Joseph Kern's questions

Looking for insight into the effects of switching the publicfolderdatabase properties on a live Exchange 2010 database. Specifically what can the outlook clients (2007 and 2010 mixed) expect to see when this happens?

I will be doing limited testing, but I do want to know if anyone has encountered issues with non-responsive outlook clients and what you did to fix the issue (profile rebuild, resync, etc.).

I am trying to set expectations for this change, and communicate these issues to the help desk and to the users that might see an impact.

Firmware receives very little attention when it comes to updates. Out of sight, out of mind.

Many devices: RAID controllers, NICs, chipsets, and even hard drives, get some benefit from being updated. Better features, security/bug fixes, etc.

Most SA say, "Whenever it breaks, update the firmware." But this can lead to difficulties down the road; Several times, when contacting Dell about a failed hard drive, I've been asked if my hard drive firmware is up to date. All of my servers use some type of RAID configuration. If I already have a single drive failure, should I even consider trying to upgrading the firmware on the rest of the drives or the RAID controller? I would say no. But Dell seems to have a different view.

• What's a realistic update schedule for system firmware?
• Do you have any best practices to share?

(I am aware that Dell has a nice utility called Server Update Utility, which checks for all new firmware on any Dell server.)

Long story short, my server room is a bit ... dirty.

Just had a little construction done, and there is pretty nice layer of dust on a few systems.

From my knowledge, I can either:

• Use an Anti-Static vacuum
• Use an air compressor

Which is better? Any recommendations on particular Anti-Static vacuums?

(I don't want a little belkin "wand", I want a real vacuum if I'm going to buy one.)

EDIT: Below pauska posted a comment. Is anyone else willing to verify this statement?

There are special anti static vacuum cleaners aviable, but I really do not see the point of using that instead of a normal vacuum cleaner with a plastic nozzle. Just make sure youre grounded with a wristwrap and it really shouldnt be any problem. – pauska

I have always been told to never use a normal vacuum on a computer. I've never seen evidence. It's just what I've always been told.