.rtf ) are available under %windir%\system32.

Attachment(s): MacFilterCallout.zip

More Info

Unable to open eml attachments

Posted on December 20th, 2007 in Google, Google Desktop, Other, Outlook 2002 XP, Outlook 2003 by Gil Kreslavsky

Outlook doesn’t open EML attachment or EML files saved on desktop.
The solution is simple..
Uninstall Google Desktop Search

Outlook Hyperlink Opening problem

Posted on December 20th, 2007 in Microsoft, Other, Outlook 2002 XP, Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, Windows XP by Gil Kreslavsky

“The operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator.”

They are few solutions:

Reset Web settings

  1. Start Internet Explorer
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options .
  3. Click the Programs tab , and then click the Reset Web Settings button.
  4. Under Internet programs, verify that the correct e-mail program is selected
  5. Click to select the Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser check box.
  6. Click Apply, and then click OK.

Export the registry key from another computer

  1. Click Start, and then click Run
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK
  3. Locate the following registry key: HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Classes\htmlfile\shell\open\command
  4. Click the command folder.
  5. On the File or Registry menu (depending on your operating system), click Export
  6. Note the location of where the file will be saved. The registry file can be saved directly to the hard drive or floppy disk.
  7. Type a unique file name, and then click Save
  8. Quit the Registry Editor

Here is the Reg File

Other Possible Solutions

  1. Follow the instruction on the following KB articles:
    You receive an error message when you click a hyperlink in Outlook
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310049/en-us
  2. This issue may occur if there is a Group Policy object (GPO) that restricts what
    programs you can run. Programs can be restricted if either of the following
    policies in the domain organizational unit group policy or a local computer group
    policy have been applied:
    o Do not run specified Windows applications.
    o Run only the allowed Windows applications.
  3. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\htmlfile\shell\open\command change
    “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE” -nohome to
    “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe” –nohome
    (and viseversa)
  4. Delete the DWORD value named DisallowRun. (or remove IEXPLORE.EXE) – To do so: Locate and then click the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  5. to narrow the policy causing the issue to be:
    User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Internet Explorer \ Browser menus\
    Disable Open in New Window Menu option — set this to DISABLE if it enable
  6. Disable the following Group Policy:
    User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Internet Explorer \ Browser menusFile menu: Disable New Menu option
    File menu: Disable Open Menu option
    File menu: Disable closing the browser and Explorer Windows