Getting Started

As a new systems administrator, it's essential that you learn as much as possible about the BU environment. Contact us. We'll give you the names of useful mailing lists and explain some of the unique tools available to you to manage your UNIX / Linux environment.

You can tie into the BU computing infrastructure if you understand UserAdm, a BU program. Become familiar with the concept of Global UIDs and the tools used to keep your systems in sync with it. If you're also managing PCs, check out the Active Directory hierarchy now in use.

We encourage you to take courses in UNIX and / or Linux. Some people have found the courses that are offered by Sun, Red Hat, and SGI helpful. Boston University also gives tutorials in the spring and fall on UNIX and BU Linux skills.