System
Software Support Scheme for Red Hat Linux on PCs
By
John Chan
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Although
Linux has not been taken up as a work desk environment in
the desktop world like the Windows operating systems from
Microsoft, Linux machines have already been widely deployed
for various academic activities over the years. However, with
the increasing number of these machines, security management
has become a major issue for some departments especially those
that do not have technical staff for providing the support.
As a matter of fact, several cases have occurred in which
a number of these machines have been attacked by Internet
hackers. As a result, services provided by these machines
were unfortunately disrupted. Worst of all, they were exploited
by those hackers as a stepping-stone to attack other systems
on the Internet.
From our recent
survey, over 80% of the Linux systems within campus are Red Hat
Linux. In this regard, the Computing Services Centre (CSC) is
pleased to offer a campus-wide Linux system software support to
all departments, starting from 1st April 2003. This support scheme
will cover all Red Hat Linux machines that are connected to the
Campus Network of CityU (CTNET), and will mainly provide security
assessments, security patches application, and the installation
of security tools on these machines. Other services such as the
installation and upgrades of the Red Hat Linux will also be offered.
To enjoy the
service, our Linux support team will visit each department to
do an inventory check and registration on all the Red Hat Linux
machines. Once registered, all of the above services will be provided
free to the owner of these machines. However, since there are
quite a number of Linux machines installed on campus, it might
take some time before each of them can be attended. Our support
team will contact each department beforehand to make the necessary
arrangements. The department's cooperation in this respect is
much appreciated. As new machines are added over time, the owners
of them are requested to notify the CSC by submitting a normal
CSC Work Request and the same registration process will be conducted.
It is important
to note that only registered machines installed in departments
will be covered. Since our prime purpose is to protect the security
of the campus network, the service offered is therefore a basic
system support chiefly concentrated on security protection. Thus,
software and upgrade licenses, comprehensive software support
and hardware maintenance of the machines are outside the scope
of the scheme, and departments are advised to join other services
at their own expenses if they want to have more comprehensive
technical support coverage.
Users can
submit a CSC Work Request to request for the services covered
in the scheme mentioned above on any registered machines at any
time during the year. All requests will be guaranteed to be entertained
promptly on a first-come-first-served basis.
Relating to our effort to support Linux, Teaching Studio Kaff
(inside the CSC Student Terminal Area) will be set up with Red
Hat Linux. Starting mid-April 2003, users may book the teaching
studio for teaching which requires a Linux environment. Users
may also be aware that CSC Forums about Linux, staff courses on
Linux system administration and general courses on the use of
Linux have been organised to supplement the support scheme. Users
are welcome to suggest any Linux-related topics for future CSC
forums or even recommend additional topics to be covered in the
Linux courses offered by the CSC.
