Categories
Riverbed

Riverbed ROCKS!

At my day job, I was tasked with choosing what direction we were to go with on WAN acceleration. The choice was either adding a second T1 line, Cisco WAAS, and Riverbed. For many, many reasons we chose Riverbed over WAAS, or simply adding a second T1. We’ve seen almost a 5x speed increase, now that we have had some good data being sent.

Took us less then 10 days to get 19 appliances deployed at all of our remote branches. We had users actually deploy them, after writing up a how-to (that’s how easy it is to deploy!) Each branch only has a single T1, and this is what our WAN usage looks like after 2-3 months of usage….lots of bandwidth saved :).

All we have left now, is to remove remote servers (print serving, dns, dhcp, etc), and centralize personal drives (these are still on location).

The traffic we’re seeing the biggest reductions on is CIFS, NOTES, Exchange, and our local sharepoint site.

[zenphoto src=”riverbed.jpg” album=”blog/etc/” width=”500″ /]

Categories
Air Cards

Verizon Access Manager/US Cellular ERROR 720 – Cannot connect to server/remote server

I used to see this error constantly with some of our users who used Verizon Access Manager, and ANY type of Air Card; PC5750, PC5740, PC5220, tethering with Blackberries, etc. Using the VZAM software, or US Cellular sometimes you will not get an error, sometimes you will. The best way to test what error you are getting is to insert your air card, and use the Dial Up connection that is created by the software to attempt to connect (in Networks Connections). You will always get some sort of error. So far I have not seen this on Windows 7, only on Windows XP PRO SP2, or SP3, so I will write this up assuming you have Windows XP.

CAUSE: This issue may occur if the TCP/IP protocol has become unbound from the dial-up adapter, or if a conflict is created when a second WAN Miniport IP device driver loads. Back to the top Back to the top

RESOLUTION: To resolve this issue, uninstall the WAN Miniport IP and PPTP devices. To do so, follow these steps:

To be safe, uninstall the CISCO VPN (if you use it). You should also remove the BB, or Aircard from device manager.

Step 1:

1. Open Device Manager
2. Under the View menu click Show hidden devices.
3. Under Network adapters, you will see WAN Miniport IP devices. If a WAN Miniport IP device is listed, continue to the following step. If no WAN Miniport IP devices are listed, go directly to step 16.
4. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
5. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
6. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File, type backup-key in the File name box, and then click Save. (Note You can restore the changes that you make to this registry key. To do so, double-click the backup-key.reg file that you saved.)
7. Click each of the registry subkeys under this key, and then view the Data column of the DriverDesc value to determine which of the subkeys corresponds to WAN Miniport (IP). For example, the 0005 subkey.
8. Right-click the subkey whose DriverDesc value data is WAN Miniport (IP) or WAN Minport (PPTP); (for example, right-click 0005), and then click Delete. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the key.
9. Quit regedit
10. Open Device Manager
11. On the View menu, click Show hidden devices.
12. Under Network adapters, uninstall the WAN Miniport (IP) and the WAN Miniport (PPTP).

Step 2: Reinstall the WAN Miniports

1. Find netrasa.inf in c:\windows\inf
2. Make a copy of the file and name it netrasa.inf.save
3. Open the original copy of netrasa.inf
4. Under the [ControlFlags] section: place a semicolon in front of the line that starts with Excludefromselect=\
5. Continue to add semicolons to all the lines beneath until coming to the line: MS_NdisWanNbfIn,MS_NdisWanNbfOut

Step 3:

1. Start the Add New Hardware wizard from the Control Panel
2. Select the hardware is already installed.
3. Select “Add a new hardware device” from the end of the list.
4. Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list. (Advanced)
5. Select “Network Adapters” followed by “Microsoft” and then both the PPTP and the IP Wan miniport one at a time. (NO need to reboot between these steps)
6. Reboot after running through the wizard for both the PPTP and IP miniport.
7. Select Start -> Run and type: netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt (For details, see KB299357)
8. Reboot and try your connection. This worked for me and has worked for others.

Hopefully this helps some people, Verizon has no idea what’s going on, so I had to find this on my own.

update July 26th 2010 : This also fixes the US Cellular’s error 720 with a UM175, or 185.

Categories
Operating Systems

How to disable Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration for server 2003/2008

I get a lot of people asking me how to disable IE’s Enhanced Security Configuration, so this is how to do it for server 2003, and 2008.

Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration places your server and Microsoft Internet Explorer in a configuration that decreases the exposure of your server to potential attacks that can occur through Web content and aplication scripts. As a result, some Web sites may not display or perform as expected.

For Windows Server 2003 Users

The quickest way to remove it for Server 2003 is to uninstall it: Go to Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs, then click on Add/Remove Windows Components uncheck the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration and click on next.

[zenphoto src=”2003server.png” album=”blog/os_stuff/” width=”500″ /]

For Windows Server 2008 Users

In Windows Server 2008, you have to click on the root folder in server manager. Then you scroll down to the Security Information Section and click “Configure IE ESC”. You can turn off IE ESC for Administrators and/or for users. The latter in a Terminal Server environment.

[zenphoto src=”2008server.png” album=”blog/os_stuff/” width=”500″ /]

Categories
iPhone

New reason to use Facetime on the iPhone 4

So my dog, and my sisters dog can chat!

[zenphoto src=”dawgfacetime.PNG” album=”vivi/” width=”500″ /]

Categories
iPhone

Apple iPhone 3GS 3.1.3 with baseband 05.12.01 unlock/jailbreak – windows

So, like most iphone users, I HAD to get the iphone 4, and was looking to sell my 3GS 32GB, but needed to get it unlocked. This is the method I did, and it worked great, took me 15-20 minutes.

I did this on my laptop, with windows xp pro sp3 32bit. I also wiped my phone completely before this, whit a clean 3.1.3 install. If you are going to do this on a phone you want to keep data, i’d advise backing it up first via itunes.

this method will work for :

* Any iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch on firmware 3.1.2, 3.1.3, or 3.2. Any baseband
* An activated device: one not stuck on the Connect to iTunes or Emergency Call screen.
* Any version of iTunes 9 earlier than 9.2

Pre-reqs:

* iphone 3gs 32gb with 3.1.3 and Baseband 05.12.01 (other phones will work
* itunes 9.1.1 or older : http://filehippo.com/download_itunes_32/7482/
* spirit jb : http://spiritjb.com/win
* working wifi

Step 1 :
If you have itunes 9.2, or newer, you need to uninstall it completely, a reboot wouldn’t hurt afterwards either.

Step 2 :
Install itunes 9.1.1 – or older.

Step 3 :
plug in iphone

Step 4 :
run spiritjb.exe, hit jailbreak, now your phone will reboot

Step 5 :
turn on your wifi, and connect your wifi

Step 6 :
turn OFF 3G

Step 7 :
Click on the Cydia icon to open Cydia.
[zenphoto src=”1.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 8 :
Click Manage on the bottom of the screen.
[zenphoto src=”2.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 9 :
Select “Sources” from the middle of the screen.
[zenphoto src=”3.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 10 :
Tap “Edit” in the top right, and then tap “Add” in the top left.
[zenphoto src=”4.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 11 :
Type in the “http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com” without the quotes. Note, the 0 in sn0w is a zero. When you have finished press “Add Source”
[zenphoto src=”5.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 12 :
Cydia will now download the source information and add it to Cydia…
[zenphoto src=”6.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 13 :
When it is complete, press “Return to Cydia”
[zenphoto src=”7.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 14 :
Now press “Done” in the top right and then press search on the bottom right.
[zenphoto src=”8.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 15 :
In the search bar type “ultrasn0w” and then press search.
[zenphoto src=”9.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 16 :
Select Ultrasn0w and then press Install in the top right.
[zenphoto src=”10.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 17 :
Press “Confirm” in the top right to confirm the download
[zenphoto src=”11.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 18 :
Wait while Ultrasn0w downloads….
[zenphoto src=”12.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 19 :
When the download is complete press “Reboot Device” on the bottom
[zenphoto src=”13.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Step 20 :
While the device is rebooting you can insert your sim card if you havent done so already.
[zenphoto src=”14.png” album=”blog/jailbreak” width=”500″ /]

Now ya should be done ^_^.

Categories
twopumpchumps.com

www.twopumpchumps.com

So, i have a small, pet/side project i’ve been trying to get off the ground. I have a website created, dubbed : 2PC (www.twopumpchumps.com).

The main premise of the site was to have a forum/community with no ads, one section, and where you can talk about anything … and I mean anything (torrents, illegal/legal, porn, P&N shit, swearing, etc….it’s all allowed).

I am hoping it becomes a hit, i’ve always been a huge fan of online communication, and information sharing.

Categories
Computer Hardware

Poor laptop

This is what happens when you run over a Dell D620 with a Caterpillar D9N. I feel bad for the dell tech that has to fix this, got to love Dell’s CompleteCare warranty :).

This is a D9N :

[zenphoto src=”d9n.jpg” album=”blog/bad_laptop” width=”500″ /]

This is the poor aftermath :

[zenphoto src=”runover1.jpg” album=”blog/bad_laptop” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”runover2.jpg” album=”blog/bad_laptop” width=”500″ /]

Categories
Gaming Team Srdar

Blog post, meet “Team Srdar”

Back story on how I got “into” computers : I was playing starcraft in late 1998 that a friend so devilishly got me involved in…shit I must have been 11 years old at the time, but the tower tipped over, and stopped working. So, long story short, my little 11 year old brain had to fix it so I could get back at owning the Chinese. SO, from time to time, I might post some of my current online gaming triumphs.

Me (vivi the mage) and my brother (peez) have this on going joke that everyone runs from “team srdar’s”…because it’s technically true. We’ve made people leave servers, we’ve cleared servers out with our pure ownage.

peez “OMG, it’s VIVI, everyone run”
“peez exits the game”
“everyone on his team follows”
I get a free win

Hilarious, wish I was recording.
Something we did in Warcraft 3 3v3’s. Somehow he chanced on the other team and did this. That was the first “Team Srdar” moment.

BUT, our most recent ‘team srdar’ ownage was in Bad Company 2

[zenphoto src=”srdars2.jpg” album=”blog/gaming_ownage” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”srdars.jpg” album=”blog/gaming_ownage” width=”500″ /]

Categories
Data Center

Bad Datacenter, Bad…

I was stumbling around the net, and came across a site that had some pictures up, in which they took in October of 2009 touring a Chicago Data Center. The company in question is FDC in the Chicago board of trade building. In the data center, there were two sources who took some pictures. A guy at ub3r.net as well as an anonymous source. I do not have any servers in this building, and this is one of many reasons why.

[zenphoto src=”IMG_2476.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”IMG_2473.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”IMG_2475.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”IMG_2476.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”2009-10-13+17.56.50.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]

They love their duct tape :

[zenphoto src=”2009-10-01+18.51.44.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”2009-10-01+18.51.50.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”2009-10-13+17.56.35.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]

This one’s pretty funny … a server running out of a cardboard box, hope it’s not mine! :

[zenphoto src=”2009-10-03 08.26.24.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”2009-10-03+08.26.31.jpg” album=”blog/bad_datacenter” width=”500″ /]

you can view the rest of the photos here : http://vivithemage.com/zen/blog/bad_datacenter/

I can only imagine the kind of problems they see in that data center. Rumor has it, that they don’t monitor power very well, and judge the consumption by how many outlets are open.

Here’s some pictures of our data center in Chicago @ continuum data center. Much nicer, everything is racked, and properly spaced out in their own cages. We have remote PDU’s where we can power cycle ports and properly monitor consumption in all of our racks..

[zenphoto src=”DSC04678.JPG” album=”blog/good_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”DSC04684.JPG” album=”blog/good_datacenter” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”DSC04682.JPG” album=”blog/good_datacenter” width=”500″ /]

You can view a few more here : http://vivithemage.com/zen/blog/good_datacenter/

If anyone has any interest in rack space at the data center we run out of, let me know 🙂 … we’ll even do an FDC retreat discount 😉

Categories
Computer Hardware Hard Drives

ICH9 + 6 1TB Seagate (ST31000528AS) in a RAID 5

Hardware :
Motherboard : Abit IP35+ICH9
CPU : E8400
Memory : 2GB x 4 OCZ DDR2 running @ 399MHZ (5-5-5-18)
OS Hard Drive : 1 x Seagate ST31000528AS
Raid Hard Drives : 6 x Seagate ST31000528AS
Raid info : RAID 5 64KB strip
PSU : Antec Basiq BP430 430W

Software :
OS : Windows Server 2008 Data Center Edition R2 x64
Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver Version : v.8.9.6.1002
Benchmark : ATTO Bench32 v2.41

Here are some photos of the box, not the best quality (iPhone), but you get the idea :
[zenphoto src=”1.jpg” album=”blog/nas” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”2.jpg” album=”blog/nas” width=”500″ /]

Here are the benchmarks with write back-cache on

[zenphoto src=”bench1.jpg” album=”blog/nas” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”bench2.jpg” album=”blog/nas” width=”500″ /]

Now here they are with benchmarks with the write back-cache off

[zenphoto src=”bench3.jpg” album=”blog/nas” width=”500″ /]
[zenphoto src=”bench4.jpg” album=”blog/nas” width=”500″ /]

Overall, a great little set up, where I did not have to purchase a RAID card, the ICH9 was plenty fast for my home storage. I run it with write-back cache on, for the obvious reason. I would see sustained copy (When I want to write a file from my Windows 7 box to my NAS box) speeds of around 120MB/s, bursting to about 170MB/s. I have played 48GB movies off the NAS streamed to my PS3 with no hitch (via Ehternet).

I have been running this set up for a little over 5 months now with the 430W Antec PSU in an Antec 300 case. No drives have dropped from the array, I have not had to rebuild at all. I have zero errors in the read/write area as well so all is well. I have been adding/removing movies/media/files/storage/backups from that array since it was set up and running. I have a 7th ST31000528AS running as my main OS Hard Drive, so the NAS is purely for storage.

For reference, you can get ICH9 beta software/drivers from this website :
http://www.x-drivers.com/catalog/drivers/sata_controllers/companies/intel/models/ich9/index.html