LFS 11.0 GO!

I've started down a new path to give myself headaches. After finishing the VCP work I promised I would re-group and work on some more Linux training/learning/stuff. Part of that is I've started working on LFS (Linux from Scratch) I started with Linux in the mid-late 90s when the quick way to get your hands on a distro was to buy a Linux Magazine, Linux for Dummies, various beginner books or Bible (looking at you Red Hat 4 Bible, you both opened my eyes and held my door open when needed), or have access to T1/T3 connections thru parents or school (BUT WHERE WOULD YOU PUT IT?!?!?! even my SuperDisk drive could hold that stuff) I've started down reading version 11.0 My build host er victim I have chosen Rocky Linux 8.4 Alot of old Linux is coming back to me, it's been a very long time since I've partitioned a "disk" from scratch, now adays I use automation for pretty much everything. Templates or kickstart, ansible, puppet, and terraform. I'm enjoying my self so far. Up to building packages which is where I'm gonna probably pause for the night and crack on in the morning. Some family A/C issues need my attention very early and I figure I can crack on this during the Bills/Dolphin game or after depending on how good it is. 

-T 

PS - I think I may need a new mouse, can't be sure but it barely lasts a few hours on a single charge. Or I didn't charge it long enough ALSO a strong possibility I like the idea of the Logitech power matt devices, but I've heard the newer G90x mice have button issues. Also not entire sure on my keyboard but that's another issue. Lastly I think once I"m finished with the LFS project, it's time for a Windows 10 re-install lots of issues and it's been a solid minute since I scrubbed it clean. Thinking of throwing Fedora on one of the sata SSDs I have as a dual boot. Windows 11 is a no-go currently due to CPU requirements, somehow my Threadripper 1950x isnt' compatible hahaha sigh.

 So it's again been too long since the last update.

Gonna try and do daily updates just to force myself into the happen so some of this may seem like rambling madness who knows?

Updates:

I finally did it, passed the final VCP-DCV exam. I'm offically VCP-DCV 2021 certified.

Next project I'm on to my RHCSA and some Azure/AWS training. Along with finally cracking into some NSX-T.

I'll work on putting together some thoughts on my exam experience later this week.

Hi Blogging World!

I've tried blogging a few times in the past and never kept it up, recently I've been challenged to document my journey through VCP prep. 

Part of this is going to be documenting and detailing the evolution of my homelab.  I've got a mix of equipment that for a while I've been holding off on using but one of the things I keep hearing is:

Start with what you have.

Current set of hardware to "play" with:

• 1x HPE DL380 G7
• 1x Dell R710
• 1x Dell R410
• 1x Freenas DIY server (will need an upgrade at some point, cause moar space)

As you can see this is some "older" hardware so there will be some wiggling to getting some stuff to work.  I'm looking at you vSphere 7.

The second is what am I using my lab for?  Which is simple for me, to gain further experience with the tech that I currently have, and the fun part try out new tech and processes.  I can't tell you how important it is to always be looking ahead and learning/keeping up to date.  Not just to update your skills but to be able to provide appropriate answers and solutions if you're called upon to do so.

I figured this would also be a great opportunity to brush up and work on my documentation in general. 

Not having a lot of experience with blogging so I'm also looking forward to learning about different ways of doing this.  I'm using Blogger cause it's free and I already had an account.  I look for to trying out a few things, self-hosted and possibly some cloud based solution. There's some details from Kyle Ruddy regarding the way he handles his site that I look forward to looking at.  And I'm looking to add video thru Youtube probably.  I'm sure it'll be rough, but the journey will be worth it in the end.

So useful links that you may be interested in:

• virtuallyGhetto - Blog by William Lam, a great resource for VMware Homelabers and VMware in general.
  
• STH - Serve the Home, an excellent resource for Homelabers
  
• Youtube:
• vBrownBag - Awesome weekly/regional sessions
  
• VMware TAM - A lot of really great homelab videos and chats
  
• Ibrahim Qurashi - Some really great FREE training videos
  
• HashiCorp: https://learn.hashicorp.com/ - A great source for learning different
• VMware HOL: Can't believe I almost forgot about this absolutely incredible resource. Dozens of online labs from VMware to demo and test current and some new software solution that are available for free.  USE THESE!!!

Should probably make this above a page in it's own right, add it to the todo list, maybe even a todo list page hmm.