NetAdmin Newsletter
CPTTM Network Admin newsletter issue #20, Alan Au, Editor in Chief
Supervised by Kent Tong

Dear Network Administrators,

This CPTTM NetAdmin newsletter is to bring useful news to you, Network Administrators in Macau, for references without obligations, so that you can do your jobs easier and better! Hope you like it. if you'd like to unsubscribe or recommend your friends to subscribe, just email me at alan@cpttm.org.mo. Old issues are available here. Also printable version for this newsletter.

Topics in this issue:

Carrying MySQL, Apache and FTP server along with you

XAMPP

Have you ever think of bringing the above servers along with you, you can do it with a USB memory stick and "XAMPP". "XAMPP" is a free package offered by "sourceforge.net". It includes Apache web server, MySQL, PHP, Perl, a FTP server and phpMyAdmin. With only very simple installation process (installed onto the USB memory stick), you can use them anywhere. 

It is suitable for offline web-based application. One project manager uses XAMPP to write his blog offline and then synchronize back to the real web server later on. See his sharing at : http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/blog/?p=233.

This package has different versions for Windows, Linux and Macintosh etc. There are also some add-ons to enhance the features like adding Tomcat to it. Check it out at : http://sourceforge.net/projects/xampp/.

--by Alan Au

Selecting Intrusion Detection System

Feel headache looking for Intrusion Detection System? There is a list of available IDS and their correponding websites. Check it out at : http://www.timberlinetechnologies.com/products/intrusiondtct.html. There are some brief description about each of them.

On the other hand, "ITSecuirty" has conducted an analysis and comparsion among 9 leading IDS, you may find it useful. Download it at : http://www.itsecurity.com/whitepaper/whitepaper-ids-comparison/. You need to register first. There are also quite a lot articles and resources about Network security on the "IT Secuirty" web site. Feel free to browse them.

--by Alan Au

Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate has lauched

win2008
Windows Server 2008 RC0 has already lauched. You can get a evaluation copy at : http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/default.mspx. Major new features include:
  • built-in virtualization technology -
    • 64 bit kernel
    • Symmetric Multi processing support
    • Virtual machine Snapshot, etc
  • IIS7.0 and .Net framwork 3.0 give you a platform for developing Rich Internet Applicaiton.
  • Security enhancement, e.g.
    • With Network Access Protection, you can restrict the access of those computers that do not meet the security requirment to your network while giving them chances to get patches or updates to meet the requirement.
--by Alan Au

Experience sharing in Using UbuntuUbuntu

Most people are reluctant to use Linux on their desktop or notebook. The most obvious reason is that Linux doesn't offer as much convenience for users as Windows does. Back at the time, Linux had Xwindow, but in terms of functionality and user-friendliness, it is still lagging behind Windows. In fact, I had had the same feeling as most of you before I came across Ubuntu. My thinking was that all Linux platforms were actually similar in their use of command line.

The experience of Ubuntu has turned around my perception of using Linux. Users of all levels of expertise can now take advantage of the user friendly environment. This should be good news especially for novice users as Ubuntu may be installed on top of the existing Windows like any other software. On the other hand, Ubuntu offers an attractive desktop interface which is, in my opinion, comparable to Windows Vista. The attractive GUI interface aside, Ubuntu will also automatically look for updates online when new applications are being installed, saving you the trouble of finding the installation disk. 

Like any other platforms in the market, Ubuntu has its own drawbacks. In fact, Ununtu isn’t as perfect as it seems on the surface. In my case, there are two problems I’ve faced. First, I could not input Chinese characters in Firefox – this problem was eventually fixed by using command to set the default Chinese input to SCIM. Also, many electronic platforms such as those used by online banking are still accessible only through Window’s Internet Explorer. So Windows may still be here to stay for the time being.

In summary, Ubuntu has made life so much easier for everyone and it is truly a good point to start if you want to enjoy using Linux.
--by Eric Chan

Optimizing Linux performance

Getting better performance is always a good practical goal. The three suggestions in this article provide separate but related enhancements that can provide better overall speed for your Linux Server.

  • Optimizing hard drive speed
  • Optimizing filesystem access
  • Optimizing application loading time

For more detailed information, please see http://www.linux.com/feature/116693

--by Eric Chan

Upcoming courses for network administrators

Course code Title Start date Duration (hours) Fee (MOP) Remarks
CM232.2-12-2007-C CCNP 2 - Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN) 2007/12/29 45  4880
  • This is our second intake of our CCNP course. The first one was very successful.
  • You will have physical access to higher models of Cisco  Switches (35 series) .
CM241-11-2007-E Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database (2780)       2007/10/20 12 3900 The course is conducted in English.
CM280.3-10-2007-C MCSE 2003 Certificate Program (Part 3-Planning and Maintaining Net. Infrastructure) 2007/10/24 30 700 Enjoy up to 75% course fee reimbursement and MOP300 exam subsidy for in-school students.
CM280.4-11-2007-C MCSE 2003 Certificate Program (Part 4-Planning, Imp. & Maintaining Active Directory) 2007/11/28 30 700 Enjoy up to 75% course fee reimbursement and MOP300 exam subsidy for in-school students.
CM270-11-2007-C Introduction to Installing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 (5047A) 2007/11/11 48 2800  
CM206-11-2007-C Cisco Networking Academy Program (Fundamentals of Network Security) 2007/11/14 54 3280  

In addition, there are some courses your kids may enjoy:

Course code Title Start date Duration (hours) Fee (MOP) Remarks
CM275-11-2007-C Computer games DIY for the youth 2007/11/04 32 980 Enjoy up to 75% course fee reimbursement

Feedbacks

Any questions, ideas or experiences to share? Contact me at 28781313 or alan@cpttm.org.mo. We also have two more newsletters: CIO newsletter and Software developer newsletter. If you are interested, you can read them at the following links: CIO newsletter and Software developer newsletter.

Until next time, 

Alan Au

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