UpCloud review : another FreeBSD supported VPS

My friend ask me to try upcloud and want me to recap my review in pictures as usual. Well, after use his referrall link (I got free $25 in credit plus $10 in deposit to lift trial limitation) I’m ready to go 🙂

My observation for upcloud

Pros

#1 Easy to use interface

I have no problem in using their UI. Separation important feature are well organized (ssh key, initialization scripts).

#2 Fast Server

I use freebsd ports to compile a stack (famp) and seem to work well. I think they use newer hardware that accelerate well.

#Backup system

smooth daily backup, very important for me.

#3 Many europe zone

I just realize if Helsinki exist.

#4 Good internal IP

I’ve just found out that internal ip is work for my limited vpn stuff.

#5 Timezone

It will eliminate the step for change date during post install process.

#6 Reverse DNS name

Handy for dns related configuration.

#7 FreeBSD support

Yes, the OS available under OS Template -> CDROM

FreeBSD 11.0-RELEASE amd64 Installation CD

Cons

#1 No Paypal

My bad, looks like it supported now 🙂

#2 no OpenBSD, DragonFlyBSD and NetBSD support

I hope they can add those OS on CDROM collection or just enable custom CDROM like vultr did.

#3 No reinstall option

I hope they can add this feature soon

#4 No block or storage support

I hope they will add ‘space’ or block like DigitalOcean.

#5 No TFA login

Add more security for us please.

Overall its good service and with Nokia spirit I hope they can grow bigger like others so we can get more reliable provider in the future.

If you want to try upcloud then you can use my referrall link and get free $25.

Install Ted on Centos 7.4

Long time hiatus 🙂 . Yes, being busy with unnecessary things but its fine I come back after a year hahaha.

Today I want to share proces for install Ted, I need this for rtftopdf purpose. rpm file not work for my case since I use latest CentOS (7.4 at this moment).

The install process is straight, lets get start!

Install required tools

yum install gcc gcc-c++ autoconf automake libXpm-devel pcre-devel
zlib-devel ImageMagick libtiff-devel libpng-devel libjpeg-devel gtk+
gtk+-devel gtk2-devel zlib-devel libpng-devel libjpeg-devel gtk2-devel

Get latest Ted and install

wget http://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/editors/ted/ted-2.23.src.tar.gz

tar xvzf ted-2.23.src.tar.gz

cd Ted-2.23/
make
make package
make install

which Ted
/usr/bin/Ted

To get rtf2pdf work you’ll need ghostscript

Install Ghostscript

yum install ghostscript

Download rtf to pdf

wget http://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/editors/ted/rtf2pdf.sh

Done.

Free $20 for DevOps Class – openbsd, freebsd, dragonflybsd and netbsd vps

Update : The offer seem no longer available.

I have to prepare for new class that required vps access. The class will teach unix based system like openbsd, freebsd, dragonfly bsd plus netbsd in 12 meets.

This class will be basic for devops but most important thing for me is my student can get full environment in every OS. Vps came to my mind and this March 2017 is really great since Vultr announce great news :

They double everything and they also provide ‘sanbox plan’ for beginner.

In nutshell you’ll get 1GB memory and 25Gb space vps on the OS you choose. SSD speed also superb :

dd if=/dev/zero of=test bs=64k count=16k conv=fdatasync
16384+0 records in
16384+0 records out
1073741824 bytes (1.1 GB, 1.0 GiB) copied, 3.87756 s, 277 MB/s

For limited time Vultr offer free $20 that you can use for many things;

Set git server using gitlab.
Set up aws compatible cloud with minio
Testing zfs latest FreeBSD 12 vs Hammer in dragonflybsd
Tes mysql replicate while setting master in Germany Vps and mysql slave in Paris or Amsterdam.

Long time ago I’ll need $10 server to achieve that but now I just need $5 vps server /mo to get 1GB server which is awesome 🙂

I just spread the news to let others know and grab your free $20 by using this link.

Long live the queen!

Install Laravel Valet on macOS Sierra

Just quick note for myself when try Laravel Valet on macOS Sierra (10.12.2)

Install homebrew (if not installed) :

/usr/bin/ruby -e “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)”

Install PHP 7.1

Libpng

brew link libpng

Linking /usr/local/Cellar/libpng/1.6.28… 18 symlinks created

brew install homebrew/php/php71

test :

php -v

PHP 7.1.0 (cli) (built: Dec 2 2016 11:32:42) ( NTS )
Copyright (c) 1997-2016 The PHP Group
Zend Engine v3.1.0-dev, Copyright (c) 1998-2016 Zend Technologies

Install Composer

brew install composer

Install Valet

composer global require laravel/valet
cd
nano .bash_profile

Add this line :

export PATH=$PATH:~/.composer/vendor/bin

save.

source .bash_profile
echo $PATH

/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/opt/X11/bin:/Users/alamsyahrasyid/.composer/vendor/bin

valet install

Password:
[nginx] is not installed, installing it now via Brew… ?
[dnsmasq] is not installed, installing it now via Brew… ?

Valet installed successfully!

Start valet

valet start

Valet services have been started.

Install mysql

brew install mariadb
brew services start mariadb

Hackintosh compatible laptops, will my laptop work?

My friend visit me yesterday after long time. He came with Macbook Pro and ask about a few unix command that he think I knew . In fact I never touch Mac OS system but I realized its not far from FreeBSD when we talk about terminal 🙂

He told me that he decide to buy a Mac after struggle with hackintosh and due to lack of knowledge he admit that the process is not easy and he gave up. He want to document the process but he don’t have time. His brother seem attracted with the challenge and will continue the journey.

Apple OS X not allowed installed on non Apple hardware . For software license agreement click here.

I see it as challenge too and I prefer to collect all required information as part of preparation for Windows OS user and Laptop with intensive use.

Mental Preparation

Quick googling give me a fact that the process is not easy. Many people try to install it with great hope. Everything will be smooth and easy as Windows OS installation (only Next and choose Yes). In fact even after successful installation you’ll get another problem with wifi, touchpad and many more.

If you have working system using El Capitan then no need to rush for upgrade to Sierra unless you have strong reason ( Its a common to see too if something working well with Windows 7 not work with Windows 8 or Windows 10).

Time Preparation

Install fresh operating system (Windows or Linux Desktop) is easier for single OS. If you want dual booting system its more difficult since you need to learn about booting process (BIOS, UEFI etc). Time and patient needed also increased more for non familiar OS such Mac OS X.

If you busy then you will need to do it in free time and non stressful moment like weekend.

Hardware Preparation

Laptop is not same as PC where you can design it as you want. One component that I think I will need is 2nd hard drive for the following reasons :

my existing 750 GB hard drive almost full with os iso files (various linux distro).
SSD getting cheaper now. Adding HDD Caddy to replace Optical drive (CDROM) is perfect option.
I can use Optical Drive as external using sata optical drive usb cable.
I can experiment with hackintosh with this 2nd drive . When its fail I can retry it anytime without worry.

Knowing Laptop Specification

Know my laptop specification is the essential part. If I get stuck I can get help by supplying the information. Continue reading →