ASP.NET Configuration Overview

The ASP.NET configuration system features an extensible infrastructure that enables you to define configuration settings at the time your ASP.NET applications are first deployed so that you can add or revise configuration settings at any time with minimal impact on operational Web applications and servers.

The ASP.NET configuration system provides the following benefits:

·      Configuration information is stored in XML-based text files. Any standard text editor or XML parser can be used to create and edit ASP.NET configuration files.

·      ASP.NET configuration settings for the entire Web server is defined in the root configuration file named C:\WINNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\version\CONFIG\Machine.config.

·      Multiple configuration files, all named Web.config, can appear in multiple directories on an ASP.NET Web application server.

·      Each Web.config file applies configuration settings to its own directory and all child directories below it.

·      Configuration files in child directories can supply configuration information in addition to that inherited from parent directories, and the child directory configuration settings can override or modify settings defined in parent directories.

·      At run time, ASP.NET uses the configuration information provided by the Machine.config and all the Web.config files in a hierarchical directory structure to compute a collection of configuration settings for each unique URL resource. The resulting configuration settings are then cached for all subsequent requests to a resource.

·      ASP.NET detects changes to configuration files and automatically applies new configuration settings to Web resources affected by the changes. The server does not have to be rebooted for the changes to take effect. Hierarchical configuration settings are automatically recalculated and recached whenever a configuration file in the hierarchy is changed.

·      The ASP.NET configuration system is extensible. You can define new configuration parameters and write configuration section handlers to process them.

·      ASP.NET protects configuration files from outside access by configuring Internet Information Services ( IIS ) to prevent direct browser access to configuration files. HTTP access error 403 ( forbidden ) is returned to any browser attempting to directly request a configuration file.

 

Optimize and maintain your PCs with these simple tips

Author: Guest Contributor

Everyone knows that the key to keeping equipment in peak condition — whether it’s a chain saw, a motorcycle, or a desktop PC — is to follow a preemptive maintenance routine. The question is, what sort of maintenance tasks are required? In a shop full of hundreds (or thousands) of PCs, a systematic approach is essential. This list offers basic measures to incorporate into your optimization and maintenance routine.


Regularly run Defrag and the Disk Cleanup Tool on client systems

Disk fragmentation, especially on intensively used systems, will degrade performance over time. Just be careful about running disk defragmentation when large files are open. For example, if a transactional database (SQL or MSDE) is running, defragmentation tools can’t exclusively access all or parts of these types of files to defrag the disk. If there is a service that you can stop to bring this part of the system to a zero-transaction state, you will be able to defrag the drive much more effectively. This is a good task to automate by using a third-party tool like DisKeeper.

Running Disk Cleanup can optimize systems by emptying the Recycle Bin and deleting Temporary Setup Files, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Old Chkdsk Files, Temporary Files, Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, etc. To ensure regular execution, you can run the tool as a scheduled task.

Keep firmware and drivers up to date

Firmware updates can keep systems and subsystems current for the best performance. (Be sure to test the functionality before deploying firmware updates and keep a revision of the firmware distributions you’re using or have previously used; you may need that archived version again.)

Driver updates can also optimize performance. Keep a revision of the driver versions you use/have used. As with firmware, you may need an archived version in the future. (See “10 Things You Should Know about Device Driver Rollback in Windows XP” for some helpful pointers.)

Keep Windows and essential applications up to date

Use Windows Update to pull down the updates (cautiously) or use Windows Server Update Services to retrieve your approved list. Be aware of potential conflicts with service packs and updates. If PCs have other critical applications running (IIS, SQL, MSDE, etc.), apply the appropriate service packs as they become available. For Microsoft applications, check the Baseline Security Analyzer to determine service pack levels.

Keep antivirus and anti-spyware definitions up to date

Consider using automatic updates to pull down the latest definitions for your programs. Use tools like Ad-Aware by Lavasoft for extra protection against Trojans, browser hijacking, and other malicious activities.

Inspect Services configuration and Device Manager

Open the Services applet of the Windows Control Panel to verify that the Windows-based services that are running and set to Automatic at Startup are consistent with your configuration. (For more on enabling/disabling services, see “Windows XP Services That Can Be Disabled” and “Video: Disable and Enable Windows XP Services.”)

Open the Windows Device Manager to look for any devices that are not operating correctly or that may have been removed. Subsystem components may report an error if they’re incorrectly configured or not working.

Check page file configuration

Open virtual memory configuration and make sure that the page file size and location are correct for the amount of free space on the drive and the amount of memory installed on the system.

Check power quality

If you have a UPS battery, ensure that it is satisfied with the power supplied to it. If you aren’t using one, check that the power source is a good circuit and is correctly grounded. Also make sure that surge suppression strips are in use.

Stay on top of cleaning tasks

Perform a periodic full system cleaning by taking the system apart, removing all dust, and cleaning the external and internal surfaces of the computer. (If you don’t have a cleaning solution, you can make one for external surfaces out of 1:1 rubbing alcohol and water.) Be sure to unplug the electronic components when introducing a solution and allow it to dry fully. You should also:

• Clean the keyboard and mouse. Use a dust vacuum and the alcohol/water solution to clean these dust- and dirt-collecting components.

• Run a CD-ROM cleaner. As with audio systems, CD-ROM drives can be cleaned with special kits for disc cleaning.

• Clean display devices by using a cleaner to remove fingerprints, dust, and other imperfections on the screen.

• Hit floppy drives, if you have them, with a good blast of canned air to remove dust accumulations. Use covers/panels if available to help keep dust out of the drives.

• If your systems have tape drives, run a cleaning tape through to keep the tape heads clean.

Ensure proper operating area environment

Monitor the area for acceptable temperatures (somewhere between 60 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit) and good air quality. Watch out for tobacco smoke, manufacturing environments, and paper dust. If conditions are less than favorable, you might consider an environmental enclosure.

Check inside and outside the computer for proper airflow. You don’t want a computer being used inside a box or pushed into a corner, and you don’t want to see a hard drive or other internal device incorrectly installed and blocking airflow to other components. While you’re at it, check for all necessary screws on the case and make sure that the case lid or panels are fixed down on all sides. With some systems, case panels are critical to the internal airflow for components.

Check internal and external connections

Open the system and verify that all connections feel solid and are placed correctly. Double-check any accessory cards for a snug setting and good connections.

Make sure cable tensions are appropriate. Having too much strain on a cable or connection can damage the cable, device, jack/node, or the computer. Be sure that there is plenty of slack in the cables on the device and computer ends. Excess strain may cause intermittent performance issues.

Tips to speed up defrag operations in Windows XP

Author: Greg Shultz

A simple way to speed up a defrag operation in Microsoft Windows XP is to restart the system before you launch the Defrag application. This allows the operating system to clear out the swap/paging file (may require a change in configuration for ultimate effect) and to reset it to the default size. This lets Defrag focus strictly on the necessary data on the hard disk, without having to stop and manage a huge swap file loaded with unneeded data.

Another approach to speeding up a defrag operation in Windows XP is to configure it to occur immediately upon startup. You can do so easily with a simple registry edit.

Note: Editing the Windows Registry is not without risk. Please save yourself some aggravation and back up your Windows Registry before you do any editing.

With the disclaimer out of the way, follow these steps to start a defrag operation immediately upon startup:

• Launch the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
• Go to:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

• Right-click the RunOnce subkey and select New | String Value.
• Name the value Defrag and press [Enter] twice.
• Type Defrag.exe c: /f in the Value Data text box and click OK.
• Close the Registry Editor and restart Windows.

The defrag operation will begin when you type your password and press [Enter]. (Keep in mind that values added to the RunOnce key are removed immediately after the command has been run.)

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Professional editions.