Bloghorn

 UPDATE: FRANKENSERVER it is, the name is just too cool to pass up.

As I stated in my last post, the new server (notaserverhome), which I wish in retrospect I could have named FRANKENSERVER, since that’s what it is and is much cooler, is up and running. But an HTTP/SOCKS tunnel endpoint it is not. No, I’ve devised a more devious method of use.

The concept is that the computer will act as my proxy computer, not be used for a proxy connection. The server will download all the files I need, verify their integrity and repair as needed, and extract them into a folder on the IIS server portion of the file system behind some password protection. The big drawback is that the computer is slow (Dell Dimension 2100). I’ve added a NIC to get it on the router, an 80 GB HDD for more storage, and a USB 2.0 card because it had 1.0 and was slower in transferring the files than in downloading them. I ordered some more RAM for it, but only 256 MB because anything else was ridiculously expensive. Who knew PC 133 was in demand? Anyway, the age of the computer means file operations and processor heavy actions, like verification and extraction, will take longer. But in the end, I can download whatever I get through the proxy straight to my local WHS.

The biggest issue was getting the computer to act as an actual server, it being behind a router and all. Luckily, the Cisco wireless router I’m using allows for a “DMZ” where all incoming connections go. So I gave it a static IP, registered it as the DMZ computer, hooked up the router with DynDNS, and put LogMeIn on it. I was originally going to use Hamachi and RDC, but this solution works better. Hamachi had a tendency to disconnect while GrabIt was in use.

After that, I completely compromised any remaining security it had by installing all my applications, like Firefox (IE was in secure mode, so it was too annoying to use), utorrent, GrabIt (usenet), QuickPar, WinZip, and SAV. I tried not to punch more holes in the firewall than needed, so hopefully it’ll withstand the script-kiddie onslaught. I also tried to keep the applications installed to a minimum, as anything I used on there needs to be updated constantly or else someone could own my box through some unknown exploit. And while not a particularly nice or useful box, it’s still mine.

Here’s a quick overview of how the network looks:

For the longest time I’ve had an old Dell tower (sold with ME on it so you know it’s ancient), Celeron processor, less than a gig of RAM, and no HDD, sitting in my room doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. Every time I needed a part, I went to it and cannibalized it. But over Thanksgiving break, I started putting it back together from other carcasses of machines, and got it running, albeit with an old 12 GB HDD from a 98 computer. And when I came home this time, I brought an 80 GB, the 250 from the WHS that was troubling me, and Windows Server 2003.

After battling with the installer for about an hour, it’s finally getting updates, and I can put it on the network. Now, my only question is, how the hell do I get it to act as an HTTP/SOCKS tunnel endpoint?

In other news, I’ve been running Vista SP1 on my primary desktop for about a week, and I haven’t had a single complaint. It installed fine, regulates Vista’s resource-hog-like activities a lot better, and lets me run games a little faster. It’s going to be a pain in the ass to uninstall that before the RTM is installed, though…

And not just for the usual “Fischer-Price My First Computer” reasons, I had to replace the hard drive in a iBook G4 today. In order to even see the hard drive, I needed to remove the back panel, the keyboard, wireless card, RAM, shimmy open the top, remove parts of the motherboard, then finally a metal sheet over the hard drive. And I’ve got like 13 screws I can’t figure out where to put. The good news, however, is that it works fine, and is installing Leopard as we speak. Scratch that, looks like another hour of fiddling yet to go.

In other news, I’m finally all caught up on House. I’ve been watching the entire back catalouge in my free time, and I’m up to the episode I started watching with Mike last year.  So now I’m on to the next TV series I need to watch, and I don’t know what it is yet, but Mike said he had something for me.

Speaking of Mike, I’m also playing Deus Ex for the first time, and it’s pretty damn good, for something that was released before I owned my first real computer.

IST House meeting tonight about amendments to the Constitution, but other than that, everything seems to be on track for the end of the semester.

The House will be looking at changing the constitution at our next executive board meeting, so I’m posting the current constitution up for all to see.

http://notaserver.net/documents/IST_Constitution.pdf

Housing contracts are starting to be offered today, so just reminding everyone to go accept your contract, and indicate which room you want.

The manager promotions happened this week for the next semester, and apparently (1) Mike R and James (who I trained) are being moved up in West and Pollock, and I’m doomed to life in East… forever. It’s not all bad, Reber’s going to start handing me the keys to the programming castle, so I guess it’ll be a learning experience. Plus, I’m at the very top of a very short list for manager next time a position becomes available. I’m not that disappointed, because being a tech is fun as hell, but I could have used that extra dollar an hour…

Speaking of extra dollars, WEMED wants me back for Christmas break. Which is awesome, since I’ll be making my beer money extra fast, and working with some fun guys again. Although New York in Winter may not be the most fun, it’s gotta be better than the summer.

Housing contracts stop taking requests tomorrow, and I’m still being pestered by people asking for rooms, even singles (which the deadline was over a month ago), and I can’t do anything to help them. They had weeks to get in touch with me, and if they can’t be arsed to send me a single email in time, then I can’t be arsed to lift a finger to help them.

But, unfortunately, some students can’t see the house as an option on their request when they really should. This, coupled with the fact that the ListServ keeps dropping people at random, makes me lose faith in the integrity of Penn State’s computers.