Linux Power Tools

by Smith, Roderick W.

• ISBN13: 9780782142266
• ISBN10: 0782142265
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-08-01
• Publisher: Sybex

Summary

Step-by-Step Instructions Show You How to Supercharge Your Linux System Wondering if it's possible to work more efficiently in the X Window System, or squeeze more oomph from your existing hardware? Or perhaps you're searching for a way to improve your web browser's performance, or want to know how to choose the best mail server for your needs. If you've mastered the basics and are itching to go beyond, Linux Power Tools can take you there. Spanning a broad range of topics (from ALSA to zombies), Linux Power Tools covers the top five Linux distributions (Debian, Mandrake, Red Hat, Slackware, and SuSE). Using his easy-to-follow style, Linux expert Rod Smith shares his secrets for creating the optimum Linux system, from top to bottom. Coverage includes: * Optimizing Hardware * Creating the Perfect GUI Environment * Using Digital Image Tools * Fine-tuning the X Window System * Doing Real Work in Text Mode * Using Multiple Operating Systems * Managing Packages Efficiently * Optimizing Your Filesystem * Improving Network Performance * Preventing and Detecting Intrusions * Getting the Most From Your Web Server * Blocking That Obnoxious Spam Mail

Author Biography

Roderick W. Smith is an experienced Linux administrator and author or co-author of several other Linux books, including Linux System Administration, Linux Samba Server Administration, and Linux+ Study Guide.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xxi
Part I Hardware Tools	1	(76)
Optimizing System Architecture Usage	3	(26)
Getting the Most from Your CPU	3	(6)
Understanding and Choosing CPUs	3	(4)
Improving Performance with Compile-Time Options	7	(1)
Setting Kernel Options	8	(1)
Getting the Best Video Performance	9	(3)
Important and Unimportant Video Card Features	10	(1)
Supported and Unsupported Video Card Features	11	(1)
Speeding Up X: Setting XFree86 Options	12	(1)
Taming Hardware via Drivers	12	(8)
Identifying the Correct Drivers	13	(3)
Brute Force: Building Drivers into the Kernel	16	(1)
Subtle and Flexible: Loading Drivers as Modules	17	(3)
Delivering Clear Sound	20	(4)
Diagnosing and Fixing Sound Problems	20	(1)
When Standard Drivers Aren't Enough	21	(3)
Demystifying the /proc Filesystem	24	(3)
The /proc Directory Structure	24	(3)
Learning About Your Hardware	27	(1)
Modifying Hardware Settings	27	(1)
Summary	27	(2)
Improving Disk Performance	29	(26)
Understanding ATA and SCSI	29	(3)
Why Two Disk Standards?	30	(1)
When to Use Each Disk Type	31	(1)
Controllers and Host Adapters	32	(3)
When to Add or Upgrade Hardware	32	(1)
Picking the Correct Hardware	33	(2)
Testing and Optimizing Disk Performance	35	(4)
Identifying Poor Disk Performance	36	(1)
Improving Disk Performance	37	(2)
Optimizing Disk Partitions	39	(3)
Why Does Partition Placement Matter?	39	(1)
Tips for Placing Partitions for Best Performance	40	(2)
Moving Data via Sneakernet: Removable Media	42	(6)
Evaluating Your Removable Media Needs	42	(2)
Picking Linux-Compatible Hardware	44	(1)
Choosing a Filesystem for Removable Media	44	(2)
Configuring Removable Media	46	(2)
Burning CD-Rs	48	(5)
Linux CD-R Tools	48	(2)
A Linux CD-R Example	50	(2)
Creating Cross-Platform CD-Rs	52	(1)
Summary	53	(2)
Using External Peripherals	55	(22)
Configuring USB, RS-232 Serial, and Parallel Ports	55	(7)
Recognizing USB Devices	56	(2)
Using setserial to Optimize RS-232 Serial Performance	58	(2)
Improving Printing with Interrupts	60	(2)
Overcoming Keyboard Quirks	62	(4)
Understanding Keyboards in Linux	62	(1)
Getting a Keyboard to Work in Text Mode	63	(1)
Getting a Keyboard to Work in X	64	(1)
USB Keyboard Quirks	65	(1)
Using a Mouse to the Fullest	66	(2)
Basic Mouse Configuration	66	(1)
Using a Two-Button Mouse	66	(1)
Configuring a Wheel Mouse	67	(1)
Configuring Extra Mouse Buttons	67	(1)
Getting a Scanner to Work	68	(7)
Locating Scanner Support	68	(1)
Configuring Scanner Software	68	(2)
Doing Basic Scans	70	(2)
Integrating a Scanner with Other Software	72	(1)
Converting Graphics to Text: OCR	72	(1)
Network Scanning	73	(2)
Summary	75	(2)
Part II User Tools	77	(104)
Mastering Shells and Shell Scripting	79	(18)
Selecting an Appropriate Shell	80	(1)
Making Efficient Use of a Shell	81	(6)
Time-Saving Shell Tricks	81	(3)
Customizing Your Shell	84	(3)
Saving Time with Shell Scripts	87	(9)
Key Features of Shell Scripts	87	(1)
Launching External Programs	88	(2)
Using Variables	90	(1)
Using Conditional Expressions	90	(2)
Using if and case	92	(2)
Using Loops	94	(2)
Summary	96	(1)
Doing Real Work in Text Mode	97	(16)
Running Multiple Programs in Virtual Terminals	97	(1)
Mastering Important Linux Commands	98	(9)
Accessing Media: Filesystem Manipulation Tools	98	(1)
Accessing Files: File Manipulation Tools	99	(7)
Using System Information Tools	106	(1)
Managing the Text-Mode Environment	107	(4)
Using an Appropriate termcap or terminfo	107	(1)
Modifying Console Fonts	108	(3)
Using Color in Text Logins	111	(1)
Summary	111	(2)
Getting the Most from a Desktop Environment	113	(26)
Selecting an Appropriate Desktop Environment	114	(2)
Mastering KDE	116	(8)
An Overview of KDE Features	116	(2)
Managing Files with Konqueror	118	(1)
Changing KDE's MIME Type Mappings	118	(2)
Adding Programs to the Kicker	120	(1)
Setting a KDE Theme	121	(2)
Adjusting the Mouse and Keyboard	123	(1)
Some Important KDE Applications	124	(1)
Mastering GNOME	124	(8)
An Overview of GNOME Features	124	(2)
Managing Files with Nautilus	126	(1)
Changing GNOME's MIME Type Mappings	127	(1)
Adding Programs to GNOME's Panels	127	(1)
Setting a GNOME Theme	128	(1)
Adjusting the Mouse and Keyboard	129	(2)
Some Important GNOME Applications	131	(1)
Distribution-Specific Quirks	132	(1)
Creating a Desktop Environment That's Just Right	133	(5)
Selecting a Window Manager	133	(2)
Selecting a File Manager	135	(2)
Selecting Applications	137	(1)
Summary	138	(1)
Using Linux for Office Productivity	139	(16)
Selecting Appropriate Office Tools	139	(9)
Using OpenOffice.org	140	(2)
Using KOffice	142	(1)
Using GNOME Office	143	(2)
Using LaTeX	145	(2)
Using Emulators	147	(1)
Managing Fonts in Office Tools	148	(4)
Word Processor Font Issues	149	(1)
Adding Fonts to Word Processors	150	(1)
Ghostscript Font Management	151	(1)
Managing Printers in Office Tools	152	(2)
Mapping Linux Printer Queues to Printer Lists	153	(1)
Selecting a Printer Model	153	(1)
Summary	154	(1)
Miscellaneous User Tools	155	(26)
Working with Sound Files	155	(5)
Recording Sounds	155	(1)
Using GUI Sound Editors	156	(1)
Creating MP3 or Ogg Vorbis Files	157	(2)
Using a Multimedia Player	159	(1)
Using Digital Camera Tools	160	(4)
Picking a Digital Camera Package	160	(1)
Configuring gPhoto	161	(1)
Retrieving and Saving Photos	162	(1)
Manipulating Photos	163	(1)
Using the GIMP	164	(6)
Launching the GIMP	164	(1)
Loading Images	165	(1)
Painting with the GIMP	166	(1)
Working with Layers	167	(1)
Applying Filters	168	(1)
Saving Images	169	(1)
Optimizing Linux Web Browsers	170	(7)
Choosing a Web Browser	170	(1)
Improving Web Fonts	171	(1)
Protecting Your Privacy and Security	172	(5)
Choosing and Using Linux E-Mail Clients	177	(3)
Picking an E-Mail Reader	177	(1)
Configuring an E-Mail Client	178	(1)
Using and Abusing Attachments	179	(1)
Combining Many Mail Accounts: Fetchmail	180	(1)
Summary	180	(1)
Part III System Administration Tools	181	(200)
Bypassing Automatic Configurations to Gain Control	183	(20)
The Perils of Automatic Configurations	184	(3)
Incorrect Identification	184	(1)
Incorrect Configuration	185	(1)
Inflexible Options	186	(1)
Overzealous Configuration Tools	186	(1)
Automatic Setup Mechanisms by Distribution	187	(10)
Common Configuration Files	187	(3)
Debian	190	(2)
Mandrake	192	(1)
Red Hat	193	(2)
Slackware	195	(1)
SuSE	196	(1)
Implementing Manual Configurations	197	(5)
Scripts versus Configuration Files	197	(1)
Using Local Startup Scripts	198	(1)
Safely Changing Existing Configuration Files	199	(1)
Creating New Sys V Startup Scripts	199	(2)
Bypassing and Overriding Configuration Files	201	(1)
Creating User-Specific Configurations	201	(1)
Summary	202	(1)
Using Multiple OSs	203	(28)
Installation Tricks and Traps	203	(6)
Designing an Appropriate Partition Scheme	204	(2)
Modifying Existing Partitions	206	(2)
Installing OSs in the Best Order	208	(1)
Picking an OS to Boot: Boot Loaders	209	(6)
Picking the Right Boot Loader	210	(1)
Configuring GRUB	211	(2)
Configuring LILO	213	(2)
Exchanging Data via Foreign Filesystems	215	(5)
Choosing a Filesystem for Shared Data	215	(2)
Reading Non-Linux Filesystems in Linux	217	(2)
Reading Linux Filesystems in Other OSs	219	(1)
Exchanging Files: File Format Compatibility	220	(3)
Cross-Platform File Formats	221	(1)
Proprietary File Formats	222	(1)
Improving Your Productivity with Emulators	223	(6)
The Features and Limits of Emulation	223	(1)
Popular Emulators for Linux	224	(5)
Summary	229	(2)
Managing Packages	231	(18)
Basic Package Management Features	231	(1)
Avoiding Tedium with RPMs	232	(7)
Understanding the rpm Utility	232	(2)
Investigating a Package	234	(1)
Installing, Upgrading, and Removing Packages	235	(2)
Verifying Package Integrity	237	(1)
Using GUI RPM Tools	237	(1)
Rebuilding a Package	238	(1)
Avoiding Tedium with Debian Packages	239	(2)
Understanding the dpkg Utility	239	(1)
Understanding the dselect Utility	240	(1)
Using GUI Debian Package Tools	241	(1)
Converting Package Formats	241	(3)
Why Convert Package Formats?	242	(1)
Using alien	242	(2)
Automating Upgrades	244	(3)
Maintaining Debian with APT	244	(2)
Maintaining Red Hat with Update Agent	246	(1)
Maintaining SuSE with YaST	247	(1)
Summary	247	(2)
Filesystems and Files	249	(20)
Picking the Right Filesystem	249	(5)
Maximizing Filesystem Portability	250	(1)
Reducing Disk Check Times	250	(2)
Maximizing Disk Throughput	252	(1)
Minimizing Space Consumption	252	(1)
Supporting the Maximum Number of Files	253	(1)
Securing a Filesystem with ACLs	253	(1)
Optimizing Filesystems	254	(8)
Creating a Filesystem for Optimal Performance	254	(2)
Converting Ext2fs to Ext3fs	256	(1)
Defragmenting a Disk	257	(1)
Resizing Filesystems	257	(5)
Recovering from Filesystem Corruption	262	(2)
The Filesystem Check Process	262	(1)
Filesystem Check Options	263	(1)
Recovering Deleted Files	264	(4)
Trash Can Utilities	265	(1)
File Recovery Tools	266	(1)
Restoring Files from a Backup	266	(2)
Summary	268	(1)
Managing Printers	269	(16)
Choosing the Best Linux Printing System	269	(4)
When to Pick BSD LPD	270	(1)
When to Pick LPRng	271	(1)
When to Pick CUPS	272	(1)
Improving Ghostscript Output	273	(5)
Changing the Driver	274	(2)
Finding the Best Driver	276	(1)
Accessing Printer Options via Multiple Print Queues	277	(1)
Sharing Printers on a Network	278	(6)
Authorizing Remote Access to Printers	278	(4)
Simplifying Network Printing with CUPS	282	(1)
Accessing Non-Linux Printers	283	(1)
Summary	284	(1)
Programs and Processes	285	(16)
Understanding Relationships: The Linux Process Tree	285	(2)
The Parent/Child Relationship	285	(1)
Dealing with Orphans and Zombies	286	(1)
All You Ever Wanted to Know about Your Processes	287	(7)
Important ps Options	287	(4)
Using top	291	(2)
Obtaining Miscellaneous Information	293	(1)
GUI Process Management Tools	293	(1)
Improving Performance by Modifying Process Priorities	294	(3)
Starting Processes with nice	295	(1)
Using renice to Change Priorities	296	(1)
Killing Unwanted Processes	297	(3)
Basic Use of kill	297	(2)
Additional Process Termination Tools	299	(1)
Summary	300	(1)
Creating a Custom Kernel	301	(20)
Obtaining a Kernel	301	(3)
Kernel Configuration Tools	304	(3)
The 2.4.x Kernel Configuration Tools	304	(2)
The 2.5.x/2.6.x Kernel Configuration Tools	306	(1)
Duplicating an Old Configuration	307	(1)
An Overview of Kernel Options	307	(5)
Optimizing Kernel Performance	312	(4)
Selecting a CPU and Related Options	312	(2)
Removing Unnecessary Drivers	314	(1)
Tuning Device Driver Options	315	(1)
Compiling and Installing a Kernel	316	(4)
Building a Kernel	316	(2)
Building Kernel Modules	318	(1)
Installing a Kernel	318	(1)
Using a New Kernel	319	(1)
Summary	320	(1)
Optimizing X Configuration	321	(24)
The Structure of XF86Config	322	(3)
Global Sections	322	(1)
The Server Layout and Screen	323	(1)
Component Sections	324	(1)
Improving the Appearance of Fonts	325	(11)
The Importance of Font Implementations	325	(2)
Obtaining Third-Party Fonts	327	(1)
Traditional X Font Configuration	328	(2)
Serving Fonts to Many Computers	330	(1)
Using Font Smoothing	331	(5)
Using Card-Specific Optimizations	336	(3)
Using an X Configuration Tool	336	(1)
Using the Correct Video Driver	337	(1)
Using 3D Acceleration	338	(1)
Creating a Custom Video Mode	339	(5)
Why Create a Custom Video Mode?	340	(1)
Creating a Modeline	341	(2)
Using a Custom Modeline	343	(1)
Tweaking a Modeline	344	(1)
Summary	344	(1)
Protecting Your System with Backups	345	(16)
Picking the Right Backup Medium	345	(4)
Pros and Cons of Tape	346	(1)
Pros and Cons of Removable Disks	347	(1)
Pros and Cons of Optical Media	348	(1)
A Rundown of Backup Programs	349	(1)
Using tar's Features	350	(2)
Incremental Backups: Minimizing Backup Resources	352	(3)
Types of Incremental Backup	352	(1)
Creating a Backup Schedule	353	(1)
Creating Incremental Backups with tar	354	(1)
Emergency Restore Procedures	355	(5)
Types of Emergency Recovery System	356	(3)
Testing Emergency Recovery Systems	359	(1)
Summary	360	(1)
System Security	361	(20)
Methods of Attack	361	(7)
Social Engineering	362	(1)
Exploiting Buggy Software	363	(1)
Leveraging Break-Ins of Other Systems	364	(1)
Password Cracking	364	(1)
Scanners and Sniffers	365	(1)
Denial-of-Service	366	(1)
Physical Access	367	(1)
Choosing Good Passwords	368	(5)
Selecting a Solid Base	369	(1)
Modifying the Base	370	(1)
Protecting Passwords from Abuse	371	(2)
Removing Unnecessary Servers	373	(5)
Locating Unnecessary Servers	373	(3)
Hiding Servers from View	376	(1)
Shutting Down Servers	377	(1)
Uninstalling Servers	378	(1)
Keeping Software Up-to-Date	378	(2)
Summary	380	(1)
Part IV Networking Tools	381	(64)
Basic Network Configuration	383	(24)
Getting the Most from a Network Card	383	(3)
Picking an Appropriate Network Card	384	(1)
Telling Linux to Recognize Your Card	385	(1)
Checking Network Card Speed	385	(1)
TCP/IP Basics	386	(2)
DHCP: Promises and Perils	388	(3)
How DHCP Should Work	388	(1)
How DHCP Really Works	389	(1)
Tweaking DHCP Clients	390	(1)
Changing DHCP Clients	391	(1)
Using a Static IP Address	391	(4)
Files for Setting Network Options	392	(1)
Configuring Multiple NICs	393	(2)
Testing Network Performance	395	(7)
Testing Throughput	396	(2)
Checking Latencies	398	(1)
Locating Flaky Routers	399	(2)
Diagnosing DNS Problems	401	(1)
Optimizing Network Performance	402	(4)
Setting the MTU Size	403	(1)
Setting the Send and Receive Window Sizes	403	(2)
Running Servers Locally	405	(1)
Summary	406	(1)
Controlling Network Access	407	(22)
Methods of Keeping Out the Bad Guys	407	(3)
Running Only Necessary Servers	407	(1)
Keeping Servers Up-to-Date	408	(1)
Using Passwords on Servers	408	(1)
Limiting Outside Access to the Server	409	(1)
Limiting Server Access to the System	410	(1)
Blocking IP Addresses with a Firewall	410	(9)
Linux Firewall Tools	411	(1)
Basics of iptables	412	(1)
Restricting Access with iptables	413	(6)
Blocking IP Addresses with TCP Wrappers	419	(3)
Basics of TCP Wrappers	419	(1)
Restricting Access with TCP Wrappers	420	(2)
Enhanced xinetd Access Restrictions	422	(2)
xinetd in a Nutshell	422	(1)
Restricting Access with xinetd	423	(1)
Containing Access in a Jail	424	(4)
What Is a chroot Jail?	424	(1)
Setting Up a Jail Directory	425	(2)
Running Programs in the Jail	427	(1)
Summary	428	(1)
Detecting Intruders	429	(16)
Noticing Suspicious Events	429	(3)
Odd System Behavior	429	(2)
Unusual Files or File Contents	431	(1)
User Complaints	432	(1)
Monitoring for Intrusion with Tripwire	432	(9)
Tripwire: Detecting Modified Files	432	(1)
Configuring Tripwire	433	(4)
Verifying System Integrity with Tripwire	437	(2)
Modifying the Tripwire Configuration	439	(2)
Looking for Root Kits with chkrootkit	441	(1)
What to Do in the Event of a Breach	441	(2)
Summary	443	(2)
Part V Server Tools	445	(150)
Running Servers	447	(18)
Demystifying SysV Startup Scripts	447	(8)
SysV Startup Script Locations and Names	447	(2)
Starting and Stopping Servers	449	(2)
Using Distribution-Specific Tools	451	(4)
Running Small Servers Optimally with Super Servers	455	(6)
Why Use a Super Server?	456	(1)
Using inetd	457	(2)
Using xinetd	459	(2)
When All Else Fails: Local Startup Scripts	461	(1)
Deciding Which Method to Use	462	(1)
Summary	463	(2)
Getting More from a Web Server	465	(22)
Web Server Choices for Performance and Security	465	(2)
Apache Configuration File Basics	467	(1)
Common Apache Configuration Tweaks	468	(5)
Setting the Apache User and Group	468	(1)
Changing Web Page Locations	469	(2)
Serving Virtual Domains	471	(2)
Serving Dynamic Content with CGI Scripts	473	(4)
Types of Dynamic Content	474	(1)
Telling Apache to Serve CGI Scripts	474	(2)
Creating CGI Scripts	476	(1)
CGI Scripting Perils	476	(1)
Serving Secure Content	477	(4)
Why Serve Secure Content?	477	(2)
Installing Secure Apache	479	(1)
Obtaining or Creating a Certificate	479	(1)
Changing the Apache Configuration	480	(1)
Designing Web Pages	481	(4)
Using an HTML Editor	481	(2)
Creating HTML by Hand	483	(1)
Testing Web Pages	484	(1)
Summary	485	(2)
Serving Files	487	(22)
FTP: Delivering Files to Any Client OS	488	(4)
Choosing the Right FTP Server	488	(1)
ProFTPd Configuration	489	(2)
vsftpd Configuration	491	(1)
NFS: Sharing with Linux or Unix	492	(5)
NFS Kernel and Package Options	493	(1)
Setting Up Exports	494	(2)
Mounting NFS Exports	496	(1)
Samba: Sharing with Windows	497	(9)
Installing Samba Packages	498	(2)
Setting Global Samba Options	500	(3)
Creating File Shares	503	(2)
Creating Printer Shares	505	(1)
File Serving Security Concerns	506	(1)
Summary	507	(2)
Delivering E-Mail	509	(36)
Understanding Mail Protocols	510	(1)
Configuring a Domain to Accept Mail	510	(1)
Picking the Right Mail Server	511	(2)
Running Sendmail	513	(5)
Sendmail Configuration Files	513	(1)
Configuring the Hostname	514	(1)
Accepting Incoming Mail	515	(1)
Sendmail Relay Configuration Options	516	(2)
Running Postfix	518	(4)
Configuring the Hostname	518	(2)
Accepting Incoming Mail	520	(1)
Postfix Relay Configuration Options	520	(2)
Running Exim	522	(2)
Configuring the Hostname	522	(1)
Accepting Incoming Mail	522	(1)
Exim Relay Configuration Options	523	(1)
Delivering Mail to Clients with POP or IMAP	524	(5)
Choosing the Right POP or IMAP Server	524	(3)
Installing UW IMAP	527	(2)
Stopping the Junk Mail	529	(8)
Stopping Incoming Spam	529	(6)
Stopping Outgoing Spam	535	(2)
Using Fetchmail	537	(6)
Setting Global Fetchmail Options	538	(1)
Configuring an Account	539	(1)
Creating a Complete Configuration File	540	(2)
Running Fetchmail Automatically	542	(1)
Summary	543	(2)
Providing Remote Login Access	545	(26)
Providing Text-Mode Remote Access	545	(7)
Using SSH	546	(5)
Using Telnet	551	(1)
Providing GUI Remote Access	552	(17)
Basic X Remote Logins	553	(2)
Using X via an XDMCP Server	555	(6)
Basic VNC Logins	561	(4)
Linking VNC to XDMCP	565	(2)
Tunneling GUI Logins through SSH	567	(2)
Preventing Remote-Access Security Problems	569	(1)
Summary	570	(1)
Miscellaneous Servers	571	(24)
Configuring a Network's IP Addresses with DHCP	571	(9)
When to Use DHCP	572	(1)
Basic DHCP Installation	573	(1)
Setting Network-Wide Options	574	(2)
Configuring Delivery of Dynamic Addresses	576	(1)
Configuring Delivery of Fixed Addresses	577	(3)
Providing Hostnames with a DNS Server	580	(8)
Basic BIND Installation	580	(1)
Configuring a Forwarding-Only Server	581	(1)
Adding a Local Domain	582	(6)
Keeping Clocks Synchronized with a Time Server	588	(6)
Installing a Time Server	589	(1)
Pointing to an External Time Source	589	(4)
Setting Up NTP Clients	593	(1)
Summary	594	(1)
Glossary	595	(18)
Index	613