The easy fix is to just disable NFSv4 on your Linux NFS servers.

For RedHat/CentOS servers, edit /etc/sysconfig/nfs and add:
RPCMOUNTDOPTS="--no-nfs-version 4"
RPCNFSDARGS="--no-nfs-version 4"

And then restart your nfs server:
/etc/init.d/nfs restart

For Ubuntu, edit /etc/default/nfs-kernel-server, add "--no-nfs-version 4" to the existing RPCMOUNTDOPTS, which means it should look like:
RPCMOUNTDOPTS="--manage-gids --no-nfs-version 4"

and create a new line:
RPCNFSDARGS="--no-nfs-version 4"

Then open /etc/init.d/nfs-kernel-server, find the line that looks like:
RPCNFSDARGS="--exec $PREFIX/sbin/rpc.nfsd -- $RPCNFSDCOUNT"

Change that to:
RPCNFSDARGS="--exec $PREFIX/sbin/rpc.nfsd -- $RPCNFSDARGS $RPCNFSDCOUNT"

and then restart your nfs server:
/etc/init.d/nfs-kernel-server restart

On a side note, if your install menu (served by grub’s menu.lst) looks truncated when using Ubuntu for your tftp server, that’s because Ubuntu’s tftpd is archaic (fancy word for “old and broken”). Install the “atftpd” package instead:
apt-get install atftpd
It will ask you for permission to remove ‘tftpd’ and install ‘atftpd’, which is fine. Afterwards, open /etc/inetd.conf and comment out the tftp entry (it’s broken anyway, no “udp4″). Your previous xinetd entry for tftpd will probably still be in place, so just restart your xinetd:
/etc/init.d/xinetd restart
and try it again.

For the record, this is what I have for /etc/xinetd.d/tftp:

service tftp
{
socket_type = dgram
protocol = udp
port = 69
wait = yes
user = nobody
server = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd
server_args = --tftpd-timeout 30 /data/netboot/tftpboot
disable = no
per_source = 11
cps = 100 2
flags = IPv4
# log_type = SYSLOG daemon debug
# log_on_success = PID HOST EXIT DURATION
}

Good luck.

During AIT, I hit it off with a Corporal that was re-classing from infantry to my MOS after a few years of service. When they started talking about our “field week”, we agreed that we’d pair up.

We get to the field, the NCO in charge of “field week” called for us to pair up and everyone did. He looked everyone over and then declared, “uh, no. The corporal is with me in the NCO tent. Find another BB.” By that time, everyone had paired up and I got stuck with the one nobody wanted. He wasn’t too bright, bless his heart. I figured, “well, I got enough smarts for both of us, so I’ll take lead and keep him in line.”

As a kid, I’ve gone camping during all seasons of the year in NE Oklahoma. This was November in SW Missouri, so I knew we were in for nasty cold and morning dew or frost. When we set up the tent, I walked him through every step like I would an 8yo kid. This included trenching around the perimeter and burying the bottom edge of the canvas.

Come nightfall, it was time to turn in. I got myself situated and he followed my lead — simple things; pad first, sleeping bag on top, rucks above your head, use your gas mask for a pillow, etc. I crawled in the bag, stripped down, kicked my clothes to the foot of the bag, and fished out the walkman from my ruck.

My Battle Buddy was still laying on top of his sleeping bag, which I thought was odd. I figured he had to go take a crap or something and wanted to wait to jump into the fartsack. I got his attention and asked, “need anything?” (afterall, I packed a roll of butt-paper, maybe he didn’t).

“No, I’m good.”

“Ok, well, I’m gonna jam out until I fall asleep. If you need anything, reach over and give me a shake. I won’t be able to hear you.”

“Ok, thanks.”

I fired up the tunes and fell asleep. Every time I looked over, he never moved from on top of his sleeping bag.

Come morning, he was gone. His ruck and bag were still there and we were staying all week, so I didn’t think much of it. Maybe he was an early riser.

Morning formation, NCO formed us up and then asked everyone, “Who is Private Hagar’s Battle Buddy?” (fake name, don’t remember his real name) Oh hell, what now?

I raised my hand, “mine, Sergeant!”

“Perhaps you need to give your Battle Buddy a block of instruction on proper use of Bag, Sleeping, Extreme Cold Weather.”

“My mistake Sergeant, what point did I fail to touch?”

“He informed me that he couldn’t figure out how to crawl into that ‘tiny hole’ at the end of the bag.”

Everyone broke out laughing and when we settled down he gave us the rest of the story.

Apparently in the middle of the night he went into the NCO tent, which has a little potbelly wood-burning stove, to warm up “before heading back to his own tent.” The Sergeant asked him several questions about the gear he was issued and finally got the problem teased out of him.

There’s a minor feud in Texas about what is proper chili — with or without beans. The above recipe is from Colleen Wallace who is in the “no bean” camp. I whipped up a batch (as close as I could get) for a Halloween dinner party and it was well received by everyone there; adults, teenagers, children alike.

I ladled up my bowl of “meat soup” and it seemed much thinner than what I had as “chili” as a child. The first thing I did was grabbed a fistful of saltine crackers and crushed them into the chili to thicken it up. As I was enjoying my bowl, I noticed that everyone else did exactly the same thing.

The missing ingredient? Beans.

I took the wining formula used in the above recipe and made some minor changes to thicken it up and use available spices. I chose black beans specifically for their thickening qualities and to be a little different from the norm (which is to use kidney beans).

I went to Spice Barn, http://spicebarn.com/ for the hard-to-find spices, such as ground jalapeno pepper. While there, I decided to use their premium chili powder as well as granulated onion and garlic.

For the other spices, I picked them up at the local grocery store. Williams Chili Powder is a packet powder found at Kroger, for example.

Here’s the recipe, enjoy:

Early prep:
Beans – 1 pound black beans
clean beans (pick out small pebbles, split/withered beans)
cover beans with cold water,
- let sit for 5 minutes,
- agitate,
- pick out anything that floats,
- drain
repeat and drain
cover beans with cold water, soak beans for at least 2 hours

Cooking:
Bring beans to boil (use fresh water),
- no salt or spices,
- let simmer while preparing meat

Meat – 2-1/2 pounds of stew meat
- cut into smaller cubes, remove fat and gristle

Brown meat in 1/2 teaspoon Crisco with Lowry’s or Spice Barn seasoned salt.
note: this works well in a 10″ iron skillet

Add to meat:
1 14oz can – Swanson Beef Broth (Chicken broth works fine)
1 8oz can – tomato sauce
water to cover meat plus 1 inch (add water as needed)

Low boil meat sauce for 30min

Combine beans and meat and add:
1 tbsp – Williams Chili Powder
1 tbsp – Granulated Onion
1 tsp – Granulated Garlic
1/2 tsp – Cayenne Pepper
1/4 tsp – Ground Jalapeno Pepper
1 tsp – Beef Bouillon Granules (one cube)
1 tsp – Chicken Bouillon Granules (one cube)
1/2 tsp – Salt

Slow bubble for one hour

Add:
4 tsp – Cumin
1 tsp – Granulated Garlic
1/4 tsp – Course-ground Black Pepper
1 package – Sazon Goya
6 tbsp – Spice Barn Premium Chili Powder
1/4 tsp – Brown Sugar

Slow bubble for 45 minutes

Can be served immediately.

Also can let sit overnight in refrigerator to allow chili to thicken
and let flavors blend — slightly different flavor, also very good.

The end-result is a spicy enough to bring a bead of sweat to my brow. I’m not into spicy-hot food, so this would qualify as mid-range heat: a bit hot for the wimps, a bit mild for the macho types.

I’ll say it: Blogs are useless. (Yes, I’m aware of the irony.)

This site exists so that I can throw random thoughts out there and troll a little. Hey, it can’t be any worse than twitter. On that note, yeah, I have a twit account, too. I don’t know why, I think I’m just squatting http://twitter.com/wrwindsor .

Back on the note of these spamming comments, over half are not even written in English. CluePhone ringing, it’s for you. Sneaking a URL in is one thing, but posting a comment in Cyrillic character set is guaranteed to get yer shiz tagged as spam. If I can’t read it, I’m not approving it.

Get Clue Plz, KThx.

Subject: The Birk Economic Recovery Plan

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bona-fide U.S. Citizens 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+  into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college – it’ll be there
Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car – create jobs
Invest in the market – capital drives growth
Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+  including the folks  who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company  that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of  trickling out  a puny $1000.00 ( ‘vote buy’ ) economic incentive that is being proposed  by one of our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U  S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG – liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.

Sure it’s a crazy idea that can ‘never work.’

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion  We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or  in Washington DC .

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5  Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh…I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,

Birk

T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

Only problem, the math doesn’t pan out. $85bil (that is, $85,000,000,000) divided by 200mil (200,000,000) comes out to only $425, not $425,000.

St. Peter showed him the most beautiful rivers, and the Texan said that they were bigger in Texas.

St. Peter revealed to him the majesty of mountains, but the Texan reminded him that they were just as good, if not better, back in Texas.

St. Peter showed him the glory of the stars (they shine brighter in Texas), the enormity of the sunrise (you haven’t seen it until you’ve seen it in Texas), and the simple wonder of a doe and a fawn drinking at a lake at sunset (reminiscent of Lake Texarkana, only not as pretty).

There was nothing St. Peter could do to overcome the man’s opinion of his home state.

Finally, St. Peter took the Texan right out to the edge of heaven, and they both looked down.  From there one could see all the way down into Hell.  They could see the fire and the brimstone and the agony ad infinitum. It was a horrific sight.

St. Peter then said, “Well? What do you think about that? Have anything like THAT down in Texas?”

The Texan replied, “No sir, we don’t — but I know a couple old boys down in Houston who will put that out for ya.”

While the mind was racing for a snappy comeback, the mouth opened and said, “stump in the back yard.”

doh! Oh well, the truth is out, guess I’ll stick with it.

When I bought the house, there was a stump in the back yard near the driveway. (There’s a fence between the two, so you’ll not see my driveway in any of the pictures.) After mowing around it for many months, I finally decided to be rid of it. The “stump doctor”-family of services you see in the phone book want an insane amount of money to come out to your house and a minor investment for every stump they need to remove. That’s not practical for just one stump and I’d probably have to tear down a chunk of my fence anyway.

As much as my Tim Taylor roots wanted a power tool, I just couldn’t justify the $100 or more to buy a chainsaw for this specific project. On the other hand, $40 buys me a nice axe at Lowe’s and I can lumberjack my way through it, old-school. So I bought the axe and had at it.

The plan was simple — put time into it every weekend that I did yard work. I’d have to police up the wood chips and toss them into a bucket, no need to have the mower sling them into my (or neighbor’s) windows. When the bucket was full, that was a day’s worth of work.

The first week went slow, as expected. I took a small bit off of the Eastern edge and got down a couple of inches below the grass line.

The second week was a little more productive, I “got in there and got some!” as it were.

The third week was the magic moment, the stump was whittled down enough that I could break it loose.

Of course, I didn’t just let the wood chips go to the city. After each chopping session, I’d load up the chiminea and light it, and then light a cigar to savor the taste of victory.

No more stump!

To start with, the Solaris-10 net-snmp in /usr/sfw will not report partition stats (used, max, free) for partitions that are not ufs. I noticed this a little while back with some vxfs filesystems at work but graphing them was filed as a low-priority project.

There is a workaround blogged at sysadmin.asyd.net where he indicates that you can have snmpd return disk percentages for zfs partitions.

After pondering that solution, I came to the conclusion that there are two issues not solved by this solution:

1. You can arbitrarily create filesystems in zfs. To monitor them in cacti, you need to hand-manage your filesystem list in /etc/init.d/sma/snmpd.conf. After that, you would need to manually add/remove them from your cacti configuration. If you have a dynamic system with a dozen or more filesystems, it would be annoying. At any scale of 1+N servers, this becomes a management nightmare.
2. You can only display %used in each filesystem. This figure can grow or shrink in a static filesystem via activity on other filesystems. Your filesystem availability is shared in a pool (zfs quota assignments minimize the fluctuations, but will not make them go away).

Given the zfs philosophy of “filesystems come and go”, it doesn’t make sense to try to plot all of them. If you have a home fileserver, you may have quite a few filesystems so that you can compartmentalize your data (as I have). Putting all of them into graphs in cacti will create a very busy page that’ll be mildly painful to scroll through.

The solution? Map the zpools instead — they’re (generally) tied to devices, so they’re less likely to be created and removed on a regular basis.

The concept is quite simple, take the output of something like this

: myserver; zpool list
NAME                    SIZE    USED   AVAIL    CAP  HEALTH     ALTROOT
data                   1.81T   1.74T   70.4G    96%  ONLINE     -
export                 38.8G   13.9G   24.8G    35%  ONLINE     -

and twiddle it so that snmpd will digest and spit it out.

First, a little shell scripting. We want raw numbers so that we can graph them, so we need to get rid of those pesky non-numeric characters. Something along the lines of this:

#!/bin/ksh
export PATH=/usr/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib
zpool list -H -o capacity ${1} | sed -e 's/%//g'

Then we put this in /etc/sma/snmp/snmpd.conf:

exec zpool-list.ksh /etc/sma/snmp/zpool-list.ksh export
exec zpool-list.ksh /etc/sma/snmp/zpool-list.ksh data

Restart snmpd:

: myserver; sudo svcadm -v restart sma
Action restart set for svc:/application/management/sma:default.

We can use snmpwalk to verify our output:

: myserver; snmpwalk -v 2c -c public localhost .1.3.6.1.4.1.2021.8
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extIndex.1 = INTEGER: 1
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extIndex.2 = INTEGER: 2
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extNames.1 = STRING: zpool-list.ksh
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extNames.2 = STRING: zpool-list.ksh
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extCommand.1 = STRING: /etc/sma/snmp/zpool-list.ksh export
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extCommand.2 = STRING: /etc/sma/snmp/zpool-list.ksh data
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extResult.1 = INTEGER: 0
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extResult.2 = INTEGER: 0
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extOutput.1 = STRING: 35
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extOutput.2 = STRING: 96
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extErrFix.1 = INTEGER: 0
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extErrFix.2 = INTEGER: 0
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extErrFixCmd.1 = STRING:
UCD-SNMP-MIB::extErrFixCmd.2 = STRING:

If you notice in the above, we really only have one output line to work with. Therefore, I decided that %used of the zpool was sufficient, so long as I disabled autoscaling.

The cacti steps were fairly straightforward.

1. Create “Data Source(s)” using the “SNMP – Generic OID Template”
2. Create a “Graph Template” copying most settings from “Unix – Logged in Users”
3. Create “Graph Object(s)”
4. Associate (3) Graph Object(s) with your “Device”

Normally you can skip (2) and do (3) above using “SNMP – Generic OID Template”, but I ran into cacti bug 0001145 and had to create my own template. No sweat, really.

You can find the details to the above Cacti steps in forums.cacti.net.