When a computer is to be removed from UDS contract support, there are several items which must be taken into consideration. If the system is to be shut down permanently, UDS will make sure there is no private information on that system. If the system will remain in service, UDS will remove any “added” or “modified” files that are part of the UDS “build”. Our goal is to hand back a system that can, if necessary, be administered by consulting existing documents. Access to AFS will remain, as it is a well-documented part of the campus DCI.

The UNIX Desktop Support Administrators HIGHLY RECOMMEND that the Operating Systems be REINSTALLED from scratch by the new administrator. This will eliminate any worries that the system is in any way insecure, or not operating in a way that the new administrator understands.

That said, the computer will be returned to the department in a state where the root user can log into the console with a new password, but no network logins will be enabled. In that way, the machine will be secured until the new administrator chooses to add accounts for other users or decides to reinstall the OS.

These are some pointers to product documentation as supplied by the vendors:

Sun Microsystems SOLARIS:

Media for the OS can be obtained by contacting the ATN Software Office: software@unc.edu.

The latest system and security patches can be downloaded from: http://sunsolve.Sun.COM

This is also where the new administrator can sign up for the SMI Security maillist.

General software and hardware documentation is available at: http://sunexpress.usec.sun.com/documentation

Silicon Graphics IRIX:

Media for the OS and licenses for the compilers can be purchased through the ATN Software Office: software@unc.edu

The latest system and security patches can be downloaded from: http://support.sgi.com

Documentation is available at: http://techpubs.sgi.com

Subscribe to the SGI Security maillist: http://www.sgi.com/support/security/wiretap.html

RedHat LINUX:

There are several distributions of LINUX, the one we install is RedHat, although we have no opinion as the suitability of any distribution over another.

All information and a downloadable copy of the RedHat OS are available at: http://www.redhat.com

Local Documentation:

The Distributed Computing Infrastructure (DCI) is documented at: http://help.unc.edu/dci

Installation instructions for the AFS client are available from this page.

Installation instructions for OpenSSH (which we HIGHLY RECOMMEND) are available at this url:
http://help.unc.edu/dci/dci_components/shared_apps/packages/openssh.html

Other Resources:

Some of the best training opportunities and professional resources for UNIX and LINUX System Administrators are available through the USENIX Association (www.usenix.org ) and its sister organization SAGE. These groups host several technical conferences each year and offer outstanding tutorials in the field of UNIX System Administration and UNIX Security.

There is a local LINUX Users group which can be contacted at http://www.trilug.org.