Category Archives: Testlab

Windows 10: Deployment and management lab kit

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Andrew Barnes

I’m currently updating my Microsoft certifications with the exam 70-697 Configuring Windows Devices and have done a lot of hands on lab training recently. I’ve downloaded the whopping 30Gb Windows 10 deployment and management lab kit for my testlab and felt … Continue reading →

Posted in Certified Training, Deployment, MDT 2013, SCCM, Testlab, Windows 10 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Testlab: HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 G1610T

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Andrew Barnes

Once your training evolves to enterprise level, you’ll need enterprise level hardware to simulate real world test scenarios. Let’s face it, corporate IT training is usually restricted to a privileged few so if you want to get on, get your own … Continue reading →

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Test Lab: Base Configuration – Hydration Kit: Custom Default settings

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Andrew Barnes

When using the Test Lab:Base Configuration Hydration Kit, you may want to use your own custom domain and server names. After all, it’s your testlab and you might spend a considerable amount of time working there. It makes sense to … Continue reading →

Posted in Deployment, MDT 2012, Testlab | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Test Lab: Base Configuration – Hydration Kit released.

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Andrew Barnes

I’ve released my first Codeplex project today. It’s available at http://testlabhydrationkit.codeplex.com Hydration Kit – Test Lab: Base Configuration for Windows Server 2008 R2 The code is Microsoft Deployment Toolkit standalone media (Hydration Kit) that will configure each of the servers … Continue reading →

Posted in Deployment, MDT 2012, Testlab | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Testlab: Test Lab Guides

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Andrew Barnes

During the start-up charter of my Scriptimus Ex Machina(yeah, pretentious but I had a plan) it was my intention to create in-depth guides on Test Labs as they are the foundation of all IT, from training to Proof of Concepts. … Continue reading →

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Testlab: Upgrading HP N40L Microserver with an SSD drive

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Andrew Barnes

I decided to get a Solid State Drive for my HP Microserver N40L. Great Idea until I tried to install it. I bought a 2.5” drive and the bay is 3.5” so the drive does not fit in the bracket. … Continue reading →

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TestLab: Network Design

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Andrew Barnes

When creating a test environment, one needs to spend some time pondering the design in order to avoid potential problems. One past networking issue I had was getting the internet into my labs without bleeding DHCP from my servers into … Continue reading →

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TestLab: Setting up the hardware

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Andrew Barnes

So far in my TestLab I’ve purchased a HP N40L MicroServer and installed VMWare hypervisor ESXi 5. The purpose of this is to continue my IT training from my home Office at a low budget. This what my setup looks … Continue reading →

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Testlab: Getting Started

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Andrew Barnes

I’ve been meaning to blog about creating a test/training environment for a while and as I’m in the process of rebuilding one, now’s a good a time as ever. I’m going to demonstrate how to cheaply and quickly knock up a … Continue reading →

Posted in Testlab | Tagged , | 2 Comments