Author: Steve Wilson

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FreeBSD 15

I have been very slow to migrate content to the new replacement server, to the point I should already look at new low power spec hardware as so much has moved on in recent years. Given I had not yet promoted my replacement server to production ready, I took the plunge and wiped it back to a clean install of FreeBSD now that its been released so that future updates/upgrades are not degraded by trying to use ‘legacy’ versions of OpenSSL or PKG management.

The other key upgrade for me is DMA – the Dragonfly Mail Agent to replace SSMTP, this is more suited to a hobbyist install like myself and allows me to use GMAIL as my mail transport simplifying email setup.

I am also going to trying installing Lumina as the native desktop again as the new hardware has a dedicated Graphics Card and it maybe handy to be able to run some apps from the GUI rather than CLI only

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More SSL faux pas

Successful few weeks migrating content to the new server and re-wiring the house to re-locate the Primary Server to the garage as even its gentle hum is rather annoying in my soundproofed work cabin.

However, the latest update to Apache24 to 2.4.66 broke startup, with a SSL module not found. Various attempts at re-installing failed but this post https://forums.freebsd.org/threads/apache-cant-locate-ssl_module-undefined-symbol-ssl_module.89434/ had the answer and deleting the APR port and then rebuilding Apache fixed the start up issues and we are up again.

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SSL renewals fixed

Certbot was struggling to auto-renew my domain SSL cert due to changes in OpenSSL 3 support for legacy protocols. Something is clearly wrong with my my openssl config but fearful of breaking the whole set up I only want to address the Certbot renewal failures.

ChatGPT gave some fixes, but the only one that actually worked was setting the CSH variable setenv CRYPTOGRAPHY_OPENSSL_NO_LEGACY 1 which stops certbot trying to use the legacy protocols that are no longer there allowed CERTBOT renew to skip thru the steps happily and now the server is ok until February by which time I truly hope to have retired the current server.

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Busy with updates – FreeBSD 14.3

Finally found some time and upgraded both servers to 14.3 and trying to establish a stable baseline of installed apps like Apache, MySql, PHP, Perl, and Samba so I can easily port the remaining services over to the “new” server and retire the older one before it expires.

Setting up a new Wifi SSID for the older devices meant the Washing Machine, and cycle computer now connect easily and the Cameras appear to be more stable.

iOS 26 dropped last month but with no real massive technical changes, but now waiting for a new iPhone 17 to see Apple Intelligence live and in action as current iPad and iPhone are too old to benefit.

Its been quite a successful month with just the iKettle left to fix, but this seems to be an issue with the App or backend server as I can see its connected to the Wifi fine and can ping it fine, and I don’t seem to be the only one with issues with the smarter.io kettle range.

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Slow progress

Been far to busy with the house in general to work on any IT projects and what work has been done has been mainly to fix or address pressing issues rather than any development. Wifi has been a issue with all the new devices and connections dropping out, so have purchased another Wifi Extender to cover the top of the house.

The Tapo cameras have also been a bit flakey holding the WiFi signal consistently but re-establish the connection all by themselves so more of an annoyance than a pressing concern. But once everyone goes back to work, Uni, and less guests dropping in so I can then reset the Wifi and start over again.

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New Home

No posts of activity in July as busy moving house and the server was in boxes. I have now built my new Home Office and set the server up in the corner while I decide how best to kit out and layout the office.

Looks like FreeBSD have been busy and there are new updates to install and a new SSL cert to apply asap before the server is safe on the web, so that is what I am currently doing.

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Perl updated to 5.40

so that means another forced updated of everything built with PERL. Not sure why /usr/ports/UPDATING keeps pointing us back to 2023 when they could just post the postmaster commands to update from the last default version to new default version… heyho.

portmaster -o lang/perl5.40 lang/perl5.36

portmaster -f `pkg shlib -qR libperl.so.5.36`

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Moving On

Less than a month until I move home. So expect some disruption to the site and even more erratic postings. Probably a new broadband provider, probably a new physical server as I will need to rationalise the number of physical boxes that will get moved. Four laptops have finally been retired as can’t handle Windows 11. Kept a couple back as Linux/FreeBSD test-beds, but otherwise it’s a good time for clear out for things I won’t use again.

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Cyber Security Certifications

Often get asked which Cyber Security courses are worth doing. Well there is an absolute plethora of different courses available to suit relevant backgrounds. A colleague found this and it look pretty useful

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Alexa+ – Alexa on Steriods with AI

Echo Dot

Amazon are adding new powers existing Alexas over the coming weeks and months.
More details here

Question is how much privacy will be sacrificed for the enhanced functionality. Scant detail on the original product launch blog.