Windows 2003 Server 64bit Edition – LUN Alignment

Pre-requisites: Disk must be “Basic”.  Dynamic disks are not supported.

Configure Disk Alignment Value:

1. Launch command window start -> run “cmd”
2. type “diskpart”
3. list disk
4. select disk <disk number>
5. list disk (confirm an * is next to the disk you selected)
6. list partition (NO partitions should be visible. If partitions are listed then the disk may contain production data)
7. create partition primary align=<alignment value ex: 32, 64, 128>
8. assign letter=<free drive letter ex: G>
9. list partition
10. exit

Example configuration output:
C:\>diskpart
Microsoft DiskPart version 5.2.3790.3959
Copyright (C) 1999-2001 Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: Test1
DISKPART> list disk
Disk ###  Status      Size     Free     Dyn  Gpt
——–  ———-  ——-  ——-  —  —
Disk 5    Online        60 GB      0 B
DISKPART> select disk 5
Disk 5 is now the selected disk.
DISKPART> list partition
Partition ###  Type              Size     Offset
————-  —————-  ——-  ——-
Partition 1    Primary             60 GB   128 KB

Format Disk:

1. Start -> run “diskmgmt.msc”
2. Change the allocation size to match the segment size of the associated LUN.  A common segment size is 64KB
3. Click Format

Windows – Force Remote Reboot

While working in enterprise environments specifically those in remote locations servers sometimes do not respond properly to reboot requests.  In situations like this the admin attempting to perform updates on the server can sometimes feel helpless.  Fear not helpless admin… there is a little trick which will save you both time and grief.  The trick/command allows you to force a remote reboot of a system provided you have the proper admin credentials.  

Command: shutdown -r -m \\<IP or DNS name> -t <wait time> -f 

-r = shutdown then reboot
-m = the server in question
-t = wait time between shutdown command execution in seconds
-f = force all applications to close

After executing this command open a new command window and run a continues ping against the server to monitor if and when it goes down and also when it comes back up.  Be sure to judge the required reboot time based on the number of devices on the server, number of apps, and also the amount of memory etc. The more complex the box the longer the reboot time.  

ping <DNS name or IP address> /t