Plasma Ball 3d

Just for fun, heres a 3d video .. of a plasma ball

5 types of yummy

Theres not much better than 17 year macallan .. except more and older macallan!

New ESXi VMWARE server

Yo.

I thought i would get an enterprise piece of hardware since thats what i have to support.
I use these at work for a lab, so it seems only fitting that I would have one at home since they are now affordable and huge. I do mean huge BTW.

Here is the new beast! DL360 G5. 4 gig ram, 256 p400i array controller

p400i array controller

rear section of the machine for those that have not seen inside one.

So looking at this pic again .. you can see the drives. It came with the two on the left, and I added a 250gb SATA drive from Ken.

It took a little while before I could get vmware to see it and format it.
The trick was to ssh into the esxi host, and delete the partition through fdisk .. (error below)

so do ..
fdisk -l
(get your disks path)
then do :
fdisk (/your/disks/path)
p   #prints partition
d   #delete all partitions if more than one
n   # add new partition, first (1) through end
then
w   #write changes to disk

then run fdisk -l
again to see changed disk. go back to storage, and add the datastore. Also booting into gparted would have been my next idea. Either way.,


(End results:) Added the 250gig sata into storage pool ! YAY

Console toys

I added some toys to my console.
I suggest you do the same if you spend any sort of time on one of these things.

Check it out :
I found I had a CCFL in the box new, one was broken though :(
I wired everything to have a molex connector, and then connected everything.
It works great .. there was a lighting issues where I sit, so i figured I would take a stab at it, and then it
went bad from there into wheat you see before you.

The switch is just for the CCFl on top of the monitor.
I double side taped the controller to the back of the LCD, and the CCFl onto the top of the monitor. I thought it would look as cool on the bottom, and wouldnt provide enough light.
But damn this thing is bright*

Here are the molex connectors. I might make a 3 way switch so you can switch between the various things you would want, but it is just as easy to switch the molex connector to the option you want.

Here I have the keyboard lights on. I think this is the coolest mod I did to this table before the CCFL!

So here s the show w/ the CCFL and the keyboard lights.
Pretty cool huh ?

-B

My half-top

Yo,

I was very .. very .. bored ..
I took an old laptop and made it a half-top!

All you need to do is remove the LCD part of the computer. This is done various ways depending on model.
It took all of 10 mins maybe.

I wanted to trash this thing, but since it works, theres no sense of trashing it.

The lcd panel was fine, but didnt want another screen in my little nightmare of a "data center"

This thing is BREAAAAAKKing my balls.
It old and I always run into problems with old hardware like this, but Im trying to PXE boot and install a linux flavor of my choosing. Once I figure the whole PXE -> linux thing Ill post a link or a how to.

sweet ..

-B

prelude starting problems

Yo.

So I have had a problem with my prelude lately.
Some times, I flip the key over and it just does nothing.

Symptoms:
I CAN hear the fuel pump running after flipping the switch forward to start 2 mode
I resoldered the main relay after removing it, and putting another in its place for temp. testing.
I replaced the ignition switch : (below):

But now it still was giving me issues.
So, I removed, and connected together the Clutch Inhibitor switch as well as the cruise control switch.
I will grab a pic later - but so far this has solved my issue.
We will see if in the long run this is the fix, but I have been chasing this issue for a bit ..

Now on to the oil leak :(

-B

"NEW" ALienwarE for ME :)

Hi.

Check this thing out~
ALienwarE  m11xr2
Its a little bigger than a netbook, and more powerful than 95% of the desktops/laptops ive seen
quad i5/1.7ghz  8gb ram / sandisk SSD extreme
Im in love with this PC. Show me even one apple that is even half as cool as this one (you cant) :)

I bought an ALienwarE off a local gentlemen . It was his baby ~ so I know if was well taken care of.

I LOVE this thing. Its fast and so much fun to use and it looks cool. :)

 

 

 

 

 

So I already ripped it apart (part of my illness)~ and upgrade/maxxed out the RAM on this beast.

If you look on the upper left, those are the ram chips, and the right (with the arrow) is the sata drive
 Its got 8gb / RAM now, DDR3, and I put a SSD into it (see below)

So here it is in mid-process of me installing the SSD, and imaging it to the SSD from the internal SATA drive.

 I had to buy the APRICORN SSD conversion kit.  It came with software, and worked great ~ and
can be re-used :P    Im sure Ill end up using this thing again .. it was a little costly ($30) but worth every penny. The whole conversion took about an hour. not too bad considering how much data was there.

Close up of the SANDISK SSD EXTREME ~ I love these drives :)

Here is the external DVD rom i used to run the clone util.

Thats about it for the moment.
I will post more on this one as I use it. I mostly use my netbook for work to have something that isnt locked down horribly by the company I work for.

They were not very pleased when I brought in my own 2 port KVM, and netbook - but I cant even install
software onto my laptop at work. I cant deal with that. Its too restrictive. I just bring my own hardware.

-B

My datacenter (at the moment) - ESXi whitebox - lab

Hi All,


Here is a quick little tidbit about my datacenter at the moment.
I assume there are other linux/unix/esxi/windows admins that have a similar setup @home.
I doubt anyone else has the nightmare I have but I digress.

So here it is:
Console / KB / mouse  {KVM 4 port}
Esxi 5.0
AIX 4.3.3 (soon to be 5.1) (POWERPC)
An IBM t60 (w/ an SSD)(4gb RAM)
Old p4 (girlfriends pc - got tired of losing her stuff during rebuilds/tests)
 An old wireless router, so I can connect WIRELESS to my ~own~ domain :)
And wedged in there is also a old p3 hp laptop that runs backtrack 5r2.

Here is my ESXi server. I put a large UV light on it. Its not a gateway, just an old case I found on the road and used :)

Due to inherent light properties of UV light, I cannot get a good shot of the server .

Lower Half, of my little datacenter.  I like the little cart everything is on. Its got wheels, So i can move it around to get to the back of everything and tinker as needed. Not a bad deal for free. Yes, I added that magical board in the middle :)

 

 

 

My carpentry skills aside, its not a bad little setup.


Heres a write up on my ESXi server (for those that want to build one for ~$150-200:
Although I suggest something better, as mines maxed out, and needs more RAM.
Mainboard : MSI G41M-P33
RAM - 4gb
Processor : Intel Core 2 duo 2.66ghz E6750
Storage: (at present) 2 sata drives (removed the SSD)
1st sata (main vm datastore) -250gb
2nd sata (storage datastore) - 500gb
So -  Around 750gb storage across the whole system.

Nothing else really special about the build. I had a crazy video card(2gb gaming - nvidia) but i removed it because ESXi doesnt care about that card either way.

I was lucky that ESXi saw/uses the network card in this machine. That I think would be the main sicking point when planning/buying a system.

I am able to run 4-6 VMs -~possibly more at the same time .. I want to be able to run more :)
Not bad for a home build.  I think Im going to invest in more hardware, and build a fast better ESXi server in the next month or so, but I like what I have at the moment.

VMs Running :
Puppet
Redhat
Redhatx2
FREENAS
Fedora5
Fedora6
(and more VMs but not running)

Take a look inside:

You can see my writing on the drive caddy on the upper right. it says 'esxi' and the one above was a windows drive, but now it is a datastore. (hostile esxi takeover of this box) The only other thing is a ide dvd drive (only thing i had sitting around that worked anymore)

Not a bad little deal. I love being able to have my own env. and ESXi hosts w/ my own guests.

Also, unrelated ~ Get a bottle of REDSTAG. Or JD's.
Redstag is black-cherry flavored whiskey. one of the greatest things ever.


Hope everyone likes what ive done.


-Out_

New toys, updates .... ESXi SSD server, laptop memory..

Yooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Check out the new toys !!!!!!!!!!

SANDISK - EXTREME - SSD 120gb  SSD drive for my ESXi server!
I cannot say how awesome these things are. I have 2 of them now, and want to get them for EVERY computer I have to touch. Soon all my computers will have these drives!
Also, the 2gb memory stick for my laptop, and a new cd/dvd of hyprcrisy ... LIVE .. rocks!

 IBM t60 memory module installation in progress .... thats up to 4gb now !

Heres a peek inside the ESXi (5.0) server .  I am migrating ALL my VMs to the new datastore.
I am going to keep the old sata as a ISO datastore, or incase I run out of space on the new SSD.

Its sooooooo much faster to run the VMs now off the SSD. 

what a difference it makes.... its almost close to enterprise level hardware speed.
Very badass for a home ESXi server build ... and mine is no beast ... only 4gb ram/ core 2 duo 2.6ghz

but still flies w/  a  SSD.

My ibm t60 is FASTER than a brand new i7 w/ a regular sata drive. it really makes that much of a difference.


-Brian

-out-

Updated:::: Ken :: EVO4G repaired

This is for Ken again ..

I repaired the EVO4G ken gave me.

Check out these pics, during the install and after.

The screen has been functioning correctly, but now, I think it finally bit the dust.
It endlessly reboots, and after researching online, Ive found this is bad hardware.
I tried flashing/reflashing, restoring .. the whole 9 ..

fixed but still boned  ... oh well... thats life i guess.


** edit: removed sdcard... boots fine.
maybe the malfunctioning hardware is sdcard related.
 unknown still. will continue to play with, and figure it out. I think its hardware or OS related.
-brian

-out-

google group for my blog

Hello,

I thought it would be cool to have a google group for this blog.
I want some feedback on what I post, and maybe people  have questions ?

either way,

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/briand354

maybe someone will actually use it. could be whatever anyone wants to post.

-Brian

-out-

The Future, Truth, and other ranting

Hi,

this is a little more about what keeps me up at night.
totally different that what I usually post about.
well should i say, what thoughts freak me out at night.
Im sure someone said to know oneself is to know they own fears..
I cant remember who at the moment. (give me a break its 4am)

I do a lot of research/reading and watch crazy amounts of videos on youtube about
religion, and spiritual findings in search of truth.
I have frequent trouble sleeping, and when I am awake search for the truth on the internet.
Sometimes I find things that make it impossible to sleep for even the next night.
Aliens freak me out. if you have netflix, watch Ancient aliens .. please.
Organized religion also freaks me out.

I want to publicly state, I believe in god, jesus, the holy trinity, and that jesus died for all of mankinds sins.

I do not, however, believe in religion.
the idea of people gathering to speak about truth, love, mankinds brotherhood is a great one, but does not seem to fit what it was intended to do. I feel there are too many snakes in the mix.
I can remember in the bible (id have to find the particular passage) mentioning religion is flawed by mankind.
People need to gather, I agree, but a conventional church on sunday may not be the answer. In fact, could be counter-productive to actual truth.
every person needs to find their own answers, and according to the bible, the christ is the way and the light.
when we die, and receive our judgement, let us be accepted for our devotion and belief in jesus christ.
I think the reason we are here (this planet) is for love, truth, service of the lord, and helping the others around us.
At my lowest point here on earth, I reached out to the lord. And he responded.
I feel he saved me, and would also save anyone that asked for it in his name.
 I would say our ultimate goal is to give ourselves to the lord, and allow him to receive us.

there are too many (we are all guilty of this) who need/want material possessions.
I have recently started to think that the more we have in a possession sense, the further we are from god, jesus and the truth. (look at celebrities.. that have $$$$ and still have the same issues we normal people do)
That is not a hard rule, and there are exceptions im sure.
Im not saying having a reasonable amount of wealth, property, possessions are a forced ticket into hell.
I am myself guilty of accumulating too many cars, computers, and technologies, which i try to repair, refurb, and distribute to family and friends.
At the end of the day, you have nothing, leave with nothing, and are naked.
why do you fear having nothing if the lord will provide for you ?
We we born with what we needed, nothing more, nothing less.
I agree some clothes would be nice, and maybe material possessions, but do not let your possessions own you.

Another point I would like to make while I am attempting at speaking the truth is work.
Work seems to some like it is their whole being. Never let your job own you.
I understand we all need to provide for our families, and our futures. But at what cost ?
Never let your self values be toyed with or overridden by your employer - even in this economy.

As a higher level IT professional (sure, there are much better ones than I) I find myself thinking about linux code, windows server setups, how to improve this that and others... ect..
A few ago, when i was a normal desktop technician, I dont remember having these thoughts all the time.
maybe it was second nature to me, and I didnt have to think about it anymore. Either way, I try to leave it alone, but being out of work at the moment doesnt help me not think about or strive to learn maybe something I feel I am lacking, making me strive for more.

There are so many things I think about, but some of them, I dont even like to write down.


One of those things is technology.
I remember a time when we all existed with OUT this internet thing. Granted, even i was on a computer when i was like 13-14 years old on bulletin boards (BBS systems) trying to be a SysOp.
That was pre-internet intranets, set up at people's houses via a modem (gasp!).
There are a few uses of the net that are great. Searching for truth is one.
the internet has not been totally censored yet, but im sure it is in the works.
But to go back to my original point, I remember when there was no cell phones, nevermind smart phones.
there were beepers, and only doctors had them.
I think we should all start to move away from technology as a way away from a social crutch for technology.
I think tech has its places .. medical, and such. But, to rely totally on a computer to me seems scary.
I wish everything was back the way it was in the 80's or earlier. Sure we can accomplish more faster better longer what have you.
to give an example, I want my car not to have a computer. I want it to have 3 things ... the same things it needs now, without a computer interpretting what it thinks and how many cycles, knocks, and other factors involved in running a typical car engine.
the 3 things.. spark, air and fuel.
does it really need to be more innovative than that ? engine takes in air, which is combusted in the chambers of the engine, and when mixed with fuel causes a explosion forcing the half the intake valves to open, while the other half of the engine has the exhaust valves open to force the expended fuel (exhaust) to exit the combustion chamber.
They could make cars that get 100mpg 100 years ago, and other vehicles that run on water.
Oil companies killed them off so that they can stay rich, while we drive gas hogs. I may be guilty of that one also, but my corvette was a weekend driver, and babied at that. I spent more time repairing it, than I did driving it. the prelude is better, but not one of the most fuel saving cars on the planet either. At least this particular one was not highly modified for once, just some normal maint. to save $ in the future.
but, enough about cars/fuel/oil.
I want to make the point that I am afraid of the future for its robotic/technology driven future.

As we dredge further into darkness, I find it harder and harder to think everything is going to be ok.

Wifi VOIP MAGICJACK @ HOME

Another post for Ken ..

Check this out ..

Like myself, there are too many dead zones/overages charges for cells
I hate cell companies (having worked for them) and dont like supporting their industry.

I LOVE ...  LovE trying to find ways around using them, and their service, and helping others do the same.

So ... Ken (and anyone else that gets crappy cell service @ home) :

Here ya go :

Ken gave me an old P4 tablet .. (xp, also was my ubuntu tablet. with just the switch of a drive, I could be back as ubuntu - but I digress):

I bought a NEW magicjack off ebay for like $40 / free year + the magicjack dongle.

so here it is .. I have it wired to a wirelessly connected AP.

 Another shot of the setup, while in progess.
Im going to have to make it look pretty, but I have so many wires everywhere, whats a couple more ?
Fuck it.  There are too many people that like things all pretty, and nice.
IT should never be like that, its fluid.

But here is the final and living end of this machine.  I get voicemail on this, and caller ID.
Not a bad deal considering, and I loathe the cell phone companies, and want everyone drop them and start making their own solutions.
Here is mine : wifi connected magicjack, and now my employers / potention employers can call this phone instead of calling my cell phone every 3 mins. Im thinking about changing my cell, just so no more internet dicks have my number.


Hope someone out there thinks this is cool, and a good solution to cell overages..
Now that I have this, I am going to start working on the EVO4G wifi connected google connected out of contract phone.

EDIT:sometimes the phone doesnt ring.. have to mess with it to fix it, but its intermittent, but I still get the voice mail either way. at least ill get all the voice mails, and then can return the calls later.

-Brian
-out-

Framingham, ma / martial arts training / FSU

Hello, 
View above for info .. 
Email me if interested.
Martial arts training on the green
next to Framingham State Univ.
ON THE GREEN, WEEK NIGHTS


-Brian

1080p Car Dvr

I just got in my new 1080p car dvr.
This thing is great, you can sweivel the camera part, and flip the lcd screen any way (360).
Here is a few pics of it, and ill post some vid of what it looks like from the car.
I tested it, but wanted a longer ride as a test vid, rather than just a 5 min run down the street.

Nonetheless, check it out .. more to follow on this one ..

Also here is a snap of the camera i fixed, the paranormal camera ... t700 svp ..

Still very functional, and closes, opens fine, with access to the sd card slot without a hitch!

-Brian