This means that the mechanism that checks for new updates/patches can be 

scheduled regularly and be allowed to implement the changes automatically.

Inherent support for remote access

The Linux operating system has inherent remote access through TCP/IP, like all 

Unix operating systems. This is a really powerful tool for systems management, 

because almost all management tasks can be done remotely, and since the 

advent of the secure socket layer can be done securely using ssh.

Remote access to the client is useful for two types of administrative tasks:

Remote execution of administrative programs or monitoring scripts

Access the client from a central location to give support on the client

Remote execution

Remote execution is used to execute applications or scripts from a central 

location, for example, to force all clients to update a virus scanner or fetch a 

critical security patch. This can also be used to execute monitoring scripts that 

will enable the administrator to do preventive work, for example, to clear a 

temporary directory before a file system fills up.

Remote support

Almost all support on the client can be provided by accessing the client from a 

remote location. The only types of problems that still require hands on interaction 

at the client are network problems. All other problems reported by the end user 

can be handled by logging onto the client remotely and studying the system 

configuration and the log files. This capability could improve the effectiveness of 

helpdesk staff significantly.

Remote management and provisioning tools

There are a lot of tools available in the open source community as well as from 

commercial parties for remote management or monitoring and provisioning. 

Some of the most popular tools are:

Webmin

1

Big Brother/Big Sister

2

Nagios

3

Webmin is mainly used for remote management of a single machine. Big Brother 

and Nagios are mostly used to monitor run time properties of a network of 

1  

http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/webadmin

; 

http://www.webmin.com

2  

http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/big brother

; 

http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/bigsister

;

http://www.bb4.org

3  

http://sourceforge.net/projects/nagios

; 

http://www.nagios.org/

 Chapter 2. The case for migration 

17