Regular Computer Tasks

Last updated on 15th April 2005 by Buz Barstow.

Bigsis

• Check and empty logs (Manage> View System Logs)
• Check virus software running and up to date (think you must be logged in
• as admin for this to work.
• Check \\Bigsis\People is backed up once a week to local hard-drive via
• System_Backup utility.
• Apply security upgrades and service packs. Be careful to make sure that updates don't switch on unwanted services.
• Check quota levels on RAID array.
• Check RAID array disks are fine.
• Check battery status of UPS.
• Sporadically run disk checker/defrag on various volumes.
• Reboot once a month to avoid hassles.

Bigbro

• Check mail log, messages log for errors in postfix and imap.
• Skim through emails about SSH requests.
• Check \var\log\apache on Bigbro and ensure rsync script is functioning to keep web page synchronized.
• Check back scripts (/usr/local/sbin/) are keeping Bigbro archived on
• second hard-drive and BIGSIS.
• Check disk usage to ensure partitions aren?t full.
• Run lsof to find open ports.

Brachyura

• Check firewall logsurf report.
• Check logs by hand to ensure dhcp and firewall script are behaving.
• Use ntop to examine data flow on network.

Remote

• Check logs with particular emphasis on external IP requests for nfs,
• samba, ssh, etc.
• Check backup scripts are working.
• Check samba, nfs, etc. are running.
• Check for free disk space.
• Know how to restart Matlab License server.

Metaprint

• Check printer logs periodically.

All Linux Boxes

• Check security logs looking for unusual access requests.
• Upgrade SuSE packages according to security advisories.
• Make tar of essential settings (/etc + /usr/local/sbin + ...) and store somewhere handy!

General Tasks

• Archive \\Bigsis\People, \\Bigbro\Email, \\Remote\home, \\Literature and \\Web_Pages to DVD once very 3 months
• Keep supply of disks, cables, DVDs
• Ensure all new equipment/software is filed correctly so it is easy to access.

Be Prepared to

• Set up general Linux account.
• Set up saslpassword for new user on BIGBRO.
• Set up new accounts on BIGSIS.
• Change file permissions on folders on RAID array.
• Fix Valorie's mount to BIGSIS going through the firewall (nb. She goes to M: --> 128.253.36.14\Literature N: 128.253.36.14\People. The permissions are on the firewall to let Sol and her through.)
• Use system disk utilities on Win2000 to keep BIGSIS healthy.
• Talk to the RAID Array via HyperTerm.
• Check through mail logs on bigbro to track messages.
• Restart the mail daemon.
• Run the web sync script by hand.
• Restart matlab license server.
• Turn on/off the ftp daemon.
• Move files from Linux to NTFS and back.
• Diagnose worries and restart DHCP server.
• Restart the Firewall.
• Diagnose worries and restart CUPS.
• Update the Matlab license once a year.
• Add a new computer to the dhcp server's config file.