WSL Idiocracy 1. - Check if installed

Currently I'm writing an automated install script for Azure DevOps self-hosted Linux agent running inside a WSL2 environment on my local Windows machine. Yes, I know the idea itself is weird in the Microsoft's ClickOps word, but I'm a DevOps engineer so I will force it to work.

On the road achieving it there is some idiotic ideas of the WSL what I want to write about.

My first thought, you can check the WSL installation status from in the Windows features list. It can be achieved from PowerShell:

Just guess the WSL is installed on my PC, or not!

According to the DISM it is not installed.

But if I list the running Linux systems:

My WSL based AZDO agent is already running.

How this is possible? The DISM is not the only way to install WSL. You can install it with the following command:

wsl --install --no-distribution --web-download

The internet sources suggest to use wsl -l -v but that just show the running Linux instances. If you install it with the command above, the list will be empty.

What I figured out is the following:

$WSL_STATUS = wsl --status

if($WSL_STATUS) {

    Write-Host "WSL already installed"

} else {

    Write-Host "WSL not installed"

}

Why? The status will be empty if not installed and will report the WSL default version and other settings if installed.

Why this is required? The installation of the WSL engine itself require reboot. As I'm writing an automated script it is crucial to know if I need reboot or not.

Continued...

New arrivals 13.

Here are a few "new" test equipment just arrived to my lab. I can tell that I almost have everything I dreamed about. Actually I have to go back to my electronics journey (There other things I'd like to achieve until I get there, but looks like, back on track)

From up to down:

HP 53132A Universal Counter

I already have an Agilent 53131A. I not really need this higher precision one, but as I had the opportunity to upgrade for not too much money. The 53131A has the HS oven. It will move to this one.

YEW (Yokogawa) 2533 Power Meter

I wanted to have a power meter for a while, but the cost of those was not acceptable for a home lab. I got this one for a reasonable price. Also, this is a 3 phase unit, what is a plus.

This is capable to work up to 600V but the power supply is 115V unit, so not compatible with the 230V mains here. Fortunately a few years ago, by mistake I built an external 115V AC supply (nothing fancy just a small transformer in an appropriate box, with the required connectors and mains switch), what come handy now.

HP 4284A Precision LCR meter

This is an awesome piece of kit. I wanted to have a continuous tuning high frequency LCR meter for a while. This is capable to work until 1MHz what is much better than my current HP U1733C.

Reorganizing lab 7.

I reached a milestone in my lab. I can state now that the project I started regarding my tables are finished. Added a shelf, lighting zillions of power distributors, reinforced the tables with additional cross bars at the back, and many more.

From now on, other projects are coming. Still not electronics. Now I'll focus on the IT infrastructure and on the top of it regaining the 3D printing capability. Additional posts on the way.

Now, here are few pictures about the result.

Project - Network

The second stage of rebuilding my lab is to have a solid Ethernet and Wi-Fi network.

On this road I bought a few network devices: used HP 2530 series PoE switches.

Built a setup with VLANs separating the home, the planed home automation, guest, etc. networks.

Had some fight with my Mikrotik router to properly support VLANs (still just barely understand its approach of VLAN settings).

I also had Wi-Fi routers, access points (TP-Link and Ubiquiti) laying around. All of them finally converted to OpenWRT.

And the biggest relive that my long hated HP 1920-24G switch also turned to an OpenWRT device (I guess this is a leftover from the 3Com acquisition by HP and the interface is far from the familiar convenient HP UIs):

This correcting my mistake of buying it.

So, most of the logical network setup of my flat and lab is done, just the Multi-SSID Wi-Fi setup and the client device reorganization is left.

 

Reorganizing lab 6.

The project of rebuilding my tables are finished.

I still try to figure out what goes where but it is not as messy it was a few days ago.

I think it is time for picking a new project while still moving my stuff.

Reorganizing lab 5.

 The good:

How it looks like Today. Three out of four tables complete. Even my lab computer is its final location. Currently I'm writing this on that computer.

The bad: No more time to work on it in the next week or bit more.

And the ugly:

This is the leftover. I need to handle this. I just hope that after reorganization this will disappear.

Reorganizing lab 4.

This can be called as a milestone for my lab bench project. My corner table, with additional top shelf and integrated lighting is ready.

One done, additional three to go. But as I already finished many part of the other tables/shelves, it will not take too much more time to finish.