Simple HA for Oracle OpsCenter Using ZFS

So we're testing out Oracle's OpsCenter (Enterprise Manager...whatever) to see how useful it will be in our environment. Anything to help maintain the numerous zones, is welcome, right?

We downloaded the trial software (Finally, you can see before you buy!) and began installing and configuring. First thing I was curious about: How easily can we move this to another server, should the primary fail?

As they would have it, it's a fairly simple task, if you do some work, early on to prepare for it.

Visit http://wikis.sun.com/display/OC2dot5/About+High+Availability for a heads-up, though I have some caveats to ad to their doc.

When you unmount and export your dataset and zfs pool from node a to install packages to node b, be sure that once it's on node b, to run the uninstall script (http://wikis.sun.com/display/OC2dot5/Uninstalling+Ops+Center+Software). If you don't, the install will fail on node b, at where it tries to install/configure postgress. Do not do this, until after you've mount your xvm directory onto node b. Then run through the install as you did on node a, patch, etc. and it should be easily moveable between both nodes.

Also, note that the install makes several entries in your /etc/vfstab:

/var/opt/sun/xvm/uce/etc.opt - /etc/opt/SUNWuce lofs - yes -

/var/opt/sun/xvm/uce/var.opt - /var/opt/SUNWuce lofs - yes -

/var/opt/sun/xvm/uce/opt - /opt/SUNWuce lofs - yes -

Be sure to comment those out, when you move the services off of the node and onto the other, and remount them on the other server, before attempting to start OpsCenter on the other node. Directions for shutting down OpsCenter, are here:

http://wikis.sun.com/display/OC2dot5/Shutting+Down+the+Primary+Enterprise+Controller

Surfing at noon-thirty PST. Oh yeah.

Here's hoping a shark doesn't eat me, lol.

I'll be surfing a few blocks from my new home, in Pacifica CA. The beach is Linda Mar beach, otherwise known as Pacifica State Beach. From my abbreviated research, I've discovered that it's supposed to be one of the better areas to surf, in the region. Multiple breaks that cater to all classes of surfers, a "friendly" surfing beach, etc.

Some nice pics and vids of the area:

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=2945361755479732446&q=linda+mar+beach,+pacifica+ca&hl=en&cd=1&cad=src:pplink&ei=pumUTOjvFITmiAPe8unMAQ

Wicked Lasers Customer Support Fail

My typical experience calling Oracle for Unix support

Not safe for work, due to language. Enjoy.

ZFS on Ubuntu 10.04 - Oh Hellz Yeah!!!!

sudo apt-get install fuse-utils
sudo apt-get install libfuse2
sudo apt-get install libfuse-dev

Have fun!

Package: zfs-fuse (0.6.0-1) [universe]


ZFS on FUSE

ZFS is an advanced filesystem from Sun Microsystems, originally developed for solaris. It provides a number of advanced features, such as live integrity checks, atomic updates, atomic snapshots and clones, compression, and much more.

This package provides an implementation of Sun's ZFS filesystem in userspace, using FUSE.

Ubuntu 10.04 on Motion Computing M1400 Tablet PC

So, a friend of mine donated a few M1400 Motion Computing tablets to my collection a few months ago and I've finally got around to playing with them. I think they're more of a boutique item (Pen tablet PCs), rather than "really" something useful, but playing with them may prove interesting.

First off, these things are a bear to boot anything off USB cdrom or USB hard/flash drive. After a minimal search via Google, the consensus looks to be that booting off a firewire drive to be the easiest, so I dug out my old-trusted FW CD drive and plopped an Ubuntu 10.04 Live CD into it.

It booted fine and selected the Try option, rather than install. After a few moments, video blanked out and no more CDROM activity. Lol.

Guessing it's a video driver fubar, I Googled some more and found the following boot option will get you going: i915.modeset=1
by the way, if you are using other video chipsets, here's a brief common list of what you can use:
* Older Intel video card: i915.modeset=1 or i915.modeset=0
* nVidia: nomodeset
* Generic: xforcevesa


Just add this to your list of boot options at the end and you'll get the lovely Gnome Desktop (Or KDE for those running Kubuntu - Which I prefer, myself).

After install, I'll add it to my /etc/default/grub and will run: update-grub

I let you know my mileage on this laptop, after installation is complete and I've played with it, a bit.

By the way: The pen actually worked while booted on the live cd, without any modification or manual loading of Wacom drivers. Sweet.

Dear Jane letter to Sun E6900

Dear Sun Microsystems E6900,

I'm terribly sorry I had to do this through a letter, this didn't need to be done, but I wanted to..

This note will be the last memory you'll ever have of me, I'm done with you because I decided to be with someone new, exciting and 1/4 the weight. Yes, she's a "sexy new-younger model" and is way more interesting.

I should have been honest from the start of this relationship and admitted that you where really too tall for my tastes, anyway. My bad.

Don't let it get you all upset inside, It was completely your fault, no doubt about it. It is because of your history of dragging your ass, taking too much of my personal space and your high maintenance issues, that keep me from being even remotely interested in continuing this relationship with you.

I will be particularly found of the memories of having to hold you late at night, while you wept about not having enough resources, or the numerous times that your thieving nephew, Oracle, would steal your personal space away from you. Why you can't learn from your past mistakes, is beyond me. I'll remember how you would "forget" to do the tasks we agreed upon, and blame it on your failing-aging memory.

You'd be much better off finding someone that can deal with the wonderful way that you make constant promises that you never intended on keeping. I'm not one to "kiss and tell", but I might miss certain things about you, such as your constant nagging for attention. No. It isn't ALL about you, dear. There are others in this family, to consider. What about your poor little sun, V1280? Have you considered his needs? Your brothers and sisters: V490, 280R and let's not forget the black sheep of your family: V120 and his half-inbred daughter V100. They all have needs too and your narcissism is hurting them, so much.

I'm glad this is done and we're going separate directions for good. I think you'll find someone to tend to your constant needs for attention, who doesn't mind carelessly spending their money on your "upkeep" (yes. You ARE one "high Maintenance" lady) and hopefully, we will be incredibly far away.

Forever Truly Yours,
Wrex

Poignant Projects

Poignant Projects

Resistance Is Futile....

So the acquisition of Sun by Oracle is complete and today, they've changed Sun's homepage to re-direct to Oracle's. Good luck finding Sun specific products, rofl.

The customer is always last. They should have at least announced an impending change to the site. It's not like we didn't all expect one.

My Unix beginnings are all due to Sun Microsystems. I am a touch saddened by the buy-out.

The end of an era. Here's hoping for the best.

I'm officially a "twit" now, lol

Yup. On Twitter now. Joy.

You can follow me, here:

https://twitter.com/wrexallen