I downloaded Smoothwall to give it a try as my main router. I want to have a way to block the FastTrack P2P systems (Kazaa). Smoothwall has a third party module that will do it.

I've been trying to get the SBE drivers for my T1/E1 card to work on the 2.4.22 Linux kernel. So far no luck. I get a module dependancy error. I just wrote to SBE to see if they know how to fix it.

I can't wait until I get a external CSU/DSU T1 adapter. SBC will set me up with a Cisco when I upgrade my connection. Then I won't have to deal with this driver crap anymore. I'll be able to setup anything I want as the router. FreeBSD, Smoothwall, m0n0wall, or whatever.

My next project that I need to finish soon is the radius server for my VPN setup. I need to work on that tomorrow. I've got to get the VPN working soon so I can have some type of security on the network. Right now it's wide open.

Tomorrow... For sure...

Well, I wanted to do my VPN server today, but instead I did web site redesigns all day. UHG. I'm going to do my VPN server tomorrow night.... I hope.

I received the replacement radios for my customers with Linksys WMP11 PCI cards. I should have them all replaced by Sunday night. The first on is already deployed and I'm waiting for the next two to be picked up.

The end is near for the Power Save Mode crash....

Power Save Mode strikes again. Looks like another customer has it enabled now. I've got to go hunt them down and fix it. Actually, I decided to speed the money and replace their radio hardware. Seems as XP loves to turn it on at random now days. So $150 later I'll be all set.

Yes, yes, yes.... I finally got a hair cut.

I have confirmed that the "Power Save Mode" causes problem with both HostAP for Linux and the FreeBSD built in HostAP mode. Linux would totally crash and burn. FreeBSD would only cause slowness on the one card setup as the AP.

For now on, nobody is going to use their own equipment unless it's certified by me. I need to get rid of the Linksys crap that's on my network.

The cause of all my problems was a customer with a Linksys WMP11 (that I installed for them). At some point last month their Windows XP put it into Power Save Mode. then every day since then it has been blowing up my network.

You live and learn... Just say no to Power Save Mode.

It's been a totally crazy week so far. I'm glad it's the weekend already. I've got a lot of rest to catch up on. I sure hope things mellow out soon.

OK....

I just spent an all nighter setting up the new server from RackSpace. It's running a Dual AMD 2.8GHz with 2GB RAM. It's also running FreeBSD.

I sure hope this solves the problems. I'm tired.

RackSpace Managed Hosting

This is my experience with RackSpace. I talked with them for over two years about getting a server. I called them once and go into their system. They called and called asking when I was going to be ready. When the time came for managed hosting for my company I called five different facilities. RackSpace was the only one to call back with a quote.

My previous setup was a dual Xeon 500MHz 2GB RAM, running on a single T1. The problem was that there wasn't anyone there to manage the system. It would go down for hours at a time if something blew up. We needed a reliable solution.

Rackspace has a very good network. Five different bandwidth providers. 100% "network" uptime. They are very expensive, but sound like they have a good setup and support.

We buy a server with them. $625 a month for a single AMD 1.8GHz processor and 1.5GB RAM. I thought that a 1.8GHz processor would be the same as want we had before. We bought the RAID and Tape backup solutions also.

So off and running with Rackspace. I get the notice that the server is setup. I log in and start poking around. It's running RedHat ES 2.1. Well, that's fine except everything on it is so old that I can't use it. PHP 4.1, Postgresql 7.1, and missing all kinds of needed software. This won't do. So this is when the trouble starts.

Finally after failed attempts to install the newer stable software I call tech support. They want to charge $150 per hour to install the new software. This isn't acceptable. After haggling with them for awhile they tell me that ES 3 has just been added to their collection of install OS's and that they can set the system up with that. So they redo the system with ES 3.

OK, so I'm happy for a bit while I'm installing my software with PHP 4.3 and Postgresql 7.3. I wish that it was Postgresql 7.4, but what can I do...

Then the next big problem. I get the server setup. I move the DNS and basically turn it on. Customers start using the system. Then it happens. The load average spikes over 10. Then it goes to 20. Our system is just crawling. Things that used to take 30 seconds are taking 10-15 minutes. This is crazy.

Then the haggling started again. They check the system for optimizations. Nothing can be done. The server has to be upgraded. So haggling with them more I get into a Dual Xeon 2.4GHz system with 2GB RAM. We had to drop the backups and the RAID so we could afford it. $300 and $680 a month later we get the net contract and the setup starts.

Again with problems. The contract states right on it: RedHat ES 3. They install 2.1 again. Arg! I send a ticket off to get it fixed. They tell me that they have to talk to my Account Manager before they can fix it. I hear nothing for two days.

Finally I call and call until I get ahold of my Account Manager. He fixes the ticket to get the upgrade to ES 3 going. It was suppose to be installed last night between 8PM-Midnight. I waited up till 2AM for it. Nothing. I seen that the server went down, then came back up. I'm unable to log into it. I can ping it, but it's erratic.

So I went to bed and came back in the morning. Here it is, 7AM and the server is still not up. I've sent a ticket to them, and have not heard word back.

My opinion is that RackSpace Managed Hosting really sucks ass. It's basically all marketing and no performance. If it wasn't for the 1 year contract that we signed, I would bail out of there and never look back. Hurricane Electric has Co-Location for $650 a month that includes all the bandwidth you can eat on a very well built server. Heck, all the others are under $400 a month.

I wish I never had met RackSpace. Stay away from them. Right now our customers are pissed at us, and we are losing business.

Consumer Data Corporation, CA - Web Master Position

We are a fast growing web commerce development company with a product that is used by 100's of web sites. Our core business is in the auto industry. Web sites are being added to our system at an increasing rate.
We have been in business for over five years.

This position is for a part time web master that can work 5-12 hours a week from home. Use your own equipment and software. Position will start at $500 a month and grow as the business grows.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
We are seeking a motivated, professional and well skilled Webmaster to daily manage our eCommerce websites and grow our online business. Work from home using your own equipment and applications. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Web Technology and Support
- Day-to-day supervision of the Internet sites.
- Provide overall quality assurance on the websites.
- Ability to convert images from graphics department to GIF/JPEG.
- Create, design and implement new pages as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- *Skilled in Standards Compliant HTML, xHTML, JavaScript, and CSS1/2.
- *Ability to use OpenSSH.
- *Ability to use CVS or SubVersion.
- Some Linux experience necessary.
- Design and artistic ability.
- Expertise with Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or any Graphics conversion programs.
- Ability to adapt to a fast changing environment and multitask assignments.
- Ability to approach problems with a sense of ownership, enthusiasm and innovation.
- Must be a team player
- Excellant written and verbal communications skills.
- A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

Send your resume to resume@consumerdatacorp.com