Linux is an open-source desktop and server operating system that is collaboratively developed (Fox, 2014). Linux is free; free of charge and free of patent restrictions. The operating system is secure, stable, highly configurable, and has regular updates. Additionally, it runs on x86 32bit and 64-bit CPUs and supports even ‘out-of-date’ hardware. Linux users enjoy support from the worldwide Linux community through various community sites and forums. Major Linux distributions include Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOs, OpenSUSE, Debian and Linux Mint.
Hardware
HACKD, LLC’s new research and development group LSDG has 500 computers that run Windows 7 and Windows XP Operating Systems. These computers are a mix of desktop and laptops. All Windows XP systems need to be migrated to Linux. The Linux variant of choice is Ubuntu 14.04 Long Term Release (LTS). The minimum system requirements for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS installation are 512 MB RAM, 700 MHz, 5 GB hard-drive space, CD/DVD drive or USB port for installation, and a VGA capable of 1024x768 resolution. The recommended system requirements are 1 GB RAM, a Dual Core processor, 10 GB of hard-drive space, a graphic card with OpenGL 1.4 support, and, CD/DVD drive or USB port for installation (“Installation/System Requirements”). LSDG’s computer hardware running Windows XP satisfies both the minimum and recommended Ubuntu 14.04 system requirements. Therefore, no new hardware will be required.
Migration from Windows XP to Linux
Having chosen a Linux distribution for installation and ensured that the computer LSDG computer systems meet Ubuntu 14.04 system requirements, the next critical stage will be testing and data backup. Linux has a feature known as “Live CD.” With a Live CD ISO image, one can run Linux entirely from a Linux CD or USB drive without affecting an existing Windows installation. This feature will help in testing the Linux functionality on LSDG computers before the actual installation.
User data in the Windows XP systems need to be backed up. Replacing Windows XP with Linux will wipe clean the computer hard drive unless the hard disk is partitioned and be installed one of the partitions. Data can be backed up on external hard drives or cloud storage. Alternatively, the LSDG’s computer drives can be partitioned, and user data be backed up on hard disk partitions that will not be targeted by the Linux installation.
Hardware and the Installation Options
The installation will require at least 4 GB USB disk drives and DVDs. The Ubuntu 14.04 ISO image can be burned to the DVDs using software such as Windows Disk Image Burner and ISO Recorder. Bootable USB drives can be created using Universal USB Installer with Windows. Local Area Network (LAN) cables and wireless cards will be required to for the desktops for connection to the Internet during installation.
Ubuntu offers five installation options: installing Ubuntu alongside Windows XP, replacing Windows XP with Ubuntu, encrypted Ubuntu Installation, encryption Ubuntu installation with LVM, and user defined setup (Haines, 2015). Installing Ubuntu alongside Windows XP allows users to run the two operating systems side by side. Replacing XP with Ubuntu will completely remove Windows XP’s program files, user data and any other files in the Local Disk C. Data in other partitions will be reserved. The other two encryption options will erase the entire HDD. In the user defined installation, the user has control over the partitioning and disk management.
Logging onto the Systems
Users can log onto the systems in two main ways. First, they can physically log into the system through the Ubuntu’s graphical display manager. Alternatively, users can remotely log onto the systems. Remote login can be achieved by the use of Secure Shell (SSH). SSH is a secure network protocol that allows the exchange of data between networked devices through an encrypted tunnel. Users running Linux from their remote computers can use the Linux terminal for the SSH access. Those using Windows can use a program called PuTTY (O’Leary, 2015).
Linux IP Addresses and DNS Servers
IP addresses on the Linux systems can be configured in two ways. The systems can be assigned static IP addresses, or they can be allocated the addresses automatically. The static addresses can be assigned manually in Ubuntu system settings under the Network section (Sobell, 2014). Automatic addressing is the default option in Ubuntu. The systems will obtain addresses from the Microsoft Active Directory domain’s Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server once they are connected to the network.
For systems with manual IP configuration, the Microsoft Active Directory domain’s DNS address can be specified during the manual configuration. Systems that get their addresses from the DHCP server receive the DNS address automatically. Alternatively, for both scenarios above the DNS server addresses can be entered manually in the /etc/resolv.conf system file (O’Leary, 2015).
LSDG users can access data on the network through network browsing. Nautilus, the default file manager in Ubuntu, has the capability to access network shares. Users can use it to browse the network for shared files as if the files were on their local systems (Sobell, 2014). To access network shares, users should start Nautilus and click on Browse Network or Connect to the server. The former requires the address of the sharing server. Nautilus will open a virtual folder displaying network share types. Users can click on the appropriate network resource to access it.
For enhanced network sharing and access, a service called Samba can be installed on the Linux systems and Windows Server. Samba is invaluable in sharing in mixed environments. Samba can act as a server for SMB clients, a domain controller in a Windows network, and complex tasks such as authentication of Linux systems by a Windows domain controller (“Samba”).
LSDG Secure File Share
LSDG can securely share files within their group and other selected groups/users in the company by use of SSH. SSH uses encryption thereby guaranteeing confidentiality and data integrity (O’Leary, 2015). LSDG group users and other select users can use SSH public –key for authentication when sharing files using SFTP or SCP SSH protocols.
Printing
Ubuntu supports networked printing. Various protocols can be employed. Ubuntu uses Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS) protocol for printing.Other supported protocols include LPD, SMB, and AppSocket. LSDG users can add networked printer to their systems through the CUPS printer configuration and management available in the System Setting under Printers section (“Network Printing with Ubuntu”).
Data Encryption
User data needs to be kept secure. Data security can be achieved through encryption. The users’ home directories (home directories contain user data) can be encrypted in two ways: by encrypting the entire home directory or placing files in an encrypted “Private” directory. The whole home directory can be encrypted during installation. Non-encrypted home directories can also be migrated to encrypted home directories through the command line. A “Private” directory protects the users’ most sensitive data. The directory can be set up from the command line by running the command ecryptfs-setup-private. This directory is mounted automatically when the user logs in, and is unmounted when the user logs out (“Encrypted Home”).
References
Encrypted Home. (n.d.). In Community Help Wiki. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EncryptedHome
Fox, R. (2014). Linux with Operating System Concepts. CRC Press.
Haines, N. (2015). Beginning Ubuntu Linux for Windows and Mac Users. Apress.
Installation/System Requirements. (n.d.). In Community Help Wiki. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/SystemRequirements#Ubuntu_Desktop_Edition
Network Printing with Ubuntu. In CommunityHelp Wiki. Retrieved February 26, 2016, https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkPrintingWithUbuntu?action=show&redirect=Samba%2FPrinterSharing
O’Leary, M. (2015). Network Services. In Cyber Operations (pp. 311-365). Apress.
Samba. (n.d.). In Community Help Wiki. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Samba
Sobell, M. G. (2014). A practical guide to Ubuntu Linux. Pearson Education.
