Topic: In need of urgent assistance, SME 6.0.1-01

[mench]

I realize that the version I'm running of SME SERVER is now obsolete, but I've got a business networking on it and it has recently started to malfunction. I'm in the process of setting up a new box with the latest version, but in the meantime does anyone have any idea why I might be suddenly having DNS lookup issues?

Error 105 (net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED): Unable to resolve the server's DNS address

"The server at www.usps.com can't be found, because the DNS lookup failed. DNS is the network service that translates a website's name to its Internet address. This error is most often caused by having no connection to the Internet or a misconfigured network. It can also be caused by an unresponsive DNS server or a firewall preventing Google Chrome from accessing the network."

Please email me if you can help -- I can supply a log file and payment for your assistance.
mench@slovenly.com

best,
Peter

[janet]

mench

Using such an old version is HIGHLY INSECURE & very unwise. You could have easily been hacked, are there any signs of hacking ?

Ideally you should upgrade immediately to sme 7.6 to at least have an inherently secure server.
Then look at upgrading to sne8 as time permits. If your server runs sme6.x OK, then it should run sme 7.x OK, even if on older spec equipment.
I would use newer hardware to run sme8 though.

Please show us the System Configuration details from server manager, listed in the 2nd or 3rd choice from the bottom.

 Did you make any recent changes to your network, your equipment, your ISP or your SME server settings ?

[mench]

Hi Mary and thanks for your quick response. I'm unable to access the server to get you the settings at the moment, but will do so as soon as I do have access.

I'm wondering if there's an easy-ish way to upgrade my 6.0 server to version 7.6? That would be the best solution for now, while my new 8.0 box is being prepared.

If you are able to provide support for this please send your rates. I need a resolution by Tuesday.
best, Peter

[mmccarn]

The only time I've seen complete DNS failure on a SME server was due to 0 bytes of available free space on the root partition.  After freeing space and rebooting, everything worked again.

As long as you can live without any contribs (at least at first), can deal with re-tuning your spam filters, and either don't have any customizations for web apps or have the time to recreate your web apps, you should have little trouble upgrading from SME 6 to SME 8.

I use a script I wrote when upgrading to new SME hardware:
http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5701
(note: the script requires editing for source and destination IP and some other settings).

There's also a wiki page for moving to new hardware:
http://wiki.contribs.org/Moving_SME_to_new_Hardware

[mench]

The only time I've seen complete DNS failure on a SME server was due to 0 bytes of available free space on the root partition.  After freeing space and rebooting, everything worked again.

I just logged into my SME as root and ran a command that I believe eliminates that solution as one that applies to me:

Welcome to the Mitel Networks SME Server.
[root@sme6 root]# df -h
Filesystem            Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/md1              3.6G  1.2G  2.2G  35% /
/dev/md0               99M   15M   79M  15% /boot
none                   30M     0   30M   0% /dev/shm

I'm going to look into your script. Thanks for your help.

[janet]

mench

I'm wondering if there's an easy-ish way to upgrade my 6.0 server to version 7.6?

Download sme7.6 iso, burn a CD from the image file, then boot up the server to the CD & follow the installation prompts, to upgrade rather than overwrite the existing version.

A STRONG word of warning though, the version you have installed (SME 6.0.1-01) IIRC had a lot of additional packages & contribs incorporated into the CD, which was a non standard unofficial release.

I suggest you remove as many of the contribs as possible, and as well read the extensive upgrade notes that were in the forums when sme7.0 was released, search back about 5 years or more. There are numerous threads IIRC that will cover most issues.

I'm not sure what mmccarn's script does or covers, so best to follow standard published advices, although his work & suggestions do seem quite technically sound.

Doing some preparation before you start the upgrade, will save  you a lot of headaches.
This may be useful, if applicable
http://wiki.contribs.org/Updating_from_SME_7.1.x_or_earlier

Another alternative Restore from Disk method gives you a way to restore to a fresh install of sme 7.6 or even sme8.0 without the need to do a backup first.

I recommend a clean install & a restore from disk as you have newer file system features in sme7.0 onwards and you wil get rid of the clutter that has accumulated in your sme6.x box.
http://wiki.contribs.org/Updating_from_SME_7.1.x_or_earlier
Read it CAREFULLY & follow the instructions CAREFULLY (before shutting down the old server & removing the drive).
This method was developed by one of the main sme server developers at the time. There is also a long thread in the forums on the method, answering various queries etc.

As you have access via SSH, then login as root, then type in
console
and then access the text based server manager and answer the questions I asked, if you really want help.

[mench]

Hi Mary,
I was looking for a way to send you a private message. I'm looking for someone to work with on this. I think if I were near the server (in Sparks, Nevada, USA) I would be able to follow the instructions carefully and perform the upgrade myself. But I'm in Amsterdam, and won't be headed for Nevada until February.

I'm guessing there's no way to perform the upgrade remotely. Someone needs to be onsite to burn the ISO CD, reboot the computer, etc. Someone will be available, in the same physical location as the server, on either Monday or Tuesday, and would be very capable of following instructions. As I'm sure you can imagine the upgrade would need to be done within a specific time frame. Ideally, the person performing the upgrade would have someone to guide him through the process.

Is this a service for which I can hire you?

I think I would lean towards upgrading the machine rather than doing a fresh install. It's going to be easier, and I'm not worried about clutter from the old install since I'm having a new box built to run 8.0

I have the output from "Review Configuration", but would prefer not to post it here, since I've been told that my system is vulnerable to attack from hackers. Is there some way I can send it to you privately? You can email me at mench@slovenly.com

best, Pete

[janet]

mench

I am further away than you are, so I cannot provide on site support.

Personally I would not upgrade that system without being onsite, there are too many things that could go wrong. If you loose ssh access during the upgrade, then there is no way you can login to fix anything & it can be extremely difficult to talk someone through technical troubleshooting over the phone, I know as I have done it many times.
The OS version you are using has potential issues.

I would be uninstalling all contribs & deleting all custom templates before even thinking about doing an upgrade. Even then I recall some issues with domain login machine IDs, & if you had that problem arise (you may or may not) then your network would be unusable.
I would definitely do a "test run" on a test server before upgrading the production system.

Your Tuesday resolution timeframe is not practical. There is no guarantee that an upgrade will fix your DNS issue anyway, & I suspect it may not. If you have been hacked then errant code will still likely be there after the upgrade, or otherwise if there are incorrect or inappropriate system settings then these will be carried over in the configuration databases.

I would suggest disabling all external services until the server can be secured and/or upgraded. Leave ssh access enabled but change it to public/private key method (see the wiki howto) & disable password access if not ready done.
Then remove contribs & custom templates via ssh.
Then try the upgrade from CD while having someone on site to restart the server if necessary or do troubleshooting.

Perhaps initially troubleshoot your DNS issue further to see what is causing it.
You can supply the information requested here, just obfuscate the identity details.
Also answer whether there were recent changes to anything.