Exapnding ext4 root filesystem

Almost doomed the box while doing it :)

resize2fs utility allows you to expand e2fs filesystem online but there is a catch -> you cannot expand the filesystem beyond its partition boundary. Your filesystem is most likely using entire partition anyway.

- Use fdisk and first "p"rint the existing partition table

Disk /dev/sda: 8032 MB, 8032092160 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 7660 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00027054
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 7660 7843824 83 Linux

- Note the Start and End of the partition and partition number (sda"X")
- Delete the required partition
- Create same partition again. Use same partition number and start cylinder number
- fdisk should prompt you with maximum number cylinders you can expand to. You might need to delete partitions before doing this.
- "p"rint the partition table again and make sure that the partition number and start cylider matches
- Make sure that you toggle the bootable flag if the partition was already bootable. I missed this step and subsequent boot failed. Luckily the bootable installation media was around
- "w"rite the changes, exit and reboot. (You can abort at this step and you would be still fine if you wish not to continue)
- After reboot, resize the filesystem

root@atom:~# resize2fs /dev/sda1
resize2fs 1.41.9 (22-Aug-2009)
Filesystem at /dev/sda1 is mounted on /; on-line resizing required
old desc_blocks = 1, new_desc_blocks = 1
Performing an on-line resize of /dev/sda1 to 1960956 (4k) blocks.
The filesystem on /dev/sda1 is now 1960956 blocks long.

- Enjoy!
  
NOTE: As long as your partition table is properly aligned on cylinder boundaries, you should be ok. These steps worked for me and you can follow them on your own :)

Installing VMware ESXi 3.5 on Intel Atom D945GCLF2 using USB Flash drive

11th day of the month seems to be a potential VMware day. After the initial failed attemtps to install VMware on Intel Atom board, I tried to install ESXi 3.5 today after more than an year :)

First, I was not aware that VMware ESXi installation can be customised. After I came to know that this can be done, I could not succeed, for the fact that I was using Windows to achieve this :) The hard disk crashed and took the Windows installation with it. Ubuntu came to rescue. A pen drive based installation was quickly done.

Customizing ESXi for Realtek 8168 NIC on D945GCLF2 seems straightforward (After I managed to get it done after 1+ year :D )

- Download ESXi 3.5 ISO image from VMware site
- Extract the image and locate VMware-VMvisor-big-3.5.0_Update_5-207095.i386.dd.bz2
- Extract VMware-VMvisor-big-3.5.0_Update_5-207095.i386.dd from above file
- Use dd to transfer this image on a flash drive
dd if=VMware-VMvisor-big-3.5.0_Update_5-207095.i386.dd of=/dev/sdX bs=100M count=1
sync
- Re-insert the flash drive into slot and mount Hypervisor1 partition
- obtain custom oem.tgz (http://www.vm-help.com/forum/download/file.php?id=136&sid=b9568bc1d9037cf1483e39e9eaf3124b) and overwrite in the mounted partition
- Restart and boot with the new drive :)

The onboard SATA controller (ICH7) has been discovered but there is no disk connected. Once I get the failed disk repaired, can check if its detected in native mode.

Till then back to diskless Ubuntu :)

Satara Solo Ride - 2010

Date: 17th December to 19th December 2010
Route: Thane-Mahad-Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar-Bamnoli-Kaas-Satara-Sajjangad-Thoseghar-Sajjangad-Satara-Pune-Thane
Distance: 650-700kms

The annual vacation was about to end and frustration was building up. The vacation was spent in family affairs and had not been able to ride out. Usual partners in ride were unavailable, so it was a kind of unplanned solo ride to Satara.

I had been to Satara 10 years ago. My friend's village is situated at the base of Sajjangad fort and we had spent two weeks there. Unfortunately we both didn't know how to ride so we couldn't travel around. We spent our time walking up on Sajjangad top, socialising with relatives and discussing nerdy things. His cousin was kind and adventurous enough to take both of us pillion and visit Kaas lake. That was the only traveling we did around Satara.

Oh and the only technological advancement we had with us was a loaned Pentax SLR!

Satara is reachable via NH4 and NH17. Riding to-fro via same route gets boring so as usual I decided to include both roads in the plan. NH17 and NH4 are two different routes - NH4 is still undivided tar road and IMO more fun to ride. NH4 on the other hand, is concrete now after pune and bliss for those who wish to ride on full throttle. Tends to get boring after a while but.

I decided to explore Mahabaleshwar-Bamnoli-Kaas-Satara route. The route is available on maps but not much information was available.

From Mahabaleshwar you need to ride towards Tapola. There is an indian oil pump and snacks joint next to it after approx 20 kms on this road. Try the misal pav here, Its awesome! 4-5 kms after that you will hit small tar-road diversion for Bamnoli (hotel sagar would be on right). This diversion is not marked. Take left here. Bamnoli is appox 30 kms from here.

There is one T junction on the way near a bridge. A rusty signboard indicates Bamnoli. Take right here. You dont have to enter Bamnoli. Continue on the road and you will reach satara tunnel via kaas plateau. It`s another 30kms so total 60 odd km from the Tapola-Bamnoli diversion.

Road between Bamnoli and satara is being patched/reworked. There are no pumps on the way but you can get petrol from local shops for a premium price. No major shops/dhabas on the way. And the road is non-existant for about 5 kms. Absolutely no signboards between Tapola-Bamnoli point and nokia gps shows only road (as part of jaoli taluka). Good curves along the road but unusable due to patchwork and gravel. The road is scenic though. Runs on the periphery of Tapola lake for most of the time.

Destination arrived by evening. Things have changed much there in last 10 years. Most notable change was that the kids have grown up :)

In the morning I went on the hill for usual morning photoshoot.


Next day went to visit Thoseghar Windmill plateau and Sajjangad top. I had planned to leave Satara by evening but got delayed by 3 hours! Had to ride at night between Satara and Pune. Thanks to HID, the night ride was swift.






Slept at Pune at night and Sunday morning was a quick ride back home.

मुख्यमंत्र्यांचा राजिनामा रद्द :)

आत्ताच आलेल्या बातमीनुसार,
मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी "आदर्श" सोसायटीचे नाव "राजीव गांधी को. औ. हा. सोसायटी" असे बदलण्याचा प्रस्ताव दिल्याने त्यांचा राजिनामा हायकमांडने रद्द केला आहे.

टीप: वरील बातमी खरी मानण्याची चूक करू नका. पण नेहमीप्रमाणे त्याना क्लीनचीट मिळाल्यास आश्चर्यपण वाटून घेउ नका. बराच बोभाटा झालाय त्यामुळे क्लीनचीट उघडपणे देणे कदाचित शक्य नाही होणार. मग राजिनामा घेउन सोडले जाईल.

एका राजिनाम्यामुळे तसा फारसा फरक पडणार नाही. पैसा खाण्याचा वेग जरा मंदावतो इतकच. सत्ता मिळाली की प्रत्येक जण आपल्या भविष्याची सोय करुन ठेवतो. त्यात असं एखादं प्रकरण फुटलं की चौकशी तितक्यापुरतीच राहते. प्रकरण मिटलं की बाकीची सोय कामी येते. एकदा खाल्लेले पैसे कोणीच परत मागत नाही. मग एखादा राजिनामा म्हणजे किस झाडकी पत्ती.

वास्तविक पाहता, आदर्श सारखी प्रकरणे म्हणजे टिमवर्कचं आदर्श उदाहरण आहे. इतकी मोठी इमारत फक्त नेमक्या ४ मंत्र्यानी बांधली नाही. यात आख्खी यंत्रणा नि:संशय राबते.

लवासादेखील असाच आहे. राण्यांनी तो धरून लावला खरा पण ज्याप्रकारे त्यानी नंतर घुमजाव केलं त्यात काय घडलं असावं हे सांगण्याची गरज उरत नाही. राष्ट्रवादीवाले एरवी चिखलफ़ेक करतात पण या घोटाळ्यात तेपण कुठेतरी अडकले आहेत. त्यामुळे ते फक्त सावध विधान करत आहेत. . ज्याची नावं उघड बाहेर नाहीत ते आपण कसे या घोटाळ्यात नाही याची दवंडी पिटत आहेत. नैतिकतेच्या निकषावर, सरकारचे समर्थन करुन तेपण या घोटाळ्याचे साथीदार ठरतात. अन्यथा सद्य परिस्थितीत हे सरकार पाडणे काही मोठी गोष्ट नव्हती
असा प्रत्येक घोटाळा म्हणजे एक "Organised Crime" म्हणून सोडवायला हवा. पण सगळ्यांचे हात दगडाखाली असताना दगड हलवणार कोण? याच जागी जर एखादा गुंड असता (निवडून न आलेला) किंवा नकोसा झालेला बिल्डर असता तर त्यावर मोक्का कदाचित लागला असता. मोक्कासारखा कायदेशीर मार्ग भ्रष्ट राजकारण्यांसाठी लावता न येण्याची तरतूद घटनेत आहे की काय हा संशयच येतो अशावेळेस. त्यात भर म्हणून आपली कायदा(अ)व्यवस्था जलद न्यायनिवाड्यासाठी प्रसिद्ध आहे. तिची भिती राहिली कुठे राजकारण्यांना?

वरवर दिल्लीत जी काही हालचाल चालू आहे ती असेल, आता हे पाप कसं निस्तरायचंआणि बळीचा बकरा कोणाला करायचा याचा शोध चालू आहे. तो संपला की कळेलच...सध्यातरी निशाणा मुख्यमंत्र्यांवर आहे.

बघुया कसं दडपलं जातं हे सगळं...

Discrimination at Indian luxury Hotels

Had been to a luxury hotel to meet a friend. I was initially suprised since I was allowed to park inside their compound. While leaving, I rode up through the porch and two guards instantly came forward to stop me.

Guard - "Stop, Exit is that way"
Me - "Yes, I know, but I have to pick up somone from the porch!"
Guard - "Bikes allow (sic) nahi hai sir. (Bikes are not allowed)"
Me - "Why, I am not going to live there forever, will just pick up and go."
Guard - "But sir..."

I did not stop to argue further with the guards and went ahead through the porch.

All cars were allowed, no matter how cheap or underpowered they were. I wonder if he would have stopped a foreginer, or a guy on a superbike in same place.

What kind of discrimination is this? This is plain stupidity or just another example of socio-economical beliefs engraved in Indian minds. Or is this reflection of moronic understandings of people who made these rules?

Handsoff!

They recently installed this Shoe polisher machine in the office washroom. And instantly people were seen using those and at times queing up.
I wondered how they realised that they need polish after this machine was installed. Or perhaps it was just the novelty factor :)

PS: I admit that I couldn't control temptation and I tried it out too ;)

"सिंहासन"च्या निमित्ताने भूतकाळात डोकावताना...

नुकतच कुणीतरी सुचवलं की "सिंहासन" बघ. जुना आणि मस्त पिक्चर आहे म्हणून. आता तो कुठून मिळवायचा हा प्रश्न गूगलबाबांनी चुटकीसरशी सोडवला. TPB वर एकजण चक्क seed करत होतं. वेळ न दवडता download केला. १९८० म्हणजे माझं जन्मवर्ष. त्यावेळचं आता काही फारसं आठवत नाही त्यामुळे त्यावेळचा चित्रपट बघायची उत्सुकता खुप होती. त्यात राजकारण म्हणजे अजुनच.

चित्रपट उत्तमच, "जाने भी दो यारो" च्या पठडीतला. अनेक दिग्गजांनी भरलेला. राजकारणाचं अप्रतिम चित्रण आणि सुरेख संवाद. राजकारण फारसं बदललेलं नाही (अफरातफरीचे आकडे सोडले तर). चित्रपट जसाच्या तसा आज पुन्हा आणता येउ शकतो.

पण त्या काळचं एक प्रतिबिंब किंवा documentary evidance म्हणून पाहिला तर जुन्या गोष्टी बघायला मिळतात. त्यापैकी काही खाली देत आहे...

गांधीटोपी आणि शबनम घेऊन फिरणारी लोकं

लोलकाची घडयाळं आणि त्यातल्या काचेवर नक्षीकाम,
सलूनमधली पाण्याची फवारा करण्याची बाटली (तिच्या नळीला असलेल्या गोफात बोट घालून पाणी फवारले जायचे)

जुने काळे फोन. प्रत्येक मुख्य पात्र एकदा तरी फोनवर बोलतान दिसतं यात. (आजोबा त्यावेळच्या BSNL मध्ये कामाला होते आणि आमच्याच इमारतीत त्यांचं ऑफीस त्यामुळे असे फोन म्हणजे आमची खेळणी होती!)

खिळे लावून छापलेले पेपर. शब्दांमधली जुळणीची फट सहज दिसते

टेबलावर ठेवलेली मोठी काच, त्याखाली कागद, टेबलावर फायली आणि काचेचे पेपरवेट्स

भिंतीवरून केलेली लाकडी पट्टीवरची वायरींग आणि पंख्यासाठीचे मोठे रेग्युलेटर्स

अल्युमिनीयमचे भांड्यांचे स्टॅंड्स आणि डालड्याचे "रीयुजेबल" डब्बे. डालडा संपला की त्याची जागा डाळी घ्यायच्या.



नक्की कळत नाहीये, पण मला वाटतं हा वरळी सी फेस आणि मागे सी रॉक हॉटेल दिसतंय

विधान भवन, इंडियन एक्स्प्रेस टॉवर



पुठ्ठ्याचे कॅलेंडर, त्यांच्या खाली प्रत्येक तारखेचा एक कागद. तारीख सहसा मराठी, इंग्रजी आणि गुजरातीत, तिथीविशेषासकट. दिवस उलटला की आदल्या दिवसाचा कागद फाडायचा. पुठ्ठ्यावर एखादा देवाचा,मुलाचा किंवा मस्त बाईचा फोटो!



न ओळखता येणारे मुंबईचे रस्ते

ए-एम ट्रांझिस्टर्स/रेडियो/टेप रेकॉर्डर

बेल-बॉटम पॅंट्स, मोठ्या छापाचे कपडे, लांब कल्ले आणि "हॅंडलबार मिशा"

फियाट

मॅटॅडोर वॅन