Shows
SysAdmin Weekly010 - Tips for Tech Conferences in 2025This week, Andy is back from InfoSecurity Europe (and yes, still fighting off a conference cold), so naturally, we’re talking all about IT conferences. The big, the small, the budget-busting, and the badge-scanning bonanzas that are IT Events. Paul Schnackenburg returns to help unpack the real value of these events: learning (but not just in sessions), community (a.k.a. the hallway track), and how to dodge aggressive booth folks without pretending to answer a fake phone call. Also covered:- A news react segment on Trend Micro vulnerabilities and the Coinbase supply chain sc...2025-06-2554 minSysAdmin Weekly009 - What Makes a Great SysAdmin?What makes a great SysAdmin? Is it scripting sorcery? The ability to debug DHCP before coffee? Or maybe it's just not rage-quitting when someone says, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”This week, Paul Schnackenburg returns to help Andy tackle the age-old question: What makes a great SysAdmin?We dig into:The technical skills that separate the pro SysAdmins from the PowerShell copy-pasters The soft skills that matter more than you think (spoiler: communication is better than compiling) The mindset traits that keep us sane in the chaos Why curiosity, not caffeine, is the true fuel...2025-06-181h 02SysAdmin Weekly008 - Getting Started with GitHub CopilotIn this episode of SysAdmin Weekly, Andy and Eric dive headfirst into the world of GitHub Copilot, the AI-powered coding assistant everyone’s either cautiously testing or quietly ignoring. But should you be paying attention?Originally designed for developers, GitHub Copilot is quickly becoming a SysAdmin’s Swiss Army knife, helping with everything from PowerShell scripting to deciphering cursed regex one-liners. But it's not all sunshine and sudo.In this episode we cover:How sysadmins are using Copilot to write scripts, generate configs, and troubleshoot faster.The hidden risks: hallucinated commands, AI security pitfalls, and Shadow IT v...2025-06-1156 minSysAdmin Weekly007 - Migrate Off the Cloud? Yup! It's a Thing!Are companies really looking the migrate off the cloud? You may be surprised! In this episode of SysAdmin Weekly, we’re diving headfirst into the growing trend of cloud repatriation and why some orgs are saying “thanks, but no thanks” to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. From skyrocketing costs to performance surprises and compliance headaches, we’re breaking down the real-world reasons behind this shift back to on-prem and hybrid infrastructure.- What’s triggering the move?- Who’s doing it, and is it working?- Should you be consi...2025-06-0446 minSysAdmin Weekly006 - The Demise of Windows Server Update ServicesIn this episode of *SysAdmin Weekly*, we bid farewell to an old friend: WSUS (Windows Server Update Services). Microsoft is phasing it out and hosts Andy and Eric here to talk about why, what it means for SysAdmins, and how you can prep for what’s next.In This Episode:A quick trip down memory lane: the story of WSUS and its role in traditional patch management Why WSUS is being deprecated and how it affects on-prem systems What replaces WSUS? (Hint: think Intune, Azure Update Manager, and cloud-first strategies) Deep dive into Hot Patch? No re...2025-05-2847 minSysAdmin Weekly005 - Microsoft Certification in 2025: A Microsoft Certified Trainer's TakeIn this episode Andy sits down with Microsoft Certified Trainer Paul Schnackenburg to discuss the current state of Microsoft Certification. They explore the evolving role of Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs), the significance of certification in validating technical skills, and the shift from product-focused to role-based certifications. Also included in this episode: confusing exam names, the importance of applied skills, the shift to online proctored exams, the need for hands-on lab experiences, the annual renewal process for certifications, the value of exam pricing, and the role of trainers in preparing for certification exams.If you're looking to get your Microsoft...2025-05-2253 minSysAdmin Weekly004 - Is Microsoft Taking Security Seriously? - An SFI UpdateIn this episode of SysAdmin Weekly, host Andy Syrewicze and guest Paul Schnackenburg discuss Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative (SFI) - a new initiative created a year or two back in response to multiple security incidents at Microsoft. In this conversation, Andy and Paul expand on various aspects of Microsoft's progress on the plans outlined in the Secure Future Initiative, focusing on the integration of security best practices in development, the implementation of hardware security modules, and the enhancement of Red Team capabilities.Other key points of the SFI discussed include the role of AI in Microsoft's internal...2025-05-1649 minSysAdmin Weekly003 - Hyper-V vs VMware: LicensingIn this episode of SysAdmin Weekly, hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron take a look at everyone's FAVORITE subject: licensing! And they're particularly focusing on Hyper-V and VMware. Andy and Eric's conversation includes the highlights and the differences between Microsoft and VMware licensing philosophies, the implications of WindowsServer Standard versus Data Center licensing, and the challenges sysadmins face during audits. Also discussed are the complexities of licensing for virtual machines. They discuss the implications of VM mobility, and the challenges of high availability beyond traditional clustering. Finally Andy and Eric cover new licensing options, includingpay-as-you-go and virtual instance licensing...2025-05-0955 minSysAdmin Weekly002 - What's New with Windows Server 2025 Hyper-V?In this episode of SysAdmin Weekly, hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron discuss the litany of new features for Hyper-V in Windows Server 2025. They discuss enhancements in networking, including accelerated networking, Network ATC, and the upcoming Network HUD. The conversation emphasizes the importance of these features for sysadmins and how they simplify network management and configuration. Also In this episode, Andy and Eric discuss the changes in Hyper-V Manager, new security features, and dynamic processor compatibility. Finally the duo highlights the revolutionary GPU partitioning capabilities in Windows Server 2025 Hyper-V, which enables more flexible GPU resource allocation for...2025-05-0141 minSysAdmin Weekly001 - What is Azure Local?!?!In this episode of the Sysadmin Weekly Podcast, hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron discuss Azure Local, a rebranding and enhancement of Azure Stack HCI. They explore the benefits, key use cases, and why SysAdmin should take a look at it. The conversation covers the features of Azure Local, including its integration with Azure Cloud management tools, virtualization capabilities, as well as potential applications in disconnected environments. The guys also emphasize the significance of communities and resources available for sysadmins getting started with Azure Local.Want to contact the hosts? Email us at contact...2025-04-2444 minSysAdmin Weekly000 - No! Hyper-V is NOT Dead!In the premiere episode of the SysAdmin Weekly Podcast, your hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron kick things off with a warm introduction, sharing their backgrounds as longtime System Administrators and Microsoft MVPs. They dive into the purpose of the show, unveiling their mission to support IT Pros with relevant insights and practical advice. Andy and Eric also introduce their online hub for aspiring SysAdmins, "Project Runspace," a valuable resource for the IT community. The episode’s main topic? Busting the myth and setting the record straight with: "No! Hyper-V is NOT Dead!" Tune in as they explore the tr...2025-04-1738 min