Debian Etch Common Setup

1.   Introduction
1.1   Installing Debian/Ubuntu
1.2   Package Repository
1.3   Common Configuration

Introduction

For the sake of consistency, each Debian/Ubuntu server I create for personal use has the same initial configuration.

Installing Debian/Ubuntu

I only use Debian or Ubuntu for servers, which I install from CD or a PXE bootable version of the CD. This gives me a minimal system upon which I can build what I need.

I won't be explaining the step by step Debian or Ubuntu installation here, I can't be arsed and you should know that stuff anyway ;-)

Package Repository

• DebianEtchRepositoryConfiguration
• UbuntuHardyRepositoryConfiguration

Common Configuration

The bits below are pretty much my staple starting point for all Debian servers.

• DebianNetworkInterfaces
• DebianEssentials
• DebianBootConfiguration

The SSH server I use is dependent on the amount of RAM available in the host. Typically I use OpenSSH but install Dropbear on low RAM computers.

• OpenSSHServer
• DropbearSSHServer

I use rsync based tools to backup my various systems to one central server. The pages below explain what scripts I use, all really on 'root' SSH authentication using a password-less public/private key pair.

• RdiffBackup
• WeeklyBackup

I like to monitor my servers to ensure that they are available and not being abused, here are my notes on the tools I use to achieve this.

• QuicknDirtySecurityandVisibility

$Id: DebianEtchCommonSetup,v 1.8 2008/08/11 11:37:58 martin Exp $