One day, tired of having to open ports and more ports for everything I wanted to do with the Linux server I have at home, I decided to do something to be able to connect directly to that machine and have all services available to me without having to create one by one. The solution was clear, establish a VPN to the server and automatically have access to all available services. The main problem when establishing virtual network was that it had to be simple, quick to create and, above all, do not need additional software as well could use it from any computer at any location. Moreover, if I rode well have a perfect system to provide remote support to my sisters via VNC without having to open up these ports .

By default all Windows computers come standard with a VPN client that can contectarse virtual private networks, but not of any kind, only PPTP . We could have chosen another system based on IPsec or OpenVPN , but would need additional software cerfied well at both ends of the VPN, which does not meet the requirements that we had imposed. PPTP is a protocol developed by Microsoft (hence comes standard Windows) and, because of that, has been slow to be a customer (and even a server) that works under Linux. Not the most secure VPN protocols but let it discharges its functions.

The idea is, therefore, set up a PPTP server on Linux. Once we see how to connect server both Linux and Windows. Although the idea of ​​this article is a domestic environment is fully applicable to small businesses who need remote access to their employees without complicating their lives and make large outlays dedicated routers or on a Windows server (understanding this as a machine with a Windows Server .

PPTP Server on Linux

Let enrevesar a little more our server. For more versatility will give the user authentication is performed via a server Radius can subsequently be used to authenticate any other service you can think of (ftp, email, wireless hotspot ...).

I think it is too simple, we complicate it further. The Radius server authenticate, likewise, against a database MySQL , which have a very easy to manage without having to be touching text files to create new users. The scenario is therefore Radius PPTP + + MySQL.

As software we use:

• Linux Server, Centos 5.2 in my case.
• PopTop, PPTP server under Linux.
• PPTP Client , PPTP client under Linux.
• FreeRadius as Radius server.
• Radiusclient as Radius client, that can query the server PopTop Radius.

To install the software, in my case, nothing simpler. First, install the yum repository PopTop:

And you can install all the software:

I think that that would be enough and would have everything you need. We assume, of course, you already have MySQL installed.

Formerly it was more complicated than installing PopTop and had to patch the kernel, but today, if your core is higher than 2.6.15 (if not, what are you waiting for update?), Do not need this step. Anyway, if you had to do it, is completely safe, I did it myself for a long time. On the website of PopTop have the instructions for it.

Assuming you've installed all the software correctly without any problem, and we just set each and every one of the steps that make up our VPN server.

Configuring PopTop

The first thing to do is decide that you will use in your VPN address. In my case I have one independent of everything else (192.168.3.0), so I can manage it at will, allowing or denying what I can think of a simple way. The following configuration files indicated to tinker and as I have mine.

/ Etc / pptpd.conf

The parameter localip have IP's that use your local server and each time you get a connection while in remoteip you will indicate which will give clients dynamically. 'll Have to put a wide enough range to cover possible simultaneous connections you may have.

/ Etc / ppp / options.pptpd

It is recommended that consultases man pages to find out what each parameter does.

As you can see the end of all indicate the PPTP server using the pluggin for Radius, so we configure everything on Radius.

Configuring FreeRadius

/ Etc / raddb / clients.conf

We indicate, for each radius server we have, a connection key and name. The key customers will use to query the server radius. Normally in an environment like ours is that the Radius server is the same VPN server resides.

The following file is the most important because it tells requests FreeRadius to authenticate against a MySQL server. As long put only the relevant parts:

/ Etc / raddb / radiusd.conf

In / etc / raddb / sql.conf must properly configure access to your MySQL database, server, user, password and database that we will see a little later.

Configuring RADIUS client

/ Etc / radiusclient / servers

Where the key is the same as that put in / etc / raddb / localhost clients.conf and your address if different server that has the pptpd.

In / etc / radiusclient dictionary.microsoft you have the file. I remember I had some problems with it, just in case I leave the one I have now is not coming by default.

In / etc / radiusclient / radiusclient.conf sure you have the following parameters pointing to the IP of your Radius server if not the same VPN server resides:

If they are different to localhost, do not forget to configure here.

Creating the MySQL database

We got to the last step.

Create a new database (create database radius) and a user with permissions to it. Remember now configure / etc / raddb / sql.conf with these data.

Now create the structure of the database. With FreeRadius package is the structure you need.

The step that follows always ignore it when someone explains how to configure FreeRadius with MySQL and believe me it is not intuitive.

How to fill the tables of authentication?

Good question Manel .

• Table radcheck: user accounts maintained with the following fields:
  • UserName: username.
  • Categories: Password (literally, not the key but the word User Password).
  • op: == (two equal signs).
  • Value: User key.
• Table radreply: contains initialization parameters that connect customers. Here I set up the IP's that mean to certain customers for reasons of convenience. I also indicated that only allow simultaneous connection with the same user.
  • UserName: user name you are configuring (as introduced in Table radcheck).
  • Attribute: the word Framed-IP-Address or Simultaneous-Use, as you indicate the IP assigned to that user or the maximum number of sessions with the same name.
  • op: = (single equal sign)
  • Value: 192.168.3.99 (the IP you want) or the maximum number of simultaneous connections to the same user.
• Table usergroup, grouping users into groups.
  • UserName: user name
  • GroupName: group name.

RadAct table contains the server activity log, sessions initiated, duration, etc..

Last steps

Remember to open in your router and / or firewall port 1723 for allowing incoming connections as it is used by the PPTP protocol.

Although as discussed below can audit the Radius server connections (and therefore the VPN server) can be interesting to have a warning mechanism that a client is connected. One way is to view the network interfaces available on the server (ifconfig), there will be many pppX as active users. But there is another method that allows you to receive, for example by email, a notice each time a user connects or disconnects.

Every time you get ppp interface runs the script / etc / ppp / ip-up.local with all parameters relating to that connection, remote IP, local, interface ... also when disconnected launches / etc / ppp / ip -down.local. should only adapt this script to our needs. These scripts are all required parameters to identify the user. We would do something, for example to ip-up.local.

Thus you would receive an email every time a user picks up a VPN tunnel to your server and you'd know what IP is the user and if you've given a fixed IP address in the RADIUS configuration, you will know which user is, in this case "pepito ".

With IP-down.local such a script would only instead of VPN connection in an email subject would put Disconnecting VPN. Parameters are exactly the same.

These scripts can also use them to create / modify / delete routes based certain tunnels created.

The package itself will be installed pptpd startup script necessary in my case / etc / init.d / pptpd. I just have to add it to the boot runlevel automatically from my server and the service is always available.

In theory, all the vpn's made against routing server have each other, meaning you could get from one client to another through the server without fiddling around. I say theoretically because that is the function of the parameter proxyarp we configured earlier. This routing may not be enough and you need VPN clients can access other subnets of your infrastructure. You can do as you like, even setting up a bridge , but for these things any better than iptables .

Consider a scenario where we have a local lan part our server (address 192.168.0.0) and create new network for VPN's (address 192.168.3.0). To enable full routing between the two networks would do something like:

Single. If we wanted only certain users to the local network accediesen would modify the variable IP VPN2 the radius gives the user.

FreeRadius from a web environment, dialup_admin

Okay, it's true, it's a pain in the ass to manage FreeRadius and all its parameters, so what better than a simple web environment for user management and visualization of business and system log. This utility is dialup_admin . I shall not be installed because I think it comes out this article and in addition is a simple web application without much difficulty.

With this tool it will be much easier to create users and their properties and keep track of who is connected, connection periods have, etc..

Establishing VPN from Windows

Very simple. From Network Connections, you create a new connection, choose Connect to the network at my workplace and is basically just enter the hostname or IP of your VPN server host and connect. I recommend unchecking the Use default gateway on remote network in the properties of this new connection, Networking, TCP / IP, Advanced, otherwise all normal Internet traffic you will through the VPN.

If all goes well will connect to your server and get access to it as if you were on your own local network.

Establishing VPN from Linux

Since Linux is a tad more complicated because, as usual, to do the configuration manually. There is a graphical utility for creating connections in a similar way to Windows, but rather explain how to do it from the console if your machine has no graphical environment.

We now indicate the username and password used to connect. IdentificadorRed is the name we give to the connection, you can be anything you want.

Now create the configuration for the connection that you are creating with IdentificadorRed we discussed earlier. In TUIP must put the hostname or IP of your VPN server.

Here are two interesting options:

• persist: recreated automatically if the tunnel is cut off for some reason so that is always active.
• demand: automatically creates the tunnel when accessing the server IP or some other that are routed through this tunnel, while not required inactive. Should obviously not be so persist otherwise is always active.

Finally, we create a simple startup script to automatically launch or just for not having to remember the parameters.

And that's all folks. It took me quite longer than expected to write this article because as I was writing I was jumping new memories about details that should be appointed.

Note that my experience with PPTP goes back five years ago so it might have changed some detail in recent years. After that first VPN server last year we moved to CentOS5 OS and reconfigure the VPN server virtually all parameters left as they were. I do not think that you have no problem in solving some small detail that may arise.

Before starting this article, and for anyone to get any ideas, clarify that you can not do on your own streaming through data connections traditional carriers. They have those ports blocked so that only they or who they want to offer this service, hence the exclusivity of TV channels on mobile that both promote and are only streaming services. If anyone could do it they would end the gravy train, but there is always the issue of data traffic, I would charge you full while on their channels, and pay the monthly subscription.

I have not tried with the new virtual operators or with Telstra, although it is possible that they themselves operate. However, with the proliferation of wireless terminals opens a new world of unlimited possibilities, including streaming.

This time use a Linux server (Centos5.2) and as a streaming server, Darwin Stream Server .

Darwin is the open source version of Apple's QuickTime Streaming Server, yes, you heard right, Apple's iPod and iPhone, and can send streamings via standard RTP and RTSP protocols. But what makes it more interesting to Darwin on other servers is handled perfectly streaming MPEG4 and 3GPP files, something essential if we send them to mobile devices

You can download here the setup file for Linux. Once you unzip it, installation is EXTREMELY simple, just run the Install file and an assistant will guide you. When finished you will have your streaming server running. Let's try it

The installation leave all the configuration files in / etc / streaming video and some sample / usr / local / movies, the default path for the files. You can modify this path in the / etc / streaming / streamingserver.xml looking for the name parameter "movie_folder". We'll leave it as the default.

If you have not yet started your server, do it with the following command:

/ Usr / bin / perl / usr / local / sbin / streamingadminserver.pl

If all went well you can try the sample videos. Open your Quicktime Player and open the url:

rtsp :/ / tuip/sample_h264_300kbit.mp4

If you followed the steps right you'll see a QuickTime video sample. Your streaming server is already running.

Check out any of your videos 3gpp. Copy them to the corresponding path on your server, / usr / local / movies and call them with the previous url changing the file name:

rtsp :/ / tuip/nombre.3gp

You should see your video in Quicktime Player. Try it now on your mobile. Open Real Player (or the software that brings to view streaming videos) and enter that address.

True, it does not work . He could be as simple ...

Preparing files for viewing on mobile

To view videos in 3gpp and mp4 mobile via Darwin have to undergo a process called hint.

We need a new tool that makes this process in this case is the package gpac . We downloaded and installed the software and have the program you need, MP4Box. Now we simply run the following statement on all our videos:

/ Usr/local/bin/MP4Box-3gp-mtu 1450-hint video.3gpp

That's it. If you ever try to view the video on your phone check and now it is displayed.

Creating graphs in Cacti Darwin server

A few months ago I told you how to monitor your server with Cacti . Let us therefore add graphics from our streaming server in order to monitor the activity of the same.

The first thing to do is enable remote access from the IP of our Cacti to monitor server management console, the "remote admin". To do this edit / etc / streaming / streamingserver.xml, locate the module parameter QTSSAdminModule and introduce the corresponding IP IPAccessList, LocalAccessOnly enable_remote_admin set it to false and true. We will have to restart the server. Such would be so.

We have the streaming server ready, now we will play in the Cacti server. Here is all explained, but we will review it. I remember that I worked as is the templates, so I leave that I have running . In the file you will find two python scripts and two templates. Scripts must copy them to the "scripts" folder of your Cacti installation. The "templates" you must import them from "Import templates" of web inferfaz.

With this we only have to add the graphs for the machine we are going to monitor, Bandwidth Current DSS and DSS - Current Connection Count. Request We fill some data:

• Server: IP of the machine with Darwin.
• Port: If you have not changed the 554.
• User: Server user administration Darwin you have configured during installation.
• Password: the password for the above user.

We will have two graphs, number of connections and bandwidth consumed.

I am not responsible of data traffic bills your carrier suppose you try the discussion in this article . Another day we will see how to generate demand 3gpp videos from almost any other format.

As already said, I still had a pending trip. The past weekend was chosen. This time we headed to Sos del Rey Catolico , had to fulfill a dream and this was the perfect time, so I went there with my companion.

Since we can not stop still, this is the route we did this time and it'll tell you step by step.

A - Sos del Rey Catolico

Central destination of our trip. It is situated in the province of Zaragoza, a few kilometers from Navarra, and is known for being the birthplace of Ferdinand (1452).

Capital of the region known as the Five Towns (Sos, Sádaba Ejea, Uncastillo and Taussig), Sos is one of the most beautiful towns of Aragon and was declared a Historic Artistic Monument in 1968.

We made ​​our stay at the Parador Nacional, located at one end of the medieval wall.

The exceptional preservation of its historic turn a simple walk through the streets on a journey to the past.

The city center is full of steep, cobbled medieval streets, with houses, palaces, escudos and segments, form a harmonious monument always surrounded by a natural landscape of great beauty.

Almost all entrances to the town preserved the ancient gates of the wall, the main Gate Zaragoza.

Of all the highlights noble buildings Sada Palace, birthplace of, ultimately, King of Aragon (and later also Castilla) Ferdinand. Draws particular attention to his austere Renaissance facade, nothing to do with others that can be seen in other palaces in the town.

Much of its narrow streets leading to the castle while walking corners of admirable beauty and artistic relevance. Sos was one of the most important fortified region of the Five Towns during the tenth and eleventh centuries as evidenced by its numerous stately homes. Its splendid settlement on a high spur the whole village becomes a real natural fortress. The castle is situated on one of the promontories of the town with visibility to the Navarra Pyrenees mountains and Sangüesa. At its center stands the Tower of Homage, overlooking both the Aragonese Pyrenees of Navarre.

If you get bored you can approach the wind farm which governs Sos surrounding mountains and enjoy the scenic Pyrenees foothills mills besides watching closely. If you have not ever seen the experience of seeing the blades rotate toward your head is really striking (or terrifying).

As something to be lived, dined at the Hotel Restaurant Vinacua . A striking mix of rustic exterior with its totally edgy style inside. We ate a good meal of the day (yes, for dinner). Scrambled eggs with asparagus and ham and piquillo pepper sauce and steak first foie gras with foie gras and beef steak seconds. For dessert, tart curd. Value / unbeatable price.

B - Castle of Javier

About 22km of Sos and after leaving Sangüesa arrived at this impressive castle.

The Castle of Javier born in sX and silent witness of the first clashes between the emerging kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon.

Initially a simple watchtower to defend the valley of Aragon. Over the years it reinforces and in the fifteenth century and is a castle owned by the family of Maria de Azpilicueta, mother of St. Francis Xavier. After the annexation of Navarre to the kingdom of Aragon, Cardinal ordered the complete demolition Cisneos it, but ultimately it is topped and reduced to a mere mansion. Still can see the basis of this initial tower finally converted into the Keep of the castle.

Already in the nineteenth century, the owners decide to rebuild the castle to leave it as we can see today. I must admit that it is especially pleasing to me as restored castles, I prefer something more authentic even without the floor of this castle and not impress much.

On the way back we came across this large herd of sheep. Enough said.

C - Castle Olite

A classic of the castles of Spain. Just needs a maid on the battlements to complete resulting postcard.

Olite The Royal Palace is one of the historical and artistic major Navarra. It is divided into three parts, the Old Palace (now State Guesthouse), ruins of the Chapel of St. George, and New Palace, visited the set.

The building was constructed between 1402 and 1424, and includes a set of rooms, gardens and moats and surrounded by high walls topped by numerous towers that give a spectacular silhouette.

The promoter of this work was Charles III "the Noble", King of Navarre. This king is best known for his love of culture and luxurious palace life for his military campaigns, and to attest to that left us this impressive legacy in the form of Palace, which once was one of the most European luxury.

In 1512, with the union of Navarre to the Crown of Castile, began the deterioration of the Palace, as it is only used as an occasional residence of viceroys

In 1813, during the War of Independence, the palace was burned to prevent the French troops made ​​strong in him. All interiors and part of the structure burned, leaving the semi-ruined palace and empty.

In 1923, the Government of Navarre held a competition to develop a draft restoration. Work began in 1937 and lasted about 30 years.

Restoration tests are obvious once you are inside the castle, the difference between the old and new stone obvious. Again, not that I particularly pleases visit a castle with such restoration, but I must say that the beauty of the set is amazing. In one of the rooms is a monograph of the restoration, with photos of the original state of the castle, which gives you an idea how much work they had to do.

Everything, absolutely everything, can be visited at the castle. You can upload all the towers and move freely through all areas of the castle through multiple and steep staircases.

With the entry you are entitled, if you will, to guided tours, no additional cost overrun, the only requirement is expected to start one and join the group. The visit, as often happens in these cases, it becomes very interesting because you're telling what it was used each resort stay or curiosities that otherwise would not have known. One is, for example, that this castle had lead pipes to transport water throughout the building. The King had seen this system in a German castle and liked it so much that he brought Olite the plumber who had devised for it did here too. As proof walls remain in the slash through which ran the pipes.

Although I prefer the more authentic castles, I must admit that in this building you are transported 500 years ago.

Our path leads us to Loarre through Carcastillo, Sádaba Uncastillo and Biel. On our way upriver cross and Gallego, a tributary of the Ebro, which leaves us with these images. We will return to this river crossing with during our route.

Our plans included eating at Biel, in the hamlet, as had been recommended, but it turned out it was Monday and closed on Mondays, so we had to settle for another bite at the pub.

D - Castle Loarre

A Cultural and National Monument in 1906, Castle was built in Loarre S.XI. It is the masterpiece of mainland fortifications and beautiful example of Romanesque art that has survived to this day in the best conditions. It represents one of the best examples of civil military architecture in Europe.

The emergence of Roman coins and Iberian in its vicinity suggests that the castle was built on the ruins of "Calagurris Fibularia" Roman.

In the year 1020 decides its construction King Sancho III el Mayor of Navarra, anexionándolo his kingdom and making defensive bulwark against Muslim power. It is not until the reign of Sancho Ramírez, to 1071, when work began fortification and current configuration and added to the castle a religious component, with the foundation of the monastery of St. Augustine canons.

The castle sits on a rocky limestone used as foundations. This gives remarkable as defensive walls could not be mined.

On the death of Sancho Ramírez, his son Peter I is Montearagón as head of the congregation, which removes Loarre its monastic character, while the subsequent loss of its defensive nature will caused by the advance of the conquest of this monarch, returning the castle at the hands of the Crown of Aragon, which delivers it to lieutenants and gentlemen.

From the twelfth century began its decline Loarre, except for some episodes in the history of the Crown of Aragon in which it intervenes. This participation disappears from XV, which has contributed to the preservation of its original, making it a desirable scenario for cinematography.

The enclosure can be accessed through a gate between two towers of the outer wall that leads to an open space and, after a steep slope, the only gateway. After this door and up some stairs after we reach the heart of the castle.

The castle maintains that charm that any lover of castles expect from a mythical place like this. Walls, towers, battlements, arches, passageways, dungeons ... nothing is lacking in that strength. This one, without deep and striking reconstructions, is one of those castles which you'd like to wield your sword and throw to protect helpless damsels . Apparently it's probably the most atmospheric medieval castle not only in Spain but in Europe.

Curiously, the opening and closing scenes of The Kingdom of Heaven by Ridley Scott, which see Balian (Orlando Bloom) in his village were shot in this castle.

E - Monastery of San Juan de la Peña

Continue the route to the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña on a winding road leading to parallel Riglos Gallego River. The trip this way let us beautiful views of the Pyrenees foothills landscapes that will not leave you indifferent.

As we approach Riglos can not help admiring Riglos Mallos, rocks stunning right hand side of the road, lead the horizon. This is a huge stone walls at the foot of which sits the town of Riglos. Paradise of mountaineers and climbers, this demonstrates the chunky feel, be aware that the town is small and white that looks down on the right. (Dedicated to Juan Pedro )

Last Riglos take the turning on the right into Bernués and after about 50km we find the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña. Do not draw attention too, looks like a normal site. It is. It's the new monastery.

You may want to visit, but the interesting thing is a little lower. Following the same road you stumble upon this view unexpectedly. Covered by a huge rock that bears its name, the monastery appears perfectly integrated into the natural environment.

National Monument in 1889, was completely destuido by fire in 1494 and 1675, following which they built the new monastery.

On the top floor is the Pantheon Rea l where for five centuries were buried some kings of Navarre and Aragon but certainly the most striking is the Romanesque cloister of some details that can be seen in this photograph.

Hispanic Legend, the death of the Virgin Mary, St. Peter brought the Holy Grail to Rome but, due to persecution against Christians, Pope Sixtus II decided to leave the relic of St. Lawrence Martyr hands that made ​​moving to his native Huesca. There he remained until 712 Christians, Muslims fleeing took refuge in the monastery of San Juan de la Peña. Donated by the community of monks to the king of Aragon in 1399, the Cup was in the hands of the Crown of Aragon until 1437 Alfonso the Magnanimous handed it to the Cathedral of Valencia since then, according to layenda houses the Holy Grail.

Some views of the road in the countryside prepirenaica.

F - Dining in Sanguesa

We ended our trip in this town Navarre, just 13km from Sos. Looking for a place to have dinner, somewhat complicated since the town was in full festivities, we found this grill. In the historic center of the town is the Grill Mediavilla, with a rustic and traditional Basque-Navarre.

Our dinner: Salad with salmon and monkfish salad ham and quail stuffed with foie first, sirloin of beef with foie gras sauce and rib steak seconds. Profiteroles and homemade custard for dessert.

The salads, as well as being very good, they were very original, but the meat was outstanding, tender and tasty. For me much better than the previous night we Sos though my companion thought otherwise.

G - Uncastillo

Anyone could have thought of putting a sign in Sádaba reporting that the road to Uncastillo was cut?? For renovation. Indeed, when it seems that the journey will be an easy ride as the road is in perfect condition to stumble upon the road is completed. Thanks to a van that came after us discovered a way?? Alternative, steering left hand ride through, dodging and returning to work? Driving. From here and to Uncastillo have a road works, unpaved and full of gravel prevents you go over 40km / h. Yes, at the end you get to your destination .

Villa military source on record since S.XI. In the town center stands the castle of the thirteenth century although its initial construction may predate the Reconquest. It is a walled fitted defensive towers and a palace inside work exerted blocking access of Muslims settled in Sádaba towards the steps leading into the kingdom of Aragon and Pyrenean border defense. Uncastillo was as an important border enclave against Muslims and played a key role in the Christian reconquest. Recently restored castle uptown and keep.

The village has a second castle, of Sibirana, Luesia direction, but we did not get to see it.

It also stands the Church of Santa Maria, declared of cultural interest, the twelfth century, Romanesque and crenellated tower.

During the twelfth century, Uncastillo experienced a period of splendor that is reflected in its six Romanesque churches. As a result of the economic power of the village at that time, experienced a profound Uncastillo urban development that has remained virtually unchanged to this day.

In the sixteenth century, the town came to life a new moment of great splendor, during which other buildings were built as the town hall.

Uncastillo has six Romanesque churches, making it one of the best sets Romanesque Spain. A Renaissance church, 12 houses Palace, the Town Hall of x.XVI, castles, cemeteries from different eras and Jewry culcutras and intact medieval urban complex and won him the 1966 declaration of cultural interest.

H - Castle Sádaba

At Sádaba you get the huge imposing fortress s.XII who presides at the top of a hill.

This castle is unusual for the time, no classic defensive elements, keep, moats, walls ... The rectangular and with seven crenellated towers, is a clear example of changing military buildings, if a tower with a wall becomes a sort of citadel with towers and walls.

We could not get in, we arrived after hours, but the visit was worth it just to see what stunning building.

Back

Return to Valencia from Sos, to see something different and 300km of highway from Zaragoza, the other route did we approached new potential destinations. Instead of going down the motorway Teruel we turn to Calatayud.

The landscape is full of fields and fields of sunflowers, at least, draw attention to the traveler who, like me, had never seen them .

Calatayud

Molina de Aragon

With this route I discovered a future destination for a weekend since I was eager to visit the castle of Molina de Aragón you see in the photo and also approach the Monasterio de Piedra and do the whole route.

In short, a weekend of castles and medieval towns that invite the atmosphere calm and quiet ride without forgetting the fantastic Navarro-Aragonese cuisine in the area. Personally I became even more eager to explore the area and, above all, do some hiking route Riglos Mallos. Next time.

With this article are over possibly multi-day trips for the remainder of the year, however recover the paths weekend I left before the summer and I have already prepared three or four articles.

A little over a year news broke: Vodafone UK had implemented a transcoder proxy data on your network so that all clients connections passed through this system. Under the guise of making accessible to all terminals any existing website, completely modifying the looks of it, adding advertising, direct access to Vodafone Live! , and what is worse, modifying style sheets portals, thus your work lost its original appearance.

The international movement within the sector was significant. People like Andrea Trasatti or Passani Luca , true gurus of adaptation, rebelled against the measure. lot of people I criticized.

The problem was not only the appearance of the portals, that's what it looked directly serious problem was (is) that were loading one of the basic concepts for mobile adaptation: the UserAgent . Although it exists in all web browsers, the UserAgent is especially important on a mobile device and that identifies, gives you information on the same make and model so that, with a good database of terminals (eg wurlf ), can obtain compatibility (video, mp3, mms ...) and screen sizes. By eliminating the UserAgent removed the ability to offer content compatible with that terminal. Think mobile Java games where it is essential to know which model is the client because you have to give a compiled file for the same.

After some protests from Vodafone UK decided to send the original phone UserAgent but in a different HTTP header, which would have to change ALL your developments because of this wonderful idea.

Finally sleeve pulled two solutions to transcoder:

• If your domain is. Mobi not modify the content and you assume that YA is content optimized for small devices.
• A whitelist where, if you sent your domains, filter and adapt stopped.

Actually I do not know if the second method ever really worked. The first yes.

In October of last year's debacle came to Spain. Vodafone ES transcoder put the famous mobile portals and all our lost its look & feel as well as being modified to include all direct links Live!. We also had alarm bells .

Here the problem was worse, they never send the original UserAgent. I do not know if they do now, but at the time did not. This measure of Vodafone did much damage to the sector.

Today, almost a year later, I discovered, by chance, that Movistar also has the famous proxy-transcoder, but for now it seems that they do not abuse it. They do not change anything visually or hide the UserAgent, but adapt some things. I explained the situation that I was crazy for two days.

Preparing a site for a major promotion I found that on a Nokia N95 unseen images to the appropriate size. Our platform automatically adapts the size of the images based on the screen width of the client terminal (obtained from UserAgent). It turns out that the images were generating server correctly, 240px wide, while on the phone were receiving 95px wide. Impossible!

We tried the same phone but with SIM cards from other operators and voila, it worked perfectly. Finally I test with other terminals and find that, indeed, are adapting images, imagine that to reduce network traffic and optimize bandwidth. The problem with the N95 is that, for some strange reason, I have misconfigured on your terminal database and instead of putting the actual size of screen you have (240 × 320), we have 95px wide, even maybe it is the default size that returns the transcoder if no such terminal in the database, even worse reason, the N95 is one of the most popular devices despite their cost.

What do I do when the client tells us that the site looks bad on your N95? Do you believe that the fault lies with Movistar?

No, I will not talk about Chrome . Enough has been said already but hardly anyone has ever wondered why Google pulls a web browser just when you least need it. I always thought that something will not succeed until people like my sisters or my friends could be potential users. If you still are not Firefox (despite having it installed), do you are going to be Chrome?. Let's face it, Chrome is for techies and freaks. A Firefox has taken years and years and years to get where he is today.

Anyway, that's not the issue. The question is, why now?. Why everyone speaks of Chrome and seem to forget about Android ?. Almost a year ago because Google anunción trumpeted the Android platform and have not yet seen any device on it. Apple Announces iPhone launch six months before the market and all are critical and smoke screens, but does Google and it is as if the Almighty came down from the heavens to make us see the light. And not I who comes to the defense of Apple.

Google has had many problems in the development of Android. Despite having the support of major companies, technological limitations found they had to go sorting, and one of the principals in a 2.0 world has been, without doubt, the web browser on which to base their platform . Those who work with mobile browsers know well bringing the terminals and their limitations, both processing and compatibility. Obviously, if Google's web browser leave his new Android in the hands of a simple browser wap, his theory of mobilizing the Internet world would be no less than utopian. And not to mention the usefulness of all the new generation of online applications (based mostly Ajax).

In this scenario Google is clear that, to succeed in mobile Internet, regardless of the platform on which is built the terminal, you must have a good web browser, work on mobile devices, it is fast and, if possible, standard. By this time (a year ago) high-end devices from Nokia (N7x, N95 ...) and are shipped with a new web browser based on Webkit (yes, Apple's iPhone), abandoning the old wap browsers and opening a new world of opportunities and applications. The alternatives for the search giant are two: Gecko (Mozilla Foundation Firefox engine) and Webkit. The answer is clear, Webkit was conceived from the outset as a lightweight and fast HTML engine.

Based on these circumstances the Google development team gets to work on what will be the future of Android web browser. And at this point I say,

if I have the engine and optimized to my liking, I developed a javascript impressive machine and everything works fine ... why not compile and launch a desktop web browser?

Do not think it's crazy, but the important step is NOT the desktop, where you know you will just get market share (is reality), your goal is mobile and, apparently seen, if they get the same performance on the desktop, are on the right path.

By the way, I also hung up on me Chrome .