One of the issues that I have run into several times is the securing of access to server farms. You generally end up with a ton of keys laying around and it gets really messy. At one of my past jobs, they had written a pretty killer tool that gave me the springboard for pssh. Pssh is cool because it knows what servers you have by interrogating the AWS APIs, what keys they need and even what their internal DNS name is in your cloud.

So, enter pssh, the Proxy Secure SHell! a SSH automation tool suitable for use as bastion ssh server, or general hand holder. At this time, only works on AWS. Since it’s built on the killer @fog gem, it can be easily expanded to just about any cloud provider.

Wait, what?

Continue reading ‘PSSH…..’ »

With the advent of low cost, high capacity storage solutions, and really easy SAN tools baked into most linux distros, a DIY SAN solution is a lot easier then it might seem.

Continue reading ‘Quick and dirty storage’ »

One of the perceived issues with the increased use of social networks and pervasive online activities is eroding of personal privacy. Some would have us believe that there will be no privacy in the future, and we just need to accept that fact.

I feel very differently. What is eroding is personal anonymity, which is very different then privacy.

Continue reading ‘Privacy vs. Anonymity’ »

One of the things that I like to do it launch my VM’s with out a GUI – it takes a little less resources, and it does not clutter up my Mac’s desktop with windows that I do not need. It’s been hard to do in the past.

Enter VMWare Fusion Launcher. Currently it’s tested under Ruby 1.9.2dev, so YMMV.