Author: sotech

  • Ubuntu Server Benchmarks: Phoronix Test Suite

    Ubuntu Server Benchmarks: Phoronix Test Suite

      The Phoronix Test Suite is another option when it comes to benchmarking your Ubuntu Server – this one doesn’t work out-of-the-box and requires you to choose the types of benchmarks you wish to run and install them either individually or as suites of benchmarks. You can download it at the following link currently:  …

  • Ubuntu Server Benchmarks: Hardinfo

    Ubuntu Server Benchmarks: Hardinfo

      Hardinfo is one of the command-line benchmarks available for Ubuntu Server – it does have graphical features so it will also be useful for Ubuntu Desktop users, but for the purpose of this piece we will assume you’re at a terminal. It not only runs benchmarks like Blowfish but also shows you a great…

  • Intel Gigabit CT Desktop Network Adapter Review

        Intel’s network cards are popular due to their speed and reliability, which is often greater than the onboard chips in devices/motherboards. The Intel Gigabit CT Desktop Network Adapter is a PCI-E x1 add-in card with a single gigabit port, usually selling for around $30AU. It is low-profile and should come with a low-profile…

  • Telnet easter egg

      For those that haven’t seen this before, someone reminded me of this the other day:   telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl   Enjoy 😉

  • How to set up SNMP monitoring (snmpd) on Ubuntu 12.04

    How to set up SNMP monitoring (snmpd) on Ubuntu 12.04

      This one caused a bit of hassle recently – a few online guides don’t seem to work with the current version of Ubuntu. We found that this works, at least in the ~10 or so servers we have tried so far:   sudo apt-get install snmpd   Back up your snmpd.conf file:   sudo…

  • MySQL: How to create a database

      To create a simple database (e.g. if you need to create one for a WordPress or Wiki install) use the following after logging in to MySQL as the root user:   create database [nameOfDatabase];   Don’t forget the ; at the end, or you’ll end up on a new line consisting of a >…

  • Ubuntu: How to update PHP’s timezone

    Ubuntu: How to update PHP’s timezone

      We came across this one recently when setting up a Zabbix server, where the installation would not proceed until the PHP timezone was set. This is quite straightforward – using your favourite editor edit:   /etc/php5/apache2/php.ini   Look for the Module Settings section or search for:    date.timezone   (in vi /date.timezone should get…

  • How to remove/delete old or unused kernels in Ubuntu

    How to remove/delete old or unused kernels in Ubuntu

      If you have upgraded your kernel you will have found that Ubuntu keeps the older ones around, which can be handy if something breaks in the newer kernel and you have to boot from your old system. Over time, however, these can add up in terms of the amount of space consumed – at…