- Blind-sysadmins - lists.hodgsonfamily.org

Accessibility implications of the secure boot leak
by Ben Mustill-Rose 26 Aug '16

26 Aug '16

Hi all, Bit of an interesting one here: By now some of you will have heard that Microsoft has leaked what's being called a golden key relating to its secure boot process. For those that haven't, essentially, on newer UEFI based computers that are prebuilt & the Surface RT tablets you're unable to boot anything that hasn't been signed by Microsoft. On normal laptops & desktops you're usually able to just turn it off in the UEFI but obviously this presents accessibility issues for us. I'm not going to post any links as I'm assuming that this is a bit of a grey area legally & replies off list about how to do it will respectfully go unanswered, but suffice to say that after a bit of Googling I was able to download a script that disabled secure boot for me on a computer where it was enabled which allowed me to boot a talking PE disk. The script is kicked off within Windows and the process is more or less fully accessible. My understanding is that MS are pushing out updates that try to stop the tool from working but at the time of writing they appear not to be overly effective. Obviously if we look at the bigger picture, in terms of security this is a *huge* issue. Never the less, for us, it is a small, all be it unintended win in terms of accessibility. Have fun, Ben.

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bitlocker accessibility
by Chamandeep Singh Grover 18 Aug '16

18 Aug '16

Hi All, I am emailing on behalf of a friend who works at a company where bitlocker is used for encrypting devices. As you may know it requires the entering of a personal pin to login to the machine, however it is not possible to determine when the login screen is visible on screen. I wanted to ask if anyone knows of a setting to enable any audible beeps or similar to enhance the accessibility of this? Thank you Chamandeep singh Grover

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bitlocker accessibility
by Chamandeep Singh Grover 18 Aug '16

18 Aug '16

Hi All, I am emailing on behalf of a friend who works at a company where bitlocker is used for encrypting devices. As you may know it requires the entering of a personal pin to login to the machine, however it is not possible to determine when the login screen is visible on screen. I wanted to ask if anyone knows of a setting to enable any audible beeps or similar to enhance the accessibility of this? Thank you Chamandeep singh Grover

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debian Linux failing to install?
by Carter Temm 10 Aug '16

10 Aug '16

Hi, I'm trying to install debian. More specific Kali. When I boot and press s, it guides me through the installation. that's done, but the issue comes when the machine actually boots up. I don't know how to get speech so I can continue the installation. thanks for help

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Hyper-V or VMWare workstation on Windows 10.
by Darragh Ó Héiligh 09 Aug '16

09 Aug '16

There have been a few changes in relation to Hyper-V and Windows 10 lately. In the event you have tested hypervisors running under Windows 10 would you mind telling me if Hyper-V is still not a workable Hypervisor for screen reader users please? It's been over a year since I've tried it but there was something incompatible with exclusive mode I think. I cant fully remember what the problem was any more. I'm sure a lot has changed since then. Has anyone used Hyper-V recently? Specifically on Windows 10 please. Alternatively, have you used VMware workstation on Windows 10 lately? What is it like? I know Jaws for example was working really well with VMware workstation at the start of the year. I go through periods of mad activity on virtual machines. I'm going to get into one of those times between now and Sunday. Thanks Darragh

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Hyper-V or VMWare workstation on Windows 10.
by Darragh Ó Héiligh 09 Aug '16

09 Aug '16

There have been a few changes in relation to Hyper-V and Windows 10 lately. In the event you have tested hypervisors running under Windows 10 would you mind telling me if Hyper-V is still not a workable Hypervisor for screen reader users please? It's been over a year since I've tried it but there was something incompatible with exclusive mode I think. I cant fully remember what the problem was any more. I'm sure a lot has changed since then. Has anyone used Hyper-V recently? Specifically on Windows 10 please. Alternatively, have you used VMware workstation on Windows 10 lately? What is it like? I know Jaws for example was working really well with VMware workstation at the start of the year. I go through periods of mad activity on virtual machines. I'm going to get into one of those times between now and Sunday. Thanks Darragh

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Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server
by Ryan Shugart 09 Aug '16

09 Aug '16

Andrew: I’m a little curious about the loosing access to virtual domain controlers thing. My last job had about 40 domain controlers all over the world, and all but two were virtualized. I never had a problem and it never kept me up at night. Microsoft’s official recommendation at one point was that 25 percent of your domain controlers should not be virtualized, but just before I left we had Microsoft come in and perform an active directory assessment and the virtual to physicals ratio never even came up. Obviously you need to make sure you have a local account on your host (either ESXI or Hyper-V) and perhaps not even have the host joined to the domain (which is what we did) and you should be fine. The other thing is to make sure you don’t take snapshots of your virtual domain controlers, although with 2012R2 DCs this is actually no longer a restriction. Ryan -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins <blind-sysadmins-bounces(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> on behalf of Andrew Hodgson <andrew(a)hodgsonfamily.org> Reply-To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Date: Monday, August 8, 2016 at 2:50 PM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi, Like I said, I used Storage Server 2008 R2 and 2012 on some appliances (that connected to a SAN) as they were rock solid file servers. My only thing is don't try and use them for other means as you may get into trouble, and they aren't cheap. The Western Digital devices are probably the cheapest ones available for a small enclosure, the Dell units tend to be towers. Make sure you get the relevant model with Storage Server 2012 R2 as there are older models still around with older versions of Storage Server. This is an interesting blog post: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/storageserver/2013/09/04/windows-storag… One of the options there seems to be setting up a virtual domain controller, not sure whether that gets put on the storage server or somewhere else. I avoid virtual DCs like the plague as you get into situations where management of the VM hosts is not possible if the DC is not up. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Katherine Moss Sent: 08 August 2016 21:06 To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server The one feature I like in Storage Server is storage spaces (I use it for my Hyper-V host, and love it. Even got my friend off of his raid obsession.) . Part of what annoys me indeed, though is how Storage server lacks the remote web features that Essentials does, which makes me almost want to use an Essentials server as a file server, disabling all of its other features, and using it for backups/file storage/media streaming. (VPN is covered by my EdgeRouter). -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 08, 2016 10:34 AM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi, Be careful with the mantra of being able to put other OSes on the device. Those devices sometimes don't have KVM access which means it is a real pane to put the other OS on, and there is also the question of RAID setup, one device I used several years ago used a type of software RAID running on top of Windows Storage Server 2003, which meant that if that OS wasn't on the box the server became a useless brick. I can see why you want to go down this route but I would say that unless you really get a good deal on these boxes, you have very specific needs or there is a feature you want from Storage Server don't bother. Andrew. ________________________________________ From: Blind-sysadmins [blind-sysadmins-bounces(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org] on behalf of Katherine Moss [Katherine.Moss(a)gordon.edu] Sent: 08 August 2016 14:48 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server What I want is complete Active Directory integration, and I do like Windows for the added benefit. I'll be honest. Using Linux for a file server right now would be too foreign to me, I think. I'm more comfortable in the Linux arena with Routers, not filers. And plus, with MSDN, I could put onto the unit essentially whatever OS I wanted to once I got ahold of it. Plus space ... all I've got is shelving above my desk, so a rack mount or smaller pedestal would be better than a full tower. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Billy Irwin Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2016 1:01 PM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi Guys, I got busy and forgot to respond. The one I use is WD MyCloud 4TB version. Best Buy sales them. I like them because you can SSH into it and use the linux shell to advanced tasks if you wanted. Thanks, Billy -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Sunday, August 7, 2016 12:41 PM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi, Are there specifics you want to use for Windows Storage Server? I have virtualised file servers before but always make sure the file share disks are mapped to separate LUNs in your storage. I had a Dell PowerVault unit with Windows Storage server 2008 R2 to take advantage of the single instance storage, but as that is now in Windows Server 2012 and up, I am not sure if I would bother with one of those units with Windows Storage Server. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Katherine Moss Sent: 05 August 2016 18:49 To: 'blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org' <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi all, This has come up recently ... I'm very fond of the virtualization of servers; I've got two; my web server, and then a domain controller on one physical server, however, I see more benefits than drawbacks to a physical filer as oppose to making my filer another virtual server having to share drive space with databases, web applications, and other things. I'm very picky as to which OS my file server runs, however (preferring windows Storage server, which I can get via mSDN, over anything else) . I was thinking something along the lines of a Western Digital Sentinel or a Dell powerVault, though less emphasis on the latter considering those are the size of a tower. Preferably something desktop-sized or rack-mountable. But I don't want another tower unit hanging around ... or should I just attach a couple of USB 3.0 drives to my current hyper-V host make a dedicated storage space out of them, and then install WSS on a virtual machine? _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

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router credentials, different countries
by Katherine Moss 09 Aug '16

09 Aug '16

Hi, Sort of an odd sysadmin question. I'm trying to assist my contact from South Africa in getting access to port 2200 on her router. She is completely inept when it comes to technology, so I told her to get the credentials for the router (it's a Ubiquiti router, so easy for us once we have them to walk her through), and then once she had them, I'd have her log in and then walk her through the rest of it. According to her friend, who is very technical, it's common for South African ISPs to change the credentials and keep them away from the users, and if you call to get them, "odd questions" are asked, and she would not know how to properly answer them. Does anybody have any familiarity with this? Are some ISPs really so insecure as to know their customers credentials? And she is also stating something about how the owner of the network won't give her permissions to forward ports, and he is a programmer. So, you wonder what gives.

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Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server
by Ryan Shugart 08 Aug '16

08 Aug '16

Katherine: Storage Spaces is in all editions of Windows Server 2012R2, and Windows 8.1 for that matter. It just doesn’t have the fancy interface it does with the Server Essentials. For that matter, you can take a regular Windows Server 2012R2 machine, and add the Essentials Experience role onto it. You’ll get the same thing, but if all you’re looking for is storage spaces, there’s no reason to do that. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins <blind-sysadmins-bounces(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> on behalf of Katherine Moss <Katherine.Moss(a)gordon.edu> Reply-To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Date: Monday, August 8, 2016 at 2:05 PM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server The one feature I like in Storage Server is storage spaces (I use it for my Hyper-V host, and love it. Even got my friend off of his raid obsession.) . Part of what annoys me indeed, though is how Storage server lacks the remote web features that Essentials does, which makes me almost want to use an Essentials server as a file server, disabling all of its other features, and using it for backups/file storage/media streaming. (VPN is covered by my EdgeRouter). -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 08, 2016 10:34 AM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi, Be careful with the mantra of being able to put other OSes on the device. Those devices sometimes don't have KVM access which means it is a real pane to put the other OS on, and there is also the question of RAID setup, one device I used several years ago used a type of software RAID running on top of Windows Storage Server 2003, which meant that if that OS wasn't on the box the server became a useless brick. I can see why you want to go down this route but I would say that unless you really get a good deal on these boxes, you have very specific needs or there is a feature you want from Storage Server don't bother. Andrew. ________________________________________ From: Blind-sysadmins [blind-sysadmins-bounces(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org] on behalf of Katherine Moss [Katherine.Moss(a)gordon.edu] Sent: 08 August 2016 14:48 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server What I want is complete Active Directory integration, and I do like Windows for the added benefit. I'll be honest. Using Linux for a file server right now would be too foreign to me, I think. I'm more comfortable in the Linux arena with Routers, not filers. And plus, with MSDN, I could put onto the unit essentially whatever OS I wanted to once I got ahold of it. Plus space ... all I've got is shelving above my desk, so a rack mount or smaller pedestal would be better than a full tower. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Billy Irwin Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2016 1:01 PM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi Guys, I got busy and forgot to respond. The one I use is WD MyCloud 4TB version. Best Buy sales them. I like them because you can SSH into it and use the linux shell to advanced tasks if you wanted. Thanks, Billy -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Sunday, August 7, 2016 12:41 PM To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi, Are there specifics you want to use for Windows Storage Server? I have virtualised file servers before but always make sure the file share disks are mapped to separate LUNs in your storage. I had a Dell PowerVault unit with Windows Storage server 2008 R2 to take advantage of the single instance storage, but as that is now in Windows Server 2012 and up, I am not sure if I would bother with one of those units with Windows Storage Server. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Katherine Moss Sent: 05 August 2016 18:49 To: 'blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org' <blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi all, This has come up recently ... I'm very fond of the virtualization of servers; I've got two; my web server, and then a domain controller on one physical server, however, I see more benefits than drawbacks to a physical filer as oppose to making my filer another virtual server having to share drive space with databases, web applications, and other things. I'm very picky as to which OS my file server runs, however (preferring windows Storage server, which I can get via mSDN, over anything else) . I was thinking something along the lines of a Western Digital Sentinel or a Dell powerVault, though less emphasis on the latter considering those are the size of a tower. Preferably something desktop-sized or rack-mountable. But I don't want another tower unit hanging around ... or should I just attach a couple of USB 3.0 drives to my current hyper-V host make a dedicated storage space out of them, and then install WSS on a virtual machine? _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

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Considering a windows Storage server
by Katherine Moss 08 Aug '16

08 Aug '16

Hi all, This has come up recently ... I'm very fond of the virtualization of servers; I've got two; my web server, and then a domain controller on one physical server, however, I see more benefits than drawbacks to a physical filer as oppose to making my filer another virtual server having to share drive space with databases, web applications, and other things. I'm very picky as to which OS my file server runs, however (preferring windows Storage server, which I can get via mSDN, over anything else) . I was thinking something along the lines of a Western Digital Sentinel or a Dell powerVault, though less emphasis on the latter considering those are the size of a tower. Preferably something desktop-sized or rack-mountable. But I don't want another tower unit hanging around ... or should I just attach a couple of USB 3.0 drives to my current hyper-V host make a dedicated storage space out of them, and then install WSS on a virtual machine?

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