How to Hack ESXi Host to get Remote Console [SSH]

Here are the instructions for enabling SSH for ESXi host:

To enable SSH access in ESXi:

   1.      From the main screen on the ESXi host press Alt + F1.
   2.   At the next screen type:
      unsupported
      and give the root password when prompted.

   3.      Use a text editor to uncomment (that is, remove the hash symbol #) from the following line in the /etc/inetd.conf file, then save your changes:

      # ssh stream tcp nowait root /sbin/dropbearmulti dropbear –I

   4.      Restart the inetd process by running:
      # cat /var/run/inetd.pid
      # kill -HUP <pid>

   5.      Verify that the ESXi host is accessible by SSH. To do this from the SSH client, log in to the ESX host:

      ~ # dbclient root@server
      The output appears similar to:
      Host '<server>' is not in the trusted hosts file.
      (fingerprint md5 c8:28:e8:2b:97:0d:36:79:b2:62:03:5c:95:f4:b9:10)
      Do you want to continue connecting? (y/n) y

      root@server password:
      Tech Support Mode successfully accessed.

Intruducing OpenFiler

Hey Guys,

Wow, I didn’t posted anything new since August – Damn - I’m lazy :-)

I already mentioned FreeNas/OpenFiler software in some of older my posts about low cost DIY NAS boxes, but I guess its about time I try it myself in real environment.

Long story short, our IT director have decided to migrate all servers to blade system, so this leaving us with spare regular “old-school” servers, most of them proliant DL360 and DL380.
One particular one –DL380 G3 which used to be company’s central SQL, now was standing idle for few months or so, but Now time have come for the big – REPURPOSE !!

Original plan was to install Windows 2008 server, but after half day spent I gave up on this idea. Lack : DVD drive, 64bit support and no official drivers support was the final nail in coffin (I did managed to initiate install from pre-existing 2003, but past-install OS never could complete the boot)

Going back to 2003 server just seemed way to plain vanilla boring.

I said to my boss – Lets try OpenFiler – and he said – fire away !!

Today and later on I’d like to share some of my experiences and discoveries thru this mini-project from standpoint of mostly windows systems admin. Yea – I support ESX and Netapp – but most of command line changes are done by vendor’s support stuff :)

I promise to post soon about the install process.

How to identify ANY mysterious “PCI Device”

I get a lot of request to assist people with different pcs – from self built white boxes, laptops and netbooks to help them to identify and install right drivers for the “PCI Device”

To really help yourself guys and girls, just do couple of simple steps before asking for help.

Open your device manager and look for details tab on than “PCI Device” (Check out for Sample here)
Write down Hardware ID Tab info (or copy/paste it) into site below:

http://www.pcidatabase.com/

In example above note the first line:
PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3059&SUBSYS_140117F2

In this specific example there is a hint, Windows was able to guess it’s Multimedia-audio controller, but lets do more scientific approach.

VEN stands for vendor and numbers after underscore are 1106. Quick search in database reveals its VIA Technology, but device search is even more detailed – 3059 – Notice the third line from top (Vendor ID 0x1106 – Via Technology). Also take a note of 3 last entries mentioning AC’97 Audio controller, since it’s probably what we looking for anyhow, but lets not jump the horse yet.

Click on the vendor name links and just scroll down till you find your device id (or just search for it :)

and there you go, device ID 0x3059 refers to VIA South Bridge VT8235.

VIA provides special website for drivers/final users support – ViaArena.com and few clicks – Drivers/Audio brings us to this page – and right there second line from top is our here – VT8235 or as Via calls it - VIA Vinyl Audio.

Enjoy!

DFI Lanpary NF4 SPD/IF in Windows 7/Vista

I’m still happen to be one of these old fools who think investing hefty amount of money should help to last your pc longer times without updates (given smart choices of course) and the motherboard in title is still powering my main pc running o/ced x2 3800 at humble (nowadays) 2.4Ghz. Not much, but still plenty for day to day stuff, even some occasional game or two.

My Windows XP was getting old and decided to put a new OS – its was long overdue.
Windows 7 Ultimate is the natural choice, since I got access to MSDN version of current RTM – basically same one you’d buy at store then it’s official out.

Install went without any glitches, with only a couple small driver issues, and one of them was Windows 7 recognized my onboard sound as Nvidia audio codec – given my chipset it Nvidia nForce4 – sound worked out of the box and most people won't even bother ever messing with it, except it was limited only to analog input/output and only stereo.

I use my creative card to process my day to day audio like windows sounds etc, but since it’s lacking real digital output – SPD/IF – I use the outboard sound card to output sound to my home theater.

DFI Lanpary NF4-Ultra used Realtek ALC850 audio codec, and in addition to “Karajan” module (basically slightly isolated 8 channel audio output) got coaxial SDP/IF Input and Output on board, which Windows 7 refused to utilize.

Initially my fight with drivers was fruitless and Realtek High Definition audio didn’t seam to fix the issue…

The fix:

Self Slap on forehead !!! ALC850 isn’t HD Codec, but AC/97 !!!!

Realtek does provide AC/97 for Vista/7 32/64 bit. Just install them, ignore the compatibility warnings and it’ll work fine.

p.s: Don’t bug for links, ffs just Google Realtek

Welcome to new Domain!!

Whoo Hooo!!!

Only year and half after opening this blog I finally received my first advertisement compensation. Let me assure you its not much, but I was enough to help me finance new domain name, which was luckily stilly available !!

I hope I’ll still be bored and have time to keep contributing to this blog !!