ServerBeach Monkey

We at the Beach often we get customer requests for provisioning servers with OS’s that we currently do not officially support and/or in the process of rolling moving to production. Typically these request are centered around specific customer requirements for their application or solution and the primary reason for which they ask. What ever the case, we at ServerBeach hate to turn away great opportunities and so we encourage our potential customers to leverage our SBRescue tools to help them get to where they need to go.

For those of you not familiar with the SBRescue systems tools at ServerBeach, our systems provide you with the necessary “rescue” tools to diagnose and fix your server in a RAM Disk environment in case you encounter any problems. In addition, what is not mentioned enough though, is that you can use this same environment to install and leverage the OS of your choice. How you ask?

The following technical article was provided to us by Kutay of codebex.com. Kutay approached the “Beach” with a request to install Ubuntu Sever onto ServerBeach Hardware. Our sales team challenged Kutay to leverage the power of the SBRescue Environment and see if it could get him where he needed to go. Like any great tech guru Kutay stepped to the challenge and was not only successful but was kind enough to capture and document the following “HOWTO on installing Ubuntu on ServerBeach“. With a little ingenuity and technical know how, Kutay leveraged SBRescue, ServerBeach Hardware, and the Peer1 Network.

Thank you Kutay!!! You are a perfect example of the fine technical knowledge that exists within the family of SeverBeach/Peer1 customers!!! Without further a due…. ServerBeach presents …

Ubuntu on ServerBeach - A Step by Step Guide

By Kutay, codebex.com

Note: This guide was tested on AMD Athlon X2 5000+ Server.

>> Create the partitions
# fdisk /dev/sda
- Delete all partitions on disk.
- Make new partitions with your preferred schema or use the following.
/dev/sda1 - 64MB ( boot )
/dev/sda2 - 1024MB ( swap )
/dev/sda3 - remaining space on disk ( / )

>> Create the file systems and swap
# mke2fs -j /dev/sda1
# mke2fs -j /dev/sda3
# mkswap /dev/sda2

>> Mount the file systems
# mkdir /mnt/ubuntu
# mount /dev/sda3 /mnt/ubuntu
# mkdir /mnt/ubuntu/boot
# mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/ubuntu/boot

>> Set the date and UTC time
# date 022811002008 (Format is MMDDhhmmYYYY)

>> Grab the latest version of debootstrap from the ubuntu archives.
# wget http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/d/debootstrap/debootstrap_1.0.8.tar.gz

>> Uncompress the archive and enter the working directory.
# tar -xzf debootstrap_1.0.8.tar.gz
# cd debootstrap

>> Set the execute bit permissions on the debootstrap script.
# chmod +x debootstrap

>> Copy the version of ubuntu you want to install to the top level directory. The script versions reside under scripts/ubuntu/.
# cp ./scripts/ubuntu/gutsy .

>> Create a dummy devices.tar.gz for the debootstrap script.
# touch /root/dummy
# tar -czf ./devices.tar.gz /root/dummy

>> Run the boot strap. Ignore the "no /debootstrap/devices.tar.gz. cannot create devices" error.
# DEBOOTSTRAP_DIR=`pwd` ./debootstrap --arch i386 gutsy /mnt/ubuntu http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy

>> Setup and enter the new install environment
# mount -o bind /dev /mnt/ubuntu/dev
# mount -t proc none /mnt/ubuntu/proc
# chroot /mnt/ubuntu /bin/bash

>> Setup your locales
# export LC_ALL=C
# dpkg-reconfigure locales

>> Edit your ubuntu repository sources list and update your local repository
# vim /etc/apt/sources.list
Copy and paste the following.
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy main
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy universe
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy multiuniverse

# aptitude update

>> Setup your timezone
# tzselect

>> Setup your hostname and hosts
# echo "myserver" > /etc/hostname
# echo "127.0.0.1   localhost" > /etc/hosts

>> Setup up your fstab
# vim /etc/fstab
Copy and paste the following.
/dev/sda1		/boot	ext3	defaults	0 1
/dev/sda2		none	swap	sw		0 0
/dev/sda3		/	ext3	defaults	0 1

>> Setup the network interface.
# ifconfig
Copy down the inet_addr, bcast and mask addresses
# route -n
Copy down the default gateway address ( the one with a 0.0.0.0 destination )
# vim /etc/network/interfaces
Copy and paste the following but replace the addresses accordingly.
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.0.2
netmask 255.255.255.0
broadcast 192.168.0.255
gateway 192.168.0.1

>> Install the bootloader and kernel image.
# aptitude install grub
# aptitude search linux-image
Choose one of the kernel images on this list.
# aptitude install linux-image-2.6.22-14-server

>> Setup the bootloader
# mkdir /boot/grub
# cp /usr/lib/grub/i386-pc/* /boot/grub
# vim /boot/grub/grub.conf
Copy and paste the following but replace the kernel image name accordingly.
default 0
timeout 1

title=Ubuntu for ServerBeach
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-server root=/dev/sda3
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.22-14-server

>> Symbolic link the grub.conf to menu.lst ( note that grub.conf is referenced from the mount point )
# ln -s /grub/grub.conf /boot/grub/menu.lst

>> Install the boot sector in the master boot record
# grep -v rootfs /proc/mounts > /etc/mtab
# grub-install --no-floppy /dev/sda
# grub --no-floppy

grub> root (hd0,0)
grub> setup (hd0)
grub> quit

>> Set the root password
# passwd

>> Install the openssh service
# aptitude install openssh-server

>> Cleanup and reboot
# exit
# umount /mnt/ubuntu/dev
# umount /mnt/ubuntu/proc
# umount /mnt/ubuntu/boot
# umount /mnt/ubuntu
# shutdown -r now

Beach Bums,

In case you have not already heard CentOS released 5.2.

Per CentOS Yesterday morning:

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of CentOS-5.2 for the i386 and x86_64 Architectures.

The only recommended way to update from an earlier version of CentOS (Version < 5 ) is to download and run a fresh install. In some cases, running the installer with the ‘upgradeany’ option might also achieve the desired results, however you are strongly recommended to look at the CentOS Wiki where hints and notes about potential upgrade paths from CentOS-4/3/2.1 to CentOS-5 are provided.

In addition, here is a great article on how to upgrade your current version of CentOS to 5.2!

NixCraft - How To Upgrade CentOS Linux To Version 5.2

Enjoy!

The ServerBeach Product Engineering Team Keep reading →

After much work, we are happy to announce that ServerBeach has launched Windows 2008 Datacenter and Web Edition on its self managed server platforms.

Although we are still in the process of making a huge announcement it is ready for you the public to test drive Windows 2008!

Enjoy!

I know it has been a long while since my last post.  Needless to say, its been a busy time for us here at the “Beach”.  Over the last few months there have been times where there is hardly enough room to breath.  In any case, now that there is little opportunity for some air I plan to pick blogging back up as there are a lot of great things that are on the horizon for ServerBeach and all of Peer1.

In any case, as my first post back form my hiatus. I wanna share something that I found realy cool!

Yesterday as I walked in my house and began the daily unwind ritual from a normal busy day.  I picked the pile of bills, I mean mail, that never escapes any of us.  To my surprise, as I fumbled through this never ending stack of mutilated trees, I notice this month’s copy of Linux Journal.  The inner geek gets excited. Putting the IRS statement aside, to my pleasant surprise, I recognized the face on the cover, it’s Matt Mullenweg of WordPress!

I think WOW… now that is COOL!

I guess I was more shocked by myself more than anything, as WordPress has now had a fabulous story and success with their world renowned blogging platform. But like I said, the coolness factor that had me struck for a moment was the fact that we (ServerBeach) work with WordPress on a weekly basis.  I guess this moment for me was compounded by the fact that I have had the pleasure of hanging out with Matt and the WordPress team on a few occasions!

In any case, what I really wanted to say by all of this was “Congrats Matt, to you and all of WordPress on your incredible success!” Its always a pleasure to work with you guys!

For those of you who think your too cool to subscribe Linux Journal check this link out, at least you can appreciate the cover. 

http://www.linuxjournal.com/issue/171

Also, you can check out Matt’s site here: http://ma.tt/

BTW, here is fun exercise, google: matt and notice how he comes up first.

Blog again soon, Bueno Bye!

Today we hosted our 2nd annual Halloween Costume contest. To say the least it was a hilariously funny event.

Check it out: Halloween @ SB 2007

I think you will agree, although we are server junkies, we still know how to get down!

Heads up, the Beach is growing, ServerBeach is currently looking at picking a few good engineers. Think you have the right stuff, check out the following link: SB Careers.

We look forward to you joining us!!!!

I am always marveled by folks that demonstrate a little persistence and ingenuity, especially with technology. As all you Windows Server junkies already know, at the “Beach”, we currently do not support 64 Bit Windows 2003 Server as a part of our standard install suite. Although this will not always be the case as we are working hard to rectify this, still at present I am sad to report this effort is not quite complete. In any case, do not be discouraged because its all right around the corner.

Back to my original point though… ah yes…..”persistence and ingenuity”; this week we would like to feature a SB customer, Robert McLaws of Interscape Technologies, Inc. , who provides hope to those of you that require a Window Server 64bit platform like now! Robert has figured out a method of installing Windows x64 Over x86. Amazing! No, Pretty cool actually!

I spoke to Robert last week just to say “Hello” and ask him how he did it. My conversation with him was great, I was fascinated by his energy, cunningness, and creativity in finding a solution to a problem that “they”, no names, said could not be done. In any case, way to go Robert! I am sure that you now have world chomping at the bit to learn how you did this.

So without any further adieu, here is the introductory article on how Robert captured the flag in the x86-x64bit matter, check it out: “Install Windows x64 Over x86: Take That, Microsoft!“

“A bit of a disclaimer, although SB currently working on making great strides in adding 64bit Windows Server to its standard install suite, we currently do not support it in any manner at this time. We at SB recognizes that there is a gold mine of wealth that exists within our customer base and we find it important to share any and new ideas that will help our customers. In light of this however, any information provided here or gleamed from this article should be treated as-is and at your own risk. SB will not support any requests that result in use of this information. The best we can do for you right on this subject is provide you with a good old fashion re-provision. Best of luck and happy computing - SBMonkey and ServerBeach Team”

Here is a short questions to all you Beach loyalists and those of you who are thinking about switching over to the Beach:

What would you like to see coming to the Beach in terms of Hardware, OSes, other Products (like HW Firewalls), and Services (like support plans, etc.)?

We at the Beach and Peer1 have been hard at work in improving our product line but we thought it would be great to reach out to the community to try to get your input on the next great product and/or service?

Tell us what you think?

This year ServerBeach was fortunate enough to attend WordCamp 2007 . For starters, it was great to get a glimpse on the power and impact that both WordPress and open source software community makes on the world. I know that all of us use this stuff on a day-to-day basis to a certain capacity but when you see it, the people, the knowledge, the passion, and creativity all come together it really hits home, its quite exciting to experience.

WordPress congratulations again on your continued success, keep up the great work. In all, all I can say is “WOW” what an incredibly fun learning experience! To be completely honest I have never been much of a blogger but now I am sold. So consider this my first true blog entry! How cool is that? WordPress you make this stuff brainless!!!!

Regarding the event itself, WordCamp was nothing short of awesome! There were folks from all over the place, CNN to the New York Times, the BBC to XXLMag…. all using WordPress, isn’t that amazing?!? Check this out, here are some interesting statistics, today WordPress.com has roughly about 1.2 million instances (actual blogs) running on its platform across the world. Now keep in mind, this number does not include the number of implementations of WordPress that have been done by downloading the software and loading directly onto a server. Of that number though, do you realize that ServerBeach hosts 1/3rd of all these implementations, that is approximately 400K in blogs. Wow, is that cool or what?

Oh, allow me to comment on one additional anecdote, one of the most fascinating things that I learned while at WordCamp was how a “kitty can gobal a gorrilla”! What…you say?!? Let me explain… WordPress as some neat little tools that track the traffic to blogs and see how many hits each is getting, well let me just say that the folks at icanhascheezburger.com are amazingly brilliant! Through use of WordPress, thier blog site has the ability to beat out CNN.com on most days on the number of blog hits. Wow, that is cool!!! Congradulations to the folk at icanhascheezburger.com on your blogcomplishments! It was truly a pleasure to meet you and get a better glimpse about what you do.

To Matt, Barry, and the rest of the crew at WordPress, thanks for a wonderfully insightful weekend. I am happy that we (ServerBeach) were able to be part of the great work that you have put forth in changing the world through Blogging.