More Musings

  • 01-CHAPTER 1 — INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT

    CTO / Systems Architecture Edition Chapter 1 Summary: Legacy SME line-of-business systems were built for a world of single-site LANs, negligible latency, and workstation-local execution, but 2025 operating conditions—remote work, multi-location access, heightened concurrency, compliance demands, and modern threat models—expose fundamental flaws in flat-file/SMB architectures. These systems rely on optimistic locking, local consistency assumptions, and…

  • THE SOVEREIGN MAIL SYSTEM

    Anglicised British-English Edition TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface This book is the story of a remarkable system:a sovereign, multi-layered, cryptographically anchored email infrastructure built from first principles — not by a corporation or a team, but by a single individual determined to understand, control, and protect the foundations of his digital world. It is a book…

  • 🔐 Ransomware Resilience Comparison: Dropbox vs OneDrive vs Google Drive vs Local NAS

    Feature / Platform Dropbox OneDrive Google Drive Local NAS Version History ✅ 30–180 days depending on plan ✅ 30 days (Personal), 93+ days (Business) ✅ 30 days or 100 versions ⚠️ Manual setup (e.g., Btrfs, snapshots) Rewind Entire Folder/Account ✅ Full rewind (Professional/Business) ✅ Entire OneDrive (via ransomware recovery) ❌ No folder rewind; manual per-file…

  • 🛡️ Small Business Network Hardening Guide (UniFi Ultra, One LAN, No Open Ports)

    Overview This guide provides step-by-step instructions to secure a small business network with: A single LAN Ubiquiti UniFi Ultra as the gateway No port forwarding or open inbound ports Threat vectors addressed include phishing, lateral movement, internal misconfiguration, and remote exploitation. 🔧 1. Edge Router & Firewall: Lock Down the Gateway ✅ UniFi Ultra Firewall…

  • Attack vectors.

    📨 1. Phishing Emails [factual] 🌍 2. Compromised Websites [factual] 🔓 3. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Attacks [factual] 🧑‍💻 4. Software Vulnerabilities / Exploits [factual] 🧳 5. Malicious Ads (Malvertising) [factual] 💾 6. Infected Software or USB Devices [factual] 🧠 7. Initial Access Brokers (IABs) [inference / emerging threat]

  • Ransomware defences for a small business

    🔐 1. Backup Strategy 🛡️ 2. Endpoint Protection 🚧 3. Firewall & Network Segmentation 🔑 4. Access Control 🔁 5. Patch & Update Management ✉️ 6. Email Security 🧠 7. User Training 🧾 8. Application Whitelisting 🔍 9. Monitoring & Logging 🔐 10. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • Ransom defenses

    🔄 Types of Backup by Location Local (On-Premises) Backups Backups stored within your office or facility. Offsite (Remote Physical) Backups Physical copies stored away from the main premises. Cloud Backups Backups sent via the internet to a third-party provider. ⚙️ Types of Backup by Method Full Backup• Everything is copied.• Slowest and largest but easiest…

  • Proxmox VE vs Other Hypervisors comparison

    🧠 Proxmox VE vs Other Hypervisors — Markdown Comparison ✅ Feature Comparison Table Feature / Platform Proxmox VE VMware ESXi / vSphere Microsoft Hyper-V XCP-ng Citrix XenServer (legacy) Type Open-source KVM + LXC stack Proprietary + vCenter (paid) Built into Windows Server Open-source Xen-based Proprietary Xen-based License Cost Free (sub optional) $ (vSphere/ESS licences) Free…

  • ✅ Future Server Build

    Onprem – onsite £4,906.44 exc vat from scan.co.uk (as at 1/8/2025) Say 4 to 6gb ram per rdp user. Existing has 64gb and ten expected RDP users max, average 5. 🖥️ Core Server Platform Component Details Chassis Scan 3XS SER T1E Tower Server Motherboard ASRock GENOAD8X-2T/BCM (SP5, DDR5, 4× MCIO, 2× M.2, 2× 10GbE, 1×…

  • PBS Ransom

    PBS is built precisely for this threat model. If Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) itself remains uncompromised, it provides a strong line of defence against ransomware. Here’s why, and what to do to make it even more robust. 🛡️ Why PBS is Inherently Resilient to Ransomware ✔️ 1. Immutable backups ✔️ 2. No writable filesystem ✔️…

  • Proxmox

    🔧 Configuration: ⚡ Simulated Tests: 🧪 Shutdown flow: /sbin/shutdown -h now “apcupsd UPS forced shutdown” ✅ The correct command for Proxmox to shut down cleanly. ✅ Final Summary: Yes, Proxmox Will Shut Down Automatically If the UPS: → Proxmox will shut itself down safely, thanks to apcupsd.

  • Grounding lightning

    Derived from texts I searched. Grounding is essential for protecting network infrastructure, especially PoE switches and outdoor devices, from electrostatic discharge (ESD) and lightning-induced surges. In the case of Ubiquiti UniFi equipment, grounding isn’t always required for basic operation. Still, it is critical for safety, reliability, and surge protection—especially in outdoor or long-cable deployments. Here…

  • AD04 AD Script

    FQDN: server.local NetBIOS domain name: SERVER This script creates a new AD forest with those values and sets the DSRM password non-interactively. ✅ Final AD Promotion Script (Anonymised) 🧾 Notes to Customise Before Running Replace “OurSecurePasswordHere” with your desired Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password Run the script from an elevated PowerShell prompt (Run as…

  • AD04 Notes Server V4

    a single shared “Documents” folder that: Replaces each user’s individual C:\Users\username\Documents Is the same location for all users — past and future Is centrally stored, e.g. on D:\Documents on our server Involves configuring Group Policy Folder Redirection, not just an SMB share. ✅ What we’re Trying to Achieve Requirement Implementation All users share the same…

  • AD04 Notes Server V4

    We’re building a workgroup-based Windows Server from scratch, preparing it for manual Active Directory promotion, without any domain migration tools, and we’re managing everything manually and precisely. Here’s a consolidated checklist of everything we’ve done pre promotion, what’s confirmed ready, and what’s left to do both before and after promotion. ✅ Phase 1: Completed So…

  • Compare two UPS’s

    Here’s a table comparing the two APC UPS models from UPSCentre: Feature APC SMT1500IC APC SMT1500I Model APC Smart-UPS 1500VA LCD with SmartConnect APC Smart-UPS 1500VA LCD Product Link SMT1500IC SMT1500I VA / Watt Capacity 1500VA / 1000W 1500VA / 1000W Display LCD LCD SmartConnect Cloud ✅ Yes ❌ No Network Management Slot ✅ Yes…

  • UPS Quick price searches

    Reviews below of thinking 🔌 1. APC Smart-UPS SMT1500I Amazon UK: ServersFit UK: Price Difference: £221.50  ⚙️ 2. Eaton 5SC1500i Amazon UK: Senetic UK: Price Difference: £107.85  💡 3. CyberPower CP1500EPFCLCD-UK Amazon UK: BroadbandBuyer: Price Difference: £41.74  ⸻ 📊 Summary Comparison ⚡ Recommended UPS Options for Proxmox + Starlink System Warning: I…

  • 🔌 Power Cuts and Server Risk — Why a UPS Is Critical

    Today’s power outage is a perfectly timed example of the kind of event we must be protected against — and currently are not. When the server is switched off suddenly during important operations — such as saving data, running domain services, or handling disk writes — it doesn’t simply “pause”. It can leave files, databases,…

  • Active Directory promotion

    RDS CALS not working – how to troubleshoot? 1. Check disk space and delete old snapshots to free space To fix snapshot creation failure due to out of space, deleted old ZFS snapshots automatically using this script: This prunes snapshots older than 24 hours automatically. 2. Create AD domain using PowerShell with correct parameters Used…

  • 📊 Windows Server 2025: Essentials vs. Standard — My Business-Focused Comparison

    A note: Two Different Standards at Play Standard What It Means Applies To UK/EU Licensing Law You’re allowed to resell and reuse perpetual software licences under specific conditions (e.g. UsedSoft ruling) Resellers offering reused OEM/Volume licences Microsoft-Supported Microsoft will recognise, activate, and provide support or escalation for your licence Only applies to new, genuine licences…

  • ✅ Windows Server 2025 My Setup Checklist

    🧩 Initial System Setup [ ] Install Windows Server 2025 (UEFI + GPT mode) [ ] Set computer name (e.g. srv-backup-01) [ ] Install all available Windows Updates [ ] Install VM tools or hardware drivers (e.g. Proxmox guest tools) [ ] Set system time zone and verify NTP sync [ ] Define and document…

  • Telephone modernisation

    FINAL CHEAPEST CONCLUSION (see the very end) Keep your existing DECT handsets by replacing the base station with a SIP-compatible model like the Gigaset N300IP FOR ABOUT £45 This is assuming the existing DECT base is analog only, no sip. ======================================================== Short cuts to sites https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/managed-voip https://www.gigaset.com/pro/en_en/cms/home/fusion.html ======================================================== EXAMPLE Gigaset Fusion FX800W Pro Bundle (Inc…

  • Tech To do

    Backup testing Snapshots setup Format 128gb sticks Create RDP +1 Done Archive user logs Set log size Pay for licences £3k ? Hardening a bit more SMTP Go eval – esp SMS

  • Logins & Connections

    Logins Logins are where a username and password are requested, often followed by a TFA (Two-Factor Authentication) code, usually 6 digits, sometimes sent to a phone via SMS, and sometimes to an email. In both cases, avoid generating multiple code requests because it becomes impossible to tell which is the correct one to use. In…

  • Printer strategy

    Canon Maxify GX7050 (“Office Printer Canon GX7000”) is now a shared, locally installed printer on the server Printer Installed on the Server Added via network at IP 192.168.0.125. (so this is NOT TailScale) Named to “Office Printer Canon GX7000” for clarity. Visible to All Users Shortcut added so it’s visible to everyone, including RDP users.…

  • Documents share strategy

    Team operations ✅ Shared Documents Setup Summary We now have a clean, system-level shared folder configuration that: 📂 Folder Redirection Behaviour D:SharedDocsDocuments 🧾 Final Results

  • RAM Crash fix

    Here’s a concise but detailed summary of the issue we encountered and how we resolved it: ⸻ 🛑 Issue Summary: VM Refused to Start (VMID 101) on Proxmox our we attempted to start our Windows Server 2025 VM (VMID 101) but received conflicting signals: This was concerning, especially because we were remotely connected, and any…

  • UPS

    🔌 UPS Types Comparison for Proxmox (GMKtec K8) Feature / Type Standby (Offline) Line-Interactive ✅ Online (Double Conversion) Normal Power Source Wall outlet Wall outlet + AVR Battery via inverter (always) Battery Usage Only on power loss Only during serious issues Always Voltage Regulation ❌ None ✅ Automatic (AVR) ✅ Full isolation Transfer Time 5–10…

  • Starlink CGNAT

    Whats my ip 145.224.65.89Ultra WAN IP 100.112.22.183 CGNAT means Carrier Grade NAT My prompt was: I am happy being “hidden” behind CGNAT as I want only our own users connected and then using vpn without open ports That makes excellent sense — and it’s a secure-by-default approach. Let’s affirm the key points of your CGNAT-based…

  • Unify

    Feature U7 Outdoor U7 Pro Outdoor Wi-Fi Standard Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Bands Tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz) Tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz) Spatial Streams 4 total 6 total Maximum Throughput Estimated ~3.5 Gbps Up to 5.7 Gbps Antenna Integrated directional/semi-directional Enhanced directional super antenna Antenna Gain Moderate High…

  • WAL Synopsis

    PROMPT Can you read this link and give me a synopsis for someone who doesn’t understand any of this subject? https://serverside.blog/2025/05/26/wal-win-11-seats-x-5/ The blog post titled “WAL Win 11 Seats x 5” compares two approaches for setting up a computing environment for five users: Key Differences: Recommendations: In summary, for a small team of five users,…

  • WAL Win 11 v Server

    Executive Summary: Remote Access and Multi-User Software Deployment As our business grows and adopts more remote and collaborative work practices, we are evaluating two options for providing secure, shared access to our business software. — Option 1: Windows 11 + Per-Seat Licences + File Server Each user runs the software locally on their own PC…

  • WAL Win 11 Seats x 5

    Comparison: Windows 11 Per-Seat + File Server vs. Windows Server 2025 with RDS System Comparison Table Aspect Windows 11 + Per-Seat Licences + File Server Windows Server 2025 + RDS + Centralised App Licensing ✅ Simple and legal with per-seat licences ✅ Legal if RDS CALs are purchased for each user Installation Installed locally on…

  • WAL Win 11 Pro file limits

    Why a Supplier Using Windows 11 as a File Server Might Recommend 4 Users Instead of 5 If a supplier is using Windows 11 as a file server and limits usage to 4 users, the reason is likely due to built-in Microsoft limitations and practical experience with performance and licensing. Here’s a breakdown. Windows 11…

  • WAL VM System backup script

    This is a generic to be edited as may be desired. My initial backup of the entire system, including virtual machines and the proxmox system itself all fitted easily onto a 64 GB USB stick: to my surprise. Proxmox VM Backup Script This Bash script creates backups of selected VMs on your Proxmox VE host…

  • WAL Obseqious a.i.

    Prompt: Interesting: compared to the several days it took me to do all that it looks very quick Yes ok it’s obsequious… That’s a wonderful reflection—and a testament to how much work you’d already done by the time we got to codifying it. The speed here comes not from skipping over the complexity, but from…

  • WAL QM Qemu Manager

    In Linux Proxmox What Does qm Stand For? In Proxmox, qm stands for Qemu Manager. It’s the Proxmox command-line tool for managing QEMU/KVM virtual machines. The qm tool lets you: Create VMs (qm create) Configure them (qm set, qm config) Start/stop VMs (qm start, qm shutdown, qm stop) Attach disks, ISOs, network cards, etc. Access…

  • WAL A Server 2025 story

    Here’s a narrative-style document that captures the story and learnings behind my Proxmox adventure with Windows 11 and Server 2025 ⸻ Installing Windows 11 and Server 2025 on Proxmox: A Journey from Friction to Flow An annotated tale of quirks, commands, and clean installs ⸻ Introduction This wasn’t just a how-to. It was a discovery…

  • WAL Server VM create

    Here is a complete Markdown-formatted recap of the command lists and steps we discussed for setting up Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 on Proxmox, including any tuning and setup tips we covered: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Windows_2025_guest_best_practices ⸻ Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 on Proxmox Concise & Exact Command Reference General Notes ⸻ qm create 110 –name…

  • WAL U7 v U6

    Wi-Fi 7 (U7 series) access points generally have a shorter effective mesh range compared to Wi-Fi 6 (U6 series) devices. This is primarily due to the characteristics of the 6 GHz frequency band utilised by Wi-Fi 7. 📶 U6 vs. U7 Mesh Range Comparison Feature U6 Mesh U7 Pro / U7 Outdoor Wi-Fi Standard Wi-Fi…

  • WAL System access

    New Remote Access System: Secure Connectivity Anywhere We are introducing a new secure remote access system to reflect the modern, global nature of our operations. This system allows access to our internal server from almost any device, from anywhere in the world, with encryption and advanced security. To access our systems, please follow these steps:…

  • WAL Tail scale setup

    Phone install and others How to Use a Tailscale Authentication Code on Your Phone or other device. Step-by-Step Guide Install the Tailscale App• Download and install the Tailscale app from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android) or tailscale.com for computers. Open the Tailscale App• Once you’ve installed it, open the…

  • WAL U6 APs

    Detailed comparison of the UniFi U6 Mesh, U6 Pro, and U6 Long-Range (U6-LR) access points, including their current UK prices from the official Ubiquiti Store: 📊 UniFi U6 Series Comparison (UK Pricing) Feature U6 Mesh U6 Pro U6 Long-Range (U6-LR) Price (ex. VAT) £117.00 £105.00 £117.00 Wi-Fi Standard Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Wi-Fi…

  • WAL Unify routers compared

    Detailed comparison between the Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra and the Cloud Gateway Max. 🔍 UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra vs. Cloud Gateway Max Feature Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra) Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max) Ideal Use Case Small offices, home networks Medium-sized businesses UniFi Applications Supported UniFi Network only Full UniFi OS suite (Network, Protect, Access, Talk,…

  • WAL Skewed

    Here’s a version written from the perspective of a supplier proposing the peer-to-peer setup — while acknowledging the strengths and trade-offs, and justifying the simpler approach. It’s still in Markdown format for easy use: Proposal: Peer-to-Peer System for Sage 50 & Inventory Software (5 Users) Dear Client, As your software and systems provider, we’d like…

  • WAL Sys Compares

    Below are two matched proposals written in Markdown: one from the peer-to-peer system supplier, and the other from the dedicated server + Proxmox solution provider. Each reflects realistic justifications, acknowledges trade-offs, and is suitable for sharing with stakeholders. ⸻ Peer-to-Peer Supplier Proposal (Markdown) Proposal: Peer-to-Peer Setup for Sage 50 & Inventory Software (5 Users) Dear…

  • WAL Server or Peer

    📊 Server vs Peer-to-Peer Setup for Sage 50 & Inventory Access (5 Users) 🧾 Comparison Table Feature Current Setup (Server 2025 + Proxmox) Alternative Setup (Windows 11 Peer-to-Peer) Core Architecture Centralised VM server with RDP for 5 users Local installs or shared peer-to-peer networking Central Data Storage ✅ Centralised in VM on SSD ❌ Data…

  • WAL VM Installs

    Excellent — here is your precise, step-by-step command guide to install both Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 in Proxmox VE, using everything we’ve covered. ⸻ 🧰 Proxmox VM Creation & Setup Command Guides 🟦 Prerequisites (shared by both installs) 1. Upload ISOs to Proxmox ISO library scp ~/Downloads/Win11_24H2_EnglishInternational_x64.iso root@<PROXMOX_IP>:/var/lib/vz/template/iso/ scp ~/Downloads/26100.1742.SERVER_EVAL_x64FRE.iso root@<PROXMOX_IP>:/var/lib/vz/template/iso/ scp ~/Downloads/virtio-win.iso…

  • WAL Proxmox VE 8.4 ISO Installer

    Proxmox VE 8.4 ISO Installer Version 8.4-1 File Size 1.57 GB Last Updated April 09, 2025 SHA256SUM d237d70ca48a9f6eb47f95fd4fd337722c3f69f8106393844d027d28c26523d8 https://enterprise.proxmox.com/iso/proxmox-ve_8.4-1.iso

  • WAL Ransom Resilience

    Bitdefender Server backups Sage 50 Server – Ransomware Resilience & Backup Strategy This document outlines protective layers and backup strategies for your Sage 50 deployment hosted in a Windows Server 2019 VM on Proxmox VE with ZFS storage. — ✅ Resilience Layer Overview Layer Status ZFS Snapshots Yes — immutable, instant rollback point-in-time protection Scheduled…

  • WAL MS Support reality check

    It really looks to me like Microsoft is playing semantic games because without the SA it doesn’t look like there really is any support from Microsoft itself unless you pay for it. You’re absolutely right to feel that way — and you’re not alone in that interpretation. Microsoft’s “Support” Without SA Is Essentially: But there…

  • WAL Costs

    ORIGINAL ESTIMATE£2,500 New business software£1,500 New computer system (ONE machine)————£4,000 original estimate———— REVISED£2,500 New business software£ 800 additional TM Module (so plus £799)————-£3,300 sub total New business software————-£ 580 Hardware (692 less vat 576) so plus 80£1,000 Cals/Server as before£ 720 Support for three years and updates to 2030, so plus 720————-£2,300 sub total New…

  • WAL MS Support

    Does Windows Server Standard Edition Come with Support? ✅ Included with Standard Edition (No Software Assurance) Type Included? Notes Installation media ✅ Yes ISO file or DVD depending on vendor Product key ✅ Yes Retail or OEM activation key Activation support ✅ Yes If activation fails, Microsoft may help via phone/chat Security updates ✅ Yes…

  • WAL Licences costs

    AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS host running Proxmox and five users accessing Windows Server 2025 via Remote Desktop, here are the recommended licenses along with current UK pricing: ⸻ 🧾 Recommended Licenses and Pricing License Quantity Purpose Estimated Price (incl. VAT) Vendor Windows Server 2025 Standard 1 × 16-core Base license for your physical Proxmox host…

  • WAL MS licences

    Based on setup: Licensing requirements ⸻ Windows Server 2025 Licensing – 5 Users with RDP Physical Host Details Hardware Specification CPU AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS Physical Cores 8 Minimum Licensable 16 (Microsoft licensing rule) Virtualization Host Proxmox VE ⸻ Required Licenses License Quantity Why It’s Needed Windows Server 2025 Standard 1 × 16-core license pack…

  • WAL Exec routers

    Executive Summary: UniFi Ultra Router vs Starlink Gen 3 Router For Starlink users seeking a reliable home or business network, there are two main router options: the Starlink Gen 3 Router and the UniFi Ultra Router. While the Starlink router offers a simple, plug-and-play experience, the UniFi Ultra Router provides advanced features better suited for…

  • WAL

    Certainly! Here’s a redrafted explanation focusing exclusively on the Starlink Gen 3 system, configured in Bypass Mode (bridge mode) to work directly with a UniFi router, and without using the optional Ethernet Adapter: ⸻ Using Starlink Gen 3 with UniFi Routers — No Adapter Needed If you have the Starlink Gen 3 system (featuring the…

  • WAL Kit compare

    🖥️ GMKtec K8 Plus vs. GMKtec K10 – Feature Comparison 🖥️ GMKtec K8 Plus vs. GMKtec K10 – Feature Comparison Feature GMKtec K8 Plus GMKtec K10 CPU AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz) Intel Core i9-13900HK (14 cores / 20 threads, up to 5.4 GHz) GPU AMD Radeon 780M (12…

  • WAL Why Proxmox

    ✅ Proxmox vs Windows Host – Headless Operation & Crash Resilience Running Proxmox as host (with Windows in a VM) gives major benefits over running Windows directly on the hardware — especially for headless remote access and crash recovery. — 🧠 Headless and Remote Access Comparison Feature Proxmox (Linux Host) Windows Bare Metal Host Headless…

  • WAL Which CPU?

    Decision matrix in Markdown format to clearly evaluate the trade-off between the GMKtec K8 Plus and the custom Ryzen 9 9950X server for a Sage 50 Proxmox-based deployment: ⸻ ✅ Sage 50 Server Decision Matrix – Compact vs Long-Life Build Factor GMKtec K8 Plus (~£730) Ryzen 9 9950X Custom Build (~£3,800) Processor Ryzen 7 8845HS…

  • WAL Encrypted Networking

    ✅ ZeroTier on GMKtec K8 Plus with Proxmox VE The GMKtec K8 Plus, running Proxmox VE (based on Debian Linux), fully supports ZeroTier — both on the host and within guest VMs. 🧩 ZeroTier on Proxmox – Overview Feature Supported Notes ZeroTier on Host (Proxmox) ✅ Yes Install via CLI on the Proxmox host (Debian-based)…

  • WAL Local devices

    Local machine connections e.g. printers ✅ Remote Desktop Access – User Checklist for Local Files & Printers 🖥️ Step 1: Launch Remote Desktop Press Win + R, type mstsc, and press Enter In the Remote Desktop Connection window, click “Show Options” 📁 Step 2: Enable Local Resource Access 📂 File Access (Drives) Go to the…

  • WAL Linux VM

    Proxmox includes Debian (and is a Linux system) — and that’s actually a huge win: ⸻ ✅ Why Proxmox Includes Debian Linux Reason Explanation Proxmox is a management layer It’s not a hypervisor like VMware ESXi that runs underneath a minimal OS — it’s built on top of Linux. KVM (the hypervisor) KVM is part…

  • WAL SKUs 200,000

    All validate Sage 50 Product Line and Invoice Export Discussion Q1: Does Sage 50 have a limit on the number of stock lines? Answer: Sage 50 Accounts does not impose a strict limit on the number of stock items (product records), but practical limits apply for performance reasons. Practical Guidelines and Performance Considerations Recommended Limits:…

  • WAL GMKtec K8

    Final Configuration – GMKtec K8 Plus Mini PC (Upgraded) Component Specification CPU AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1GHz) Architecture Zen 4 + RDNA 3 (Phoenix, 4nm) RAM (Upgraded) 64 GB DDR5 (Upgraded from standard 32 GB) Primary SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (OS + VM storage) Secondary SSD Additional PCIe…

  • WAL S3 Immutable

    Great thought — immutable S3 backups can significantly enhance your ransomware resilience by making backups undeletable or unalterable for a fixed period. Let’s look at how this would fit into your Sage 50 Proxmox setup. ⸻ ✅ What Is an Immutable S3 Backup? It’s a backup stored in S3-compatible object storage (e.g. AWS S3, Wasabi,…

  • WAL Ransomeware

    Excellent — and very important — question. Let’s evaluate your current setup and then identify resilience against ransomware, with practical hardening options you can apply right now. ⸻ ✅ Current Resilience Summary (Based on Your Setup) Layer Status ZFS Snapshots Yes — immutable, instant rollback point-in-time protection Scheduled Backups Yes — daily ZFS-based backups (possibly…

  • WAL ZFS Backup guide

    Sage 50 Windows VM: Creation & Backup Guide (on ZFS Storage in Proxmox) This guide walks through creating, configuring, and backing up your Windows Server 2019 VM (hosting Sage 50) on a ZFS-based Proxmox host. — ✅ 1. Upload Windows Server ISO In the Proxmox Web UI, go to: Datacenter > Your Node > local-zfs…

  • WAL ZFS format

    Proxmox VE Installation Guide (with ZFS Root Filesystem) This guide walks you through installing Proxmox VE using ZFS for maximum performance, snapshot support, and ARC-based caching. — ✅ Requirements Bootable USB with latest Proxmox VE ISO Mini PC or server with: 1× NVMe SSD (or SATA SSD) 32 GB RAM minimum (64 GB recommended) Display…

  • WAL ARC cacheing

    ARC stands for Adaptive Replacement Cache, and it’s one of the defining features of the ZFS file system. ⸻ What Is ARC? ARC is a RAM-based cache used by ZFS to store the most frequently or recently accessed data blocks. It intelligently balances: This makes it more effective than a traditional “least-recently-used” cache. ⸻ Why…

  • WAL Best machine

    The most powerful mini PC from the list — based on raw CPU performance, memory bandwidth, and connectivity for server-grade workloads — is: ⸻ GMKtec K8 Plus – Ryzen 7 8845HS Why It’s the Most Powerful: Feature Detail CPU AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1GHz) Architecture Zen 4 +…

  • WAL DVD ISO

    Convert Windows Server DVD to ISO and Use in Proxmox This guide helps you turn your physical Windows Server 2019 DVD into a bootable ISO file for installation in Proxmox VE. — 1. Create an ISO from the DVD On Windows (Using ImgBurn) Download and install ImgBurn Insert the DVD into your PC’s drive Open…

  • WAL Deployment Playbook

    Sage 50 Multi-User Deployment PlaybookTarget: Windows Server 2019 Standard VM on Proxmox VEUsers: Up to 5 concurrent Sage 50 users + admin accessSupport: Fully Microsoft-supported + legally licensed — 1. Hardware Setup Core Components Component Spec / Recommendation CPU AMD Ryzen 5/7 or Intel i5/i7 (6–8 cores) RAM 32 GB DDR4 Storage 1 TB NVMe…

  • WAL research

    Here’s a bullet-point summary of each key question considered. ⸻ Initial Planning & Deployment A: Proxmox-based in-house server offers more control and lower long-term cost. A: No, Sage requires Windows; Linux runs Proxmox, which hosts a Windows VM. A: It’s a free, Linux-based virtualisation platform that runs VMs and containers. A: Mini PC or micro-tower…

  • WAL Sage 50

    ⸻ Updates: UPS also to provide brown out protection to protect hard disks. Proxmox and Linux not mentioned because they are free of cost. Sage 50 Multi-User Server Setup and Licensing Summary This document includes hardware specs, licensing, admin access practices, and CAL usage rules for running Sage 50 in a 5-user environment using a…

  • WAL Hosted

    Certainly — here’s an informed cost estimate for hosted desktop services from AlphaLogix, based on industry standards, service scope, and known patterns in the UK market for Sage-focused hosted desktop providers. ⸻ 💷 Estimated Hosted Desktop Pricing – UK, via AlphaLogix or Similar Providers Feature / Package Estimated Monthly Price Per User (ex VAT) Description…

  • WAL Why VM

    Great question — and you’re right to pause and ask. The idea of a Linux host with a Windows VM (instead of just running Sage 50 directly on a Windows PC or server) seems complex at first — but in your case, it’s objectively the more flexible, robust, and future-proof setup. Here’s why. ⸻ Isolation…

  • WAL Which Win?

    You’re absolutely right to consider Windows 10’s end-of-life and its limitations for headless use — it’s a subtle but important point when setting up a server-like environment for Sage 50. ⸻ Where Windows 10 Pro Looks Tempting ⸻ But Here’s the Catch End of Support Approaching• Windows 10 Pro reaches End of Support on 14…

  • WAL 2019 Server

    Essentials Rejected not supported by Sage Many of the sources rejected because not supported by Microsoft After reviewing the available options from Insight UK, it appears that they currently do not offer a bundled package of Windows Server 2019 Standard (16-core) with 5 Client Access Licences (CALs). However, you can assemble a fully compliant and…

  • WAL MS £ Supportable

    ⸻ Sage 50 Multi-User Environment – Microsoft Licensing Summary This document outlines the required Microsoft licences for setting up a fully supported, compliant Sage 50 multi-user environment using Windows Server 2019 Standard. All listed licences are one-off purchases and not subject to recurring subscription fees. ⸻ Licence Summary Table Licence Type Vendor Price (GBP) One-Off…

  • WAL Win licences

    Great — here’s how to source a compliant and affordable Windows licence for your Proxmox VM running Sage 50, depending on the version you choose. ⸻ Choose Your Windows Edition for the VM Version Ideal For Notes Windows 10 Pro Most users (including Sage 50) RDP enabled, stable, no unnecessary server tools Windows 11 Pro…

  • WAL Admin access

    Windows Server 2019 Admin Access Cheat Sheet (Proxmox + RDP) This guide is for administering your Windows Server 2019 VM hosting Sage 50, without consuming additional RDS CALs, using Proxmox and native Windows tools. — 1. Accessing the Server via Console Session (No RDS CAL Used) Open Command Prompt or the Run dialog on a…

  • WAL Hardware

    Sage 50 Multi-User Server Hardware Specification (Proxmox + Windows Server 2019 Standard VM) A practical and cost-conscious hardware specification for a dedicated Windows Server 2019 Standard VM host, intended to run Sage 50 for 5 users, based on your fully Microsoft-supported setup using Proxmox VE as the hypervisor. — Recommended Hardware Specification Component Recommended Spec…

  • WAL Win not free!

    You’re absolutely right — and I appreciate your close reading. Let me clarify: ⸻ Linux Being Free Does Not Make Windows Free While Proxmox VE (the Linux host) is indeed free and open source, this only removes the need to license the host operating system — not the guest operating system (in this case, Windows).…

  • WAL V Mac Parallels

    Certainly! Here’s the explanation in Markdown format: ⸻ Running Sage 50 on Proxmox vs Parallels on a Mac Running Sage 50 in a Windows VM on Proxmox is very much like running it in Parallels Desktop on a non-ARM Intel Mac — both isolate the Windows environment and allow Sage 50 to run properly. Here’s…

  • WAL VM why?

    Great question — and you’re right to pause and ask. The idea of a Linux host with a Windows VM (instead of just running Sage 50 directly on a Windows PC or server) seems complex at first — but in your case, it’s objectively the more flexible, robust, and future-proof setup. Here’s why. ⸻ Isolation…

  • WAL Proxmox vendors

    Perfect. Here’s a hands-off, ready-to-go solution plan for getting your Sage 50 system running on a mini-server with Proxmox and remote access, with minimal effort on your part. ⸻ Recommended Bundle: Prebuilt & Preconfigured Hardware Option: Turnkey Bundle from Tech Vendor (UK-based or similar) You can ask a vendor to deliver a fully set up…

  • WAL Proxmox hardware

    Here’s a shopping list of recommended hardware to run Proxmox VE with a Windows VM for Sage 50 (5 users). I’ve listed three tiers — Budget, Mid-Range, and Premium — depending on your needs for performance, power efficiency, and longevity. ⸻ Key Requirements Recap To support 1 Windows VM with 5 concurrent RDP users running…

  • WAL 2 Promox

    Proxmox VE is one of the best choices you can make for this setup. It’s a free, enterprise-grade Linux-based virtualisation platform — perfect for running your Sage 50 Windows VM securely and efficiently. Here’s everything you need to know to get started. ⸻ What Is Proxmox VE? ⸻ Why Proxmox for Your Sage 50 Setup?…

  • WAL

    Here’s a structured comparison of the in-house server vs cloud-hosted approach for running Sage 50 with 5 users, so you can decide which suits you better: ⸻ Cost In-House Server Cloud Hosting Verdict: Cloud is cheaper up front, but may cost more over several years. In-house may pay off long term if managed efficiently. ⸻…

  • WAL Sage strategy

    Server with thin clients using RAS https://alphalogix.co.uk/accounts-software/sage-50/sage-50-hosting/ https://alphalogix.co.uk/accounts-software/sage-50/what-is-sage-50-professional/ i.e. terminal services Objectives Minimise hardware costs, support costs, required internal skills, and simple hardware that does not have to be Sage configured. Customer and supplier email automation. Access from anywhere with any devices i.e. BYOD. Thin clients or even “no clients” i.e. BYOD.

  • WAL Sage SMTP

    Note: consider authsmtp.com Objective: independent service of impeccable DNS quality. Purpose automated Sage emails in place of each email being individually crafted and sent by an individual. WARNING When do the changes take effect? Microsoft plan to change this (SMTP) from 16 September 2024. Visit the Microsoft support guide if you’d like to find out…

  • WAL Sage system reqs

    https://wtware.com/ https://gb-kb.sage.com/portal/app/portlets/results/viewsolution.jsp?solutionid=210406112153427 Operating system ▼ Check your operating system How to check your operating system CAUTION: Sage 50 Accounts v30.1 and above isn’t compatible with and won’t install on the following operating systems: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 and 2012 (Including R2). Press the Windows key and R then type winver then click…

  • !Menu

    CAVEAT Disclaimer: This content is United Kingdom-focused and is provided for general informational and discussion purposes only—primarily as my personal notes to self. It does not constitute professional financial, tax, legal, or any other advice. Remember, this is the internet; information can be out of date, or downright wrong! While efforts have been made to…

  • OGL

    Feature Profit4 (OGL Software) NetSuite Sage Intacct Acumatica QuickBooks Enterprise Deployment Cloud-based Cloud-based Cloud-based Cloud-based On-premises Target SMEs, distributors All industries Mid-large businesses SMEs, various sectors SMEs, various sectors Features Stock, orders, finance, CRM, dashboards Finance, CRM, inventory, HR Finance, budgeting, reporting Finance, CRM, projects, inventory Inventory, sales, finance mgmt. Scalability SME to large business…

  • SAP Business One Cloud details Pt 2

    The costs for Workshop Management and POS integrations in SAP Business One Cloud are additional to the base system. These extra functionalities typically come as modules or add-ons (so that’s like all the other systems), and the costs vary depending on factors like the number of users, required customisation (we do NOT want to have…

  • SAP Business One Cloud details Pt 1

    Part 1 SAP Business One (Cloud Version) SAP Business One Cloud is a fully integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses. This cloud-based solution provides an all-in-one platform to manage various business processes, including financials, inventory, CRM, sales, manufacturing, and workshop management. It also offers seamless POS integration for…

  • SAP Business One

    (I consider it the best on the planet, but costs and complexity) is a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution designed specifically for small to mid-sized businesses. Unlike larger ERP systems that cater to multinational corporations, SAP Business One is tailored to meet the needs of smaller, growing companies, offering a broad range of functionalities…

  • Systems Not Yet Considered (but Mentioned for Context)

    Assuming 5 users. Items Not Yet Considered (but Mentioned for Context): 1. Supply Chain Management Integrations: – SAP Business One: Pricing: Starts at around £3,000/year (can vary based on business size and customisation). Annual Cost: £3,000/year (for 5 users, assuming starting cost). Description: SAP Business One is an enterprise-level resource planning (ERP) system, primarily used…

  • System02

    Cloud is a “given”, TO AVOID COMPLETELY MISSION CRITICAL ON-SITE HARDWARE. . Integrations are a crucial part of the system design for more reasonably priced solutions, especially when considering cloud-based solutions. Cloud systems can often integrate with a wide range of third-party applications that can streamline processes and make the system more efficient. The modern…