I recently had a hacking attempt on my machine, perpetrated by somebody noticing the open SSH port and trying every possible user/password and combination trick to try and get in. They didn’t succeed, and I only know that because I was able to check the validity of my machine by using an existing set of recorded information to verify my configuration and program data.

This is a technique that I’ve distilled down into an article within the System Administration Toolkit series, called Testing System Validity:

Examine methods of storing and later checking the validity of your configuration files. Despite all the security systems you have in place, it is still possible that somebody has accessed your system and changed your configuration or security settings.

Read: Systems Administration Toolkit: Testing system validity

The final part of the PHP/Java series is now available. This last part of the series covers the modification of our original application so that it employs the PHP/Java bridge as the interface between the core Java application and PHP.

A detailed overview of the content:

• Comparing connection technologies
  • The Web service method
  • The PHP Java Bridge
  • Differences and similarities
  • Performance
  • Java and PHP development

• Developing a Web interface
  • Revisiting the Web interface for the Java environment
  • Parsing the responses
  • Re-deploying in PHP

• Creating a PHP interface to the Java survey data
  • Creating a new instance of the Survey application
  • Generating the Survey form through a single method
  • Generating the form by using SurveyQuestion methods directly
  • Submitting survey responses back to the Java classes
  • Submitting a survey response

• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 1: Setting up the Java environment
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 2: Building the Java business application
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 3: Integrating the Java business application with DB2 Version 9
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 4: Exposing the application as a web service
• Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 5: Installing and integrating the PHP Java Bridge

Read Develop with Java and PHP technology on AIX Version 5.3, Part 6: Building the Java business application

Keeping an eye on your mail system is about more than making sure the mail gets through. You should also be thinking about spam statistics, usage of the mail system by users and whether users are really getting the best out of the systems that they provide.

In Systems Administration Toolkit: Monitoring mail usage that’s exactly what I cover:

Examine methods for reporting on e-mail usage and getting detailed statistics on mailbox use. E-mail logs can provide a wealth of information about your users and their e-mail habits, including how often and frequently they use their e-mail. Depending on your UNIX systems, you might even be able to glean more detailed information, such as identifying which users are using their folders effectively and who could benefit from further training and advice.

Read Systems Administration Toolkit: Monitoring mail usage

For those of you wanting to read the entire WS-Resource Transfer series, IBM have provided an overview page that covers all of the articles/tutorials within the series.

See Building a grid system using WS-Resource Transfer

The fifth and final part of my series on using WS-Resource Transfer is available to read now.

In this last part we look at using the WS-RT system as a method for distributing work within your grid system.

Read Building a grid system using WS-Resource Transfer, Part 5: Using WS-RT for work distribution

Read past parts of the series: Read: Building a grid system using WS-Resource Transfer Series