Which version of Linux?
ICS Support is currently delivering GenToo which features the Gnome desktop environment. Gnome was chosen over the wide variety of available GUIs to have the Linux environment coincide with future versions of our Sun Solaris environment. Gnome will be supported by Solaris 9.
A few items key to the deployment of Linux on our network.
- Security – This is vital to maintaining the integrity of our network and our users data. More information on Linux security
- Functionality – It is important that these systems prove useful. If you find the system lacking some feature please e-mail helpdesk@ics.uci.edu. We will do our best to increase the functionality or the Linux machines.
- Manageability – Maintaining user accounts, security patches, and common configuration on a large number of stand alone machines is an impossible task for any organization. With this in mind we began developing a centralized system modeled after our Solaris environment. This includes a variety of core services that ICS Support delivers for our Solaris and Windows environment, such as printing, e-mail, home directory service, and software.
- Integration – The ICS Linux environment is interoperable with Unix and Windows.
Supported Platform
We are currently installing the Linux desktop only on Dell OptiPlex PCs (GX150; GX260; GX270 GX280), which have been tested, and run both Linux and Windows. PC machines recommended for future purchases will have the capability to run either the Windows or the Linux operating systems. Dual boot systems installation support is still being tested.
Available Lab Machines
The Theory Cluster has 18 machines installed with GenToo. There are currently six Linux machines available for public use located on the West wall behind the Solaris 10 systems in ICS 364. As with ICS Solaris and ICS Windows systems, logging into ICS Linux systems automatically mounts your Unix home directory.
Methods of Connecting
To ensure a secure environment, you must use SSH to connect to the Linux machines. From an ICS PC, you can use Secure CRT, or X-win32. If you are unfamiliar with SSH please refer to the manual page located at http://www.openssh.org/.
Available Software
To obtain a list of available software titles, log into an ICS Linux machine and type "module avail" from a command prompt.
How to Load Modules
To load a software module use the "module load <software title>" command. For example if you needed to compile a new piece of software using gcc, typing "module load gcc" would load the default version of gcc for you to use.
Request New Software
New software modules can be added depending on academic or research need and funding. To request new or updated versions of software packages please send e-mail to helpdesk@ics.uci.edu with details of what you need, where we can find it, and what class or research requires the software.
Known Issues
Gnome compatibility problems with Contrib/Gnome:
- If you have been using the version of Gnome located in /opt/contrib/ on the Solaris, you may encounter problems when logging into the Linux systems. This is due to incompatibilities between the versions of the .gnome files in your home directory. This problem will often cause the X Windows system to crash and restart when you attempt to login. To fix this problem you will need to delete all the .gnome files in your home directory and let the Linux version of Gnome recreate them. We will find a remedy as we test gnome in Solaris 9.
Please e-mail helpdesk@ics.uci.edu with any questions or comments.
