The xMac Genius :)

iPad Apps for the server admin

Kenergy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:47:47 +0000

Here is a list of admin apps that I use on a day to day basis to get my job done without the MacBook Pro:

For remote access I use LogMeIn’s Ignition for iPad, so for I have had the best of luck with this app. Never crashing, and pretty snappy even via 3G connections (thank you AT&T for saving me more than once!). I know that there are many other remote access application but this is my preference. My only real issue is that I have an issue a times dragging windows around the screen, if Apple ever allows blue tooth mice connectivity this will no longer be an issue.

Server monitoring I use two tools, one is called server monitor and the other is iStat. Server monitor will let me check the log files of any service that is running, turn services on or off, and yes even rebooting the server when needed. This app will also show me a graph of system resources, CPU utilization, and even hard disk capacity.

The second app iStat, shows me system usage per user system, etc. Gives me dtails on how much RAM is being used and available, page Ins and page Outs. iStat lets me know how much storage space I am using and networking bandwith. A feature I really like is that I can monitor the CPU, CPU Heatsink, HD Bay, Northbridge, and Airport Card temperature.

Both apps are amust have for any Apple IT admin using an iPad or iPhone.

Fixing slow SMB

kimin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:00:01 +0000

The sysctl -w net.inet.tcp.delayed_ack=0 tip worked for me. I found all these posts interesting and helpful as I have been looking for a fix for the slow Windows fileshare browsing issue for quite a while! I will probably try the Windows server registry hack as well: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328890/en-us

To make the setting “stick” through a reboot, you need to edit the /etc/sysctl.conf file by adding net.inet.tcp.delayed_ack=0 to it.

You can edit it with vi in Terminal as root or TextEdit by doing Go to Folder -> /etc.

I noticed that the Windows article asks you to set the delayed ack to “1″ and one of your other posters stated that the best performance for the sysctl command is also “1.” There must be a connection, I think.

Meet my new Lacie Rugged Safe HD

Kenergy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:58:51 +0000

Finally 1TB in a portable drive that is bus powered! The added bonus of Biometric 128-bit AES hardware encryption is great, will I use it? Who really knows but knowing that the option is there is great! It’s 5400RPM, with 2 Firewire 800 ports and a USB port. It also sport a black rubberized sleeve instead of the standard orange rugged sleeve, I really prefer the orange sleeve but I can order that if I really need to have it. 3 year warranty does help, many companies only offer 1 year.

Once the drive comes in I’ll do some testing and I will update this entry.

Till then, “that’s all folks!”

~/k