PSI exceeds 100!

Today's haze problem is the worst, the official PSI (Pollutants Standard Index) as of now is 130, which is in the unhealthy range. People with breathing or respiratory problems have been advised not to stay outdoors.

To give you an idea of how bad is the condition, take a look at the picture I posted. The visibility was definitely very low, and can hardly see far . I guess nothing much we can do now, but just stay at home and close all the windows and doors.

This is a picture taken in a cave

I think this is my 70th post.

Look at this picture, pretty amazing, isn't it?

I don't know how to descript a picture like that, well, as the saying goes: A picture tells a thousand words. See for yourself.

I don't know whether I should go for my weekend run tomorrow because of the haze problem, will see how it goes...

Upgraded 1x Windows 2003 server to R2

I have planned for this upgrade for the past one month, finally got the time to do it today. I expected that the whole exercise would last at least half a day, but I managed to complete it within an hour.

The upgrade itself was pretty simple, just run the setup and it automatically up from SP1 to R2 in just 5 mins! However, after the reboot, there was a slight problem, the web application could not be launch. It was later found that one of the web application services was not up, once it was started, it was working fine.

The good thing about the Windows OS is that everything is in GUI, but it's not so friendly when it comes to Disaster Recovery, especially when trying to restore data onto another machine.

Haze, haze, haze...

You know what's the most common topic here for the last few weeks? It's the haze problem. Today, in particular was worst, the official PSI figure was around 70+, but from the way I see it, it should be much higher than that. The burning smell is still there, lingering in the air. I was hoping that it will rain soon.

The weather people said this condition will last till mid of the month, but it seems like getting worst each day.

FTP or SFTP?

You know the difference between FTP and SFTP? The FTP is usually provided as part of any operating systems, as for SFTP, which is a more secured method of data transfer via un-secured network or channel, you have to pay for it to install in your systems. The good news is, you may also get it for free from Open source, but, the trouble with getting it from Open source is that you have to compile the source code on your own to suit your usage. I learnt the hard way, tried to compile it, but didn't work out, in the end, I downloaded the compiled version from another source.

Be aware, however, getting it from Open source means you don't get full technical support, and it might be buggy. Nevermind, if it works fine, why not?

I have got one of our Unix administrators to test and set in up on all the Unix servers.

Busy day

I have a busy working day today. One of our guy is off site, one on urgent half day leave, one went back to his hometown to settle something important and will not be back until next week, short of hands today. I have to double up as Windows, Unix, Network and App administrator, plus having to handle, evaluate and work on requests. Worst still, one of the Unix server's HDD went haywire and needed to be replaced.

I have just finished with a request to write some scripts to be run on a server and now, I will be going to fix a modem dial-up issue.....

My boss approved the course!

My boss approved the course that he told me that I should sign up. The course starts mid next month and is for three days.

You mum called me today, asking me to check on the availability of the air ticket to your place. I did a check on the airline's website, I found the cheapest departure from here needs to transit via another destination. Then she called me tonight saying that you had booked for her, one that is slightly cost more, but direct flight.

Haze

It was still a clear view when I woke up this morning, I could still see the mountain a few hundred kilometers away. Now, it's hazy, visibility was very bad, barely can see the blocks of appartments from my apartment room's windows.

I was still thinking about going for my weekend swim, but now, not a good idea. It's not hot now, as the sun is 'hidden', but you can still feel that the air is not that fresh to breathe. I wonder when is it going to end. Hopefully, the rain comes and clears away the haze, just like yesterday.

Attend courses

I decided, yesterday, to register for the management program which my boss suggested for me to take it up. This course leads to a certification, so should be pretty interesting.

I am also interested in that system admin course that I originally signed up, which also leads to a certification, also interesting. Maybe I should talk to my boss next week, because it going to start in one week's time, and the next course schedule will be next year.

Alright, the VPN thing works!

After working with the customer, finally, managed to get VPN thing to work. In order to get it to work, we will need a CIP program, one that reads the certificate or key "saved" in the Smart card's chip, and the Cisco VPN client (v4.8.0.1.0300) program to make the VPN connection possible.

The problem that we encountered was that the subnet we were assigned to, based on our connecting ID, was not correct, so we could not access some of the Lotus Notes databases located within the customer's network. The network guys resolved that and now it's working fine.

Cleared everything

Finally, managed to clear all the equipment from the customer site with the movers. Can close the case which has been dragging on for more than one year.

There were some stuffs which I think can still be use, such as the DLT tape drives, desktop servers or PCs, monitor screens. There were also plenty of cables, RJ-45, FC and 3-pin plugs, all very useful, don't throw, can still be re-used.

Oh right, tomorrow is Friday, cheers......

"Bull strength"

Together with one of my colleagues, we were at the customer site to do some cleaning up their Data Centre. Some old racks, servers, network equipment and documents were to be packed up in boxes and ready to be shipped out tomorrow by the movers.

It was really hard work using our "bull strength" removing the cablings, arranging the stuffs and pack them together. Sweat, man, real sweat, somemore it was so dusty. I got a headache when I got home, and I'm still having it now! So, I better go and get some rest, I mean sleep.

Fly away

I just want to show you this photo of the plane that I flew from Melbourne to Sydney, I think.

Yes, no frills, JetStar flight. This was the first time I was on a budget flight. It was a cool and windy day, you could actually see a few planes taking off in the distance. There ain't many people, mostly travellers from all over the world, there were some locals.

For yesterday again...

Sorry, huh, yesterday I was busy, so I didn't write.

Yesterday was the time my boss called me up to talk, usually, he is too busy to meet his people, or my other fellow colleagues who work for him. No surprise, however, because I knew why he wanted to talk to me.

Just last week, I registered an external system security course, he wanted to know whether do I really need to attend the course, as he felt that with my capability, I should be able to learn it on my own. He also felt that I should pick up things that I don't have much experience in, for example, the AIX system admin and the ITSM (IT Service Management) or the ITIL programs. Actually, what I wanted was to go for a certification after the security course, more market value. He wanted me to consider, I will think about it...

Yesterday...

This is for yesterday...

Yesterday, I had been working to get the VPN thing to work. The funny thing was, I managed to install the software onto my colleague's Notebook running the same Operating System as mine, Windows XP Professional, it just wouldn't work on my Notebook, strange!

Although the software installation was successfully, I couldn't test the connection via our corporate network. The alternative was to test it via dial-up, yes, 56Kbps speed! The VPN connection was fine, but it was so slow, opening up an email (<1kbytes) via Lotus Notes took more that 5 minutes! This ain't going to work, got to source for another broadband connection and test....

Back at work today

I came back to work today, not because I have nothing to do at home, but to try and setup the VPN access thing on the company's PCs, this is a task that I have to complete by the end of this month. Also, I wanted to do a backup of my own Notebook's data to a portable drive, the last time I did that was, well, in July'06? It's always a good idea to do that periodically for 'safety' reason.

Here's a good quote on IT Investments:
"IT implementations involve both upfront and on-going investments for outcomes that no one ca precisely predict." - Book on IT Governance.

True enough, the returns in IT investments are usually difficult to predict because of the ever changing requirements and demands in IT needs.

VPN access

I have been trying to get this smart card thing to work with the remote VPN remote access. The card has a token which contains a security certificate, the idea is to allow a more secure user authentication for VPN through the Internet to the corporate network.

There are a couple of software to be installed, other the smart card driver, hmmm...should be plug and play, the CIP software, which reads the cert in the token card and also the Cisco VPN software. Actually, I was just following the guides, and I'm not supposed to fail the login more than 10x, else the card has to be reset, and this cost money, only the vendor who sold us the card can do it.

I brought all the software CDs, smart card reader and smart card home to install and test, it finally works! Funny, it didn't work on my office's notebook.

Working with others

It can be pretty tough working with people who has an attitude. Sometimes, they can simply refuse to cooperate or compromise.

I was in a meeting yesterday, with my Project Manager and the customer. We were arguing over who should be paying for renewing the remote access token cards for our Operations staff. The customer kept telling us that we should pay first, they reimburse later, the reason why we are not comfortable with this is that, because, from past experience, they can drag on for months for this type of payment matters. In the end, we compromised, we will go ahead with the renewal and pay first.

Finally, I got to taste the new Indian Muslim food today, not bad actually, but a little bit dry because of the fried dishes, got to drink more water.

Weather ok?

Well, today is a cool, not that I'm cool, but the weather, it rained for at least half of the day. Although it was raining, not drizzle, our guys still insisted to go out of the company building for lunch, and not in our in-house cafeteria. Yup, definitely must carry umbrellas. Yes, we are mad about food, but not to the extend of getting wet all over under this weather condition without cover.

One of the play stocks I bought last week did rose in price, I tried to sell it, but not successful. It seems like not that easy to play, huh? If I had sold it, I should be able to make two to three hundred play dollars. Too bad, try again tomorrow, hope it go up high high....

IT People

People who wants to get into IT must be passionate in the things or work they intend to embark on, willingness to learn and pick up new skills is also important. They should also have good technical skills, communication skills, analytical skills and 'never say die' spirit.

IT is all about the survival of the fittest, never stop learning attitude and making sacrifices, e.g. leisure time. There are two paths you may take, either towards the Management or Consultancy. A strong foundation in hands-on implementations is essential and necessary if you want to take the Consultancy path. As for the Management path, you must be able to speak well and understand the implications of each project or implementation from the business perspective.