Managing Hardware Devices

1
Chapter 2

• Managing Hardware Devices

2
Hardware Categories in WS03

• Disk drives
• CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
• Modem
• Network adapter card
• Printers and scanners
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• USN devices
• IEEE1394 (Firewire devices)

3
Hardware Compatibility (a big deal)

• Microsoft is very concerned about making sure you
  have compatible HW in a server
• Eliminates loose ends when there is a failure or
  incompatibility for troubleshooting reasons
• HCL Hardware Compatibility List for previous
  versions of Windows Server (lt2003)
• Windows Server Catalog is new name
• Devices have been certified to work with WS03
• Dont use any HW not in the WSC! MS may not
  provide troubleshooting support for you.

4
Device Drivers

• Software to translate commands into actions and
  inform user about status of HW device
• It serves as the middleman between computer and
  the HW
• Computer talks to the driver which talks to
  device
• Device signing certified driver is tested and
  compatible with WS03

5
Device Manager

• Management tool .. click Device Manager button
• Access in System Properties Hardware tab
• Control Panel
• Rt-click My Computer, Properties
• Determine
• If installed and working properly (?)
• Summary of resources used
• Change the driver
• Install or uninstall device or disable

6
Device Manager, contd

• See Fig 2-3 and 2-4 on p. 48
• Note categories with sign in front
• Click to see the devices in that category
• See Fig 2-5 p. 49
• Driver details
• Update driver
• Roll back driver (to prior version)
• Uninstall

7
Adding New Devices

• Plug n Play much easier!
• NT and earlier did not support Plug and Play
• Steps for plug and play
• First install the driver with CD etc.
• Then attach the hardware and let the computer
  find the device and match it to the hardware

8
Legacy Devices

• These are devices that are not in the modern set
  and dont comply with plug and play stds.
• May be detected by WS03 but
• Cant be configured automatically
• May be on the ISA bus (old one)
• Can go through Add Hardware Wizard in Control
  Panel and pick device
• From the predefined list Fig 2-8 p. 54
• Or use Have Disk option
• May have to manually control device settings

9
Hardware Resource Settings

• Types of resources settings
• I/O port number range
• DMA channel (direct memory access)
• Memory address range
• IRQ (interrupt request) number
• These cannot interfere with each other across
  devices
• e.g., two devices cannot share same resource
  setting
• See Fig 2-9 p.55

10
Viewing Resource Settings

• In Device Manager
• First select the device category and device
• Select Resources tab
• View/change settings

11
Troubleshooting Resource Conflicts

• Ordinarily PnP will resolve this
• May need to remove two expansion cards/devices,
  restart
• Then add one back in a different order and
  install
• Then add the last one back.
• May need to take out of plug and play and set
  resources manually
• Not all devices have the same flexibility

12
Device Driver Signing

• Microsofts way to prove authenticity of the
  driver
• Signing it with a digital certificate means it is
  verified to work with the WS03 system and has not
  been changed since it was verified
• WS03 supports 3 options if driver is unsigned
• Ignore
• Warn
• Block

13
Roll Back Driver

• In case an updated driver is causing a problem,
  can automatically return to a previously
  installed version
• Big Hint dont install a new driver just for the
  heck of it. Have a suitable reason
• Known security risk with prior driver
• System will not work with a new mandatory feature
• Anticipated upgrade to a new SW version is not
  supported by current HW w/o upgrade

14
Processor Scheduling

• Configure how processor resources are allocated
  to programs
• Default Background, where all running
  applications receive equal priority NORMAL
• May choose Programs option where you can allocate
  between programs and services

15
Virtual Memory

• Cache memory on hard drive, used to extend
  physical RAM by swapping program blocks in and
  out of VM.
• Uses paging file as part of the disk where swaps
  between blocks occur
• Size and location of the paging file are critical
  for performance reasons tune it
• Default size is installed RAM times 1.5
• In Advanced tab of My Computer Properties

16
Memory Allocation

• The servers main RAM can be allocated between
  server functions and network connectivity
  functions
• See Fig 2-21 on p. 71
• Choices for allocation
• Minimize memory used (lt 10 clients)
• Balance (small LAN of lt 64 clients)
• Maximize data throughput for file sharing
• Maximize data throughput for network appls
• (ignore the last choice for early networks)

17
Hardware Profiles

• Cool! This is a set of devices that you want to
  start when the computer boots up.
• Can be used to debug flakey devices by locking it
  out temporarily
• With a laptop, can set up one profile for work
  and another for home, depending on which
  resources are available (wired vs wireless
  network adapter, for instance)
• Locate in Hardware tab of MY Computer properties

18
Configuring Power Options

• See Power Options in the Control Panel
• There are preprogrammed modes (roles)
• Home/Office Desk
• Portable/Laptop
• Presentation
• Always On
• Minimal Power Management
• Max Battery
• Major options
• Monitor
• Hard disks
• System standby

19
Power Options, contd

• System suspend options
• Hibernate copies session RAM onto special
  partition of hard drive, then shuts down
  completely no battery flow
• Standby keeps CPU alive by small trickle of
  energy from battery or power supply 1 day
  battery or less

20
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply

• UPS a lead acid battery with an inverter
• Converts DC back to AC to go into power supply of
  server which in turn converts it back to DC
• Gives 10 60 minutes power when electric supply
  is off or fluctuates
• UPS options
• Best to install the UPS software utilities
• Can log voltage and current history
• System shutdown can be programmed when UPS is
  down to x minutes reserve
• Best known APC www.apc.com