Aug
4
Ubuntu, Why Should You Switch?
August 4, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | Leave a Comment
Posted in Editorials
The good people of TALL blog, in Oxford provide a very good perspective of some of the issues; comparing Microsoft Windows and Ubuntu Linux.
Areas covered (in the chart on their web site) are: software management, malware scanner, performance, hardware support, "User runs the computer, or the other way around?", and License costs. Read what they have to contribute below...
"I want to re-install my work PC - get rid of Windows and install Ubuntu. Here’s why…
Around 5 years ago, after using AmigaOS, MS DOS, and MS Windows (versions 3.1, 95, 98, ME, and NT, 2000) , I started playing with Linux (or GNU/Linux if you prefer). I started with Mandrake (now Mandriva), and Linux From Scratch (compiling and setting up the whole operating system from source code), and I learned a lot about how a Linux system is put together, how software is developed and managed, and how PC hardware is often poorly put together, neglecting industry “standards” in favour of “does it work on Windows?”.
It seemed clear 5 years ago that Linux could do all I want a computer do, do it well, and maybe even gratis. The only problem was that it took a lot of effort to get to the system set up correctly in the first instance. Once it was ready it was great, but getting ready took time, research, and effort - that’s fine for messing around at home, but not so good for getting work done.
I now run Ubuntu Desktop Linux on my home PC, with virtually no effort required to run it - as these things should be.
My work PCs have always run MS Windows. Currently it’s Windows XP, and gives me hassle most days.
I don’t want to write reams of prose about the two platforms, so I’ll just describe the key issues that bother me, comparing Windows to Ubuntu..."
Read the really good bits by visiting their blog (in the comparison chart): tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php/2007/08/03/windows-vs-ubuntu-why-switch/
Aug
3
Speed Up Your Internet Connection in Ubuntu Linux – Part 2
August 3, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 3 Comments
Posted in How To
Readers have been asking me for a bit more background information about the issues in part one, this results in a far more technical article (follow up) than ever intended. And I hope the technical gurus among us can correct any errors here. As requested, here is more background to the settings...
To clarify the Window/Packet size tweak:
In a Windows environment we improve speed by editing what's called "rwin" (Receive Window) - In other words what is the largest receiving window size that works best for your Windows based PC. There are several other settings for Windows, however our blog is specifically for the benefit of the Ubuntu and Linux community.
Linux, Ubuntu, Fedora, etc. uses several configuration values. Below is what each "value" (in part one) refers to.
net.core.rmem_default
This refers to the DEFAULT size we want to set our RECEIVE window to.
net.core.rmem_max
This refers to the MAXIMUM size we want to set our RECEIVE window to.
net.core.wmem_default
This refers to the DEFAULT size we want to set our SEND window to.
net.core.wmem_max
This refers to the MAXIMUM size we want to set our SEND window to.
net.ipv4.tcp_wmem
Refers to the SEND window size range to use. The first number is the minimum size, the second is the default and the third is the maximum.
net.ipv4.tcp_rmem
Refers to the RECEIVE window size range to use. The first number is the minimum size, the second is the default and the third is the maximum.
net.ipv4.tcp_mem
In general, it refers to the memory buffer used for packet transactions. It keeps the communications buffers from being drained. Communication bottlenecks can occur if this value is too low.
net.ipv4.tcp_rfc1337
Enables or disables time-wait hazards. It's rather complicated as it is a feature that enables (or disables) the ability to handle some of the proposed TCP extension's new class of TCP failures. Check this url for the technical details: www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1337.txt
(1 turns this on and 0 turns it off).
net.ipv4.ip_no_pmtu_disc
Maximum Transfer Unit (MTU) discovery. If you disable this setting, then the MTU settings will be calculated from the MTU's of all the hops along the path to the host (web site server) you are connecting. Again, 1 enables and 0 disables. MTU is the largest packet size that can be transferred in one physical frame at a time. Remember, the packet also contains the header and trailer information (addresses are part of each packet and are required by routers so that data can be sent to the correct addresses).
net.ipv4.tcp_sack
This refers to SACK (Selective Acknowledgment). The handling of out-of-sequence or duplicate data. When a packet is receive by a computer (the receiver), it send out an acknowledgment to the sending computer (the sender). In other words...
Receiver says to sender: "I got your packet. Please send the next packet".
But what happens when there are duplicate packets? According to www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2883.txt (lots of details in this link), when duplicate packets are received, the first block of the SACK option field can be used to report the sequence numbers of the packet that triggered the acknowledgment.
net.ipv4.tcp_fack
This refers to the control of data flow. Particularly to work with Sack (net.ipv4.tcp_sack above) in avoiding bottlenecks/data congestion. In other words, avoiding data traffic jams. It's a good idea to enable it "1".
net.ipv4.tcp_window_scaling
This refers to the increasing or decreasing of the window sizes. If memory serves me correctly, in Windows the size is static, but in Linux it is dynamic. Therefore, turning this on (by setting it to 1) enables the ability to change window sizes as needed.
net.ipv4.tcp_timestamps
Timestamps are used for RTTM (Round Trip Time Measurement) and PAWS (Protect Against Wrapped Sequences). RTTM I think is self-explanatory. PAWS protects against the old/duplicate packet overlaps. You can find more detailed information here: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1323.txt and here: http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/rfc/rfc13xx/RFC1337.html
net.ipv4.tcp_ecn
This ads ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification), details of which can be found here http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3168.txt and here: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2884.txt
net.ipv4.route.flush
This simply flushes the routing cache. Systems store the routing information in a cache. How to get from point A to point B - In other words where to route (or send) the data, so that it gets to the next (correct) router.
As I mentioned, this follow-up is far too technical (in my opinion) that I ever intended, however it is here by request and I really do hope it helps.
And I hope some of you technical gurus can correct any mistakes or inaccuracies.
The original, Part 1 of this article can be found here: ubuntulinuxhelp.com/speed-up-your-internet-connection-in-ubuntu-linux/
UPDATE: Video below...
How-to: Fix A Slow Internet Connection In Ubuntu 7.10
Aug
1
The Best Ubuntu Linux Repository List
August 1, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 14 Comments
Posted in How To
If, like me, you enjoy tweaking and playing with your Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty) installation then check out the download (zipped text file). It contains pretty much all the software repositories for Ubuntu Feisty (7.04) that are available to enhance the "apt-get install" command. Obviously, if you plan on continuing to upgrade your distribution as new Ubuntu versions are released, be careful which things you actually install, backup your files first, before doing this. What does this tweak do for us? Saves time searching for repositories! Below is a peek of some of the repositories on the list and the download link.
Have fun!
Repositories included:
Medibuntu
Beryl
Audacious
Skype
Ekiga & Debian pkg-voip
Opensync
Google
Opera
Wine
SimplyMepis
EasyCam
Linux2Go
TVFreePlayer
GnomeMeeting
Cinelerra
Mjpeg
MythTV
Screenlets
MusicBrainz
Dbuntu
SysAdmins
PeaDrop
IVTV
Ubuntu Studio
Elisa Media Creator
Qemulator
and more...
The download contains two files:
sources.list and sources_keys.sh
Download: sources.zip
Download: sources.gz
Jul
31
A Linux Experience
July 31, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 1 Comment
Posted in Editorials
A Linux Experience - Having a couple of hours to kill one day, Lionel decided to download a copy of Ubuntu's Live CD. When everything worked from the boot, he was intrigued and decided to try the dual boot option. Needing to run some priority software for his writing, he did some research and found that Virtual-Box could run everything he would need. After 45 days of testing, he found that didn't need to ever boot in to the Windows partition. Now his computer is an Ubuntu only machine and he is a full time Ubuntu user. Read more here: www.5thwind.com/?p=12
Jul
31
Ubuntu Is Enterprise Friendly & Ubuntu Landscape is a Key to Rapid, Easy Deployment
July 31, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | Leave a Comment
Posted in Editorials
Mark Shuttleworth says: Ubuntu Is Enterprise Friendly - Mark Shuttleworth's keynote at the Ubuntu Live Conference centered on the fact that the Ubuntu server is capable of bringing the same values of its desktop version to the server market -- ease of use, performance and compatibility. With Linux already driving the enterprise market through thin clients and dedicated systems, Ubuntu needs to maintain its ability to preform well as a virtual machine. Canonical will therefore be putting more resources behind Landscape, a web-based systems management client for small to medium businesses. In his conclusion, Shuttleworth called for the Linux community to hold discussions on setting a predictable release schedule for major distributions to ease collaboration among kernel developers and afford better stability and support for software developers working on the platform. Read more here: blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/07/shuttleworth-ub.html
Ubuntu Landscape - With Landscape, users can manage, monitor and maintain all their Ubuntu machines simply by registering them with the service. Focused on being easy to deploy, Landscape is immediately available with an easy to use Web interface to common administration tasks.
Security and stability are enhanced with visibility of new security fixes and updates as soon as they're available for Ubuntu. Individual systems, or groups can be updated making it simple and quick to keep them secure. With package management across a range of systems the total cost of managing an Ubuntu deployment of desktops, laptops and servers is reduced. Read more about Ubuntu Landscape here: www.ubuntu.com/news/landscape-system-management-tool
