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Linux
troubles
I
have installed RedHat Linux 6.2 on the server (10 GB, 256 MB
RAM, Intel Pentium -III processor) and would like to install
a proxy server on it so that I can give Internet access to the
other clients who are primarily on NT or Windows 98 systems.
1.
Is our migration to Linux system only coz of the freeware firewall
justified?
2.
We are using IPChains as our firewall and are planning to install
Delegate or Squid as our proxy server for intranet activities.
Which one would you advise?
3.
In the proxy we need a two-tier security. First we need to allow
access to the IP addresses of the individual machines only which
are authorized to access the Internet. Secondly
we
need a individual password authorization. Keeping these requirements
in mind should we go ahead with squid??
Ans:
1. Migrating from one OS to another is a free choice and an
availability of any free software cannot justify the cause.
What you shall need to take under consideration is, whether
you shall be comfortable with Linux or Not. Linux is an OPEN
source, but it is still more secured than some of the NT servers
that exist. Careful administration of the server only can make
it more secure.
For
e.g. though RH7.0/7.1 is released with a BIG hype, it has a
security flaw which can be easily executed posing a security
threat and make enable people to gain root access. So it's up
to u as to how you keep your system updated and make it more
secure. Linux is easy to administer and I know that if any holes
leak out, then I am sure to get a patch on the Web.
2.
Both Squid and Delegate score equally when it comes in terms
of functionality.
Squid is more popular and you can get good support for it. If
you are a newbie then you opt for Squid ...... and try Delegate
as an option on some other machine. This shall make you comfortable
with both the servers, plus you shall be more familiar with
the Linux.
3.
As far as security is concerned, no software/hardware is perfect.
So it doesn't matter if you install two tier or 'n' tier security.
If crooked minds exist, then they are bound to get around and
break the rules. As said earlier, both Squid and Delegate are
fine. As a good system administrator, it's better that you first
opt in for some LOG analysers.
Debasish
Patnaik
Permission
I
am a regular reader of your articles in Network Magazine and
liked them a lot. I seek your permission to add your e-mail
in my tech help mailing list, as it would help solve the problems
my subscribers
encounter.
I
have a website, www.harrycool.com, and I maintain it as an open
discussion platform, where people can post their queries and
anybody who knows the answers can reply to them.
Harry
harrycool21@yahoo.com
Migrating
to Linux
The
Linux articles in the May issue of Network Magazine was very
interesting. I am more of a Windows person and Linux has always
fascinated me. I have got as far as installing a Linux box in
a Windows environment and configuring Samba. I now want to install
Squid for Internet sharing and a mail server on the Linux machine.
Could
you please give me some tips or links from where I can get some
information and help.
Seetha
sdhanvada@hotmail.com
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