Finally, I got a chance to work on my NAS build, since I’ve been on vacation for all of last week. The goal I was shooting for was to build at least 4TB of RAID 5 storage, with at least a gigabit network connection. Since I already have a 2 TB IDE-based NAS built on a Poweredge 2400 platform, and since I have a bunch of PE 2400 sitting around, I decided to go ahead and build another NAS out of one of them.
The Poweredge 2400 has several nice features (more…)
I’ve decided to build my new NAS on one of my PowerEdge 2400 boxes I have sitting here. I’ve got a Dual PIII 866 with 2Gb ram, GigE, and room for 6 hard drives in the cage, and up to 3 5 1/4 devices (I will leave the SCSI CD-Rom, and add at least 1 IDE DVD Burner). To this I will add at least 1 4 port SATA 300 RAID controller and 4 1.5TB Seagate drives. I plan on configuring the RAID to RAID 5. The debate now is FreeNAS vs. NASLite vs. OpenFiler. I’m currently leaning towards FreeNAS. What is your favorite?
I’ve had a business DSL through AT&T (formerly SBC) for the 7 years we’ve lived here. Initially I was hosting sites and my own email server, as well as having enough network equipment I wanted to play with to justify the expense. I got 5 static IPs and the fastest they had available 6 Mbps/768 Kbps. I’ve reduced the number of servers using that bandwidth, but increased the number of clients (and the per client bandwidth), and have had some times recently where things just don’t work too well, or pause, or just go wonky. Some days, youtube videos pause every 20 seconds, making them almost impossible to watch. I hear my wife constantly complaining about lag on her game server, and I can’t easily determine if it’s our side or server side. This just isn’t enough bandwidth anymore. Yes I realize that there is probably some optimization to be found, some new QoS rules I can put in place, but that all requires time, and I am critically short of that right now. So I decided I needed to get another internet connection to offload some of the client bandwidth usage during peak times. If Verizon would just put some FiOS service out here, I might be set with just one connection again (HINT HINT VERIZON!).
Obviously, I already have a DSL, so getting another one is probably out of the question (well, I didn’t research if it was, but I assumed so…besides, TWC has a faster connection anyway for cheaper…at least for now). So I decided on a cable modem from Time Warner (TWC). Their turbo is listed as up to 22 Mbps/2 Mbps, so this should handle our client needs just fine. The big question was how to add this connection into our network without disrupting our extensive network setup (MP3 streaming server, various test servers, VMWare boxes and other network shares and printers). I do have a RadWare LinkProof router load balancer (which would basically merge the 2 connections into 1), but I decided against it since I want to configure certain clients to use the new connection, while leaving others to use the older connection.
Here’s what I did, with a little background on the existing setup so you’ll understand it.
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The previous configuration had all the client connections using a single static IP address routed through a Linksys RVS4000 router. The RVS4000 is configured as IP 192.168.0.1 on the internal network, handing our DHCP addresses for the clients from 192.168.0.2+. All the servers are on a different IP address off the DSL router (the RVS4000 sits behind the DSL router). The printers and other network devices all have static IPs mapped so I can make sure they retain the same addresses and all our shares and various services know where to connect. Obviously, I’d like the clients using the 192.168 network resources to still be able to connect, so I needed to figure out how to get the TWC connection to fit that scheme. Turned out to be so easy it amazed me (though I guess it probably shouldn’t since it makes total sense). I hooked the TWC modem to another router (a spare Netgear one for now), and then configured that to be be at LAN IP 192.168.0.254, and DHCP off. Since the router gets all it’s TWC info dynamically (the RVS4000 router has static WAN settings), I shouldn’t have to worry about that portion of it at all (though I am worried that TWC may change DNS servers based on dynamic IP allocated…that will take some time to determine. If that happens, the TWC modem will become the DHCP server since the RVS4000 DNS settings are static and will remain so for the forseeable future). Since the netgear router is now configured to be on the same network as all the clients, I connected it to the main gigabit switch in the server room and configured a client with a static IP address pointing to the netgear router as the gateway. VOILA! I was on, on the TWC connection vs. the AT&T one. I then validated the speed and IP address I was expecting and all was well. All I needed to do then was configure the rest of the clients to statically point to the correct gateway and DNS servers (I haven’t finished that yet).
Next up is to get a better router/firewall on that TWC connection. I have a PIX 301, or a PIX 306 that I could use, or I might go with the M0n0wall system I keep wanting to play with.
I recently needed to get OS X for a project I wanted to work on, so I went pricing different versions to find the best deal. We have a a G4 Powerbook, and a G4 tower in the house as well, so I was not opposed to buying more than 1 license so I could upgrade all the machines at once. This article is the result of that pricing search and a reaction to how much it costs to update windows based machines in comparison to apple. First I deal with the windows world.
So, let’s say you’ve got a decent PC, something in the Pentium 4 2.0+ Ghz range. It came with XP, and now you’re ready to go to Vista. You’ve also got Office 2003, and you’ve decided to upgrade that to 2007 and get down with the “ribbon“. Let’s price out your upgrade.
– $115.99
– $269.49For a grand total of $385.48 (if you get it at Amazon, with free shipping/no tax). Wow. Realistically, you’re not gaining much functionally for that price. Sure, some people will have to have the upgrade (like me, I needed Ultimate 64 bit so I could run my 8 Gb of ram). But for most users, this upgrade only gives them the new whiz-bang features that they probably won’t really “use”, and makes sure they are on a supported platform for patches (Xp is still supported, but Vista will likely get priority for all new vulnerabilities). Let me emphasize again. $385.48 for little to no real gains (sorry, I am forgetting gains in pain. Vista has a new explorer paradigm, UAC, and enough new look and feel that common activities become cumbersome again. Office isn’t quite as bad, but it is disorienting). Oh, let’s not forget. That is for 1 computer. So if you have a network like I do, $385 per machine. Between my wife and I, we commonly use 5 machines (she has 2 gaming machines, I have 2 workstations and a laptop). In a household with 2 adults, and 2.5 kids, I’d guesstimate there would be between 2-5 computers, depending on the ages of the children and the parents’ level of tech savvy. So, between $770.96 and $1927.40. OUCH! And that assumes upgrades to already existing products that were purchased some point in the past. If one of the machines needs a new copy of office (not an upgrade), well, the prices can really skyrocket.
Now lets look at the Apple household. We need between 2-5 copies of OS X, and iWork (could use open office, but lets assume we want to pay for it and get support). So, we want:
Check this out: Mac Box Set Family Pack
I’ve been aware of the OS X family pack for some time, eyeing it every time I go near an apple display. I only have 2 Macs in the house, but it’s still cheaper than buying 2 copies of OS X ($109.99
Did I mention yet that I was jealous? I’ll admit to a bit of rage as well, however, I do like my Windows machines and am used to the Windows way of doing things. And did I mention most computer games are still Windows only? So, I think I will settle for jealous.
And yes, I know there are those of you out there that will be hating on the Apple platform initial entry price point. You would probably argue that while the price above is cheap, you already paid some of that into the system when you first bought it. You might be right. But I’ve also seen plenty of the consumer level Apple machines come in a lot cheaper than I expected to ever see them at. I know it doesn’t compare to a Dell for $420 with a flat panel monitor included, but was the machine really worth what you paid? How long will it last? It may be equivalent to the Apple machine for $1200, and then again, it may not. It all depends on your viewpoint on it (rabid fan-boys and girls aside).
Several months ago, when dell had their mini 9’s blowing out of the outlet for around $200, I decided I needed one. I got it and used it for a bit before I decided I needed to make it better. What could make it better? Well, first thing was to upgrade the ram to 2 GB from the 512 MB I got it with. Then came the upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro, though I never got that quite right since it kept throwing some error related to the battery, I believe. Then I decided I was going to run OS X, since I keep trying to get some of my other machines to become a hackintosh, but haven’t yet succeeded to the extent I like (seems like there is always something that doesn’t work right).
[caption id="attachment_251" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Mini 9 desktop screenshot"]
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First thing I had to do if I wanted to put OS X on it was actually get OS X. See my followup article on Apple pricing for details on that. Short version is that the pricing was right, and I got the software.
Second thing was to get a larger SSD (solid state drive – fulfills the function of hard drive in a netbook like the dell mini). I got the 4 GB model with the mini, but needed at least 16 GB to make it a less painful experience. I ended up scoring a 32 GB one with a 2 GB stick of ram (didn’t need it, but it was part of the deal) for $88 shipped. SCORE!
I also needed at least a 16 GB flash drive (USB) and another smaller one (USB), both of which I already had available. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like I could used the SD card slot till after OS X was fully installed. I could have used a portable DVD drive, but I didn’t feel like digging in my junk pile, so went with the 2 USB drive method.
[caption id="attachment_250" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Full shot of Mini 9 with OS X"]
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I used the directions located here. Basically the steps boil down to the following:
I was able to verify that the following works:
I’ll post updates as I discover new features or run into issues with this system. For now though I am pleased to have an OS X install that I can begin to experiment with.
I received the video card from NewEgg today and was able to get it installed and working. Found out that one of my monitors was “bad” since it kept going into power-save mode, even when the cable wasn’t plugged in. I was able to swap it with another I had on hand and get it all working. I can’t get too good of a shot since I don’t have a lot of space before I hit the wall behind the desk. I’m not necessarily happy with the PCI card performance, but it’ll probably be sufficient for reading pdfs or until I am ready to upgrade again. I can see visible lag when dragging windows onto the PCI card desktops; I guess I am just spoiled.
I’ve got a few projects that I’ve had on the back burner for awhile, so in an effort to get things done AND generate some content, I’ve decided to make them articles for Phil’s Comments. Here is the list of planned projects for Q2:
Since I have 3 racks of equipment in my office (not all of which is running), I will be paying particular attention to heat and power usage statistics. Tune in for further updates.
I saw this on LifeHacker originally, where it caught my eye as a project I could easily do with all the spare hardware I have laying around, most of it which has little to no value but still functions correctly. Head over to Glowview to give the original article a read.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="320" caption="wall-mount pc"]
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I’m especially fond of this idea, as I have 2 things working in my favor:
If I decide to do this I will have a follow up post to show off the work. Now if I could just make it touch screen too, that would make it that much cooler. I suppose I could slap a bluetooth dongle in there and use my HTPC keyboard or something similar (maybe a gyro mouse?).
Now that I’ve gotten into watching Kitchen Nightmares and Hell’s Kitchen on hulu.com, I needed a way to log into my HTPC (Home Theater PC). Keeping a USB keyboard hanging around the living room was a no-no in my wife’s book, as we were slowly de-cluttering the room, and that was definitely contributing to the clutter. My original idea was to get a regular wireless keyboard and keep it on the end table. So I began to do a little research and ended up stumbling upon the Logitech diNovo Mini™ keyboard. I found that it had pretty good reviews, and liked the cover which would keep the dust from accumulating in all the keys (as well as dog hair, of which we have plenty of no matter how much we vacuum). I figured it would be about about half-size of a regular keyboard, and while it was expensive, I was willing to give it a shot since it came with it’s own rechargeable battery and claimed a long life (and had the lid!).
When I received the box, I was pretty surprised (more…)
I’ve been trying to get 4 monitors up and running on my main system now for a while. I’ve got an XPS 420 that I got a killer deal on some time ago. It’s a Quad-core 2.4 Ghz (using BSEL hack it can be 3 Ghz), and I jammed it with 8Gb of ram, so of course I am stuck running Vista 64 bit. Ultimate to be exact. Well, I won’t lie to you and say its been all love and kisses between me and Vista; truth be told I’d have much preferred to stay on XP. I actually LIKE XP.
Anyway, back to my original topic. So, my main video card is in the PCI-E slot, so I am left with either upgrading to a PCI-E card that supports 4 monitors , yuck and $$$, or to get a legacy PCI card that supports an additional 2 monitors. That is the path I chose to take, so I hopped over to Ebay to acquire a card. Wow, Radeon 7000 for $25 bucks? DEAL. I get it delivered, get it installed, and then…oops, forgot I was running 64 bit. No 64 bit driver for old-ass legacy cards like that. Back to the drawing board.
Head back over to Ebay, and find 2 Nvidia FX5200 256MB for $50. DEAL. Pay for them and wait the WEEK it takes for them to get here from Oklahoma (I’m in Texas, so why so SLOW?). Finally install the card tonight. Guess what? First message I get is “At least one display adapter on the system has been disabled because its driver is not compatible with the driver for the VGA adapter”. WTF does that mean? A few minutes research and I find an article on the Microsoft site here that explains the problem. A quick summary is that in vista, you have to use video cards from the same vendor, because they share the graphics stack. In XP, it was FINE to run with cards from different vendors…but no, in their infinite wisdom (they say for stability, so I assume they had too many bugs to ship it like XP), they have moved us BACKWARDS in features from a previous release. So now I have to go buy yet another video card. SHEESH.
I’ll post a follow up once I get the new one from NewEgg. Its a PCI version of the same card I already have running in my PCI-E slot, so it should be very simple to get working. Somehow, I find I have a serious lack of confidence in that.
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Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
Agile Testing: A Practical Guide for Testers and Agile Teams (Addison-Wesley Signature Series) by Lisa Crispin
Perfect Software: And Other Illusions about Testing by Gerald M. Weinberg
Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes by Mark Bittman
Almost Meatless: Recipes That Are Better for Your Health and the Planet by Joy Manning
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