More secure deployments via ssh

2020-08-21 Infrastructure Linux Deployment Niclas Roßberger

If we deploy an application automatically we have to grant the CI (Continuous Integration) access to the server. Common practice is to do that via a GitLab Runner or an ssh account on the server. Personally I would not recommend using a GitLab Runner for deployments, because you have to maintain it. Another potential issue is, that you normally register runners for your whole GitLab instance or groups. That results in a scenario in which everyone can use that runner and accidentally (or not) destroy, for example, your production server. Continue reading

Install cmake 3.11.1 on Ubuntu

2018-04-17 Infrastructure Linux Ubuntu Niclas Roßberger

Sometimes you just want a newer version than ubuntu ships. This code will update cmake to version 3.11.1 or any other version you want.

Automatic VirtualBox module signing for UEFI

2018-04-17 Infrastructure Linux Ubuntu Tutorials Niclas Roßberger

These steps are for all those people who hate to sign the Virtualbox modules every time and don’t want to disable UEFI.

Ubuntu: automatic password for second encrypted disk

2016-12-15 Infrastructure Linux Ubuntu Tutorials Niclas Roßberger

I just encountered the problem that I have to type two passwords at startup, for two encrypted disks. My first disk is encrypted through the Ubuntu installer. After some searching I found the perfect solution for that task. In german, it’s called “Schlüsselableitung”, in English derived keys. But perfect solutions often have a big issue why they don’t work, like here. I’m using Ubuntu 16.04 which uses ´systemd´, and that has problems with derived keys. So I found the second most perfect solution for me, using a key-file. Some people argue that this is a security issue, but the derived key is also obtainable with root rights, just like a key-file. And by the way, your private keys of your certificates are also stored on that disks and nearly nobody complains about that.

Why I love the Qt framework

2016-10-15 Programming Qt Niclas Roßberger

Everyone that knows me, knows that I love the Qt framework. Before I started programming in C++, Java was my primary programming language. I love the generics (yes, some of you will hate me for that opinion right now) and reflection. During my Java-time I used them very often to increase reusability. But while studying we had to learn C++ and I hated it in the beginning. It felt so old and so stiff compared to Java. Continue reading

Installing Redmine 3.0 on clean Ubuntu 14.04

2015-03-27 Linux Ubuntu Niclas Roßberger

In this tutorial we will install Redmine on a clean installation of Ubuntu server 14.04 with an Apache server and MySql. Redmine wil be reachable under the subdomain redmine.example.com.