One of the things that has already frustrated me the most about Linux is the design of the networking subsystem -- at least from the point of view of a system administrator. The Linux 'ifconfig' command is crippled; it doesn't allow one to set such common options as speed or duplex (and one has to rely on the wireless-tools package for controlling wireless interfaces). Userspace programs don't respond to changes in carrier status -- so laptops never aquire a new dhcp lease when plugged into a new network without manual intervention.
Do you see any of this changing in the near future? Obviously the new hotplug system offers a clean solution to the carrier change issue, if only network drivers would take advantage of it. Will we ever be bale to do something like "ifconfig eth0 ssid 'mynetwork' station 'foo'"? And what about the seldom-used 'ip' command -- where does it fit into things these days?
I'd like to second Mr. Phillip's experience. In my last job we purchased some VA equipment and were largely disappointed in the hardware. When we ran into problems with it, we were even more disappointed with the support.
When we decided we want to purchase some upgrades (new raid chassis and disks), we found the experience even worse, as we encountered delays, misinformation, and the sort of runaround that makes it clear how much VA values their customers.
My recommendation is to go with a major vendor such as Compaq, HP, etc. The equipment you get may cost a bit more, but it will also be of far higher quality. And it will still run Linux.
There have been a few questions posted so far, and not a whole lot of answers, so here's my humble attempt.
(1) What is auditing?
"Auditing", in this context, is the process of keeping detailed records of system activity. This can be as simple as recording when people log in and logout, or as involved as keeping a record of every single command line run by every user.
(2) What is C2 level auditing?
The DoD defines a number of classificating that have to do with the security of a computer system. Each level has specific requirements that must be met (and, in fact, even if a system meets those requirements it still needs to be officially certified).
The C2 security level is (he said unauthoritatively) the minimum classification defined by the DoD (followed by B1, B2, B3, and A1). This defines a number of specific events (and information for each event) that must be audited.
You can find a list of auditing requirements for all the above security levels by reading A Guide to Understand Audit in Trusted Systems, published by the National Computer Security Center. --
Okay, after further investigation, I see the difference -- but then, Gnutella really *isn't* an open-source Napster clone; it's something else (possibly, as the Wired article suggest, more like FreeNet than Napster).
Maybe I missed similar comments in the original story, but why is the release of an "open-source Napster clone" worth an entry in slashdot? After all, there's already an open-source Napster clone that's been in development since January, probably earlier:
http://opennap.sourceforge.net/
I don't know how robust it is -- but then, I don't know how robust Gnutella is, either.
And heck, if you're looking for an open source Napster client, there are zillions.
I read the newspaper every morning. It's a heck of a lot easier on my eyes than staring at a computer monitor for extended periods (I print out source code for the same reason). While the navigation interface is perhaps less than ideal, it's got several advantages...
I can read it at the kitchen table, and I don't have to worry about dropping it, spilling coffee on it, picking it up with greasy fingers, or anything else. If I really ruin it, I'm out about maybe $0.50. I don't have to make sure it's plugged in, and I never have to replace batteries.
Even a cheap LCD-tablet isn't going to be able to compete. Electronics are fragile -- they don't like being dropped or immersed in water for cleaning. They're expensive; if I set a hot pot down on one and melt the screen, I've just lost a chunk of money.
I don't see newspapers -- or print media in general -- going away anytime soon. We'll need to see major advances in technology before any electronic device is robust enough that it can replace a book, a newspaper, or even a simple sprial-bound notebook.
As people have mentioned, for all its features (well, *because* of all its features:), Linux does not appear to be an ideal embedded OS.
However, unlike other solutions, it is free, and has a reasonably mature development environment. I am aware of one solution that addresses the problems with other embedded OSes: eCos, from Cygnus (http://www.cygnus.com/ecos/overview.html). This is an open source, embedded RTOS with support for a number of common architectures.
I'm not involved in embedded OS design or use, so I can't comment on the quality of this product, but it does seem to address some of the concerns raised in this thread.
Hmm, I live up in Somerville and I can guarantee that RCN has more than "2 or 3 customers" signed up.
In fact, they're providing service in both Somerville and Arlington, and to my knowledge the service is available almost everywhere they're not blocked by private right-of-way issues.
Which isn't to say I'm not waiting for MediaOne to take over the Time-Warner license here; competition in cable modem service should be interesting.
Slashdot Mirror
One of the things that has already frustrated me the most about Linux is the design of the networking subsystem -- at least from the point of view of a system administrator. The Linux 'ifconfig' command is crippled; it doesn't allow one to set such common options as speed or duplex (and one has to rely on the wireless-tools package for controlling wireless interfaces). Userspace programs don't respond to changes in carrier status -- so laptops never aquire a new dhcp lease when plugged into a new network without manual intervention.
Do you see any of this changing in the near future? Obviously the new hotplug system offers a clean solution to the carrier change issue, if only network drivers would take advantage of it. Will we ever be bale to do something like "ifconfig eth0 ssid 'mynetwork' station 'foo'"? And what about the seldom-used 'ip' command -- where does it fit into things these days?
I'd like to second Mr. Phillip's experience. In my last job we purchased some VA equipment and were largely disappointed in the hardware. When we ran into problems with it, we were even more disappointed with the support.
When we decided we want to purchase some upgrades (new raid chassis and disks), we found the experience even worse, as we encountered delays, misinformation, and the sort of runaround that makes it clear how much VA values their customers.
My recommendation is to go with a major vendor such as Compaq, HP, etc. The equipment you get may cost a bit more, but it will also be of far higher quality. And it will still run Linux.
--
Whoops, that url was goofy. Try
this one instead. Sorry.
--
There have been a few questions posted so far, and not a whole lot of answers, so here's my humble attempt.
(1) What is auditing?
"Auditing", in this context, is the process of keeping detailed records of system activity. This can be as simple as recording when people log in and logout, or as involved as keeping a record of every single command line run by every user.
(2) What is C2 level auditing?
The DoD defines a number of classificating that have to do with the security of a computer system. Each level has specific requirements that must be met (and, in fact, even if a system meets those requirements it still needs to be officially certified).
The C2 security level is (he said unauthoritatively) the minimum classification defined by the DoD (followed by B1, B2, B3, and A1). This defines a number of specific events (and information for each event) that must be audited.
You can find a list of auditing requirements for all the above security levels by reading
A Guide to Understand Audit in Trusted Systems, published by the National Computer Security Center.
--
Okay, after further investigation, I see the
difference -- but then, Gnutella really
*isn't* an open-source Napster clone; it's
something else (possibly, as the Wired article suggest, more like FreeNet than Napster).
--
Maybe I missed similar comments in the original story, but why is the release of an "open-source Napster clone" worth an entry in slashdot? After all, there's already an open-source Napster clone that's been in development since January, probably earlier:
http://opennap.sourceforge.net/
I don't know how robust it is -- but then, I don't know how robust Gnutella is, either.
And heck, if you're looking for an open source
Napster client, there are zillions.
--
I read the newspaper every morning. It's a heck of a lot easier on my eyes than staring at a computer monitor for extended periods (I print out source code for the same reason). While the navigation interface is perhaps less than ideal, it's got several advantages...
I can read it at the kitchen table, and I don't have to worry about dropping it, spilling coffee on it, picking it up with greasy fingers, or anything else. If I really ruin it, I'm out about maybe $0.50. I don't have to make sure it's plugged in, and I never have to replace batteries.
Even a cheap LCD-tablet isn't going to be able to compete. Electronics are fragile -- they don't like being dropped or immersed in water for cleaning. They're expensive; if I set a hot pot down on one and melt the screen, I've just lost a chunk of money.
I don't see newspapers -- or print media in general -- going away anytime soon. We'll need to see major advances in technology before any electronic device is robust enough that it can replace a book, a newspaper, or even a simple sprial-bound notebook.
However, unlike other solutions, it is free, and has a reasonably mature development environment. I am aware of one solution that addresses the problems with other embedded OSes: eCos, from Cygnus (http://www.cygnus.com/ecos/overview.html). This is an open source, embedded RTOS with support for a number of common architectures.
I'm not involved in embedded OS design or use, so I can't comment on the quality of this product, but it does seem to address some of the concerns raised in this thread.
Hmm, I live up in Somerville and I can guarantee that RCN has more than "2 or 3 customers" signed up.
In fact, they're providing service in both Somerville and Arlington, and to my knowledge the service is available almost everywhere they're not blocked by private right-of-way issues.
Which isn't to say I'm not waiting for MediaOne to take over the Time-Warner license here; competition in cable modem service should be interesting.