diff --git a/LDP/howto/docbook/Post-Installation-Checklist.sgml b/LDP/howto/docbook/Post-Installation-Checklist.sgml new file mode 100644 index 00000000..c522444c --- /dev/null +++ b/LDP/howto/docbook/Post-Installation-Checklist.sgml @@ -0,0 +1,686 @@ + + +
+ + + GNU/Linux Post-Installation Checklist + Defying Murphy's Laws + + + + + + Algologic Research & Solutions + +
+ algolog (at) hd1.vsnl.net.in +
+ + + + + + 1.0 + 2001-06-12 + + + Initial release using docbook sgml. + + + + + + + + This document provides a checklist for steps you should take + immediately after installing GNU/Linux. These steps will save you + a lot of bother if you encounter any problems later on. This + document also includes a shell script for automating the post + installation process. + + + + + + + +Introduction + + + You have just completed installing your own Linux system. You + have just made an upgrade to your existing Linux system. You are + happy with the first few checkouts and usage experience. You + want to make sure you will enjoy this system in spite of any + damage which may occur later because of any unexpected "faux + pas". + + + + It is a good idea to keep a snapshot of the new system, so that + you can be assured that in the event of any misfortune with your + Linux installation, you can always recover without any permanent + damage. This checklist will help you with precautionary steps + you must take, as soon as you complete installation of Linux. It + is a sequel to the GNU/Linux + pre-installation checklist, and a companion to the official + Linux Installation HOWTO. + This checklist also contains a which will + automate the process of making a snapshot of your system. + + + +Copyright Information + + + This document is copyrighted (c) 2001 + Algologic Research & Solutions + and is distributed under the terms of the Linux Documentation Project + (LDP) license, stated below. + + + + Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are + copyrighted by their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may + be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium + physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is + retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed and + encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified of any + such distributions. + + + + All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works + incorporating any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under this + copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a derivative work + from a HOWTO and impose additional restrictions on its + distribution. Exceptions to these rules may be granted under + certain conditions; please contact the Linux HOWTO coordinator at + the address given below. + + + + In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this + information through as many channels as possible. However, we do + wish to retain copyright on the HOWTO documents, and would like to + be notified of any plans to redistribute the HOWTOs. + + + + If you have any questions, please contact + linux-howto@metalab.unc.edu + + + + +Disclaimer + + + No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted. + Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk. + As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors + and inaccuracies, that may of course be damaging to your system. + Proceed with caution, and although this is highly unlikely, + the author(s) do not take any responsibility for that. + + + + All copyrights are held by their respective owners, unless + specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document + should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark + or service mark. + + + + Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen + as endorsements. + + + + You are strongly recommended to make a backup of your system + before major installation and continue to do so at regular intervals. + + + + +Feedback + + + This document and the are + continuously updated. Make sure you are referring to the + latest version of this document, by visiting the + Linux + post-install site frequently. + Email algolog@hd1.vsnl.net.in with your + feedback and suggestions. + + + Note + + We do NOT answer general queries on Linux. If you want + professional (PAID) help with Linux -- ask Algologic. You may + also visit our home page : Algologic Research & Solutions. + + + + + + + +Post-Installation Steps + + +To enjoy your new Linux installation forever without any worries, it is +important to take a few simple precautions. You must do these as soon +as you complete installing Linux on your machine for the first time. + + + + +Create a +boot +diskette and a rescue diskette. +Utilities for creating these diskettes are available along with +your Linux distribution. + + +If you are the paranoid type (like me), you +can make two copies of each of these diskettes. Diskettes are +notorious for failing when they are most needed. + + +Test out your boot diskette. +Make sure you can boot into Linux using the boot diskette. Remember +Murphy's Laws may strike at you just when you least expect. + + +Checkout thoroughly your new system. Try all major packages. + + +Try out the X windows system, and the desktop, and +the windows manager, if you have installed these. + + +Try out the connection to your LAN, and to the Internet. + + +Create at least one "non-root" account, for +testing and debugging your installation. Perform ALL the above +checkouts once again, using the non-root account you created. + + +Join a local Linux Users Group (LUG). You must + +find out if there is a LUG close by. If there is none, start an +informal LUG yourself, in your neighbourhood, your campus, your city, +or your town. + + +Join one or more +mailing +lists for Linux updates and news. There are literally hundreds of +them. + + + Register yourself and your machine in the worldwide +Linux Users Counter. + + +And finally...Download the + and run it. Make a safe copy (on a removable +medium) of the directory: /root/postinfo which +the script will create. You may also like to make a printout of the +summary report /root/postinfo/summary created by +the shell script. + + +You must run this shell script: as soon as you have +installed Linux for the first time, and after every major revision or +upgrade to your Linux system. You can also set up the script as a +cron job, so that it runs itself periodically and automatically. This +will avoid you a lost of hassles later, in case something gets messed +up later. + + + + + + + +Shell script + + +The shell script (shivalik Ver. 1.0) is a convenient way to make +backups of essential files and information. After downloading the +script: + + + + + +Make sure that you have logged in as "root" + + + + + +Save the script in a directory with "root" permissions, +say /root/myscript + + + + + +Change to that directory i.e. cd /root/myscript +use gunzip to unzip the script i.e gunzip ./shivalik.gz + + + + + +IMPORTANT +You must read the warning given at the end of the +script. Proceed with the next steps, only if you agree to the +conditions specified in the warning... + + + + + + +To execute the script: You must make the script executable (by root +only) chmod 700 ./shivalik + + + + + +Verify that the paths of the various files which are to be saved, are +correct and conform to your installation. + + + + + +You can execute the script correctly only if you are "root" (many +of the files being saved need root permissions). + + + + + + Now you can execute (run) the above script (remember you must be + "root", to do this) -- type ./shivalik + + + + The script is profusely documented. It does not modify (or + delete) any of your files or directories. It creates a + well-protected backup of some essential files and information. + The entire script is available for you to browse and understand + its working. Feel free to go through the script and add any + additional features, or files which you wish to be backed up. + You may also send your feedback to the author of this + script (algolog@hd1.vsnl.net.in). + + + + Remember, the shivalik script is not a tool + for complete backup and recovery. Ideally, the best thing to do + would be to make a verbatim copy of your entire Linux + installation along with all files and directories. This is not + always possible, necessary, or advisable. The next best thing + would be to take a backup of the most essential information and + files. The shivalik script achieves this for + you. The script creates a directory called + /root/postinfo/, and stores all essential + information (and files) there. To be absolutely prepared for any + eventuality, you must copy the entire + /root/postinfo/ on a removable medium, as + soon as the script is executed. + + +Recovery and Repair: In the + event of any problems later, you can reconstruct the + damaged files by copying the files you have backed up in the + /root/postinfo/ directory. It is as simple + as that. + + + + The structure of the /root/postinfo/ directory, + and files found within, will be as follows: + + + + + +/root/postinfo/summary + +Contains a summary report of the status of your system (memory, +partitions, mount points, disk usage). This file also has the list of +files which have been saved. It also contains admin info like date +and time of backup, shivalik version number etc. + + + + +/root/postinfo/postinfo.tar.gz + +Contains a copy of the earlier postinfo (if any). This is a fall +back to a fall back! + + + + +/root/postinfo/snapshot.gz + +Contains a gzipped structured listing of ALL +files and directories of your Linux system (the directories "tree"). +You can unzip this file and use any plain text editor to know the +location of any file. Of course, you cannot retrieve the contents of +that file unless you had saved it explicitly elsewhere. + + + + +/root/postinfo/shivalik + +This is a copy of the shivalik script which was used for making the +post install backup. At the time of recovery after an incident, you +can always examine this script to know how the backup was done +earlier. You will always have a consistent copy of the script and the +files created by the script. + + + + +/root/postinfo/etcfiles/ + +This subdirectory contains a copy of many +essential files from the /etc/ directory of your +Linux installation. It also contains copies of the various +configuration files stored in the /etc/ +directory. + + + + +/root/postinfo/otherfiles/ + +This subdirectory contains a copy of some +essential files (those which are not in the +/etc/ directory) of your Linux installation. If +you want, you can add any other files here, and get it saved +automatically with others. + + + + + +The script... + + + /root/postinfo/summary +echo -n "Report created on: " >> /root/postinfo/summary +date -R >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo And now, move the oldpostinfo file to /root/postinfo/ directory +mv /root/oldpostinfo.tar.gz /root/postinfo +# + +#copy the shivalik script +echo charity begins at home +echo We make a copy of the shivalik script +echo We make a copy of the shivalik script >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo in /root/postinfo/ >> /root/postinfo/summary +cp ./shivalik /root/postinfo/shivalik + +#taking stock +echo +echo Contents of /root/postinfo at the end of STEP-0 +ls -AlR /root/postinfo +echo End of "### STEP 0 ### +echo +# +# +echo +echo "### STEP 1 ### Make a snapshot of the system" +echo >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo "### STEP 1 ### A snapshot of all the files and directories" >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo The first step is to take stock of your computer contents +echo This is going to take several minutes +echo So, go and fetch your coffee mug ! +ls -AlRH / >> /root/postinfo/snapshot +rm -f /root/postinfo/snapshot.gz +gzip /root/postinfo/snapshot +echo snapshot created +echo An exhaustive listing of all files has been made and >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo stored in /root/postinfo/snapshot.gz >> /root/postinfo/summary +ls -l /root/postinfo/snapshot.gz >> /root/postinfo/summary + +# taking stock at the end of this step +echo +echo Contents of /root/postinfo at the end of this STEP +ls -l /root/postinfo +echo End of "### STEP 1 ### +echo +# +# +echo + +echo "### STEP 2 ### Vital statistics" +echo >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo "### STEP 2 ### Vital statistics" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo Collecting vital statistics + +echo .....about memory +echo "---- cat /proc/meminfo ---------" >> /root/postinfo/summary +cat /proc/meminfo >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo .....about partitions and mountpoints +echo "---- cat /proc/partitions---------" >> /root/postinfo/summary +cat /proc/partitions >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo .....about diskspace used +echo "---- df ---------" >> /root/postinfo/summary +df >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo .....about modules +echo "---- cat /proc/modules ---------" >> /root/postinfo/summary +cat /proc/modules >> /root/postinfo/summary + +# taking stock at the end of this step + +echo +echo Contents of /root/postinfo at the end of STEP-2 +ls -AlR /root/postinfo +echo End of "### STEP 2 ### +echo +# +# +echo +echo "### STEP 3 ### Now we save some important files from /etc " +echo This section may need some customising, depending on the +echo installation you have done, and the distribution you have used, +echo and the options you have chosen during installation. + +echo >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo "### STEP 3 ### Now we save some important files from /etc" >> /root/postinfo/summary +test ! -d /root/postinfo/etcfiles && mkdir /root/postinfo/etcfiles + +echo ..... saving XF86Config -- your XWindows config file +cp /etc/XF86Config /root/postinfo/etcfiles +echo "cp /etc/XF86Config /root/postinfo/" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo ..... saving /etc/fstab file +cp /etc/fstab /root/postinfo/etcfiles +echo "cp /etc/fstab /root/postinfo/" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo ..... saving /etc/profile file +cp /etc/profile /root/postinfo/etcfiles +echo "cp /etc/profile /root/postinfo/" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo ..... saving /etc/profile.local file +cp /etc/profile.local /root/postinfo/etcfiles +echo "cp /etc/profile.local /root/postinfo/" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo ".... saving /etc/*conf files" +cp /etc/*conf /root/postinfo/etcfiles + +echo ".... saving /etc/*config files" +cp /etc/*config /root/postinfo/etcfiles + +echo the following files from /etc have been copied to /root/postinfo/etcfiles >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo "/etc/*conf" >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo "/etc/*config" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +# taking stock at the end of this step +echo +echo Contents of /root/postinfo at the end of this STEP-3 +ls -AlR /root/postinfo +echo End of "### STEP 3 ### +echo +# +# + +echo +echo "### STEP 4 ### Now we save some other important files" +echo This section may need some customising, depending on the +echo installation you have done, and the distribution you have used, +echo and the options you have chosen for the installation +echo The following stuff is designed for SuSe 7.1 + +echo "### STEP 4 ### Now we save some other important files" >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo in /root/postinfo/otherfiles >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo You can add any other files to backed up, here +test ! -d /root/postinfo/otherfiles && mkdir /root/postinfo/otherfiles +ls -l /root/postinfo/ + +echo ..... saving /etc/init.d/boot.local -- +cp /etc/init.d/boot.local /root/postinfo/otherfiles +echo "cp /etc/init.d/boot.local /root/postinfo/otherfiles" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo ..... saving /etc/init.d/halt.local -- +cp /etc/init.d/halt.local /root/postinfo/otherfiles +echo "cp /etc/init.d/halt.local /root/postinfo/otherfiles" >> /root/postinfo/summary + +# taking stock at the end of this step +echo +echo Contents of /root/postinfo at the end of this STEP-4 +ls -AlR /root/postinfo +echo End of "### STEP 4 ### +echo + +echo +echo "### STEP 999 ### Wrap up, clean up" +echo >> /root/postinfo/summary + +echo "### STEP 999 ### Wrap up, clean up, sum up" >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo summing up, cleaning up +# for security reasons we make /root/postinfo inaccessible to +# and invisible to non-root +chmod 700 /root/postinfo +chmod 700 /root/postinfo/etcfiles +chmod 700 /root/postinfo/otherfiles +chmod 700 /root/postinfo/* +chmod 700 /root/postinfo/etcfiles/* +chmod 700 /root/postinfo/otherfiles/* +echo This is the contents of /root/postinfo >> /root/postinfo/summary +ls -AlR /root/postinfo >> /root/postinfo/summary +echo "###### THE END #####" >> /root/postinfo/summary + + + +# taking stock at the end of this step +echo +echo Contents of /root/postinfo at the end of this STEP-999 +ls -AlR /root/postinfo +echo End of "### STEP 999 ###" +echo +echo "###### THE END #####" +echo IMPORTANT: You must now copy all the files in /root/postinfo +echo to a safe location, preferably on a different drive or on +echo a removable backup medium. +echo " " +echo You will find a summary report of this procedure, in +echo /root/postinfo/summary +echo You will find the earlier version of summary \(if any\) +echo inside /root/postinfo/oldpostinfo.tar.gz +echo " " + +# +echo " +#--------------------------------------------------------- +# WARNING WARNING WARNING +# shivalik (ver. 1.0) +# This script is being made accessible to you without any +# warranties or assurances about its performance or +# usability for any purpose. Be informed that you are using +# this script out of your own initiative and willingness, +# and at your own risk and peril. +# You will find the latest version of this script, and related +# information at: http://algolog.tripod.com/postlnx.htm +# Copyrights and all rights reserved by: +# Dr. S. Parthasarathy (algolog@hd1.vsnl.net.in) +#-------------------------------------------------------- +" +]]> + + + + + + +
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