Information Technology and Software Engineering Topics

Secure Random Number Generation

Randomness is deceptively tricky: if done wrong, it can break security in subtle ways. Let us first clarify pseudo-random versus true random generation, then look at specialized hardware sources (like Intel RDRAND or TPMs), followed by software-based generators (cryptographic PRNGs). We will survey cloud services (Azure, AWS) that offer secure random bytes, and finally cover best practices in C# and JavaScript for tasks like generating tokens, password reset codes, or cryptographic keys. Read more...

Functional Completeness of Logic

Functional completeness is a powerful idea in Boolean logic: with just a few simple operations — or even a single one like NAND — you can express any logical function. This concept forms the backbone of everything from digital circuits to programming languages. The article introduces Post's lattice, a framework that shows which function sets are incomplete, and explains why NAND and NOR stand out as universal building blocks. Whether you're coding or designing hardware, understanding this principle offers deep insight into how complex systems are built from minimal components. Read more...

Foundational Principles in Software Engineering

Software engineering is more than writing code — it is a field enriched by the diverse journeys people take to enter it and strengthened by the timeless principles laid down by pioneers of the discipline. This article explores how backgrounds in science, business, and the humanities contribute to better engineering thinking, and revisits core ideas from foundational figures like David Parnas, Edsger Dijkstra, and Bertrand Meyer that continue to guide how we build and maintain great software today. Read more...

Empathy as an Engineering Skill

What does empathy have to do with software engineering? More than you might think. This article explores how empathy—often dismissed as a “soft” skill—is actually a powerful, practical force that improves software quality, strengthens team collaboration, guides ethical decision-making, and elevates leadership. Whether you are writing code, reviewing pull requests, mentoring juniors, or shaping user experiences, empathy can make the difference between functional and exceptional. Read on to discover how developing this essential human skill can transform your engineering practice. Read more...

Generate sequential GUIDs for MS SQL Server

If you're a .NET developer working with SQL Server, you may have encountered challenges using GUIDs as primary keys, particularly issues like index fragmentation and difficulties in ordering rows. This article addresses these concerns by introducing the OrderFactory.GuidGenerator library. This open-source tool generates sequential GUIDs compatible with SQL Server's UNIQUEIDENTIFIER type, effectively mitigating fragmentation and enabling natural row ordering. Targeting .NET Standard 2.0, the library is versatile across various .NET iterations. The article provides straightforward examples for integrating the library into your application, including dependency injection setup. For developers seeking to optimize database performance without abandoning GUIDs, this resource offers practical solutions and code snippets to get started. Read more...

Replacing a RAID Drive

If you're new to RAID technology and have just configured your redundant hard drive array, you might be wondering what steps to take when a drive fails. This article provides a comprehensive guide on replacing failed components and repairing the array, focusing on hardware RAID controllers with plug-and-play support under Windows Server. It discusses configurations for different server sizes, the benefits and considerations of using hot-spare drives, and the importance of understanding rebuild times and drive compatibility. Whether you're dealing with a 1U server with limited drive bays or a 2U server offering more flexibility, this article offers valuable insights to help you manage drive failures effectively. Read more...

Renewing TLS/SSL Server Certificates

Renewing TLS/SSL server certificates is a critical task to maintain secure communications across web services, email, VPNs, and more. This comprehensive guide walks you through the renewal process using Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager, detailing steps such as generating renewal requests and handling potential issues with certificate authorities. It also covers scenarios where creating a new certificate request is necessary, especially when updating certificate properties. For advanced users, the article provides insights into using command-line tools like certutil to manage and troubleshoot certificate renewals effectively. Read more...

Configuring IIS 7.5 with Embedded Fonts Media Types

If you're hosting a website on IIS 7.5 and notice that your embedded fonts aren't displaying correctly, this article provides a straightforward solution. It explains how to configure missing MIME types for modern font formats like .woff and .otf, which IIS 7.5 doesn't support by default. By following the step-by-step guide, you can prevent HTTP 404 errors and ensure that your site's typography renders as intended across all browsers. The article also offers updated MIME type values recommended by IANA, helping you maintain best practices in web font delivery. Read more...

Web Applications That Create Their Own Databases

Learn how to configure your web applications to automatically create their own Microsoft SQL Server databases using Windows Authentication. This guide walks you through resolving common permission issues and setting up the correct access for IIS Application Pool Identities, enabling a seamless and secure database creation process during deployment. Read more...

Prevent referrer form spam with IIS Rewrite Rules

Referrer spam can compromise the integrity of your web form submissions by injecting malicious URLs into referrer fields, potentially leading to malware exposure for unsuspecting analysts. This article provides a practical solution using IIS Rewrite Rules to block such spam. By implementing a specific rule in your web.config file, you can ensure that only requests from a predefined whitelist of domains are processed, effectively filtering out unwanted external referrers. The guide offers a clear, step-by-step approach to modifying your IIS configuration, enhancing your site's security against spoofed referrer attacks. Read more...

pfSense with Snort for Small Office

Discover how to build a powerful, cost-effective network perimeter device by combining pfSense with Snort in a small office setting. This comprehensive guide walks you through hardware selection—including the Lenovo TS140 server and Intel i350-T4 NICs—storage configuration with RAID1, and the full pfSense installation. It also covers integrating Snort for intrusion detection and prevention, optimizing performance, and overcoming limitations like wireless support. Whether you're a network enthusiast or a small business IT administrator, this article offers practical insights to enhance your network's security and efficiency. Read more...

Testing New Hard Drives

Discover a streamlined, open-source approach to thoroughly vetting new hard drives before deployment. This comprehensive guide walks you through a multi-stage testing process using Ubuntu and the smartctl utility, including quick and long SMART tests, as well as block-level surface scans. Designed for efficiency, the method allows simultaneous testing of multiple drives and supports hot-plugging without interrupting ongoing diagnostics. Whether you're setting up a data center or upgrading your personal NAS, this article equips you with the tools and commands needed to ensure your drives are reliable and ready for action. Read more...

Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS with URL Rewrite

In today's digital landscape, securing your website with HTTPS is not just a best practice—it's essential for protecting user data and enhancing search engine visibility. This article provides a clear, step-by-step guide on implementing automatic redirects from HTTP to HTTPS using the IIS URL Rewrite module. By configuring your site's settings correctly, you can ensure that all traffic is securely encrypted, improving both user trust and SEO rankings. Whether you're a seasoned developer or new to web server configurations, this tutorial offers practical insights to help you secure your website effectively. Read more...

Compiling Bootstrap from LESS with Grunt in Visual Studio

Discover how to seamlessly integrate Bootstrap's LESS source code into your Visual Studio ASP.NET projects using Grunt, a powerful JavaScript task runner. This comprehensive guide walks you through replacing the default Bootstrap CSS package with the LESS version via NuGet, setting up Node.js and NPM, and configuring Grunt to automate the compilation of LESS files into optimized CSS. By leveraging this approach, developers can customize Bootstrap components more efficiently, maintain cleaner codebases, and streamline their front-end workflows within the familiar Visual Studio environment. Read more...