22 Jan
2002
22 Jan
'02
7:01 p.m.
Also, a backup procedure is a very good idea. As long
as you're careful
with what you do with Linux (eg. don't run services you dont need, keep up
with security updates, etc.), you should have just as secure of a system
as OpenBSD. Don't run thinks like BIND, or other buggy large software
packages, run more secure equivalents... like MaraDNS instead of BIND,
qmail instead of sendmail, thttpd instead of Apache (well, Apache is
unlikely to be much of a problem if properly configured)...
Actually, with *ANY* operating system you need to keep up with security
updates.
<plug>I just got a DDS-3 (12G uncompressed)
drive from PCSurplusOnline for
$175 (pull from server), and it works beautifully. </plug> 12-24G of data
on a $8-$10 tape is a VERY affordable solution if you ask me, there's very
little reason not to do backups. At least you could do CD-R(W) backups
as little as $0.30 per 700M disk.
I bought a DLT4000 and a TZ867, removed the TZ86 (converted to DSSI and
installed in my VAX 4000/500 to read TK50/TK70 tapes), and installed the
DLT4000, which turned the TZ867 into a DLT4700. I have 140GB/280GB of
storage available, and use that to back up all my systems. The initial
cost was a little high ($400 for the DLT4000 and $250 for the TZ867),
but the long-term costs are low, and DLT is very reliable.
--
Eric Dittman
dittman(a)dittman.net
Check out the DEC Enthusiasts Club at http://www.dittman.net/