ULTRIX-32 Introduction to System and Network Management

This document, "ULTRIX-32 Introduction to System and Network Management" (Order No. AA-ME88A-TE), published by Digital Equipment Corporation in 1987/1988, serves as an introductory guide for managing and maintaining the ULTRIX-32 Operating System, Version 3.0.

Purpose and Audience: The manual is designed for new system administrators or individuals with little prior exposure to system and network management on ULTRIX systems. It assumes familiarity with basic ULTRIX commands and system configuration, but does not require programming knowledge. Its primary role is to provide a high-level overview of management concepts and tasks, directing the reader to other, more detailed ULTRIX-32 documentation for specific procedures.

Key Content Areas:

1. Introduction: Defines the responsibilities of a system and network manager, summarizes common tasks in both areas, and explains the critical role and privileges of the "superuser" (root) account.

2. Local System Management: Covers essential administrative tasks performed at the local system level, including:

   • Setting up the system environment (e.g., modifying system files, adding/removing users, devices, printers, and software subsets).
   • Monitoring system performance.
   • Shutting down and starting up the system.
   • Building a custom kernel.
   • Making changes to disk partitions.
   • Backing up and restoring files and file systems.
   • Setting up the error logging facility.
   • Exercising the system with utilities.
   • Recovering from system crashes.

3. Network Management: Describes how to set up and maintain network environments and services, including:

   • Configuring Local Area Networks (LANs) using standard Internet protocols (TCP/IP, FTP).
   • Managing various network services such as Network File System (NFS), Yellow Pages (YP), Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND), Remote Installation Service (RIS), Diskless Management Services (DMS), and Ethernet Communications Server.
   • Utilizing other network facilities like the uucp utility for dial-up connections and IBM Terminal Emulation (2780/3780) for batch job processing on IBM systems.

In essence, this document provides a foundational understanding of what system and network management entails for ULTRIX-32, highlighting key areas and pointing to comprehensive guides for practical implementation.