Bulk importing users into active directory

This is a quick spreadsheet i have made up to bulk import users into active directory.
Most organization's run Microsoft windows, most using active directory for there user management. Prior to there I.T setup, i am sure there is some form of "payroll" or admin type machine containing all the details of the people you want in your Active Directory User import. Grab this raw information, and manipulate it in a way that can be used in my spreadsheet.


I am hoping it is pretty straight forward, There is some dummy data already in the spreadsheet, so just swap and change to suit your particular setup.

Use the different sheet tab to bulk create the home drives, then apply the correct permissions using calcs.

Spreadsheet available here

Setting up Automatically detect settings - WPAD

I bet a few of you wonder...what on earth is that option under Connection, LAN Settings in internet explorer, "Automatically Detect Settings".

More so, you probably already know what it is capable of doing, but wondering how to set it up. Here is my take on how to set it all up.

This assumes you already have a proxy server, web server, dns server's already setup. This example is based around a microsoft server 2008R2 servers but can be applied to just about any environment where the above is used.


1. Create your wpad.dat file for the proxy exclusions. See example
2. Get into your web server, create the MIME type for .dat. As you can see I am using IIS. Bring up the Mime Types page and add the following.
File name extentsion: .dat
MIME Type: application/x-ns-proxy-autoconfig













3. Put your wpad.dat file into the correct directory so it is accessible to anonymous/guest users from the web server. If using IIS, your default path will be C:\inetpub\wwwroot

Place your wpad file in there.

4. Remove "wpad" from the global query blocklist. To do this. Edit the registry in this location;
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DNS\Parameters\GlobalQueryBlockList


    Or if you prefer, cmd commands Here is a copy/paste straight out of Technet.

    To check whether the global query block is enabled, type the following:
    dnscmd /info /enableglobalqueryblocklist
    To display the host names in the current block list, type the following:
    dnscmd /info /globalqueryblocklist
    To disable the block list and ensure that the DNS Server service does not ignore queries for names in the block list, type the following:
    dnscmd /config /enableglobalqueryblocklist 0
    To enable the block list and ensure that the DNS Server service ignores queries for names in the block list, type the following:
    dnscmd /config /enableglobalqueryblocklist 0
    To remove all names from the block list, type the following:
    dnscmd /config /globalqueryblocklist
    To replace the current block list with a list of the names that you specify, type the following:
    dnscmd /config /globalqueryblocklist name [name]…

5. Add the alias/host record file "wpad" in your dns server (this has to be pointing to your web server). Restart your dns service to ensure the blocklist has been updated.

6.Testing: Ping wpad. You should get a reply from your Web Server. Try and hit the wpad.dat file from your web server. http://wpad/wpad.dat It should be asking you to download the .dat or the text will appear in your browser. If both these tests have passed,  Congratulations. You can now neatly manage all your proxy exclusions using the .dat file. This is extremely handy, as by default IE has this option turned on.

7. There is ANOTHER method to deploy wpad, which utilizes DHCP. I choose the DNS method, as i have read it is more compatible with other browsers.

G15 Cleaned and back together

Finally the Logitech G15 (v1 might i add, imo the best version!) is cleaned and put back together!
I highly recommend you clean yours out every few years (pending use and how clean/dirty it is).
Feels like a new keyboard again !

Cleaning Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

Started to clean my G15.

There are heaps of different way's to clean the Logitech G15 Gaming keyboard. Lots of people just take the keys off and clean under neath. I have gone all out and disassembled the keyboard.

I had the keys put in a small ice cream container with some warm water and dishwashing detergent. They keys came up really good!

I also did the same for the bracket that holds the keys (the thing with all the crap inside it).

I am leaving the parts to dry overnight, so all should be well and good tomorrow!
It really was due for a clean after 5-6 years of use...

PowerAmp fail

This one comes from my Android phone, specificity from a well known music app called PowerAmp. It has a feature that automatically fetches album art for your songs but for some reason it decided to fetch something else....

Net Book Fail

Hey to all techies...I also will be posting random I.T./Technology related things, it could be something completely fail or maybe tips or tricks for the I.T. trade.

Here is my contribution to kick things off. I entitle this "Some people don't like using Net books"

What do you guys think?

Lets start with a Riddle

Alright. To kick things off, I will start off with a bit of a riddle.

What is this user's actual password?

For everybody who works in I.T, you really have to know your clients!

Introduction

Hey all fellow techies, Admin's, Engineer's, programmers and of course, help desk workers!

I am here to post up rants about my day, and the stupid, little annoying things end users do to make or break my day. I will also be posting up quick little tips I find that may be useful to other's in the industry!

Stay tuned for epic adventures in the "Day in the life of a I.T technician!" DITLITTECH!.

A bit of background about my actual work, I won't go into to many detail's but I work heavily in a Microsoft environment. Mostly Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, Networking, Cisco, Switching/Routers, Basic login/programming scripts, some web design, Virtual environment's mostly vmware and citrix.

I have been using the Citrix XenServer (Free version) quite a bit lately, and for a free hyper visor i find it isn't bad! I will hopefully post up some guides and initial thoughts about it as time goes on.

But for now, enjoy the "fail" acts I come across and what ever useful tips/tricks i provide!

Comments much appreciated on what you would like to see!