[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes - 11/19/2002
mag00
members@kalamazoolinux.org
Wed, 20 Nov 2002 02:01:10 -0500
KALAMAZOO LINUX USER'S GROUP
MEMBERS AND GUESTS - COME JOIN US FOR A MEETING!!!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings
WE MEET WEEKLY, EACH TUESDAY AT 7:00PM.
Our meeting site is the Kalamazoo Chamber
of Commerce office building downtown.
346 W. Michigan Ave. - Kalamazoo, MI 49007
http://kazoolug.org/meetings/maps.php3 <=== MAP!
Tuesday November 19, 2002 7:00PM
KLUG Meeting Notes - Summary
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO <=== A Firewall Sampling!
III. PROJECT REPORTS This will be a great one!!!
IV. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tonight's Meeting Moderator:
KLUG Chairperson Dirk Bartley
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
THIS WEEK'S KLUG PRESENTATION: (27 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
OpenNMS Network Management System
by Adam Williams
OpenNMS is an enterprise ready network management system
developed in Java (running in Apache Tomcat). OpenNMS can
monitor a bevy of various network services, perform event
escalation, notify administrators via e-mail, phone or pager
based upon their scheduled shifts, and much much more.
LOOK FOR ADAM'S PRESENTATION TO BE POSTED HERE SOON!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://kalamazoolinux.org/presentations/history.php?year=2002
PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
*************************
It was a large turnout for another of Adam's excellent and
informative technical presentations. He used his Red Hat
Linux v8.0 empowered laptop and the KLUG SVGA projector,
running Open Office v1.01 and the Galeon browser to take
us through the details of OpenNMS operation and configuration.
OpenNMS is written in Java and runs on the Apache Tomcat web
server. It is configured using XML files and does automatic
network discovery of hardware. It also does capability
discovery and polling with inquisitive little ICMP packets.
It provides a notification system with event logging and also
has a reporting system with graphical traffic analysis.
Adam detailed the hardware and software requirements! He
recommended using Red Hat Linux for the base operating system.
He also recommended the use of a good XML editor like the one
that can be found at http://www.nongnu.org/mlview/ OpenNMS
requires PostgreSQL v7.1 to be installed. He described the
Java daemons (many) that do all the work and their functions.
He showed us where configuration was necessary but claimed
that it was relatively simple. The discovery process locates
all hosts on the network, with the discovery control process
needing to have the range of IP addresses included in the XML
configuration file. He also described the host capabilities
discovery function.
Next he did a demo of the actual OpenNMS software. We saw the
network monitoring screens and the reporting format. His
example showed there were 68 servers on his network. He told
us about the SNMP capabilities and that configuration. The
polling of interfaces, advanced polling by packages, and the
inclusion of an outage calendar where maintenance could be
scheduled to avoid monitoring system excitement. The downtime
model was displayed and defined. We saw how you configure the
notification system for pagers, phones, and remote PC's. Next
we saw how you actually invoke the system. You start Apache
Tomcat and then start the OpenNMS service... ICMP packets are
launched and the system begins to become aware of what it is
monitoring. We saw how you create users and groups for OpenNMS
administration. He used the groups - Admin, Reporting, Desktop,
Network/System, Management, and Security! There is a way to
select managed and unmanaged interfaces and services. Once up
and watching over the network, OpenNMS will detect any new
hardware that is added to the system. It even has a module to
provide asset management and those individually specific details.
We saw the configuration of destination paths for notification.
Event notifications for host and node monitoring can be enabled
or disabled. OpenNMS includes a massive list of network event
notifications. Adam told us about the nice reports available
for load/traffic activity which include printable color graphs.
Adam followed his thorough explanations with an open question
and answer session. For example, one network administrator
asked if there was a way to exclude monitoring of workstations
to prevent the normal event like a user turning a PC on or off
from being reported. Yes there is, was the easy answer.
Another network administrator wanted to know about the use
of a tool called Spumoni... (http://spumoni.sourceforge.net/)
We discussed some other network monitoring applications like
Cricket (http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/nmtf/nmtf-tools.html),
NetSaint (www.netsaint.org), and Big Brother (http://bb4.com/).
Two statistical network data and graphical reporting utilities,
MRTG (http://people.ee.ethz.ch/~oetiker/webtools/mrtg/) and
RRD Tool (http://people.ee.ethz.ch/~oetiker/webtools/rrdtool/)
were also noted.
You could tell by the vigorous applause and the many smiling
faces in the KLUG audience that everyone was pleased with
OpenNMS and the enjoyable way that Adam had presented it for
everyone's appreciation and edification. GREAT WORK ADAM!!!
OpenNMS Web Site
http://www.opennms.org
Everything you need to know about network management!
http://www.opennms.org/users/docs/
"OpenNMS is an open-source project dedicated to the creation
of an enterprise grade network management platform."
Adam is a network administrator based in Grand Rapids, but
the network he deals with is all over Michigan, with a couple
of hundred workstations, running Linux and other Operating
Systems. Not only does he deal with domain issues at work,
but he is also the owner of the domain "whitemice.org".
Adam has been a regular contributor to technical discussions
on our main mailing list, both presenting and solving some
of the most challenging networking and configuration problems.
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
II. NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY 11/26/2002
******************************************************************
A Firewall Sampling
by Bruce Smith
Bruce will summarize and compare some vastly different
Linux based firewall distributions. These include Smoothwall,
IPCOP, FloppyFW, and Devil-Linux. The presenter has
personally used all of these firewall packages for a
period of time on his home internet connection. This
presentation will help people select the firewall package
which is right for them. Allowing everyone to protect their
data and share a single internet connection among many computers.
= for more detailed information in advance =
Smoothwall http://www.smoothwall.org/
IPCOP http://ipcop.org/
FloppyFW http://www.zelow.no/floppyfw/
Devil-Linux http://www.devil-linux.org/
Bruce Smith is a Systems Administrator and Software Developer
for Armstrong International Inc. where he is responsible for
a HP-UX network of Servers, Workstations, printers and X-Terminals
spanning five buildings in Three Rivers. Bruce has a degree in
Computer Science and Mathematics from Central Michigan University.
(go Chips! :) Bruce runs Linux, almost exclusively, on all his
PC's at work and home, and runs a lot of Armstrong's networking
services on Linux!
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
III. LINUX OR KLUG RELATED PROJECT REPORTS -
N E W S F L A S H E S ! ! !
*************************************************************
*************************************************************
*************************************************************
RED HAT LINUX VERSION 8.0.x HAS BEEN RELEASED
Current Linux OS kernel version 2.4.x
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
BS-WARE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU NOW!
VISIT ===> http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware/
*************************************************************
K L U G O F F I C E R
E L E C T I O N S C O M I N G I N J A N U A R Y !!!
* TUESDAY JANUARY 21ST MEETING *
Nominate KLUG Members for Offices! Participate in the Vote.
http://kalamazoolinux.org/organize - for more info -
*************************************************************
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*************************************************************
READ EXTREME LINUX NEWS FEED - IT ALMOST HAPPENS HERE
http://slashdot.org
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*************************************************************
KLUG "PC SHOW" PUBLIC OUTREACH PROJECT PLANS FOR NOVEMBER 24TH!
The big yellow KLUG banner will again be proudly displayed on Sat.
November 24, 2002 at the A1SCS COMPUTER SHOW in KALAMAZOO, MI!
WEB SITE http://www.a1scs.com/page5.html
This show will again be held at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds.
Again, lots of Linux CD-ROM's will be made available to the public
and many contacts will be made. To get more info or to volunteer
to help with this next public event that KLUG has planned, please
Contact KLUG Chairperson "Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
or Vice Chairperson "Stu Gillis" <showperson@kalamazoolinux.org>
*************************************************************
MEETING GREETER NEEDED FOR CHAMBER KLUG MEETINGS
Someone to assist with Chamber building access.
For security reasons, KLUG needs entrance and exit
door control. Can you arrive early and leave last?
CONTACT CHAIR DIRK BARTLEY <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
*************************************************************
A FREE 802.11b WIRELESS NETWORK WITH 4 WIRELESS ACCESS
points (WAP) is available within the Chamber building
and is provided by the Dill Companies, Inc. Bring your
wireless cards to KLUG meetings. When a KLUG member
needs to access the internet while downtown, stop in
and park/compute in the Chamber parking lot.
*************************************************************
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THIS IS THE WAY TO GET THESE WEEKLY KLUG MEETING NOTES! <--*HEY!*
-------------------------------------------------------
MAKE SURE YOU ARE SIGNED UP for the KLUG mailing lists!
Diversified mailing lists can be found on our web site.
http://kalamazoolinux.org/listserv/
Facilitated by - listmaster@kalamazoolinux.org John Bridleman
Currently Available KLUG Lists:
----------------------------------
LIST DESCRIPTION
Members The main KLUG mailing list <--- Weekly Meeting Notes!
Novices A list for Linux beginners to ask questions
Hardware List for hardware discussions
Advocacy Pros & cons of different software
Inschool A list for Linux in schools project
Driftwood KLUG project of constructing a IP PBX
Phpsig Discussion of PHP web programming
Speakers Speakers and presentation topics
LDAPannounce Adam's LDAP related project announcements
*****************************************************************
DRIFTWOOD PROJECT FORMS AND LAUNCHES MAILING LIST
A teleconferencing and Linux PC PBX project that
is open to anyone interested and exists to focus on
the open source program Asterisk. Join the Driftwood
mailing list and see what is planned for this hands-on
local project. We might be broadcasting KLUG meetings
on the net and more. * STILL TIME TO GET INVOLVED!!! *
http://kalamazoolinux.org/listserv/listserv.php3
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===> SURPLUS EQUIPMENT DONATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED <===
KLUG now has Sec. 501c3 - Charitable Tax Deduction
-----------------------------------------------------
*************************************************************
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
KLUG'S 501c3 TAX DEDUCTIBLE STATUS HAS BEEN ATTAINED
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This is a big step forward for KLUG to finally have
attained Non-profit Charitable Organization status.
Now businesses and individuals can contribute hardware,
software, services, cash, membership dues, and other
contributions WITH FULL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIBILITY!!!
There are many OTHER benefits that 'non-profits' enjoy.
CONTACT CHAIR DIRK BARTLEY <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
*************************************************************
NOW YOU CAN USE THE URL HTTP://KAZOOLUG.ORG TO
summon KLUG web pages. Shorter and more exact!
You can still use the longer URL as a valid address!
*************************************************************
LIBRARY DATABASE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND POSTED
Dirk Bartley has prepared a database to assist you
in locating and requesting KLUG library resources
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/library/
*************************************************************
KLUG HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHAMBER
of Commerce that includes support of our networking
services. KLUG is entitled to facilities usage,
access to the Jas Network DSL line bandwidth, and
being recognized as an important part of the local
business community. THE CONTRACTS ARE ALL SIGNED!
*************************************************************
WMU COMPUTER CLUB (AKA YAKKO) IS A LINUX-BASED GROUP SERVING
interested people in the university and regional community.
http://yakko.cs.wmich.edu/ Running Linux since 1993 and
offering help to anyone with their Linux systems, Yakko has
been loosely associated with KLUG for many years. They
offer student and community memberships with Linux shell
accounts for the contribution of $10 per year. Starting
out with Slackware v2.0 on a 386 with an 80 Mb hard drive,
Yakko now is comprised of about 10 servers with T1 internet
access and a local network that chugs along at 100 MPS!
Sponsored by the Computer Science Department at WMU, they
are now included in the College of Engineering. There are
many people who are members of both KLUG and Yakko! Check
out their web site and see how much fun they are having.
They support their activities with pop and snack sales!!!
Traditionally they have enjoyed pizza at their install fests.
The lovable Dr. Robert Trenary is the clubs faculty advisor!
*************************************************************
KPUG MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE AT KLUG MEETINGS! WELCOME KPUG!
http://www.geocities.com/kzoopug They have been meeting
at 4th Coast Coffee Shop on S. Westnedge Avenue from 7pm
to 9pm on the 1st Tuesday of each month. The wireless crew!
A pocket PC magazine was quoted as saying 10% of the Pocket
PC market will be migrating to Linux in the next year. The
Palm OS and M$ Windows CE OS dominate the "wireless gadget"
scene. These are moving over to the Linux OpenSource model!
Look for this group to make their "MARKS" around Kalamazoo!
Some of the KPUG members are officially KLUG members now.
*************************************************************
BOOGIES CYBER CAFE - KLUG's public commercial Linux project.
*************************************************************
NEWS BULLETIN - BOOGIES HAS BEEN SOLD - STATUS INFO ARRIVES
*************************************************************
Boogies is now... "Ali Babba's Hookah Emporium," REALLY!
The Boogies project has been terminated and relocation
options are being considered. We can help create another
cybercafe or do something completely different. Send your
great ideas to "Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org> or "Dirk
Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>.
A KLUG PC RUNNING LINUX HAS BEEN PLACED AT THE KALAMAZOO CHAMBER
of Commerce to provide DHCP services. This will enable easier
internet access for KLUG members attending meetings at the Chamber.
Lots more additions planned between KLUG and K C of C. A newsgroup
server, web server, networking, and eventually EVERYTHING! The
synergy is peaking! Hardware is being installed and KLUG
volunteers are needed. Contact "Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org>
or "Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>.
KLUG IS NOW THE PROUD OWNER OF A PRESENTATION PROJECTOR!!!
SPECIFICATIONS OF INFOCUS LP425ZVB PROJECTOR - Cost $1,599.00
7.4 pounds, 9x12x3.9, 900 lumens, Manual zoom lens
SVGA (800x600) with compressed XGA (1024x768)
HDTV support, 400:1 Contrast, Throw 5 to 20ft
16.7 million colors, 2.4 to 12.6ft image size
16 degree key stoning, 1 Watt audio
IF YOU KNOW OF ADDITIONAL LINKS that should be included
in the KLUG LINKS page... please send e-mail suggestions
to <linkmaster@kalamazoolinux.org> so the LINKS team of
The Link Master will review the content of the web site.
If you haven't checked these links out lately, take a look.
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/links
GREAT MEETING PRESENTATIONS. Your opportunity
to share your Linux experiences and see what
other people are doing. Come enjoy a meeting!
If you have an IDEA FOR A KLUG PRESENTATION or know
of a good speaker, we want to hear about it! Make
contact with our KLUG Program Director, Adam Williams
<awilliam@whitemice.org>. DSL, a Pentium Class Desktop
PC, VGA Projector, VGA Monitors, and an Overhead Projector
are Available for Use in KLUG Presentations! Contact
Dirk Bartley <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
IV. GENERAL KLUG ANNOUNCEMENTS
WHAT IS KLUG? -
KLUG is a volunteer group formed by and for LINUX
system users in the Kalamazoo Michigan area. We
support, promote, and develop activities related
to the use, study, and application of LINUX in the
local community.
THE BEGINNER'S MEETINGS ARE HELD the first Tuesday of each
month. Linux basics and distribution installs are the
lessons of these evenings. If you do want KLUG's FREE help
installing Linux on your computer at one of these meetings,
see URL: http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings/installform.html
Contact the KLUG Installmasters for more information:
installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org
===============================================================
THE KLUG STANDARD BEGINNER'S PRESENTATION - LINUX BOOT CAMP!!!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/presentations/beginner01.html
===============================================================
Note:
As Linux matures as an OS, the educational needs are evolving.
The Beginner's Meeting format is changing with those needs.
It is difficult to cover all the basics in one meeting. Linux
is not just for CS experts and IT professionals. The "BASICS"
meetings are intended for those with limited experience with
Operating System's or even Personal Computer's. Your comments
and questions are welcomed!
IF YOU KNOW OF ADDITIONAL LINKS that should be included
in the KLUG LINKS page... please send e-mail suggestions
to <linkmaster@kalamazoolinux.org> so the LINKS team
can review the content of the site.
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/links
REDHAT LINUX CERTIFICATION information is available
from a KLUG officer. See the club listserv for more
info or check certifications on the Links page.
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/links/certification.html
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ > R E A D T H I S < +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Y O U ARE ASKED TO REMEMBER THAT K L U G IS...
A ---> VOLUNTEER <--- ORGANIZATION!!!
Please Honor the Spirit of the GPL! Is it REALLY Free?
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
VOLUNTEER CLUB POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE:
All KLUG positions ARE NOT occupied currently. Some KLUG
volunteers are doing double duty. Please consider
serving the members as one of the following...
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
SEE THIS LISTING FOR KLUG OFFICE DESCRIPTIONS
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/
- NUTRI MASTER Provide cookies and milk for KLUG meetings. *
* {Reimbursement for refreshment purchases!}
- MEETING GREETER Someone to assist with Chamber building access.
For security reasons, we need entrance and exit door control.
- OTHER POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE, SOME FILL TWO VOLUNTEER SLOTS!
More info from "Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
*****************************************************************
# J O I N & S U P P O R T K L U G !!!
# Be a KLUG Supporting Member! $25 annually *
# ($.50 per meeting) TRULY A GREAT BARGAIN!!!
#
# THE SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE (= #)
*****************************************************************
# GREAT MEETING PRESENTATIONS. Your opportunity
to share your Linux experiences and see what
other people are doing. Come enjoy a meeting!
If you have an IDEA FOR A KLUG PRESENTATION or know
of a good speaker, we want to hear about it! Make
contact with our KLUG Program Director, Adam Williams
<awilliam@whitemice.org>. A Pentium Class Desktop
PC, DSL Web Connection, VGA Projector, and an
Overhead Projector are Available for Use in KLUG
Presentations! Contact Dirk Bartley <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
# NON-COMMERCIAL OR PERSONAL WEB SITE HOSTED on the
KLUG server. Single page .html files can be sent to the
interim KLUG webmaster@kalamazoolinux.org for
posting. These are intended to be low traffic web
sites displaying appropriate content.
# CHECK OUT THE NEW KLUG LIBRARY PAGE - See the updated
inventory listing of our KLUG Library. The items listed in
green are only available to KLUG supporting members.
We have Debian, SuSE, Mandrake, and WinLinux distribution
packages available in our library along with several others.
Did you know we have *non-Linux* distribution additions!
Everything else is available to anyone that can come to a
KLUG meeting. If you would like to check out one of these
items, please check it off and submit the form on the KLUG
library page. We are sharing these next two items as an F-Y-I !
Please do show up at the meeting if you have books requested.
What about you? Do you need to return any KLUG library books?
Contact Dirk Bartley for more info <bartleyd2@net-link.net>.
# *************************************************************
RED HAT v8.0.x HAS BEEN RELEASED
http://www.redhat.com/apps/download/
*************************************************************
************** BS-WARE SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS ***************
This Linux distribution now comes on three (3) CD's.
Supporting Member Discount on BS-Ware is $1.50 per
CD or 50% off! Bruce distributes a non-commercial
version of the Red Hat Linux OS! Notice - BS-Ware
prices are $3 per CD. A Great Deal!!! Thanks Bruce!!!
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
VISIT ===> http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware/
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
See Bruce's BS-Ware web site to find out what Linux & other
distributions and application software he has available.
E-mail him in advance about your needs and pick up your
CD's at the next meeting. bruce@armintl.com
**************************************************************
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NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
Bring a friend... who wants to learn about Open Source!
THE KALAMAZOO LINUX USERS GROUP WOULD LIKE TO THANK
the Law firm of Kreis Enderle Callander & Hudgins
for their generousity toward KLUG. Matt DePerno has
made contributions of his time to assist us in our
successful achievement of 501(c)(3) tax status with
the IRS!!!
THANKS to ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL, INC. for providing their
much appreciated IT Resources to support KLUG and Linux.
THANKS to KALAMAZOO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE for providing their
well appointed facilities for our meetings. Jas Networks has
donated a DSL (2.3 Mbit) connection that KLUG uses during the
meetings to allow attendees and presenters to connect by
network cable to a hub. An 802.11b wireless network connection
is also available from Michigan Wireless Networks. Many
projectors, flip chart easels, and projection screens have
been made available.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kalamazoo Linux Users Group, Inc.
6749 South Westnedge Avenue
Suite K-288
Portage MI 49002
e-mail address: chairman@kalamazoolinux.org
web site http://kalamazoolinux.org
Copyright 2002 Kalamazoo Linux Users Group, Inc.
>><< send corrections, additions, flames to the KLUG scribe >><<
mag00@voyager.net or magoo@yakko.cs.wmich.edu
Space & Time Coordinates: Planet Earth During the Holocene Period