From: Digestifier To: Linux-Admin@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu Reply-To: Linux-Admin@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 23:24:52 EDT Subject: Linux-Admin Digest #81 Linux-Admin Digest #81, Volume #1 Tue, 28 Sep 93 23:24:52 EDT Contents: Re: Bootdisk made by SLS install hangs during boot (Laurent Duperval) Re: security and Linux binaries (Bill Bogstad) [Q] rebuilding the kerenl (Jim Dodd) Not bashing Slackware (was Re: [Not] enough SLS bashing) (Jerry Gaiser) Re: PC for linux (Philippe Steindl) Cannot load font error message (John Fauerbach) Re: Cannot load font error message (Jeremy Bettis) Re: security and Linux binaries (Jacques Gelinas) Re: 3.5 boot floppies. Not really Re: [Not] enough SLS bashing anymore (Markus Nolte) Re: Linux Administration books (Mark A. Horton) Re: [Q]: How do I make SLIP connection with BOOTP under linux (Charles Hedrick) Want to Buy Linux on 3.5 disks (SLS version)? (Rakesh Narasimhan) Re: Bootdisk made by SLS install hangs during boot (robert balkenhol) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux.help From: duperval@IRO.UMontreal.CA (Laurent Duperval) Subject: Re: Bootdisk made by SLS install hangs during boot Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 12:11:22 GMT Wolfgang.Roth@graphics.ap.mchp.sni.de wrote: -> In article cornell@syl.dl.nec.com writes: -> >SLS version: 1.03 -> >Machine1: NEC Powermate 386 -> >Machine2: Amax PC/386 -> > -> >I've installed the SLS v.1.03 release on three machines. The two -> >listed above had the same trouble after installing, making a -> >bootdisk, and trying to boot from that bootdisk. -> I have the same problems on 3 machines (2*486 and 1*386) when I -> tried to boot from the original 3,5" bootdisk in driva A. The -> loading stops after the message "Detecting soundcard: AdLib -> (type 3)". I have no soundcards installed. I had the same problem. I circumvented (sp?) it by booting at low speed. It worked fine then, but I can't explain it. After I installed everything and had my own boot floppy, I was again able to boot at high speed. Go figure. ------------------------------ From: bogstad@blaze.cs.jhu.edu (Bill Bogstad) Subject: Re: security and Linux binaries Date: 28 Sep 1993 13:23:32 -0400 In article <1993Sep24.121238.6625@black.ox.ac.uk>, Malcolm Beattie wrote: >In article bogstad@blaze.cs.jhu.edu (Bill Bogstad) writes: >>[I (Bill Bogstad) suggested using checksums to improve the security of >> binary distributions.] > >Even better would be for the author or otherwise trusted person >to make a list of checksums of the files in a package and then >sign that list with PGP. That way, provided the checksum method >is strong (and the checksums match :-) you can trust the package >as much as you trust the author (or whoever PGP-signed the list). I thought about suggesting this, but didn't. The simple reason is that the legality of PGP use (at least in the USA) is still under question. I personally hope (pray) that public key cryptography will become widely and cheaply available with no restrictions; but I don't want the Linux community to establish a "standard" distribution mechanism that requires this to happen. Maybe the patent holders in the USA (PKP?) won't come after individuals that infringe; but if I was a commercial distributer of Linux systems (SLS, Slackware, etc.) I don't think I would want to "bet my business" on this. If these distributers don't use whatever "standard" mechanism we come up with then we may not be able to generate sufficient momentum to make it happen. Of course, maybe they are willing to take that risk (or in some cases aren't based in the USA and may not be at risk). Still I think this issue is worth considering. Bill Bogstad bogstad@cs.jhu.edu ------------------------------ From: jimd@netcom.com (Jim Dodd) Subject: [Q] rebuilding the kerenl Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 16:41:56 GMT I'm curious why _ALL_ modules must be recompiled when any options are reconfigured for the kernel? The primary reason for using make it so only modules with changes need to be recompiled. By having all modules recompiled it takes hours instead of minutes to do this job. I do understand the the config process requires that the dependences need to be recheck on _ALL_ modules. But, why has the process been set so that _ALL_ dependencies are updated, instead of just where there have been changes? I am a person who _LIKES_ to waste time. But I prefer to be able to choose my vices. And, waiting for the kernel to compile is not one of my choices, expecially considering I wish to tinker after I get my system setup the way I want it. Color me curious! Jim Dodd jimd@netcom.com -- Jim Dodd email: jimd@netcom.com ------------------------------ From: jerryg@jaiser.rain.com (Jerry Gaiser) Subject: Not bashing Slackware (was Re: [Not] enough SLS bashing) Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 08:07:19 PST Reply-To: jerryg@jaiser.rain.com (Jerry Gaiser) bf703@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Patrick J. Volkerding) writes: > > Look, I ignored it the first time, but now you've gone and posted for > the second time that I need to support a 5 1/4 boot disk, when at the > time of both posts you'd have seen that I *do*, if you'd bothered to go > to ftp.cdrom.com and LOOK. Maybe you should try this next time before > you post, OK? > Since I seem to have started this, I now need to say that I have gotten a copy of the Slackware release along with the 5 1/4" boot disks. This installation (except for some problems with LILO) went smoothly and I will continue to use Slackware for my upgrading. -- Jerry Gaiser (jerryg@jaiser.rain.com) (voice) 503-359-4017 Fidonet 1:105/380 (bbs) 503-359-5111 Inritum est qua legibus prohibitum est ------------------------------ From: ilg@imp.ch (Philippe Steindl) Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.help,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux Subject: Re: PC for linux Date: 28 Sep 1993 19:49:49 +0200 Hello, well, what follows is my opinion and not an order :-) Oki, there are some things that this PC *must* be: - It must have a processor 386sx/16 or higher (intel, amd .. whatever) - I think you must have at least 2 MB RAM - A Harddisk bigger than 20 MB (for basic systems) You will not get very far with these minimum requirements. I would suggest you get a 486dx or dx2. A 386 can do it, too, but as you will need to compile a lot with linux (kernel updates all the time), you better go for a 486, since 386 are not much cheaper. For memory: get 8 MB if you will not use X windows and 16 MB if you want to. You can run X with 8 MB (even with 4 I heard), but it won't be very pleasant. Harddisk: get at least a 245 MB drive, IDE or SCSI. Get SCSI if you want to use several disks, cdroms, scsi tapes or if you simply want to ensure you can move the HardDisk when switching to another computer system (which will support scsi for most cases). Note: IDE drives are not slower than scsi ones (well, depends on what model of course). Monitor: get at least a 15" model .. I would go for a 17" monitor, which is ideal for 1024x768. The video card: get an accelerated one. Linux runs with most cards, X with many. I would suggest an S3 chip based cards, since they offer good speed at good prices. Avoid diamond cards (well, not all are bad, but you won't get into trouble hopefully without a diamond card). Especially don't buy a viper: this one is fast, but will maybe never get drivers in Xwindows. I'm using an orchid VA vlb, and it gives me great speed under Xwin (there are a *lot* of other nice S3 cards, the best are the S3 928 based ones). Floppy drives: at least a 3.5" drive. Buy a 5.25 drive only if you need compatibility to your friends 5.25" disks or similar. Then, get a mouse (needed for Xwin or selection, a cut'n'paste "driver" for terminal use). Linux supports many mice, even bus mice. Note that I didn't cite a minimal konfiguration, but with this system you will have no problems originating from hardware. An estimated price would be ranging from 2000 to 3000 US$, you may even find it for less (also for mor :)). If you need more details, send me a mail or ask people on #linux in IRC. Hope I helped you a bit. Philippe PS: I would not buy anything less than the above :) It's more expensive at the start, but you won't regret it. ------------------------------ From: fauerbac@clyde.cs.unca.edu (John Fauerbach) Subject: Cannot load font error message Date: 28 Sep 1993 18:52:39 GMT When I try to run several differnt X programs, I keep getting simular error message: XView warning: Cannot load font '-b&h-lucida-medium-r-*-*-*-120-*-*-*-*-*-*' (Font package) XView warning: Cannot load font '-b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-*-120-*-*-*-*-*-*' (Font package) I have loaded all the fonts I can find. When I do a xlsfonts I get: (partial listing) -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-0-0-75-75-p-0-iso8859-1 -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-10-100-75-75-p-58-iso8859-1 -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-12-120-75-75-p-71-iso8859-1 -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-14-140-75-75-p-81-iso8859-1 -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-18-180-75-75-p-106-iso8859-1 -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-19-190-75-75-p-108-iso8859-1 -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-24-240-75-75-p-136-iso8859-1 -b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-8-80-75-75-p-45-iso8859-1 In my Xconfig I have: FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/misc/" What am i doing wrong or missing? Thanks for any help. John Fauerbach ------------------------------ From: jbettis@cse.unl.edu (Jeremy Bettis) Subject: Re: Cannot load font error message Date: 28 Sep 1993 19:52:23 GMT fauerbac@clyde.cs.unca.edu (John Fauerbach) writes: >When I try to run several differnt X programs, I keep getting simular error >message: >XView warning: Cannot load font '-b&h-lucida-medium-r-*-*-*-120-*-*-*-*-*-*' (Font package) >XView warning: Cannot load font '-b&h-lucida-medium-r-normal-sans-*-120-*-*-*-*-*-*' (Font package) >I have loaded all the fonts I can find. When I do a xlsfonts I get: Run the command mkfontdir /usr/X386/lib/X11/fonts/* that will create the lookup database for your fonts. -- Jeremy Bettis -*- Jerbo Jehoshaphat -*- University of Nebraska INET: jbettis@cse.unl.edu "Those who stand in the middle of the UUCP: jerbo@tddi.UUCP road are often hit by passing cars." Running Linux .99p11 Free Unix for i386/i486 machines. Ask me how. ------------------------------ From: jack@solucorp.qc.ca (Jacques Gelinas) Subject: Re: security and Linux binaries Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 16:07:07 GMT jem@sunSITE.unc.edu (Jonathan Magid) writes: >In article <27q3rk$99l@osshe.edu>, John Ritchie wrote: >> >>source-code freely available. If you can't find source code for >>something to inspect and compile yourself, realize that you're taking >>an increased risk by using that package. For example, users of >>"termtelnet," to name one, should think about the fact that this is a >>program for which we can't find the source code (I, and several other >>posters on comp.os.linux.help), that may pose a serious security risk >>(do we know everything that happens when we answer the "Password:" >>prompt?). >Your point is well taken- the only true security is intimacy with the source >code (just a casual glance won't do), but for cases like the above, the strace >tool can provide some level of assurance. Strace(1) gives a listing of all >the system calls used by a binary- run it on suspicious binaries to find >out what is going on. >jem. If I was to upload a BAD program somewhere, I don't think any one would catch the hidden feature, be it in source or binary form. Those who think so are dreaming. Currently the MSDOS world is taken by storm by all kind of virus (It is a way of life these days). Don't believe that a BAD program will show its bad side within five minutes. It may be months. And it may even do its hidden things randomly once in a while. And of course, do not believe that the BAD part of the program will be surrounded with lots of comments in the source code. With clever use of the C preprocessor, one can hide bad code to even to most talented programmer. Hidding bad code in 10000 lines is very easy. (Especially when all is BAD spaghetti code :-) ) On the other hand, if I was to create such a Bad program, I would look for something else than a FTP site, simply because there is too much chance someone track me as the author. And if I am not the author, I won't put my name on a package by uploading it to a FTP site (unless I know the author and I know why he can't do it himself). One thing the FTP site should do, is put (make sure) the email adresse and name of the uploader with each package. The is normally done by uploader. At US4BINR (archive for SVR4 Binaries), I do a two way communication. Each uploader must send me email to upload. I then respond with a positive or negative answer (if the package is already available). The uploader then send the bits in. With this kind a trafics, there is simply to much risk for a BAD guy. Comments welcome!! -- ======================================================== Jacques Gelinas (jacques@solucorp.qc.ca) Maintainer of US4BINR jacques@us4binr.login.qc.ca ------------------------------ From: taifun@tcshb1.north.de (Markus Nolte) Subject: Re: 3.5 boot floppies. Not really Re: [Not] enough SLS bashing anymore Date: 26 Sep 93 19:39:20 GMT Hi ! Well - here is my solution to install the slackware dist. without an 3.5" disc. There is a tool for MS-DOS called "fdformat" and "fdread" It must be available on many ftp-sites. This tool allows you to format 5.25" discs with more capacity and with "FDFORMAT A: /F144" you can format your 5.25" floppy like a 3.5" floppy. (you must have installed the fdread-driver before, of course) Then you are able to use "RAWRITE" to make your slackware bootdisk. Now you have to "FDFORMAT" the other disks up to 1.44 MB and write the slackware stuff on them. Finaly you have to reboot your computer and run the setup program to tell him that your 5.25" drive is an 1.44 drive - and SURPRISE : YOU ARE ABLE TO BOOT AND INSTALL THE SLACKWARE RELEASE WITH THE 5.25" FLOPPY !! At leaset that works for me (386/40 with AMI-BIOS) bye, Markus -- ======== "More systems have been wiped out by admins than any hacker could do in a lifetime" (Rick Furniss) ------------------------------ From: mahmha@crl.com (Mark A. Horton) Subject: Re: Linux Administration books Date: 28 Sep 1993 14:02:13 -0700 Robert Stockmann (stock@dutsh7.tudelft.nl) wrote: : cubranic@whale.st.usm.edu (Davor Cubranic) writes: : >Well, here is the problem: which one of these is more applicable to : >Linux administration since it is neither/both BSD and SVR4?? Or maybe : >some of you have some other personal favorite that you could recommend to : >me? BTW, I've got the SAG ALPHA 1, and it is really ALPHA. I definitely : >need some other book in addition to it. : A Good book is: : "Unix System administration handbook" by Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder and Scott : Seebass. Prentice Hall , Englewood Cliffs, 1989 : ISBN 0-13-933441-6 : Robert Stockmann I have found "Essential System Administration" by Aeleen Frisch. O'Reilly & Associates, Sebastopol, 1993 ISBN 0-937175-80-3 to be very helpful in this area. Lars' SAG seems to be progressing along the same vein as the other books in the Linux Documentation Project, which is to say "most excellent" and will undoubtedly, like the others, far outstrip anything else on the market in terms of readability, accuracy, detailed analysis, and real-life applicability. But, as Lars makes very clear, it is still in ALPHA release. Thus, for the interim, I have found the aforementioned book to be most useful in that it presents many variants of *nixen, from SVR4 to BSD, to SunOs , Xenix, and even "also"-ix from a certain vendor based in New York! Since Linux has taken the best from SVR4 and BSD as well as blazed some new ground, this is a good place to start, in my opinion. - Mark -- ================================================================================ Mark A. Horton | Email: mah@ka4ybr.com (or here) Mark Horton Associates | Voice: +1 (404) 371 0291 (office) Strategic Planning | Fax: +1 (404) 371 0291 (office) Performance Tuning | Data: +1 (404) 378 7046 (Linux bbs) "The opinions expressed here | Snail: P.O.Box 747, Decatur, GA US 30031-0747 DO represent those of myself." | ICBM: 33 45 N / 084 16 W | Cruise: 33 45 30 N / 084 16 50 W ================================================================================ "We may note that, for the purposes of these experiments, the symbol "=" has the meaning "may be confused with." ================================================================================ ------------------------------ From: hedrick@geneva.rutgers.edu (Charles Hedrick) Subject: Re: [Q]: How do I make SLIP connection with BOOTP under linux Date: 29 Sep 93 00:41:22 GMT ytchang@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Yi-Tsun Chang) writes: > Here is the problem : I trid to use SLIP of my linux box to connect to >the SLIP server of my school. After the connection, and entering the server's >SLIP mode, the server only gives me my ip number but NO server's IP. Therefore, >I can not use 'remote' in dip to set the remote's ip. This SLIP connection >works well under DOS using NCSA telnet with BOOTP. How do I make a SLIP >connection with BOOTP under linux. >Thanks in advance. In typical end-user configurations, the address doesn't matter, as long as it's on the right network. As a hack, try adding one to your IP address and using that as the server's address. (Technically this is buggy, since it will fail if you end up with x.x.x.254, but it's probably good enough. At many sites, another reasonable approach would be to remove the last octet of your address and replace it with 1. That's probably easier to implement in a script.) What I do is run KA9Q and have it do bootp. It prints out both my address and the server's address. Setting up KA9Q is probably more than you want to go through just to get the server address right, but it will work. I've got the right version of KA9Q (I made a slight change to get it to print both addresses) and the script (startnet) on athos:/pub/linux. But I think that's more trouble than it's worth. ------------------------------ From: rakesh@sun490.fdu.edu (Rakesh Narasimhan) Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.help,comp.os.linux.misc Subject: Want to Buy Linux on 3.5 disks (SLS version)? Date: 29 Sep 93 02:01:54 GMT Hi nettors, I am interested in installing Linux on a 386/486 machine with 4-8 MB ram and about 340 MB HD. I used to follow this newsgroup and it has been quite a while since I have read any items in these groups. I understand that the SLS version is available on 3.5 disks. If so could one of you send me an email about procuring it. I need all the utils including X, gcc, all tools, sources etc etc. There was some DOCUMENTATION effort goiong on in Linux. Has that group produced the results of that effort i.e. The "LINUX BIBLE". Answers to the abopve questions are appreciated. Thanks in advance. -rakesh@sun490.fdu.edu ------------------------------ From: rbalkenh@sookit (robert balkenhol) Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux.help Subject: Re: Bootdisk made by SLS install hangs during boot Date: 29 Sep 1993 03:00:58 GMT Reply-To: rbalkenh@sookit.jpl.nasa.gov Laurent Duperval (duperval@IRO.UMontreal.CA) wrote: : Wolfgang.Roth@graphics.ap.mchp.sni.de wrote: : -> In article cornell@syl.dl.nec.com writes: : -> >SLS version: 1.03 : -> >Machine1: NEC Powermate 386 : -> >Machine2: Amax PC/386 : -> > : -> >I've installed the SLS v.1.03 release on three machines. The two : -> >listed above had the same trouble after installing, making a : -> >bootdisk, and trying to boot from that bootdisk. : -> I have the same problems on 3 machines (2*486 and 1*386) when I : -> tried to boot from the original 3,5" bootdisk in driva A. The : -> loading stops after the message "Detecting soundcard: AdLib : -> (type 3)". I have no soundcards installed. : I had the same problem. I circumvented (sp?) it by booting at low speed. It : worked fine then, but I can't explain it. After I installed everything and : had my own boot floppy, I was again able to boot at high speed. Go figure. I too had a problem on two machines dying at the adlib sound card message. One was an AST 486 with all of the standard I/O on the mother board plus a novell ne2000 card. The other was a no-name black box 40 mhz 386 with an adaptec scsi card and a _novell_ne200_card_. NONE of the adresses or irq's appeared to conflict. I solved my problem by changeing the novell card to use 300h and irq5, (supposedly a non-standard setting, but it works). The troubleshooting was vexing..different kernels..6 mchines...differnent versions...screw with the hardware jumpers...sleep at last! -- *************************** Robert Balkenhol Jet Propulsion Laboratory Disclaimer:ispeakforonlyme! ------------------------------ ** FOR YOUR REFERENCE ** The service address, to which questions about the list itself and requests to be added to or deleted from it should be directed, is: Internet: Linux-Admin-Request@NEWS-DIGESTS.MIT.EDU You can send mail to the entire list (and comp.os.linux.admin) via: Internet: Linux-Admin@NEWS-DIGESTS.MIT.EDU Linux may be obtained via one of these FTP sites: nic.funet.fi pub/OS/Linux tsx-11.mit.edu pub/linux sunsite.unc.edu pub/Linux End of Linux-Admin Digest ******************************