Tag: systemadministration

  • UNIX network analysis

    I have a new tutorial on analyzing networks, in terms of understanding your basic network configuration, the other machines and devices on the network, and the general topology. From the intro: When accessing a new UNIX system, or even understandi…

  • Solutions for tracing UNIX applications

    Tracing applications are something of a passion for me, especially with the introduction of DTrace in Solaris and Mac OS X. To support that, I have a new tutorial about the different methods available for tracing Unix applications. I tried to conc…

  • Synchronizing UNIX files

    I have a new article on different ways in which you can synchronize your Unix files. From the intro: There are many tools available that allow you to synchronize files across UNIX directories, but doing it effectively, and securely, takes a little…

  • Systems Administration Toolkit: Using SNMP data

    A new article on consuming and using the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) data that is published and provided by different devices is now available: The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is built in to many devices, but often the …

  • Systems Administration Toolkit: Understanding DNS

    A new article on understanding the Domain Name System (DNS) is now available: The Domain Name System (DNS) is the service that converts hostnames and domain details into the IP addresses required for application to communicate. Under UNIX, the pri…

  • Systems Administration Toolkit: Log file basics

    A new article on some basic log file information and maintenance is available: A typical UNIX or Linux machine creates many log files during the course of its operation. Some of these contain useful information; others can be used to help you with…

  • Systems Administration Toolkit: Network scanning

    A new article on scanning your network for information, both in a general device/service level and at a more detailed data level is now available. Discover how to scan your network for services and how to regularly monitor your services to keep up…

  • Systems Administration Toolkit: Monitor user usage

    Do you know what your users are doing? Do you know how frequently people are using your systems? As I explain in the intro: Explore new ways to record UNIX logins and other system activities in a number of different logs, and take advantage of thi…

  • System Administration Toolkit: Distributed administration using SSH

    System administration and SSH is a topic I’ve covered before (see System Administration Toolkit: Set up remote access in UNIX through OpenSSH), but what I didn’t cover in that article was how you can use SSH as a solution for running commands remo…

  • Systems Administration Toolkit: Testing system validity

    I recently had a hacking attempt on my machine, perpetrated by somebody noticing the open SSH port and trying every possible user/password and combination trick to try and get in. They didn’t succeed, and I only know that because I was able to che…