XenDesktop 7.5 mapped drive execute permission

By default it’s not possible to run executables (install software) from a client drive which has been mapped to a XenDesktop VM. A work around is to copy the files to a network share and run the installation from there, but it takes time and can be a fair bit of extra work.

Instead, it’s possible to enable execute permissions via a quick and simple registry modification on the VDA (the XenDesktop VM). No DDC or client PC changes are required.

  1. Start “regedit”
  2. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\GroupPolicy\Defaults\”
  3. Add the key “CDMSettings”
  4. Add the following DWORD value: “ExecuteFromMappedDrive”
  5. Set “ExecuteFromMappedDrive” to “1”

A restart of the VM is required for the changes to take effect.

Tested on XenServer 6.2 with XenDesktop 7.5 on a Dell R720 with NVIDIA K2 GPU card (K240Q and K260Q vGPUs assigned to the VMs).

XenDesktop75_execute_from_mapped_drive

VMware default user names / logins and passwords

Consistency in user names and passwords would be nice, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case. While setting up VMware’s vCenter, vCOPS and vShield recently I came across a few default logins / passwords worth jotting down for reference:

VMware vCenter Operations Manager: UI VM console login

Admin account: admin

Password: admin

root account: root

Password: vmware

VMware vCenter Operations Manager: Web GUI login

User: admin

Password: admin

 

VMware vCenter appliance login (same for both local console and Web GUI):

User: root

Password: vmware

 

vCenter appliance URL for initial access and configuration

https://[vCenter IP]:5480

 

vCenter appliance URL for normal web access (the web client: alternative to using the vSphere client)

https://[vCenter IP]:9443

 

vShield Manager console:

User: admin

Password: default

 

 

Configuring iSCSI and management networks on a Dell EqualLogic PS-M4110 storage array

Quick instructions on setting up an EqualLogic PS-M4110 storage array.
In this case it’s a blade model located in a Dell M1000e chassis, slot 7 and 8.
Fabric B is the iSCSI fabric and fabric A is for management
We start by configuring fabric B, then A

Since there is no IP configured, we connect via serial.
Luckily the M1000e provides serial connectivity via the CMC as per the below:

SSH to CMC IP address:
==============================

Switch to the EQL serial interface (connect to the slot ID)
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Log in (default user/pass: grpadmin/grpadmin)
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Note: If creating a new group, just enter the desired group name and IP
==============================

Setting up the management network:
=====================================

The array can now be accessed via the web:
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http://10.6.26.227

X Rebirth: Free play guide – Getting started as a pirate – 5: Reparing a ship by editing a save file

Disclaimer: This guide shows how to directly edit the XML save files for X Rebirth. Mistakes during editing can easily render the save file useless. BACK UP ANY SAVE FILES BEFORE EDITING. I take no responsibility for damage done to the save files, your computer or your general health if the below guide doesn’t work. The guide works for me at the time of writing though and should work fine for anyone looking to fix their broken ships as long as care is taken when changing the save file.

Guide:
After a hostile takeover the ship will be in pretty poor condition with both engines and jump drive blown to pieces. So far I haven’t been able to fix a ship to the point where it’s able to move about and be of use through the game itself. Others seem to have the same problem. Maybe there is a way to do it. Please do let me know if you know. In the meantime this workaround is useful.

To repair a boarded ship via a save file, follow the below steps:
1. Save the game and make note of the number of the save. Also make note of the captains name.
Viewing the captains name can be done by: [Enter] -> [2 Property owned] -> Select “DE” for the ship to view details for.
2014-01-04_00067

2. Exit the game and use Windows Explorer to navigate to the following folder:

. Substitute “your username” with the user account currently logged on to the computer and the “random number” with the number shown for your particular installation. It appears to be random, but since it’s only one folder it will be easy to find.

3. Find the save file and open it with a text editor. Personally I highly recommend “Notepad++” since the save file is XML and Notepad++ supports syntax highlights. This makes it easier to edit the file

4. Search for the captains name in the save file
x-rb guide - 3

5. Scroll up a few steps and look for the word “wrecked”
x-rb guide - 4

6. Change “wrecked” to “collapsed”
x-rb guide - 5

7. Scroll down, past the captain until the “jumpdrive” is listed

8. Change “wrecked” to “collapsed”

9. Scroll down further and look for “engine”. There will be multiple entries (two entries for each engine on a Rahanas).

10. Change “wrecked” to “collapsed”

11. Save the file

12. Start X Rebirth and load the saved game. The ship will now be repaired.

Before repair:
2014-01-04_00066

After repair:
2014-01-04_00069

Add to squad:
Finally, to enable trading with the new ship it needs to be added to the players squad. To do this, double-click the ship and select “Add to squad”:
2014-01-04_00070

Enjoy your new freighter!