5 ms·

UNIX/Linux Sysadmin Tutorials

101 points by macco 16y ago

zppx 16y ago
30 - For Linux users, learn how to use ip (and the tools included in iproute2) instead of using ifconfig, which is part of net-tools, they are deprecated. A good resource for that: http://andys.org.uk/bits/2010/02/24/iproute2-life-after-ifconfig/ http://andys.org.uk/bits/2010/02/24/iproute2-life-after-ifco... 45 - Use LVM always if it's possible.
- mbubb 16y ago
  Interesting - i had no idea that ifconfig and route were considered deprecated - googling did not turn up a lot of information fut I found corroboration with wikipedia and a linux foundation article: http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/networking/net-tools http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/networ... And the developer page shows no activity in a long while: https://developer.berlios.de/projects/net-tools/ https://developer.berlios.de/projects/net-tools/ I am a bit embarrassed to know nothing about this as I have blithely been using ipconfig and route over the last few years. One command that I have been using from the newer suite is ethtools - that is really useful. I like the very detailed interface error counts
  - ciupicri 16y ago
    Minor nitpick: not ipconfig, but ifconfig (from interface config).
    - mbubb 16y ago
      aargh - you can tell that I learned Windows before Linux
- lujz 16y ago
  Does ip also replace dhclient?
  - zppx 16y ago
    Sorry, only now I saw your comment, I believe that's not the case. The Debian Installer (I belive it uses busybox) includes both dhclient and ip.
wooptoo 16y ago
Backing up with `dd` is stupid.
- billswift 16y ago
  Some tools work better than others for an individual's particular situation - but backing up is never stupid.
  - mbubb 16y ago
    Good point - the question is 'under what circumstances is dd a better/only choice for this task?' I think if you are in a rescue mode and are in a limited env (busybox/ ash type of scenario) then it is very good to know how to backup using dd...
juddlyon 16y ago
#51: Bookmark nixCraft, articles.slicehost.com & the Linode Library.
mryan 16y ago
On a related note, I am planning to start a site dedicated to Linux sysadmin tutorials. They will be in-depth guides on how to achieve a particular result, rather than quick "How to..." guides. For example, some of the first posts will be: Building a global, centralised logging system with open-source software and Splunk Using Splunk as a front-end for munin monitoring data Dynamic kickstart files (for automated RedHat installs) Are there any topics you like to see on the site?
- mbubb 16y ago
  Where/When will this be? For my interest making some of the low level processes more understandable would be great. Recently I came across a sysadvent article on stracing 'ls' it was exactly the kind of thing that is useful to me. (quite probably an HN or reddit/r/programming link) Also in the "Land of Lisp" book learning what the bit operator 'ash' does was a real eye-opener. Both of these things are pretty basic for someone with a CS or EE background. But I think a lot of sysadmins come from other backgrounds. A bit more than a decade ago I was a grad student in a Literature department and found myself inexplicably attracted to Linux, OpenSource and started to try and extricate myself from Windows gui-ness. Eventually landed a sysadmin job about 5 yrs ago after taking some CS courses and some DIY learning. In short I have real weaknesses in math and low level understanding of what is happening at the kernel level - I really treasure things like the 2 mentioned articles as they shed light on what is going on at a lower level.
  - mryan 16y ago
    Not for a couple of months - I need to get my startup in beta first, but the sysadmin tutorial site is next on my to-do list. I read the "stracing ls" article (I think it was posted here), which was fascinating reading. I am planning to write higher-level tutorials rather than dissecting low-level commands, although now that I think about it a mix of the two would be better. Thanks for the feedback - if there are any specific areas you would like to see covered do let me know, and I'll do my best to include them.

101 points by macco 16y ago

zppx 16y ago

30 - For Linux users, learn how to use ip (and the tools included in iproute2) instead of using ifconfig, which is part of net-tools, they are deprecated. A good resource for that: http://andys.org.uk/bits/2010/02/24/iproute2-life-after-ifconfig/ http://andys.org.uk/bits/2010/02/24/iproute2-life-after-ifco... 45 - Use LVM always if it's possible.

mbubb 16y ago
Interesting - i had no idea that ifconfig and route were considered deprecated - googling did not turn up a lot of information fut I found corroboration with wikipedia and a linux foundation article: http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/networking/net-tools http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/networ... And the developer page shows no activity in a long while: https://developer.berlios.de/projects/net-tools/ https://developer.berlios.de/projects/net-tools/ I am a bit embarrassed to know nothing about this as I have blithely been using ipconfig and route over the last few years. One command that I have been using from the newer suite is ethtools - that is really useful. I like the very detailed interface error counts
- ciupicri 16y ago
  Minor nitpick: not ipconfig, but ifconfig (from interface config).
  - mbubb 16y ago
    aargh - you can tell that I learned Windows before Linux
lujz 16y ago
Does ip also replace dhclient?
- zppx 16y ago
  Sorry, only now I saw your comment, I believe that's not the case. The Debian Installer (I belive it uses busybox) includes both dhclient and ip.

wooptoo 16y ago

Backing up with `dd` is stupid.

billswift 16y ago
Some tools work better than others for an individual's particular situation - but backing up is never stupid.
- mbubb 16y ago
  Good point - the question is 'under what circumstances is dd a better/only choice for this task?' I think if you are in a rescue mode and are in a limited env (busybox/ ash type of scenario) then it is very good to know how to backup using dd...

juddlyon 16y ago

#51: Bookmark nixCraft, articles.slicehost.com & the Linode Library.

mryan 16y ago

On a related note, I am planning to start a site dedicated to Linux sysadmin tutorials. They will be in-depth guides on how to achieve a particular result, rather than quick "How to..." guides. For example, some of the first posts will be: Building a global, centralised logging system with open-source software and Splunk Using Splunk as a front-end for munin monitoring data Dynamic kickstart files (for automated RedHat installs) Are there any topics you like to see on the site?

mbubb 16y ago
Where/When will this be? For my interest making some of the low level processes more understandable would be great. Recently I came across a sysadvent article on stracing 'ls' it was exactly the kind of thing that is useful to me. (quite probably an HN or reddit/r/programming link) Also in the "Land of Lisp" book learning what the bit operator 'ash' does was a real eye-opener. Both of these things are pretty basic for someone with a CS or EE background. But I think a lot of sysadmins come from other backgrounds. A bit more than a decade ago I was a grad student in a Literature department and found myself inexplicably attracted to Linux, OpenSource and started to try and extricate myself from Windows gui-ness. Eventually landed a sysadmin job about 5 yrs ago after taking some CS courses and some DIY learning. In short I have real weaknesses in math and low level understanding of what is happening at the kernel level - I really treasure things like the 2 mentioned articles as they shed light on what is going on at a lower level.
- mryan 16y ago
  Not for a couple of months - I need to get my startup in beta first, but the sysadmin tutorial site is next on my to-do list. I read the "stracing ls" article (I think it was posted here), which was fascinating reading. I am planning to write higher-level tutorials rather than dissecting low-level commands, although now that I think about it a mix of the two would be better. Thanks for the feedback - if there are any specific areas you would like to see covered do let me know, and I'll do my best to include them.