TOPIC 7.0 LINUX SERVICES AND CONFIGURATION

ROOT USER Root user is called “super user” because it has power far beyond those of mortal user. As root, you can access files and change the system in way other user cannot. If you want to install new software or tweak your system, you should log on as user.

Samba Free software, developed by Australian Andrew Tridgell. Run on most unix and Unix-like system. Released under GNU General Public Licence. The name Samba comes from SMB(Server Message Block).

Features of Samba Allow file and print sharing between computers running Windows and computers running Unix. Set up network shares for chosen Unix directories. Unix users can either mount the shares directly as part of their files structure using the smbmount command. Each directory can have different access privileges overlaid on top of the normal Unix file protections.

Advantages of Samba Portable across multiple platforms. Allow for easier networking of Windows workstations to computers running other platforms.

Disadvantages of Samba Maintaining compatibility with Microsoft’s implementation Threat of legal action against commercial users of Samba.

CUPS A short of the Common Unix Printing System that allows a computer to add as print server. The computer running CUPS is a host that can accept print jobs from clients computer, process them and send them to the appropriate printer. Consists of a print spooler and scheduler. Use the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) as the basis for managing print jobs and queues License under GNU General Public License and GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.

Features of CUPS Filter System ▫Can process a variety of data format on the print server ▫Converts the print job data into the final language of format of the printer via a series of filters ▫Uses MIME types for identifying file formats. Scheduler ▫The CUPS scheduler implement IPP over HTTP/1.1 ▫Provides a web-based interface for managing print jobs, the configuration of the server, and for documentation about CUPS itself

Advantages of CUPS Already has commands for submitting, viewing and manipulating the job queue You can easily set up a pool which will allocate jobs to slots as they become available Can be used on/by remote machines easily Adding extra job slots just means adding a new printer Jobs can easily be paused or delayed Can submit from Windows using SAMBA

Disadvantages of CUPS Has no way of adding job interdependence. Probably doesn’t scale to several thousand processors well You could end up with a lot of scrap paper if you use the wrong queue.

SquirrelMail SquirrelMail is a web-based application started by Nathan and Luke Ehresman and written in the PHP scripting language. It can be installed on almost all web servers as long as PHP is present and the web server has access to an IMAP and SMTP server. SquirrelMail outputs valid HTML 4.0 for its presentation, making it compatible with a majority of current web browsers. SquirrelMail uses a plugin architecture to accommodate additional features around the core application, and over 200 plugins are available on the SquirrelMail website. Licensed under the GNU General Public License. It is currently available in over 50 languages. SquirrelMail is included in the repositories of many major GNU/Linux distributions It is independently downloaded.

Features of SquirrelMail A templating system A RPC interface for use by other applications as well as AJAX-enabled SquirrelMail template sets (skins) A new initialization system Faster login times due to improved message header caching Security enhancements, such as HTTPOnly cookies Improved usability/accessibility.

Advantages of SquirrelMail Support for text web browsers. No JavaScript support required. Easy integration into an already existing site. Advanced skinning support.

Disadvantages of SquirrelMail A separate web server must be set up. Moderate configuration required. Low error control and tracing possibilities. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) must be enabled.

Mailman GNU Mailman is a computer software application from the GNU project for managing electronic mailing lists. Mailman is coded primarily in Python and currently maintained by Barry Warsaw. Mailman is free software, distributed under the GNU General Public License.

Features of Mailman A Web browser interface for list administration, archiving of messages, spam filtering. A customizable home page for each mailing list. Integrated bounce detection and automatic handling of bouncing addresses. Integrated spam filters Multiple list owners and moderators. Support for virtual domains.

Advantages of Mailman Users addresses, even the entire list, can be set as private. Granular control over who can post. Ability to easily suspend posts to the entire list on a temporary basis. Users are free to subscribe and unsubscribe to a list at will. Automatic removal of stale addresses.

Disadvantages of Mailman Requires technical personnel establish and maintain list. Can reveal everyone's address included in the list. Cannot provide granular control over who can post. No facility for message moderation.