Unix as a Second Language

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

Follow Sandra on Google+

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. Send comments and suggestions to bugfarm@gmail.com.

The beauty of hard links

Posted Jan 27, 2013 - 06:08 pm

Hard links are not called "hard" because they're difficult. They're just ... mildly elusive. Read on and find out why one long-time Unix admin thinks hard links are the penguin's meow.
Operating Systems, hard links, inode
Maybe you should read the Bad Data Handbook

Posted Jan 21, 2013 - 07:02 pm

Planning to spend the next six months fighting with troublesome data that you might have to scrub, decode, reformat, store, classify, annotate, visualize, analyze, explain, report and then start all over again? Maybe you should first get some advice from others who have been there, done that.
Big Data, bad data, clean
How to wrap your brain around CIDR

Posted Jan 13, 2013 - 10:37 pm

If you're only comfortable with CIDR when the / is followed by a multiple of 8, a quick refresher on how the numbers work might be just what you need for a balmy January afternoon.
Networking, address range, CIDR
How to freeze Unix accounts

Posted Jan 07, 2013 - 08:31 pm

Before the chilly winds of a RIF blow in your direction or a pile of your friends take off for greener pastures, you need to be prepared with an easy way to freeze account and preserve what might be of value in the abandoned home directories. In today's post, we'll look at some commands for inactivating accounts on Unix systems and provide some starter scripts for you to adapt to your environment.
IT Management, account, deactivate
Python for kids ... and adults intimidated by the very idea of programming

Posted Dec 29, 2012 - 05:32 pm

If you love Unix but fear programming or have a kid who you'd like to convince that programming is fun, here's a book you really should consider.
Development, book, easy
Why SELinux is more work, but well worth the trouble

Posted Dec 24, 2012 - 05:09 pm

Complexity isn't all bad. Sometimes it comes with a tremendous boon to security. Are you ready to cozy up to SELinux? Maybe it's time.
Security, Access, labelling
How to harden your RHEL 5 servers

Posted Dec 17, 2012 - 09:03 pm

Hardening tips for Unix systems have been issued for decades, but when's the last time you stopped to review how your servers stack up against the latest advice from the sages? Let's check out some of the recommendations provided for <b>Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5</b> and see what you might gain or lose by implementing them.
Security, Linux, NSA
13 Things that a Unix sysadmin will never do

Posted Dec 09, 2012 - 07:17 pm

As we find ourselves hurtling toward 2013, it's a good time to think about all the things that we Unix admins would never do ... and how that keeps us out of trouble.
Operating Systems, admin, cautions
DevOps Troubleshooting: Linux server best practices

Posted Dec 02, 2012 - 08:26 pm

Do you get calls at odd hours because some critical service that you support on your Linux server has stopped working? Here's some late night reading that might help you get the rest you deserve.
Enterprise Software, best practices, book
Working with iptables

Posted Nov 25, 2012 - 09:52 pm

Do your hands get sweaty when you have to make changes on your Linux firewall? Iptables isn't as intimidating as it might first seem. After all, it's just a set of tables, and chains, and rules, and the bare essentials of connecting to your server.
Operating Systems, configure, filter

Join us:

June is...
IPv6 Month

BY THE NUMBERS: IPv6: The big switch

ANALYSIS: Recent signals point to escalating jitters for IPv4 market

OPINION: A phased approach to IPv6 that's so easy, you'll almost think you're still ignoring it

PRIMER: Getting started with IPv6

HOW-TO: Planning a secure migration to IPv6

The $200,000 software developer: We can build him, we have the technology

6 comments
Snowden's big truth: We are all less free

5 comments
Unix: Rewriting history

2 comments
Has the Xbox One already lost the next gen console war?

2 comments
An end to awkward Netflix questions: Streaming Profiles coming soon

2 comments

White Papers & Webcasts

Webcast On Demand

Join today!

Get FREE access to premium content, in-depth reviews, practical tips

6 IT hiring tips to weed out the duds
Rule #1: Don't hire out of desperation.
4 free tools to simulate a cloud connection
Linux-based WAN emulation tools worth a look.
15 common IT resume mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Learn how to build a better resume.