Basic Linux Info needed

Yep, there's lots of stuff available for free.

There's free manuals and tutorials out there but you really need to buy a Linux book.  The Red Hat Bible is recommended.

Well, they shouldn't have viruses if they are running Linux.  If its set up right they won't be catching those.  The most likely possibility is if they run Codeweavers Crossover Office and have Microsoft apps on their Linux boxes then they can catch viruses.

Similarly if they are running Linux they won't be having software problems.  Oh, all right, they could have problems, Linux is pretty good but the odd app will have a hissy fit every now and then but you can't really monitor that.


You are going to be a System Admin?  Describe your system a little more fully so people can give your a wider range of advice.

Thank you for your replies: Let me give you a little better information.

We are running a network with 10 computers (Windows XP) through 1 RedHat server. We have Samba letting us share files etc. We are not looking for something super in depth, we like the setup we have now, just don't know how to fix it if something were to happen, or how to add new features if we find something we like. At this time, we are not able to be our own mail server or host because we still have dial up connection. However, high speed wireless is soon to come, so I want to be prepared to configure the server to handle this. Please continue to give me ideas/information/websites with manuals/etc.

Thanks!

Your current setup sounds fine. You talk about not being sure how to fix it, Linux is very robust we run 30 users on RH 7.3 with all services desktops office software the whole shooting match. We have seen 500 days current uptime on all services. So I wouldn't be too concerned about it breaking.
You speak of wanting to monitor system usage and services being run by users. This is not easily achieved as you are running XP at the Desktop. If you want control over users to that degree you will need to migrate them to a Thin Client model, having them log into the server and run all their stuff as a user on the Linux box. This will give you ultimate control over all the programs they are running and will also allow you to monitor this with the PS and TOP command. Alternatively you can use graphical tools such as system monitor or gtop. gkrellm is also a good system monitoring tool especially for a quick glance overview.

Monitoring web access etc can be done by using a dedicated firewall. Take a look at www.smoothwall.org they have GPL and commercial versions available Smoothwall will take care of your dialup and can be set to dial on demand and disconnect when idle. Should you decide that moving your users to a Linux desktop is the way to go, then Check out www.ltsp.org (Linux Terminal Server Project) another suitable alternative could be VNC check out www.realvnc.com. VNC is very handy as you can run a terminal client on Windows deploying all your main day day programs to the users using VNC but still allow them the use of bespoke Windows only Apps.

Mail serving in house. Providing you setup your networking correctly at install time you will find that sendmail is setup out of the box. It will distribute the mail to the correct user on your system and do its own DNS resolution for delivering the mail to outside locations. Sendmail relies on an SMTP feed from other mail servers, this is done by getting your ISP to provide you with a static IP address and point your MX records to this IP. Then all mail for your chosen domain will land on your sendmail server as if by magic.
a Load the IMAP deamon from the the RPM's cd and run this at boot time. (use command ntsysv and place an * in the appropriate box <IMAPD>) then point your mail clients to the IP of your RH server and configure user / passwd authentication and your mail server is all done. If you want further answers on using Open Source and Linux in your business take a look at www.sttechnology.co.uk
Hope this Helps

Samba information

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba/chapter/book/index.html

Fast wireless and linux dont mix, son, I'm sorry for taking away your hopes....
But it's like they say here in PT "you have choose, speed or quality" :)

sKewlBoy:

What do you mean wireless & linux don't mix? You can't use wireless with Linux?

of course you can, with better tools than windows.
but not the "fastest" wireless, because, right now, "fastest" equals "newest", and as linux doesnt have any good comercial support from any WiFi manufacturer, you wont have drivers for them so soon. If you like 11mbits and that's fast enough, then yes, there are lots of supported cards. And I prefer a wireless network at 11mbits, running linux, than a 54mbit-network running some buggy XP... MHO of course.

I just found out, (after I bought RedHat Bible) that we have Webmin. Will this make a difference when I'm trying to perform these tasks. Also, can I access the Linux machine through my desktop through the network? Or do I have to physically move to the server workstation to work on it?

Thanks

the biggest advantage in unix-like system for server administration is SSH (secure shell). You get a remote "command prompt". You can do anything you do physically through the console. If you want to use X apps on the server, check X-Forwarding feature for SSH. Or, check VNC.

Openssh: http://www.openssh.com/ (you have installed for sure, just try "ssh RH_MACHINE_IP" or download putty if you want to access it from a Windows machine)
TightVNC (my favourite "distro" of VNC): http://www.tightvnc.com/

for putty google for "download putty". the first result will probably do it.

hai,


www.samba.org


u can search in  google or www.tldp.org

u need any more infromation plz give me a mail

bye
bsr

Ok, I'm learning more and more about Linux Red Hat (8) But still have many questions.

1. I'm reading about NetWare, what exactly is this?  We have a file share server (Samba), but what I need also is some kind of share system, where we can log onto the server from outside the office and "work abroad". Right now, I can pull up files by logging onto Webmin with the root, but can't save or make changes to any files. I'm looking for something interactive. Please explain this.

2. We do not host our own web page, or e-mail. What do you need to do this? I have sendmail, and all the programs needed, but what do we need other than that?

3.I also need a good description of what WebMin is... I am using the RedHat Bible, and everything is much different in the book than it looks from webmin. Do I need to log on to the actual machine to follow the bible? Also, will it affect the servers ability if I try some of these tasks while other people in the office are logged onto the server?

thanks

?head first?
monitoring
depending on the tasks you perform, you may have an effect on users logged into the server.
\   (0)V(0)  /  
 

Be responsible, let them know what your doing and when your doing it.
Tell them that if there are problems, to let you know. The benefits of teamwork are endless.

Novell Netware

The file server operating system that everyone used before Windows NT hit the market.  Still used and supported.

Web pages

Use Apache on a Linux system.  Don't use Apache on your present system linked to the Internet or you are asking for trouble.

If you want web pages contact a provider to give you a site for your web pages.  Far safer.


Similarly for mail. You'll need an Internet connection to a ISP.  You can then get sendmail to talk to your ISP and download your mail.   Outlook Express gets told to talk to your sendmail.


Remote connections.  Investigate VNC.

1. there are tons of free stuff or linux available on the net.
2. netware is novell's file-server-based operating system. it has many strong points like user-management, file space management, printer management, etc.
3. for serving web-pages you can use apache on linux. and you can use sendmail or qmail for serving e-mail.

cozmo_troll:
This old question needs to be finalized -- accept an answer, split points, or get a refund.  For information on your options, please click here-> http:/help/closing.jsp#1 
EXPERTS:
Post your closing recommendations!  No comment means you don't care.