Things to Do With 'kill' [01/05/2009]Tip of the Trade: 'kill' doesn't just kill processes dead, it also can send processes a variety of other signals.
Windows to Unix With PuTTY and Xming [12/29/2008]Tip of the Trade: Combine the Win SSH client PuTTY with the Win server Xming and you have an easy way to log in from a Windows box to a Unix box to run an X session remotely.
Wiping Disks With DBAN [12/22/2008]Tip of the Trade: Deleting old data isn't enough, you need to make it irretrievable. DBAN is a downloadable and self-contained boot disk that wipes disks -- fully and securely.
Using UUID to Deal With Disks [12/15/2008]Tip of the Trade: UUID notation is one way to access your disks when using Linux. But first you must find the identifier.
Magic Tricks With the Sysreq Key [12/08/2008]Tip of the Trade: Remember the Sysreq key? It's in the same spot it's always been. Get reacquainted with it, and rediscover all the useful things it can do.
tcpdump for Network Troubleshooting [12/01/2008]Tip of the Trade: tcpdump is a packet sniffer that starts off simple and scales in both complexity and power.
Virtual Memory Management 11/18/2008In a virtualized environment, persuading an OS to believe it has a machine all to itself takes some doing.
Further Notes on proc [11/17/2008]Tip of the Trade: Learn more about proc, how it works and how to get the most out of it.
Internals of SQL Cluster Setup and Troubleshooting Tips [11/11/2008]Setting up SQL Cluster Setup is simple. After that it gets dicey. This article steps through SQL server setup functions, configuring a second node to be cluster-aware, and the all-registry entries and their significance created during the setup.
Proc and Processes [11/10/2008]Tip of the Trade: The /proc directory provides a text-based way of interfacing with system settings and processes. Sure, it looks complicated at first glance, but it is incredibly helpful when troubleshooting.
Synch Up With Rsync for Quick-Restore Backup [11/03/2008]Offsite backup and historical backup have their place, and their limitations. When it comes to rapid access to backed-up data in the event of a major disk crash, an instant slot-in replacement is needed, and rsync is well set for the task.
DNS Client Behavior in Windows Vista and Server 2008 [10/29/2008]Win Tip: DNS functions differently in the latest versions of Windows. For a quick explanation of DNS client behavior for DNS queries and registrations look no further.
Server Room DIY, Installing Apache and Configuring Your Network [10/28/2008]So you decided to host your own Web server, and you've chosen Apache. Next big decision: What's in your AMP stack? This article steps through the installation and configuration process.
Memopal Online Backup [10/27/2008]Tip of the Trade: Memopal recently released a Linux version of its online backup service. Should you take it out for a spin?
The Unofficial 5-Step Guide to Keeping Up With Linux 10/21/2008Keeping pace with a speeding penguin is no simple task. Learn where to find the latest info to stay current with this constantly evolving operating system environment.
Win Server 2008 Directory Services, AD Database Mounting Tool [10/20/2008]Recovery is one of the more complex aspects of Active Directory infrastructure management. Windows Server 2008 adds many new capabilities and challenges. Learn how you can use them to streamline your remediation process.
ssh-xfer for Transferring Files [10/20/2008]When it comes to file transfers, ssh-xfer brings together the best of the useful ssh and the ever-capable scp.
Anyone for a Windows, Linux Cocktail? [10/16/2008]Neither Windows nor Linux is going away, which means many server rooms with mixed environments. Learn how to stir, not shake, especially when pouring over virtual servers.
Background Zone Loading, New Functionality in Win Server 2008 DNS [10/15/2008]Win Tip: Microsoft has changed the behavior of DNS server in Windows Server 2008. Now, DNS server loads the zone data from Active Directory while it restarts. This allows the server to respond to client requests coming in for other zones.
Bash Command Line Shortcuts [10/13/2008]Tip of the Trade: Bash has a wide array of available command line keyboard shortcuts. Here are some to post near your monitor.
Getting Started With Hyper-V [10/08/2008]For SMBs, Hyper-V is a compelling way to get started with virtualization. Here's how to begin.
LDAP Master Server Problems [10/06/2008]Tip of the Trade: Finding and fixing master server issues isn't always easy, especially when the slave servers seem to be working fine. With careful searching, ldapsearch handily resolves issues.
WinInstall LE, MSI Creator and Configuration Builder [09/29/2008]WinInstall LE is certainly not the only approach to deploying an application-specific setting to multiple computers, but it is one that saves both time and money. Learn its advantages as well as how to use this tool to convert EXE applications to MSI packages.
Make Perl Scripts More Readable With perltidy [09/29/2008]Tip of the Trade:
Even if it's not your own, messy code is a fact of life for every programmer. Clean up messes with perltidy, an app generated from the Perl module Perl::Tidy.
Whatever Happened to ... Lotus Notes [09/23/2008]For Lotus Domino and Lotus Notes, longevity is both a blessing and a curse. To grow its base, Notes must move away from its legacy rep. Its aim: to replace corporate stodginess and become a hipper, full-fledged server-based application platform.
Monitoring Network Traffic With IPTraf [09/22/2008]Tip of the Trade: Check out the traffic passing through your machine with this useful and easy-to-use ncurses-based app.
Command Line Tips, Windows Server 2008 Server Core [09/18/2008]Win Tip: If you're in a Windows environment but prefer a command-line interface to a GUI, the Server Core edition of Windows Server 2008 may be right for you. This cheat sheet of basic commands will help you get started.
Setting Password Policy With PAM [09/15/2008]Tip of the Trade: Establishing a good password policy from the start is just as critical to security as testing the strength of passwords already in use. The PAM module pam_cracklib can enforce both length and complexity.
Cracking Passwords [09/08/2008]Tip of the Trade: Find password weaknesses before it's too late. john-the-ripper offers three cracking modes to evaluate passwords.
rsnapshot: rsync-Based Filesystem Snapshot [08/25/2008]Tip of the Trade: Snapshot filesystems may be great, but migrating to a new filesystem is a major deal. If you're not up for it, rsnapshot makes achieving snapshot-like functionality a snap.
Storage Virtualization for Network Administrators [08/19/2008]Virtually Speaking: Virtualization changes the way your storage is managed, freeing you from costly, time-consuming data migrations and unrealistic customer expectations.
Tip of the Trade: Nagios Plugins [08/18/2008]Nagios is set up to use plugins to do the actual work of checking services. From cron-apt to check_jabber and more, here are some to get you started.
Tip of the Trade: ps Options [08/11/2008]Look beyond the basics of ps, and you'll find a wide array of options for managing system processes.
Tip of the Trade: Dragonfly BSD and the Hammer Filesystem [08/04/2008]Got clusters? Need a filesystem? If you're running Dragonfly BSD, consider Hammer. It may be a few months shy of a gold stamp, but its usability makes it worth checking out.
Server Room DIY, In-House vs. Hosted [07/18/2008]Launching a new site? Leaving the hosting to someone else may seem easier, but there are advantages to keeping it in-house. Learn the pros and cons of being your own Web host.
Changes Afoot at ServerWatch [07/14/2008]Wondering where the usual columns and writers have gone? Find out who's in and who's out, and what they're going to be looking at.
Tip of the Trade: QEMU [07/14/2008]Hungry for an open source virtualizer that is a full-meal deal? Consider tasting QEMU.
News Rackable Rolls Out Data Center on Wheels [December 22, 2008]
The MobiRack packs a powerful punch. Although it is about the size of a TV, it can hold 12 dense servers and be wheeled anywhere you need it to go.
Reviews A RADIUS Server That Comes 'Round for SMBs [December 1, 2008]
RADIUS servers aren't just for large enterprises. Elektron RADIUS Server from Periodik Labs brings 'Wireless Without Worry,' to SMBs.
