New 64bit Servers... more bad news

[phonic]

hi,

I got a new 64bit Root Server I(from 1and1.co.uk) from them last week, and yes, up in 4 hours.
I was thinking...wow! and could not wait to try it out. This is what I found:

# quota
Segmentation fault
# iptables -L
iptables v1.3.0: can't initialize iptables table`filter': Bad file descriptor
Perhaps iptables or your kernel needs to be upgraded.
another problem that is that the kernel is built with gcc 3.x (suse 9.3)
FC4 uses version 4.0.2. so I had to build my own kernel as well.

so I e-mail support(big mistake):
They thought it was a "memory fault", so they replaced the memory and in doing so pulled out the serial cable that took them another day to plug back in.
next... they said it was a hardware fault and replaced the hardware... still not fixed.

I did stated to them at the start that Suse 64bit worked, and so does FC4 32bit images, but they still replaced the memory and hardware anyway.

anyone else having these problems?

1&1 seem to be one big joke at the moment.

[eWebtricity]

search these forums for a similar issue where they forgot to build iptables support into the kernel on the default image install. Looks like they screwed the pooch again on the 64bit kernel image.

[Highland]

If they bring the server back up (and you're plucky) try going with CentOS (search the forums for more info on how to install). I have one server running it and, since it's not a 1and1 image, it has everything that some of their images lack (plus retains the admin console reboot ability).

[phonic]

If they bring the server back up (and you're plucky) try going with CentOS (search the forums for more info on how to install). I have one server running it and, since it's not a 1and1 image, it has everything that some of their images lack (plus retains the admin console reboot ability).

I've intalled CentOS4.4 64bit, and quotas and iptables work!
I've even setup a sane disk partition structure with raid.
no boot errors...perfect and simple to do with no messing!

I even told them that, but they're adamant that it's a hardware fault(not software)..how strange!

I would like to see them add an image to the list called "Working CentOS4 - we've not messed with this one(yet)"

[phonic]

at last I've got them to recognize thay've got a problem with the 64bit image.
but...

Thank you for contacting us.

We are currently investigating the problems with the 64-bit image.
Unfortunately, I can't give a definite timeframe for this to be fully
resolved. I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and we
appreciate your patience.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

[andrew6071]

Hi,

Do you know if they fixed the 64bit image, the reason i ask is i never thought to check when i got my server a few months back to see what version was instaled. Anyways i've checked now and it seems that they have installed a 32bit os.

Is it worth reimaging the box ?

Andrew

[phonic]

Hi,

Do you know if they fixed the 64bit image, the reason i ask is i never thought to check when i got my server a few months back to see what version was instaled. Anyways i've checked now and it seems that they have installed a 32bit os.

Is it worth reimaging the box ?

Andrew


I've just got an e-mail today stating:

Our administrators report that as of today the problems with the image
should be corrected.

Just as suport for FC4 is ending very soon.

I've not tested the new 64bit image as I'm now using my own custom harddisk setup with CentOS4.4, and don't have a free test server at the moment.

I would recommend CentOS4 as it's a stable enterprise class distribution, with updates untill end of Feb 2012.

[andrew6071]

Just as suport for FC4 is ending very soon.

When's soon ?


I've not tested the new 64bit image as I'm now using my own custom harddisk setup with CentOS4.4, and don't have a free test server at the moment.

I would recommend CentOS4 as it's a stable enterprise class distribution, with updates untill end of Feb 2012.
Whats actually involved in installing Centos 4.4, is it the same as the FAQ else where on the site ? Anything i should watch out for if i decide to go ahead with it

[phonic]

When's soon ?

Whats actually involved in installing Centos 4.4, is it the same as the FAQ else where on the site ? Anything i should watch out for if i decide to go ahead with it

Support for Fedora Core releases lasts 6 months from release date, and then goes to the Fedora Legacy project to continue security updates for a little longer. FC4 as already been handed over to Fedora legacy a while ago, and they don't continue the support for more than 6 months.

If you've installed Linux before on your own machines, then it's no harder.
the only thing is that you need to download the image, and put it in a partition like swap. and update lilo. And select boot from hard disk image on sdb2 or what ever partition you put it.

make sure you backup your data, and your plesk key(/etc/psa/psa.key)
also, you will be able to setup both hard disks with raid 1 or use both for data. it's up to you.

the following is for the new AMD 64bit with raid located in Germany.
it's best to do things manual, and below are the steps you need to take:

#turn off swap and change swap partition type to vfat and mount:

swapoff -a
sfdisk --force --change-id /dev/sdb 2 7
mkfs.vfat /dev/sdb2
mount /dev/sdb2 /mnt/
cd /mnt

#download centos4 server image to partition

wget http://ftp.hosteurope.de/mirror/centos.org/4/isos/i386/CentOS-4.4.ServerCD-i386.iso

#copy kernel boot files to boot:
mkdir cd
mount -o loop CentOS-4.4.ServerCD-i386.iso cd/
cp cd/isolinux/vmlinuz /boot/vmlinuz-centos
cp cd/isolinux/initrd.img /boot/initrd-centos.img

cd /
umount /mnt

#update lilo config (vi /etc/lilo.conf)

image=/boot/vmlinuz-centos
label=centos
initrd=/boot/initrd-centos.img
append="console=ttyS0,57600n8"

#update lilo:

lilo
#use the following if you want to set it to default, but you can just type centos before lilo boots the default

lilo - R centos

then login via Serial console and reboot to install centos.
note: don't format your swap.
Don't worry about DNS,IP, or routes settings as they are now setup correctly via dhcp.
Be careful using the serial console as it times out if no data is transmitted, but you can login again and move around to see the options.

after you can change your swap back using:
sfdisk --change-id /dev/sdb 2 82
mkswap /dev/sdb2
echo "/dev/sdb2 swap swap defaults 0 0" >> /etc/fstab
swapon -a

you may need to do the following to get grub working(via the recovery console):
grub
> device (hd0) /dev/sda
> root (hd0,0)
> setup (hd0)
> device (hd1) /dev/sdb
> root (hd1,0)
> setup (hd1)

If you need any help let me know.

[andrew6071]

#download centos4 server image to partition

wget http://ftp.hosteurope.de/mirror/centos.org/4/isos/i386/CentOS-4.4.ServerCD-i386.iso



Do you use the i386 image or the x86_64 image of Centos ?

Andrew

[phonic]

Do you use the i386 image or the x86_64 image of Centos ?

Andrew
I use the i386 image and would recommend it for plesk for the time being.

Plesk only supports the 32bit image at this time on CentOS,
however, some people have reported success installing plesk8 on CentOS 64bit by using the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 (AS/ES) 64bit installer for plesk8.
I assume this route requires some modifications, like changing the redhat-release file,etc...

[andrew6071]

I use the i386 image and would recommend it for plesk for the time being.

good point, didn't think about that.
Saying that though, we use Oracle at work, and that is really meant to be installed on Redhat AS/ES only. But works a treat on Centos 4.4 without any modification

How long does it take to do a reimage, and what would you suggest i back up (i dont really have any clients on it at the moment)

Andrew

[phonic]

How long does it take to do a reimage, and what would you suggest i back up (i dont really have any clients on it at the moment)

using the 1&1 images? takes about 90mins(maybe longer).

Installing CentOS4 via harddisk is very quick, and takes under 10mins, as it's coping from your second harddisk.

with regards to backups: if you have anything you want to keep, back it up!
however on the CentOS4 install, you MUST backup the 1&1 plesk key(/etc/psa/psa.key).

[Guga-NYC]

It appears that they fixed the issues and this mentioned at the beggining of this thread ... I dont have a problem issuing quota or iptables commands.

Still the partitioning schema sucks ... but I can live with that.

Just though that was worth mentioning for those that are not that brave to install centos on the server ....