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: • Automatic updates (security, bug fixes) via Windows Update • Access to public documentation and knowledge base articles • Option to pay for support incidents, usually starting around $499 USD per ticket
But there is no direct human support — no phone, no email — unless: 1. You pay per incident, or 2. You have Software Assurance (SA), which pre-pays for support access
⸻
So, is it really “supported” without SA?
Technically yes, because: • Microsoft guarantees security updates for 5 + 5 years (mainstream + extended support) • Bug fixes and features are delivered automatically • You can pay for help if needed
But practically speaking: • There is no personal help included in your license • “Support” becomes a self-service model, unless you buy SA
This can be frustrating because the term “support” implies access to actual support staff — and without SA, that’s not true unless you spend extra.
⸻
Why This Matters
For small businesses or technical teams running on-prem Windows Server without an enterprise agreement: • You may feel you’re buying a fully supported product, but discover there’s no one to call unless you pay more. • This can feel like an upsell disguised as standard policy.
⸻
Bottom Line
You’re absolutely right: Microsoft uses the word “support” in a way that includes updates and fixes, but not actual help unless you’re paying — either per case or via SA.
It’s not dishonest in legal terms, but it is misleading in plain English — and worth calling out, as you’ve done.
August 25, 2025
Linux VM
Proxmox includes Debian (and is a Linux system) — and that’s actually a huge win:
⸻
✅ Why Proxmox Includes Debian Linux
| 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 of the Linux kernel — it’s a built-in virtualization engine in Linux. |
| Debian = stable, open, maintainable |
Proxmox is based on Debian Linux because it’s fast, secure, and enterprise-grade. |
| ZFS support |
Native ZFS on Linux is fully integrated via Debian-based kernels — perfect for snapshots and data integrity. |
| No GUI login needed |
Even though it’s Linux, you manage it almost entirely via a web browser (https://your-ip:8006) — no Linux command-line experience required. |
🧠 So
Proxmox is not “Linux with a virtualisation tool”, but rather:
A full virtualisation platform built on top of Linux, using Linux-native tech (KVM, LXC, ZFS), with a great UI and API.
So it’s Debian under the hood — but Proxmox wraps it all up so you can use it like an appliance.
✅ Summary • Yes: Proxmox is Debian Linux underneath • But: You never need to interact with it unless you want to • Result: You get industrial-grade virtualization with open-source power and a commercial-grade GUI — without paying for VMware
August 25, 2025
Tail scale setup
Phone install and others
How to Use a Tailscale Authentication Code on Your Phone
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 Tailscale app on your phone.
Enter the Authentication Code which you ask me for. • Instead of signing in with your email or SSO, look for an option to enter an authentication code. This option might be labeled “Already have an auth key?” or found in the advanced settings.
Paste the Auth Code • Paste or type (probably not!) in the authentication code I provide. • This will authenticate your device and add it to my WAL Tailscale network.
Complete the Setup • After entering the code, your phone will be connected to the Tailscale network. You should now see it listed among the connected devices.
Then use your RDP app to join the server i.p. I provide.
What this does is secure (encrypt) your connection across the wider internet, from anywhere.
August 25, 2025
Server or Peer
📊 Server vs Peer-to-Peer Setup for Sage 50 & Inventory Access (5 Users)
🧾 Comparison Table
| 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 scattered or hosted on one PC |
| Remote Desktop Access |
✅ 5+ RDP sessions via Server |
❌ One user per PC max, no headless access |
| Performance Consistency |
✅ High-performance NVMe + CPU/RAM scaling |
❌ Depends on each PC |
| Snapshots & Rollbacks |
✅ ZFS snapshots (instant rollback) |
❌ Not available |
| Backups |
✅ Scheduled, local + offsite, immutable |
❌ Manual or inconsistent backups |
| Ransomware Resilience |
✅ Snapshots + air-gapped + S3 support |
❌ All PCs at risk |
| System Maintenance |
✅ One Proxmox node to maintain |
❌ Maintain each PC separately |
| Sage 50 Suitability |
✅ Server-based hosting fully supported |
⚠️ Local use OK but more fragile |
| Multi-user File Access |
✅ Safe concurrent access via RDP |
⚠️ Risk of file corruption or conflicts |
| Software Patching |
✅ One system to update |
❌ Patch all workstations manually |
| User Management |
✅ Centralised logins and control |
❌ Local logins only |
| Scalability |
✅ Add VMs/roles easily |
❌ Quickly becomes unmanageable |
| Cost |
Moderate one-off + CALs if needed |
Low upfront, higher long-term support cost |
| Audit & Logs |
✅ Fully auditable |
❌ No central logs |
| Disaster Recovery |
✅ Restore entire system in minutes |
❌ Manual recovery on each PC |
🔍 Summary
| Reliability |
Server + Proxmox |
| Security |
Server + Proxmox |
| Ease of Maintenance |
Server + Proxmox |
| Initial Cost |
Peer-to-Peer (Win 11) |
| Long-Term Stability |
Server + Proxmox |
| Admin Burden |
Peer-to-Peer = Higher |
✅ Choose Server + Proxmox If:
- You want central control
- You need fast disaster recovery
- You support 5 or more users
- You want snapshot & ransomware protection
⚠️ Choose Peer-to-Peer If:
- You have 1–3 users only
- You’re OK with no central backup or access
- You prefer very low upfront cost
August 25, 2025
MS Support
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: • Automatic updates (security, bug fixes) via Windows Update • Access to public documentation and knowledge base articles • Option to pay for support incidents, usually starting around $499 USD per ticket
But there is no direct human support — no phone, no email — unless: 1. You pay per incident, or 2. You have Software Assurance (SA), which pre-pays for support access
⸻
So, is it really “supported” without SA?
Technically yes, because: • Microsoft guarantees security updates for 5 + 5 years (mainstream + extended support) • Bug fixes and features are delivered automatically • You can pay for help if needed
But practically speaking: • There is no personal help included in your license • “Support” becomes a self-service model, unless you buy SA
This can be frustrating because the term “support” implies access to actual support staff — and without SA, that’s not true unless you spend extra.
⸻
Why This Matters
For small businesses or technical teams running on-prem Windows Server without an enterprise agreement: • You may feel you’re buying a fully supported product, but discover there’s no one to call unless you pay more. • This can feel like an upsell disguised as standard policy.
⸻
Bottom Line
You’re absolutely right: Microsoft uses the word “support” in a way that includes updates and fixes, but not actual help unless you’re paying — either per case or via SA.
It’s not dishonest in legal terms, but it is misleading in plain English — and worth calling out, as you’ve done.
August 25, 2025
May Linux VM
Proxmox includes Debian (and is a Linux system) — and that’s actually a huge win:
⸻
✅ Why Proxmox Includes Debian Linux
| —————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Proxmox is a management layer |
| KVM (the hypervisor) |
| Debian = stable, open, maintainable |
| ZFS support |
| No GUI login needed |
🧠 So
Proxmox is not “Linux with a virtualisation tool”, but rather:
A full virtualisation platform built on top of Linux, using Linux-native tech (KVM, LXC, ZFS), with a great UI and API.
So it’s Debian under the hood — but Proxmox wraps it all up so you can use it like an appliance.
✅ Summary • Yes: Proxmox is Debian Linux underneath • But: You never need to interact with it unless you want to • Result: You get industrial-grade virtualization with open-source power and a commercial-grade GUI — without paying for VMware
August 25, 2025