All of the existing software is now up-to-date except for the kernel until I get gentoo-sources-2.6.23-r3 compiled. I’ve got a short list of tasks before this server will be fully operational. After I deem the server feature complete then I’ll start blogging specific maintenance periods and holding myself to them. Not making changes on a whim is possibly the most important part of this exercise. Given that any length of downtime is unacceptable during business hours; a good Sys-Admin makes a plan for doing specific updates including how to rollback when things go wrong.

To-Do: Short list of services offered.

• rsync/distfiles mirror (rsync: not listening/distfiles: ftp server not installed)
• ntpd time server (installed but not listening for inbound connections)
• gkrellmd server (already operating)
• sshd (already operating)
• apcupsd (not installed)

Immediate tasks

• configure a static IP. Right now DNS resolution only works when it’s configured by dhcp.
• install sudo and remove root logon
• compile new kernel
• install and configure the above services