Flexion.Org - Wiki

index - Revision 1.216 updated by martin

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:31:09 +0000

$Id: index,v 1.177.1.1 2011/05/25 12:08:56 anonymous Exp $

[Welcome to the Flexion.Org Wiki:TOC]

- NO LONGER MAINTAINED

  * http://wiki.flexion.org

'''The pages here are no longer being maintained. They are left here for 
reference in the unlikely event you once found something on my old wiki which 
was of use to you. I have started to create a new wiki, some of the pages may 
have made it to the new wiki and been updated in the process.'''

  * http://wiki.flexion.org

- Linux

-- Hardware

This is a kit list for my stuff at home, as you will see from the specs, this 
is not a list for bragging rights ;-)

  * DellT7400Workstation
  * DellInspiron1545
  * DellMini9Netbook
  * ViglenMPC
  * EpsonStylusPhotoR300
  * EpsonPerfection1670Scanner
  * PhilipsProntoRU940
  * DraytekVigor2820Vn
  * DraytekVigor2600G

Here is how I flash BIOS, Firmware etc from a Linux machine with no access to a 
floppy drive or Windows.

SupermicroIPMIView - Revision 1.4 updated by martin

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:00:10 +0000

$Id: SupermicroIPMIView,v 1.4 2011/02/07 10:00:10 martin Exp $

[Supermicro IPMI View:TOC]

- Introduction

IPMI is  Intelligent Platform Management Interface

  * A specification created by an Intel led committee to create common 
interface for out-of-band hardware management
  * Independent of the Operating System
  * Works over UDP port 623 using RMCP (Remote Management Control Protocol), or 
locally via kernel drivers
  * Only available on server hardware which supports it and is similar to LOM 
(Lights Out Management) and ILO
  * Has CLI tools which is similar to the Cisco IOS CLI and some (normally 
proprietary) GUI tools
  * IPMI requires a hardware device called a BMC (Baseboard Management 
Controller), either built-in to the motherboard or as a daughter card

''''''IPMIView'''''' is a Java based GUI to remotely administer IPMI enabled 
servers.

- Installing Supermicro IPMI View

 wget 
ftp://ftp.supermicro.com/CDR-SIMIPMI_1.13_for_SIM_IPMI/IPMI_Solution/Linux/Admin
istrator/IPMIView20-Linux_v2.6.50_Build080812.bin
 chmod 775 IPMIView20-Linux_v2.6.50_Build080812.bin
 sudo ./IPMIView20-Linux_v2.6.50_Build080812.bin

After a few seconds the installer GUI will be displayed, just follow the 
wizard. It is the usual ''Next, Next, Next, Finish'' effort.

-- Add IPMI View to the menus

 sudo nano /usr/share/applications/ipmiview.desktop

Add the following and the save the file.

XDASerra - Revision 1.10 updated by martin

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:30:57 +0000

$Id: XDASerra,v 1.10 2011/02/03 10:30:57 martin Exp $

[O2 XDA Serra:TOC]

- Introduction

Work provide me with a mobile phone, it is an O2 XDA Serra which runs Windows 
Mobile 6.1. 

- Windows Mobile

To improve the usability and look I have installed a few additional 
applications.

-- Touch Flow and UI Tweaking

Touch Flow 3D is great. Diamond Tweak and Diamond TF3D Config help get the most 
out of if. 

  * [[http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=409540][Diamond_Tweak]]
  * 
[[http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=405749][Diamond_TF3D_Config]]
  * [[http://mobile-sg.com/software/?p=UITweaker&platform=ppc][UI_Tweaker]]

-- Black Themes and Wallpaper

If you want a black theme, then check out the links below. But these days I 
stick with the blue O2 theme because the 3rd party black themes seem to 
introduce some instability.

  * http://touchpro2.wikispaces.com/TF3D+Themes
  * http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=492274
  * http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=486358

-- Screen Lock

DraytekVigor2820Vn - Revision 1.1 updated by martin

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:22:57 +0000

$Id: DraytekVigor2820Vn,v 1.1 2011/02/03 10:22:57 martin Exp $

[Draytek Vigor 2820Vn:TOC]

See my page about the DraytekVigor2600G, it works just as well.

DraytekVigor2600G - Revision 1.8 updated by martin

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:37:45 +0000

$Id: DraytekVigor2600G,v 1.8 2011/02/02 10:37:45 martin Exp www-data $

[Draytek Vigor 2600G:TOC]

- Introduction

Here are some quick and dirty guides to use Ubuntu to capture logs from and 
monitor the status of a Draytek Vigor 2600G router. Plus some other related 
tips.

- Fixed IP address via DHCP

There is no web interface to configure fixed IP address which are given to DHCP 
clients, therefore it has to be done via the Vigor shell.

Once you have established a telnet session to the Vigor fixed IP addresss for a 
given host can be defined as follows.

 srv dhcp fixip add   

Here are some examples...

 srv dhcp fixip add 192.168.1.100 xx-04-23-6B-3E-F9 louise-laptop
 srv dhcp fixip add 192.168.1.101 xx-1E-4F-BA-6B-F3 holly
 srv dhcp fixip add 192.168.1.102 xx-1D-0D-B0-F6-ED ps3

- syslog

In the past Ubuntu ran 'sysklogd' by default, in recent years it was replaced 
with 'rsyslog'. I haven't got around to figuring out how to configure rsyslog 
yet, so I install 'sysklogd' on a Ubuntu server where I want to capture logs 
from my Vigor router.

 sudo aptitude install sysklogd

First configure your Vigor 2600G to syslog events to the IP address of your 
syslog server. The 2600G has the following syslog facilities...

BBCiPlayer - Revision 1.34 updated by martin

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:03:39 +0000

$Id: BBCiPlayer,v 1.34 2010/12/21 11:03:39 martin Exp $

[BBC iPlayer:TOC]

- Introduction

BBC iPlayer is an excellent service for TV license payers in the UK. The 
browser based player works just fine with Linux, the original download service 
was for Windows only, but in 2008 the iPlayer Desktop was released, based on 
Adobe AIR, which works on Linux and Mac OSX.

Occasionally I have recording conflicts on my PVR so want to use iPlayer to 
ensure I don't ''"miss the unmissable"'' ;-) In addition I want to integrate 
iPlayer content with my DLNAServer so I can access iPlayer content on the PS3.

- The iPlayer's

As a Linux user and PS3 owner I have five iPlayer options available to me.

-- iPlayer Website

So long as you have a web browser and the Adobe Flash plugin you can access 
this service.

  * http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

-- iPlayer Desktop

So long as you have Adobe Flash installed you can install the iPlayer Desktop 
on 32-bit and 64-bit Linux. It allows you to download iPlayer content, which is 
great, but the content is ''protected'' with DRM so can't be integrated with a 
DLNAServer :-(

BBC iPlayer Desktop also requires Adobe Flash 10 so let's install it.

  * AdobeFlash

Now install Adobe Air 2.0.x

LinuxContainers - Revision 1.24 updated by martin

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:15:22 +0000

$Id: LinuxContainers,v 1.24 2010/12/08 23:15:22 martin Exp $

[Linux Containers:TOC]

- Introduction

'''THIS DOESN'T WORK YET!'''

Linux Containers (LXC) provide lightweight virtualisation that lets you isolate 
processes and resources without the need to provide instruction interpretation 
mechanisms and other complexities of full virtualization.

- Host

-- Install

 sudo apt-add-repository ppa:dnjl/virtualization
 sudo aptitude update
 sudo apt-get install lxc debootstrap bridge-utils libcap2-bin

-- Network

--- Server

If you are running LXC on a server dedicated to the job then setup your 
'/etc/network/interfaces' file as follows.

 auto lo
 iface lo inet loopback

 auto eth0
 iface eth0 inet manual

DellInspiron1545 - Revision 1.2 updated by martin

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:38:25 +0000

$Id: DellInspiron1545,v 1.2 2010/11/18 12:38:25 martin Exp $

[Dell Inspiron 1545:TOC]

- Introduction

I decided that it was time I replace my wifes computer. So I got her a 
refurbished Dell Inspiron 1545.

-- Specifications

  * Model : Dell Inspiron 1545
  * Case Colour : Pacific Blue
  * CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 2.0GHz
  * Memory : 3072MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [1x2048 + 1x1024]
  * Hard Disk : 250GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
  * Optical Drive : DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
  * Screen : 15.6" Wide XGA TrueLife Screen (1280 x 800)
  * Bluetooth :	No Bluetooth Upgrade
  * Webcam : No Camera Included
  * Video : Intel Onboard
  * USB Ports : 3
  * Card Reader : 7-in-1 Memory Card Reader
  * Wireless Network Card : Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)
  * 1394 Firewire Port : Yes
  * ExpressCard Slot : Yes
  * Ext Video Port : VGA
  * Battery : 4-cell 24WHr Li-Ion primary battery
  * Operating System : Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (Licence & CD)

ViglenMPC - Revision 1.12 updated by martin

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:19:58 +0000

$Id: ViglenMPC,v 1.12 2010/11/18 12:19:58 martin Exp $

[Viglen MPC-L:TOC]

- Introduction 

We have elected to use Viglen MPC-L computers at work to run our DHCP, DNS, 
PXE/TFTP and apt-cacher-ng servers. I have since bought one for use at home as 
my DHCP, DNS, PXE/TFTP, apt-cacher-ng, JetDirect, Scanner, DLNA and DAAP server.

These notes are compiled from various guide, how-to's and tips I found around 
the Ineternet, see the references at the bttom of this page. 

-- Viglen MPC-L product information

Lunutop supply similar devices but are considerably more expensive than Viglen.

  * 
http://www.viglen.co.uk/viglen/Products_Services/Product_Range/Product_file.aspx
?eCode=XUBUMPCL&Type_Info=Description&Type=Desktops&GUID=17661537133
  * 
http://www.viglen.co.uk/devportal/std/storefront/qna.asp?part_no=MPCWEB&guid=176
61537133#stag0
  * ftp://ftp.viglen.co.uk/files/Viglen_Contender_MPC/
  * http://www.linutop.com/index.en.html

- Hardware

-- CPU

  * [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geode_(processor)][Geode_GX2]]

-- BIOS

DellT7400Workstation - Revision 1.13 updated by martin

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:22:23 +0000

$Id: DellT7400Workstation,v 1.13 2010/01/17 09:22:23 martin Exp www-data $

[Dell T7400 Workstation:TOC]

- Introduction

I decided that it was time I really upgrade my computer at home. So I got 
myself a refurbished Dell T7400 Workstation and Dell 2408WFP 24" LCD screen. 
Here are some useful links and stuff for both.

-- Dell T7400 Workstation

--- Information

The Dell Precision T7400 is an ultra-high-performance workstation designed to 
maximise performance and scalability. The Dell Precision T7400 features the 
newest, and most powerful, multi-core Intel Xeon processors, as well as 
advanced memory, graphics, and RAID options to power through the most complex 
applications. Dell partners with leading Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to 
certify system and application compatibility so that your applications can run 
gracefully right out of the box.

--- Specifications

  * Grade: Refurbished
  * Operating System: No Operating system
  * Model: Precision T7400
  * Colour: Black on silver
  * Case: Tower
  * Internal drive bays: 4x internal 3.5” hard disk drive bays; 
  * External drive bays: 3x external 5.25” optical bays, one of which can 
accommodate a fifth HDD; 1x external 3.5” flex bay for floppy drive or media 
card reader
  * Number Of Processors: 2
  * Processor / Type: Intel Xeon E5430
  * Processor / Clock Speed: 2.66 GHz
  * DIMS: 16 used, 0 free
  * RAM Installed Size: 32 GB
  * RAM Technology: DDR2 ECC Fully Buffered FLS
  * Memory Clock Speed: 667 MHz

DellMini9Netbook - Revision 1.15 updated by martin

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:57:41 +0100

$Id: DellMini9Netbook,v 1.15 2010/08/11 13:57:41 martin Exp www-data $

[Dell Mini 9 Netbook:TOC]

- Introduction

I decided that it was time I join the ''''''NetBook'''''' revolution so I 
bought myself a refurbished Dell Mini 9. I bought mine in September 2009, 
exactly 1 year after the Mini 9 was first released by Dell. I paid just £129 
all in with cost savings coming from selecting a 512MB RAM model with 4Gb SSD 
and it being pre-installed with Ubuntu 8.04 so no Windows XP license :-D This 
is my first computer to not come pre-installed with Windows. Times are a 
changing!

I selected a lower spec model because in the year since the Mini 9 was first 
launched faster RAM and higher capacity solid state drives have come to market 
that I want to install. There is no point wasting money on parts I will swap 
out. Here are some useful links and stuff.

- Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook

The Inspiron Mini 9 netbook is an ultra small and mobile companion which has an 
8.9-inch widescreen display and can be configured with either Windows XP or 
Ubuntu Linux. The Mini 9 is powered by an Intel Atom processor for power saving 
performance. Solid state flash drive makes the Mini quiet with very fast 
storage. A 4-cell battery offers up to 4 hours of battery life. The weight of 
the Mini 9 starts at 2.28lbs to make this an extremely portable laptop.

-- Specifications

  * Grade: Refurbished
  * Model : Inspiron Mini 9
  * Case Colour: Black
  * CPU: Intel ® Atom™ Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz, 512K cache)
  * Memory : 512MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
  * Hard Disk : 4GB Solid State Hard Drive
  * Screen Details : 8.9" WSVGA (WLED) Truelife Display (1024 x 600)
  * Webcam : Integrated 0.3MP Camera (N-Series Only)
  * Video : Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator 950
  * Soundcard : On board
  * USB Ports : 3
  * Card Reader : 3 in 1 Media Reader
  * Wireless Network Card : Dell 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Mini-Card
  * Bluetooth : Yes

EmailServer - Revision 1.28 updated by martin

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:44:09 +0100

$Id: EmailServer,v 1.28 2010/09/09 21:44:09 martin Exp www-data $

[Email Server:TOC]

- Introduction

This is still being worked on and is subject to change. The basic idea is that  
   

  * Postfix is the SMTP server
  * Dovecot in the POP3/IMAP server. 
  * Postfix uses Dovecot's SASL Library for SMTP Auth
  * Both Postfix and Dovecot use a CACert.org signed certificate for TLS/SSL
  * Both Postfix and Dovecot integrate with Virtual Hostess

-- Integrating Postfix and Dovecot

OK, here are the steps. The docs have the right information in them but not 
necessarily in the right order (yet) ;-)

  * PostfixSetup
  * PostfixTLS
  * PostfixSubmission
  * DovecotSetup
  * PostfixSMTPAuth
  * MonitoringPostfix

-- Defeating Spam

I have attempted to put anti spam and anti virus counter measures in place that 
keep the resource overhead down and remain simple to administer.

  * PostfixSpamFilters

PostfixSubmission - Revision 1.1 updated by martin

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:47:53 +0100

$Id: PostfixSubmission,v 1.1 2010/09/09 21:47:53 martin Exp $

I enable submission on port 587 to bypass some fussiness at my ISP.

 sudo nano /etc/postfix/master.cf

Find the following...

 smtp       inet n       -       -       -       -       smtpd

...and add this line after it.

 submission inet n       -       -       -       -       smtpd

Now reload Postfix.

 /etc/init.d/postfix reload

'''References'''
  * http://rackerhacker.com/2007/07/04/enable-submission-port-587-in-postfix/

SlaveDNSServer - Revision 1.3 updated by martin

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:48:14 +0100

$Id: SlaveDNSServer,v 1.3 2010/08/16 10:48:14 martin Exp $

[Slave DNS Server:TOC]

- NSD3

For DNS services I have opted for NSD 3.x. This guide assumes some knowledge of 
configuring DNS, it is really just a reference document for myself.

-- Install NSD3

See the MasterDNSServer page for details about how to install NSD3 and 
ldnsutils on Debian and Ubuntu.

-- Make a key

See the MasterDNSServer page for details about making a key. You should use the 
same zone key for the salve as you created for the master.

-- Configure an NSD slave

 nano /etc/nsd3/nsd.conf

Add the following to the end of the file...

'''Sample'''

 # key for zone 1
 key:
        name: mskey
        algorithm: hmac-sha1
        secret: "z9uAJ94MQoy7E59JhvO5S8yP9Vo="

MasterDNSServer - Revision 1.14 updated by martin

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:47:11 +0100

$Id: MasterDNSServer,v 1.14 2010/08/16 10:47:11 martin Exp $

[Master DNS Server:TOC]

- NSD3

For DNS services I have opted for NSD 3.x. This guide assumes some knowledge of 
configuring DNS, it is really just a reference document for myself.

-- Install NSD3

--- Ubuntu Lucid

 aptitude install dnsutils whois nsd3

--- Ubuntu Hardy

 aptitude install dnsutils whois nsd3

-- Install ldnsutils

ldns includes several useful DNS utilities, not least a key generator for TSIG. 

--- Ubuntu Lucid

 aptitude install ldnsutils

--- Ubuntu Hardy

Sadly, there is not a package available for Ubuntu Hardy yet :-(

VirtualBox - Revision 1.44 updated by martin

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:28:23 +0100

$Id: VirtualBox,v 1.44 2010/08/11 17:28:23 martin Exp $

[Virtual Box:TOC]

- Introduction

I used to use VMWare at home but migrated to VirtualBox when it hit version 
2.1. Like some of my other wiki pages this is not all new information, just an 
aggregation of information I found online plus some bits of my own.

- Installing Virtual Box on Ubuntu

There are two versions of Virtual Box, the Open Source Edition (OSE) and the 
Closed Source Edition. I am interested in the Closed Source Edition because I 
require most of the features it provides, not least USB 2.0 support.

I'm not going to repeat the clear installation instruction that are already 
available on the VirtualBox website.

  * http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads

-- Post install configuration

Add yourself to the vboxusers group

 sudo adduser YOURUSERNAME vboxusers

-- Ubuntu 9.04 are earlier

This step is only required for older Ubuntu versions.

Find the devgid for 'vboxusers'

 grep vboxusers /etc/group | cut -f3 -d':'

ImportAVCHD - Revision 1.3 updated by martin

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:06:38 +0100

$Id: ImportAVCHD,v 1.3 2010/08/01 21:06:38 martin Exp $

[Import AVCDHD:TOC]

- Introduction

At the moment I'm just collecting reference material. If spare time permits I 
may have a go at coding something up.

- Ubuntu AVCHD Bug

  * 
[[https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-discuss/2010-May/011563.html][T
ool_needed_to_import_AVCHD_files]]
  * https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/574870

- Ubuntu AVCHD Blue Prints

  * https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/avchd-compatible

- AVCHD References

  * https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AVCHD
  * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD

- Code

  * https://launchpad.net/python-avchd
  * https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/574870
  * 
[[http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-vixia-hf-s-hf-series-avchd/441692-there-app-
managing-avchd-files.html][Is_there_an_app_for_managing_AVCHD_files]] - 
Includes Python code
  * 
[[http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/reading-avchd-playlist-files-bdmv-playl
ist-mpl-t358888.html][Reading_AVCHD_Playlist_files]] - Includes more Python code

UbuntuServerSetup - Revision 1.5 updated by martin

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:51:03 +0100

$Id: UbuntuServerSetup,v 1.5 2010/07/29 16:51:03 martin Exp $

[Ubuntu Server Setup:TOC]

- Introduction

I'm not going to explain the whole installation process for Ubuntu (there are 
plenty of muppets out there who have created lots of screen shots for you) just 
follow the prompts and provide sensible answers when prompted.

- The Scripts

Once you have Ubuntu Server installed you can use my scripts. That said, these 
scripts are tailored to '''my''' requirements so don't get upset if they 
''break'' your system. I suggest you have a read of each script so you can see 
what it does before you start running them ;-) 

-- Get the scripts

Login to you new server as a regular user.

-- Ubuntu Lucid 10.04 LTS

You'll need 'bzr' to grab the scripts.

 sudo aptitude install bzr
 bzr branch lp:~flexiondotorg/+junk/ServerScripts 

-- Ubuntu Hardy 8.04 LTS

You'll need 'bzr' to grab the scripts, but the version in the hardy repos is 
too old to access my repository so we need to add the Bazaar PPA in order to 
get a newer version.

 sudo -s -H
 echo "#Bazaar" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bazaar.list
 echo "deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/bzr/ubuntu hardy main" >> 
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/bazaar.list

UbuntuServers - Revision 1.7 updated by martin

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:41:48 +0100

$Id: UbuntuServers,v 1.7 2010/07/29 15:41:48 martin Exp $

- Server Configuration

I used to maintain pages and pages of detailed instruction about how to setup 
Debian and Ubuntu servers. Each time I setup a server (which is surprisingly 
often) I would refer to my wiki pages and copy/paste the steps. Not very 
efficient.

I've started migrating all my server setup to a suite of (largely) automated 
scripts, the page below explains how to use those scripts. 

  * UbuntuServerSetup

- ALERT!

'''Bit rot has set in below this point! I no longer maintain the pages below 
here. This information is old, out of date, aging more each day and will 
eventually be deleted.'''

The pages below document how I configure specific server components. However, a 
lot of the pages below have 'Debian' in the name because that used to be my 
server distro of choice but I now use Ubuntu. I have tried to keep the pages 
relevant to both distros where possible.

  * InternetServer
  * IntranetServer
  * MiscServerStuff

QuicknDirtySecurityandVisibility - Revision 1.43 updated by martin

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:41:15 +0100

$Id: QuicknDirtySecurityandVisibility,v 1.43 2010/07/29 15:41:15 martin Exp $

[Quick 'n Dirty Security and Visibility:TOC]

- Introduction

This article describes some of the tools and utilities I use to better secure 
and monitor my servers. Simply following the article below does not get you a 
secure box, you also need to ensure any services you have running are correctly 
configured and you should disable, or better yet remove, any services or 
software you do not require.

- Firewall

I use 'ufw' to firewall my Ubuntu Servers.

 aptitude install ufw

-- Add the first rules

'''''NOTE!''''' When enabling the firewall using '/etc/init.d/ufw start' or 
'ufw start' the chains are flushed and connections may be dropped. You can add 
rules to the firewall before enabling it however, so if you are testing 'ufw' 
on a remote machine it is recommended you perform...

 ufw allow ssh/tcp

...before running 'ufw enable'. Once the firewall is enabled, adding and 
removing rules will not flush the firewall, although modifying an existing rule 
will.

-- Adding/Modifying Rules

The following rules are typical for internet facing servers.

--- DNS

 ufw allow domain

MiscServerStuff - Revision 1.5 updated by martin

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:38:18 +0100

$Id: MiscServerStuff,v 1.5 2010/07/29 15:38:18 martin Exp $

- ALERT!

'''Bit rot has set in. I no longer use maintain these pages. This information 
is old, out of date and aging more each day.'''

  * QuicknDirtyVirtualHostingwithControlPanel
  * QuicknDirtySOCKSServer

I use rsync based tools to backup my various systems to one central server. The 
pages below explain what scripts I use, all really on 'root' SSH authentication 
using a password-less public/private key pair.

  * RdiffBackup

I like to monitor my servers to ensure that they are available and not being 
abused, here are my notes on the tools I use to achieve this.

  * QuicknDirtySecurityandVisibility

InternetServer - Revision 1.12 updated by martin

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:32:12 +0100

$Id: InternetServer,v 1.12 2010/07/29 15:32:12 martin Exp $

[Internet Server:TOC]

- Introduction

The objectives for my Internet facing server are:

  1 Use a Virtual Private Server (VPS).
  1 Keep the resource overhead, and therefore cost, down.
  1 Use light weight alternatives for common services in order to learn new 
stuff and break mono culture.
  1 Create a light weight virtual hosting solution to support multiple domains, 
users, mailboxes and websites without requiring a database server.

-- Disk Setup

  * HomeServerDiskPartitions

-- Common Setup

All my Debian/Ubuntu servers have a common starting configuration, this is it.

  * DebianEtchCommonSetup
  * CommonServerSetup

-- SSL/TLS Certificate

I want to enable TLS/SSL where ever possible. I am currently using certificates 
signed by [[http://www.startssl.com][StartSSL]].

  * GetServerCertificateFromStartSSL

AdobeAIR - Revision 1.7 updated by martin

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:30:17 +0100

$Id: AdobeAIR,v 1.7 2010/07/27 16:30:17 martin Exp $

[Adobe AIR:TOC]

- Introduction

The page simply explains how to install Adobe AIR 1.5.1. After following these 
instructions '.air' files will be associated with the Adobe AIR and you will 
find the Adobe AIR Application Installer in...

  * Applications -> Accessories

I successfully run [[http://twhirl.org/][Thwirl]] using the install method 
below.

- Install AIR on 32-bit Ubuntu

Do all of the following as '''root'''. First download the installer.

 wget -c 
http://airdownload.adobe.com/air/lin/download/latest/AdobeAIRInstaller.bin

Make it executable.

 chmod 755 AdobeAIRInstaller.bin    

Run it.

 ./AdobeAIRInstaller.bin

Follow the on screen prompts and restart Firefox when the install is complete.

- Install AIR on 64-bit Ubuntu

JetDirectServer - Revision 1.3 updated by martin

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:27:16 +0000

$Id: JetDirectServer,v 1.3 2009/12/19 11:27:16 martin Exp $

[JetDirectServer:TOC]

- Introduction

I have an NSLU2 running Ubuntu Jaunty 9.04, it is responsible for serving DHCP 
and DNS in the house. I also wanted to turn it into a printer server but CUPS 
and ''''''LPRng'''''' RAM requirements are too much for the little NSLU2. 
However, I recently found p910nd and print serving utopia was just around the 
corner.

- p910nd

p910nd is a small printer daemon that does not spool to disk but passes the job 
directly to the printer. It is particularly useful for disk less Linux 
workstations and embedded devices that have a printer hanging off them. Sounds 
ideal for my NSLU2 :-)

Normally a lpr daemon on a spooling host connects to it with a TCP connection 
on port 910n (where n=0, 1, or 2 for lp0, 1 and 2 respectively). Common Unix 
Printing System (CUPS) supports this protocol, it's called the 
''''''AppSocket'''''' protocol and has the scheme socket://. ''''''LPRng'''''' 
also supports this protocol. I believe this protocol is also known as HP 
''''''JetDirect'''''' in some circles ;-)

-- Identify the printer device

Plug the printer into one of the NSLU2 USB ports and then query 'dmesg' to find
out which device the printer is connected via.

 dmesg | grep usblp

You'll get output something like this.

 usblp0: USB Bidirectional printer dev 3 if 1 alt 0 proto 2 vid 0x04B8 pid 
0x0803
 usbcore: registered new interface driver usblp

So my printer is on device 'usblp0' which corresponds to '/dev/usb/lp0'.

-- Install p910d

FlashingBootCD - Revision 1.7 updated by martin

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:09:37 +0100

$Id: FlashingBootCD,v 1.7 2010/07/27 16:09:37 martin Exp $

[Flashing BootCD:TOC]

- Introduction 

None of this information in new, I have just reformatted a HOW-TO based on the 
information in the references below.

Motherboards and disk controllers typically provide DOS based flashing 
utilities, typically a small executable and the binary file which updated the 
BIOS or disk controller firmware. CD, DVD and BD drives often provide DOS 
and/or Windows based firmware flashing utilities. Some drives only come with 
Windows flashing tools but I have had good success flashing CD, DVD and BD 
drives using the Windows flashing tools via Wine and VMWare.

-- DOS Boot CD

Sometimes it is still necessary to create a DOS boot disk to flash BIOS or 
firmware of some device or other. I don't have floppy disk drives in any of my 
computers and I only run Windows in a virtual machine, so how do we solve the 
problem of creating a DOS Boot CD for flashing from Linux?

--- Requirements

The target machine needs an IDE CD-ROM drive from which the BIOS must be able 
to boot. You'll need acess to a Linux computer equipped with a CD burner and 
'mkisofs' and 'cdrecord'.

--- Floppy image

Will will use floppy emulation on the Boot CD so that the BIOS will treat the 
Boot CD like a bootable a floppy disk. I use the ''''''FreeDOS'''''' 2.88MB 
boot floppy because it provides ~2.5MB of free space for flashing utilities.

 wget http://www.fdos.org/bootdisks/autogen/FDSTD.288.gz
 gunzip FDSTD.288.gz

--- Adding files to the floppy image

We need to add the flashing utilities to the floppy image so that they are 
available once we have booted ''''''FreeDOS''''''. '''NOTE!''' You will most 
likely need to be root to mount the floppy image, copy files to it and unmount 
it.

The floppy image contains a FAT filesystem, so we just need to mount it using 
the loopback option.