How To customize a BEL Admin install
From BEL
Contents |
A BEL-ified Admin Desktop
For those familiar with BEL project. Our primary goal isn't making ISO's, it is to help small business get the most out of Linux. Thus we not only release the occasional ISO in the form of a Server or business or school related desktop, we want users to know how to get to that point. How best to get what they are needing.
While BEL project is indeed working on releasing an Admin Desktop ISO based on Mint, we thought there may be many of you who would enjoy the opportunity to have a DIY method to get one going yourself.
This How To will focus on building an admin desktop on top of Mint 5 Xfce. You don't have to use Xfce, you can use any of the Mint flavors you choose to.
We chose Mint because where desktops are concerned, Mint is one of the best Linux desktops anywhere which provides a terrific set of tools aimed at making local configuration and administration easier. This puts Mint right in our crossmarks. Xfce is a light-weight DE that works tremendously on laptops, especially the 'less than new' models we might consider using for this type of usage.
Also, Mint has the benefit of being a grandchild of Debian and has direct access to the large Ubuntu repos which contain all the apps and tools we will need for this project.
This is not an install for just anyone. This is a serious set of tools for someone who needs to keep a network in tip top shape and is expected to know how to use those tools on a regular basis. Anyone looking to install in this manner either likely is a tech or admin already or will be expected to take on that role and learn how to use all these tools in the course of doing the job.
What do we need
- We need a laptop for starters. I say a laptop because it is a lot easier to carry around than a desktop. In the course of using some of the tools, we may need to connect directly to a server or desktop via a crossover cable or even via serial port. That makes it hard with a desktop. Not to say you couldn't do a lot of administration and work from a desktop connected to your LAN, of course you can, you just will not get to make use of all the tools in the ways we envision with this project.
- A very nice feature to look for on said laptop is to have TWO count 'em 2 network cards and one wireless card. If the wireless card is one that requires drivers, you may need to get that from using NDISWrapper. if you are looking for .inf iles for your card, try here infdump.com Also, a standard serial port would be a great help. if one is not built into the laptop, then you can make use of a serial to usb adapter.
- We need a LiveCD to install our Mint to the laptop. Again, We recommend Mint 5 LTS because it will enjoy longer support. Follow the link to an ftp site where you can choose your ISO. The default choice is for gnome version, if you go to the "community" directory, you will find there is Xfce, KDE and others to choose from. Mint 5 LTS
Installing the apps
There is a two-pronged aspect to the Admin desktop. First, any admin or tech needs to work at a desktop. Write reports, generate forms, access the web, typical user stuff. What they don't need are games and a lot of multi-media apps. We recommend removing all of that stuff. It will keep your install small and keep you more focused on work, but, it's your admin desktop, so do the desktop in a way that works best for you.
To install Webmin
Webmin is always updating, the version listed here may not be the newest, but if you check the Webmin site, you can quickly find out the newest release and change the numbers to what is correct. You can access Webmin on your system after installing it by directing your browser to
https://localhost:10000
CLI Method
- First, you need to install the components Webmin needs. This can be done with one command:
apt-get install libnet-ssleay-perl libauthen-pam-perl libio-pty-perl libmd5-perl openssl
- When that is done, you need to download Webmin, the current version is 1.510-2. You can get it by using this :
wget http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/webadmin/webmin_1.510-2_all.deb
- After it has downloaded, install it using dpkg:
dpkg webmin_1.1.510-2_all.deb
or, you can download this script to do all these tasks dawebmin.tar.bz2
unzip/extract the file with this:
tar xvfj dawebmin.tar.bz2
after you download it, open it up or, copy paste this into nano: save it as "dawebmin"
nano dawebmin
#!/bin/bash #Script to install Webmin 1.510-2 and dependencies #install deps apt-get install libnet-ssleay-perl libauthen-pam-perl libio-pty-perl libmd5-perl openssl #get Webmin 1.470 wget http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/webadmin/webmin_1.510-2_all.deb #install Webmin dpkg webmin_1.470_all.deb
Remember to set the permissions to make it able to be executed ( while you are in same dir as the file you just copied/created )
chmod a+x dawebmin
run it using this:
./dawebmin
GUI Method
- Open Synaptic and search for each of the apps listed: libnet-ssleay-perl, libauthen-pam-perl, libio-pty-perl, libmd5-perl, openssl
- Select each of them as you find them and mark them for install, then click the 'Apply' button at the top of the Synaptic window. The 'Summary' box will pop up and you will hit 'apply' again to install all of them.
- Go to webmin download page and get the newest version. The file will be downloaded to your desktop by default.
- Point your cursor (mouse arrow) over the desktop icon for the Webmin .deb file and right click over it. Select 'Open With' GDebi installer. You have already installed the dependencies, so you should be ok. You may/should get a message on how to access Webmin.
To install Avast4Linux
- Using the GUI method, in your browser, go to download page or the .deb file The file will be downloaded to your desktop by default.
- Point your mouse arrow over the desktop icon for the .deb file and right click over it. Select 'Open With' GDebi installer.
- When you start the app from your menu, a small window will open up telling you that you need to enter a registration number. You should click the 'Get Registration' button, it will take you to the website and you can apply for a number, when you get it emailed to you, copy/paste that number into the text box and you will be ready to go.
To install the tools
| samba | fping | echoping |
| openssh | ssmping | ngrep |
| nfs | etherwake | iptraf |
| shfs | httping | iftop |
| nmap | iperf | host |
| traceroute | arping | gddrescue |
| tcpdump | net-tools | kismet |
| netstat | wireless-tools | hostapd |
| netstat-nat | aircrack-ng | airsnort |
| ping | wpa-supplicant | gparted |
| clamav | chntpw | testdidsk |
These can all be installed with one 'apt-get install' command, or, use Synaptic to search for and install all of them.
#apt-get install samba fping echoping openssh ssmping ngrep nfs etherwake iptraf shfs httping iftop nmap iperf host traceroute arping gddrescue tcpdump net-tools kismet netstat wireless-tools hostapd netstat-nat aircrack-ng airsnort ping wpa-supplicant gparted clamav chntpw testdidsk
Wrap-Up
If you have successfully done all the things in this wiki page, you should have yourself a darn fine tool to get the job done right.
We feel that some people might feel they have a better grasp on what they are using if they were to take a hands on approach to installing it themselves.
