DevStack Formula

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OpenStack®_Logo_2016.svg

Recently I started to get my hands dirty with learning more about DevStack which is a quick way to deploy OpenStack to test with. As with many of open source projects like OpenStack, OpenShift and Cloud Foundry I find the documentation often to be sorely lacking on specifics. In some cases I cannot explain why, in others it’s because they want you to use the paid version instead.

My stepup is on Ubuntu 18.04.1 and the local.conf that I used is below. All I can say is that this worked for me to just get it installed. How exactly functional after that I have not yet gotten to but hopefully this helps someone get started as well.

Note you will likely need to change the FLOATING_RANGE to match your network. The documentation is otherwise decent but I’ll include a few more getting started commands below:

Getting Started

sudo useradd -s /bin/bash -d /opt/stack -m stack

echo “stack ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL” | sudo tee /etc/sudoers.d/stack

sudo su – stack

git clone https://git.openstack.org/openstack-dev/devstack

cd devstack

Create the local.conf listed below

Then lastly run ./stack

Local.conf

[[local|localrc]]

ADMIN_PASSWORD=nova
MYSQL_PASSWORD=nova
RABBIT_PASSWORD=nova

SERVICE_PASSWORD=$ADMIN_PASSWORD
SERVICE_TOKEN=nova

# Enable Swift

enable_service s-proxy s-object s-container s-account

# Enable sahara

enable_plugin sahara git://git.openstack.org/openstack/sahara

# Enable ceilometer

enable_plugin ceilometer git://git.openstack.org/openstack/ceilometer

SWIFT_HASH=66a3d6b56c1f479c8b4e70ab5c2000f5
SWIFT_REPLICAS=1
SWIFT_DATA_DIR=$DEST/data

# Check out from repos every time stack.sh is run
# This is optional and can be changed to no.

RECLONE=yes

# By default `stack.sh` will only install Python packages if no versi# on is currently installed, or the current version does not match a # specified requirement. If `PIP_UPGRADE` is set to `True` then exist# ing #required Python packages will be upgraded to the most recent v# ersion #that matches requirements. This is generally recommended,  # as most of # OpenStack is tested on latest packages, rather than ol# der versions.# The default is False.

PIP_UPGRADE=TRUE

# host ip

HOST_IP=127.0.0.1

# Change the FLOATING_RANGE to whatever IPs VM is working in. In NAT # mode it is the subnet VMware Fusion provides, in bridged mode it is# your local network. But only use the top end of the network by usin# g a /27 and starting at the 224 octet.

FLOATING_RANGE=10.0.1.224/27

# Logging

# By default ``stack.sh`` output only goes to the terminal where it runs.  It can be configured to additionally log to a file by setting ``LOGFILE`` to the full path of the destination log file.  A timestamp will be appended to the given name.

LOGFILE=$DEST/logs/stack.sh.log

# Old log files are automatically removed after 7 days to keep things neat.  Change the number of days by setting ``LOGDAYS``.

LOGDAYS=2

# basic syslog settings

SYSLOG=True
SYSLOG_HOST=$HOST_IP
SYSLOG_PORT=516

The Switch

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Because I believe in being on time and topical I’ve decided to now post a mini, rambling review of the Nintendo Switch. I held off on this new console because when “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” came out it also available for the Nintendo Wii-U, which I already owned.

However, after a promotion at work, I decided that was an excuse enough to finally dive in and I’m very glad that I did. I love the versatility of the console. The number of ways that you can use it that suit your needs.

Super Mario Oddessy
Super Mario Oddessy

I primarily bought the Switch as a portable console. Originally I had been looking at getting the “New” Nintendo 2DXL as an upgrade on my older 3DS (I never really used the 3D features) but the cost was $199 (Canadian). However, everything I read and looking at the very few new games coming out did not make it seem like a great investment. The Switch in Canada was $399 and seemed like a much better deal, to me.

The specifications for the Switch are adequate for what it can do but like the Wii-U mind-boggling in that they didn’t bump them up at least a little more.

  • NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
  • 32 GB of internal storage
  • Expand storage space using microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2TB
  • Approximately 2.5 – 6.5 hours battery life

One of the few negative points that struck a lot of people right away was, 32GB of internal memory? In this day and age? Yes, I know you can expand it but even so, 32GB is an insultingly low amount of memory to include with the base console at the price of $399. Thankfully the microSD cards are not very expensive and I recommend getting a 256GB card.

Ittle Dew 2+
Ittle Dew 2+

One thing I recommend is checking out some of the possibly lesser known titles on the Switch. Ittle Dew+ is one of them and if you were a fan of the original Zelda style of gameplay you are in for a treat here. It has a cute look to it but, given my lack of gaming ability, I have found it to be rather challenging at points.

I recommend checking this channel on YouTube as he often has great reviews of Nintendo Switch games.

Hopefully, they put out a second Zelda game (as I believe there have been usually 2 per console, or so) and I can experience it on this console. Given the limited power (it’s not much more powerful than the Wii-U) I do not see as long of a life for it as with the Xbox One or PS4 unfortunately.

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Mistake

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“‘Mistakes’ is the word you’re too embarrassed to use. You ought not to be. You’re a product of a trillion of them. Evolution forged the entirety of sentient life on this planet using one tool – the mistake.”

– Dr. Robert Ford “Westworld”

Coaching Part 1

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Twenty-one years

I started out in technical support back in 1997 and I am here today because of the time that others took to help me along the way. Over the past year, I have been working hard to step up my efforts to hopefully do the same for others. Thanks to a program at work I really got to dive into what it means to coach someone in the workplace. Sometimes for technical people, it’s easier to just do it for someone when they ask for help. Yet, while it may be easier and faster it provides no benefit to the other person.

So that being said, this might be a rambling mess, but, I’ll do my best.

So how do you start? You listen. One thing I think that many of us are guilty of sometimes in conversation is that we are just waiting for the other person to stop talking so we can. It is an amazing thing that when you’re describing your problem to someone, seeking their help, that it’s obvious there really paying attention.

dilbertselfmentor

Next? Don’t do it for them, don’t give them the full answer. They are not going to learn anything if you give them the full answer. Instead, trust in that you’re working with clever, intelligent people who just need a pointer.

Going back to someone listening. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve come up with the solution myself just having someone listen to me. Three quarters through my rambling I often suddenly stop and go, “Wait a minute, I think I figured it out.” I thank them for their time and they often wonder what it is they did. Verbalizing your problem is an amazing way to find a solution.

That’s all for now. More rambling later.