Testing Linux latest releases

Last one week, I was breaking my head on testing different flavors of Linux.  I opted best desktop version Ubuntu Lucid Lynx and best laptop version Open SUSE 11.2.  My installation set-up was on HP Pavilion tx 2000 Entertainment PC.  It's configuration consists of AMD Athlon X2 64-bit with nVIDIA GeForce graphic controllers, 2GB RAM, 150 GB HDD, Broadcom BCM4312 WLAN card with web-cam and other stuffs like finger print reader etc.

Started testing from Open SUSE.  First installed its KDE version.  This is the best interface I saw and very coolest environment.  First I attracted with the "sysinfo" option on the window, when I clicks.  It reveals the graphical display of my HDD usage, system details and much more.  Another plus I found on it is the LVM part ( I am too keen on it ).  The LVM works well on it and I used only 60GB out of my 150 for all the purpose and kept aside the rest of the space for future use.  This is fantastic option and the command "pvs" and "fdisk -l" returned the unused "disks".  I have a CA certificate key.  To use this, installed pcscd daemon.  This too worked perfect.  Next I wanted to install Virtual Box(VBox). Unfortunately, the VBox part ended up in no-mans land.  Every time, I tried to install, it keep on failing with some dependencies.  Unfortunately I couldn't resolve those dependencies and need to end the experiment.  Also, found the system was rebooting due to over-temperature.  It may be the problem of this touch-pad.

Next, installed Open SUSE 11.2 Gnome version.  Ah .. this is not that much sweet like KDE version.  Found lots of difficulties to find out other tools, which I used in KDE version.  I had to come out of it very fast, without trying anything.

Overall, a less support from netizens  is a biggest minor point for Open SUSE.

Next test was on best desktop version of Linux; Ubuntu 10.4 ( Lucid Lynx).  I had three different flavor of it to test.  Lucid for Netbook, Lucid for Desktop and Lucid for Alternate.  First two, I believe you can imagine for what purpose.  The Alternate uses to upgrade from a lower version, to break-fix an existing system and the only plus point I found here is you can use LVM.  Other two doesn't support LVM.  The LVM structure with this Ubuntu version is worst.  I will explain that later.

Lucid Lynx

The overall look for this version is amazing.  I can say, it might be somewhat what Google was saying about "OS in browser".  Most of the things open like or within a browser.  This version is absolutely fit for Netbooks.  This can be used for the beginners as well; because its ease of use.  Like what I did in Open SUSE, installed "pcscd daemon" for my ActiveIdentity.  Next try was for Virtual Box.  I don't even need to look back for any dependencies.  It installed in such a way, I just need to add my user to the vbox group and to start.  That's it.  Remember, before doing any kind of installation, you need to update  your language pack.  Otherwise, it will fail for sure.  Now my Virtual Box is ready.  Set up Windows XP Professional on this vbox by dedicating 1GB memory to it.  What a performance!! Really like the way Ubuntu does.

Next test was on Lucid Desktop version.  Here, I haven't tried to install Virtual Box.  Because, it worked in Netbook platform, of course it will work all kind of Ubuntu platform.  I concentrated my test to setup WiFi.  I had to manually install the BCM4312 802.11a/b/g driver ( bcm43-fwcutter ).  Restarted my notebook, the wireless came up.  This notebook, when I was using Windows XP and Vista, wireless has always problem.  If it works on one reboot, it won't pick the driver at another reboot; even on a fresh install.  So, this is a big plus point of Linux.

Now, I concentrated on some security stuffs.  I am not so familiar with iptables.  Tried some different options, all failed.  So, turned to another tool called ebox.  Ebox 1.5 works perfect with Lucid Lynx.  Installed it from it's repository.  Added my user to the group ebox and re-logged in.  Started e-box using the browser.  Since, I am using WLAN, configured the wlan0 using the method DHCP.  Enabled the firewall and network rules.  All went fine.  Now, I believe its secured.  But the nightmare was starting.  I left my notebook like that and gone to finish some personal work.  After an hour came back found the WLAN disconnected.  Checked the ifconfig, found some stupid "avahi daemon" taken over my interface and ate the IP.  What the hell is this?  Here is some sample from my eth0 interface

eth0:avahi Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:1e:68:15:46:a5 
          inet addr:169.254.6.127  Bcast:169.254.255.255  Mask:255.255.0.0
          UP BROADCAST MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          Interrupt:20 Base address:0xc000 

Correct should be somewhat like this.

wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:1a:73:f3:de:2d 
          inet addr:192.168.1.2  Bcast:192.168.1.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:499256 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:361382 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:557251175 (557.2 MB)  TX bytes:38616013 (38.6 MB)
 

I don't know what it is at all.  Checked all options cannot find any clue for it.  Both eth0 and wlan0 interface took over by avahi.  Lost everything.  So, decided to restart the notebook and see, what will happen. Prior to install all these,  I had updated the driver for nVIDIA GeForce, recommended by Ubuntu repository.  This too added another panic.  When restarted, lost the main display at logon window.  Several restart no change; the display disappears at logon.  Plugged into the AC supply and restarted, it came up properly at logon window.  I guess, nVIDIA needs more power to work with that driver.  One advice; never ever update from your default driver.  Ok .. here we goes with ebox.  After logged in, I am totally lost.  Wireless icon is no-longer visible and the diagnostic message all flooded with wlan0 and eth0 ip has ate by something else.  I don't know what it is at all.  So, decided to test with Alternate CD.

Put the Alternate CD and started to repair, it never ended up anywhere.  So, decided to try this Alternate CD, what it looks like.  Here comes the traditional DOS window instead of splash screen.  A series of questions and I could use LVM structure here ( Guided ).  Like what I did in Open SUSE, took 70GB of space for the use and kept aside the remaining for future purpose.  The overall installation took more than an hour.  It was too slow compared to all other versions.  I don't know why it takes too long to install.  When I came back to the desktop after all reboot, it is same like Desktop version.  One plus point, I could use LVM structure here.  But the LVM program in Open SUSE is far better than Ubuntu.  By using commands and GUI, I could never retrieve the remaining space.  I don't know, where it is hiding.  Like what I did in Desktop version, installed wireless drivers, set-up wireless.  This time, I didn't upgrade the display drivers.  Play safe!!  

The next hurdle was to install ebox.  Added the repository, installed the latest version for Lucid, set-up the interface.  I haven't restarted my notebook; instead done a re-logging in after adding my user to the group.  If I restarted, I am not sure, whether the avahi daemon takes over my interface or not.  But I captured all configuration files this time, if it taken over, I will change it back.  But one thing, avahi daemon exists by default.   How come it is taking over after I made changes to ebox settings?  I couldn't find an answer yet.  

Overall, Lucid is the best ever Linux, I used ( in notebook - desktop setup ).  Liked it very much and the vast support from its own forums and other forums make it splendid.  

Tomorrow, I will be testing the Lucid Lynx at my office notebook.  I got a spare notebook ( Intel Core Duo, 1GB RAM ) to test my Linux at office network.  Main purpose to test the VPN connection.  Let's see how it goes.  I will update with my next writing, how it was.  Wait until then.