Computer Lab Automation

Automation and Computer Lab Maintainance

Linux system administration can be a number of task which may include:

• Checking / maintaining smooth operation of the server / workstations (run benchmarks)
• Replace defective server / workstation hardware
• Perform computer hardware upgrades
• Install applications
• Upgrade Linux OS / Upgrade applications
• Create / Remove / Suspend Linux computer accounts
• Create / Enforce Acceptable Use Policy of Computer Lab
• Maintain security (from within / outside) the computer lab
• Write programs (including shell scripts) to automate routine tasks

As the saying goes "necessity is the mother of invention". When you set up a Linux computer lab, you may be required to provide (or train users) support for that system. One advantage of providing (volunteering) support is that users will ask you questions which will encourage you to automate or fix problems, instead of you having to think ahead of what tasks to automate. There is simply no better experience (other than working in IT for a company)...

Automating Routine Tasks

As a Linux system (LTSP computer lab) administrator, Your job is to "look after" the smooth operation of the computer lab. This will require you to either use graphical applications (programs) to administer the computer lab, or open a command prompt (called a "shell" in Linux terminology) to issue Linux operating system commands.

What ?!? Issue old fashioned Linux commands? Yuk!

Well hold on here a minute... I didn't say you always had to issue Linux commands, there are a lot of graphical programs that act as graphical "frontends" to achieve the same result from issuing Linux commands. But sometimes it is nice to know you can resort to Linux commands if a graphical administration tool is not available. Also, Linux commands can be placed into a file to run (like MS Windows "batch" files) to automate routine tasks. This allow you to create you own "customized" programs!

A wise Unix/Linux user once mentioned, "With Linux, learn it once, know it always". In other words, if you take the time to learn Linux commands and understand the system/setup files, you can perform all of the tasks with or without graphical administration programs. People that were working on UNIX systems in the 70's can still work on Linux systems (and not have to pay $10.000 every 4 years to maintain their designation, or learn new graphical administration tools)... cool!

Knowing which type of programming language to use when automating a task is based upon a programmers knowledge base and experience. In other word, knowing which is the "best tool for the task". Should the program be compiled (like C, C++, etc) for efficient operation? Should program be interpreted (eg. Shell Script, Perl Script, JavaScript) for ease of programming? Many factors are involved here, but shell scripting is definitely an easy way for the administrator to automate routine tasks... I will only be discussing Shell Scripting in the WIKI, although, you can access by webpage to learn other programming languages (like C - Course: IPC144)...

Many of the shell scripts on the Internet are "open-source" so instead of trying to "re-invent the wheel", you may be able to download, use, and/or modify the contents to meet your own needs...