November 2013 - WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Free Non-working Older Dell Server - For parts

by joel d

Please contact me direct (off list) if you would like this for parts. Non working server is a Dell 1600SC Problem with server's motherboard giving boot eror "No timer tick interrupt" also beeps 4-2-1 pattern. Server has no hard disks, and motherboard not working/booting. Offered for it's likely good parts (case, power supply, some ECC RAM, etc.). Contact me joelgroup(a)gmail.com if you have any interest. (If not it goes to elect recycling in a few days.) Thank you, Joel

Nov. 22, 2013

Re: [Wlug] Upgrade

by Chuck Anderson

On Sun, Nov 10, 2013 at 10:57:22AM -0500, Clint Moyer wrote: > Are there any gotchas using a CPU with integrated GPU? Not talking about mobo chipset graphic, but something like an AMD CPU with embedded ATI graphic. My experiences are with Intel embedded graphics which have excellent open source support. > I haven't yet dealt with any motherboard with UEFI bios. I know there was a big uproar over Secure Boot. Is this going to give me any headache installing Linux? Is there any specific manufacturer that implements it more properly than others? Asus has been my goto brand. FWIW, Fedora works fine with UEFI and Secure Boot enabled. I'm dual-booting Windows 8 and Fedora 18 on an Asus X202E. The Atheros ethernet driver (alx) is very new and has unresolved issues after resuming from suspend. I've gotten along without wired ethernet when alx wasn't in the kernel yet (it appeared in 3.10), so I just blacklisted the alx driver in 3.11 for now until it is fixed. I also had an issue with the screen going black after bootup, but that was fixed in kernel 3.11. Before that was available, I stayed on 3.9.9. > I'll retain my current HDDs for storage but would like to use an SSD for the OSes. I'd assume that's pretty transparent as far as installing Linux goes? Anything I need to worry about here? Nothing to worry about on modern OSes. They should all support TRIM and do the proper data alignment for SSDs. You might want to make sure TRIM has been enabled after installing.

Nov. 11, 2013

Re: [Wlug] Wlug Digest, Vol 121, Issue 5

by David Hardy

When I got three new machines over this past year, they all came with Windows 8 (HP Pavilions) and Atheros ethernet controllers. I had to disable Secure Boot on the machines where I installed Linux and it was also a royal PITA dealing with the Atheros drivers. Ubuntu and Mint did not want to work with Atheros, and the one machine I finally put Linux on ended up working nicely with Fedora 19. One machine remains Windows 8 (and I had gotten stung pretty badly doing the Beta 8.1 "upgrade" so am keeping it at the 8 level.) Because of pending job stuff I have to, for now, keep a second machine running Windows Server 2012R2, which works fine with the Atheros (Windows 2008R2 did not). And my remaining machine runs Fedora 19 with a hardened Virtual Box running a Whonix vm running Tor and an offshore mail client. Good luck; YMMV, obviously, but I think the disabling of Secure Boot may be your first order of business. Regards from northern Vermont (and 1980s denizen of Woostah) Dave On Sun, Nov 10, 2013 at 12:00 PM, <wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org> wrote: > Send Wlug mailing list submissions to > wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > wlug-owner(a)mail.wlug.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Wlug digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Upgrade (Clint Moyer) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 10:57:22 -0500 > From: Clint Moyer <cdmoyer(a)charter.net> > Subject: [Wlug] Upgrade > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: <C42E30DF-37B2-4081-B5F9-946E50BC2D71(a)charter.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > My main PC is long overdue for an update. I dual boot Win7 and Linux Mint. > Light use, no gaming or heavy graphics. A few questions: > > Are there any gotchas using a CPU with integrated GPU? Not talking about > mobo chipset graphic, but something like an AMD CPU with embedded ATI > graphic. > > I haven't yet dealt with any motherboard with UEFI bios. I know there was > a big uproar over Secure Boot. Is this going to give me any headache > installing Linux? Is there any specific manufacturer that implements it > more properly than others? Asus has been my goto brand. > > I'll retain my current HDDs for storage but would like to use an SSD for > the OSes. I'd assume that's pretty transparent as far as installing Linux > goes? Anything I need to worry about here? > > Any specific advice or recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks. > > Clint > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20131110/7acc8a8c/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > End of Wlug Digest, Vol 121, Issue 5 > ************************************ >

Nov. 10, 2013

Upgrade

by Clint Moyer

My main PC is long overdue for an update. I dual boot Win7 and Linux Mint. Light use, no gaming or heavy graphics. A few questions: Are there any gotchas using a CPU with integrated GPU? Not talking about mobo chipset graphic, but something like an AMD CPU with embedded ATI graphic. I haven't yet dealt with any motherboard with UEFI bios. I know there was a big uproar over Secure Boot. Is this going to give me any headache installing Linux? Is there any specific manufacturer that implements it more properly than others? Asus has been my goto brand. I'll retain my current HDDs for storage but would like to use an SSD for the OSes. I'd assume that's pretty transparent as far as installing Linux goes? Anything I need to worry about here? Any specific advice or recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks. Clint

Nov. 10, 2013

OPENING - Embedded Linux, Open WRT contract in northern MA

by John Spencer

We have a client in northern MA looking for a Sr or Prin level consultant for a new project They are looking for experience with embedded Linux and OpenWRT. If you or anyone you know may be qualified and interested, please let me know. I would be happy to share additional details. Please send a Word version of your resume with any questions. Please Note, your resume will not be sent anywhere without your prior approval. Regards, John Spencer Connected Systems Partners Connecting Top Talent with Top Companies 978-455-5550 x208 978-621-9743 cell jspencer(a)connectedsp.com www.connectedsp.com<www.connectedsp.com%20> GET CONNECTED! Unless otherwise explicitly instructed by sender, all information in this email is considered confidential and intended for the view and use of the recipient(s) only.

Nov. 6, 2013

Announce: WLUG Meeting Wed 11/13 7PM: OpenWRT

by Chuck Anderson

Hi folks, The next Worcester Linux Users' Group (WLUG) meeting will be held NEXT Wednesday, November 13 at 7PM. The location will be the WPI Campus Center, Mid-Centry Room 331. We will have a discussion of people's experiences with OpenWRT, and perhaps a demo of how to load OpenWRT on a Netgear home wireless router and configure it for Bufferbloat avoidance/improvement. Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 - 9:00 PM WPI Campus Center, Mid-Centry Room 331 Afterwards, we will go out for pizza. See you there, Chuck President, Worcester Linux Users' Group http://www.wlug.org/

Nov. 6, 2013

Re: [Wlug] OpenWRT on WNDR3800 home router - my install thoughts

by Chuck Anderson

I think this would make a great November 13 meeting topic. We can share our experiences of loading OpenWRT and battling Bufferbloat. I may even get some time this weekend to try loading OpenWRT on my WNDR3700v2. On Mon, Nov 04, 2013 at 12:40:10PM -0500, Mike Peckar wrote: > At least 2 years ago, I flashed my Netgear WNR3500L with DD-WRT (build > 14929) and have been a very happy camper ever since. I chose DD-WRT over > OpenWRT because it adds SNMP support, which (at least at the time) OpenWRT > didn't. I remember I was able to improve wifi performance over factory, but > I can't remember what specific tweaks I made. > > > > Mike > > > > From: wlug-bounces(a)mail.wlug.org [mailto:wlug-bounces@mail.wlug.org] On > Behalf Of joel d > Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 11:32 AM > To: Worcester Linux Users Group > Subject: [Wlug] OpenWRT on WNDR3800 home router - my install thoughts > > > > Decided to try OpenWRT after Jim Getty's talk and strong recommendation last > month for improved security and reduced local buffer bloat. What follows is > my experience / thoughts from this process. I would happily bring the > hardware to demo at a future meeting if there is interest. > > Likely wouldn't be a full meeting but a 10-15 minute filler. More likely > Q&A than anything else. > > > > I decided to go with different router/firewall hardware so I bought a > Netgear WNDR3800 which Jim mentioned and is also a favorite of the OpenWRT > crowd. Mine was used and $50 shipped from e-bay. This model is one model > old and no longer available new. FYI: Netgear website lists it as "out of > support". > > My WNDR3800 was used prior, so I needed to do a hard firmware reset on the > bottom of router with a paperclip (didn't know the prior IP used or the > admin password). > > Once reset and rebooted, router worked fine and could login to the "default" > Netgear firmware and configuration. Default username & password is printed > under the router. > > Downloaded the recommended OpenWRT firmware for this model. Needs to be > full "factory" (instead of partial upgrade) and squashfs is recommended. > Netgear WNDR3800 Firmware download link gets you OpenWRT version 10.X > version which is not latest OpenWRT. > > Web browser login to Netgear webpage/firmware and followed "upgrade > firmware" link while pointing to OpenWRT download file on local disk. The > upgrade/re-flash took around 4 minutes and after a reboot worked fine. Set > password and reconfigured router and WIFI with my specifics. Was up and > working on OpenWRT v 10.x. > > Next day realized I had OpenWRT, but not latest stable version. Upgrade > firmware link does not go to Internet directly, so first download OpenWRT v > 12.4 with "upgrade" and "squashfs" and save to local disk. Second apply > this via upgrade button in OpenWRT web link. > > I could likely have saved a step by grabbing the OpenWRT v12.4 for WNDR3800 > with factory and squashfs. I bet this would have worked had I tried it > (and saved a step). > > > > General thoughts after use for a week: > > OpenWRT does not have an "update direct to mother ship" feature best I can > tell that downloads file and updates it from web interface. Not a show > stopper for me. Instead need to know your version of OpenWRT and download > an "upgrade" file and apply as two steps. This would only matter if router > was used/maintained by a non-geek. > > Prior problem occurred with similar hardware WNDR3700 with latest Netgear > firmware (happened with prior Linksys also). A few embedded WIFI devices in > home would disconnect and fail randomly and at least weekly. Thus far these > device annoyances have not occured since swap to WNDR3800 and OpenWRT. No > idea why, but definitely A win! > > OpenWRT has transmit power level settings for the WIFI radio transmit. Can > decide to bump up the WIFI radio settings if user chooses. Even if you > melt/destroy them, a cool option if needed & tested. > > Firmware update for OpenWRT works from a laptop on WIFI, which in my > experience Netgear & Linksys and other vendors do not support flash without > a cabled ethernet port. So the OpenWRT update scripts the 1) copy file 2) > apply file 3) reboot device. > > My Next Steps: > > In another week will likely repurpose the WNDR3700 likely as a WIFI gateway > for the "cheap WIFI radio" devices, (mainly TV, roku, DVD, etc.). Not yet > sure if I will use OpenWRT for this. > > Look into the option of external antennas for the WNDR3800. I live out in > the country and have few neighbors to notice/know/care. If I can get > there... improved & reliable WIFI signal at my mailbox would rock.

Nov. 4, 2013

Re: [Wlug] OpenWRT on WNDR3800 home router - my install thoughts

by Mike Peckar

At least 2 years ago, I flashed my Netgear WNR3500L with DD-WRT (build 14929) and have been a very happy camper ever since. I chose DD-WRT over OpenWRT because it adds SNMP support, which (at least at the time) OpenWRT didn't. I remember I was able to improve wifi performance over factory, but I can't remember what specific tweaks I made. Mike From: wlug-bounces(a)mail.wlug.org [mailto:wlug-bounces@mail.wlug.org] On Behalf Of joel d Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 11:32 AM To: Worcester Linux Users Group Subject: [Wlug] OpenWRT on WNDR3800 home router - my install thoughts Decided to try OpenWRT after Jim Getty's talk and strong recommendation last month for improved security and reduced local buffer bloat. What follows is my experience / thoughts from this process. I would happily bring the hardware to demo at a future meeting if there is interest. Likely wouldn't be a full meeting but a 10-15 minute filler. More likely Q&A than anything else. I decided to go with different router/firewall hardware so I bought a Netgear WNDR3800 which Jim mentioned and is also a favorite of the OpenWRT crowd. Mine was used and $50 shipped from e-bay. This model is one model old and no longer available new. FYI: Netgear website lists it as "out of support". My WNDR3800 was used prior, so I needed to do a hard firmware reset on the bottom of router with a paperclip (didn't know the prior IP used or the admin password). Once reset and rebooted, router worked fine and could login to the "default" Netgear firmware and configuration. Default username & password is printed under the router. Downloaded the recommended OpenWRT firmware for this model. Needs to be full "factory" (instead of partial upgrade) and squashfs is recommended. Netgear WNDR3800 Firmware download link gets you OpenWRT version 10.X version which is not latest OpenWRT. Web browser login to Netgear webpage/firmware and followed "upgrade firmware" link while pointing to OpenWRT download file on local disk. The upgrade/re-flash took around 4 minutes and after a reboot worked fine. Set password and reconfigured router and WIFI with my specifics. Was up and working on OpenWRT v 10.x. Next day realized I had OpenWRT, but not latest stable version. Upgrade firmware link does not go to Internet directly, so first download OpenWRT v 12.4 with "upgrade" and "squashfs" and save to local disk. Second apply this via upgrade button in OpenWRT web link. I could likely have saved a step by grabbing the OpenWRT v12.4 for WNDR3800 with factory and squashfs. I bet this would have worked had I tried it (and saved a step). General thoughts after use for a week: OpenWRT does not have an "update direct to mother ship" feature best I can tell that downloads file and updates it from web interface. Not a show stopper for me. Instead need to know your version of OpenWRT and download an "upgrade" file and apply as two steps. This would only matter if router was used/maintained by a non-geek. Prior problem occurred with similar hardware WNDR3700 with latest Netgear firmware (happened with prior Linksys also). A few embedded WIFI devices in home would disconnect and fail randomly and at least weekly. Thus far these device annoyances have not occured since swap to WNDR3800 and OpenWRT. No idea why, but definitely A win! OpenWRT has transmit power level settings for the WIFI radio transmit. Can decide to bump up the WIFI radio settings if user chooses. Even if you melt/destroy them, a cool option if needed & tested. Firmware update for OpenWRT works from a laptop on WIFI, which in my experience Netgear & Linksys and other vendors do not support flash without a cabled ethernet port. So the OpenWRT update scripts the 1) copy file 2) apply file 3) reboot device. My Next Steps: In another week will likely repurpose the WNDR3700 likely as a WIFI gateway for the "cheap WIFI radio" devices, (mainly TV, roku, DVD, etc.). Not yet sure if I will use OpenWRT for this. Look into the option of external antennas for the WNDR3800. I live out in the country and have few neighbors to notice/know/care. If I can get there... improved & reliable WIFI signal at my mailbox would rock.

Nov. 4, 2013

OpenWRT on WNDR3800 home router - my install thoughts

by joel d

Decided to try OpenWRT after Jim Getty's talk and strong recommendation last month for improved security and reduced local buffer bloat. What follows is my experience / thoughts from this process. I would happily bring the hardware to demo at a future meeting if there is interest. Likely wouldn't be a full meeting but a 10-15 minute filler. More likely Q&A than anything else. I decided to go with different router/firewall hardware so I bought a Netgear WNDR3800 which Jim mentioned and is also a favorite of the OpenWRT crowd. Mine was used and $50 shipped from e-bay. This model is one model old and no longer available new. FYI: Netgear website lists it as "out of support". My WNDR3800 was used prior, so I needed to do a hard firmware reset on the bottom of router with a paperclip (didn't know the prior IP used or the admin password). Once reset and rebooted, router worked fine and could login to the "default" Netgear firmware and configuration. Default username & password is printed under the router. Downloaded the recommended OpenWRT firmware for this model. Needs to be full "factory" (instead of partial upgrade) and squashfs is recommended. Netgear WNDR3800 Firmware download link gets you OpenWRT version 10.X version which is not latest OpenWRT. Web browser login to Netgear webpage/firmware and followed "upgrade firmware" link while pointing to OpenWRT download file on local disk. The upgrade/re-flash took around 4 minutes and after a reboot worked fine. Set password and reconfigured router and WIFI with my specifics. Was up and working on OpenWRT v 10.x. Next day realized I had OpenWRT, but not latest stable version. Upgrade firmware link does not go to Internet directly, so first download OpenWRT v 12.4 with "upgrade" and "squashfs" and save to local disk. Second apply this via upgrade button in OpenWRT web link. I could likely have saved a step by grabbing the OpenWRT v12.4 for WNDR3800 with factory and squashfs. I bet this would have worked had I tried it (and saved a step). General thoughts after use for a week: OpenWRT does not have an "update direct to mother ship" feature best I can tell that downloads file and updates it from web interface. Not a show stopper for me. Instead need to know your version of OpenWRT and download an "upgrade" file and apply as two steps. This would only matter if router was used/maintained by a non-geek. Prior problem occurred with similar hardware WNDR3700 with latest Netgear firmware (happened with prior Linksys also). A few embedded WIFI devices in home would disconnect and fail randomly and at least weekly. Thus far these device annoyances have not occured since swap to WNDR3800 and OpenWRT. No idea why, but definitely A win! OpenWRT has transmit power level settings for the WIFI radio transmit. Can decide to bump up the WIFI radio settings if user chooses. Even if you melt/destroy them, a cool option if needed & tested. Firmware update for OpenWRT works from a laptop on WIFI, which in my experience Netgear & Linksys and other vendors do not support flash without a cabled ethernet port. So the OpenWRT update scripts the 1) copy file 2) apply file 3) reboot device. My Next Steps: In another week will likely repurpose the WNDR3700 likely as a WIFI gateway for the "cheap WIFI radio" devices, (mainly TV, roku, DVD, etc.). Not yet sure if I will use OpenWRT for this. Look into the option of external antennas for the WNDR3800. I live out in the country and have few neighbors to notice/know/care. If I can get there... improved & reliable WIFI signal at my mailbox would rock.

Nov. 1, 2013