Unix as a Second Language

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Sandra Henry-Stocker has been administering Unix systems for more than 25 years. She describes herself as "USL" (Unix as a second language) but remembers enough English to write books and buy groceries. She currently works for TeleCommunication Systems -- a company that builds innovative technologies to make critical connections happen -- where no one else necessarily shares any of her opinions. This blog offers advice for everyday Unix systems administration and some clever ways to approach more challenging problems. Send comments and suggestions to mailto:bugfarm@gmail.com.

by Sandra Henry-Stocker

Trusted Voice

  • So you want to be a Unix sysadmin?

    Posted Apr 07, 2013 - 10:41 pm

    A number of people have asked recently what it takes to be a Unix systems administrator, what “core competencies” are required, and what are the best and worst aspects of the job. Here are some answers that might work once we get beyond “it depends”.
    Operating Systems, systems administrator, Unix

  • Unix commands and tools you just can't live without

    Posted Mar 31, 2013 - 08:42 pm

    Are you someone who never met a Unix command you didn't like? OK, maybe not. But are there commands you just can't imagine living without? Let's look at some that have made a big difference on my busiest days and those that people I've worked with over the years have said are their most important essentials.
    Operating Systems, Unix

  • Unix: When pipes don't make sense

    Posted Mar 24, 2013 - 05:17 pm

    While pipes are one of the things that make Unix such a powerful and versatile operating system, they don't always make sense. Many people still fall into the "useless use of a pipe" habit while still others use pipes in situations in which pipes simply don't function at all. Knowing when to pipe and when not to pipe remains a sign of Unix mastery. If you want to look Unix savvy, use pipes only when they provide a critical service and never when they're superfluous or downright wrong.
    Operating Systems, cat, commands

  • Unix: Rooting out the kits

    Posted Mar 17, 2013 - 08:06 pm

    Finding a computer infection that is, above all else, designed to remain hidden is not easy work, but neither is it impossible. With some good insights and tools, you might just get a leg up on how the multi-billion dollar spyware industry is attacking your systems.
    Security, analysis, chkrootkit

  • Unix: Rootkit detection and prevention

    Posted Mar 10, 2013 - 03:47 pm

    You could have a rootkit infection right now and be totally unaware. One of the key goals of a rootkit is, after all, to go undetected. If the rootkit is hiding files, processes, logins, etc., how would you know? If you can't see it, how would you remove it?
    Security, damage, Data Loss Prevention

  • Unix: Rootkits -- Still scary after all these years

    Posted Mar 03, 2013 - 03:50 pm

    If you haven't worried about rootkits in a while, what are you waiting for? Rootkits remain one of the stealthiest and most worrisome forms of malware compromising systems today.
    Security, detection, rootkit

  • Unix: Under the spell of magic numbers

    Posted Feb 24, 2013 - 08:09 pm

    If you've ever wondered how Unix systems identify files, you might be surprised to learn that file names really aren't an important factor. Unix systems reach into files looking for special codes called "magic numbers" to figure out what your files really are. They also examine other file content to pick out additional details.
    Operating Systems, file command, jpeg

  • Security: The beauty of ... malware reverse engineering

    Posted Feb 17, 2013 - 05:35 pm

    Malware represents one of the greatest threats that organizations face today and IT departments are coming to understand that their AV tools can only do so much to protect them. When malware is discovered on their systems, they want to know what it might have done, if the threat is still ongoing, and what they might have lost to the infection. Answers can be very tough to find, but reverse engineering the malware might just be the way to provide them.
    Security, ARM processors, debugger

  • Unix: Looking at files this way and that

    Posted Feb 10, 2013 - 02:46 pm

    Don't throw up your hands if your boss won't buy you Tripwire and a modern debugger. There are a lot of things that your Unix system -- right out of the box -- can tell you about files and processes.
    Data Protection, chksum, file

  • Counting processors on your Linux box

    Posted Feb 04, 2013 - 11:52 am

    The quickest way to determine what and how many processors are installed on a Linux system is to turn to the mighty gateway of kernel data -- the /proc pseudo-filesystem. In it, you'll find a file called /proc/cpuinfo that provides a lot of information in the processors in your system. Read on to see how easily you can get answers to questions and an explanation of what those answers really tell you.
    Operating Systems, /proc, cores

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