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The article offers tips on how to control file permission with Linux access control lists. The advantages of such access control lists to computer users are identified. It examines a Web site directory wherein all files will inherit access control lists. It also offers information on the configuration of the filesystem to enable access control lists to work in Linux.

The article provides information on the Systems Management Task Architecture for Server Hardware (SMASH) protocol offered by Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) to simplify the methods of managing the hardware. SMASH protocol helps the system administrators to take control of the computer server at the hardware level, regardless on the network's location and hardware vendor. It was stated that the protocol would address the need of bringing order the complexity of server management environment. In addition, it helps the business reduce the total cost of server management by providing them the access to critical system information at the hardware level.

This article evaluates the Sun Fire V40z processors from Sun Microsystems. Sun has a complete line of x86 servers, but its addition to the lineup, the Sun Fire V40z, sports AMD Opteron 800 Series processors. The V40z can be delivered with a two- or four-way configuration and up to 32 gigabyte of random access memory. The 3U device offers up to six UltraSCSI 320-MBps drives, or five drives and a combo slim-line DVD and 3.5-inch floppy drive. The V40z tested at the Syracuse University Real-World Labs® was a four-way server with Opteron 848 2.2-GHz processors. Only standby power was required to boot up the onboard management software and set the server's 14 hot-swappable fans in motion. Although 14 fans seem like a lot, the server draws only 10 amps of power, making rack-to-rack replacements a viable option. The AMD Opteron processors' onboard memory controllers reduced latency and pooled resources for all processors into a single memory space. Using the three 6.4-GBps HyperTransport links, Sun ensures that the V40z memory and processing power are available whenever one needs them. Make no mistake, the machine is fast. Sun not only supports the hardware, but also will answer questions regarding the operating system. The V40z comes with a three-year warranty.

This article provides information on the TrueSight TS-1000 Real Transaction Monitor from Coradiant. The device gives real-time view of the end user experience without throwing extra traffic at the Web application servers. Built on Gentoo Linux, the device is easy to set up. The initial configuration must be done from a serial connection. From there, the user can create a security-officer account and set up network parameters. Traffic capture is off by default. Once traffic capture began, it took about 60 seconds for the device to classify data and show it on the front page. Because of its location on the network, TrueSight watched both inbound and outbound traffic. Its value comes from its watchpoints, perspectives built from data taken by watching the network from the tap and resembling each user transaction. Users can choose from about a dozen preconfigured watchpoints or create their own. Like other network monitoring device, TrueSight must first decrypt the Security Sockets Layer Web traffic users want to analyze. They must give the device the private key of the Web server generating the traffic. One loaded into the device's one-way encrypted jail, the key cannot be viewed. Only a designated security officer can manage or remove it.