Re: Total admin n00b needs to know everything
- From: terryc <newssevenspam-spam@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 07 Jan 2009 01:36:16 GMT
On Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:10:36 -0800, Baron Samedi wrote:
Ah, installing ... if I buy everyone the same PC, can I just install
once, burn an image and copy that for each new user?
Yes. If it was a standardised install, then most of the distros have
enough baggage to adapt to small differences anyway (basic video, nic, etc).
You also might want to consider establishing your own update server so
that you are only paying for the download of one copy of updates.
How best to do that?
What if if the h/w spec changes slightly over time
Unless you are chasing special/burning edge hardware, then it should not
be a problem.
(I just want everyone to have the same applications, with
the same
options, even if they have a different graphic cards, etc)?
That is easy to do.
I'll sort out the applications required (mostly s/w development stuff),
and am confident enough there, but what about admin-flavoured stuff?
Server? Same h/w as users have ok, or any special requirements?
For a server, it only needs a basic video. It does need the best disk I/O
you can get/afford. It really depends on exactly how your staff is
working.
A good managed switch is essential and make sure that priority goes to the
server. Staff just love switch their PC to the fast part of your network.
You will probably want bigger disks there. Big disks on staff computer end
up full of crud that isn't relevant to the business.
Backups?
Easiest way is to get everything on the/A server. Assuming you are
using code management software.
Lay down rules about where software/projects has to be put and enforce
them. Even fire people for not doing it.
Backups are a complex answer in themself but you will definitely need a
very good system, including offsite sites.
I think the only serious backup system is a tape system as it s the only
system that has shown the ability to provide long term storage.
Copying stuff onto the same hard disk is NOT a backup system as is copying
stuff onto a series of hard disks. YMMV.
Some people can get away with burning DVDs/CDs, but eventually they fill
up, so you save them for the differential backup, then when that isn't
enough, you save them for the incremental backups.
Burning DVDs/CDs and keeping them give you a history trail. Apart from
recovering the contents of a crashed computer, the other job is to find a
good version of a file that "disappeared" or became corrupted. Not many
people appreciate that aspect of backups.
However, when it comes to pumping data and keeping it longterm, tapes are
the way to go.
Last tip on backups, only backup the data you really need to backup. I do
not backup the entire computer, only the DATA. If a server crashes, it is
usually easier just to reinstall, reconfigure (from your server log
notes), then recover the data. I do this as it is a good opportunity to
get rid of all the crud.
If you have staff, you can bet they will defeat the firewall, sneak in
apps, etc, etc. so a periodic and random clean system re-installs helpyou
keep on top.
Network drives? internal harddrive (partitions) in server, or network
attached storage?
Forget all that crap.
Ask yourself why you need
Security? Preventing intruders? Monitoring employees activities (can't
afford to have one sixth of the staff of six spending all day reading
online newspapers)?
Exactly. Sorry, you are now finding out the gotchas of running your own
business; staff management, accountng, chasing customers for work and bill
paying and you want to add system admin to that.
Apart from spending all day browsing, jump on instant messaging of any
form. give everyone a warning and fire anyone who installs one or uses
one on any platform at work.
Admin remote update of installed s/w?
Every distro has that, I think.
.
- References:
- Total admin n00b needs to know everything
- From: Baron Samedi
- Total admin n00b needs to know everything
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