A GUID (globally unique identifier) is a 128 bit value that can represent 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 unique values = that’s 340 undecillion. You can see why programmers use GUIDs as unique identifiers. It would take billions upon billions of years to generate two GUIDs that are the same.
A hash is a value that is calculated by running some data (like a GUID) through an algorithm, which produces a checksum (kind of like a digital fingerprint).
There is a common misconception that hashes are unique, or at least, unique enough not to worry about collisions (two identical hashes generated from different data) most of the time. It’s easy to see why most would think that – after all, a 32 bit hash, for example, can represent 4,294,967,295 unique values – that’s over 4 billion possibilities.
In the case of a checksum that is used to check the integrity of a file, hashes are extremely reliable. The probability of someone tampering with your file, changing data, or injecting a virus, and still having that file produce the same hash, is astronomically low.
In the case of a GUID, a 32 bit hash algorithm will assign 79,228,162,514,264,337,593,543,950,336 (that’s 79 octillion) GUIDs on average to each and every hash value - that’s just basic math, and why we generally don’t use hashes as a representation…
After reflecting on a few hot and muggy days at WPC 2014, I can’t help but be humbled by the commitment of our awesome partners and energized for what the rest of the year has to bring for Cireson and our channel. Thank you. A couple other major takeaways…
Are you clammering for more information about System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager? If so, there are a few learning opportunities coming up that you might be interested in. Take a look....
A short overview of how to authorize computers with basic automation and Cireson Asset Management.
Asset Management, the word itself means something different to every person in the IT department. To the help desk analyst, it’s another clunky system to enter data into. For the IT Director, a knock on their attempt to show IT as an...
Wally Mead answers some FAQs about recently joining Cireson from Microsoft.
Bring Your Own Device refers to the policy of permitting employees to bring personally owned mobile devices (laptops, tablets, and smart phones) to their workplace, and to use them to access privileged company information and applications.
Recently Paul & I were getting settled in for yet another flight back from the Microsoft Redmond offices, when our typical System Center banter turned to the subject of airlines, profitability, and what was really separating successful companies from the herd in 2014 and beyond. I recalled having read…
Wednesday, February 26th at 10am US PST/ 1pm EST
Technology should be simple & clever. Discover the Self Service Portal.
Find out how Cireson’s Self-Service Portal and SMA Connector will combine for unprecedented IT automation and enhancement.
Join Travis Wright as he discusses the following:
ITIL defines a process as a structured set of activities designed to accomplish a specific set of objectives. System Center Service Manager 2012 takes this definition to heart and puts a significant emphasis on Activities. Although the topic of managing activities is not officially covered…
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