So I’ve been taking an informal poll of the sysadmins I know to find out how people are managing the synchronization of files across a server farm. Looks like there are three popular ways of handling this, which I’ll list in no particular order:

First, there’s NFS. There are numerous places out there that have a central file server, and then the server farm mounts, say, /opt or /usr/local or something, and then there are lots of configuration files and stuff underneath those trees somewhere. The benefit of this method is that you can make a change in one place and have it take effect everywhere more or less immediately. The downside, as I see it, is something I call the “christmas light syndrome”: if the file server goes down, any services on any hosts relying on the mounted files become unavailable.

There’s another upside to the NFS scenario, which is that your server farms can mount config files read-only, which offers some protection should the machine be compromised in some way.

The second popular method is to use rsync. The upside to this method is that all files are local to the machine, so services on your hosts don’t depend on the availability of a file server. The downside is that generally there is some glue code and duct tape involved, which means you’re maintaining code to take care of all of this, which means there’s not really a standard procedure per se for handling file synchronization with rsync. In addition, you don’t have the benefit of having your config directories mounted read-only, which is just one less protective measure.

The third method is cfengine, which is still hanging on my list of things to make friends with. I tried using it during the version 1.x days, when it was quite a bit more difficult to use. I’m aware that the 2.x versions are much, much easier, more robust, supports RSA keys, and all that jazz, and I promise that once I get through the three projects currently on my plate, cfengine is number 4.

If you’re using other means of handling file synchronization, or you just wanna plug your favorite feature of cfengine, or have a cool rsync hack or something, please share!

One of the concerns system administrators might consider involves the upcoming release of Vista. You may not consider it a concern for a number of reasons, especially if you only focus on Linux and avoid Windows. At some point we generally have to deal with the Windows desktop.

Like previous versions of Windows, the older version goes off the shelves immediately. Microsoft will recall Windows XP. At that time, your choice becomes a desktop OS that will take some years to gain general adoption in business.

Windows 98SE, for example, has a significant user base today. It runs fairly well on Pentium III slot 1 450-550 Mhz processors. Most of those machines had maximum memory limitations of 384 MB. Ten years after the release of Win 98SE, it continues to run on those machines. And, many of those machines haven’t quit. Why the Intel 845 chip set and its slot 1 processor performed so well and for so long is a mystery, But it did and does.

What about the installed base of Windows XP Professional? Many companies will continue using it and if you need to use it for whatever reason, a legal copy will become a difficult acquisition,

So, why am I concerned about Windows desktops? In the US, the Linux desktop is not gaining market share. Some say that Apple’s Mac OS X hasn’t gained much either. In art and production departments, education and with media companies the Mac still has a solid following. But, the salesman on the go, the worker in the office and the executive writing his next report or creating his next presentation all use Windows. You’ll also find Windows in the small market where devices like the Treo 650 live in places like hospitals running diagnostic applications. Hey, I’ve seen them and they’re popular.

Linux continues to gain market share in the server arena and data center. But, it will not replace Windows servers completely. One example to consider, Cingular cell phones now come with an Exchange email client. Predictions have come true - the Windows device coupled with Exchange may become the Blackberry killer especially when the low price, easily replaceable cell phone runs Redmond’s mail client by default.

Recently, I had to run a simulated environment with Mac OS X 10.3, Windows 98SE & XP and Linux desktops. The Local network server ran Fedora Core 5 and Fedora Directory Server. The Linux desktop ran Ubuntu 6.06 because they needed to run on Pentium III slot 1 boxes. SUSE 10.1 and Fedora barely installed on the old hardware. That put a scare in my argument for replacing Win 98 with Linux. Ubuntu did install easily but couldn’t keep up with Win 98 on the same equipment.

The Mac ran well on the old PPCs. So, they aren’t going anywhere. The client needs to run software you won’t find optimum on anything Windows and not at all on Linux.

I usually auction off software I use for pilots. Once I’m finished with simulations, I typically put the hardware and software on eBay, But not this time, We’ll see more requests for simulations and the test environment will include a new entry called Vista. I’m betting that Vista adoption will take a long, long time.

If you have to do this sort of thing (and I think we’ll see an uptake in people wanting to test alternatives), then get yourself a copy of XP Pro now before they leave the shelves forever. I’m giving my trial copy a rest and going for the retail version.

Finally, I’m starting to tire of the comment clowns. While I like solid feedback from professionals, the last bean head who recommended that I start taking meds and fade off into the sunset put an end to the interactive mode. I found the guy at dcn.davis.ca.us. If you know him say hello for me and tell him he can find the type of people he wants to engage over at slashdot or digg. Those 14 year olds will welcome him with open arms.

Linux system administrators should consider getting their MCSE. What? That’s correct. You might also consider buying a Mac Mini desktop and practice with it at home. I’m serious, so take this recommendation to heart.

In the past, I have written about the crazy job market for Linux system administrators and help desk professionals. Hiring managers have problems with hiring pure Linux professionals. It might fall into the area of myth, but hiring managers believe those myhts. They believe Linux guys who say they don’t mind working with Windows will then turn around and leave within a short time frame. Secondly, Linux technologists with previous experience with Microsoft will find hiring managers leery of their Windows skills. Those hiring managers probably have a point.

Wanna eat? Here’s a email I wrote after a client wrote and said they would pay me for some Linux work I did:

That’s OK. I found a trash can with some cat food in it still in the
can. Though it was past the expiration date, it didn’t make me sick.
It was tasty too. I’m heading over to the shelter now. I have several
friends over there who are also contractors. We play dominoes
when we haven’t got work. Thank goodness we aren’t busy
at the same time cause only one terminal is in reserve for us at the
public library. But, I found a church where they let me use their
computer when the accountant goes to lunch or meets the minister at
some hotel for a conference where they can get away from the other
staff members and confessors.

I appreciate you keeping me up to date on the check thing. Wow. I’ll
get half a thousand within a week. I can go down to the thrift shop
and look for my fall wardrobe.

That was the 14th email in the thread. Tongue-in-cheek? Who knows?

So, here’s my recommendation: Go to a community college and take some flex courses and get your MCSE. That’s seven tests you have to take and you already know much of what they teach. You’ll need the jargon, of course.

Doing that will give your resume a fresh look and give hiring managers and recruiters a reason to look at your resume. Most Linux jobs require you to fit into a Microsoft infrastructure. It’s a fact many people I speak to will confirm.

Now, a note about comments. I’ve seen a lot of comments where people deny my observations. I don’t mind that if the person has a legitimate case. I’ve tracked down enough comment makers to find that they are not who and what they say. One so called Tech manager attends college in Australia and doesn’t have a job. Many comments come from the college crowd. Others have personal web pages and blogs and they do not have any experience in the areas they claim. I have emailed others.

So, read comments on sites with some skepticism. I learned to ignore many even though some have legitimacy.