What the E!

I have been using a variety of open source and Linux tools for several years now. Created at least a dozen php/mysql/apache type applications. Currently use IPCop for my firewall, along with the Cop+ and CopFilter addons. Utilize FreeNas as my storage server and Ubuntu with rsnapshot running to backup my personnel information along with that of a couple of small businesses/non profits. I am writing this blog entry with another open source tool. We utilize Audacity to help record the sermons at church and manage the directory/membership with a piece of software called ChurchInfo.

Linux has always been advertised, or maybe more accurately stated “promoted” as the perfect tool for small business and in a number of instances it is. However, there are a few spots where Linux is a little weak. Maybe users can point out the areas where some other options are available or possibly even alternate commercial software can be used. The two areas that are a challenge are Domain Authentication/Profiles/User Management (aka MSFT Small Business Server) and RADIUS/WPA2 support.

Read more »

Background/Overview

I have been interested in using rsync and hard links to backup my computer system for a long time. Something very similar to Mike Rubel’s idea. I dabbled here and there for a long time, but never finished putting something together. Well I finally got it done. I used a number of different sites for help and even a couple posts to the Rsnapshot website.

The backup was for both my personal storage sites and for my church. The requirements were such:

1. Ability to backup systems located on a remote network over a non secure network
2. Automatic backup that requires no interaction/reminders from the user accept to leave the computer powered on!
3. Provide the ability to recover files that have changed over a long period of time (upwards of 12 months)
4. Minimize the amount of storage space needed to store files.
5. I would really like to have a push model from the client

A number of open source/very inexpensive software exists, but I ran into a few issues. All of the solutions that I looked at had one major issue, inability to operate over a remote network or they didn’t have a client for windows. If someone has a suggestion of something that might work please let me know.
I broke the solution down into 3 parts.

1. Server
2. Client
3. Connection and Automation

Read more »