IT Pro Tuesday #208

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Welcome back to IT Pro Tuesday!

Manual deployments are becoming more difficult and time consuming these days. Infrastructure as Code is a game changer, but it does take time to learn to use effectively. Join Microsoft’s Luke Orellana and our Andy Syrewicze as they walk you through this new management method, use-cases, why you would want to learn it, resources to get start, and much more. Watch/Listen on The SysAdmin DOJO Podcast or on your favorite podcast player.

We're looking for cool tips and tools we can share with the community... those that help you do your job better and more easily. Please reply with your latest finds, so we can help others benefit from your experience.

As always, we’re updating the full list on our website here. Enjoy.

But on with this week's tools...! Here are the most-interesting items that have come across our desks, laptops and phones this week. Hornetsecurity has no known affiliation with any of these unless we explicitly state otherwise.

A Free Tool

WANem is a wide area network emulator for application testing over a LAN environment. WANem allows you to set up a transparent application gateway to simulate WAN characteristics like network delay; packet loss, corruption or reordering; disconnections; jitter etc. Can be used to test data/voice applications in a realistic WAN environment. yankmywire adds, "WANem works well, we have it set up in a virtualized environment. When we need it, it's as simple as connecting up a few virtual links inline of a server to play around with different scenarios."

Another Free Tool

Syncthing is a fully secure, open-source file synchronization program. Syncs files between two or more computers in real time with no central server involved—thus ensuring complete privacy. Our appreciation for the suggestion goes to SLZUZPEKQKLNCAQF.

A Training Resource

The XY Problem explains a simple strategy for understanding how to avoid chasing after a misguided plan, partial fix or workaround that just wastes time. Can help improve your troubleshooting and people management skills to more quickly achieve an optimal outcome. PositiveBubbles adds, "it's really helped me understand that I'm worried too much about what other people think they want and how we can help them get what they want even if we have to put up with lack of listening and tantrums of wanting their own way."

One More Free Tool

VeraCrypt is a highly secure, open-source disk encryption solution. This multiplatform software adds enhanced security to the encryption algorithms that allow it to resist new developments in brute-force attacks as well as solving many of the vulnerabilities and security issues found in other products. malikto44 describes it as "more secure [than Cryptomator], but requires FUSE.”

A Book

Technology Strategy Patterns: Architecture as Strategy helps technically minded people improve their ability to interact in a business environment. Provides specific tools and tactics that help you create clear, impactful plans and enable you to effectively communicate them to non-technical executives. bgp4fun suggests it for those with an eye on a management position.

P.S. Bonus Free Tools

SuperDelete is a Windows command-line tool for deleting files and folders with extra-long paths. Supports paths up to 32767 characters. OneOfThoseWhizKids adds, "If you're ever had the misfortune of having to deal with extremely long paths in Windows, this is a lifesaver, as every other tool and workaround failed when I had to delete a file with a path 4k characters long."

InControl is a one-button utility that gives the user control over all non-security updates to their Windows 10 and 11 systems. It locks the Windows automatic update system at the specific major version and feature update release you specify. Thereafter, Windows will only install the monthly security updates until you set it to release control. slyguy47-sb explains, "Allows very easy native lockdown of what release Windows Update will target. Made by Steve Gibson at GRC who also created Never10. This is useful to quickly update from the release our MDT pushes to the release we may currently use in production."

Have a fantastic week and as usual, let us know any comments.