MCslp

Systems Administration Toolkit: Using SNMP data

A new article on consuming and using the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) data that is published and provided by different devices is now available:

The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is built in to many devices, but often the tools and software that can read and parse this information are too large and complicated when you only want to check a quick statistic or track a particular device or issue. This article looks at some simplified methods for getting SNMP information from your devices and how to integrate this information into the rest of your network’s data map.

Read: Systems Administration Toolkit: Using SNMP data

Systems Administration Toolkit: Understanding DNS

A new article on understanding the Domain Name System (DNS) is now available:

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the service that converts hostnames and domain details into the IP addresses required for application to communicate. Under UNIX, the primary DNS service is based on BIND, and DNS itself is a key part of most UNIX installations. This article looks at the basics of DNS setup, how servers and requests are distributed, and exchanged and how to set up and keep a DNS environment running smoothly.

Read: Systems Administration Toolkit: Understanding DNS

Systems Administration Toolkit: Log file basics

A new article on some basic log file information and maintenance is available:

A typical UNIX or Linux machine creates many log files during the course of its operation. Some of these contain useful information; others can be used to help you with capacity and resource planning. This article looks at the fundamental information recorded within the different log files, their location, and how that information can be used to your benefit to work out what is going on within your system.

Read: Systems Administration Toolkit: Log file basics

Aperi Discovery and Probe Videocast

As a follow up to my first introductory video on using Aperi, I now have a follow-up videocast on how to add storage systems to your Aperi installation. The process is two-stage, first you have to run a discovery process (to find the devices) and then a probe (to find out information about those devices, such as the specific configuration of the SAN).

You can view the videocast online: Watch the “Discovery and Probe” demo

Or you can download it for viewing at your leisure: Download the “Discovery and Probe” demo (13.3MB)

Systems Administration Toolkit: Network scanning

A new article on scanning your network for information, both in a general device/service level and at a more detailed data level is now available.

Discover how to scan your network for services and how to regularly monitor your services to keep uptimes to a maximum. A key way of ensuring the security of your network is to know what is on your network and what services individual machines are at risk of exposure. Unauthorized services, such as Web servers or file sharing solutions, not only degrade performance, but others can use these services as routes into your network. In this article, learn how to use these same techniques to ensure that genuine services remain available.

Read: Systems Administration Toolkit: Network scanning

System Administration Toolkit: Distributed administration using SSH

System administration and SSH is a topic I’ve covered before (see System Administration Toolkit: Set up remote access in UNIX through OpenSSH), but what I didn’t cover in that article was how you can use SSH as a solution for running commands remotely over one, or more, machines simultaneously.

From the new article:

Use Secure Shell (SSH) to run commands on remote UNIX systems and, with some simple scripts, put together a system that enables you to manage many systems simultaneously from one machine without having to log in directly to the machines themselves. Also examine the basics of a distributed management system and some scripts and solutions using the technique.

Read: System Administration Toolkit: Distributed administration using SSH

Aperi Download and Install Videocast

Aperi is an open source storage management framework that provides you with a single interface to managing all of your different storage solutions. You can get more information from the Aperi Homepage.

The Aperi application is based on Eclipse, and is an excellent example of an application built on top of the core Eclipse framework (technically, the IDE is another example of this, but many people confuse the Eclipse IDE and the Eclipse Framework as the same thing).

To help you understand and use Aperi, I’ve created a video that shows how to install and setup Aperi ready to start using it.

You can view the videocast online: Watch the “Download and Install” demo

Or you can download it for viewing at your leisure: Download the “Download and Install” demo (16.8MB)

Voice enabling XML, Part 4: Develop a Web search application for VoiceXML

The final part of the four-part series on developing VoiceXML applications, this time covering an interface to an internet search system, is available:

In this final article of a four-part series, develop an application that takes VoiceXML as input and queries the Yahoo Search API for both basic Web searches and Yahoo local searches. The query returns information about businesses within a specific location and region. The application then reads the results to the caller after submission.

Internet searching is taken for granted these days, with numerous services available for searching. Web searching has also expanded. With so many companies that have a Web presence, many companies now merge their Web and traditional offline data, like business directories, and map and location information to make it possible to search for a variety of businesses and information.

This information is perfect to use VoiceXML (VXML) to submit your searches and listen to the returned results. In this article, you will create an application that does this, and you will also:

• Review a Web searching workflow
• Create a generic class for outputting VXML form elements
• Create VXML grammar that supports a wide range of input
• Use the Yahoo search interface
• Run Web searches using VXML and Yahoo search
• Run local searches using VXML and Yahoo search

Read: Voice enabling XML, Part 4: Develop a Web search application for VoiceXML

Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 6: Building the Java business application

The final part of the PHP/Java series is now available. This last part of the series covers the modification of our original application so that it employs the PHP/Java bridge as the interface between the core Java application and PHP.

A detailed overview of the content:

• Comparing connection technologies
  • The Web service method
  • The PHP Java Bridge
  • Differences and similarities
  • Performance
  • Java and PHP development

• Developing a Web interface
  • Revisiting the Web interface for the Java environment
  • Parsing the responses
  • Re-deploying in PHP

• Creating a PHP interface to the Java survey data
  • Creating a new instance of the Survey application
  • Generating the Survey form through a single method
  • Generating the form by using SurveyQuestion methods directly
  • Submitting survey responses back to the Java classes
  • Submitting a survey response

• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 1: Setting up the Java environment
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 2: Building the Java business application
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 3: Integrating the Java business application with DB2 Version 9
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 4: Exposing the application as a web service
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 5: Installing and integrating the PHP Java Bridge

Read Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 6: Building the Java business application

Systems Administration Toolkit: Monitoring mail usage

Keeping an eye on your mail system is about more than making sure the mail gets through. You should also be thinking about spam statistics, usage of the mail system by users and whether users are really getting the best out of the systems that they provide.

In Systems Administration Toolkit: Monitoring mail usage that’s exactly what I cover:

Examine methods for reporting on e-mail usage and getting detailed statistics on mailbox use. E-mail logs can provide a wealth of information about your users and their e-mail habits, including how often and frequently they use their e-mail. Depending on your UNIX systems, you might even be able to glean more detailed information, such as identifying which users are using their folders effectively and who could benefit from further training and advice.

Read Systems Administration Toolkit: Monitoring mail usage