Upgrading a Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 2 unit to use TLS 1.3

I had a rude awakening this week when I attempted to connect to the web-based management interface for my legacy Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 2 unit. Netgear stopped shipping software updates in 2017, and as of 2022 the common web browsers only accept TLS 1.3 connections. Fortunately, I was able to put Firefox into backwards-compatibility mode using about:config - and connect to the unit again that way (whew!) Just the same, I'm stuck with a unit that has usable life, but that today's browsers won't connect to easily!

I did some searching on the Internet and found this discussion for upgrading from ReadyNAS 4.x to 6.0, which should include TLS 1.3 support. The first step is to upgrade the unit's DDR3 memory from 1 GB to 2 GB (the maximum it will support.)

I found a used Micron 2GB DDR3 PC3-8500S Single-Rank module on Newegg and I ordered it with crossed-fingers. When it arrived, I was able to drop it into the Ultra 2 OK and it powered up just fine! Now, I will proceed with the indicated software upgrades and see how it goes. So far, so good!

Mapping by Quantum Gravity Sensor

This is a fascinating development, with the potential to augment ground penetrating radar scanning over larger areas quickly. The use of a Quantum Gravity Sensor measures small differences in gravitational attraction, permitting the evaluation of the mapping area for subterranean features and artifacts. Think of the potential😮

Apple M1 MacBook - XCode update panic issues

I ordered a first-edition Apple MacBook Pro (with M1 chip) following the product announcement in August 2020. There were some challenges getting my favorite tools on-board but I ultimately got them all resolved and the system has been working great!

This past couple of days, however, the system has started taking spontaneous panics occasionally 😟 I can't be sure, but it seems like it may be related to the recently distributed XCode 12.5.1 update. First, the update never completes - it seems to just hang towards the end. And ever since it went partially on, the panics have started.

I hope Apple will resolve the issue soon, as the user experience is currently like driving down a road with random landmines! 😨🤞

Ruckus ZoneDirector migration - AP "upgrading firmware" loop issue

Wow, what a Ruckus!😄 It became time to do a technology upgrade of a ZoneDirector 1100 controller with r700 access points (APs) to a ZoneDirector 1200 controller - simple enough, right? Ha ha, not to be!

Ruckus Tech Support was helpful, they told me to delete each AP from the ZD1100 and then "Approve" them for addition on the ZD1200. Unfortunately, they didn't compatibility check the firmware revisions between the ZD1100 and 1200 - and it turned out they were sufficiently distant as to cause the r700 access points to enter an "Upgrading Firmware" endless loop, prohibiting them from coming online into the desired "Connected" status😞

I spent a lot of time trying to resolve the issue and eventually found this helpful post by Ryan Yoder on the Yoder Network site. But even better, I was fortunate to secure two-hours of assistance from a Ruckus tech support engineer. He recommended downgrading the firmware on the new ZD to a compatible version for the old ZD - then moving the access points and config over to the new ZD and upgrading the firmware there! This has the added benefit of preserving all your wireless network configurations while upgrading all the APs at once, too. There are some rubs, however. If there's enough difference between the old ZD rev and the new ZD's latest rev, it may be necessary to do several incremental upgrades to avoid issues.

I am frankly amazed that Ruckus hasn't made the migration process more comprehensive and easier to perform! But once it's done, it's done - and with a big sigh of relief, too!😊✌

Update Raspbian OS on the Raspberry Pi

I have an early Raspberry Pi model running the Raspbian OS "jessie" release (which lacks Python 3.6 and its useful "f-string" format syntax.) So, I wanted to upgrade to the contemporary "buster" release to resolve that issue. Here's what worked:

1. Follow these excellent instructions (Use the section "Update Raspbian to the Latest Version") to manually update OS releases sequentially. So, in my case, I upgraded from "jessie" to "stretch" and then from "stretch" to "buster."
2. You'll likely want to upgrade the Docker packages, too. To do it, refer to the following steps:
   
• Remove the existing Docker installation (See "Uninstall old versions.")
  
• Download and run the "Convenience Script" (See "Install using the convenience script") to do the upgrade installation.

Now, "You're Good to Go" with the latest release ("buster" in this example!) Enjoy 😀👍

Simple and useful VPN solution

Historically, VPNs have been difficult to set up, required client and service side configuration, tricky to start and fickle when in service. Now, Mozilla has partnered with Mullvad to offer a low-cost, simple to use VPN solution for up to five devices via a single $4.95 USD / month subscription. I've been using it while traveling the past week and have found it easy to use, network performance is hardly affected, and reassuring to know that I have an encrypted tunnel through an open hotel or coffee bistro network. Check it out 😀👍