Version Information in Ubuntu

Unless you log in at a physical (or VM) console, seeing the version of Ubuntu currently running is actually not as easy at it seems.   After some googling, I found the command:

lsb_release -a

This is a bit obscure as LSB stands for Linux Standard Base, a standard for Linux distributions that Ubuntu only follows very loosely.  About the only useful output from this command is the version number and "codename" for the currently installed distribution.

Resetting the UC520 with T1 CAS Interface

We use the T1 interface on the UC520 as a T1 CAS (Channel Associated Signaling) to connect to the rest of the lab. Sometimes we need to do a full reset of the device -- here is a quirk we can into when doing that with the Cisco Configuration Assistant (CCA):

• CCA has an option to do a full reset.  It actually creates a basic configuration after collecting some information using a wizard-style series of data gathering dialogs.
• On one of the dialog sheets, CCA asks if you want to connect an ISDN PRI line, and the type of ISDN upstream switch it will be connected to.  If you say no here, your configuration will not contain a T1, and CCA cannot later insert it!
• The solution is to say yes to the ISDN question (it does not matter what central office type you pick).
• Once CCA creates a solution, the normal configuration screen will show the ISDN option you picked, and it will allow you to change from ISDN to T1 CAS.

Syncing OU Oracle with iPhone

It was really easy.

First, I installed the Todo+Cal app from the App Store. Yeah, it cost a few bucks.

I googled something like "oracle iphone sync" and found a lot of how-tos. I decided to just try one and pick Lehigh's (at http://cf.lehigh.edu/act/pda/iphone/iPhone_Oracle.pdf). No good reason to choose theirs. My reasoning was that our Oracle installation at OU was probably similar to their installation. So I followed their instructions and substituted "schedule.ohio.edu" for "calendar.lehigh.edu". Worked like a charm, first try. Caveat: I didn't try to sync any contacts. I'm not sure what it would give me. I may try to sync contacts from Outlook.

Introduction:


I intend to post here things I learn while working with assorted equipment in the lab.  In particular, I intend to post solutions to problems so we don't have to reinvent the wheel each time ;).