nixCraft Linux Sys Admin Blog

Helmer: A Linux Commodity Computing cluster in a IKEA Helmer Cabinet

Posted: 24 Apr 2008 06:41 PM CDT

Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model, by means of computer programs. POV-Ray is one of such free software for rendering images. This article explains how to build home Linux render cluster using commodity computing technique:

3D computer rendering are very CPU intensive and the best way so speed up slow render problems, are usually to distribute them on to more computers. Render farms are usually very large, expensive and run using ALLOT of energy. I wanted to build something that could be put in my home, not make too much noise and run using very little energy... and be dirt cheep, big problem? no computer stuff cost almost nothing these days, it just a matter of finding fun stuff to play with.

(Fig.01: Helmer Linux Cluster)

=> This is the story of Helmer. A linux cluster in a IKEA Helmer cabinet.

Ksplice: Patch The Linux Kernel Without Rebooting System

Posted: 24 Apr 2008 06:12 PM CDT

You may be aware that after kernel upgrade and kernel security patching you need to reboot Linux box. Now, there is a new patch called - Ksplice. It provides rebootless Linux kernel security update. It is available under GPL 2 and has been tested on Linux kernel versions from 2.6.8 to the recently released 2.6.25 and on several Linux distributions including Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Gentoo Linux.

Ksplice allows system administrators to apply security patches to the Linux kernel without having to reboot. Ksplice takes as input a source code change in unified diff format and the kernel source code to be patched, and it applies the patch to the corresponding running kernel. The running kernel does not need to have been prepared in advance in any way.

To be fully automatic, Ksplice's design is limited to patches that do not introduce semantic changes to data structures, but most Linux kernel security patches don't make these kinds of changes. An evaluation against Linux kernel security patches from May 2005 to December 2007 finds that Ksplice can automatically apply 84% of the 50 significant kernel vulnerabilities from this interval.

Ksplice has been implemented for Linux on the x86-32 and x86-64 architectures.

=> Ksplice: Rebootless Linux kernel security updates (via zdnet)

Bill Gates Says - We Disagree with GPL

Posted: 24 Apr 2008 05:59 PM CDT

Bill gates is spreading misinformation about GPL. From the article:

After one scientist asked if Gates would consider open source uses in health research, the man who built his $280 billion company on the power of intellectual property bristled.

"There's free software and then thereâ€™s open source," he suggested, noting that Microsoft gives away its software in developing countries. With open source software, on the other hand, "there is this thing called the GPL, which we disagree with."

Open source, he said, creates a license "so that nobody can ever improve the software," he claimed, bemoaning the squandered opportunity for jobs and business. (Yes, Linux fans, we're aware of how distorted this definition is.) He went back to the analogy of pharmaceuticals: "I think if you invent drugs, you should be able to charge for them," he said, adding with a shrug: "That may seem radical."

=> Bill Gates on Pharmaceuticals: The System Isn't Working

Mega Download of the day: Ubuntu Linux 8.04 CD / ISO Image

Posted: 24 Apr 2008 01:01 PM CDT

Ubuntu Linux version 8.04 has been released and available for download. Canonical Ltd. announced the availability of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition for free download. In related news, Canonical also announced the simultaneous release of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Server Edition.

Download Ubuntu Linux CD ISO Images

Visit official web site http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download to grab desktop edition.

Ubuntu Linux i386 32 bit ISO Images - Direct download link

Bittorent Download

Bittorent File

Download Kubuntu Linux 8.04 Iso images

Also, don't forget rock to check out rock solid kubuntu 8.04 with cutting edge KDE 4 remix here.

More download options such as 64 bit server and desktop editions.

Please note due to heavy download demand requests some mirrors may not be available.

Linux Install and Configure Netgear WG311 Marvell 88w8335 Rev 03 Chipset Wireless Card

Posted: 24 Apr 2008 12:37 PM CDT

How do I configure and install Netgear WG311 PCI Wireless Card Rev 03 driver (Marvell 88w8335 Chipset) under Linux operating system along with WPA / WPA2 security?

Answer to "Linux Install and Configure Netgear WG311 Marvell 88w8335 Rev 03 Chipset Wireless Card"