Sunday, December 21, 2014

Working with Mininet

Introduction

A new thing that I learn today is mininet. Mininet is a set of software tools that I can use to simulate computer networks. The tools has build-in topology that that can get a non-sophisticate user like me to get my feet wet within a short time. This beats running into my lab and connecting cables to get my topology.

Mininet has extensive set of document and VM appliances that you can download and start right away. The VM image that I downloaded is based on Ubuntu 12.04. There are a lot of resources that you can use to learn about Ubuntu, VM, and virtualization on the web. I'll skip over these discussion for now, but may come back and talk about it later.

List of commands for Daily use

Mininet is known on the Ubuntu VM appliance as "mn" - its abbreviation *giggle*. Since mininet needs access to resources on the appliance, you will have to run "mn" at an elevated permission. On a Unix system such as Ubuntu you prefix mininet's command with sudo. This is how you start "mininet" once you get into the mininet appliance.
mininet@mininet-vm:~$ sudo mn
Mininet responses with the following output. It creates the default simple network topology.
*** Creating network
*** Adding controller
*** Adding hosts:
h1 h2
*** Adding switches:
s1
*** Adding links:
(h1, s1) (h2, s1)
*** Configuring hosts
h1 h2
*** Starting controller
*** Starting 1 switches
s1
*** Starting CLI:
mininet>
In this topology, we have 2 hosts and one switch. These hosts are denoted by h1 and h2. s1 represents the switch in this topology. "Links" are connections between a host and a switch. The link is always a point-to-point - meaning that the link connects between a pair only. The end-point of a link can be either a host, or a switch. These links in this topology shows as:
(h1, s1) (h2, s1)

There are several ways to review your network topology. The one that I use most is net. Here's the example of the output of the command:
mininet> net
c0
s1 lo: s1-eth1:h1-eth0 s1-eth2:h2-eth0
h1 h1-eth0:s1-eth1
h2 h2-eth0:s1-eth2
mininet>

Next time, we will go over other aspect of running the simple topology.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Taking care of Black Car

It looks like I may be getting a "black car"... Thanks MOM.... I love you.

Here's is a tip I found from www.meguiaronline.com - a user "ghaines" posted this.
Here's is the link to the post

His car looks gorgeous... I'm wondering if it will worth it.  It sounds like a lot of work.
Sorry for copy and re-post here.  I'll add my own version later on.


Washing & Caring Tips for Black Paint

I'm just a weekend warrior that has used this forum over the years to "perfect" my game-plan and to get me out of tough spots on my black Acura MDX & black Toyota Sequoia. The one thing that I feel as though I have perfected is the art of caring for black paint. As anyone knows that has a black car/truck/suv, it has a life of it's own and it's never perfect. Here are a couple of tips/tricks Ive picked up over the years as I've cared for my temperamental black paint:

Washing Technique:

The double bucket w/ Grit Guards technique is a must! I even have a 3rd bucket w/ Grit Guard that I use for wheels, running boards & wheel-wells to keep grit away from my dedicated wash buckets. I have dedicated MF sponge and MF handled brush for the wheels that don't ever touch the paint or my dedicated wash buckets. I do the wheels first. Once they're done I move on to the paint. I always wash in the shade with a cool paint surface. I start high on the horizontal surfaces and work down the the vertical sections (i.e. fenders). I Keep light pressure on the MEG MF Wash Mitt. I always do two passes on each section flipping the mitt over to the clean side after each pass. I also turn the nylon cuff inside the mitt so it never makes contact with the paint. Once each section is done, I rigorously rub the mitt agains the Girt Guard in the clean/fresh water on both sides, ring-out and then repeat in the soapy water. I never wash in a circular pattern, rather, I always use back and forth strokes. I really try to keep the pressure on the mitt to minimum. The 2nd pass gets anything you missed...

Drying techniques:

I use my gas powered leaf blower to blow off most of the standing water. It quickly gets rid of 80% of the water. It's also makes quick work of tires, rims , mirrors & running boards. One very important tip... USE EAR PLUGS! When you lift the blower above your shoulders you're putting the engine/exhaust right at ear level. I try to minimize the use of drying towels for three reasons. First, I have big cars and it will take up to 8 MF Megs Magnet towels to do my Sequoia. Secondly, no matter how good your MF drying towels are, they can introduce swirl marks in soft black paint like is on my Acura MDX. To keep swirls away, I lay the towels on the pain and pat-dry, keeping the "wiping" to a minimum. Third, minimizing the use of towels keeps the laundry to a minimum. I have have two dedicated piles of MF towels. The one's I use for the paint & other towels that I use for non-paint surfaces. Once dried, I use UQD with plush MF towels using very light pressure. 

Between Wash Care:

I have tried many products and techniques to rid the dust and extend my time between washes. The fact of the matter is that everything you do in between washes can introduce swirl marks. UQD is a fantastic product to make the black paint pop after you've waxed or right after you've washed/dried your black paint. But in my experience, I would not suggest using it in between washes to remove dust on black paint. The lubrication in this product is great, but we're talking about black paint which will show swirls even with the greatest care doing this type of wipe-down. Once I wash/dry & UQD'ed my cars, I don't touch the paint till the next wash (and yes... I've tried the California Duster too. It too can leave marks or wax residue on/in the paint).

My friends & family think I'm crazy going to these steps, but when you buy a black vehicle, you're signing-up for a different level of care in return for a finish that beats any other color when it's clean and looking it's best in the sun. 

I hope my experience helps the other weekend-warriors out there. If anyone has any other tips or tricks, I'm all ears!!!



Products/Technigue:

1. Two bucket/grit-guard using Gold Class Car Wash
2. Third bucket/grit-guard for wheels, close to the ground fenders & wheel wells
3. Megs Clay
4. G110 v2 D/A M205 softbuff 2.0 polishing pad (speed: 4)
5. G110 v2 D/A M205 softbuff 2.0 finishing pad (speed: 4)
6. G110 v2 D/A Rejex softbuff 2.0 finishing pad (x2 waiting 12 hrs between coats)
7. UQD


I use Rejex b/c of the longevity of the product and the ability to use it on my clearbra. That said, the key to a great black finish is M205. In my 20+ years taking car of cars, it's the best product I've used for polishing/jeweling and minor corrections. It's fantastic at removing light swirls and bringing out the best in your finish. If you need more correction, obviously, M105 is my go-too. No question in my mind that M105/M205 is the best 1-2 combo on the market. 

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Hybrid Tea Rose

The weather this week has been very hot.  Daytime high this weekend has been in the 90'sF.  However, the temperature cool down considerably in the evening and at night.  The house unfortunately has retained heat and make the temperature inside very very warm.  This time of year makes me wish I have a whole-house fan.  This contraption sucks the hot air out of the house and let cool air from the outside to come in and cool the house down considerably.

Fortunately, hot day and cool night has benefits.  Especially if you like roses or tea rose which likes full sun and hot day and cool night.  We have a couple of them bloom literally this morning.  The one that we have are: "Queen Elizabeth", and "Peach".  The size of it at this time is about 2" or 5 centimeters.




Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Stereopony's 「Arigatou」ありがとう

My favorite band... Stereopony
Arigatou... From their Final Live concert 12/27/2012

http://youtu.be/j1bZh41LM60
me wo samaseba yume dato
waraetara iinoni
kimi ga inai sekai wa
monokuro ni mieru yo
futari de hitotsu no yume wo mita ne
sugoshita jikan wa kitto nani yori shiawase datta
stay with me
massugu na hitomi de taiyou no youni warau
kimi no hikari abite
saiteiru ima wa mada yowaku chiisana yume mo shinjite kureta
ookina te no hira mo aruku ushiro sugata mo zutto oboeteru
ano hi no yakusoku
kokoro wo tsunagu yasashii kaze
sunaoja nakute gomen
shiawase wo arigatou
kumo hitotsu nai sora shiroi ano benchi de
bokura no mainichi wa tsuzuku to omotteta
senobi shite itsumo tsuyogatteta
mirai no fuan mo kimi to nara sou naite waratte
stay with me
massugu na hitomi de taiyou no youni warau
kimi no hikari abite
saiteita furueteru boku wa
itsumo senaka ni yuki moratta
ima dakara ieruyo kokoro kara tsutaetai
ai wo arigatou
yume janai uso janai
kanjiteita nukumori
chiisana koto datte uso tsukanai kara
dare ni datte itsumo yasashiku suru kara
hito no itami no wakaru ningen ni naruyo
dakara ne mou sukoshi onegai kamisama tsuretekanaide
kimi ni aitakute aitakute
namida ga tomaranai
ano yasashii koe
oboeteru yakusoku shita yo ne
donna toki demo soba ni irutte
massugu na hitomi de taiyou no youni warau
kimi wo kanjiru yo
arigatou arigatou
itsumademo wasurenai kara
sunao ja nakute gomen
shiawase wo arigatou
TRANSLATION
I wish it was just a dream
And just laugh away
The sight without you
It’s so dull
You and I had the same dream
It was the happiest time whilst you were here
Stay with me
You had laughed like the sun while looking straight forward
And I felt you fill me with light
You had believed in my blooming dream that was small and fragile
I can remember your large hands and the posture of your back anytime
The promise on that day
The gentle wind when I could feel your heart
I’m sorry I was not docile
Thank you for giving me happiness
Sitting on the white bench under the blue sky with not a single cloud
I thought our life would go on
I always pretended to be strong
I thought I could get over the anxiety with you while weeping and laughing
Stay with me
You had laughed like the sun while looking straight forward
And I felt you fill me with light
When I was scared
You encouraged me from behind
I can swear in my heart now
Thank you for your love
It wasn’t a dream, not a lie
I was really feeling your warmth
I’ll never cheat even if it’s trivial
I’ll be gentle to people always
I’ll take care of those in pain
So, Please God don’t take him away because of something small (that he did or what happened)
I miss you, I miss you
I can’t stop the tears
remembering that gentle voice
Do you remember you promised me
You would always be beside me?
You had laughed like the sun while looking straight forward
And I can feel you
Thank you, thank you
I’ll never forget you
I’m sorry I was not docile
Thank you for giving me happiness
credits:verygooddays