Topaix

Add a Contact Group Received from Someone in Outlook 2010

2013-05-22T17:51:00.000+05:30

As you have seen in my last two post, how to create a Contact Group in Outlook 2010, what if you have received an email from someone who has sent you an email using Contact Group and you want to add that list in your Outlook 2010. This is simplest in all the previous guides in this context.

1. Open the Message that contains the Contact Group which you want to save yo your contacts in Office 2010.

2. Now, Right-click the Contact Group in the To or Cc box and then click "Add to Outlook Contacts"

3. This will add the Contact Group in your Outlook Contacts.

Create A Contact Group From Names In An E-mail Message in Outlook 2010

2013-05-21T17:49:00.000+05:30

In the last post, I have discussed about how to create a Contact Group in Office 2010. In this post, I will be talking about how to create a Contact Group in Office 2010 by copying names from an email you have received. It is quite easy - just follow the steps below:

1. Open the message you want to get the names from and Click the name in the To or Cc box

2. Now, Select the name you want to copy and click Copy

3. While in Mail, click on Home tab -> New Items -> More Items - Contact Group

4. Type the name for the Contact Group in the name box

5. Make sure you are still in Contact Group tab, Members group is selected, click "Add Members" and then click either on "From Outlook Contacts or "From Address Book"

6. Now, at the bottom of the "Select Members" dialog box - you will see Members box. Right-click and paste the earlier copied contact in the Members box to complete the process. Please note that a member doesn't have to be in your Address Book to be added to the Contact Group in Office 2010.

7. By now, you should have successfully created a Contact Group by copying names from an e-mail.

How to Create Distribution List / Contact Group in Outlook 2010

2013-05-20T17:47:00.000+05:30

I guess you are familiar with distribution list. You have been using distribution list with previous versions of MS Office older than 2010. It is now called Contact Group in Office 2010.

Distribution list is a collection of email addresses under one name. It is used when you have to send an email to several people in your contacts. The most obvious way is to add all the recipients addresses manually and send it. It is lot of work and there is a chance that you might miss out one or more email addresses from your desired list. Distribution list solves that problem as well. You just have to create a new distribution list and add all the email address in the list and save it with a name. When you want to send the email to this newly created distribution list, you just have to add it as if you are adding an email address. This will send email to everybody in that list.

Now, what is "Contact Group"?. Contact Group (Outlook 2010) is the new name for the same old distribution list as known in previous version of MS Outlook. It works same as distribution list and an email sent to a Contact Group will send email to all the recipient listed in the group.

Contact Group/Distribution List can be included in messages, task requests, meeting requests and in other Contact Group / Distribution list.

CREATE A CONTACT GROUP:

Now lets talk about how to create a Contact Group in Outlook 2010 -

1. Open Outllook in your computer - Click on Start Button -> All Programs -> Microsoft Office -> Microsoft Outllook 2010

2. Once Outllook is open, Click on Contacts in the left pane

3. Then Click on the "New Contact Group" and type the name of the Contact Group in the name box

4. Under Contact Group tab, Click on Members Group and then click on "Add Members".

5. After you have clicked on "Add Members", you will be given three (3) choices - [i]. From Outlook Contacts [ii]. From Address Book [iii]. New E-mail Contact

6. If you are adding contacts from Outlook contacts or Address Book, do following - go to the Address Book drop down list and click on the name you want to add to the list and then Click on "Members" to add the name to the Contact Group. You need to repeat this process for every contact you want to add to the Contact Group List.

7. If you have selected to add members from E-mail Contact, you will be required to enter the information for the person in the "Add New Member" dialog box.

Add A Distribution List Received From Someone Else To Your Contacts in Outlook 2007

2013-05-16T17:42:00.000+05:30

This is very simple. You just need few click to save the distribution list received from someone else to your Contacts in Outlook 2007. Distribution Lists are stored in Contacts folder by default. So, when you receive a distribution list from someone else, you can save it to your contact list as well.

This is how it is achieved -

1. Open the message which has distribution list.

2. Now, right-click the distribution in the deader of the message and click on "Add to Outlook Contacts".

3. Congratulations, You have successfully added the distribution list from a message.

Create A Distribution List By Copying Names From An E-mail In Outlook 2007

2013-05-15T17:40:00.000+05:30

Distribution list in Outlook is a collection of e-mail address under one name. If you send email to that one contact, every e-mail address added in the list will receive e-mail from you. This saves time and it is efficient way to send e-mail to a group of people in your organization.

In this guide, we are going to discuss how to create a distribution list by copying names from an email you received which has multiple e-mail addresses.

Now, Lets see how this is done -

1. Open the message which has name you want to copy and create a distribution list from that.

2. Select the names in To or Cc box and right-click your selection and click "Copy"

3. Now Click on "Microsoft Office Button" -> "Create New Outlook Item" -> "Distribution List"

4. While in "Members" Group under "Distribution List" tab, Click "Select Members"

5. Now - in the "Members" box at the bottom of the "Select Members" dialog box, right-click and paste the name copied earlier.

6. Click OK

7. Type the name of the distribution list and click "Save & Close" under "Distribution List" tab -> "Actions" group.

Create A Distribution List In Outlook 2007

2013-05-14T05:00:00.000+05:30

A distribution List in Outlook 2007 is nothing but a collection of contacts and stored by default in "Contacts" folder in your computer. Basically, it provides an easy way to send e-mail to group of people in your organization or friends list. A message sent to a distribution list goes to all the recipient listed in the distribution list. A distribution list can be included in a message, task, meeting request and even in other distribution list.

We are going to create a distribution list by adding names from Address Book

1. From the "File" Menu -> New, click on "Distribution List"

2. Type the name of the distribution list in "Name" box.

3. Click on "Select Members" under "Distribution List" tab

4. Select the address book which contains the e-mails you want to add to the distribution list in the "Address Book" drop-down

5. Now - Either "Search" the e-mail addresses or scroll through the list, click on the name you want to add and then click on "Members" to add to the list. You will have to repeat this step for each e-mail you want to add to the list.

6. Click OK once done adding members and this will save a distribution list with the name you provided under Step-2 in "Contacts" folder in your computer.

What is Windows Blue?

2013-05-13T16:03:00.000+05:30

First of all, Windows Blue is related to Windows 8. Recently, you have been hearing lot about people are not happy with Windows 8. Based on the feedback received from users and channel partners, Microsoft has planned an update for Windows 8 and Windows Blue is the code name for that update.

This update is expected to be available later this year. It has also been unveiled by Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President for Windows, that a build will be releasing at the end of June for public preview before the final release and more update about release/features for Windows Blue is expected in June.

At this point of time, there are lot of speculation but it is not sure what has been really planned in this update. This is what Tami Reller, Chief marketing officer and CFO, has to say -

Windows Blue is a codename for an update that will be available later this year, building on the bold vision set forward with Windows 8 to deliver the next generation of tablets and PCs. It will deliver the latest new innovations across an increasingly broad array of form factors of all sizes, display, battery life and performance, while creating new opportunities for our ecosystem. It will provide more options for businesses, and give consumers more options for work and play. The Windows Blue update is also an opportunity for us to respond to the customer feedback that we’ve been closely listening to since the launch of Windows 8 and Windows RT.

[Via Microsoft Blog]

Update(16 May 2013): Windows CFO Tami Reller has revealed that Windows 8.1 will be the official name for Windows Blue. This update will be made available free of charge to existing Windows 8 users. - Reports ZDNet

View The Names in Contact Group in Outlook 2010

2013-05-13T05:00:00.000+05:30

MS Outlook 2010 has a feature which can let you create "Contact Group". It is known "Distribution List" in earlier version of office. Either you have created a Contacts Group or received an email which has Contact Group, and you want to know who else are on that group apart from you. You find yourself in that need, here is what you have to follow-

Steps:

1. Open the message which has Contact Group in it

2. Click on "To"

3. Select the address book that contains the Contact Group from the Address Book drop-down list

4. Browse or search for the name of the Contact Group you want to open and right-click the Contact Group and then click Properties

5. Now, the recipient names will be displayed in a separate window

Shortcut Method: There is a shortcut to view the recipient names of a Contact Group - Click on the plus sign (+) in the "To" box and that will expand and displays all the names right there. The list can be collapsed after you are done viewing.

Merge Skype Account with Microsoft or Facebook Account

2013-05-10T18:00:00.000+05:30

After the acquisition of Skype by Microsoft, Skype has been displaying a message at login screen to merge your Skype account with either to Microsoft or Facebook Account. There are still many people out there who has not merged their Skype account with Microsoft account(i.e. hotmail.com, live.com, outlook.com account) yet. This is not a big deal until you get your Windows 8 machine and wants to use Skype. Skype in Windows 8 doesn't allow you to login using Skype ID. You have to have your Skype account linked to your Microsoft account in order to signin and use Skye service in Windows 8. So, how do you do that? Lets follow steps below and you will be set -

1. Download the latest Skype Version or update it to latest version if you already have one installed in your computer.

2. Open the Skype and when you at the right side of its Window - you will see two links for "Alternatively, Sign in with - Microsot Account or Facebook". What does it mean by Microsoft Account is that you can sign in to Skype with your existing Hotmail.com, live.com or Outlook.com accounts. That's the Microsoft account.

3. Next, Click on the "Microsoft Account" and sign in with your existing hotmail.com or outlook.com account. If you don't have one yet, click on the link "Sign me Now" and create a brand new account with either hotmail.com or outlook.com. You have to have one of these account in order to keep using Skype.

4. If your Microsoft Account is not linked to any Skype ID, it should present two options for you to choose from - "I have a Skype account" and "I'm new to Skype". Select your option as "I have a Skype account" as I suppose you already have a Skype account. If you don't, go ahead and sign for a new Skype account and then link it with your Microsoft Account now.

5. Next, you will be asked to sign in to Skype using your Skype account and Skype Password. Don't confuse yourself with Microsoft account. Lot of people seems to mess this up. Best practice in my opinion will be to set same password for Skype account and Microsoft account.

6. After successful Sign In to Skype account, Skype will display a message showing that - "One last step - merge your account" and " From now on, Please use your Microsoft account xxxxx(i.e. your Skype account) to sign into Skype".

7. That's it. You are all set now. Just follow the screen and you should be good.

Unlink Skype Account with Microsoft or Facebook Accounts

2013-05-09T20:00:00.000+05:30

I ran into problem this morning when I was trying to merge a Skype Account to hotmail account for one of my friends. The failure was due to the reason that he had merged his skype account with his yahoo account. In theory, Skype account can not be merged with more than one account for Microsoft account. The error message was not clear so I started looking for possible reason.

I took following steps to fix this problem.

Steps:

- Log into your skype account - https://secure.skype.com/

- This takes you to the profile overview (If it doesn't, click on your username on the left top corner).

- Scroll the page down and look for Account Details as shown in the picture below -

- Click on Account Settings as highlighted in red.

- It will show the Linked Microsoft Account as well as Facebook if you have linked your Facebook account as shown below -

- Click on the "Unlink" as shown in the screenshot above to unlink skypoe from your Microsoft and Facebook Accounts.

- Now, you are ready to link your account with another Microsoft Account of your Choice.

More reading: SKYPE FORUM

Format for Naming Drives Under Linux

2013-05-07T21:00:00.000+05:30

This is very important to know how Linux names its drive. If you understand the naming convention of drives under Linux, you would easily figure out if the drive is IDE or SCSI.

IDE convention is - /dev/hdx# : Where x stands for drive and # stands for partition number that the distribution is on. The # would be 1 if there is only one partition on the drive.

Drive Location

/dev/hda (ide0) – Primary Master - Master drive on the primary IDE bus
/dev/hdb (ide1) – Primary Slave - Slave drive on the primary IDE bus
/dev/hdc (ide2) – Secondary Master - Master drive on the secondary IDE bus
/dev/hdd (ide3) – Secondary Slave - Slave drive on the secondary IDE bus

Note: In x86 PC architecture and IDE, each hard drive can have only 4 primary partitions and the first partition is denoted by 1. Hence, they will look like this –

- hda1 : First Primary Partition
- hda2 : Second Primary Partition
- hda3 : Third Primary Partition
- hda4 : Fourth Primary Partition

SCSI hard drive naming convention - /dev/sdx# :

Where x corresponds to the order in which the device is found at boot time – lowest SCSI ID number would be the first device found by SCSI BIOS. SCSI devices are listed such as sda, sdb, sdc, sde etc. in /dev directory.

x Stands for partition number same as for IDE drive (i.e. partition can range from 1 to 16 in these disks)

Note: fdisk –l cab ne used to check the list of partitions on a drive. (Use fdisk command with caution as it might cause data loss if used incorrectly)

Why to use Linux?

2013-05-02T21:00:00.000+05:30

Linux distributions have come to a stage now where you should not look for reasons to use it. But if you are not convinced yet, look into the reasons below which might make sense –

- It’s a powerful operating system. It still takes less resources and very stable system.

- The best part is that it’s free. All the goodness of Linux is available free of cost.

- It offers some of the most matured and reputed development tools for development.

- You can run your mail, web, print, database, FTP, NFS services with Linux easily as Linux is very stable. Some of best servers are Apache for web, MySql for database, PHP for server side scripting etc..

- Portability - Linux can run on various architectures.

- Source Code for Linux is freely available. If you don’t like something about Linux, you can make modifications by yourself.

- Linux does very well with multitasking – it handles many applications at once without any problem.

- The most important thing I like about Linux is the ability to switch ON and Off the X-Windows – If don’t like GUI interface in Linux, either you can switch to another type of X-Windows window manager or switch it OFF completely and work in text mode only. There is no need for GUI interface if you are working on Linux Server.

Understanding Linux Kernel

2013-05-01T21:00:00.000+05:30

Kernel in general is the main component in any operating system. The main job of Kernel is to manage computer resources. In the simple term, it controls the communication between hardware and software. By doing so, it facilitates following –

- Allows more than one programs to execute at the same time

- Attaches software drivers to appropriate hardware

- Prevents one program to interface with another program

- Protects itself from bad programs

- Takes care of inter-process communications

So, Linux Kernel performs the same role in any Linux distribution. Popular Linux Distributions currently are Fedora, Ubuntu, RedHat, CentOS etc.

Beginning of Linux:
Linux has a humble beginning. It was started by a student from University of Finland in 1991. His name is Linux Torvalds. It was originally inspired on Andrew Tanenbaum’s Minix operating system and follows POSIX (i.e. Portable Operating System Interface) and Single - UNIX - Specification standards.

Linux Releases:

- First Official Linux release was 0.0.2 – released on Oct 5, 1991 : This was limited version and only allowed bash and gcc programs to run

- The First Stable release was Ver 1.0 – This release was part of a development phase

- Linux Kernel releases follow a development phase and development phase is denoted by version number.

- Development Phase – denoted by odd numbers such as 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and so on: During this period, Kernel features are added and developed.

- Stabilization Phase – denoted by even numbers such as 1.2, 2.2, 2.4, 3.2, 3.4 and so on : During this period, very smaller changes are made to Kernel – mainly bug fixes and optimization of Kernel performance

- When Kernel moves from mainline, either it will be categorizes as EOL (end of life) or Longterm – Visit Linux FAQ page for more details

Useful Cisco Switch Commands

2013-04-22T19:10:00.001+05:30

If you are a Cisco Network Engineer, this list of Cisco Switch command will be handy for day to day operation. This is a compiled list of Cisco switch commands which are used frequently -

1. show vlan : Shows Vlan configured in the switch
2. show interfaces : Show Interefaces
3. show controllers : Shows controllers
4. show interface vlan 1 : Show vlan 1 interface
5. show mac address-table : Shows mac address table
6. clear mac address-table : It clears the mac table stored in the switch
7. delete flash:vlan.dat : Resets switch
8. erase startup-config : Resets switch ( followed by reload command)
9. SETTING IP ADDRESS
interface vlan 1
ip address 172.16.10.2 255.255.255.0
exit
ip default-gateway 172.16.10.1
10. PORT SECURITY
int f0/1
switchport port-security
switchport port-security max 4 (max allowed mac 4)
switchport port-security mac-add 1234.5678...
switchport port-security violation shutdown
switchport port-security violation protect / restrict
sh port-security
11. VLAN CONFIGURATION
int vlan 1
ip address 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0
no shutdown

int f0/1
vlan 3
name engineering
exit

int f0/1
Switchport mode access
siwtchport access vlan 3

sh vlan or sh vlan brief
-------------------
vlan database
no vlan 5 - to remove vlan 5 from database
-----------------
13. DYNAMIC VLAN: - VMPS (VLAN Management Policy Server)
--------------VLAN TRUNKING------------
DTP: Dynamic Trunking Protocol
VTP: VLAN Trucking Protocol
int f0/24
siwtchport mode truck
siwtcport truck encapsulation dot1q / isl
siwtchport truck encapsulation negotiate
GLOBAL---
vtp mode client or server
vtp domain xyz
vtp pruning
sh vtp status
sh vtp counters

15. VLAN INTERVLAN
int f0/0
duplex full
no shutdown

f0/0.1
encapsulation dot1q native
ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0

int f0/0.10
encapsulation dot1q
ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0

router eigrp 10
network 192.168.1.0
netwok 192.168.10.0
no auto-summary

16. SPAN: Siwtchport Analyzer
STP/ETHERCHANNEL
spanning-tree vlan 5
spanning-tree vlan 5 root
show spanning-tree brief

int f0/0
spanning-tree port-fast
spaning-tree portfast trunk : on trunk

17. SPANNING TREE MODE
1. Per-VLAN - PVST
2. PVST+
3. Rapid PVST+
4. MSTP : Multiple spanning-tree protocol
spanning-tree mode mst/pvst

18. ETHERCHANNEL provides fault-tolerant, high speed links between switches, routers and servers.
Interface mode in EtherChannel-
1. PaGP
2. LACP

CONFIGURATION:

int range f0/1-4
channel-protocol pagp
channel-group 1 mode {deistable | auto | passive | active}
VERIFY ETHERCHANNEL-
show Eth channel
sh running conf
sh etherchannel

19. ACCESS LIST
access-list 10 permit 172.16.0.0 0.0.255.255
access-list 10 deny host 172.17.0.1
access-list permit any

20. APPLY ACL TO INTERFACE
int f0/0
ip access-group 10 in : Apply Standard ACL as close as possible to destination network/device
sh access-list
STANDARD ACCESS LIST: 1 - 99 and 1300 - 1999
EXT ACCESS LIST: 100 - 199 and 2000 - 2699

21. EXTENDED ACL:
access-list 110 permit tcp 172.16.0.0 0.0.0.255 192.168.100.0 0.0.0.255 eq 80
APPLY TO INTERFACE-
int f0/0
ip access-group 110 out : Apply extended ACL as close as to the source network/device

22. CONFIG REgister
show version
conf t
config-register 0x2142
RESET BACK TO ORIGINAL
config-register 0x2102
sh version : To verify

23. FRAME RELAY
int s0/0/0
encapsulation frame-relay or ietf
frame-relay lmi-type (ansi / cisco / 9933a)
frame-relay interface-dlci 100
exit
------------------
sh ip interface brief
sh interfaces
sh controller s0/0/0
show protocols
show version
sh flash
clockrate 5600 : For DCE
---------
sh running config
en
conf t
int f0/1
no shutdown
copy run-conf ig startup-config
erase startup-config : deletes configuartion from NVRAM
erase secret cisco
exit

Setup Unmanaged VPS

2013-04-22T18:49:00.001+05:30

GETTING STARTED

In the previous chapter, you have learnt about Virtual Private Server, dedicated server and Shared hosting. It's about time to start talking about selecting VPS hosting provider and setup your un-managed Virtual Private Server. Again, if you are going for managed VPS hosting service, most of the server software will be installed by the service provider.

Here, You will select and signup with VPS hosting provide of your choice, deploy Linux distribution, and perform some basic system administration tasks, host the website, perform backup and monitor and troubleshoot. The tasks will be as such listed below -

Sign up with VPS hosting provider and setup account
1.1 Deploying a Linux Distribution (OS installation)
1.2 Connecting to VPS Server (Remote)
1.3 Setting Hostname
1.4 Setting up Time Zone
1.5 Installing software updates
Securing your Server
2.1 Add a user
2.2 Disable Root Login
2.3 Creating a Firewall
2.4 Installing and configuring Fail2Ban
Hosting a Website
3.1 Web Server (installation Apache, optimizing and virtual hosting)
3.1.1 Optimizing Apache
3.1.2 Configuring Name-based Virtual Hosts
3.2 Database (installation, optimizing, creating database and importing db)
3.2.1 Installing MySQL
3.2.2 Optimizing MySQL
3.2.3 Creating a Database
3.2.4 Importing a Database
3.3 PHP (Installation and optimization)
3.3.1 Installing PHP
3.3.2 Optimizing PHP
3.4 Uploading Files
3.5 Testing
3.6 Adding DNS Records
3.7 Setting Reverse DNS
Backup Your Server
Monitoring and Maintaining Your Server
5.1 Performance Monitoring
5.2 Managing Logs
5.3 Updating software
Troubleshooting

1. Sign up with VPS hosting provider and setup account:

What you need here is a VPS Hosting company. Top of the mind - I can say Linode or licehost but there are many other out there. I would recommend do some research and signup with them. Once you have signed up the service, follow their guide to do the initial setup.

1.1 Deploying a Linux Distribution
As this is unmanaged VPS hosting service, you are required to deploy your own version of Linux. It can be any of following - CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora etc and that again depends on the hosting service provider. Once you have decided what OS you are going to install, Select the Linux distribution, type the size of the disk image and Swap disk, and then apply. Deployment of OS will vary from one hosting provider to another based on the design of their interface but bare minimum you will have to perform these steps.

1.2 Connecting to VPS Server
Once the deployment of OS is complete, you will need to find out the IP address. Once you know the IP address of your VPS server, you can connect to it using SSH (i.e Secure Shell). If you are using Linux computer, use Terminal; and use PuTTY in WIndows

1.3 Setting Hostname
After you are able to connect to your newly set VPS server from your remote computer, first thing you need to do is to set up the hostname.

1.4 Setting up Time Zone
After hostname is setup for your Linux VPS Server, set the appropriate time zone.

1.5 Installing software updates
Now that hostname and time zone is setup, it is highly advised to update the Operating system. Restart the server after all the updates are installed. You are now ready to install your custom software.

2. Securing your Server
After deploying Linux OS and some system administration task, now time has come to secure the VPS server and protect it from unauthorized access.

2.1 Add a user

User "root" is the most powerful user in any Linux OS. Having said powerful means - it can be exploited as it can execute any command and can break the server accidently too. Considering that - create a new user and use that user to perform administrative task inconjunction with Sudo command.

2.2 Disable "Root Login" via SSH
User "root" is very powerful and widely known user in any Linux OS. Having said that it is highly advised to disable the user "root" to provent anybody login to your system as root.

2.3 Creating a Firewall
Linux system comes with IPTABLE based firewall. If you already know IPTABLE, you can set your firewall or you can get firewall scripts from Internet site. There are many free scripts available online. You will be required to modify few things in the scripts such as IP address etc..

2.4 Installing and configuring Fail2Ban
Attacks are common now a days so Fail2Ban is advised for prevention from dictionary attack. It creates temp firewall rules and block traffic from attempted IP address.

3. Hosting a Website

As you have successfully installed and secured your Linux Server, now is the time to prepare the server for hosting website. We need to install Apache, mySQL and PHP. This is part of LAMP stack. LAMP stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. Then you will have to create a database or upload the existing database / files and add DNS records.

3.1 Web Server (Installation apache, optimizing and virtual hosting)
Webserver is required to host any website. Apache is the most popular web server.

3.1.1 Optimizing Apache
If you don't optimze the Apache and leave it running with its default setting, your server could run out of memory pretty quick.
a]. sudo cp /etc/apache2/apache2.conf /etc/apache2/apache2.backup.conf : Take backup of the configuration file just incase something goes bad
b]. sudo nano /etc/apache2/apache2.conf : Open the Apache config file for editing
c]. Make the following changes and then save the file by Pressing Control+x and Y

StartServers 1
MinSpareServers 3
MaxSpareServers 6
MaxClients 24
MaxRequestsPerChild 3000
d]. sudo service apache2 restart : Restart Apache to get the new setting

3.1.2 Configuring Name-based Virtual Hosts
At this point, your web server should be ready to serve the web pages. But it is better to use Virtual host
configuration. Configure your name-based Virtual Hosts here.

3.2 Database (installation of MySQL, optimizing, creating database and importing db)

3.2.1 Installing MySQL
Install the MySql which is your database server. M

3.2.3 Creating a Database
After you have installed the MySQL server, you need to create a database for your website

3.2.4 Importing a Database
If you are migrating your website from some other hosting server, you should import your database.

3.3 PHP (Installation and optimization)
3.3.1 Installing PHP
a]. sudo apt-get install php5 php-pear : Install the base PHP package
b]. sudo apt-get install php5-mysql : Add MySQL support
c]. sudo apt-get install php5-suhosin : Secure PHP with Suhosin

3.3.2 Optimizing PHP
After you install PHP, you'll need to enable logging and tune PHP for better performance.

3.4 Uploading Files
Now, you are ready to upload files.

3.5 Testing
It is always better to be sure than sorry. Test your website before you add the DNS record - Type the address of your VPS server in the address bar of your browser.

3.6 Adding DNS Records
After the test is successful, point your site to the IP of your VPS Server.

3.7 Setting Reverse DNS
Setting reverse DNS is also very important as it maps the name of your website to the IP address.

4. Backup Your Server
After everything is setup, it's time now to setup back for any unforeseen issue.

5. Monitoring and Maintaining Your Server
Bingo! Now I guess your site is up and running. But it doesn't stop here. Now the real work starts.

5.1 Performance Monitoring: Monitor the performance of the server periodically.

5.2 Managing Logs: It is good to check logs periodically.

5.3 Updating software: Always check the Server software for update them as and when available.

6. Troubleshooting

Troubleshoot as and when you have problem.

Virtual Private Server Hosting Guide

2013-04-22T18:46:00.001+05:30

INTRODUCTION

This is a beginners guide to setup Linux VPS server. This guide is aimed at covering everything which will be needed by a beginner in order to build and maintain his/her own Linux based Virtual Private Server. If you don't know Linux or don't know what is a terminal, still the guide should help you achieve your goal of setting up your very first VPS Server.

Web hosting can be tricky for beginners - there are wide varieties of hosting services available such as Shared Hosting, VPS hosting and Dedicated Hosting. Usually, most of us starts with shared hosting and gradually move to VPS or dedicated server hosting depending upon the traffic or bandwidth requirement of the website. As your website starts to get more and more web traffic, it excels the need to go for either VPS or dedicated server hosting.

Shared Hosting is usually cheap and easy in setup but very limited in resources. On the other hand - dedicated servers are powerful and easy in customization but they are expensive and need some sort of technical knowledge to run them.

Having said that - Shared hosting is the low end and dedicated server hosting is the high end hosting solution. What if our requirement cannot be met with shared hosting and dedicated servers are too much (i.e. resources) and expensive. That's where - Virtual Private Server comes in. VPS hosting is powerful, flexible, scalable and economic hosting solutions.

As compare to Shared hosting, VPS server offers dedicated RAM and disk space but shared CPU. In Shared hosting - all three parameter - RAM, disk space and CPU are shared among many sites hosted on the same machine. Now as you know that CPU is shared in VPS, it is worth to check the CPU distribution before you buy the VPS hosting from any service provider and check the reviews.

SUMMARIZATION OF HOSTING PLAN:

1. SHARED HOSTING:
Multiple sites share disk space, RAM and CPU. All server level software are installed and full customer support is provided. No customization at server level is allowed and you don't have root access to the server. Sharing RAM, disk space and CPU among multiple site makes shared hosting cheaper and affordable.

2. VPS HOSTING:
RAM and disk space are dedicated for each site but CPU is shared among other sites hosted on the server. Service offerring comes in usually two types - Managed and Un-managed.

Managed VPS allows server level customization and all the server level software are pre-installed. Security updates and management of the server is taken care by the provider. Customized software are installed and maintained by the user. Support levels vary by providers.

In Un-managed VPS, Server level customization is allowed and server level software are not pre-installed. Installation of server level software, security and maintenance is performed by the user. Again, support levels vary by provider.

3. DEDICATED HOSTING:
It offers dedicated RAM, disk space and CPU. Server level software installation, customization and service levels vary by provider.

TYPES OF SERVICE LEVELS IN VPS HOSTING:

UN-MANAGED:
Hosting company offers hardware and network support. User responsible for all software (i.e. server level and custom) installation and performance.

SEMI-MANAGED:
Hosting company offers hardware, network and standard software. User handles custom software.

FULLY-MANAGED:
Handles all hardware, network and software issue. User handles installation of custom software.

CONCLUSION - VPS is basically middle ground for many and provides enough flexibility, resource and control but without the cost of dedicated server. You have root access and you can customize apached, PHP and MySQL. In short - VPS allows you to have much of the same characteristics of the dedicated server at lower cost.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Setup Unmanaged VPS

2. VPS vs Shared vs Dedicated

3. Setup a VPS Linux Distribution: Choosing a Linux distribution

4. Setup a command line Interface (CLI) using PuTTY

5. Create a Linux User and Set Permissions

6. Encrypt Data with OpenSSH and Auto-login with PuTTY

7. Harden a Secure Shell (SSH) and create a Firewall

8. Add a domain zone to your VPS

9. Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix

10. Install PHP5 and MySQL: (Working with MySQL Database - commands)

11. Setup FileZilla for secure FTP (SFTP)

12. Serve Multiple Site and Blogs with Virtual Hosts

13. Adding Sub-domains with Apache2

14. Integrate a CMS such as Drupal

15. Google Apps for Domain Specific Email

16. How to move or relocate your blog or site with minimal or no downtime

17. Server Backup

SUMMARY

In this article, you have learnt about different types of hosting and services. A comparison was discussed - Shared vs VPS vs Dedicated Server.

This is a series of articles. Articles will be linked as they are written and published. Your suggestions and critics in the COMMENT below will be highly valuable to shape this tutorial and make it more useful.

Useful EIGRP Command List

2013-04-22T14:21:00.002+05:30

If you are a Network Engineer and use Cisco EIGRP routing protocol in your company routers, this list will be very useful for you.

1. Configure an Interface:
R1# configure terminal
R1(config)# interface f0/0
R1(config-if)# description Router Lab
R1(config-if)# ip address 10.10.10.1 255.255.255.0
R1(config-if)# no shutdown

2. To check if the line protocol of each interface is up
R1# show ip interface brief

3. Configure EIGRP on Ethernet Network
R1(config)# router eigrp 1
R1(config-if)#network 10.0.0.0
R1(config-if)#no auto-summary

4. To check if EIGRP is sending EIGRP hello packets out all interfaces in the configured network
R1#debug eigrp packets

5. To stop debugging
R1#undebug all

6. To Verify the EIGRP configuration
R1# show ip eigrp neighbors - displays Neighbor table
R1# show ip eigrp topology - displays Topology table
R1# show ip route eigrp - displays best route to the destination network

Configure EIGRP on Serial Interfaces:

1. Configure Serial Interfaces
R1(config)# interface serial 0/0/0
R1(config-if)# ip address 10.1.200.1 255.255.255.0
R1(config-if)# clock rate 64000 - (Clock rate is set for only one router in the lab environment)
R1(config-if)# bandwidth 64 - (64kb/s)

2. Verify if the bandwidth configuration is reflected
R1# show interfaces serial 0/0/0 - shows the bandwidth / line protocol and interface is up or down

3. To verify the neighbor relationship between two routers
R1# show ip eigrp neighbors

4. To check which protocol is in use
R1# show ip protocols

Cisco ISO Scripting – TCL (Tool Command Language)

2013-04-22T14:18:00.000+05:30

TCL stands for Tool Command Language. The scripting feature of Cisco ISO enables us to run TCL command. The script can be created to accomplish repetitive and routine tasks.

Following tasks can be achieved using TCL in Cisco IOS:

1. Automate process (Networking monitoring, troubleshooting tools, added intelligence)

2. Format output

3. Perform SNMP tasks (Detects interesting events and triggers specific policy based when a specific event occurs)

4. Changing configurations

TCK commands are executed from TCL configuration mode using Cisco IOS command-line interface and is accessed from privilege EXEC mode of the Cisco device.

10 New Features in Microsoft Office 2013

2012-11-07T23:07:00.000+05:30

I am sure - most of us are aware of MS Office 2013. It's a big move by Microsoft and most ambitious release of the Office suite ever. It has been added with tons of new features and some of the main features in Microsoft Office 2013 are as follows-

1. Metro Look: This brings the clean look to the Office applications and can be best noted in Outlook 2013 interface.

2. Comment Tracking in Word 2013: This allows commnets from multiple authors to be tracked like a message board conversation specially in MS Word 2013.

3. Metro Facelift in Excel 2013: This brings further clean look to the excel application interface.

4. Windows 8 on-screen Keyboard for touch devices is designed to integrate well with Office 2013 applications.

5. Improved Autosuggestion: It is very responsive and provides autosuggestion which really works.

6. Office 2013 Touch Mode: Visual elements are widely spaced which makes it easy to work with.

7. Office 2013 Login Icon: It is positioned in the top right corner of each Office 2013 application which indicates if you are logged into Microsoft's online Cloud services for file storage and collaboration.

8. Office 2013 Account Pane: It show all the online services currently connected to your copy of Office.

9. Office Web Apps: This allows people to open word document in a web browser and interact well with office documents. Office Web Apps is not part of Office itself but it's a suite's integration with SkyDrive and Office 365.

10. Recent Locations: This presents a list of recently opened documents and it's location. This is shown - when open a Document is selected from File Tab.

Acrobat XI integrates with Adobe cloud services and MS PowerPoint

2012-10-04T22:47:00.000+05:30

Adobe has announced the new version of Acrobat desktop application - Acrobat XI. With the new release, Adobe has integrated the Acrobat XI to their Cloud Services and have also added Microsoft PowerPoint in the list of supported applications from MS Office suite. Some of its new features are as follows -

1. Better integration with Cloud Services: part of cloud services integration are electronic application "EchoSign" and online forms application "FormsCentral". This will speedup the time required to get a document signed and for forms to be created, distributed and analyzed.

2. MS Office Integration: Adobe already had support for Microsoft Word and Excel in previous editions but support for MS PowerPoint is new.

3. Acrobat XI is optimized for touch screens.

4. Text editing got easier with Acrobat XI as you can use drag-and-drop tool for text and images.

5. Improvement in IT Management Features: It integrated seamlessly to Microsoft Office and SharePoint and can be deployed easily with added features of application virtualization and robust application security.

6. Price: Acrobat Standard Ed. - USD 299 or USD 139 for upgrade per seat; Pro Ed. - USD499 or USD 199 for upgrade per seat. Cloud service integartion of EchoSign and FormsCentral will cost USD 14.95/user/month and USD 14.99/user/month respectively.

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2012-09-17T16:55:00.001+05:30

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Turns Windows 7 / 2008 R2 Computer into a Wifi HotSpot using Virtual Router

2012-09-12T17:35:00.000+05:30

Have you ever felt a need of sharing your computer's Internet with your another wireless device such as android phone, iPod, iPhone, wireless printer etc? Yes, it's possible. It can be done by converting your computer into a WiFi HotSpot. It utilizes the inbuilt Wireless Hosted Network (Virtual Wifi) technology in Widows 7.

You need a software to achieve this and the required software is called Virtual Router. Just download and install Virtual Router in your Windows 7 machine, create a new wireless network followed by setting up Password. This converts you computer into WiFi HotSpot instantly eliminating the need of buying or setting up extra hardware for this.

Virtual Router is a free and open-source software based router for Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2. With Virtual Router, you can share Internet connections wirelessly with any Wi-fi device. Wireless devices connects to Virtual router just like any other wireless access point. The connection is secured using WPA2 wireless encryption which is most secured wireless encryption at present.

Download Link: Virtual Router

Google Drive For Android Gets Update

2012-09-12T16:04:00.001+05:30

Google Drive for Android has got major update. It is considered major update as it includes ability to create new folders, upload content to folders and move content from one to another, filter content by file type, and resume interrupted upload.

All the above updates are very useful and will be liked by Google loyal users. Google has released Google Drive apps for Windows and Mac OS but I wish Google can also bring Google drive for Ubuntu OS.

Clean up Add-on Manager in Firefox using Cleanest Addon Manager

2012-02-24T19:16:00.000+05:30

Have you ever felt that add-on manager in Firefox is busy or not so organized to utilize the space in best manner. If that is the case, there is a Firefox extension called Cleanest Addon manager which can clean and organize the add-on manager in Firefox and make it look better.

It basically cleans up the wasted space without compromising any functionality. This will be specially very useful if you have very long list of add-on and the screen is small.

Download Link: Cleanest Addon Manager

11 SEO Checklist for Drupal Search Engine Optimization

2012-02-19T20:57:00.003+05:30

I have compiled 11 SEO checklist for Drupal site to make your Drupal website SEO friendly. Mostly, I am using these tips for my Drupal based classified site which I manage. I have observed improvement in traffic after applying these techniques. You are invited to suggest more tips if you think can be useful for me or other audience.

SEO Checlist is as follows -

1. Lets start with Content. Content is king. So make sure you are going to have quality content for your web page.

2. Make your Page Title search engine friendly and must content keyword used in the page.

3. Optimize each page for one or two keywords at max.

4. Upper left corner content is important so make sure you have good part of the content on the upper left corner.

5. Content page of the theme should come before anything else in your html (i.e. all sidebars, headers, toolbar etc. should come after content)

6. Try to add a link to your site in every post, if possible.

7. Meta description is important so don't forget to write good Meta description.

8. Add one H1 element to home page

9. Check Google webmaster frequently for any website error and fix it if there is any.

10. To get indexed instantly in Search Engine - Send RSS feed through Feedburner and have Feedburner ping Google Blogsearch.

11. Installation of Google Redirect in Drupal is must.