COSI

Spring 2004 - Review (1 Credit)

All information is based on work blogs

The semester began with a continuation of work from the previous semester. This meant continuation of work done with the Z server. The first order of business was to finalize the DNS server that I thought I have created the semester before. It ended up being mostly right and did not cause too much trouble for me to fix. The DNS server was back up and running and I then needed to create the hostnames to ip address list. After which Jason decided to clear up all of the guests and I had to edit the list again after the first completion. After the finalization of the Z server's DNS, the idea was to get it to work on the VLAN. I did research on such but it was abandoned to work on more pressing matters. Mike and I began discussing security and several levels were decided. The first was to change all the hosts on the Z to have different passwords. The second was to create scripts to secure iptables. Zach and I worked on creating and implementing them, going off of other scripts that we located. The DNS and security seconds were now complete. I have created Tar balls of both the DNS configuration and the security scripts. Therefore, the next time this needs to be done it will not have to be recreated, but rather edited or simply implemented. The work that I did regarding COSI after this point changed due the changes in organization that Mike and Kyle implemented. Work consisted of AFS to work with Fedora. I did some research and implementation, but missed the last part, and thanks to Tim, we got it working. Work on the Z continued on a bug by bug basis with the things that I had created or setup. Maintenance was also a factor. The other work that was done was project work dictated by Mike and Kyle. The first of which was to test the lab build, in which I put in 2 hours on 2 occasions looking for bugs. No bugs were found, but performance issues were noted. COSI also had installing Linux Tutorials and forums which I attended. After the second I attended the work day where students had the ability to come in and ask questions or seek assistance with their machines. I also met with a student (Jeffrey Timbas) that was unable to make the times but wanted help. We met around 8:00 after the work day in the ERC, and I was there to answer question and assist him in installing Fedora on his laptop. A side note is that older CD-ROM drives on laptops have trouble reading burnt CDs that are somewhat transparent. Using gold CD's allowed Jeff to boot off of the CD's. The final work done for COSI was for the presentation to the IT professionals. I attended two meetings in which we decided what needed to be accomplished and then began worked on specific topics. Unfortunately the presentation was proponed till next semester, but I think this will give us more time to create a more suitable presentation. Therefore, one project for next year is already in the works and Mike also proposed patch dot again the other day. I think I resurrection of the project would be good, and upon my return to Clarkson (if I do come back and work with COSI), I would like to work on the project. For me it will be the first time but it is something that Mike has put considerable time into in the past. Finally, i want to thank Mike and Kyle, they had a lot to do this semester and volunteered to continue COSI where the past leaders left off. They have had a difficult task ahead of them, but i think that they were successful.