Well, all the equipment is stacked onto a heavy duty plastic
storage shelf. I will probably retrieve my wire rack from Atlanta next time I
am through there. Of course if anyone wants to donate a computer rack (even a
half-rack would do) I would be willing to consider it…J
When I unpacked the FC switch I realized they hadn’t
included GBICs so I had to order some off Ebay. In addition the FC optical
cables I had were the wrong type so I had to order more. Looking at the small
SAN I purchased I discovered it is using a serial connection rather than a Ethernet
so I ordered the appropriate adapter…from Hong Kong. Unfortunately it came with
a 230 v power adapter (not even dual voltage) so I had to order a new power
supply. The serial-to-Ethernet adapter also had a male plug as does the SAN, so
back to Ebay for a female-to-female adapter. Hopefully by tomorrow all these
various cables, adapters and power supplies will have arrived and I can finally
start configuring the system.
At least all the KVA cables worked (Keyboard-Video Adapter
interface) and I can talk to both servers from the same touchpad/ keyboard and
Monitor. The servers come with a minimal install of Windows Server 8, unfortunately
it seems someone has set a password. Luckily I am blowing the whole OS setup
away on both servers and installing Oracle Linux, so the lack of a Windows
password really doesn’t bother me that much.
Once everything is up I get to set up the network (2-1GB Enet
switches, one for general networking between the operator, servers, FC switch
and SAN and the interconnect, set of the 4GB SAN switch for proper zoning, format
and configure the SAN and then configure the OS on the servers and install
Oracle.
I’ll keep you posted.
I am also doing an All-Flash-Array (AFA) testing setup at
work for the IDC based testing. We are looking at setting up VDBench through Windows
to test the IBM FlashSystem 840 in accordance with the IDC guidelines and then having
the setup and generated setup documentation available so any client can use the
guidelines for testing to satisfy them we aren’t using smoke and mirrors in our
claims for performance of the FS840. I will post any lessons learned for that
as I experience them.
This weekend I split and stacked about a cord of wood here
at Sunset Cove for the basement woodstove in case the projections that this
will be another record snow year for Tennessee, North Carolina and points North
comes true. Luckily I have a hydraulic splitter that made quick work of the
actual splitting, but the loading, unloading and stacking still had to be done
by hand. Also had to adjust the brakes
and clutch on the tractor and buy a new battery for it. The clutch still needs
a tweak as the Power-Takeoff (PTO) isn’t disengaging properly when the clutch
is fully depressed.
Looks like next weekend I get to pick more pears. Since the
apple crop this year was a bit disappointing I guess instead of hard cider I
will make what they call Peary which is Pear Cider. I made five gallons of hard
apple cider last year but it only lasted until half-way through the winter, so
to make enough for it to last until the next crop comes in I guess I will have
to do 10-15 gallons which will be around three bushels of pears. If I can get
it setup next weekend then it can ferment for the three weeks I am going to be
gone to OOW, Edge and vacation. Then I will have just enough time to filter it
and bottle it before the relatives show up for the Punkin Chunkin in late
October. If you have never seen a Punkin Chunkin, check it out online, there is
probably one near you. Essentially you build the best punkin throwing device
you can envision then compete for distance, last year 900 yards was the winning
distance.
The gardens need to be tilled under as we are getting the
last of the tomatoes and cucumbers now. Luckily I have a yard service that will
do that for me. I’ll have them weed wack the gardens to grade then till the
plants under and then place some of that weed-block fabric over the top to kill
off any weeds that want to try a comeback. In a few weeks we’ll plant the
winter garden items.
The hydroponics setups are still languishing in the
greenhouse, afraid I haven’t had a chance to get the lower well re-lined and I
need a good supply of water to do them properly and about 6 weeks of non-travel
so I can monitor the ammonia and nitrate levels daily to get the biologics established
on the growth media, then you put in the Tilapia and get the nitrate cycle
going and then start growing some leafy vegetables like Lettice, Kale, Boc choy
or even good old spinach. Maybe later I will look at vertical gardening
techniques to do something more dense.
Of course deer season is just around the corner and I have
that new platform stand to put together down overlooking the Orchard. I spent
several weeks trying to figure out where the deer where last year only to
realize they were busy raiding the orchard for low-hanging and windfall fruit.
Since it is near the road I will need to use archery only. That reminds me,
have to tune the new compound bow and adjust the draw length to allow for my
d-loop and trigger as well as sight in the black powder and deer rifles and
check that the crossbow is still sighted in as well.
Then there is also the ongoing work with my half ownership
in the Wherehouse of Murphy, an art gallery and hand-made item, antique and
general merchandise store. We also do free concerts, Yoga and art classes.
Luckily I am mostly a silent partner and Joy Stein handles most of that for us.
Did I mention I am also writing the third book in the Rex
Franklin series? Yep, Rex is installing a Tsunami warning system in the Turks
and Caicos when he gets roped into helping out his least favorite ex-boss fetch
a fortune in emeralds from a Spanish wreck….
Also toying with writing a book on Oracle AWR Analysis, in
my spare time.
Add into that the travel and full-time work load of IBM and
it rounds out my schedule nicely.
No rest for the wicked I guess. And people wonder why I
laugh when they ask “But Mike if you retired what would you do with yourself?”
