Worth reading: Yes

Summary: After a bit of a scuffle in a bar with an off-duty red-neck police officer, Reacher has to make a quick exit from the small town. Hoping against hope for a lift by anyone to anywhere fast, he stands on the side of the road in the baking heat. Time is running out before the local constabulary see him, when he's picked up by a young woman.

Carmen has been driving around the state with the last dollar to her name in her purse. She's looking for someone. Someone scruffy looking, strong and looking like they need money. Someone to kill her husband. She finds just such a person standing on the side of the road in the baking heat.

Yet another unputdownable "Reacher" novel by Lee Child.

Tags: Lee Child, books, jack reacher

I think this is the best version of "Hallelujah" I've heard.

Have a listen.



What do you think?

Tags: music

The Stanley Fubar.

Now this is what I'm talking about. One heavy duty whacker-smacker that can make anything you swing it at... well - FUBAR!!

Available at the local Mitre-10 hardware store and I got a free T-shirt with it - BONUS!

When you need something with a little more finesse than a 30 pound sledge, this is the tool for the job. While not quite as heavy as a sledge-hammer it still has a fair heft to it. Actually you could probably dismantle an entire house/office with this little nifty. Nothing quite like having the right tool for the job, and a perfect fit for someone with neanderthal tendencies.

Now all I have to do is find something to FUBAR... perhaps I should take it to work!

MMWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHA

Tags: farmerism

I completed Ride 4 in the Australian Motorcycle Atlas as a continuation of Ride 11. 4 started where 11 finished to it just made sense. Plus I had to get home somehow and didn't necessarily want to ride back the same way. I mean.. who would?

After the short but punishing ride on the old Bruce Highway into Caboolture I was glad to be on the Caboolture by-pass heading toward Woodford. But, it was now just after 12 noon and I could feel a rumbling that wasn't the bike.

Feeling that I couldn't wait until Woodford, another 10 minutes up the road, I stopped at Wamuran for a cuppa'n'sanga combo. I'd been riding for a while so this also gave me a nice chance to stretch the pins, and listen to all the Harleys roaring past. Not to worry, I'd catch up with them shortly. One needs to let them feel as though they're doing well.

Having consumed sustenance, I ambled my way the extra 13 kms toward Woodford. Catching up with the Harleys just before entering the town. They stopped. I continued. My "quiet" dominance over the "loud", continues.

Ride 4 is a half loop from Caboolture to Peachester. This requires a right turn off the D'Aguilar a couple of kms out of Woodford. This stretch of road which passes through Stanmore and Cedarton is an excellent stretch of winding curves, finishing in Peachester before another swervy-curvy down the Blackall Range again. From this point I headed back toward Montville.

Rather than go back through Montville to get to Nambour I decided to take a right and head in the back way to Palmwoods/Woombye. This is well signposted just before you get to Montville. The road into Palmwoods is very winding and, thanks to other traffic, my average speed was about 50 kph until I hit the bottom of the range.

Once back to Nambour it was business as usual. This is the road I take, heading home from work, a lot of the time.

Having passed Nambour on my way back to Yandina I realised I hadn't take any photos of my bike on this trip. Easily fixed.

And there endeth Ride 4. It was a fantastic day and a good trip even for a car. Total distance travelled: 290 kms

Tags: motorcycles, road trips

Glorious day today. The only thing in the perfectly blue sky was the Moon low on the western horizon. I have been waiting for such a day for a while now. So having finally found one, I saddled up the hoss, smeared on a little SPF 30+, and away I went.

Ride 11 from the Australian Motorcycle Atlas was the order of the day. This ride covers Caboolture to Yandina via the Glass House Mountains, but seeing as I live up the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, I went the other way.

I left home at 9:00 am while the air was still crisp. As the actual ride started at Yandina, I had a nice trip through part of the Mary Valley and Sunshine Coast Hinterland to get there. Zipping through what is left of the sugar cane industry in the area, I soon arrived at Yandina. No time to stop, bike was sniffing fumes by this stage so next port of call was BP Bellbird for a fill-up.

Having filled the bike, I shot up the range to Montville where I had my first coffee for the day. A nice spot for a coffee is the Poet's Corner right on the main drag. The view from the Mayfield shopping complex out over the Sunshine Coast, is quite spectacular. The maples are starting to change colour with the onset of Autumn/Winter. It's worth the ride just to see them.

Landsborough is the next port of call. The temperature is starting to rise just a little so I dropped into the Shell servo for a cold drink. There was a Croc Explorer tour bus and there were quite a few envious stares when I pulled up and dismounted. I'm sure it was my bike, I doubt it was the Harley that roared in at the same time.

The ride from Landsborough to Caboolture is a little difficult to find, but basically I was following the Old Gympie Road. The road takes a winding route through and around the Glass House Mountains. Seeing the hills from the road isn't difficult but I was back-tracking here and there trying to find good vantage points for photos. I shouldn't have bothered. A little further along was the turnoff to the Glass House Mountains Lookout. Beautiful views all round. I was going to stop at the Outlook Cafe but the place was packed. The AMA calls this place the "Wander In" but I didn't see any signs with that name.

From the lookout it was gentle riding through the forestry plantations to Caboolture. The last kilometre or so was on the old highway that follows the railway line. This stretch of road is as rough as guts. I was glad to be off it onto the D'Aguilar highway.

This ended Ride 11.
However, I had noted that Ride 4 starts where 11 finishes so, what they hey... I continued on.

Flick over to the Ride 4 Complete blog entry.

Tags: motorcycles, road trips

Today's project was to do a hardware migration of my IDM server to new hardware, you could use this process for any server but I'm focussing on the IDM stuff.

This is how I accomplished it, and some of the problems/resolutions I found during the process are listed at the end. I'm not going to list a blow-by-blow account of the Server Consolidation Migration Utility as it's very straight forward. However, if you'd like some info let me know and I can give you the step-by-step process. I may even include this in a separate blog entry.

If you've read any of my other Novell Blog entries you'll know that my IDM system runs on NetWare... let me hear you say YEAH!!!

Because I'm still running Netware, migrating to other hardware is quite easy. Novell has provided a neat little utility called the Server Consolidation and Migration Utility and it's a good time saver. Download this free product before you begin and I highly recommend you run this process through your test environment.

A few notes before we start.

I don't recommend trying to migrate to a higher DS level than the one your source server is on. ie, don't migrate from 8.7.3 to 8.8. If you wish to upgrade your DS version, do it after the migration has settled.

I do recommend using the latest patches and version of Netware as your destination server.

Side note: because my source server was a NW65SP7 server that was updated from SP6, I am still running eDir 8.7.3.9 and this is by choice. If you've installed a new Netware server from the SP7 overlay DVD you'll notice the default version of DS is 8.8sp2. So to get around this I install the pre-migration server with the SP6 overlay CD's and then apply the downloaded SP7.

Let the games begin.

1. Take note of the products/services your original server is running. You're going to re-install these on the new server so it helps to know what the old one did. Go make yourself a coffee and get comfortable.

2. Build the migration server ensuring all hardware is functioning correctly.
Use the Pre-migration server installation option in the Netware install. This installs a bare-bones Netware server with no additional products.

Note at this point: to cut down on editing in the comparison step later on, I recommend your temporary eDirectory has the same containment structure of your original tree. Create the same structure down to the server location. The following is what I typically used:

TREE Name: TEMPTREE
Server Name: OLDSERVERNAME1
Server context: Same structure as original server in production tree.
Server IP: something in the same network as the original server

3. On the source server comment out all unnecessary load lines in the AUTOEXEC.NCF. Backup clients and anything else that is not immediately required (which should be nothing as you're working inside a maintenance window or scheduled outage.. right??)

4. Stop all drivers running on the server and set them to manual start. Unload any backup clients or other applications to ensure files are not in use.

5. Export all driver configurations.

6. Start the Server Consolidation Migration utility and create a new project for your server. I usually just name the project after the server name being migrated followed by the date. Eg: SERVER1_220408

7. If your server is not a file server (ie doesn't have any volumes other than SYS) you can "next" your way through to the data copy. You can run this stage of the migration days ahead if you like. Then do a final update copy for any files that have changed at the time of the migration. This is a HUGE time-saver. This step simply backs up the trustees on the server and copies the entire contents of the SYS volume to the SYS:\SYS.MIG directory on the destination server.

Note at this point: take a bit of time to clean up your source server, delete any old patches etc that might be lingering around. The data copy stage will copy EVERYTHING, even stuff you don't necessarily need.

8. Complete the Migration process. I usually just accept the defaults given (unless you've done a pre-copy). Read each screen carefully and ensure you follow any additional steps that are suggested. Pay particular attention to the configuration file comparisons. You'll get a second warning about the Server name and IP address. Make sure these are correct.

9. At this point, your original server should be down and turned off, and your new server has now taken on the identity of the original. It's now time to install all the goodies again, but take a moment to yank the network and power cables from the old box.

10. Insert the SP7 overlay DVD and start installing the additional products. My server also ran DNS so I installed it at this point along with the following:

General:
Tomcat 4 and 5
Apache2
iManager 2.7
Novell Modular Authentication Services
reboot server.

Products required for IDM 3.5.1
Security Services 2.0.5
NMAS updates
CIMOM updates
reboot server.

11. Reinstall IDM 3.5.1 engine/utilities and any drivers. I have a blog entry on upgrading from 3.0.1 to 3.5.1 and I just followed these steps.

12. Load DSTRACE using the following:

load dstrace
load dstrace screen on
load dstrace +dvrs dxml

13. Start iManager and fire up the drivers one at a time. Watch the trace screen in step 12 for any errors. Once you've confirmed all is running, edit the driver configurations and set the drivers to auto-start.

14. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Problems encountered:

The above process is exactly how it all went... in test.

In production, however, things were slightly more "interesting".

My hardware migration went perfectly and the new server became the old one as expected. I then went and started installing all the Netware products and patches. Still all good at this point.

I then installed IDM on the server and for good measure, rebooted.

When I attempted to start the first driver, the process failed with a -783 error. This TID pointed in the right direction but didn't help me. DIRXML was loading but was not functioning.

I investigated the logger screen and saw an error loading DXLDAP.NLM and followed this TID. However, unloading DIRXML or DS simply locked the console screen and after 20 minutes still wouldn't unload the nlm's. I could see from the DSTRACE screen the drivers were caching any changes so updates weren't going to be lost.

At this point I figured something hadn't installed correctly. DS was working perfectly but DIRXML was being a precious petal. To prevent DIRXML from loading I renamed the dirxml.nlm to dirxml.old and rebooted.

After the reboot I reinstalled IDM and rebooted, but had the same problem. Did the rename dirxml.nlm thing again, rebooted. This time I uninstalled IDM and did the following:

1. Ran the Product install again and re-installed all the products and update in step 10 above.
2. Ran the IDM install again
3. Added the server back to the driver set as it was removed because of the -783 error above.
4. Enabled the drivers but didn't automatically synchronize (drivers are disabled if the server is removed from the set)
5. Started the drivers, this time all went well.

Post investigation seems to point to the NMAS installation, but I haven't confirmed this.

All is working perfectly now and the pointy-haird boss is blissfully unaware of my numerous missed heartbeats this morning.

Tags: Identity Manager, Netware, IDM

Worth reading: Yes

Summary: While on a hike with her older brother and mother, nine year old Trisha becomes tired of the constant bickering between the two.

To give herself a break from the squabble, she decides to take a shortcut through the bush and meet up with them on the next swtich-back of the path. But now she's lost.

Each step is taking her farther and farther away from them and before long she is lost and alone in the wilderness.

As she tries to find her way out of her predicament, she passes the time listening to broadcasts of the Boston Red Sox games, dreaming that her favorite player - Tom Gordon - will come to her rescue.

Hunger and exposure are not Trisha's only problems. Before long, she comes to terrifying realization. Something has been destroying the trees and leaving a trail of butchered animals in the woods.

Something real. Something dangerous. Something that may now be following Trisha's trail.

Something that is getting closer.

Yet another hard-to-put-down short novel from Stephen King.

Tags: books, stephen king

Worth reading: No, and I don't mean to be blunt.

Summary: I really can't summarize this one. I'm still not sure of what was going on.

This is the thirteenth "Sean Dillon" novel and I think I would have been better starting with book 1. Jumping into this series at book 13 was a mistake. But how was I to know? I've never read any Jack Higgins novels before.

Sean Dillon is seemingly one mean S.O.B but why is not clear and there is nothing in this book to point out why he is so "unstoppable", or what he's coming back from.

The characters are obviously familiar with each other but there is no explanation of them to the first time reader. Perhaps this is on purpose but for me it made for frustrating reading.

Because this was my first book from this author, and because it was so confusing, I will have difficulty picking up another Jack Higgins novel. That is unless someone can point out a good one to start with. This one has not made me feel like finding the first Sean Dillon novel and starting again.

I know I probably shouldn't, but I'm going to compare this "Sean Dillon" series of books with the "Jack Reacher" series from Lee Child. Lee does a much better job and, in my opinion, each book in his series can be read very successfully as a standalone. Each "Jack Reacher" book has some background on who he is and where he came from. Not so with "Sean Dillon".
However, I will say again that this is the first Jack Higgins book I've read. My apologies to his fans, but I'm yet to be convinced.

Tags: books

After what seemed like a lifetime, my new screen arrived. A Givi, for the DL650. At the same time, I ordered a set of panniers, these are still on backorder...it's been months. I had to postpone a 6 day cycle trip out to Longreach because of the delay!

Anyway...
I decided to get a replacement screen as the standard supplied Suzuki screen, while good, could be better. At it's highest setting I was still getting buffeted around the helmet and after a while this gets a little tiresome. I'd heard good things about the Givi screen so I went with it.

Fitting the screen is a piece of cake. Here are some before, during and after photos. Fitting time: 15 mins.

The original screen before removal.


Screen removed.


Givi screen fitted.


After a quick test-ride, the wind buffeting I was getting has almost disappeared completely. I'm not sure how it will go in strong side winds, but it's going to be fun to find out.

~: Update 21 April 2008 :~
After riding to and from work today (65kms each way) I can say I'm impressed. I'm now able to ride at 110kph with the visor up all the way, which before I couldn't. I can now hear the engine, and while not silent I won't be getting headaches from wind buffeting my helmet any longer.

Tags: motorcycles

So it's time to upgrade to the latest Novell Identity Manager code. This is a rather straight-forward process but still one you'll want to run through a test environment.

I came across a few hiccups in test that I didn't hit in production, but this only helps in the preparation.

I have two eDirectory Trees to contend with. Tree 1 has eDir, MAD, Delimited Text drivers. Tree 2 has eDir, GroupWise, and UserApplication drivers. All IDM servers are OES2 Netware with the exception of the UserApplication server. This is required to be linux.

The really good news is all these drivers will work together at different version levels, allowing you to take your time in the completing the process.

Here is my take on the process of getting to the latest and greatest.

Approach

Prepare for the upgrade
Test roll-back plan
Upgrade the Meta-directory engine in Tree 1
Upgrade the drivers in Tree 1
Upgrade the MAD remote loader and PassSync.
Upgrade the Meta-directory engine in Tree 2
Upgrade the drivers in Tree 2
Install new UserApplication

I have chosen to create a new install of the UserApplication as currently it's only used for password self-service. The original server is a SLES9 box and the new one I want to be an SLES 10.1 box.

Prepare for the upgrade

1. Upgrade IDM servers in both Trees to NW65SP7
2. Upgrade Security Services to 2.0.5
3. Upgrade NMAS to 3.2.0.1
4. Export current driver sets
5. Export each individual driver in both sets
6. Refresh documentation of current settings noting passwords etc
7. Rename sys:\ni\update directory on both IDM servers
8. All software including previous versions of IDM to hand.
9. Set trace level on all drivers to 3

Roll-back plan

1. Ensure there is a current backup of the SYS volume
2. Export of all drivers

Should the installation fail with no ability to continue:

1. remove the new software if possible
2. Install previous version of software

Should the upgrade of the drivers fail with no ability to continue:

1. Delete drivers in driver set and re-import or;
2. Delete driver set and re-import.

Update Process

Schema update

Schema updates are done as part of the Installation of the IDM 3.5.1 Metadirectory engine. This is done once per tree.

TREE 1 (1hr 30mins)
1. Set all drivers to manual start and apply.
2. Stop all drivers
3. Install Metadirectory Server, Web components and utilities to server
4. Deselect all drivers and select

Delimited Text
eDirectory

5. Select Application components
6. Complete install and restart the server
7. Load DSTRACE and set DSTRACE to DXML and DVRS
8. Start all drivers and confirm no errors on trace
9. Apply authorization to Directory set
10. restart all drivers to check for authorization
11. Upgrade eDirectory driver and restart
12. Upgrade Delimited Text driver and restart
13. Upgrade Active Directory driver and restart


AD remote loader (30mins)
1. Stop AD remote loader on Domain Controller.
2. Edit settings and set trace level to 3
3. Copy the remote loader config file C:\Novell\RemoteLoader\ADRemoteLoader-Config.txt to ADRemoteLoader-Config.backup
4. Install new remote loader and start

TREE 2 (1hr 30mins)
1. Set all drivers to manual start and apply.
2. Stop all drivers
3. Export individual drivers and driver set
4. Install Metadirectory Server, Web components and utilities to server
5. Deselect all drivers and select

GroupWise
eDirectory

6. Select Application components
7. Complete install and restart the server
8. Load DSTRACE and set DSTRACE to DXML and DVRS
9. Start all drivers and confirm no errors on trace
10. Apply authorization to Directory set
11. Restart all drivers to check for authorization
12. Upgrade eDirectory driver and restart
13. Upgrade GroupWise driver and restart
14. Upgrade UserApplication driver and restart


UserApplication Install
(Yet to be completed)
1. Install new SLES 10.1 server
2. Install additional software including development tools
3. Create a new instance of the IDM UserApplication using different port number to the original
4. Duplicate settings between UserApp drivers but leave the new one stopped
5. Install and configure UserApplication on new server


Problems encountered

Problem: Error updating NMAS methods during IDM install on server.
Solution: Rename sys:\ni\update directory

Problem: Error on eDir driver start using certificates
Solution: Re-issue certificates using the NDS-to-NDS certificate wizard

Problem: Unable to deploy new UserApplication driver from Designer
Solution: Run Project Checker in Designer and redeploy


And there you have it, an upgraded IDM system.

Tags: Identity Manager, IDM, Netware

Worth reading: Yes

Summary: Zarafa was the first Giraffe in Paris.

This is her story from when she was caught and tamed as young calf in Ethiopia and her journey to the royal menagerie in France, captivating the world as she went.

Zarafa was a gift from the viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X of France.

The writing of this true tale is all over the place but the story is a very interesting one. Allin provides rich natural historic detail along with details of the turbulent times in which the event takes place.

Tags: books

You may have noticed I've given "The Other Side" a bit of a face lift. If not, try doing a refresh in your browser. The old site was plain, and I liked it that way. I didn't have much to display on the site, just ramblings from my warped mind. But, a little colour doesn't go a-stray so I've given the site a bit of pimping. I hope you agree with me, and that it's a nice change and a good way to start the month of April.

The sunset image is a royalty free stock photo that I will change for one of my own at some near point in the future.

Tags: website