Bits, Bytes, & Radio Waves

A Journey Through Discovery

  • MyLab: Overview

    Overview From time to time, I completely wipe out my lab and just start over. This keeps me fresh on the technology and allows me to discover new puzzles as software is always changing. The one thing that is consistent in my lab is a VMware host, a PowerEdge R730xd, and a Synology DS1511+ Network…

  • MyLab: The Domain Controller

    Overview For my domain, I am going to use Microsoft Windows Server 2022 and build two domain controllers (DC1 and DC2) in a new forest called aaronrombaut.com. The domain controllers will provide critical services such as Domain Name System (DNS), authentication, and time services to other domain joined computers and servers. VMware Horizon (and other…

  • MyLab: The Database

    Overview A database is required for quite a few components used in VMware Horizon. For this Service, I am going to install Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition as this is compatible with both VMware Horizon and VMware App Volumes. To ensure compatibility in the future, check the VMware Product Interoperability Matrix.

  • MyLab: The Certificates

    Overview I am a strong proponent to securing an infrastructure with customer-signed Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates internally and only using third party certificates where absolutely necessary for external services. For this service, I am going to build a two-tier Microsoft certificate authority (CA) using Windows Server 2022. One virtual machine will be a root…

  • MyLab: VMware Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM)

    Overview I am choosing to install VMware Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM) to quickly perform tasks on user profiles and save profile data. Using DEM is easier to administer user-based Group Policies than Active Directory and (I think) more predictable.

  • MyLab: The Files

    Overview I am choosing to install a Microsoft Windows File Server to hold shares for the domain as well as VMware Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM) configuration files and user profile information.

This is how it all started…

I started this site with the intent to aggregate as much information as possible in one place. I use this to record lessons learned or frustrating configurations I have experienced on the job or just tinkering (learning) and just couldn’t find a better resource available. I have tried to be as thorough and accurate as possible, but technology is rapidly evolving and every environment is different. I may miss things along the way and my setup most likely differs compared to yours.

I hope you find this site has some value to you.

Welcome to Bits, Bytes, and Radio Waves! 

If you have any questions or comments (or just want to give me a shout-out), please feel free to contact me!

Aaron Rombaut

Writer & Technologist