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.
Tip of the Trade: Ext4 [07/07/2008]Linux's Ext4 is almost ready. Take this new filesystem out for a test drive and see what its new feature sets offer.
Ready, Aim .... Fire Up the Gaming Server [07/01/2008]Setting up a gaming server is generally a piece of cake for most techies. The skills required transfer easily from the data center to home.
Tip of the Trade: Phoronix Test Suite [06/23/2008]Need to run some Linux benchmarks? The Phoronix Test Suite eliminates the need to search out benchmarking utilities. The comprehensive and easy-to-use test suite is designed to be both customizable and extensible.
Tip of the Trade: Assign Multiple Addresses to a Network Interface [06/16/2008]Still using ifconfig and route commands? Today's network environments require functionality beyond their capabilities. Consider using the ip command, which is part of the iproute2 suite of TCP/IP networking utilities, and is trying to muscle in.
Win Server 2008 Directory Services, More About RDOCs [06/09/2008]We revisit Read Only Domain Controllers, a bundle of standard Active Directory mechanisms that has been released as a new product feature set. Learn the requirements and restrictions that come into play when planning and managing a deployment.
Tip of the Trade: OpenSolaris liveCD [06/09/2008]Want to test drive OpenSolaris but don't want to deal with the convoluted installation? OpenSolaris liveCD from the OpenSolaris team streamlines the process and brings a raft of add-ons from the GNU/Linux world.
Tip of the Trade: Squid [06/02/2008]Visitors to your Web site don't care about exotic database backends or fancy scripting tricks. They just don't want to die of old age waiting for your pages to load. Turbocharge your Web servers (and eliminate this issue) with Squid.
Tip of the Trade: Specto [05/27/2008]This excellent little Python script can monitor changes throughout the network and report back on all manner of events. And you probably already have it -- Specto is included in most Linux distributions, including Fedora and Debian.
Last Call to Vote in the 2008 ServerWatch Product Excellence Awards 05/22/2008There's still time, but only if you hurry. Only one more day to vote for your favorite server room products. If you haven't yet cast your ballot, there's no better time than the present to do so.
Tip of the Trade: Web Console [05/19/2008]Need universal server administration? Forget Webmin. Web Console is a fast, light-weight AJAX-based interface that facilitates execution of desired commands.
Tip of the Trade: Gibraltar Security Gateway [05/12/2008]Gibraltar Security Gateway offers solid-as-a-rock security at several price points. The code for the open source solution is available as a free download and as a free-for-personal-use edition for up to five network devices.
ServerWatch Wants YOU ... 05/12/2008To vote for your favorites in the third annual ServerWatch Product Excellence Awards program. Less than two weeks remain for your voice to be heard.
Tip of the Trade: Vyatta [04/28/2008]Looking to save on networking costs? XORP-based Vyatta makes it possible to replace expensive gear with commodity hardware at a fraction of the cost.
Tip of the Trade: Cryptmount [04/21/2008]Need strong file encryption for underprivileged users? Cryptmount puts a friendly face on the technology.
4 Passwords to LAMP Security [04/15/2008]It's easy to install a LAMP stack and throw up a dynamic Web site over a weekend -- the real toil comes in securing it. Here are four steps to help avert complacency and get you on the correct path.
Tip of the Trade: Grsecurity [04/14/2008]The venerable Grsecurity is one option for closing Linux security holes.
Win Server 2008 Directory Services, Read Only Domain Controllers [04/11/2008]If you've been concerned about hosting full-fledged domain controllers in environments that could be easily compromised, consider a Read Only Domain Controller. Microsoft recently released this bundle of standard Active Directory mechanisms as a new product feature set.
News More IBM Tools Head for the Cloud [October 7, 2008]
Big Blue is sprucing up its tools to help ISVs and clients collaborate and build their own cloud computing services.
Tutorials LDAP Master Server Problems [October 6, 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.
Reviews KMS: The Mail Server Goes Virtual [September 5, 2008]
This multi-platform mail server offers support for mobile devices and can take the form factor of a virtual appliance.
