Linux(R) Troubleshooting for System Administrators and Power Users

546 Pages·2006·17.03 MB·English

by  James Kirkland

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Linux© Troubleshooting for System Administrators and Power Users
By James Kirkland, David Carmichael, Christopher L. Tinker, Gregory L. Tinker
...............................................
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Pub Date: April 27, 2006
Print ISBN-10: 0-13-185515-8
Print ISBN-13: 978-0-13-185515-1
Pages: 624

Table of Contents | Index
Linux is a fast-growing operating system with power and appeal, and enterprises worldwide are quickly adopting the system to utilize its
benefits. But as with all operating systems, performance problems do occur causing system administrators to scramble into action.
Finally, there is a complete reference for troubleshooting Linuxquickly! Linux Troubleshooting for System Administrators and Power
Users is THE book for locating and solving problems and maintaining high performance in Red Hat® Linux and Novell® SUSE® Linux
systems.

This book not only teaches you how to troubleshoot Linux, it shows you how the system worksso you can attack any problem at its root.
Should you reinstall if Linux does not boot? Or can you save time by troubleshooting the problem? Can you enhance performance when
Linux hangs or runs slowly? Can you overcome problems with printing or accessing a network? This book provides easy-to-follow
examples and an extensive look at the tools, commands, and scripts that make Linux run properly.
A troubleshooting guide for all Linux users: Focuses on common problems with start-up, printing, login, the network, security,
and more
Restore Linux when boot, startup, or shutdown failsand reinstall Linux properly when all troubleshooting fails
Explains how to use some of the most popular Linux performance tools, including top, sar, vmstat, iostat, and free
Handle storage problems and CPU slamming to ensure high Linux performance
Solve hardware device problems by deciphering error messages and using the lspci tool
Use backup/recover commands and tape libraries to create proper backups
Identify and correct remote and network printing problems using spooler commands
Gone are the days of searching online for solutions that are out of date and unreliable. Whether you are a system admin, developer, or
user, this book is an invaluable resource for ensuring that Linux runs smoothly, efficiently, and securely.
This document was created by an unregistered ChmMagic, please go to http://www.bisenter.com to register it. Thanks.
Linux© Troubleshooting for System Administrators and Power Users
By James Kirkland, David Carmichael, Christopher L. Tinker, Gregory L. Tinker
...............................................
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Pub Date: April 27, 2006
Print ISBN-10: 0-13-185515-8
Print ISBN-13: 978-0-13-185515-1
Pages: 624

Table of Contents | Index
Copyright
Hewlett-Packard® Professional Books
Preface
Chapter 1. System Boot, Startup, and Shutdown Issues
Bootloaders
The init Process and/etc/inittab File
rc Scripts
Fixing Problems with the Root Filesystem
Summary
Endnotes
Chapter 2. System Hangs and Panics
OS Hangs
OS Panics
Hardware Machine Checks
Summary
Chapter 3. Performance Tools
top
sar
vmstat
iostat
free
Summary
Endnotes
Chapter 4. Performance
Start Troubleshooting at the Lowest Layer Possible
Filesystems
Summary
Chapter 5. Adding New Storage via SAN with Reference to PCMCIA and USB
Configuration
Kernel Module
Adding LUNs via PCI
Adding Storage via PCMCIA/USB
Summary
Chapter 6. Disk Partitions and Filesystems
Background
Partition Table/Master Boot Record: Location
Partition Table/Master Boot Record: CHS Addressing
Partition Table/Master Boot Record: Logical/Extended
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Partition Table/Master Boot Record: Logical Block Addressing (LBA)
Partition Table/Master Boot Record: Bootloader
Partition Table/Master Boot Record: Backup
Further Scenarios
Summary
Chapter 7. Device Failure and Replacement
Supported Devices
Where to Look for Errors
Identifying Failed Devices
Replacement of a Failed Device
Summary
Chapter 8. Linux Processes: Structure, Hangs, and Core Dumps
Process Structure and Life Cycle
Linux Threads
Identifying Process Hangs
Process Cores
Summary
Chapter 9. Backup/Recovery
Media
Backup Scope
Basic Backup and Recovery Commands
Bare Metal Recovery
I Have a Tape, and I Don't Know What It Is . . .
How Can I Tell Whether My Tape Problem Is Hardware or Software?
Summary
Chapter 10. cron and at
cron
anacron
at
Troubleshooting cron
Summary
Chapter 11. Printing and Printers
What Is a Spooler?
Printer Types
Connectivity Types
Page Description Languages
General Printing Troubleshooting
Summary
Chapter 12. System Security
What Is System Security?
Prevention
Summary
Chapter 13. Network Problems
An Introduction to the OSI and TCP/IP Layers
Troubleshooting the Network Layers
Summary
Chapter 14. Login Problems
/etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, and Password Aging
Login Failures Due to Linux Configuration
PAM
Shell Problems
Password Problems
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Summary
Endnote
Chapter 15. X Windows Problems
X Background
X Components
X Display Manager
X Desktop Manager (Environment)
X Troubleshooting Scenarios
Summary
Endnotes
Index
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Copyright
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those
designations appear in this book, and the publisher was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial
capital letters or in all capitals.
Novell is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE LINUX AG, a Novell business. Red Hat is a
registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
The authors and publisher have taken care in the preparation of this book, but make no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and
assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or
arising out of the use of the information or programs contained herein.
The publisher offers excellent discounts on this book when ordered in quantity for bulk purchases or special sales, which may include
electronic versions and/or custom covers and content particular to your business, training goals, marketing focus, and branding interests.
For more information, please contact:
United States Corporate and Government Sales
[phone]
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For sales outside the United States, please contact:
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Linux troubleshooting for system administrators and power users / James Kirkland . . . [et al.].
p. cm.
ISBN 0-13-185515-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Linux. 2. Operating systems (Computers) I. Kirkland, James.
QA76.76.O63L54875 2006
005.4'32dc22
2006000036
©
Copyright 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. This publication is protected by copyright, and permission must be obtained
from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. For information regarding permissions, write to:
Pearson Education, Inc.
Rights and Contracts Department
One Lake Street
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Fax: [phone]
Text printed in the United States on recycled paper at R.R. Donnelley in Crawfordsville, IN.
First printing, May 2006
.
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Dedication
To Kristine: Without your love and support, this book never would have happened. To my father and mother, for
not killing me when I deserved it and loving me when I didn't.
James
Stephanie, thank you for your effort and sacrifice, which made this book possible. You remind me every day how
strong our love is by the things you do. Sarah and Shannon, thanks for being such sweet daughters and
understanding when daddy had so much homework. Mom and Dad, thanks for buying me that Vic 20 back in high
school to get me started.
Dave
Bonnie, my love, thank you for your understanding, sacrifice, and "word-smith" brilliance without which I would still
be sitting under that tree in the back yard trying to figure out how to make task_struct flow into a discussion of
threads. Steve, Robert, and Greg, you guys are the best. Mom and Dad, thanks for the love you've shown and the
incredible work ethic that you have instilled.
Chris
Kristen, thank you for giving up so many weekends in order to make this effort successful. I also wish to thank my
parents and brothers Robert Jr., Steve, and Chris, for being understanding as I missed several family outings in
2005 while working on this endeavor.
Greg
. sknahT .ti retsiger ot moc.retnesib.www//:ptth ot og esaelp ,cigaMmhC deretsigernu na yb detaerc saw tnemucod sihT
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