Nice switch, poor printed documentation.

So I ordered a Dell PowerConnect switch for my home lab setup - the specs were pretty sweet, and the push button web console made it sounds like it'd be a nice plug-n-play network for my development and testing work... then the cold reality of poor end user documentation bit me :( 

All I wanted to do with the machine was plug it into three of my laptops, and configure it to provide a private network on 192.168.3.x (I already have a 2.x network which the machine is defaulted to use), then be able to log into the switch's built in monitoring tools to observe network traffic as I play around with configurations of my software and of the network stack itself.  This is where the tricky problem started. The included "Getting Started Guide" omits some rather necessary information to those whom may not be familiar with configuring one of their switches, so here is how you can login the web console to set the switch's network:

1. Press the "Managed Mode" pin hole button (use a paper clip). You'll see the managed mode light flicker on.
2. Configure your PC to use 192.168.2.100 as it's IP address.
3. Login into 192.168.2.1 and use 'admin' with no password to access the system (guide says admin/admin).
4. On the web console select System > IP Interface Parameters.
5. In the presented form enter "192.168.3.1" with "255.255.255.0" as the mask, then click apply.
6. To continue using the web console you now need to change your PC's IP address to 192.168.3.100.
7. Once the switch has picked up that your PC's adapter is on 192.168.3.100 you'll be able to log in again to the web console. Continue configuring as required, subsequent logins can happen from any machine on the 3.x network.

The above procedure was gleamed from reading forum posts around the web, and has been reflected into  Dell's online docs for the switch. To be clear, now that the switch is configured properly it purrs like a kitten (Jumbo frames, 1Mbit packet buffer memory, priority queues, etc, etc) - I'm nerding out now playing with settings. I'm still happy with the switch, I just would have liked the printed documentation to make it a little clearer how to set up via the web console instead of searching the webs for solutions.

Live music and Apache Karaf 2.2.5

I guess I'm well into a new tradition... During the build up to Apache Karaf 2.2.5 I was listening to City and Colour albums while sipping on Maison Sichel Bordeaux 2009. Last night I had the opportunity to see City and Colour live here in St John's at MileOne Stadium.

The show was absolutely awesome in spite of their air line carrier misplacing their usual instruments :S

So getting back to the idea of new traditions; I like the idea of pairing wine and music to Karaf releases, I now I've expanded it to trying to see the band/performer perform live too. So for those of you following my Karaf music posts you'll know I have two live performances down.

I wonder what do other release mangers do along these lines? Any traditions, challenges, or other fun things you do to mark your project release milestones? I'd like to hear about them in the comments section below.

In the mean time, I've copied below some photo I took during the concert:

On a related subject, I stopped by a wine show over the weekend - found a hand full of bottles that needed a good home (as you can imagine all I see at a wine show are pending releases).

I see delicious Apache Karaf releases in waiting.

Mun CS Games Winter 2012 Team (Doubles) Competition!

Following up on our Singles competition last month, we're gearing up for our team games on March 9, 2012. Each team will consist of two students - so start finding a partner soon!

The Prizes!

Third place shall receive: A Mun market bag, 6pk of Ms Vickie's chips, a USB memory card reader, a small disc binder, a tin of compressed air, and a Nexxtech LCD/LED screen cleaning kit.

The second place prize pack includes: A Mun market bag, a large disc binder, a tin of compressed air, a copy of Maximum PC magazine, a USB mini-vacuum, and a Nexxtech LCD/LED screen cleaning kit.

Finally, our first place prize pack consists of: A Mun market bag, a tin of compressed air, a USB mouse with interchangeable covers, a variety pack of green teas, a box of hot chocolate mix, and a copy of O'Reilly C Pocket Reference.

The Winter 2012 CS Games Teams (Doubles) are tentatively scheduled for Friday March 9th, 2011, in room EN-2036 at 5pm to 7:30pm. There is a sign up sheet in the CS department head office, please contact them if you are interested in competing - seat are limited (CS students only).

Best luck to all the competitors and see you there!