March 26, 2009 By Fred Strauss
While backup and recovery solutions are considered paramount in most organisations, they are possibly one of the most overlooked procedures in company security policies, mainly because they seem to try to achieve the opposite.
Security demands strong encryption and overall policy control over employee and enterprise-wide information, while backup software tries to simplify the data centre recovery process regardless of platform, location and user, anywhere on the network.
Continue reading from source
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Linux: It doesn't get any faster
Cyber Cynic
The Windows' fan club likes to point out that Windows is far more popular than Linux. The reason for that has nothing to do with quality and everything to do with monopoly. Nothing shows that better than the semi-annual TOP500 list of the world's most powerful supercomputers. In the latest ranking, where performance is everything and nothing else matters, Windows is stalled out at the starting line, and Linux is lapping the field.
Specifically, Linux has increased its already substantial supercomputer market share to 88.6%. Linux is followed by hybrid Unix/Linux systems with 5.8%; Unix, mostly IBM's AIX, with 4.4%; and running close to last, Windows HPC (high-performance computing) with 1%. Only BSD, with a single representative on the list, trails Windows.
In the lead at the number 1 spot with 1.105 petaflop/s (quadrillions of floating point operations per second) is the Los Alamos National Laboratory Roadrunner system by IBM. Roadrunner was the first system, to break the petaflop/s Linpack barrier in June 2008.
How fast is that? According to the Department of Energy, which paid for the Roadrunner, "One petaflop is 1,000 trillion operations per second. To put this into perspective, if each of the 6 billion people on earth had a hand calculator and worked together on a calculation 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, it would take 46 years to do what Roadrunner would do in one day."
And, of course, the Roadrunner is fueled by Linux. In fact, all the top ten run Linux.
The hardware the supercomputers run on is quickly shifting over to multi-core processors. In this latest ranking, only four supercomputers still use single-core CPUs. Quad-core processor-based systems are found in 383 systems, while 102 systems are using dual-core processors. In addition, four supercomputers are now using IBM's Sony PlayStation 3 processor with 9 cores. Yes, that's right, top of the line supercomputers use the same top of the line processors found in PlayStations. Neat isn't it?
Most of the supercomputer processors though come from Intel. To be exact, 399 systems, 79.8% are Intel. IBM Power processors come in second with 55 systems, 11% with AMD Opteron family with 43 systems in the third spot.
Regardless of the processor, one thing isn't just staying the same, it's actually growing, and that's Linux in supercomputers. When being the fastest of the fast is all that matters, Linux isn't just winning, it's extending its lead.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
History of Linux Quiz
So ... you think you know Linux, the operating system that is as much a product of evolution as invention.
Think you know Linux? Take the History of Linux test at PCWorld and test your geek knowledge.
Think you know Linux? Take the History of Linux test at PCWorld and test your geek knowledge.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
5 Ways to Decide on a Linux Distribution
Source: daniweb.com
by Ken Hess
Prejudices and opinions aside, at some point in your career you'll be asked to select a viable Linux distribution for your corporate network. How will you choose? Will you use the same distribution that you use at home or will you do some research and find something that's corporate-ready? Are you up to the task? Do you know what to look for in a distribution to support a corporate environment?
Here are 5 ways to decide on a Linux distribution for your corporate network.
1. Commercial Support - This is a sore subject among some Linux types since most believe they can solve any foreseeable problem or glitch that happens. When you're dealing with multiple--possibly hundreds--server systems, sometimes you need help, you need it fast and you need to have it setup and ready before you need it. Your distribution should be backed by a stable company--a community just won't do when you're faced with a major outage situation and the clock is ticking and you don't have time to troll forums or "google" for an answer.
2. Multiple Repositories - A repository is how apt-get, yum, smart and other repository querying tools reach out and grab updates and new software for your distribution. Most distributions do have multiple repositories, however, I think that if one were to count up the available number of repositories worldwide, Debian and its derivatives would have the edge. Still there's also the possibility of creating your own software repository and I highly recommend the practice. Use wget or some other automated recursive download tool to keep your repository in sync with one of the remote ones.
3. Security - The distribution you choose must also have a dedication to security. It must be backed by a vigilant security team who must update as frequently as necessary to mitigate any security issues with OS-level or application-level security flaws. Being open source has its disadvantages as well as many advantages. One of those significant disadvantages is that black hatted hackers have access to the source code as well and may exploit any weaknesses in the software. Ask a lot of questions about security to make sure you're protected.
4. Usability - There is really only one way to determine usability for you and your users: Download and install. You can't depend on conjecture, marketing or emotion to make your decision. Work with the product. Have your users work with the product. Look at the available administrative tools and put them through their paces. Your distributions should have equally accessible and usable tools in KDE/GNOME and at the command line. Yes, the dreaded command line since most server systems won't, or shouldn't, have a GUI installed.
5. Price - Let's be realistic here; price is important. In fact, it might be the most important aspect when choosing a distribution for corporate adoption. Yes, many distributions are free but remember the first item in this list: Commercial Support. Free is great but unless you have a group of extremely talented people supporting your infrastructure, you'll need it. Compare prices for your narrowed-down list of distrubutions and determine whether you can live without some of a more expensive distribution's perks. Don't forget to ask for a volume discount if you're purchasing multiple copies or are supporting a large installation. Often they're offered up front but it never hurts to negotiate a better deal and everything's negotiable.
You might feel strongly about but is it a good fit for a corporate environment. What about support? What about price? What about security and software updates? Would you be comfortable running your business on it?
My best advice is to go with a distribution that makes everyone happy: You, other administrators, management and the accountants.
by Ken Hess
Prejudices and opinions aside, at some point in your career you'll be asked to select a viable Linux distribution for your corporate network. How will you choose? Will you use the same distribution that you use at home or will you do some research and find something that's corporate-ready? Are you up to the task? Do you know what to look for in a distribution to support a corporate environment?
Here are 5 ways to decide on a Linux distribution for your corporate network.
1. Commercial Support - This is a sore subject among some Linux types since most believe they can solve any foreseeable problem or glitch that happens. When you're dealing with multiple--possibly hundreds--server systems, sometimes you need help, you need it fast and you need to have it setup and ready before you need it. Your distribution should be backed by a stable company--a community just won't do when you're faced with a major outage situation and the clock is ticking and you don't have time to troll forums or "google" for an answer.
2. Multiple Repositories - A repository is how apt-get, yum, smart and other repository querying tools reach out and grab updates and new software for your distribution. Most distributions do have multiple repositories, however, I think that if one were to count up the available number of repositories worldwide, Debian and its derivatives would have the edge. Still there's also the possibility of creating your own software repository and I highly recommend the practice. Use wget or some other automated recursive download tool to keep your repository in sync with one of the remote ones.
3. Security - The distribution you choose must also have a dedication to security. It must be backed by a vigilant security team who must update as frequently as necessary to mitigate any security issues with OS-level or application-level security flaws. Being open source has its disadvantages as well as many advantages. One of those significant disadvantages is that black hatted hackers have access to the source code as well and may exploit any weaknesses in the software. Ask a lot of questions about security to make sure you're protected.
4. Usability - There is really only one way to determine usability for you and your users: Download and install. You can't depend on conjecture, marketing or emotion to make your decision. Work with the product. Have your users work with the product. Look at the available administrative tools and put them through their paces. Your distributions should have equally accessible and usable tools in KDE/GNOME and at the command line. Yes, the dreaded command line since most server systems won't, or shouldn't, have a GUI installed.
5. Price - Let's be realistic here; price is important. In fact, it might be the most important aspect when choosing a distribution for corporate adoption. Yes, many distributions are free but remember the first item in this list: Commercial Support. Free is great but unless you have a group of extremely talented people supporting your infrastructure, you'll need it. Compare prices for your narrowed-down list of distrubutions and determine whether you can live without some of a more expensive distribution's perks. Don't forget to ask for a volume discount if you're purchasing multiple copies or are supporting a large installation. Often they're offered up front but it never hurts to negotiate a better deal and everything's negotiable.
You might feel strongly about
My best advice is to go with a distribution that makes everyone happy: You, other administrators, management and the accountants.
15 Classic Linux Tips
Please note that this will be the last issue of Top Tips. So I figured it would be fun to finish up with 15 classic Linux tips. Hope you enjoy them.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to Tops Tips via your posts in the forum over the years. You did a great job helping people that needed it. Thanks!
Which Debian Based Distro for Newbie
For a first time debian user, which distro should I download and then burn to disk? Would it be the "binary" disk images? I read somewhere that all I really need is disk 1, but that disks 2-7 are all just special interest apps...is this true?
I have a Pentium III, 1Ghz Dell Dimension 4100.
NT services and Linux
Does anyone know of a utility that will let me control services on an NT-based system (specifically, Windows XP Pro, but that shouldn't matter) over the LAN directly from a Linux box without the use of remote control? CLI or GUI is fine, though I prefer the GUI. Seems like it would be part of SAMBA, as SAMBA knows pretty much how to speak Windows, but I didn't see any reference to that sort of thing in the documentation. I want to be able to start and stop services and change their startup type.
Can I Add KDE to My Ubuntu Linux System?
Can I get KDE for my Ubuntu installation?
Is Linux Immune to Viruses?
I am wondering about Linux and viruses. I have an acquaintence who claims to be very knowledgable on Linux (I am not...at all), make the statement that "there are no Linux viruses. You do not require protection for them. It is just a Windows thing. No Linux system has ever had a virus. That is because Linux is not a bootable program.
You can actually boot Linux from a floppy disk. Every time you boot it up it is sanitary. The biggest problem with Linux though from what I have heard is there is no compatibility with Windows at all unless you partition your hard drive and use half of it on Linux and the other half breed with Windows. You can not use modems, even simple dial up programs do not work. You have to script your own."
So is this guy full of it or is he right? I would really appreciate some input here, and some examples if possible.
Need a Hand w/XP-Xandros Install
I know the "how's the best way to do this" question has already been asked but...
I'm starting with a brand new 80GB drive- just out of the box- nothing done to it. I was going to go 55GB for XP- the rest for Xandros.
I've been reading online & found what sounded like a quick & easy install:
Using the "custom" partition choice at the beginning of Xandros, make the two partitions, the 1st (for XP)- as FAT32 & the second as ReiserFS for Xandros.
The instuctions go on to say to do the partitions but stop & then load XP- reformatting at that time as NTFS. Then go back after & let Xandros do it's thing- including installing it's boot manager. OK- seemed fairly straightforward- except...
I hit a screen asking if I want a boot manager on Hda- w/a copy going onto the other part. (no choice on the copy). Do I? Or do I say no & back out of this in the next screen? I don't want to do a step now that I'll regret later on.
Is this a good install plan or...?
IP Software for Debian Linux
Is there a program for debian linux that can tell me what IPs my computer is accessing and what IPs are accessing my computer and the port?
Linux Home Network?
I have my house wired for 10/100 via a 3COM 10/100 hub. I have two terminals running Mandrake 9.2, and two terminals running 98SE, I also have an old notebook running 95, and am toying with creating a BSD system. I can hit all of them with CAT5 cable.
How do I get these to talk to one another?? I would like to share out printers, and possibly a slow dialup connection. I would like to do file transfers and share out file some applications (In other words - about everything imaginable).
Looking for any leads or good HOWTO pages.
Remote Hosting...Windows to Linux?
Ok..heres the thing..setting up a server that will be running Debian, in order for me to keep cost down I need to be able to do basic upkeep remotely over the internet. My system at home uses win2k and I would rather not install a full linux to it (I do use knoppix from time to time)..what are some good programs that cross from one to the other for this?
Need to Defrag in Linux?
I was wondering if there is a defrag utility for Linux (I have RHL 9).
Can someone point me to a site that has info on how to use the 'task scheduler' that is under system tools?
Linux Boxes on a Windows Network?
I'm wondering how well Linux networks with Windows. Not just in terms of being able to communicate on a network, but in terms of security, too.
Can a Linux box be configured to log on to an NT domain, for instance, and can it be integrated into Active Directory?
Enable DMA in Linux?
How do I enable DMA? I am a new Linux user.
Best Card for Hassle-Free Sound in Linux?
Which budget sound card would you recommend as the most likely to be configured automatically by a majority of Linux distros? Which high-end card?
SuSE 8.2, my main OS, is the only distro to successfully configure my AD1885 sound chip. I have been experimenting with Slackware 9.0 and Debian/Knoppix and have wasted far too much time trying to enable sound. I am considering getting a new sound card and I want to make sure that it is well supported and easily configured without recompiling my kernel, inserting modules, or installing ALSA.
Wireless Networking and Linux
Can anyone tell me if their is support in linux for wireless cards. I connect wirelessly to my main computer in the office with my laptop when im in the livingroom and so far have not been able to connect through my linux partitions when they are both using them.
Nvidia Driver and Tux Racer?
So I got the latest NVDIA driver installed on red hat 9 (store bought) and it went fine and at the end it says make sure to configure x86 as needed, since I am clueless about that, after I rebooted ( cause I had to go into windows for something) and then got back to rh 9, i tried to open tuc racer and it as gone. befrore the driver install it would open, but of coutrse without the 3-d acceration it's unplayable.
Now the icon is there but nothing hapens when it's clicked. so I guess there's some sort of configuration issue. I insatlled the driver in runlevel 3 and the install seemed to go fine. It's the correct driver, but i'm clueless what to do nex. (I have always, since dos been command line challenged so if there's a lot of that to do to make this work im gonna have a headache) Nevertheless im willing to take a stab at it if someone has any suggestions.
Multimedia in Linux
I want to migrate from Windows to Linux, So I install it and begin solve the problems I meet until I can use it completely rather than Windows. The problem I like to solve is the multimedia problem, I have a lot of songs, clips, movies with different formats. I need a program under Linux which can view all this types of media, can any one help?
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