May First/People Link Technology Infrastructure

The big picture

May First/People Link uses a file system/subversion repository as our database of servers. For information on how to access this information, please see our server overview page.

Operating system installation

• Before installing an OS on a MFPL server, please update the ip allocation page to indicate which IP address you are using.
• If it's a .mayfirst.org domain please either add to the DNS entry in the May First/People Link mayfirst.org ​Member control panel or open a new ticket requesting that change. If it will be receiving email, be sure to setup an MX record that points to itself with a time to live over 12 hours to avoid getting caught in ​SORBS.
• Add the server to our subversion server database.
• The next steps depend on what exactly you are installing
  • Common steps
    • How to install Debian on all new physical servers - These are the minimum steps that should be taken for all physical new servers that we purchase.
    • Common additional steps to take on all servers - For most servers (physical or virtual), we will want to take these steps as well (encrypted disks, etc.). Pick and choose what makes sense.
    • Configure shared hosting server - If the server will be used as a shared hosting server, here are the steps to enable it.
  • Xen Servers
    • How to install Xen on a new physical servers - These steps will make a physical server a Xen server, allowing us to place new virtual servers on it.
    • Install a domU server on a xen dom0 - How to add a virtual server to a Xen controlled server.
  • Vservers
    • How to install vservers on a new physical servers - These steps will make a physical server a vserver host, allowing us to place new virtual servers on it.
    • Install a vserver - Add a new vserver to a vserver host.
  • KVM
    • How to install KVM manager - These steps will install the software used to manage and create KVM instances.
    • Create a new kvm instance - Add a kvm instance to a host.

Networking

• All IP's controlled by May First/People Link - including the ones in our Telehouse rack and the ones from Speakeasy
• Assign dedicated IPs for members - If a member wants a dedicated IP for ssl reasons, these are the steps for making it happen

Emergency Access

• What steps should I take if a server acting in an usual way (services not responding, etc.)?
• How do I restart a failed virtual server?
• How do I reboot a crashed server via the serial console?
• How do I remotely power on or power off a server?
• How do I connect to a Telehouse server via serial line?
• How do I connect to a Bandon/XO server via serial line?
• How do I connect to a Sunset Park server via serial line?

Misc

• Awstats for members - How to turn it on.
• Pictures of the insides of our server The beginning!
• What is MFPL's system for managing members and accounts?
• How do I add a new user/serial port to the console server when we add a new server?
• How do I grant a MFPL members web access to http://backup.mayfirst.org/
• How do I upgrade Horde?
• Dealing with online surveys at MF/PL
• SSH security policy
• How do I setup an SVN repository for a member on Allende?
• How do I setup an suExec Directory for a member?
• How do I add special DNS records?
• How many servers does MFPL manage? What do they all do?
• How do I move a site from one server to another server?
• How do I delist our servers from sorbs?
• How do I remove a file from svn (and all it's revisions)?
• How do I do a network based installation from Telehouse?
• How do I do a network based installation from XO/Bandcon?
• What are the modem settings for our Speakeasy DSL connection?