Tips

Tips

• Linux virtual address randomization and impacting buffer overflows

  PaX team developers Ed Tittel and Justin Korelc explain how to stop buffer flow exploitation leaks and bolster security with Linux virtual address randomization.  Continue Reading

• Managing Samba-3: User rights and privileges

  Samba expert John Terpstra explains how to manage the Samba-3 equivalents of administrative security controls in the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.  Continue Reading

• Most important precautions when upgrading COBOL and CICS

  Are you missing the most important precautions when upgrading COBOL and CICS? Search390.com experts Jim Schesvold and Tom Ross will outline the necessary steps to ensure your upgrade goes smoothly.  Continue Reading

• Managing Samba: Windows network identity basics

  Linux administrators keen to manage Samba well should be just as keen on learning the basics of Windows network identity, says Samba team co-founder John H. Terpstra. Understanding Windows networking identity basics can make Samba management a lot ...  Continue Reading

• Assuring your third-party data center is secure

  The costs are generally lower and the bandwidth abundant, but are third party data centers secure enough to protect your data?  Continue Reading

• Windows-to-Linux desktop migration tips: Why to switch, how to plan

  Versora CTO Jon Walker provides the why and how of migration from Windows to Linux. Why, in a nutshell: Better technology.  Continue Reading

• Connecting Excel to Linux databases

  A major interoperability challenge for Linux users is transferring data from Microsoft Excel spreadsheets into Linux databases. In this tip, Ken Milberg presents some ways to overcome the challenge using various open source and third-party products.  Continue Reading

• Learning Linux security administration

  Learning Linux, especially Linux security administration, can seem particularly tricky for those only well-versed in Windows. Here, security expert James Turnbull offers some pointers for getting up to speed.  Continue Reading

• Database tip: All about subqueries

  A continuation of Mich's response to a user's question about different types of joins.  Continue Reading

• Database tip: Understanding joins and set theory

  Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh provides an excerpt from his book explaining set theory and different types of joins.  Continue Reading

• Configure your RHEL4 network

  Learn how to use Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 commands and utilities to configure your network from a GUI or command line.  Continue Reading

• System panic: Get a serial console log

  How to create a serial console log of a system panic.  Continue Reading

• Rsync and Amanda: Keeping your data safe with open source backup

  Rsync and Amanda are two straightforward open source products that can simplify your backup procedure.  Continue Reading

• Netfilter and iptables: Understanding how they harden Linux

  Linux firewalls are often more secure than Windows firewalls because of the way they're implemented, according to James Turnbull, author of Hardening Linux. In this tip, he breaks down major components of Linux firewalls -- Netfilter and ...  Continue Reading

• How-to: Integrating Kerio MailServer on Linux with MS Active Directory

  This is a guide to integrating version 6.1 of the Kerio MailServer, which runs on Linux, with Microsoft Active Directory. Kerio MailServer 6.1, released July 18, is being demonstrated at LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in San Francisco this week.  Continue Reading

• Knoppix Hacks: Use Knoppix to rescue Windows

  In "Knoppix Hacks," author Kyle Rankin explains how the Knoppix CD can be used as an indispensable, multi-purpose tool for administrators. One of the many things Knoppix can accomplish is rescuing Windows. In this e-mail exchange, Rankin provides ...  Continue Reading

• Hardening Linux: Firewall implementation

  A poorly implemented firewall not only allows viruses to slip past your defenses -- it could lock you out of your host, according to James Turnbull, author of "Hardening Linux." Here, he explains how Linux firewalls differ from those used in Windows...  Continue Reading

• Sharing files between Linux servers with NFS

  Using the Network File System (NFS) allows you to share files on a network as if they were on your local drive. Ken Milberg shows you how in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Put these troubleshooting tools in your toolbox

  In this tip, Peter Harrison describes how to use Linux commands to get a quick fix on IT troublemakers  Continue Reading

• Screen: The terminal baby-sitter in the sysadmin's toolbox

  Use a single terminal window to run multiple applications -- with more flexibility than backgrounding allows you.  Continue Reading

• Minimize outsourcing risks: Best practices in security

  Offshore outsourcing can cut costs, but if you fail to analyze a vendor's certifications, methodologies and security procedures, it'll cost you more than money in the long run.  Continue Reading

• Excavating ancient abbreviations in Linux

  Courtesy of Unix developers' creativity, Linux contains a legacy of bizarre terms with a history all their own.  Continue Reading

• Samba-3: Windows file and directory ACLs

  Discover the parallels between files and directories in Windows and Unix and challenges to transparent interoperability. This tip proposes solutions to common problems using Samba.  Continue Reading

• CICS program testing checklist

  Everyone who has ever coded knows the frustrations of programming errors. This tip is a checklist for how to check a CICS program for errors.  Continue Reading

• Consolidation and virtualization: The same, but different

  While they're similar, these two approaches are also fundamentally different. Managers need to explore how to use both if they want to end server sprawl.  Continue Reading

• UPS management checklist

  UPS management checklist: Business continuity efforts will end in a fizzle if your power fails. Here are ten ways to make sure your data center is always plugged in.  Continue Reading

• How to design a server room

  Location, location, location. That's one key element to consider when designing a server room. We've broken down this project into eight core elements in this Learning Guide.  Continue Reading

• Sequence number differences between Oracle and MySQL

  Nigel McFarlane points out some essential differences between Oracle and MySQL sequence numbers.  Continue Reading

• A date with CICS

  Putting a CICS application together and you need date and time information? Try the ASKTIME and FORMATTIME commands. This tip explores how they are used.  Continue Reading

• Moving files in a Unix-to-Linux port

  Ken Milberg discusses the crucial migration step of moving files from Unix to Linux.  Continue Reading

• Solaris-to-Linux porting, part two

  In part two of his series on migrating from Solaris to Linux, Ken Milberg shares his favorite porting methods.  Continue Reading

• Fast Guide to Fibre Channel basics

  This Fast Guide to Fibre Channel basics has everything you need to get up-to-speed on the speediest (not to mention one of the most expensive) of the storage interconnects.  Continue Reading

• Getting started on Solaris-to-Linux porting

  Ken Milberg follows up his popular Unix-to-Linux migration series with some nitty-gritty information on porting to Linux from Solaris.  Continue Reading

• Comparing Windows and Linux: Systematic file storage

  The architecture of Windows and Linux file systems is similar in some points, but diverges greatly when tools are considered. Here's a quick comparison.  Continue Reading

• A start to programming enterprise applications with Linux, Java and PostgreSQL

  Programming in a Linux environment is getting better all the time.  Continue Reading

• Keep an eye on Linux processes with ps

  Use this simple command-line tool to check out what's running on your Linux server.  Continue Reading

• How to keep an eye on Linux performance

  Need to monitor Linux performance without purchasing a pricey diagnostic package? Try these simple, built-in command line tools.  Continue Reading

• Netstat: A small but powerful tool for administrators

  Learn how to check for network spies using the netstat command.  Continue Reading

• Get the full command line argument of any running process with bash

  Get the full commandline arguments of any running process with this tip.  Continue Reading

• Syslog from Windows

  How to read Linux syslog messages continuously from Windows.  Continue Reading

• Try these useful BIND tools

  Tools for administering a BIND server.  Continue Reading