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Astro FFT: Astronomical FFT processing system

Software Management

Introduction

This document describes some of the main administrative procedures for operating the BEAM Astro FFT system. For more information read the RedHat 7.2 Linux documentation at: http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-7.2-Manual/ref-guide/ and http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-7.2-Manual/custom-guide/ .

System Backup

The system can be re-installed from CD-ROM's relatively easily. However, any configuration that has been changed and all of the data files in /data should be backed up. This is best done by the local network backup system.

Changing Network Configuration

The network configuration can be changed using the "Network Configuration" application neat either from the system menu ("System/Network Configuration") or from the command line.
The main parameters that may need changing are:
 
Parameter Default Usage
Ethernet Device's TCP/IP address 192.168.1.1 The IP address for this interface on the host
Ethernet Device's TCP/IP subnet mask 255.255.255.0 The Subnet mask for this interface
Ethernet Device's TCP/IP gateway address   The IP address of a gateway to other networks
Hostname astro The hostname for this system
Primary DNS   The DNS for address to IP address translation

Adding a user

If the system has been configured to use the NIS system for passwords then users can log on but will not have a home directory unless this has been mounted from the appropriate server.

If the NIS system is not in use a user can be added using the UserManager application accessible from the System menu entry in the main command menu.

Time synchronisation

The system can be configured to synchronise its time from one or more NTP time servers. To enable this sychronisation, login as root and run the command:- 
chkconfig --level 35 ntpd on
To configure NTP to synchronise to a particular server edit the file /etc/ntpd.conf and add a line :- 
server <server name>
Note: It may take some time for the NTPD to synchronise to a time source.

Network Access

By default the /data file system, where all of the Astro FFT data files are stored are accessible to any NFS or SMB client on a read only basis. This may be re-configured by editing the file /etc/exports for NFS and /etc/samba/smb.conf for SMB (MS Windows shares).