How do you upgrade a VMware ESXi host that VCSA is running on? well, you can not use VCSA VUM (vCenter Server Appliance, VMware Update Manager). In this case we have a chicken and the egg problem. This is due to maintenance mode required on the host prior to patching but maintenance mode requires VCSA
This post details my observations and experiences Implementing Ubiquiti Unifi into the home network. If you intend to use Unifi devices exclusively then the kit will work straight out the box with little configuration required, no point in reading this post TL;DR. On the other hand if you have a fairly elaborate home network which
I’ve just replaced the certificate on my Unifi controller due to the Google Chrome warnings about certificates with no subject alternative name extensions. I had to use my strongest Google-Fu and search for “Unifi Controller Import Externally Generated Certificate”. It was pretty hard finding all the details I needed so this is my gift to
This post details how I’ve been using OpenSSL to generate CSR’s with Subject Alternative Name Extensions. You may have noticed that since Chrome 58, certificates that do not have Subject Alternative name extensions will show as invalid. Amazing, I must have missed the memo on that. Most of the certificates I use in my home
Here is an overview of the Home networking lab setup. You might ask why even have a home lab these days? You can build a fairly grown up enterprise grade topology using virtualization? Agreed, especially if you have high spec workstation or choose a cloud provider for the compute. Why I built a home lab
I was approached recently by friend requesting some help with a very difficult situation. A member of their family had sadly passed away. The deceased was a husband and father of two young children. My friend was trying to assist the wife of the deceased with various financial issues that arise when a someone passes away. The
Keeping relevant in this industry can be challenging. With the DevOps, SDN, public cloud and insert acronym here revolutions, everything is moving so quickly consuming information can feel like drinking from a fire hose. A strategy of mine is to listen to industry related podcast’s both security and data networking. Podcasts are a great way
[UPDATE] My home lab now runs Palo Alto VM100 virtual firewalls with a Unifi Security Gateway. I’ll leave this post up for anyone who may be interested in my experiences working with VyOS[/UPDATE] I’ve just completed a project implementing VyOS routers into the home lab. In this post I’ll detail why and how I use VyOS. VyOS
I’ve spent many years working in operational roles supporting complex architectures. Almost everyone one of them had a high degree of Technical debt. Network architectures that have been poorly designed, do not scale well or too complicated to support without an armada of highly trained and skilled engineers. This picture I came across on twitter
One of the objectives of a recent home network redesign was to incorporate IP Surveillance cameras. I’ve always had external cameras at home, I like the assurance I get from 24 hour visibility of my property. It’s reassuring to access the surveillance setup remotely and check up on the house. My old setup was a stand alone