Red Hat Extends Support Timeframe
Red Hat extends RHEL support from 3 to 4 years for versions 4 and higher, giving server owners more time before costly upgrades. CentOS users also benefit from this extended lifecycle announcement.
Writing
Thoughts on technology, business, and the gap between them.
Selecting a Backup Location
A datacenter fire at ThePlanet highlights the critical importance of backup location in disaster recovery planning. While off-site backups offer better protection, on-site copies enable faster recovery. Budget permitting, maintain both.
Securing Web Forms for PCI DSS
PCI compliance scanners now flag login forms on HTTP pages as high-risk failures, even if they POST to HTTPS. If you accept credit cards, immediately convert all authentication forms to HTTPS-only pages.
Email Migration Tip
Use Mail2Web during email migrations to let clients easily access their old server by entering its IP address, avoiding complex email client reconfiguration while DNS propagates across different ISPs.
Understanding Domain Keys DKIM and Sender ID
DKIM uses digital signatures to verify email origin and prevent spoofing, but isn't an anti-spam solution alone. Combined with reputation systems, it becomes effective. Best suited for high-volume senders with proven email practices.
PCI Compliance Project: Initial Results
Our PCI compliance scanning project reveals key differences among vendors. ControlScan offers superior reporting, while ScanAlert shows inconsistent results. SecurityMetrics failed to respond. All vendors successfully identified open ports, though Comodo provided better port identification details.
Parallels 2008: SaaS and Automation
SaaS and automation dominated the Parallels Summit, showcasing end-to-end platforms for hosting providers. Networking opportunities and after-hours events made this informative conference worthwhile. Consider attending next year for industry insights and connections.
Softlayer Selects rackAID as Preferred Partner
rackAID becomes SoftLayer's preferred managed services provider after a year-long partnership effort. The collaboration leverages SoftLayer's superior remote management tools and creates an ecosystem of best-in-class solutions for mutual customers.
Plesk Update Causes Kernel Panic
A Plesk update bug causes kernel panic on reboot due to a malformed /etc/fstab entry. The fix requires correcting the filesystem type, removing the failed kernel, and reinstalling. Always document solutions to obscure problems.
Playing Nice – Using the Post Master Service of Major ISPs
Major ISPs like AOL, Hotmail, and Yahoo offer postmaster services to help email senders avoid blacklisting. Monitor feedback loops, follow bulk sending guidelines, and use spam reporting tools to maintain deliverability and prevent service disruptions.