huanix » Server

Slow nslookup and slow dns hosting?

huanix — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:44:34 +0000

I’m running my server on a “static” dhcp address on my home server, and I’m using the domain name server lookup provided by freedns.org. I am more than appreciative for the FREE service provided by the fellow at freedns, but I’ve noticed that the biggest problem with any of the sites on my server is SLOW name server lookup.

Here’s the deal: I want to improve my nslookup time (not the time derived from my local cache, but my “fresh look” time) and I just can’t seem to figure it out. Turns out most folks who run their own server rely on local-server based dns, but I figure that would be AT LEAST as slow as freedns. I wish I could find some ranking of domain name servers so I could make a more informed choice, but I just don’t know how to attack it.

Oh.. and one more thing.. I don’t pay.. for anything. That is, I don’t pay for anything I can use ingenuity to get for free. That’s why RMS and Linus are my heroes! I’d love to hear your suggestions.

Incoming search terms:

nslookup slow
nslookup slow dns
linux nslookup slow
aix nslookup delay
ubuntu nslookup slow
slow nslookup
nslookup slow respose
nslookup linux slow
freedns slow
dns slow nslookup

mod_rewrite for Apache2 in Ubuntu Feisty Fawn 7.04

huanix — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:29:05 +0000

mod_rewrite is a module for the Apache webserver that allows apache to dynamically change the url of a site using php (or other scripting languages). It seems like a difficult/confusing task at first, but it actually only takes 2 steps in Ubuntu. I’m using Feisty Fawn, 7.04, but this should work well for Edgy and Dapper without any issues. Any code snippets should be typed into a terminal. “sudo” commands require a password, that’s a given.

Enable mod_rewrite in Apache
sudo a2enmod rewrite
Edit the configuration file.
1. sudo gedit /etc/apache2/sites-available/default
2. line 12 says “AllowOverride none” ;
3. change it to “AllowOverride all”
4. save and close
Okay… one last step — you have to manually restart Apache (or restart your computer!)

sudo apache2 -k restart

All done! now Apache and php can create URL’s on the fly – pretty neato!

Incoming search terms:

a2enmod mod_rewrite
ubuntu apache2 mod_rewrite
Ubuntu php mod_rewrite
UBUNTU APACHE2 REWRITE
mod_rewrite apache2
ubuntu apache mod rewrite
php mod_rewrite ubuntu
apache2 mod_rewrite ubuntu
enable mod_rewrite apache2 ubuntu
mod_rewrite a2enmod

SUCCESS with Servraid 7.12 on an IBM x345

huanix — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:48:46 +0000

This is my third straight day of trying to get this IBM Series x 345 server working properly. I bought it off ebay (with school funds) to host dynamic content for the school, and it arrived (as I expected) with raw SCSI drives and no documentation/software. I’ve spent the last three days trying figure out how to get the SCSI RAID up and running, and tonight I finally got the correct version of the ServeRAID (version 7.12 for the IBM ServeRAID – 4Mx Ultra 160 SCSI Controller), and things worked out very well. The configurator picked up the drives, and I was able to set up a RAID with no sweat. I did a test run with a live Ubuntu 6.10 CD (actually Edubuntu, because it’s what I had in front of me) and I am pleased to report that it picked up the RAID drive without any problems. I’m going to add some details for my own reference, hopefully they will come in handy for someone else.

IBM Series x 345 Server, Model 8670 – 51x
IBM ServeRAID – 4Mx Ultra 160 SCSI controller, p/n 06P5736, 06P5737
ServeRAID version 7.12, downloaded from wherever you can find it, the file is called 32r274.iso, p/n 33P2640 or 19k6131 (?)
There is some indication for the older version of ServeRAID version 5.10, 5.10.1, 5.10.2, & 5.10.3. Don’t use these. Opt for the 7.12 version – it’s easier to find and updated.
I’ve had a lot of search hits for people looking for serveraid support cd v5.10, but I believe you’re barking up an outdated tree! I am adding a torrent for the correct ServeRAID Support cd v7.12, p/n 33P2640. The only caveat is that I will probably be the only seed for this file and my up speed is locked at 10 kb/s. I believe it is legal to distribute this, please correct me if i am wrong!!! The image size is ~ 459mb.

In the next few days, I’ll be experimenting with Xubuntu configurations and learning better OOP PHP skills to develop better apps for the server.

Incoming search terms:

ibm x345 ubuntu
ubuntu ibm x345
ubuntu x345
06p5737 configutation utility
serveraid 8i x345 windows 2008 server
serveraid 7 12 download
installing ubuntu on x345
install debian on ibm x345
ibm x345 serveraid driver
serveraid support cd x 345

Server Excitement!

huanix — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:27:07 +0000

It’s been several hours and two days of frustration, but i think i’m on the right path now. I thought about it last night and realized that no software is recognizing the scsi drives, even though the hardware appears to be configured correctly, I had tried a version of ServeRAID that was unsuccessful (8.10) because it was the latest version, but it was totally ineffective. Tonight I had the bright idea to find a part number on my scsi card (06P5737) and a quick lookup told me i had an IBM ServeRAID 4MX Ultra 160 SCSI controller. From there I used the IBM ServeRAID matrix http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-RAID&brandind=5000008 to select ServeRAID version 7.12 ,aka 7.12.x. I THINK i’m on the right path. I must add.. i did spend several hours looking for old versions of ServeRAID v5.10 and v5.10.x, but i never located them. I’m REALLY optimistic that this Support CD will do the trick!!!

ServeRaid Support CD

huanix — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:52:43 +0000

NOTE: The difficulties addressed in this post are resolved in: http://www.huanix.com/2007/02/08/success-at-last/

I am dedicating a mere 20 minutes to the x345 server tonight (which is a lie, because i’ve already been working on it 45 minutes)… Anyway, I THINK the ServeRAID is the place to start now, but I had some confusion about the versions of the ServeRaid – there is the “IBM ServeRAID Support CD”, which is a bootable disk, and the “IBM ServeRAID Application CD” which is a multi-platform application disk. I’ll add a screenshot of the download while i’m waiting… Wouldn’t you know it? I never thought I’d add pictures to my blog as a remote user so the directory is unwritable

I’ll post how this worked out tomorrow.

Incoming search terms:

serveraid support cd
ibm serveraid support cd download
IBM ServeRAID Support CD
serveraid m support cd
serveraid application cd
serveraid support cd download
IBM ServeRAID Application CD download
IBM ServeRAID Application CD
serveraid m support cd serveraid
ibm serveraid support cd torrent

Haven’t given up yet.

huanix — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:21:35 +0000

NOTE: The difficulties addressed in this post are resolved in: http://www.huanix.com/2007/02/08/success-at-last/

I’m tired and it’s time to go to bed. I have two more ideas that I’ll look into tomorrow:

1. Maybe the drives were placed/replaced incorrecttly and there is a termination problem that is preventing them from being recognized.

2. I think I can run the RServeRaid (I kept thinking it was called RaidConfig!) utility inside of an OS, so I’ll fire up a live version of Ubuntu or Knoppix and see if that will work. Tomorrow.

Server Struggles

huanix — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 04:23:58 +0000

NOTE: The difficulties addressed in this post are resolved in: http://www.huanix.com/2007/02/08/success-at-last/

So I’m playing with an IBM x345 51x (8760) server that my school bought for me to run some of the php code I’ve developed to help the school run more smoothly. The server arrived today, and I knew it would take some configuration, and I’ve never done a fresh format of a SCSI RAID, but I’m up to the challenge.

The first start-up issue I notice is that there are several configuration utilities that run from BIOS at start time, they tell me to press Alt-A and Ctrl-A to administer the SCSI, but neither of them shows me the physical disks.

Just to be safe, I began by updating the bios from version 1.05 to 1.21. No sweat, I just hope I didn’t break anything there. I stored the old BIOS on a floppy and in the backup area of the ROM, accepting a warning that the sizes of the two bios were dissimilar and might cause a problem.

I perused the two utilities available through the boot process, but neither of them seemed exciting, so I looked at the documentation and found out about ServerGuide, which is supposed to help me set up a RAID. I was very excited when I saw “configure integrated controller with raid capabilities”, but it turns out it didn’t recognize the drives, probably because they’re not yet formatted (sort of what I thought ServerGuide would do). At this point I’m a little nervous b/c it doesn’t look like anything’s recognizing the SCSI disks, and I’m not sure what to do.

Here’s my systematic trial of boot options, beginning at the top until one of them works… if all else fails, I’ll refer to the documentation.

Alt-F1, System Partition Boot (Available from the Bios logo screen)
Result: “Cannot boot system partition. Resuming Normal Boot” and a disk request screen pops up.

F2, Diagnostics, Ctrl C, LSI logics
Result: I didn’t expect much here, but I’m being systematic. I see an option to enter the LSI Logic MPT SCSI Setup Utility; I take it. It’s a blue screen ANSI menu, with some very appealing options.. I’m poking around, afraid to change TOO much, but I don’t find any good options.. I do notice on the main menu it says “RAID Status –” indicating no RAID is set.. duh. I do see an option under Global Properties to “Disable Integrated RAID”, which could let me boot from one disk, but why waste a RAID?

F2, Diagnostics, CTRL-A, SCSI setup Utility
Result: Brings me to Adaptec SCSISELECT Utility v.3.10.0. Sort of looks promising, but I’m staring at text on the screen: “29160LP A at slot 05 00:05:00″ Pretty sure that’s just my SCSI adapter. Only one choice: Enter. Now TWO choices:

F2 == Diagnostics, CTRL-A == SCSI setup Utility, Configure/View SCSI Controller Settings.
Result: One of the options is : “SCSI Device Configuration” — sounds exciting; when I choose it, I see a matrix of Options x 16 (#0 to #15) devices.. the thing is.. they’re all lit up, and I only have 6 devices. Still, this looks like a fun place to play. Here’s the rub – I like how all of the options are set. This can’t be it.

F2 == Diagnostics, CTRL-A == SCSI setup Utility, SCSI Disk Utilities
Result: Scans SCSI devices, finds my controller, SCSI ID#7, Adaptec 29160LP. Doesn’t give me an option to do anything. Wondering if I should go look for Adaptec 29160LP software… (?)

F2 == Diagnostics
Loading ROM Diagnostics…
Starting PC DOS…
PC Doctor 2.0
Lots of information, but I need ACTION! It identifes the Host Adapter as ASPIMPT .. might be useful later.
I also ran a SCSI/RAID controller test, which showed a PASSED score.. that’s good.

F12 == PXE boot
I haven’t gone as far as setting up a dedicated PXE server… yet.. I’m going to pass on this for now.

New Gear:
On the Adaptec site, it mentions the Suse may already have the controller drivers installed, so now I’m looking at installing Suse from DVD. My new challenge is to find a way to interface the DVD drive – I’m looking at a USB/IDE adapter if it will boot from USB, or modifying (breaking) the existing IDE cable by breaking the clips to add the full size drive temporarily. I hate to break the clip, but i don’t know the server well enough to take it apart to replace the cable yet.. (I’m getting the camera out!).

Trying to boot with a USB/IDE adapted DVD drive:
Woo hoo! I have a successful USB boot. I’m using Suse 10.2; no hard disks were detected. Crap. What am I doing wrong? I must have to run some kind of pre-load software to initialize and format the drives. Now I have to find it!

Looking around at Adaptec:
I’ve located a SCSI bios update.. not sure what good this will do me either- hopefully a magical window will appear in the bios. I downloaded the new bios, but am having difficulty determining how to install it.

I’m getting tired. As a last ditch, I did an F1, Configuration/Setup and looked around in there awhile. The only thing I changed was “Partition” from invisible to “Visible”.. Not sure what the setting means, but i’m running out of ideas! Booting into Acronis to see if it will allow me to partition a drive. I’m still hung up on the whole “No SCSI BIOS found” thing. (I got excited- i thought i heard the drives reading, but it was the cd).

MPT Boot ROM, no supported devices found.

ServerGuide

MPTBIOS-IME-5.04.07

Initializing

MPT boot ROM, no supported devices found.

No SCSI boot device found.

SCSI BIOS not installed

Incoming search terms:

ibm x345 boot from usb
lsi logic mpt scsi setup utility
mpt boot rom no supported devices found
ibm x345 usb boot
lsi logic corp mpt boot rom no supported devices found
LSI Logic Corp MPT Boot ROM no supported devices found!
ibm x345 boot usb
mptbios-ime-5 04 07
mptbios ime 5 04 07 slow
x345 boot usb

Kernel Panic

huanix — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:17:36 +0000

I’ve had a recurring kernel panic in my primary web server, the server that hosts this site. I’ve experienced random kernel panics in the past, but never to the point that I’ve needed to figure out what the problem is. Today is that day. I’ve taken a snapshot of the panic, converted it to a printable format, and now I’m hunting google.. I’ll let you know what I turn up!

Exploit? Viewing unparsed PHP code on a remote server

huanix — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:49:26 +0000

I don’t know how well documented this hack is, but I dreamed it up while I was laying in bed last night, and tried it out this morning and it works. The hack requires that the target php file has been edited locally in the web directory of a linux server. Linux makes a hidden backup copy of the file by appending a tilde (~) to the file name, and leaves it in the directory as a hidden file. If you access a website with this file and append a ~ to the filename, i.e. “index.php~” you will be able to view the uninterpreted php code. This seems so trivial that I’m sure it has to be documented somewhere else, though I couldn’t find it – part of it has to do with the difficulty associated with searching for special characters, and the alternate use of the ~ (home directory).

I have three ideas to prevent the exploit:
1. Edit the Apache config file to allow php to parse “php~” files.
2. Write a cron job to remove temporary backup files from the web directory.
3. Manually delete ~ files from the web directory, or don’t edit files on the server.

Incoming search terms:

view unparsed php
unparsed php code
how to view unparsed php
unparsed php removed
un-parsed server code
tell server return unparsed php file
svn entries exploit tool
remoteviewphp howto
read uninterpreted php scripts
read php unparsed

Stat Tracker and Learning C with Emacs

huanix — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 05:52:56 +0000

I am sorry that I never resolved the Server Side Include with Apache2 yesterday. I moved on to write a php include that I could add to the header of each file. I initially had trouble because I’m currently hosting 5 sites, and using the $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] element, many of the inserts would appear as “index.php” without telling me which domain they were associated with. I was foolish enough to try some superceding directories, like

“/../” . $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']

which would return (predictably) “/../index.php”. So I eventually got the bright idea that there MUST be an array element in PHP to address this – and I lucked out! I used

$_SERVER['SERVER_NAME'] . $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'];

and got neat results like “www.sl7pm.com/index.php” which is EXACTLY what I wanted to see! now I can tell the difference between hits to www.sl7pm.com/index.php and www.huanix.com/index.php, which previously looked the same.

I will continue to work on the Server Side Include issue when I get more steam. I hate planting the same repetitive include in every file, especially when I know that I will forget where I placed in in highly-included software like phpBB and WordPress.

I have been thinking about taking a programming class through my local university.. I know a little, but I feel like a formal class would help me build a firm foundation. I’m looking at taking Programming I. Any feedback would be appreciated. I am currently MOST proficient with PHP, which isn’t much, but I am picking up a lot of fundamentals like arrays, switch & case, and loops that I know are ubiquitous in programming.

Incoming search terms:

programming stat tracker
stats tracker c