Author: Lancer-Matrix

  • Updating EXSi

    Running out of space when updating EXSi, follow the steps in the link below:

    ESXI 6.7 update: No space left on device

  • Installing SSL Certificate on Edgerouter

    You can refer to the following site: https://www.stevejenkins.com/blog/2015/10/install-an-ssl-certificate-on-a-ubiquiti-edgemax-edgerouter/

    Key Step:
    1) Merge the contents of your key and certificate file into a .pem file
    cat hostname_example_com.key hostname_example_com.crt > server.pem
    2) Backup the existing .pem file
    cp /etc/lighttpd/server.pem /root/server.pem.bak
    3) Copy the .pem file to the Web Server Directory
    cp /root/server.pem /etc/lighttpd/server.pem
    4) Reboot and Test
    kill -SIGINT $(cat /var/run/lighttpd.pid)
    /usr/sbin/lighttpd -f /etc/lighttpd/lighttpd.conf

  • Replacing ESXi Certificates

    The replacement can be done via the Shell by going to the following directory,
    /etc/vmware/ssl.

    Rename/replace the existing certificates:
    rui.crt
    rui.key

    Restart the host or restart the management agent using
    /etc/init.d/hostd restart

  • Updating EXSI – The easy way

    This is the easiest way that is available to follow to update the EXSI instance. The link as follows:
    https://tinkertry.com/easy-update-to-latest-esxi

  • ASUS Router – Adding a valid cert

    When using the HTTPS login of the router, it would utilise a self-signed cert. To have a valid cert from sites like Let’s Encrypt, you can install it using the following command from the following link:
    https://berwari.net/blog/2018/01/02/installing-ssl-certificate-on-your-asus-router/
    Updated using this link https://www.snbforums.com/threads/create-and-install-a-root-ca-and-self-signed-ssl-certificate.39424/

    The key parts of the commands:
    1. Cleanup of existing pem files
    cd /etc
    rm *.pem
    2. cleanup of existing certificate (twice)
    nvram set https_crt_save=0
    nvram unset https_crt_file
    service restart_httpd
    nvram unset https_crt_file
    service restart_httpd
    nvram get https_crt_file
    (this should show nothing)
    rm *.pem
    3. Install new certificate
    nvram set https_crt_save=1
    4. Copy certificate.crt and private.key content into pem files
    press CTRL + D twice to end editing
    service stop_httpd
    (creating the files with httpd active was creating problems and they were being overwritten by httpd. Turn it off.)
    cat > cert.pem
    cat > key.pem
    cat *.pem
    (displays the two files – needed for comparison and makes sure that the files saved as expected)
    4. Restart and generate cert file
    service start_httpd
    nvram get https_crt_file
    (this should show your cert file)
    5. Now reboot the router by typing reboot into SSH

  • Exploring Home Lab

    I have been exploring different options for running a server to host VMs.
    What I have found as options are:

    1. VMware vSphere Hypervisor
    2. Proxmox
    3. Citrix Hypervisor
    4. KVM
    5. Xen
    6. unraid

    I chose VMware vSphere Hypervisor as I found that it has the most common hardware support and the amount of information online is much more extensive, making it easier to troubleshoot and use. For the rest, they are a valid choice for hosting of VM except unraid which is more a software for NAS.

  • To Remember

    A statement that I found enlightening from the article.

    “Working with senior and more experienced staff requires me to balance humility and stern leadership. Without humility, a young manager will come across as arrogant and haughty. If we are not assertive enough, there may be staff and performance issues.”

    – Mr Chia Jingwei, branch manager, FairPrice Finest

    https://www.smu.edu.sg/sites/default/files/smu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2014/sources/dec17/ST_20141217_2.pdf

    This is in addition to the another statement that I also found enlightening a long time ago.

    We are Commanders

  • Life till Now

    Well, have started work since Aug 2011, working has been fine. Sometimes long hours does take its toll on me, but the place is really like SMU again. Rushing for deadlines, going for cycling, drinks, the company even divided us into houses for games and other activities.

    And like in school things like liking someone, not liking someone happens all the time, plus the project, although it’s big, it’s also small in terms of the people and how news spread. But well, time and space will tell.

    Anyways, also considering moving, been thinking about it since the start of the week. Some movements made, but we’ll see how.
    Till next time.

  • Review: Shaw Lido

    Today is the reopening of Shaw Lido after it closed for its “re-imagining” project.

    They took over the entire level and removed all of the stores that were previously there, like the McDonald’s and Starbucks which I felt really made it much easier for them to create a clean and constant look.
    To start off their new launch, they provided 300 Commemorative Passes for $10 which allows you to watch 4 non-3D movies between 5 to 8 may, that is $2.50 for 1 movie. Cool right. So do ask about it and check if they have it still cause when I was there, it was still available. They also have other promotions in-line with the opening so check it out at this link.

    So went to watch 2 movie because of the promotions, 1 being a normal film, the other digital. Considering that they restarted operation yesterday, everything seems smooth, although for the first movie, the show started with the ads being not aligned to the screen, but that was fix quickly. And it was quite interesting to be able to see the old pre-movie old-school style intro for Shaw. For the second movie, there were square boxes for subtitles. Good thing it was Thor, so not much problem with it, and I guess it had something to do with their “computer” for the digital projection that couldn’t show the subtitles. And 1 nice thing that digital can do is that you can customise what you show for your pre-movie intro, like being able to show words like, “Welcome to Shaw Lido 4” for the 4th theater. With regards to the seats, it was quite comfortable and the incline was such that it would be hard for you to be blocked by the person in-front.
    BUT if there is 1 thing that they can try to fix, that would be the temperature of the air conditioning, it was freezing cold and I was force to go get myself a jacket just so I would not freeze. And because of this, the seat can be quite cold when you first sit on it.
    Otherwise it was a fun experience at Shaw Lido, so do get yourself there to at least take a look.

    Some photos below.

  • Almost the End

    Well, the closing ceremony was yesterday. 12 days of events, started manning since the start of August. Now it’s almost the end of August. 1 more month till I’m officially off work. Then it’s either a 3 month break before school or work. I still don’t really know.

    Started this since 14 December till now, it has been more than 8 months. Took 1 whole year of leave from school. All my friends have been encouraging and also there to listen to me crap about things that happens. Going back to school next year would be something different for me, just 3 modules left to complete. 2GE 1 GRS. Hopefully would be a slack term and I pass everything. Might even do part-time work if it is possible.

    Overall the experience is good. I got to know and learn a lot of the background work and reasons why some decision are made. It makes me want to continue to be involved in this sort of events.