Tips

  • Installing CentOS 5.2 via PXE

    An understanding of a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) server can be helpful when installing an operating system. A systems and networking expert explains how to use a PXE server to install Cent...

  • Linux Library: Unix and Linux system automation basics

    Automating standard system administration on Linux distributions or Unix nodes is worth the effort say authors Nate Campi and Kirk Bauer. It can save time, provide consistency, and ensure expert c...

  • When to use SELinux

    Confused about security-enhanced Linux (SELinux)? Find out what it is and how and where to implement this Linux security system. Ken Milberg explains its origins and provides some good advice for i...

  • When to use Solaris vs. Linux: OS comparison

    When should you go with Solaris and when should you go with Linux? What about OpenSolaris – what is it exactly and where does this fit into the mix? Ken Milberg describes the advantages of th...

  • Linux update on IBM System p

    Most machines running Linux are x86 PCs. IBM's System p and Linux go well together, and Ken Milberg explains why and what's new. He gives five reasons to run Linux on System p, and shares some of t...

  • Linux desktop interoperability

    The latest release of OpenOffice v3 has improved interoperability with Linux, Windows and MS Office. The more viable OpenOffice is, the more viable Linux is in general. The ultra-cheap Linux-based ...

  • Expert opinions on Linux distributions

    How do Linux distributions compare in terms of performance, support services, security and speed under different enterprise conditions? Linux experts compare Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Novell SUSE L...

  • Linux open source firewall software options

    Ken Milberg overviews open source firewall software options for Linux that leverage netfilter/iptables. FireHol, Shorewall, Untangle, and FireStarter are examined. Ken advises carefully considering...

  • Interoperability tools for Linux, Unix and Windows

    What can be done to enable interoperability between 96% of the world's servers and why is interoperability important? Ken Milberg lays out some tools and guidelines for planning and supporting a mi...

  • Comparing blades with rack servers on price, performanc

    Are blades or rackmount servers more cost-effective? Several experts weigh in on the factors to consider, including space constraints, power consumption, and performance.

  • Repairing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server using a Rescue

    SUSE Linux Enterprise Server offers a Rescue CD for repairing the system if your hardware causes a crash at reboot. This tip shows you how to use it.

  • Ensuring server time synchronization with NTP on SLES

    Synchronize your SUSE Linux Enterprise Server times using NTP time server. Two servers are recommended for enterprise situations, as redundancy will save the day in case of a disaster.

  • Remote server management Q&A

    Remote server administration in an open source environment is best done with the tools recommended by these IT professionals.

  • Linux Networking Cookbook: Secure remote administration

    This chapter from Linux Networking Cookbook helps administrators manage remote networks securely with OpenSSH. Learn about authentication, encryption, and data transfers.

  • When to use Unix or Linux: Applications and support

    Compare Unix and Linux in terms of their availability, virtualization, scalability and server consolidation options and support.

  • Which database is best for multiple platforms: Windows,

    Linux expert Ken Milberg offers advice on database selection for the heterogeneous data center, and recommends Oracle based on market share, support and technical abilities.

  • How to troubleshoot RHEL performance bottlenecks

    This tip provides a step-by-step approach to application-tuning, troubleshooting bottlenecks and enhancing performance on RHEL 5 systems.

  • Centralized access with iSCSI: Open source SANs, part 4

    Our expert explains how to configure an internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) on an open source storage area network.

  • Nagios: Preventing data center downtime

    Nagios' remote monitoring and management capabilities promise to protect data centers from costly downtime. This tip outlines some of Nagios' principal benefits and steps for failover configuration.

  • Using OpenSSL to create and manage certificates

    Establishing an independent certificate authority with OpenSSL enables you to create public key certificates and to verify that these public keys are authentic and that email messages are secure.