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Install Citrix Cloud Connector on Server Core 2016

Scope
This post will provide some quick notes on installing the Citrix Cloud Connector on Server Core 2016.
Conceptual overview

We’re going to take our domain-joined Server Core installation and install the Citrix Cloud Connector on to it.
You can’t simply run the installer from the Server Core UI, because Server Core doesn’t have all the bits required for … Read more »

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Base image automation – download the latest installers for common apps with PowerShell

Overview
Long overdue, and inspired by @xenappblog and @CIT_Bronson, I’m finally documenting this.
In the Citrix RTST environment, we are frequently updating our base images with the latest common apps. To help with this, I cobbled together some scripts that will grab the latest version of apps like Chrome Enterprise, Firefox, VLC, Visual Studio Code, NotePad++, and … Read more »

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It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.

Something came up today that made me think about the importance of framing, and how it can be used to influence/persuade to meet your desired outcomes.

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.

It’s very easy to forget this – I do it all the time – but delivery is important. It can mean … Read more »

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Creating a Site to Site Routed VPN using DD-WRT and OpenVPN

Scenario
I needed to setup a site-to-site VPN between my home and my parent’s home, so that we can back up our stuff offsite – mostly documents and precious digital photos.
Requirements

I wanted it to be a proper routed VPN network, not a bridged one. By that I mean an OpenVPN tun setup, not an OpenVPN tap … Read more »

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Ways to make your team better by making them feel safe

I’ll get right to the point: Teams work better when they feel safe. And this one-page PDF from the Re:work team at Google gives clear and actionable things you can do and think about that will help to make your team feel safe. It doesn’t matter if you’re a manager or a team-member; check them … Read more »

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The Secret Citrix SysAdmins – My first Citrix blog post

Hoorah – a year in, and I’ve finally gotten around to writing something about what we do in the RTST team at Citrix.
If you’re curious about what we do, you can read it over on the official Citrix Blogs site: The Secret Citrix SysAdmins

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Some loose thoughts after 9 months at Citrix

Firstly, where did those 9 months go? Wow.
Back in July 2016, I joined Citrix. Long overdue, I wanted to collect some loose thoughts, so here goes:
Being more Senior is still weird, but good
It is still an odd sensation going from being one of the most junior staff members of a team, to one of the … Read more »

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Getting the Bosch Accelerometer to work on Chuwi Hi 8 Windows 10 Anniversary Edition

The short version
If you get the error “Device cannot start” on your Bosch Accelerometer in Device Manager on a Chuwi Hi 8 after installing Windows 10 Anniversary Edition, try this:

Get the 32-bit Hi 8 Pro and Vi 8 Pro drivers. Look for the text “Chuwi Hi8 Pro Dualboot driver_32bit download”
Install the driver in the ??-gravity … Read more »

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Impressions from my first week at Citrix

On Monday this week, I joined the Interoperability team at Citrix, based in Cambridge. I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on my first week here, and talk generally about what I’ve witnessed.
When I join a company, I try to understand what they do, how they view themselves, and what they want to do. … Read more »

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An update on the poor customer service from Microsoft Band support

Be warned: this is a Whinge-piece.
I wanted to provide an update on the poor customer service I’ve been receiving from Microsoft UK Support with my original Microsoft Band.
Microsoft seemingly ignored my “escalated complaint” through resolver.co.uk that I raised in December 2015, so I raised a new service ticket before the 1 year anniversary of my … Read more »

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Latest

  • I’m joining Citrix

    I’m pleased to be able to say that I’ll be joining Citrix in July 2016.
    I’ll be moving away from “pure” IT support and into an internal sysadmin/software tester role within the Citrix Interoperability Team. Their job is to regularly stand up the latest builds of the entire Citrix portfolio and ensure it all works smoothly … Read more »

  • WTF is a Unikernel?

    Unikernels are going to shake-up the Docker/Container world, in a really good way. They’ll make containers more efficient, faster and more secure. What’s not to love? While I don’t work with Unikernels, I am very curious about them. Below, I’ve summarised some resources that may help if you want to learn more about Unikernels. Share … Read more »

  • Job hunting resources: Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview tips

    It seems it’s the season of layoffs, so I wanted to share something that I feel might be useful to anyone affected.
    No one likes updating their CV/Resume and attending interviews as the best of times, let alone when you’re forced to by decisions that aren’t under your control. Help is at hand though, thanks to … Read more »

  • Understanding the human animal: The importance of packs, feeling safe, and good leadership

    I love understanding human nature, and why I feel the way I do in certain situations.
    One of my favourite videos on this, which touches on human teams, the important of feeling safe, and leadership responsibility, is Simon Sinek’s “Why leaders eat last” talk. At 45 minutes, it’s a good lunchtime video.
    For those who prefer to … Read more »

  • Catching up on the IT industry after years in Enterprise IT

    Overview and Scope
    I wrote this after a colleague requested some things they should read to catch up on what’s been going on in the IT industry over the last few years.
    Enterprise IT often moves at a much slower pace than other IT adopters, and we can be so inwardly focused that we don’t get a … Read more »