I ran into an interesting issue where our monitoring software (GFI MAX) wasn’t detecting the installation / existence of our backup software (ShadowProtect MSP Edition).

THE SOFTWARE

• Windows Server 2008 R2 installation (brand new install)
• Current GFI MAX monitoring agent (v 8.8.2)
• ShadowProtect MSP Edition (v 4.15.10.125)

As you can see from the screen shot below, ShadowProtect is actually installed and showing up in the registry, but the Agent is still failing to detect it.

THE SUPPORT

Per a phone call with the good folks at GFI, the GFI Agent is looking for some specific registry keys to determine the existence of ShadowProtect. The keys are in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\StorageCraft:

• ShadowProtect SBS
• ShadowProtect Server
• ShadowProtect Desktop

THE CRUX

The new ShadowProtect MSP version installs itself as “ShadowProtect”, so the missing “SBS / Server / Desktop” bit at the end causes the Agent to fail.

The FIX

I added a new registry key…

…called “ShadowProtect Server”…

…and it passed.

IMPORTANT: I did NOT modify the existing ShadowProtect registry key – I just added a new one. DON’T rename the existing key.

I called the key “ShadowProtect Server” because this is Server 2008 R2. If this was SBS 2008 or 2011 I’d call the new key “ShadowProtect SBS”.

WHY WE DIDN’T RUN INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE

As we’ve been converting from the old ShadowProtect MSP version to the new one, that old registry key still existed (even after uninstallation).

SIDE NOTE

The two events the monitoring agent is looking for in regards to ShadowProtect in the Application Log are:

• ID 1120 – ShadowProtectSvc – Success
• ID 1121 – ShadowProtectSvc – Failure

Also, GFI MAX will not monitor for the following:

• ShadowProtect IT Edition
• ShadowProtect Granular Recovery for Exchange
• ShadowProtect ImageManager Enterprise

Just a friendly reminder that the Kentucky Small Business Server User Group (KYSBSUG) meets tonight:

Topic: ConnectWise
Date: Wednesday August 20, 2008
Start Time: 6:30 PM Eastern (GMT -5)
Location: Money Concepts, Louisville, Kentucky USA
Registration URL: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=130623

Description:

Are you bleeding billable hours?  Are contacts, timesheets, scheduling, sales, email, accounting, projects and service tickets scattered throughout your organization with little or no integration between applications?

Then please join us this month for a look at one of the most outstanding and popular PSA solutions in the market today.  Learn how ConnectWise can help you bring it all together.  If you have it, come and share what you’ve learned.  If you’re using something else, share that too.  If you’re still looking, this is the place to be.

Door Prizes:  The first 5 attendees will receive Starbucks gift cards, plus we have some USB flash drives and other nice swag.

Attendees can participate in-person or via Microsoft Live Meeting.  But seating is limited, so register today!

Least helpful Zenith Saaz error ever:

In cyberspace, nobody can hear you scream.

Many friends have already heard the inside scoop, and yes, the rumors are true.  Today I’m making an official public announcement. 

March 15, 2007 – I’m excited to report that I’ve accepted a position working at Applied Tech Solutions – www.appliedtech.us

Applied Tech is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner located in Madison, Wisconsin USA.  They’re a Managed Services Provider that focuses on SMB networking, Microsoft CRM & Great Plains, VoIP, and their Microsoft specializations include:

• Advanced Infrastructure Solutions
• Networking Infrastructure Solutions
• Information Worker Solutions
• Microsoft Business Solutions

Kurt Sippel founded the company in 1999, and I first met him in 2004.  His team is made up of absolutely amazing, talented & brilliant folks.  In 2005 they opened a branch office in Stevens Point, WI.  Over the last several years I’ve watched Applied Tech grow and Kurt and I have periodically talked about working together in the future.  Well, the future is now.

Leaving my position at Rehab Designs wasn’t an easy decision.  I was Rehab Designs’ first employee in 1992 and have spent nearly 15 years helping build the company from the ground up.  I will really miss working with them.  Still, from a career standpoint, the opportunity to work with Applied Tech was one I couldn’t pass up. 

My first public appearance for Applied Tech will be as one of the speakers at their March 27 Vista event.  

Webcast: The Recipe to Build a Successful Managed Services Practice from Scratch – Part 3 
Powered by: TS2 Wed on the Web 
Date: Wednesday November 29, 2006
Presenters: Ron Grattopp & Erick Simpson
Event Time: 3:00 PM Eastern, USA & Canada (DST) = GMT -05:00
Duration: 60 minutes

Registration URL:
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15004776
 
Description:  This is a follow-up to Erick’s June 30th and August 18th Managed Services Webcasts. This Seminar will focus on pricing, marketing and selling your Managed Services Deliverables, and will include a discussion of different pricing models and sales and marketing strategies. We will feature a live Q&A with Erick, which we did not have time for in the first Webcast.

Prerequisites:
Recipe to build a Successful Managed Services Practice from Scratch – Part 1:
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15004257

and Recipe to build a Successful Managed Services Practice from Scratch – Part 2:
http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15004419.