TFTP, or Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a relatively lightweight protocol used for transferring single files at a timewithout the bulk of the massive capabilities of FTP. TFTP is used most often with embedded devices for firmware updates, or VoIP phones to get the latest configuration. Today, I ran into the desire to upgrade some firmware on the DRAC-III device in my Dell PowerEdge 1650 that I just bought on EBay. After gaining access to the embedded web server’s firmware update page I found that it required a tftpd server to pull firmware images from. So, I began to deploy one here at the house for firmware updates I’ll undoubtedly need in the coming months as my home infrastructure grows.

After some searching across the web I found that there wasn’t a very good write up on the step by step procedure to enable a TFTP daemon on Ubuntu (my choice for linux servers). (more…)

In setting up a dedicated source engine game server for Internet/LAN use, I was having problems getting the server to work with MetaMod:Source and the Mani Admin Plugin. It would hard-fault and close as soon as a round would begin.

If you run into this same issue with a memory error and the following error in the server console window:

workthreadpool.cpp (296) : Assertion Failed:CWorkThreadPool::StopWorkThreads: Some threads required forcible termination.

The fix is to update your cfg/mani_admin_plugin/gametypes.txt with the one generated here at the Mani Admin Plugin’s site.

It took me a bit to find this fix, so hopefully the search engines were nice to you and directed you here.

This post is for preservation, because just about the time I forget the steps is the time I need to reinstall VMWare Tools on an Ubuntu Guest on an ESXi Host.

1. sudo -i
2. apt-get update
3. apt-get upgrade
4. apt-get install build-essential binutils linux-headers-$(uname -r)
5. mount /dev/scd0 /cdrom
6. cp -a /cdrom/VMwareTools* /tmp/
7. cd /tmp/
8. tar -vxzf VMwareTools*.gz
9. cd vmware-tools-distrib/
10. ./vmware-install.pl

CD-ROM mount point may vary. Accept all defaults for vmware-install perl script.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with Synergy, it is a very essential server/client tool for anyone using multiple computers at their desk. It eliminates the need to have multiple keyboards and mice on your desk, while virtually extending your desktop across Windows, Mac, and Linux environments. You still connect your monitors to the varying computers. I’ve seen seamless Quad-monitor (Three different OSes: WinXP, WinVista with dual monitors, OSX) setups using this program.

This post won’t outline how to use Synergy, but rather just how to take care of the little things that will keep it from being a good experience on Windows Vista/7. I’m writing the rest of this post for those that are already familiar with Synergy, and instructions are targeted at Windows 7 Professional users.

Anyways, I was running into problems with my Synergy client on my home-office setup. I have a laptop docked with a second monitor for my office computer (operating as the Synergy client), and then a single monitor rig in portrait-orientation for my home computer (operating as the Synergy server). I use Display Fusion, which runs as an administrator-level service on my desktop, and I use the multi-monitor taskbar available on the paid version of the software. I was unable to use the Synerg-ized mouse to select a window on that Display Fusion taskbar, and considering that was my 24” monitor where a lot of my work takes place it would be a huge problem if the laptop didn’t have a keyboard. On top of that, every time the client computer would prompt for UAC approval for various things, I would lose the ability to use my G5 mouse and G15 keyboard on my office laptop.

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It’s getting deeper into the time of year where we start to drive long distances through potentially hazardous winter weather. It is more important during these times to be prepared, as help may not come as quick as when the roads are clear. So following that good old Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” I’m going to place my thoughts on what you should have in your Winter Car Kit. I’d like to mention that my car kit consists of these items contained within a small Rubbermaid “Action Packer” which can be picked up for around $25. To modify the old saying, an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of well-being (or something to that effect).

So, for starters, lets take a look at what your normal car kit should have:

1. Basic First Aid Kit (for minor cuts, scrapes, burns)
   • Ideally, this is just for the little stuff you will inflict upon yourself from being clumsy working under the hood.
   • You might also want to add some kind of hand-sanitizer or cleaner.
   • Put this in a gallon sized ziploc bag.
2. Flashlight (extra batteries are always a good idea)
   • I’d have to say the 2x AA MagLites are perfect for this kit, though, if you want something smaller there’s a MagLite “Solitare” that uses 1x AAA battery.
   • I carry a 2x D-cell MagLite in my vehicle at all times, with an extra pair of batteries in the glove compartment. It’s size and weight has made it useful as a makeshift hammer to be used on my starter solenoid when the vehicle wouldn’t crank, such that I got it working so I could roll into the mechanic.
   • Add the small flashlight to your glove compartment. If you keep a larger flashlight I’d recommend keeping it up beside you, or under you at the driver’s seat.
3. Jumper Cables
   • You always need them when you don’t have them, and someone else usually needs them when you have them. You might as well keep them so at a minimum you can do your good turn of the day.
   • Put these inside the Action Packer.
4. (more…)