How to setup DNS server using Bind9 under Debian and Ubuntu Linux

A tutorial on how to install and configure DNS server for your LAN using bind9. The DNS server will provide caching and name resolution as well as reverse name resolution for your local network. This set-up I use the domain jesson.net and its private ip address is 192.168.2.248.

Now install the bind9 package and dns utilities from Debian repository.
apt-get install bind9 dnsutils
Configure your Linux system

Add this information to your /etc/hostname
vim /etc/hosts


Edit your /etc/resolv.conf
vim /etc/resolv.conf
and add this information.

search jesson.net
nameserver 192.168.2.248

Lets create a zone

The zone files (or database files) are the heart of your BIND system.

This is where all the information is stored on what hostname goes with what ip address.
Before we create a zone file, lets edit first the local configuration file /etc/bind/named.conf.local.

vim /etc/bind/named.conf.local
and the zone file data.



Create a zone file in /var/cache/bind/ directory. Create a file called db.jesson.net
vim /var/cache/bind/db.jesson.net
And add the following



Now create the reverse DNS zone file db.192.168.2
vim /var/cache/bind/db.192.168.2
and the following



Now edit the file /etc/bind/named.conf.options
vim /etc/bind/named.conf.options



Uncomment the line forwarders and add your ISP's DNS server.
Lets restart our DNS server, and test using the tool dig.
/etc/init.d/bind9 restart
dig jesson.net
You should see the following message



nslookup jesson.net
nslookup 192.168.2.248
host jesson.net
host 192.168.2.248
All computers in the LAN are going to use 192.168.2.248 as a nameserver, this can be set manually by setting statically:
vim /etc/resolv.conf on Linux

then put this information.
nameserver 192.168.2.248

On windows configure the following like this:



Have Fun!!!

The LINUX compelling alternative to Windows Vista!!!

SUSE Linux Enterprise 11.The compelling alternative to Windows Vista.

SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 gives you the lowest-cost, most manageable solution for mixed Linux and Windows computing. By working seamlessly with your existing technologies, SUSE Linux Enterprise turns boundaries into bridges to make your IT work as one.

SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 strengthens your infrastructure with powerful yet cost-effective enterprise capabilities that make it easy to migrate from UNIX. Choose SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 for mission-critical solutions that keep your infrastructure reliable and resilient.

What can you power with SUSE Linux Enterprise 11? Desktops and servers. Physical and virtual machines. Traditional systems and appliances. Linux ubiquity is here and it's ready to make your infrastructure more agile, manageable and cost-effective than ever.

Why windows 7 eight thing to think!!!

1. Remote users will love Win 7

As more employees work outside the office, IT needs new strategies to keep them supported, secure, and productive. Two key features of Windows 7, BranchCache and DirectAccess, are excellent starting points for the next generation of improved mobile access.

DirectAccess leverages IPv6 and IPsec into a system that provides secure connectivity back to the main network, regardless of where users are connected--or even whether they're logged in at all. BranchCache also helps users at remote offices stay productive because the network can be configured to cache Web pages and files on local servers or in a round-robin peer style for sites without local servers, ensuring that frequently accessed data and files will be served up quickly to end users.

2. Infosec teams will like Win 7

There's a lot of good news on the security front with Windows 7. Most of the improvements are a continuation of initiatives that started with Vista, including Microsoft's Secure Development Lifecycle, which the company hopes will reduce exploitable code flaws in its software. Windows 7 is one of the first products to come through the full development life cycle.

At the same time, more thought was put into reducing the impact that intrusive security can have on the user experience. The company has retained the concept of User Account Control but reduced the number of pop-ups that frustrated Vista users.

Other features, such as BitLocker, are updated, including the ability to encrypt removable devices. There are new security features, too, including AppLocker, which lets administrators prevent users from downloading and running unauthorized software.

3. It has better management

While BitLocker and AppLocker don't need Windows Server 2008 R2 to function, they do need Advance Group Policy Management 4.0. In fact, there are more than 350 new control options, many of which boost desktop control, power management, and the ability to use different functions based on machine location.

4. It's netbook-friendly

A recent InformationWeek Analytics survey shows massive potential for netbook growth, from 35% in the enterprise today up to a projected 72% within two years. Smaller and less expensive than laptops, netbooks are perfect mobile devices for those on a budget. The bulk of netbooks in organizations today run XP Pro and Linux. Win 7 plays nicely on most netbooks, however, especially the pro version. That said, organizations should push for the enterprise version to get features like DirectAccess.

5. Desktop virtualization's coming

Less than 8% of organizations have actively moved any virtual desktops into production, according to another recent InformationWeek Analytics survey. Windows 7 will change that. The OS runs on all major virtualization platforms, including VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft. All vendors report a stable desktop. Unfortunately, display limitations and peripheral incompatibilities that have plagued terminal servers and thin clients for years remain.

6. Windows 7 is SaaS-friendly

With more business apps moving online, Windows 7 offers an environment friendly to software as a service. It's tightly integrated with Internet Explorer 8, providing a stable platform for Web applications. And because IE8 is available for XP and Vista, enterprises can standardize on a single browser. On the flip side, if you've settled on Firefox or Chrome, you'll need to watch their releases closely. Both have documented issues with Windows 7.

7. The hype is your friend

Sure, the lovefest over Win 7 is a bit annoying, but you should be able to parlay that joy into end-user enthusiasm if you decide to deploy. Having users excited about a new OS goes a long way to aiding successful adoption.

8. You have a definitive timeline

Last, the clarity of Microsoft's release and support dates should be seen as a blessing for IT. Windows 7 is out and being deployed. XP mainstream support ended in April; Vista's will end in April 2012. Windows 7 will have mainstream support for five years, or two years after the release of the product's successor. Redmond waffled on XP a few times, mainly due to Vista delays, but you can plan on these dates and adjust your strategy for phasing in the new OS and phasing out the old ones.

Whether you welcome Win 7 or curse the demise of XP, it's time to decide: Adopt Windows 7, move to Linux, or bring back the abacus. Your call. Vista lacked the features, stability, and market acceptance to drive forward the desktop. Windows 7 has addressed all of these issues.

Netbooks Bring Down Revenue For Laptops

Inexpensive netbook computers are driving down revenue for the overall laptop market, even as they increase unit sales for laptops.

In the second quarter, the overall portable PC market was $26.4 billion, up 10% from the first quarter but down 5% from the same period a year ago. Strong growth in netbook revenue, 264% more than a year ago, drove their overall share of the mobile PC market to 11.7%.

Nevertheless, the low price of the netbooks, typically $300, was a major contributor to the overall revenue decline in the market year-to-year, the research firm said.

"Mini-notes have been a significant contributor to volume growth in the portable PC market as their very attractive price points make owning a secondary computer viable for many consumer. "However, the lower ASPs (average selling prices) of these devices are clearly having a negative impact on portable PC market revenue."

The average selling price for laptops in the second quarter was $688, 19% lower than a year ago. For the rest of the year, the research firm expects continued decline in average price across all portable computer categories, which will likely lead to the first year-to-year drop in mobile PC revenue.

Netbooks are typically bought as second or third computer by travelers looking for a lightweight computer with basic functionality, such as Web browsing and e-mail. The PCs are also used by schoolchildren and are bought as a first computer in developing countries where people's computing needs are limited.

In addition, telecom providers offer the systems at a subsidized price in return for a two-year subscription to their wireless data networks.

In 2010, expects netbooks to account for 21.5% of all portable shipments and 10.9% of total revenue.

Linux (SUSE) vs Windows

SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 provides maximum interoperability with Windows for lower costs and simplified management. Run Windows virtualized on Linux and vice versa, with full support from Novell and Microsoft. Easily add desktop Linux to your Windows environment for cost savings and security benefits. Leverage open standards to manage SUSE Linux Enterprise from your existing solutions. Even run ASP.NET applications on Linux for better performance and reduced cost.

Enterprise-strength Linux for mission-critical computing.
SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 was built for reliability with affordable, enterprise-class clustering for your mission-critical workloads. With the ability to build a resilient and agile infrastructure, you can easily migrate from UNIX. And advanced Green IT capabilities keep your operation lean and efficient. Performance. Reliability. Affordability. What could be more mission-critical than that?

Powers your physical and virtual environments – desktop to data center.
Only SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 powers your complete environment with outstanding performance and manageability. So you can run your physical and virtual machines – from desktop to data center – on a common code base with common tools. Deploy traditional systems, or run software appliances for simplicity and speed. From x86 to mainframe and from netbook to desktop, SUSE Linux Enterprise delivers proven capabilities for your entire infrastructure.

Firefox Automation Plug-In Draws Legal Threat

MediaFire, a free file hosting service, last week demanded that Mozilla stop distributing the Firefox plug-in SkipScreen, which automates interaction with sites like MediaFire to allow users to bypass forced waiting periods used to display ads and limit bandwidth bills.

Because, the SkipScreen tool has only one purpose, to bypass legitimate Web pages of free file hosting sites, steal bandwidth from them, and take users directly to hidden download pages.

Window's 2010 and Windows 7 compatible!!!

Microsoft to date has said little about Windows 7, which had been in development under the code name Blackcomb. It was generally believed that the OS would ship in the 2010 time frame.

Some computer users are hoping Windows 7 will present a slimmer profile than Vista.

To experience all of Vista's features, PC users need a computer with at least a 1-GHz processor, 1 GB of memory, and a 40-GB hard drive. By contrast, Windows XP Professional requires only a 300-MHz processor, 128 Mbytes of RAM, and a 1.5 GB disk.

Microsoft has extended the life of the older Windows XP OS for longer than originally planned -- in part to keep Linux out of the PC market's low end.

The company said last week that it would allow computer makers to continue to sell Windows XP on "ultra low-cost PCs", or ULCPCs, for an extended period.

Microsoft said it would allow system vendors to preload the Home edition of Windows XP on ULCPCs through June 2010, or one year after the next version of Windows becomes generally available.

Microsoft defines ULCPCs as, among other things, systems that use discount-line processors and lack a separate graphics card. Such low-spec machines would be incapable of running Vista.