samsung GSM A687 (Strive) factory reset -- in case you don't have password

dial this:  *2767*3855#   be careful - this erases everything, including the sim card and sd card, I think.

Garmin Nuvi Issue - "updating GPS Firmware"

Updating GPS Firmware  and  GPS Firmware update complete - if these messages show up on your Garmin Nuvi 260 (or other Garmin GPS devices) consistently when you turn it on, or while it's running, then you may have to delete the contents of the garmin\RemoteSW folder.  Just plug the gps into a PC using a usb cable and it should show up like a storage device/flash drive.  Go into the garmin\remotesw folder/directory and delete the contents.

see the following thread:
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=3375

no powerpath and getting LUN ID

If you don't have powerpath and need to get the LUN ID to device special file (dsf)/ disk device on HP-UX, try using the following switch on the syminq command (part of Solutions Enabler):

syminq -identifier device_name

example:

syminq -identifier device_name | head

Device Device

------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------

Name Num Vendor Array ID Name

------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------

/dev/rdisk/disk428 09B8 EMC *redacted* N/A

/dev/rdisk/disk429 09B9 EMC *redacted* N/A

Actually I think the default syminq output (without any switches) shows the lun id, but it’s hidden in the “device” “serial Number” column. Skip the first 3 digits in the column (part of the array ID). The next 4 digits (or so) are the Lun ID.

Example (lun ID in bold):

Device Product Device

-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------

Name Type Vendor ID Rev Ser Num Cap (KB)

-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------

/dev/rdisk/disk437 EMC SYMMETRIX 5874 93009C1000 35692800

Symbolic links on HP CIFS/Samba 3.5.4

using symlinks on HP CIFS/Samba 3.5.4 can be an issue if the parameter unix extensions = yes (which is the default). Look up the man page for smb.conf for more info on it.

use the testparm -v command (-v = verbose), this will show ALL settings (built-in defaults) along with all the custom settings from your config file.

Since "unix extensions" only helps when using HP CIFS clients, IMO it should be disabled by default. so do this in the global section of smb.conf

unix extensions = no

dbprofile on Itanium servers (and 4.0+ HPVM)

at EFI shell:

display dbprofile:

dbprofile

add/update profile named "ignite" providing only one parameter: dhcp

dbprofile -dn ignite -dhcp

when modifying the profile, only the parameters that are changing need to be listed; you don't need to re-do the entire syntax

three ways that work: first two only work if the ignite server and client are in the same ethernet broadcast domain (subnet).

  - last option gives fast boot time, first and second options requires less administration.

1. dbprofile -dn ignite -dhcp

2. dbprofile -dn ignite -dhcp -b "/opt/ignite/boot/nbp.efi"

3. dbprofile -dn ignite -sip IGNITE.IP.ADDRESS -cip CLIENT.IP.ADDRESS -gip GATEWAY.IP.ADDRESS -m NETMASK -b "/opt/ignite/boot/nbp.efi"

example - ignite IP 192.168.1.2,  client IP 192.168.0.2, gateway/router IP 192.168.0.1, netmask 255.255.255.0

dbprofile -dn ignite -sip 192.168.1.2 -cip 192.168.0.2 -gip 192.168.0.1 -m 255.255.255.0 -b "/opt/ignite/boot/nbp.efi"

to actually use the dbprofile:

lanboot -dn ignite

or to pick a specific NIC to boot from: lanboot select -dn ignite

to find list of NICs, run:

lanaddress

sometimes on NPARS, not all NICs show up, so do the following to re-connect the EFI drivers:

reconnect -r

HPUX 11.31 lvm2

Wow LVM2 found in HPUX 11.31 has lifted a lot of burdensome limits on volume groups.  vgcreate automatically creates the  device group file; VGs are only limited by the MAX VG size you specify when creating the VG, using the -S option; hitting the max VG size is the only case where a backup/recreate/restore is needed.  Here's a list of helpful commands:

LVMP_CONF_PATH_NON_BOOT  found in /etc/lvmrc  (in March 2010 release)  allows lvm2 vg configuration file backups to an alternate location because of the large size of VG 2.X backups

lvmadm - (-t) displays limits of LVM1 and LVM2 VG 1.0 and VG 2.0 and up;  (-l) also lists the contents of /etc/lvmtab and lvmtab_p

lvmadm -l

--- Version 1.0 volume groups ---

VG Name /dev/vg00

PV Name /dev/disk/disk3_p2

        /dev/disk/disk2_p2

--- Version 2.1 volume groups ---

VG Name /dev/vgXX

PV Name /dev/disk/diskXXX

convert from legacy to persistent DSF: use vgdsf

/usr/contrib/bin/vgdsf –c vgXX

vgcreate using the new LVM2 VG2.0+ notation:

vgcreate -V 2.1 -s 16 -S 4t vgXXX /dev/disk/diskxxx /dev/disk/diskxxx

convert from VG1.0 to VG2.0+

The -r does a "review" to make sure the VG can be converted.

vgversion -V 2.1 -r vgXX

before the convert will run the VG has to be deactivated:

vgchange -a n vgXX

vgversion -V 2.1 vgXX

ioscan new options for persistent dsfs:

ioscan -m dsf /dev/disk/disk127

Persistent DSF           Legacy DSF(s)

========================================

/dev/disk/disk127        /dev/dsk/c5t5d0

                         /dev/dsk/c6t5d0

turn off modline support in vim

I can see a number of security issues with this feature turned on (on by default in Win versions)

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=4476&tag=nl.e011

 

set modelines=0
set nomodeline

Tru64 bare metal recovery

not sure how accurate this is, but:

 

http://www.backupcentral.com/wiki/index.php/Tru64_Bare_Metal_Recovery

 

 

HPUX verses Solaris

An SA's comparison of HP-UX verses Solaris: 

http://www.loudermilk.org/software/solaris-hpux.html

 

I'm still biased to HPUX, although this guy makes some compelling arguments: DTrace, p*/process command tools, hardware (path) identification, log rotation, shadow file, patch numbering.  especially the Dtrace and /usr/proc/bin tools.

 

 

ssh without being prompted for password

if you have public keys on most of your boxes but not all and are
running a script against all of them, but don't want the script to
just pause at the password prompt, then specify the
"PreferredAuthentications" option:

ssh -o PreferredAuthentications=hostbased,publickey

I couldn't get the PasswordAuthentication=no option to work, so the
above saved me

making skype portable

To make skype run on a usb flash drive or some other portable device follow the following:

 

http://www.gruups.com/usbskype/

 

First...Download the NEWEST version of Skype (Older versions won't work) and install it on any computer as normal.

Find the Skype.exe from where it was installed.
(Usually C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe )

Copy the Skype.exe file to any directory on your USB Drive

In that new directory create a directory called "data"

Now create a file (with notepad) called "skype.bat"

Edit the "skype.bat" file and place the following line there:
skype.exe /datapath:"Data" /removable

 

/tmp on Solaris 10

On Sun Solaris 10, /tmp is a tmpfs type file system.  It is supposed to make reads/writes to the temp filesystem fast, but there are some caveats:

 

http://www.softpanorama.org/Solaris/Processes_and_memory/swap_space_management.shtml

Swap Space and the TMPFS File System
The TMPFS file system is activated automatically in the Solaris environment by an entry in the /etc/vfstab file. The TMPFS file system stores files and their associated information in memory (in the /tmp directory) rather than on disk, which speeds access to those files. This results in a major performance enhancement for applications such as compilers and DBMS products that use /tmp heavily.

The TMPFS file system allocates space in the /tmp directory from the system's swap resources. This means that as you use up space in /tmp, you are also using up swap space. So if your applications use /tmp heavily and you do not monitor swap space usage, your system could run out of swap space.

Use the following if you want to use TMPFS but your swap resources are limited:

Mount the TMPFS file system with the size option (-o size) to control how much of the swap resources TMPFS can use.
If you are close to running out of swap space, you can use your compiler's TMPDIR environment variable to point to a larger, real directory.
Using your compiler's TMPDIR variable only controls whether the compiler is using /tmp or not. It has no effect on other programs' use of /tmp.

 

hyperlink formulas in excel

to add a hyperlink formula in excel:

=HYPERLINK("#sheetname!"&CELL("address",A999))

 

where 'sheetname' is the name of the worksheet and

'A999' is the the cell to link to

 

the pound sign, # is _Necessary_

 

 

allow control D keyboard sequence to work

the EOF key (generally control D) gets trapped/ignored by the shell on some systems.  Here's how to turn that off:

 

 

hit control-D
server$ Use 'exit' to logout

server$ set -o | grep ignoreeof
ignoreeof        on

server$ set +o ignoreeof

server$ set -o | grep ignoreeof
ignoreeof        off

server$ hit cntl-D
logout

automatically adding ssh keys to known hosts file

automatically adding host's ssh fingerprint to the known_hosts file:

-o StrictHostKeyChecking=no

 

example:

ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no SecretServername

putty command sender

Putty Command Sender:  http://www.millardsoftware.com/puttycs

Sends keystrokes to putty windows.  Filters allow selection of putty sessions/windows to which the commands are sent.  You can exclude/include and use wildcards in the filter.  I don't think it supports regular expressions other than * and ?  Allows arrow keys, control characters, and a lot more.

Be real careful when using this, experiment first on lab systems.

how to add a bulk load of putty sessions

add bunch of putty sessions.  This requires cygwin base install which includes the sed command.  Be sure to add \cygwin\bin to the path:
create a "template" putty session with all the settings you want.  go into the registry and export the session: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions\session_name

put a list of machine names in test.txt

then in dos:

for /f %a in (test.txt) do type m.reg | sed -e 's/Template_NAME/%a/g'>> all.reg


These sessions can then be used in putty session manager or any of the other putty related tools.

free SSH client for iPhone / ipod touch

a truly free SSH client for the iphone or ipod touch:  "The Rove Mobile Admin Client" aka "Mobile Admin"; search for it in the app store.  Not too many features, but it's the only free SSH client I've seen for the itouch.

disable password aging HP-UX

HPUX password aging disable:

passwd -x -1 user_id

for i in user1 user2 user3
do
passwd -x -1 $i
done

differences trying to retain ownership/permissions on HP-UX and nfs

on HP-UX (by default anyway), you can change ownership of a file as a normal, non-root user. This means you can do a cp -p to copy files retaining permissions and ownership on HP-UX file systems. However, if using NFS, be aware that the underlying NFS server's operating system controls privileges to file ownership. Therefore most Linux/Solaris/NAS boxes that are NFS servers and mounted on HP-UX, will not allow a successful cp -p for retaining ownership (or chown by a normal non-root user).

Specifically it can be an issue on EMC Celerra NAS servers, but there's a way to change it:
To change this behavior you can change the Celerra server parameter, rstchown to 0, the default is 1.

Here's a copy someone posted: http://www.scribd.com/doc/6116381/Celerra-Network-Server-Parameters-Guide-5639-A03

contents:
Sets restricted file ownership.0 = Allow the owner of a file to change the file ownership or group ID to any other owner or group because chown and chgrp follow the less restrictive POSIX semantics.1 = Allow only the superuser to change the owner of a file. The current owner can change the group ID only to a group to which the owner belongs.This parameter applies to NFS, but not to CIFS.

how to determine if usb alfa awus036h is 500mw or 1 watt

Ways to tell the difference between 500mw and 1W version of the awus036h:
from: http://forums.remote-exploit.org/general-discussion/28841-how-test-alfa-awus036h-500mw-1w.html (forums appear to be down now)

The Alfa 1000mW(1W) has a 1 in cased in a circle stamped on the front the 500mW does not
shine light on LED, the PCB will be blue

hidden (Sprint and Verizon) Novatel MiFi 2200 interace pages

hidden (Sprint and Verizon *maybe) Novatel MiFi 2200 interace pages

from: http://www.willhackforsushi.com/?p=458

discovered:  http://mifi.admin/adv802.html

another good post: http://www.willhackforsushi.com/?p=417

From: http://implicitoperator.com/blog/2009/12/7/retrieving-modem-information-from-the-mifi-with-c.html

discovered the signal strength (and other things) page: http://mifi.admin/modemstatus.html

developers forum, access to documents and SDK: 

http://www.novatelwireless.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=219&Itemid=545

http://www.evdoforums.com/thread12422.html

direct link to google tasks (for domains)

https://mail.google.com/tasks/a/{domain_name}/ig

or standalone:

https://mail.google.com/tasks/ig

adding secondary IP interface and IP index number to APA

just put the IP in netconf using the Physical PPA lan port (like normal), then when APA starts, it will bind it to the APA port
INTERFACE_NAME[1]=lan0:1
IP_ADDRESS[1]=1.2.3.4
SUBNET_MASK[1]=255.0.0.0
INTERFACE_STATE[1]=up

if adding a secondary IP once APA is already running: bind it to the APA PPA (lan900)  as follows:
ifconfig lan900:1 1.2.3.4 255.0.0.0 up

HPUX routing and the ip_strong_es_model network tunable

A "graypaper" on  understanding HP-UX routing including details on ip_strong_es_model tunable: http://www.mayoxide.com/presentations/Understanding_hpux_routing.pdf

Best description of the ip_strong_es_model tunable via this ITRC link: http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?admit=109447626+1267461248860+28353475&threadId=1126880
ip_strong_es_model is used when you want to configure multiple, physical NICs in the same IP subnet, and/or want the functional equivalent of per-source IP routes.

truecrypt rescue disk on usb

http://forums.truecrypt.org/viewtopic.php?t=18882&postdays=0&postorder=asc

and to skip iso check use the /noisocheck or /n  switches on truecrypt or mount the ISO using a virtual cd driver


contents of first link:
Here is how:

1. Format your USB stick from Windows: FAT, Quick, Default Allocation Size.

2. Download Grub4DOS from: http://download.gna.org/grub4dos/
Choose latest version. Here is the one I got: http://download.gna.org/grub4dos/grub4dos-0.4.4-2009-06-20.zip

3. Download Grub Installer from: http://download.gna.org/grubutil/
Choose latest version. Here is the one I got: http://download.gna.org/grubutil/grubinst-1.1-bin-w32-2008-01-01.zip

4. Extract them on your hard disk. Run: grubinst_gui.exe

5. Click DISK. Choose your USB stick. Go 2 boxes down and click REFRESH. On the PART list, choose "WHOLE DISK (MBR)". Make sure everything else is unchecked below.

If it says something about --skip-mbr-test, type: "--skip-mbr-test" without quotes in EXTRA box.

Click INSTALL. DOS box should pop up and tell you it transfered MBR.

6. Copy: file "grldr" from your extracted files to your USB stick.

7. Create a text file in the root of your USB stick and name it: menu.lst

Put inside:

title TRUECRYPT RESCUE DISK
find --set-root /tc.iso
map --mem /tc.iso (hd32)
map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)
map --hook
root (hd32)
chainloader (hd32)

And save the file.

8. Copy TrueCrypt Rescue Disk (the iso you created during system encryption) to root of USB and rename it to: tc.iso

If you don't have the iso, go to TrueCrypt program: SYSTEM > CREATE RESCUE DISK... Follow hte prompts and copy that file to USB and rename it to tc.iso

That is all.

disable negative dns caching

Sprint Novatal 2200 mifi devices seems to produce a lot of negative (unsuccessful) dns responses, so just disable the negative caching on windows XP.....

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters]
"MaxNegativeCacheTtl"=dword:00000000

eFax - Free trial - not really free

eFax offers a "free" 30 day trial.  Though the signup process you are not told how many pages can be sent or received for free.....

I got two charges for sending over 30 pages ($10 in overages).  When I went to cancel, they said they'd only refund the normal fee ($10).

Decide for yourself if it's worth dealing with a company that isn't up-front with their terms......

EMC ECC and Naviagent problems and fixes

Cloning or renaming a system can have some consequences on EMC products like EMC Control Center/ECC  or Navisphere agent for Clarrion arrays:

ecc fix:
rm -rf /var/ECC
cd /usr/ecc/exec && rm -f *.COMFILE *.comfile *.uid *.port *.lck


Navisphere agent / Naviagent fix:
stop naviagent and delete HostIdFile.txt:
/sbin/init.d/agent stop ; rm /etc/log/*

HP-UX sendmail won't start

if unable to start sendmail and get the following error messages in syslog, the fix is at the bottom:

Nov 19 15:13:06 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: Unable to start Sendmail.
Nov 19 15:13:06 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]:
Nov 19 15:13:06 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: The sendmail.cf file is configured for send_only feature.
Nov 19 15:13:06 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: Modify the /etc/rc.config.d/mailservs file with the send_only feature.
Nov 19 15:13:07 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: To disable the send_only feature:
Nov 19 15:13:07 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: - Run the gen_cf file to generate the sendmail.cf file.
Nov 19 15:13:07 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: - Merge your site-specific customizations with the /usr/newconfig/etc/mail/cf/cf/sendmail.cf.gen file.
Nov 19 15:13:06 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]:
Nov 19 15:13:07 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: - Copy the /usr/newconfig/etc/mail/cf/cf/sendmail.cf.gen file as /etc/mail/sendmail.cf.
Nov 19 15:13:07 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: - Change the /etc/rc.config.d/mailservs file accordingly.
Nov 19 15:13:07 HOSTNAME /sbin/init.d/sendmail[11536]: - Restart Sendmail.


in /etc/mail/sendmail.cf change the following (or similar line)

from:
O DaemonPortOptions=Port=smtp,Addr=127.0.0.1,Name=MTA

to:
O DaemonPortOptions=Name=MTA

then restart sendmail:   /sbin/init.d/sendmail start     it should start fine.

Alltel and Sprint mobile broadband

Windows XP
Pantech PX-500

to get on alltel evdo from certain areas, I needed to choose the following settings:

mode: EVDO
roaming: AUTO  unchecking Roam guard
important:  eject and plug card at least once

It seems important to eject/reinsert the card to get it to connect.  It also took a long time (20+ seconds) when opening connection manager after inserting the card for the first time; searching for service, connecting/disconnecting automatically until it connected to an EVDO signal on the alltel network.

HP-UX 11.23 to 11.31 update

some of my notes:
agile:
ioscan option -m (mapping)
-m hwpath -H $hw_path  -- shows hardware paths
-m lun  -H $hw_path   -- show agile addressing
-m dsf $device_file  -- maps legacy to agile


upgrading from v2 to v3 will leave legacy references in lvmtab, etc.. to fix:
vgscan -N  or  vgdsf
NOT necessary, but optional:
rmsf -L  insf -L   --  removes or installs legacy device files from box


iofind command scans ascii files and converts legacy to agile addresses

use motorola phone as tethered modem on verizon network

motorola vu204 drivers

download motorola drivers at http://motorola.com

create DUN connection using only PAP for security

username:  10_digit_phone_number@vzw3g.com

password:  vzw

domain:  blank

number to dial:#777

might need reboot phone first.

Backtick grave accent ` iPhone

The backtick (grave accent) ` character is missing from the iPhone and iPod touch normal keyboard layouts. ( as of OS 3.0 ) To use it, go into the mail app and in the email to/cc/bcc fields you should see the backtick in the upper left on the symbols virtual keyboard. Then just copy and paste it wherever you need it.

It might be helpful if a bunch of us complained about this missing key on the iPhone and iPod touch keyboards - leave feedback about the missing backtick/grave accent character at: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Really stupid for them to have it on the email address fields even though it's an invalid char for email addresses.

password aging field

http://www.tech-faq.com/password-aging.shtml
http://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~mamrak/CIS762/unix_encryption_tut.html


On non-trusted systems password aging is stored as part of the encrypted password each user's account in the system's password file.  The password field, which is the second field is divided in two by a comma.  The first portion, characters 1-13, is the encrypted password.  The second portion, after the comma (characters 15-18), is the password aging field for that account.
password aging field (characters 15-18) breakdown:
character 1: max weeks password is valid before expiration
character 2: min weeks password before password can change
remaining characters: last password change (in number of weeks since 1/1/1970)

the characters are Base-64, so it's kind of tricky.  See the above links for a conversion table for Base64.

calculate:
,N/TT

N = 25 weeks, 175 days max password lifetime
/ = 1 week, 7 days miniumum password before changing
S = 30
T = 31
31 * 64 = 1984
1984 + 31 = 2050 weeks since January 1, 1970 = 08/07/08

lanadmin options for gigabit cards

some good stuff here: http://docs.hp.com/en/J5683-90002/ch02s02.html

specifically I like the lanadmin -x card_info PPA   it gives you firmware, driver versions, etc. level details.  example below for a port on a HP A9784-60002 PCI/PCI-X 1000Base-T FC/GigE Combo Adapter
*********** Version Information **********
Driver version: B.11.23.0609
Firmware version: 1.0.9/1.11
Chip version: 0x10
PCI Sub-System ID: 0x12ca (1000Base-T)
PCI Sub-Vendor ID: 0x103c
Board Revision: A0
Software Key: 0
Engineering Date Code: A-4550

********** Card Setting ***********
Driver State: IGELAN_ONLINE
Auto Negotiation: On
Flow Control: On
Send Max Buf Descriptors: 10
Recv Max Buf Descriptors: 1
Send Coalesced Ticks: 150
Recv Coalesced Ticks: 0

using font server with Cygwin/X

In cygwin\bin\startxwin.bat

%RUN% XWin -multiwindow -clipboard -silent-dup-error -fp tcp/FONT_SERVER:7000

where FONT_SERVER is the name or address of the font server, typically tcp port 7000

great inexpensive waterproof camera case

here's a great inexpensive waterproof digital camera case: Dicapac

However, the WP-410 product, even though it says it fits the Olympus Stylus 1010 or 1020, the camera zoom lens will sit on the clear plastic lens of the bag even when using the rubber extender that comes with the case.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/raskin/17377?comment_start=26&comment_count=20

http://www.dicapac.com/

buy from http://www.dicapacusa.com  www.amazon.com and probably other outlets.

hpux 11.00 trusted account unlock

to "reactivate" a locked / expired "lifetime maximum reached" account on hp-ux 11.00 trusted system server:

/usr/lbin/modprpw -l -x USER


I believe in 11.11 and up all that needed is:  /usr/lbin/modprpw -k USER

c7000 blade enclosures and port maps

bl860c blade server to c7000 interconnect bays port mapping:

http://docs.hp.com/en/AD217-9015B-ed5/ch03s09.html

netbackup name resolutions issues

STATUS CODE 6: Veritas NetBackup (tm) for Oracle database backups fail with a NetBackup Status Code 6 (the backup failed to back up the requested files), and the RMAN log shows an ORA-2702


bpclntcmd -self -- This returns who the client believes it is
bpclntcmd -pn -- This returns who the client believes the master is, and what the master says the client is
bpclntcmd -hn -- This returns the IP address is associated with the master server, using gethostbyname()
bpclntcmd -hn -- This returns the IP address is associated with the client server, using gethostbyname()

bpclntcmd -ip -- This returns the hostname associated with the master server's IP address, using gethostbyaddr()

bpclntcmd -ip -- This returns the hostname associated with the client server's IP address, using gethostbyaddr()

All names and IP addresses should match

swremove selection had errors

doing swremove and getting error swremove: selection had errors.

Nothing further in the swremove.log or any of the swagent.log files in /var/adm/sw.  The problem turn out to be two bundles with the same name, one with the name uppercase, the other lowercase.  In order for the swremove command to work, I needed to specify both bunldes:

swremove BUNDLE1 bundle1

Netbackup and restores to alternate host

to allow restores to an alternate host, use the altnames directory:
http://joostm.nl/netbackup/nbu-env/nbu-env-2-4/doc/TOUCHFILES  (see the No.Restrictions file, to allow any client to restore, BUT it's not safe)

logname and utmp/utmpd problem

I've encountered the following problem a number of times:
ssh (or telnet) into a box, sometimes only occurs on a particular tty, like /dev/pts/1
$ logname logname: could not get login name
even though:
$ id
uid=101(me) gid=102(mygroup)

UPDATE for sshd issues:
update your version of SSH or HP patches; see the last couple comment on this ITRC Forum posting.
try changing UsePrivilegeSeparation to no in sshd_config: /etc/opt/ssh/sshd_config
UsePrivilegeSeparation no

then send a SIGHUP to sshd:
kill -s SIGHUP $(cat /var/run/sshd.pid)
end update

It seems like the utmp database is corrupt or not functioning properly. When logname gives the error message "could not get login name", then system doesn't know who I am, so it thinks I'm root (it writes root-root in the sulog file).

To fix it, I just stopped and restarted the utmpd daemon process: /sbin/init.d/utmpd stop ; /sbin/init.d/utmpd start

This problem sometimes causes logins to hang when processing /etc/profile, if logname is used in /etc/profile or another login script.

goosh.org - the unofficial google shell

goosh.org - the unofficial google shell.
interesting concept: http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/06/02/222234

OVO agent issues

$ /sbin/init.d/opcagt start
ERROR:   Problems with starting OpC Agent processes or none configured.


/opt/OV/bin/OpC/opcagt -start
/opt/OV/bin/OpC/opcagt -status
The VPO control agent is currently not running. (OpC30-1045)

edit hosts file and make sure the main IP address for the machine is listed first, escpecially if the hostname is listed more than once.

$ opcagt -status
Error opcctla   (Control Agent)(5900) : Initialize of the VPO Control Agent failed. (OpC30-1036)
Can't lookup servers: Communications failure (dce / rpc). (OpC20-108)
Can't lookup servers: Communications failure (dce / rpc). (OpC20-108)
Stopping all VPO Agent processes... (OpC30-1192)

from: http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=991091

/opt/OV/bin/OpC/opcagt -kill (stop OVO agent)

ps -ef |grep -i rpc
(make sure both rpc and rpcbind are seen)

/sbin/init.d/Rpcd stop

Then if rcpd is still running kill it:
    root  1759     1  0  Sep  2  ?        479:48 /opt/dce/sbin/rpcd

kill -9 1759

rm /var/opt/dce/dced/Ep.db
rm /var/opt/dce/dced/Llb.db
(clear rpcd db files)

/sbin/init.d/Rpcd start
(restarts rpcd)

/opt/OV/bin/OpC/opcagt -start (restart the OVO agent)

APA lan monitor mode hot standby failover mode

Here's what it looks like when a network link fails over to a secondary, standby lan (and then back again):

secondary port is down:

Link Aggregate PPA #             : 900
Link Aggregation Mode            : LAN_MONITOR
Load Balance Mode                : Hot Standby (LB_HOT_STANDBY)
Active Port PPA #                : 0
Port(s) ready                    : NONE
Port(s) not ready                : 1
Port(s) connected to active port : NONE

SYSLOG:
May 11 21:00:17 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan1 is down (lan0 is active)
May 11 21:00:52 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan0 isn't receiving poll packets (lan0 is active)


after plugged in:
Link Aggregate PPA #             : 900
Link Aggregation Mode            : LAN_MONITOR
Load Balance Mode                : Hot Standby (LB_HOT_STANDBY)
Active Port PPA #                : 0
Port(s) ready                    : 1
Port(s) not ready                : NONE
Port(s) connected to active port : NONE

SYSLOG:
May 11 21:01:32 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan0 is now receiving poll packets (lan0 is active)
May 11 21:01:52 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan1 is up (lan0 is active)

then:
Link Aggregate PPA #             : 900
Link Aggregation Mode            : LAN_MONITOR
Load Balance Mode                : Hot Standby (LB_HOT_STANDBY)
Active Port PPA #                : 0
Port(s) ready                    : 1
Port(s) not ready                : NONE
Port(s) connected to active port : 1




Primary port down:
Link Aggregate PPA #             : 900
Link Aggregation Mode            : LAN_MONITOR
Load Balance Mode                : Hot Standby (LB_HOT_STANDBY)
Active Port PPA #                : 1
Port(s) ready                    : NONE
Port(s) not ready                : 0
Port(s) connected to active port : NONE

SYSLOG:
May 11 21:03:05 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan0 is down (lan1 is active)
May 11 21:03:42 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan1 isn't receiving poll packets (lan1 is active)


Primary port back up:
Link Aggregate PPA #             : 900
Link Aggregation Mode            : LAN_MONITOR
Load Balance Mode                : Hot Standby (LB_HOT_STANDBY)
Active Port PPA #                : 1
Port(s) ready                    : 0
Port(s) not ready                : NONE
Port(s) connected to active port : NONE

SYSLOG:
May 11 21:05:12 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan1 is now receiving poll packets (lan1 is active)


May 11 21:05:32 sbhs3010 vmunix: APA/LM: FOG:lan900 - lan0 is up (lan1 is active)
same time:
Link Aggregate PPA #             : 900
Link Aggregation Mode            : LAN_MONITOR
Load Balance Mode                : Hot Standby (LB_HOT_STANDBY)
Active Port PPA #                : 1
Port(s) ready                    : 0
Port(s) not ready                : NONE
Port(s) connected to active port : 0


doesn't fail back to original active port because both ports have the same priority.

using Twitter with Google talk for your domain

http://www.kavinda.net/2007/07/31/HowToTwitterOnGTalkForYouDomain.aspx  explains how to add the necessary DNS SRV records to your zone in order to twit via Google chat.  This is necessary to get twitter to work with Google Talk when your using Google Apps for your domain.

Go to the Chat section under 'Service Settings' when in the administration 'manage this domain' page for your domain.  a link will be to: http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?answer=60227&hl=en   But you'll need to follow the above instructions as well (maybe, haven't tried yet)

HP APA (auto port aggregation)

HP-UX has no built in lan aggregation or failover; I know - it's a damn shame.  (note: serviceguard does have a local lan failover mode)  HP APA (Auto Port Aggregation).

Be sure to do the configuration from a console connection or connect from a NIC that won't be involved in APA, otherwise you'll drop and may not be able reconnect over tha lan if you screw up the config.

commands to configure it:
lanqueryconf
lanapplyconf
lancheckconf
landeleteconf

Here's my quick and dirty version of creating a lan failover group:

--- APA configuration --
added the following line to /etc/rc.config.d/hp_apaconf
HP_APA_USE_SYSLOG=1

add the following to: /etc/rc.config.d/hp_apaportconf
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[0]=lan5
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[0]=LAN_MONITOR

HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[1]=lan6
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[1]=LAN_MONITOR


 /sbin/init.d/hplm stop
 /sbin/init.d/hpapa stop
 /sbin/init.d/hpapa start
 /sbin/init.d/hplm start

create ascii file:
lanqueryconf -s

change priority of both primary and secondary to the same value, so that failback doesn't occur.
vi /etc/lanmon/lanconfig.ascii

check validity of ascii file:
lancheckconf

apply the changes to the binary file:
lanapplyconf

check config:
lanscan and lanscan -q and lanadmin -x -v PPA  and netstat -in



Once it's configured, here are some useful commands for looking at the status:
real status of ports:  lanadmin -x -i 900 
load balancing mode:   lanadmin -x -l 900
verbose config:        lanadmin -x -v 900

Where 900 is the PPA number for the apa/failover group

serviceguard error renaming hosts

The following is from renaming hosts or changing their IP addresses in a SG cluster.  In addition to changing all the cluster configuration files (cmclnodelist, cluster ascii, package ascii and control files) from the old names to the new names, you also probably need to delete /etc/cmcluster/cmclconfig (the cluster binary config file).  The old IP address are "stuck" in there and cmcheckconf or cmapplyconf  won't proceed without deleting the cluster binary file.

If you don't delete it, here's the message you will receive when running cmapplyconf or cmcheckconf:

Checking nodes ... Done
Checking existing configuration ... Done
Warning: Unable to get configuration for cluster CLUSTER_NAME
Error: Node HOSTNAME is refusing Serviceguard communication.
Please make sure that the proper security access is configured on node
HOSTNAME through either file-based access (pre-A.11.16 version) or role-based
access (version A.11.16 or higher) and/or that the host name lookup
on node HOSTNAME resolves the IP address correctly.
cmcheckconf : Failed to gather configuration information

single vs. dual core in HP-UX

use machinfo:  /usr/contrib/bin/machinfo

the following hints are from: http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1209686

Single-core processors ======================
processor family: 31 Intel(R) Itanium 2 Family Processors


Dual-core processors ====================
processor family: 32 Intel(R) Itanium 2 9000 series
or
processor family: 32 Intel(R) Itanium 2 9100 series


So, processor family 32 means dual core;  processor family 31 means single core.

get CPU speed on HP-UX

echo itick_per_tick/D | adb -k /stand/vmunix /dev/kmem | tail -1 | awk '{print $2/10000}'

or
sam  --> performance monitors,  system properties

Itanium:  11iv2
machinfo

ECC agent fails or hosts don't appear

the hosts don't appear in the EMC Control Center (ECC) master server, or one does but then is replace by another. Sometimes the agent starts, but then unexpectedly quits/dies. If you clone your boxes, exclude /var/ECC or else!

Otherwise just: stop the agent; nuke /var/ECC ; restart agent is the fix for this issue it seems


open a http://powerlink.emc.com account and see the article: "Hostname change not reflected in ControlCenter console." EMC doc ID: emc139067

Looks like you also need to remove a couple more files in /usr/ecc/exec any files with the extensions .lck, .port, .uid and .comfile

set up the IP stack in EFI on HP integrity servers

from an ignite DVD or even the boot disk of an HP-UX system:
cd \EFI\HP\TOOLS\NETWORK
load tcpipv4.efi
ifconfig sni0 192.168.1.50 netmask 255.255.255.0 up
route add default 192.168.1.1

ping 129.168.1.1

to reuse IP on different interface, unload the tcpipv4 driver, find the driver handle first:
dh
unload AF


not sure how to print the routing table, if anyone knows please comment ('route print') does NOT work.

unable to uninstall Lenovo password manager FF extension

If you have already removed the client security stuff on your IBM Lenovo Thinkpad, but are still unable to uninstall the thinkvantage password manager extension / add-on from Firefox because the button is disabled or greyed out here's how to manually remove it:

Delete the registry entry for it in:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mozilla\Firefox\Extensions "{FCF36B88-1BBA-487f-B64B-D2E8980A9293}"="C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\PWM Firefox Extension"

Strip Out the Formatting before pasting

I've been looking for a good, small, unintrusive tool to strip all the rich text formatting when copying from a web page to a office, word, excel or any app that accept rich text or web formatting.
Strip Out the Garbage Code Before You Blog | Shaun Low explains the PureText tool. It sits in the systray and is less than 30k in size, requires no install. http://www.stevemiller.net/puretext

don't use PHNE_35793 on HPVM

from http://www12.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/patchDetail.do?patchid=PHNE_35793&sel={hpux:11.23,}&BC=main|search|

       - An HPVM guest that uses a virtual interface that belongs
         to an IGELAN interface configured on the HPVM host can
         experience hangs with network services like ping, NFS,
         rcp, ftp for data transfers which use full-sized
         frames.  This behavior is observed with HPVM 2.0 and
         HPVM 3.0.

oh, and HPVM 1.2 either

ECC agent fails or hosts don't appear

the hosts don't appear in the EMC Control Center (ECC) master server, or one does but then is replace by another.  Sometimes the agent starts, but then unexpectedly quits/dies.  If you clone your boxes, exclude /var/ECC or else!

Otherwise just: stop the agent;  nuke /var/ECC ; restart agent is the fix for this issue it seems

memory card insert - won't autoplay

After installing vmware server, I couldn't get memory card inserts into Windows XP to autoplay and bring up the "scanners and camera wizard". It's caused by vmware server putting a policy (registry) in place to disable autorun.

To fix:
delete: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutoRun
and HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutoRun

Discovered by:
Is there Autorun after VMWare? | Terry Pearson's Blog

merging PDF files for free

download ghostscript.  run the following:
gswin32 -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOUTPUTFILE=Merged.pdf -dBATCH 1.pdf 2.pdf 3.pdf

from:
https://www.cs.tcd.ie/Shane.OConchuir/Misc/MergingPDFs.html

don't vxupgrade /stand and /

Don't be a moron and do what I did: vxupgrade /stand and /

http://www11.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en&docId=ucr_na-KMN8606454124_ssb-1

Quoting:
On system using VxFS4.1 on HP-UX 11.23, the disk layout version
for "/" (root) and "/stand" may become unusable.

The commands vxupgrade and vxfsconvert in vxfs 4.1 and later have
the ability to upgrade the disk layout version of / and /stand
to dlv 6+.

The HP-UX bootloader cannot recognize the upgraded disk layout
and is unable to find a kernel to boot.

create virtual media iso file

the following was derived from http://www.docs.hp.com/en/5991-6250/ch04s01.html

create an ISO file suitable for EFI environment using the Virtual Media option on the HP BL860c blade servers

in linux:
create a boot image big enough to fit the files you want on the CD (5MB example):
dd if=/dev/zero of=/tmp/boot.img bs=1024 count=5000

make a fat file system on it:
mkfs.msdos /tmp/boot.img

mount it:
mount -o loop -t msdos /tmp/boot.img /tmp/bootcd

copy any files needed into the mount point (/tmp/bootcd)

unmount the device:
umount /tmp/bootcd

create the directory structure to hold the dos file system:
mkdir -p /tmp/isofolder/boot

copy boot.img to the directory created above

create the iso file:
mkisofs -o mynewiso.iso -b boot/boot.img -c boot/boot.cat -no-emul-boot /tmp/isofolder
(optional -J and -R, joliet and rock ridge extensions)

note: from the EFI, only the msdos file system (boot.img) will be usable, the rest of the image will only be fully usable once the OS boots.  (HP-UX only supports virtual media on 11.23 Dec 2007 and Higher)

Help USB to serial adapter

I'm looking for some advice:  anyone out there that uses a USB to rs232 serial adapter to connect to the local console port on HP9000 boxes successfully on several old and new models?

I bought a USB-serial adapter at best buy, installed the drivers and connected it to a local console port of several rp2450.  I can only receive screen updates from the console, but my keystrokes (transmit) isn't working from the PC to the console port.  However, on a new BL860c blade and an L1500 I can both send and receive via this usb-serial adapter.

Do you have a clue what could be the problem?  If anyone reading this blog knows, please post a comment!  Thanks  >/dev/null

GSP firmware notes

If you aren't locally connected to a GSP and want to upgrade the firmware, you can do it via the lan console. You'll have to either be connect via local console or via the GSP's internal port.

All of the following information was gleaned from:
http://forums12.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?sortPointsFlag=1&threadId=836831&admit=109447627+1200601321780+28353475

to get the version of the GSP: the 'he' command will show version in the first line of output:
Hardware Revision 8 Firmware Revision A.01.10 May 24 2001,11:05:55


to access the GSP via the "internal port", which might not work on all GSP versions:

create the device file for the gsp internal port, delete device file when done for security reasons:
cd /dev
mknod tty1p0 c 1 0x010000

vi /usr/lib/uucp/Systems and add the following line exactly:
gspiport Any;5 gspiport,f900 - ''''\r\d\r\d\r ogin:-BREAK-ogin: uucp asswrd: uucp-BREAK-ogin: uucp asswrd: uucp


vi /usr/lib/uucp/Devices and add the following exactly:
gspiport tty1p0 - 9600 direct

connect via:
cu -l /dev/tty1p0

do the firmware upgrade via the XU command.

to exit the cu command type the following two characters: ~.

download latest gsp revision A firmware from: http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1190612

change dce account description "gecos field"

How to change dce account description: "gecos field"

login to dce:  dce_login

then open the dce command prompt:   dcecp

at the dcecp> prompt, change the description of the ssl account; replace whatever you want between the quotation marks:

dcecp>  account modify -description "This is, part 2, of the, 4 part gecos field"  this_dce_account

then view the account change:

dcecp> account show this_dce_account

AT&T Labs Text-to-Speech: Demo

cool text to speech via a web site. Has enlish, UK english, French, German, Spanish and Indian-accented English

AT&T Labs Text-to-Speech: Demo

TV Converter Program Website

Digital TV converter box coupons: converter box needed for digital to analog conversion after february 2009
TV Converter Program Website

Please, for the love of God

Never, ever have any business dealings with this crack-whore of companies, Network Solutions.
NetworkSolutions Scandal: Hijacking User Domain Searches and here: http://commandline.org.uk/more/squat-for-the-win-2008-01-09-03-36.html
Use Godaddy or 1and1.com or some other up- and up business.

mailto links to web mail

greasemonkey script that routes all mailto links to web based email such as Yahoo mail and Gmail, and Google Apps mail (your domain)

Mailto 2 Webmail – Userscripts.org

rename file extensions easily in Unix

In dos you could:
move *.txt *.cvs

but the wildcard characters don't work that way in unix. You must do something like the following, where EXT1 is the original extension and EXT2 is the new one:

for i in *.EXT1
do
mv $i ${i%.EXT1}.EXT2
done

for example: to rename all .txt files to .ascii run the following shell script:
for i in *.txt
do
mv $i ${i%.txt}.ascii
done

FatFreeCart - Free shopping cart for Google Checkout and PayPal

FatFreeCart - Free shopping cart for Google Checkout and PayPal

HPUX: lpadmin - can't open member file

problem adding a printer on HPUX (10.20 in my case, but this error occurs on all versions)
lpadmin: can't open member file

one possible cause:
/etc/lp needs to be owned by the 'lp' user id.

# ll -d /etc/lp
drwxr-xr-x   8 root       bin           1024 May  7 15:54 /etc/lp

fix:
chown lp /etc/lp

Naviagent not responding on unix host

Had two hosts that were not responding to navisphere, "agent is unreachable" or some bable...

on each host there was a /agentID.txt file that the agent reads before re-creating the /etc/log/HostIdFile.txt     The purpose of agentID.txt is to make naviagent bind to a specific IP address on a multi-homed system.  The IP address listed in the file doesn't need to exist on the system, it uses the IP without verification.

I stopped the agent, deleted both HostIdFile.txt and agentID.txt, then started the agent and it now is using the correct IP address in HostIdFile.txt

rlogin problem - unable to allocate pty

only affected rlogin, not telnet.  Only one concurrent rlogin connection works, others fail with the following:

$ rlogin host
rlogind: Unable to allocate pty on remote host.
Connection closed.

resolution:
$  insf -d pts -s 512

ITRC   DOCID: KBRC00014047   Now I can login multiple times

make Firefox in Ubuntu look much better

The look and feel of web pages in FireFox in Ubuntu (possibly other Linux distros) by default stinks (in my opinion).  Trying to convert myself from Windows solely to Linux, this has been hard, but I found a way to make the fonts look really good in Firefox (improves the entire experience):
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-91280.html

Change the fonts in preferences:

where it says, serif, select 'Bitstream Vera Serif'
where it says, Sans-serif, select 'Bitsteam Vera Sans
where it says, Monospace, select 'Bitsteam Vers Sans Mono'

how to: switch from Windows to Linux

My switch from Windows XP to Ubuntu Linux:

convert RPM to DPKG for installing:  install the package called 'alien'

http://diveintomark.org/archives/2006/06/26/essentials-2006

powerfail scsi messages in syslog

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=15842&admit=-682735245+1161469244473+28353475

ll /dev/dsk | grep 052200

0x1f052200
The First two hex digits (1f - 31 decimal) denote the major device number. If you do an lsdev, you will note that 31 is the scsi disk block device.

After that it decodes as follows the following hex digits:
05 - c5
2 - t2
2 - d2
00 - the last two minor device digits are driver specific
But yours is: SCSI Block Disk Device, c2t2d2

the last 6 digits are the minor number of the device.

OVO agent: opcagt error on start

hostname.root /$ /sbin/init.d/opcagt start
Error opcctla   (Control Agent)(21829) : Errors occurred during the read of the
ITO subagent registration file. (OpC30-1250)
Error parsing source file /var/opt/OV/conf/OpC/agtreg - syntax error in line 1. (OpC30-2604)
ERROR:   Problems with starting OpC Agent processes or none configured.

hostname.root /$ /var/opt/OV/conf/OpC/agtreg
hostname.root /$ /sbin/init.d/opcagt start
hostname.root /$
hostname.root /$

hostname.root /$ rm /var/opt/OV/conf/OpC/agtreg

hostname.root /$ /sbin/init.d/opcagt start
Error opcctla   (Control Agent)(22144) : Errors occurred during the read of the
ITO subagent registration file. (OpC30-1250)
Can't open configuration file '/var/opt/OV/conf/OpC/agtreg' for reading.
No such file or directory (OpC20-202)
ERROR:   Problems with starting OpC Agent processes or none configured.

hostname.root /$ rm /var/opt/OV/conf/OpC/agtreg
hostname.root /$
hostname.root /$

hostname.root /$ /opt/OV/bin/OpC/opcagtreg -add /opt/OV/bin/OpC/install/itoagt.reg
hostname.root /$ /sbin/init.d/opcagt start
OpC Agent processes successfully started.

lock / unlock account user id on HP-UX trusted system

/usr/lbin/getprpw useraccount
unlock / enable / reactivate:
/usr/lbin/modprpw -k useraccount

lock / expire password:
/usr/lbin/modprpw -e useraccount

Do not use a capital E, as it will expire the password on all user accounts.

nfs / rcp / CDE issue

This problem seems to keep happening since this box was upgraded to 11.11.  The rpc/nfs daemons seem to restart at 00:05.  Killed all fin_wait_2 connections and restarted nfs/rpc daemons.:

stuff=$(/usr/bin/printf "%.2x%.2x%.2x%.2x%.4x%.2x%.2x%.2x%.2x%.4x\n" \
$(/usr/bin/netstat -an -f inet | /usr/bin/grep FIN_WAIT_2 | \
/usr/bin/awk '{print $4,$5}' | /usr/bin/sed 's/\./ /g'))

for x in $stuff
do
/usr/bin/ndd -set /dev/tcp tcp_discon_by_addr $x
done


 /sbin/init.d/nfs.server stop ; /sbin/init.d/nfs.client stop ; /sbin/init.d/nfs.core stop
 /sbin/init.d/nfs.core start ; /sbin/init.d/nfs.client start  ; /sbin/init.d/nfs.server start


solution:  It was being caused by a cronjob stopping and starting rpc, but was not doing it correctly.

NFS exports to PC clients on EMC Celerra

Doing NFS exports to a PC client normally requires and authentication daemon running on the host system: pcnfsd on unix systems, just referred to as pcnfs on EMC Celerra   So it's more complicated than setting up NFS for Unix clients.

do a powerlink (powerlink.emc.com) search for: pcnfs celerra
look for a pdf document titled: Configuring NFS on Celerra
one of the appendixes: NFS Authentication for PC Clients

There's also a primus article regarding pcnfs: emc43806, below is the gist of the article:

# Set up a user account.
#     Open the /nas/server/server_x/netd file with a text editor, add pcnfs on a separate line, and save the file.
#     Where x is the number of the Data Mover.
#     Reboot the Data Mover.
#     Export a file system for the user(s) to access.
#     On the PC, launch the PC-NFS. Refer to the vendor's respective user manual for details on what is required
          at this point for setup and/or login.
#     Enter the username and password as required by the software package.

update DST for Linux and BSD (freebsd, openbsd, etc)

Here's a good article on how to update your timezone information files for the new Daylight savings time rules for 2007:  http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10877_11-6163042.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=tr

The proper file to download is tzdata2007 c.tar.gz   not the tzdata2007b.tar.gz noted in the article.

how to register nickname on IRC

IRC is useful, here's how to register a nickname (nick):
Command Line Warriors » Blog Archive » IRC Part two: Command line IRC with Irssi

remsh - There is no passwd entry for you

Doing an remsh or rlogin and receiving the following message:  "There is no passwd entry for you"   means that something in the local password file is screwed up.   In my case, a daemon was changing it's password entry and kept adding ....,  to the password field until it started to span multiple (10) lines in the password file.  Any system call that would search the passwd file would stop at the screwed up entry.  Removing and fixing the messed up entries solved the problem.

Some other symptoms of this include having a blank user name when doing the 'id' command:
$ id
uid=12345() gid=20(users)

vi session hung (old IBM version of vi)

$ vi

UNIX Visual Text Editor Front End Utility
Copyright (C) 1996,1997 IBM Global Services
A vi session is already in progress.

fix:
delete /var/adm/vi.lock

HP-UX hangs at boot

Boot problems:
panic: lv_fixrootlv: Stale extent array overflow

cause: volume group header and /etc/lvmtab out of sync when logical volumes are mirrored.
fix:

• boot into lvm maintenance mode: hpux -lm
• activate vg00: vgchange -a y vg00
• vgdisplay vg00 -- shows 3 current PV and 2 Active PV (or whatever the discrepancy is)
  
• unmirror logical volumes:
• for i in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
• do
• lvreduce -A n -m 0 /dev/vg00/lvol$i
• done
• vgreduce -f vg00
• now vgdisplay vg00 shows the same number of current and active PV

logname error in rlogin session on particular tty

when you rlogin and your tty is pts/0 (/dev/pts/0) you might get the following message when trying to execute logname:

logname: could not get login name

It appears that rlogind doesn't update /etc/utmp This of course appears to be intermittent if you have several clients doing rlogins, the first one that uses /dev/pts/0 will have the problem, the other will probably be fine. This is more of a problem if you are using the logname command in something like /etc/profile

Only noticed this on 11.23 (both IA and PA platforms). Both had PHNE_32818 installed. A possible fix is PHNE_33792, but I couldn't test it. A workaround is to use the variable $LOGNAME instead of the command logname.

get the timestamp formatted the way you want

ls in HPUX and most other *nix versions just plain sucks giving the output you need.  see the following section of the HPUX ls(1) man page:
           -l   (ell) List in long format, giving mode, number of links,
                owner, group, size in bytes, and time of last modification
                for each file (see further DESCRIPTION and Access Control
                Lists below).  If the time of last modification is greater
                than six months ago, or any time in the future, the year is
                substituted for the hour and minute of the modification
                time.  If the file is a special file, the size field


get the month day year Hour minute second of timestamp of a file (modification):

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=105260&admit=-682735245+1171602387200+28353475

I believe this uses the stat function.

finding hard links / hard link count in file systems

link column (second column) in ls -l output (hard link count):
a directory will always have a minimum of 2 links.  One for the directory itself and one for the . (current directory) inside the directory.
any additional subdirectories directly under the directory count as an addition link for the directory because of the .. (parent) directory entries inside each subdirectory.


to find hard links:
ncheck -F vxfs /dev/vg00/lvol6 | sort -n | awk '$1==prev{print last;print $0}{prev=$1;last=$0}'

HBA part number on HPUX systems

how to tell HBA part number in HP-UX using fcmsutil
fcmsutil /dev/<device>  ( find from ioscan -fnC fc )

Device ID  part number
0x001028   A5158A - 1GB
0x001029   A6795A - 2GB
0x002312   A6826A - 2GB dual port PCI-X

uncommon serviceguard errors - coredump, IP netmask

cmcheckconf coredumps when "gathering network configuration"

this is because one of the standby lan interfaces on one of the nodes has been plumbed (ifconfig plumb) or is assigned an IP of 0.0.0.0 in netconf.  unplumb the interface (see ifconfig), or remove it from netconf before running cmcheckconf or cmapplyconf.



Error: IP netmasks don't match, interface lan0 on node0
Error: IP netmasks don't match, interface lan0 on node1

but if your netmasks do match properly and currently in netconf, then the cluster binary file needs to be deleted and recreated from the ascii file.

get serial number of server hardware in Linux

In Redhat Enterprise or maybe other linuxes to poll the serial number of the server or workstation hardware from the bios using dmi:
dmidecode

May have to install the package from repositories.

cheat sheets for HTML, OSs, etc.

http://searchsmb.techtarget.com/general/0,295582,sid44_gci1076646,00.html?track=NL+383&ad=577659&asrc=EM&NLT=&940508=

HP Itanium systems - EFI ref guide

EFI reference guide: http://docs.hp.com/en/5991-1247/ch04s13.html  and  http://docs.hp.com/en/A5201-90017/index.html

configure IP aliases on AIX

Navigate in smit:
Communications Applications and Services
 TCP/IP
  Further Configuration
   Network Interfaces
    Network Interface Selection
     Configure Aliases

OR
smit inetalias

chdev -l 'en1' -a alias4=x.x.x.x,y.y.y.y

where x.x.x.x is the address and y.y.y.y is the netmask

fsadm error shrinking file system

HP-UX 11.00  - fsadm:  cannot shrink /dev/vg00/rlvol6 - upgraded fs - inodes are currently in use.

resolution: upgrade to 11.11 to get the new JFS 3.3 and related tools.

EMC Clariion array - using powerpath vs pvlinks

I think I've found the answer to whether or not we should use Pvlinks when configuring our volume groups in HP-UX - the answer being no.  It's only recommended to use alternate links when booting from a storage array, which we don't do on any of our HPUX hosts.

From the powerpath admin guide:

EMC recommends using LVM alternate links (PVLinks) when you
boot from a storage system. If the primary path fails, an automatic
switch to the alternate path occurs. If PowerPath is not installed,
using alternate links increases availability in the event of hardware
problems.
PowerPath uses alternate links as part of its boot/root failover
strategy, but not for load balancing, path prioritization, or other
PowerPath-related reasons. Thus, EMC recommends that you use
LVM alternate links when booting from a storage system. Otherwise,
EMC recommends disabling PVLinks when using PowerPath.

powerpath check force: "Cannot remove device that is in use"

removing some ports on a clariion on a HP-UX host running service guard, I received the following:
$ powermt check force
Warning: CLARiiON device path c13t2d3 is currently dead.
Cannot remove device that is in use: c13t2d3

Powerpath is pretty darn smart; the last port 0 linked to a disk device was part of the same lvm volume group as one of my cluster lock disks.  It wasn't even listed in as the lock disk for my cluster (in the cluster ascii file), but it was in the same volume group that the lock disk was in.

I had to stop the cluster services on the node, then powerpath allowed me to remove the connection.  This node of the cluster is currently the failover node, so I was able to bring er down without any impact.

HP codewords

codewords used for optional additional pay software in  HP-UX are stored  here in the following format:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=647238&admit=-682735245+1165692579832+28353475

/var/adm/sw/.codewords

#CD_part_number Customer_Id IdType Codeword

manuall set speed and duplex during ignite

set speed and duplex for ignite, instead of relaying on auto-Negotiation:
http://docs.hp.com/en/B2355-91049/ch05s07.html