Practical Technology

Figured it out...elementary mistake.  There was still one of the DC's in resolv.conf.  Finally discovered this when I saw that the httpd access_log was not updating even though I'd just refreshed the wiki page.  Well, discovered in the sense that it ruled out httpd/php errors/issues, and I had already ruled out the mysql back-end.  So figured had to be network-related somehow. Thankfully re-pointing everything was a simple affair with Astaro - just re-number the Nagios server object's IP. Anyways...now just have to get a solid backup routine going for all the pertinent areas: Wiki:  - /srv/mediawiki/*  - /etc/php.ini  - /etc/httpd/* mysql:  - DB backups  - /etc/my.cnf nagios:  - The entire VM, really.

Managed to recover some of the VM data from the Openfiler crash, however, still experiencing lots of lag. Logs are frustratingly empty, even debug on httpd doesn't output anything.  Also discovering that I must have missed some security settings, because random spambots are logging in/creating users/posting nonsense.  Less than 6 so far, will look at this tonight. Pretty sure it's not a hardware issue - running on my PC (SSD, i7, 24GB, etc).  Will have to figure out advanced logging for Apache.

Had one of the FC LUNs crash this morning, and of course I had not yet got around to spreading things out back to iSCSI.  Suffice to say that we have good wiki backups (and Google Cache), but I have no time to fix things at the moment. When I do find some time, I'll set up some local VMs to run mysql and MediaWiki. Lesson :  Set up good backups from Day1 (check) for EVERYTHING (not check), and document/test the restore process at least once.

After a positive review at work and some discussion with my manager, I'm taking a new tack for my exams/learning.  VMware stuff is going on the back burner (except VCP5 in Q1-2013) and I'm now focusing on MS technologies. MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Admin on Exchange 2010, 2 exams, 2 books MCITP: Database Admin 2008, 2 exams MCITP: SharePoint Admin 2010 , 2 exams MCITP: Lync Server Admin 2010, 2 exams VCP5, 1 exam, 1 course Exchange, SharePoint, and SQL are the big ones, Lync is new, and we're not using vSphere5 anywhere yet. I am excited about diving into Exchange and SQL, slightly less-so about SharePoint as web-based stuff is a weak point with my skillset.  Still, a great opportunity to learn.  Another item I need to look into is MS Commerce Server.

Welp, passed with a 381.  I should note the only reason I passed is that I got a much better break on question esotericy (new word?).  Guessing that equates to either 70% or 76%, depending on how the grading scheme works. Third time's the charm, eh. I am pretty certain I won't be doing the DCD exam, but will still strongly consider the DCA.

Acronym-y title translation:  HP Onboard Administrator and Virtual Connect SSL and LDAP setup.  Although if you had to ask, you probably don't need to read the rest of this post. I was tasked with scripting the setup of SSL and LDAP authentication for the OA and VC modules in our blade enclosures.  This mostly just contains the settings you need, I will post up the script when done. DNS/NTP Ensure DNS server settings are correct for the enclosure IP config. Set up appropriate DNS records for the following: * Active OA module IP * Standby OA module IP * VC Domain IP * Active VC module IP * Standby VC module IP Ensure NTP is sync'd to your AD environment - AD auth won't work if there is a time discrepancy of more than a few minutes. OA LDAP Settings Directory Settings Directory Server Address: DCname.domain.local Directory Server SSL Port: 636 Search Context 1: OU=Users,OU=parentOU,DC=domain,DC=local Search Context 2: @domain.local (Check 'Use NT ...

Took it again today, and while the mark was much better, still a fail.  Disheartening, but I won't give up.  Booked for two weeks from now, earliest available date (past 7 business day VMware re-take policy). I studied really hard this time, but it seems the emphasis I place on topics (vCenter, resource pools, clusters, min/max document, managing hosts, host profiles, vDS) is the opposite of what appeared on the exam.  Bizarre questions that made sense only if you made a whole pile of assumptions.  Obviously I can't write them out, but honest to goodness VMware, whoever writes your exam questions gets sadistic pleasure in twisting the English language to new heights of obscurity.  The VCP-410 is really more of a word-game, and not something that grades you on being a 'VMware Certified Professional'.  For a junior-level exam, it sure doesn't cover things a junior person would be expected to know. Now, the VCAP exams, those I would expect to be ...