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Just what IS a server, anyway? (slightly long)

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  • Just what IS a server, anyway? (slightly long)

    Okay, this happened way back in the early 90's. Alot may have changed about computers, but some stuff never does.

    I was working for a company that produced word processing software (let's call them DumbBunnies, Inc.). I would arrive at o-dark-o'clock to open the phones to support east coast customers with their various troubles. For the first hour, it was just li'l old me.

    Get a call one morning from an IT "Manager" who says her FlexLM license manager stopped working. [It hadn't. One of the three licenses wasn't up, but they were the clip-art-style draw program, and the painting program.

    Of course, we have a step-by-step that ALWAYS fixes what ever the person could have POSSIBLY done to it. One question (1st or 2nd on the list) is: Have you made any changes to the system? Her answer was "No. I came in this morning, and we couldn't access the s/w."

    Hrmmm. Go through all the required steps, including remaking the license file with a new password. Restart the LM. Now, the writing and drawing programs are running, but the painting is down. I tell her I'll create a new LM file and Fed-Ex via floppy, in the meantime she has to be sure the server doesn't shut down so they keep access to the writing program.

    Next day:

    SC: Okay, I've got the floppy in the server's drive.
    Me: Let's go ahead & kill the LM
    SC: Done.
    Me: cp a:/license.dat /root/software/licencedir/license.dat
    SC: Done.
    Me: Do a hard start of the LM [gives specific command]
    SC: Done.

    But we ran the processes, and again one of the 3 programs was down.

    Me: And nothing's been changed on the system? The hostid is still 123xyza4?
    SC: [PROFANITY!!!] I think I know when a server's been modified. Obviously you don't know what you're talking about [more PROFANITY!]. I want to speak to your manager.
    Me: Of course, it will just be a moment.

    [Show the boss the steps that've been taken & get to listen in while SC and HER Boss ream my manager a new one!]

    DumbBunnies, Inc. agrees to send the QA Mgr out to their site. Will be there by 0800 next morning.

    3rd day:

    QA Mgr on phone: So you sent a new license file? Using the same hostid?
    Me: Yup.
    QA: That's odd [talking to SC] What's this OLD.kernel file?
    SC: We reconfigured the kernel to make the server boot a little faster.
    QA: [to me] You told me that nothing had changed on this system!
    Me: That's what she said!
    SC: [in the background] But the kernel isn't part of the system!!

    Jeez-louise. The final result was de-install, re-install the entire s/w package. Re-build a new file, and POOF! Works great.

    She never did apologise for calling me a stupid beeotch tho...........
    -BuhMule
    Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to
    test a man's character, give him power.
    Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

  • #2
    The kernel wasn't part of the system???

    Excuse me while I clean up the mess that was once my brain, as several hundred cells just committed mass sideways.
    Human Resources - the adult version of "I'm telling Mom." - Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo (NCIS)

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    • #3
      Quoth DGoddess View Post
      [I]The kernel wasn't part of the system???
      But it isn't. You can remove it and the system will keep on running.

      Comment


      • #4
        Ow.

        Just....ow.

        Cutenoob
        In my heart, in my soul, I'm a woman for rock & roll.
        She's as fast as slugs on barbituates.

        Comment


        • #5
          But...that..wha...

          <head starts deforming, looking like things are pushing out from inside a baloon>

          Oh no, not again...

          <Head explodes, beef stroganoff remains all over the room>
          The Rich keep getting richer because they keep doing what it was that made them rich. Ditto the Poor.
          "Hy kan tell dey is schmot qvestions, dey is makink my head hurt."
          Hoc spatio locantur.

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          • #6
            Quoth BuhMule View Post
            SC: [in the background] But the kernel isn't part of the system!!
            Doesn't the kernel start the fried chicken process?
            ludo ergo sum

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            • #7
              MMmmmm...Beef stroganoff... *Grabs fork*

              I CALL DIBS!!!
              "I reject your reality and substitute my own"....Adam Savage-Mythbuster

              Must remember to stop using "brain of death" on slower morons.... I meant customers.

              Comment


              • #8
                Quoth rvdammit View Post
                Doesn't the kernel start the fried chicken process?
                He does. And I get the wings.
                Human Resources - the adult version of "I'm telling Mom." - Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo (NCIS)

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                • #9
                  Quoth DGoddess View Post
                  Excuse me while I clean up the mess that was once my brain, as several hundred cells just committed mass sideways.

                  Mass Sideways?
                  Do radioactive cats have 18 half-lives?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I got the thighs!!!!
                    Woman are like guns, if you don't treat us right, we'll blow up in your face!

                    Pain is your bodies way of telling you that you're still alive.

                    I am also known as Liquid Skin and Silkekitten.

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                    • #11
                      Quoth Horsetuna View Post
                      Mass Sideways?
                      I'm thinking jumping to their doom via an ear.
                      ludo ergo sum

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                      • #12
                        the kernel wasnt part of the system
                        i think im getting too used to this place, my brain didnt die

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Quoth Crazyredhead View Post
                          I got the thighs!!!!
                          Nice pic, with a quote to match.
                          Bears are bad. If an animal is going to be mean it should look so, like sharks and alligators. - Mark Healey

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