Lessons Learned tag:bivald.com,2007-07-27:/lessons-learned//1 2009-11-09T10:17:23Z Lessons learned is where I publish everything from articles, texts and links to project previews, creative ideas and code snippets. Simply my lessons learned. While the portfolio always will be a way for me to publish my finished work, lessons learned is the place where I simply hope to share my experience. Movable Type 4.21-en Building libstomp client on linux tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.272 2009-11-09T10:08:08Z 2009-11-09T10:17:23Z STOMP (Streaming text oriented messaging protocol) is a wonderful protocol to use as simple messaging for real time applications and is integrated in (for example) Apache MQ and Orbited. However, all their clients are for online languages (php, perl, ruby) and the client was built using Mac. Here is how you build it for linux, thanks to JBOSS.org. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
Don't get me wrong, I love my mac, but my servers run linux. Here is how you do it (from http://www.jboss.org/community/wiki/buildingblacktie?decorator=print)

The entire next section is based from above mentioned source, albeit altered to fit Debian:

INSTALL LIBSTOMP

  1. svn co -r 85 http://svn.codehaus.org/stomp/trunk/c libstomp

ON LINUX

In order to create the library for use with our Stomp transport on Linux you need to make a couple of alterations:

  1. apt-get install libapr1
  2. apt-get install libapr1-dev
  3. Download the attached stomp.c.patch to your home directory (their src, my mirror)
  4. cd libstomp
  5. Create the following file as build.sh

    6. #!/bin/bash
    OUT_DIR=target/debug/shared
    mkdir -p $OUT_DIR
    gcc -fPIC src/stomp.c -shared -o$OUT_DIR/libstomp.so -I. -I/usr/include/apr-1.0 -lapr-1

  6. patch -p0 -i ~/stomp.c.patch
  7. ./build.sh

I've taken the liberty to mirror the patches as well.

stomp.c.patch
stompconnect.patch
]]> Maintaing Open Source Projects tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.271 2009-10-23T18:11:55Z 2009-10-23T18:13:49Z Zeh Fernando, one of my RSS favorites, writes about maintaining open source projects. A good read, good slides. Article can be found on zehfernando.com Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
Article can be found on zehfernando.com
]]> Build and release tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.270 2009-10-07T13:35:21Z 2009-10-07T13:36:47Z Stop thinking you understand your users. You think users will love this or that and you'll probably be wrong. So don't spend 6 months building features users may not love or will only use 20% of. Learn from what users actually do on your site. Avoid analysis paralysis, especially as you get larger. Decide, build, release, get feedback, iterate. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
Source
]]> Preparing a lecture on AD - Developer communication tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.269 2009-10-04T13:02:12Z 2009-10-04T13:03:19Z This month I will host a series of lectures and workshops for Hyper Island (www.hyperisland.se) The first one is about the need of communication between ADs and developers. In total they will span over six days. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
In total they will span over six days.
]]> Convert the pre-filled USB stick (sandisk) to a normal, blank one. tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.249 2009-07-31T08:27:57Z 2009-07-31T08:31:22Z Sandisk usb sticks are filled with extra software and even extra partitions. Fortunately, they are easy to remove. Here's how. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com everything on the drive)

  1. Download the U3 Uninstaller (http://u3uninstall.s3.amazonaws.com/U3Uninstall.exe)
  2. Install it
  3. Run the software, choose remove and wipe clean.
Done! Simple as that
]]> Flashing SuperMicro bios (X7DVL-3) with USB stick/drive/pen/flash tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.250 2009-07-31T08:25:39Z 2009-07-31T08:38:18Z Flashing BIOS should be an easy thing, assuming you have floppy drives in both server and desktop - not to mention still owns disketts. Here is how you flash it with a USB drive instead. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
  1. Format your USB drive (if you own a sandisk and want to remove the extra partition with the annoying software on it (depending on how good your bios is to boot from USB - this can be a must) view this post
  2. Download HP Create Boot Utility (Google for sources)
  3. Download win98boot.zip (Google for sources)
  4. Unpack win98boot.zip to folder win98boot (make sure to retain folder structure)
  5. Install HP Create Boot Utility
  6. Run HP Create Boot Utility
  7. Choose your USB drive
  8. Choose "Create Boot disk" from source: <Choose your win98boot folder>
  9. Download your bios firmware (or unpack the .exe from supermicro, I used a virtual a: drive with paralells to do this: Create the floppy in parallels (win xp), run the supermicro flash .exe, copy the files from a:)
  10. Copy all the files into your USB drive
  11. Unmount USB
  12. Put your USB drive in your server
  13. Go into BIOS menu, boot options
  14. Make sure your USB drive is high on the boot priority, I usually use: 1: USB, 2: CD, 3: HDD
  15. Exit bios, let the USB drive boot
  16. Run "flash <your bios version>.rom". (If you don't have a <your bios version>.rom, you probably have a <your bios version>.zip, use: "unzip <your bios version>.zip"
  17. It will flash and restart the server. When it does, remove your USB stick
That's it! It looks like a lot of steps, but most is pretty straight forward.
]]> Using Launch2Net to manually set DNS and APN (and later, using same DNS manually in OS X) tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.242 2009-07-05T13:18:19Z 2009-07-05T13:26:49Z As I've previous written about I've had problems connecting to my tele2 internet. I've tried changing modem but while it appeared to be working a while, it stopped later on the same week. Here is how I solved it. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
When I tried to connect I got to "Authenticating" and then it simply timed out. My logs said:

Sun Jul  5 15:12:01 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Sun Jul  5 15:12:04 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Sun Jul  5 15:12:07 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Sun Jul  5 15:12:10 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Sun Jul  5 15:12:13 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Sun Jul  5 15:12:16 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]

And Launch2Net said that it tried to get TCP/IP settings but timed out. Thus I had a hunch that it was failing to get IP adress and/or DNS. I scrolled through the logs, and found this (from a successfull attempt):

Sat Jul  4 16:10:05 2009 : Could not determine remote IP address: defaulting to 10.64.64.64
Sat Jul  4 16:10:05 2009 : local  IP address 90.130.200.117
Sat Jul  4 16:10:05 2009 : remote IP address 10.64.64.64
Sat Jul  4 16:10:05 2009 : primary   DNS address 130.244.127.161
Sat Jul  4 16:10:05 2009 : secondary DNS address 130.244.127.169

And knowing that tele2s APN was mobileinternet.tele2.se I tried to use a custom configuration with:

APN: mobileinternet.tele2.se
User: <blank>
Pass: <blank>
DNS #1 and #2 as above.

So far so good, I could connect, I got a new IP. My log says:

un Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : ipcp: returning Configure-NAK
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfNak id=0x0 <addr 0.0.0.0>]
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : rcvd [IPCP ConfNak id=0x3 <addr 90.130.237.92> <ms-dns1 130.244.127.161> <ms-dns3 130.244.127.169>]
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x4 <addr 90.130.237.92> <ms-dns1 130.244.127.161> <ms-dns3 130.244.127.169>]
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : rcvd [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1]
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : ipcp: returning Configure-ACK
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfAck id=0x1]
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : rcvd [IPCP ConfAck id=0x4 <addr 90.130.237.92> <ms-dns1 130.244.127.161> <ms-dns3 130.244.127.169>]
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : ipcp: up
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : Could not determine remote IP address: defaulting to 10.64.64.64
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : local  IP address 90.130.237.92
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : remote IP address 10.64.64.64
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : primary   DNS address 130.244.127.161
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : secondary DNS address 130.244.127.169

You can see the above call for IP:

Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : rcvd [IPCP ConfNak id=0x3 <addr 90.130.237.92> <ms-dns1 130.244.127.161> <ms-dns3 130.244.127.169>]
Sun Jul  5 15:17:49 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x4 <addr 90.130.237.92> <ms-dns1 130.244.127.161> <ms-dns3 130.244.127.169>

Which seems to work much better now, using a fixed DNS. But since I prefer to use OS X native (no third party applications - specially those who cost 80EUR) I opened my Huwaei network settings and added the DNS manually as well. So far so good.
]]> Xen problems: SSH to new domain gives "PTY allocation request failed on channel 0" and "stdin is not a tty" tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.241 2009-07-04T06:23:09Z 2009-07-04T06:33:49Z If you've created a new domain using xen-tools you might run into the situation that the console works, but if you SSH in you get: "PTY allocation request failed on channel 0" and "stdin is not a tty" You need to install udev. Here's how. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
"PTY allocation request failed on channel 0" and "stdin is not a tty"

You need to install udev. Connect via console (xm console <domain id>) (you can get <domain id> with xm list) and simply run:

apt-get install udev

And restart / stop+start. Problem solved!

PS: Don't forget to apt-get install build-essentials
]]> Supermicro IPMI problems: Web interface works, but nothing else tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.240 2009-06-30T06:10:11Z 2009-06-30T09:03:23Z Recently I've bought and installed a Super Micro server (The usual raid-1 and IPMI configuration) but was puzzled by a rather odd problem: The IPMI card worked and I could control it via web interface. But neither ipmitools nor Supermicros own configuration system works. Here is how you fix it. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
After a quick talk with the support the problem was quite obvious: Turns out that the older IPMI firmware has a known bug that makes it impossible to use anything but the web interface. Unfortunately for me, the CD I got with the package had the old firmware.

As always, open the following ports:
 
UDP Port 623 for IPMI protocol
TCP Port 80 for Web User Interface
TCP Port 443 for KVM Over Lan
On the Client side you need to open UDP Port 6666 for Text Console Redirection

However, I must say I'm impressed by Supermicros internationall support. Quick replies, polity and accurate.
]]> Problems with 3G Internet & Unlocking Huawei E220 tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.239 2009-06-29T17:45:33Z 2009-06-30T08:56:40Z Recently my 3G mobile internet has begun to fail at an increasing rate. Basically, it doesn't fetch a IP and hangs at "Authenticating". Here is how I debugged the problem, and unlocked another Huawei to check the hardware. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
And checked the logs (Application - Utilities - Console - /var/log/ppp.log) and found:

Mon Jun 29 19:06:22 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:25 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:28 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:31 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:34 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:37 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:40 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:43 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:46 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:49 2009 : sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns3 10.11.12.14>]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:52 2009 : IPCP: timeout sending Config-Requests
Mon Jun 29 19:06:52 2009 : sent [LCP TermReq id=0x2 "No network protocols running"]
Mon Jun 29 19:06:55 2009 : sent [LCP TermReq id=0x3 "No network protocols running"]

Basically, timed out. Talking to support they didn't see any problems. They thought it was a drivers related problem. But since I couldn't connect on Windows either (via parallels) I thought it might be a hardware problem.

Here's the tricky part: I have a spare Huawei E220, but locked on another provider. Thus I needed to unlock it to even try my hardware problem thesis. Turns out unlocking Huawei E220 was quite easy, a lot easier that up to date cellphones from Nokia or Sony Ericsson.

I won't go into the deails of unlocking here (not sure about the legality about describing the process) but it's pretty clear-cut and can be found on Google.

Turns out I was right, hardware indeed. And now I can connect again.   ]]> Mobile sync: Sending settings over the air (OTA) - Sony Ericsson username problems. tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.238 2009-06-28T14:59:46Z 2009-06-28T15:00:25Z For a client of mine we've been using mobile sync. To send the settings we use OTA OMA. Basically we make a XML file with settings, convert to WBXML. Here is a good start and some pointers when username+password isn't saved on Sony Ericsson. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
I've found that sony ericsson phones (unlike Nokia) is more touchy on how to send username+password for sync (w5 type) application. This is a OK XML for SE+Nokia:

"<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>"
"<!DOCTYPE wap-provisioningdoc PUBLIC \"-//WAPFORUM//DTD PROV 1.0//EN\" \"http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/prov.dtd\">"
"<wap-provisioningdoc version=\"1.0\">"
"<characteristic type=\"APPLICATION\"> "
"    <parm name=\"APPID\" value=\"w5\"/> "
"    <parm name=\"NAME\" value=\"Radarspot LAB\"/> "
"    <characteristic type=\"APPADDR\"> "
"     <parm name=\"ADDR\" value=\"www.radarspotlab.com:8080/funambol/ds\"/> "
"    </characteristic> "
"    <characteristic type=\"APPAUTH\"> "
"     <parm name=\"AAUTHNAME\" value=\"%s\"/> "
"     <parm name=\"AAUTHSECRET\" value=\"%s\"/> "
"    </characteristic> "
"    <characteristic type=\"RESOURCE\"> "
      "<parm name=\"URI\" value=\"card\"/>"
      "<parm name=\"NAME\" value=\"Contacts DB\"/>"
"     <parm name=\"AACCEPT\" value=\"text/x-vcard;2.1,text/vcard;3.0\"/> "
"    </characteristic> "
"  </characteristic> "
"</wap-provisioningdoc>";

(Forgive me for the quotes, it's copy/past)

]]> The plausible promise tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.236 2009-06-25T16:23:41Z 2009-06-25T14:55:07Z Google is writing about the Plausible Promise, It's a good read for any open source developer (or community builder for that matter) Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
"When you start community-building, what you need to be able to present is a plausible promise. Your program doesn't have to work particularly well. It can be crude, buggy, incomplete, and poorly documented. What it must not fail to do is (a) run, and (b) convince potential co-developers that it can be evolved into something really neat in the foreseeable future."

It's a good read for any open source developer (or community builder for that matter) and is found here
]]> Wrapping PHP in itself tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.237 2009-06-10T16:40:20Z 2009-06-25T14:54:37Z This is a mental note to myself. Somethings using pre-installed VPS the PHP executed by Apache is lacking the necessary permissions to run binary files (shellscript and built-in commands works fine though). It doesn't generate errors, it simply doesn't work. Here's how you go around it. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
Those VPS often has the PHP-CGI version installed and thus you can:

  1. Make your PHP script execute a shell script
  2. Init the shell script with PHP-CGI
  3. Execute
This is how the shell script in step 2 looks like:
#!/usr/bin/php
<?
exec('/home/user/www/mybinaryfiletoexecute');
?>

Note that the binary file must be in your www-dir.


]]> Adding CSS width support in sIFR tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.229 2009-05-07T17:19:38Z 2009-05-08T09:14:06Z Every now and then you have the (miss fortunate) to need sIFR. I usually go for the jquery plugin. However, jquery sIFR measures the width of the html text (not the block itself) and then creates a matching flash. Since flash text is often wider, a line break appears. Here is how you fix it. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com
Thus - jquery sIFR needs support for css width.

In jquery.sifr.js, efter line 297 (sendOptions[height]), add:

if( $each.css(width) !== "auto" ) {
    sendOptions[width] = $each.css(width).replace('px','');
}else{
   sendOptions[width] = sendOptions[width] || $alt[0][offsetWidth] || $alt[0][parentNode][offsetWidth] || $each.css(width);
          }   

Works for me..  ]]> Duplicate a mysql database tag:bivald.com,2009:/lessons-learned//1.228 2009-05-06T17:03:31Z 2009-05-07T09:04:44Z From time to time you have the need to duplicate an mysql database, this post shows you how. Niklas Bivald http://bivald.com 
mysqldump -u DB_user --password=DB_pass DB_name | mysql -u DB_user --password=DB_pass -h DB_host DB_name

Source

]]>