Linux help with new dedicated server
Hello folks,
I took advantage of the Pwebtech server special for the $129 dedicated server.
I am pretty new to Linux admin, but learn fast, I just had a few questions I was looking for help/answers too.
I apologize upfront if they are "stupid" or don't make sense, I am going on 29 hours of uptime with no sleep! :-(
1 - The system is running 2.4.8 ( 2.4.8 #1 SMP Fri Aug 17 17:16:41 EDT 2001 i686 unknown) kernel. I am interested in what your opinion and stability/security is of this rev of the kernel? How/should one go about updating this?
2 - I am interested in running iptables for firewalling and ip accounting, but I am reading that this has to be compiled into the kernel, is this true? I've never done a kernel compile/build, and I'm not sure about doing one remotely. Any ideas? How can I tell if the kernel was compiled with support for iptables?
3 - Do you recommend something other then iptables for firewalling and ip accounting?
4 - I've spent quite a bit of time updating some of the modules, securing inetd and the rest of the system, etc. I've read the stuff at openna.com and have been following his advice.
5 - For some reason OpenSSH wasn't installed, so I have no ssh2 support, I want to remove the ssh package and install openssh, what is the easiest way to go about this? Should I open up telnet before I start this incase I mess it up?
6 - Whiche is newer, ipchains or iptables? Am I correct in my reading that iptables is what you should be running instead of the "older" ipchains?
Any other pointers on security and admin for a new comer such as myself?
Thanks in advance!!
Tom
