Test Lab Notebook

  Getting Things Ready with Vagrant and Packer (Automate with Precision) In the fist few posts of these lab notes I made significant strides in setting up my test lab. The journey began with configuring Git and installing VirtualBox—two foundational tools essential for version control and virtual machine management. Git Setup Configured Git to streamline version control. With Git, I can now track changes, collaborate with others, and maintain a clean history of modifications. This tool is crucial for keeping my lab setup organised and efficient. VirtualBox Installation Installed VirtualBox to manage virtual environments. VirtualBox provides a flexible platform for creating and running virtual machines, allowing testing of various configurations without impacting the primary system. Onward to Vagrant and Packer With Git and VirtualBox in place, it’s time to install Vagrant and Packer. These tools will automate and streamline the creation and management of virtual environments...

  VirtualBox Setup (Slow but Simple) Overview Starting with VirtualBox as the VM manager for this lab setup. It might not be the fastest option, but it's free, flexible, and works well for a self-hosted environment. The flexibility to run various operating systems (Windows, Linux) makes it a good fit, especially since I’m not keen on investing time in integrating a hypervisor into dedicated hardware. VirtualBox’s ability to run on almost any machine—from a high-end gaming PC to an older laptop—makes it convenient. More cores and RAM mean more VMs can be handled. It supports both Linux and Windows hosts and offers a more user-friendly interface compared to some other options. I already had VirtualBox installed on my machine, so the setup went smoothly. Your experience may vary if there are missing dependencies, but the installer will notify you of any. Installation Notes Downloaded the Installer From the VirtualBox website , I downloaded the Windows installer ( .exe file). Run...

Installing Git on Windows: My Usual Method Here’s a straightforward guide to installing Git on Windows: Download the Latest Version Go to Git’s official download page and download the latest version for Windows. Run the Installer as Administrator Right-click the downloaded installer and select “Run as administrator.” Follow the Installation Wizard Information Screen: Click “Next.” Select Destination Folder: Click “Next” (accept the default option). Select Components: add "Add a Git Bash to windows Terminal" then click “Next.” Select Start Menu Folder: Click “Next” (accept the default option). Choosing the Default Editor: Select Notepad++ or Notepad, then click “Next.” Adjusting the Name of the Initial Branch: Click “Next” (accept the default option). Adjusting Your PATH Environment: Click “Next” (accept the default option). Choosing SSH Executable: Click “Next” (accept the default option). Choosing HTTPS Transport Backend: Select “Use the native Windows Secu...

Using Git in the IT Ops World (Not Just for Developers) When you hear "Git," if you have heard it before, your mind might immediately jump to software development. Git is a version control system beloved by developers, but its usefulness extends beyond coding. If you're in IT Operations (IT Ops), Git can still be a powerful tool to manage scripts, configuration files, and even documentation. Let’s explore how Git can simplify your workflow, even if you’re not writing software. Why Use Git in IT Operations? In IT Ops, it's common to work on scripts and configuration files that impact critical infrastructure. These files evolve over time, and having a way to track changes is essential. Git helps you: Track versions : You can track every modification made to a file, making it easy to see what changed and why. Recover from mistakes : Accidentally overwrite a file? Git allows you to roll back to a previous version. Git uses a client-server model , where your loca...

Introduction Embracing New Projects As the nights draw in and the cooler weather sets in, it’s a perfect time to embark on a new project. Is it still worth setting up a test lab in an era where predefined automations and scripted setups dominate? While automation tools can streamline many tasks, they often rely on pre configured solutions that may not address every unique scenario. The Role of Cloud Computing While cloud computing remains a crucial component of many IT infrastructures, it’s not always the best choice for every scenario, particularly when it comes to hands-on learning and developing a deep understanding of systems. For this lab project, I’ve chosen to focus on self-hosting instead of using cloud services. By building and managing everything locally, I gain more control over each aspect of the setup, which allows for a deeper, more detailed learning experience that cloud environments sometimes abstract away. This approach ensures a thorough understanding of the under...