An open compiler translates CUDA for x86 multi-core processors
Ocelot translated CUDA programs at runtime for Nvidia GPUs as well as x86 multi-core processors.
Read the full postBlog 2009
15 posts
Projects, Linux, networks, systems, finds and internet standards from 2009.
Trying out IPv6 in the data centre without redundancy at first
Manuel Schmitt describes an early IPv6 connection in alpha stage with one router, one carrier and BGP, but no redundancy yet. The test connection ran over exactly one router. Only one carrier was involved.
Read the full postA complete Linux computer in a pair of glasses
Hackaday presents a head-mounted Linux computer that combines Gumstix, display, motion sensors, radio and battery without an external computer. The system weighed about six ounces. The parts cost less than 1,000 US dollars.
Read the full postLPIC-2: Hands-on skills for Linux systems
The LPIC-2 certification is the foundation for running Linux systems professionally, from networks and services to everyday administration. It is still active and valid until 25 August 2029.
Read the full postIPv6: getting over the first hurdles
Jens Link introduces IPv6 and explains addresses, prefixes, automatic configuration and the practical differences from familiar IPv4 operations. IPv6 works more easily as a new operating model than as an enlarged IPv4. Experimenting early prevents a hectic migration later under address pressure.
Read the full postSecure software development according to the “security by design” principle
In 2009 heise Developer presented the “security by design” principle practised by companies such as Adobe, Google, Microsoft, Oracle/Sun and Symantec. Security is planned, implemented and tested as an explicit requirement from the start. Applied consistently, it even postpones delivery until security bugs above a defined threshold have been fixed.
Read the full postFixes for security hole in the Linux kernel [second update]
In August 2009 kernels 2.6.27.30 and 2.6.30.5 appeared, closing a hole that had existed since 2001 through which normal users could gain root privileges. Debian and Fedora delivered updates immediately and Ubuntu followed a day later, while Red Hat and SUSE initially only offered workarounds. Red Hat recommended disabling the affected network protocols, which rendered the public exploit ineffective.
Read the full postCritical hole in the Linux kernel affects all versions since 2001
In 2009 Tavis Ormandy and Julien Tinnes from Google found a hole that affected all Linux kernels 2.4 and 2.6 since May 2001 and allowed local root privileges. With rarely used protocols such as Bluetooth, PPPoX or ISDN, pointers in the socket operations remained uninitialised, which could be exploited via sock_sendpage. Brad Spengler published the exploit “wunderbar_emporium”, which worked on a current Ubuntu 8.10.
Read the full postIs Linux hiding security-relevant kernel patches?
Security fixes in the Linux kernel that were not labelled as such made it harder for administrators to assess the risk of updates.
Read the full postUnderstanding and using Git
The talk teaches the Git data model, distributed workflows and safe handling of version history.
Read the full postSwitching mains voltage with Arduino and relays
Johannes Findeisen shows a small relay setup that periodically switches a mains line using the Arduino Blink example. The setup switches on and off for ten seconds each. An Arduino serves as the controller.
Read the full postRFC 5424: Syslog: Structured event messages
RFC 5424 defines a structured syslog message format with priority, time, origin and additional data. Logs only become reliable operational data with consistent context. Transport and format have to be secured separately.
Read the full postNetwork security tool Nessi 2 becomes open source
In January 2009 TU Berlin released the network security simulator Nessi 2 as free software under the Apache License 2.0. Administrators can use it to model networks, simulate attacks using profiles and test countermeasures. Nessi 2 was created at the DAI-Labor on the basis of software for Deutsche Telekom Laboratories.
Read the full postSun Java System Web Server as open source
In January 2009, with the Open Web Server, Sun released a free version of its Java System Web Server 7.0 under a BSD licence. It was meant to scale well, handle thousands of simultaneous connections and work together with Glassfish, Tomcat or Geronimo. Compared with the commercial version, however, the administration interface, SNMP, WebDAV and JSP were missing.
Read the full postLinux kernel 2.6.29 gets two new file systems
In January 2009 the file systems Btrfs and Squashfs were accepted into the development branch for Linux 2.6.29. Squashfs compresses files, directories and inodes and is used mainly for live CDs and embedded systems, but offers no write access. Oracle’s Btrfs was regarded as a possible future standard but was not yet production-ready, which is why Ext4 was to follow Ext3 for the time being.
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