October 17, 2024

Go2Linux, Inc.
Brittany Knapp
10048 Superior Avenue
Laurel, MD 20723

My name is Brittany Knapp and I am a Linux Specialist working for Go2Linux. We provide
expert assistance in migrating to Linux. We recently offered a Linux Migration Proposal for
FasterComputing. Our recommendation included Ubuntu. Being user friendly, open-source,
free, and reliable, I think Ubuntu will make a great fit for your company. The primary
requirement was a distribution that could interact with the remaining Windows devices, with
available support and the ability to run on different types of hardware.

There are several questions you have for Go2Linux, including the following:

How will you implement security in the Linux Systems?

Security will be implemented using very simple scripting. Workstations and servers implement
security through scripting. Local repositories can be updated. An example of this will be
described below.
In terms of the Ubuntu setup, usernames and passwords will be incorporated as a means of
authentication. If the company would like to incorporate a higher level of security, our team can
implement more. All software installation will be conducted by Go2Linux, and as each one is
installed, System Administrations will implement a proper security method warranted for each
one.
Another security measure that can be taken will be encryption. Encrypting data on a drive is
vital because it will help others that do not possess the necessary resources in order to decrypt
and use the data. The end-to-end encryption method maintains the safety of the data as it moves
from a sender to the receiver.
The operating systems and applications can be upgraded using the following scripts:
$ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Firewall, known as UFW, can be installed using the next script:

$ sudo apt install ufw

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End users have expressed some concern about completing their day-to-day tasks on Linux.
How would activities such as email/web browsing work? How would they work with their
previous Microsoft Office files?
When it comes to web browsing, I will propose 2 browsers. The systems will be set up with
Google Chrome, as it is widely-popular and possesses an easy-to-use and customizable interface.
This web browser operates the same as it would on any other operating system. And you can use
it with ease on Linux. Linux also offers its own web application called Opera. This browser
features Linux’s open-source properties and comes with a built-in VPN for additional security.
This web browser is optional and can be added through the Linux platform. Google Chrome will
be the primary browser for all users.
It can seem difficult to use something different after becoming accustomed to Microsoft Office.
However to take its place we will be using LibreOffice, which has a substitute for virtually each
Microsoft component. For example, “Writer” will take the place of “Word”. “Calc” will replace
“Excel”. And PowerPoint will now be “Impress”.
In terms of the previous files from Microsoft Office, there will not be an issue in terms of
seamlessly transferring them over to Linux. Samba server offers an application that allows
Windows files to be transferred to Linux. Every file that is already saved within Microsoft
Office will be transported over into the Linux system and placed within LibreOffice. Another
option would be to use Microsoft Office over the internet using a web browser and save the files
that way.
There is an alternative in case LibreOffice is not the ultimate choice. Apache OpenOffice, is
very similar to LibreOffice. The primary difference is the particular interface. Some users may
find this interface preferable. Regardless, the underlying code and ability to transfer Microsoft
Office files remains the same.
Samba will also play a major role in printer sharing as well. Ubuntu supports printer sharing over
networks. You will be able to print from your Ubuntu machine, Windows machine, etc., to
another Ubuntu or Windows device that has a printer attached. This printing capability used by
Ubuntu is called CUPS, meaning Common Unix Printing System. But if an Ubuntu print server
is also intended to work with Windows clients, SAMBA is installed to allow for a smooth
communication between all device types and the corresponding printers.
See figure below:

Illustration: (Handa, 2015)

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For email services, the transition away from Outlook can seem overwhelming. But Ubuntu
features several different applications to help compensate for the need to bring comfort to this
daily task. One email application, Evolution, can be used within Linux for IMAP, POP, and
SMTP.
The current windows administrators are unsure about administering Linux systems. How
are common tasks, such as process monitoring and management, handled in Linux? How
does logging work? Do we have event logs like we do in Windows?
It is important that the system administrators know and understand the series of commands that
will allow them to conduct management processes. Commands will initially be introduced and
taught upon setup of Linux. But formal “cheat sheets”, which provide a very easily accessible
list of the commands and their purposes, will be provided to them for future reference purposes.
It is of utmost importance for us to provide training during the onboarding process. But we
believe these additional handy resources will allow for more comfort in being capable of
implementing process monitoring and and management within Linux.
All processes on the Linux server can be monitored by the IT or System Administrator, via the
root user. This will be done using this top command, to monitor the Linux Process. Please note
that systemd is a software suite that provides system components for Linux OS. From the top
command, more specific commands exist for process management. Many of them begin with the
top command in order to retrieve the process ID (PID) first.
This is an example of such commands:

Linux: Description:

top Top Command used to monitor Linux Process

cd/var/log Locating logs on Linux

echo $path Used to locate correct process path

/var/log/syslog Global system activity

/var/log/auth.log Security events

(logins, root-user actions, PAM outputs)

/var/log/kern.log Shows kernel events, errors, warnings.

/var/log/cron Info about scheduled tasks

The process of logging is rather simple. Linux provides a directory where it stores logs on the
system. This is known as the /var/log directory. Different logs are stored in different directories.
Compared to Windows, they are more detailed and easily accessible.
This is an example of the log directories and what can be found in each:

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 Linux: Description:

‘process name’ Start a process.

ps -u ‘username’ Look at all processes run by user and running

ps -ef processes on current machine.
-ef = shows every process and full listing.

ps ‘PID’ Look for a process based on its process ID.

kill ‘PID’ Kills process by PID.

pkill ‘process name’ Kills process by name.

nice -n ‘value’ ‘process name’ Increase or decrease priority of process.

renice ‘value’ -p ‘PID’ Change priority of a running process.

‘process name’ Send the process to the background until

bg complete.

fg ‘process name’ Bring the process back to the foreground.

which ‘process name’ View full path of a process.

‘Process name’ -v Check the version of a process file.

Within Linux, there are 4 different types of events to be monitored: application, event, system,
and service logs. Accessing these logs will require use of the terminal. The commands show
some insight on how process monitoring and management will be handled.
Some folks in IT raised questions about the Linux flavor that was recommended. They
would like to see comparisons between your recommendation and a couple of other options.
What makes your recommendation the best option?
Our recommendation was based on user purpose, stability, security, desktop environment,
hardware compatibility, software availability and community support.
The current server environment at FasterComputing is sufficient to run any Linux derivative. In
addition, the hardware configuration which contains a mixture of both Windows and a few Mac
users, is also sufficient to run any Linux derivative. But we wanted to meet a few particular
needs: a Linux distribution capable of interacting with the remaining Windows environment,
availability of support, and flexibility in the usage of different types of hardware. The security of
Ubuntu makes it additionally appealing. There is no need to have any anti-virus software. And
because Ubuntu exhibits the latest Linux kernel with pre-installed drivers, a great deal of time
will be saved when connecting all of FasterComputing hardware with other devices.

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Ubuntu was chosen based on its ease of use and user-friendly interface. The overall style of
Ubuntu is similar to that of Windows based on its overall setup. Although there are many
different distributions, or flavors, Ubuntu is the most widely-used worldwide.
I would like to offer the main characteristics of both Ubuntu and another well-known Linux
system, Red Hat Linux.
Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distros for numerous reasons:
● The latest versions are published every 6 months.
● In addition, these releases come with a more stable LTS (long term support) every two
years.
● Each version comes with a promise of 5 years of protection with overall maintenance
updates.
● This puts far less stress on system resources.
● It is a user-friendly Linux distribution and recommended for a wide range of users.
● Intuitive interface and extensive documentation makes this distro ideal for those new to
Linux.
● Ubuntu appeals to those that require a stable, secure, and cost-effective operating system.
● Ubuntu provides software repositories.
● It is compatible with a variety of hardware, which is ideal for both personal and
professional purposes.
● Ubuntu’s strong community support and regular updates ensure a reliable and up-to-date
experience for all users.
● It focuses on user friendliness and accessibility.
● Best option for those coming from a Windows or MacOS background.

Another popular Linux distro is Red Hat Enterprise Linux:

● This operating system is mainly used for servers and

corporations.
● It was developed by Red Hat and targeted for commercial use.
● Red Hat was designed with a stable platform with long-term support.
● The core software is also free and open-source.
● Transitioning to Linux would be a bit more difficult for beginners.
● It is primarily for users that are at least intermediate at Linux.
● The commercial and business usage makes the learning curve rather high.

How does software installation work on Linux? Can we use existing Windows software?
Ubuntu orchestrates a Live Installer and Live Patching update feature. This means it will
automatically apply patches that do not require system restart, in the background. There will be
minimal downtime allotted to system updates. The system will also continue to run during off
business hours, allowing it to do routine scheduled updates and installations.
Official Documentation on the Ubuntu website offers further insight on how to add or remove
software. Applications on Ubuntu are known as software, and it has a graphical user interface

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(GUI)). There is already a default set of applications that come pre-installed, but you may want
to add other applications of your choice. Installing an application will take place in the App
Center.
To install an application, take the following steps:
1. Click App Center icon located in the Dock. Or, search “Software” in the
Activities search bar.
2. In App Center - search for a particular application, select a category or browse
other options.
3. Click “Install”.
4. Authenticate by entering your password and installation will begin.
https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/addremove-install.html.en

How can Linux work together with the systems that will continue to run Windows? How
will we share files between the different system types?

You can still run Windows applications within Linux. All Windows software can be accessed
through Wine. Wine is a program that is similar to a compatibility layer for running these
applications. Wine will be installed during setup to allow Windows programs to run on Ubuntu.
This will be done through the Software repository.
To do this: Upon finding a Windows .exe file that you would like to download, right click the
.exe file. Then, install it using the Wine software. This will then install the software as if you
are using Windows.
Linux and Windows will both be located on a Local Area Network (LAN). Just like Wine,
Samba will be the file sharing protocol for file sharing purposes. Sambra is already installed on
Windows systems, and provided through the Ubuntu repository. Thanks to Sambra, employees
can share files between Linux and Windows. The two systems work perfectly together.

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 References

Handa, A. (2015, November 27). Network Printing With Ubuntu. Amit Handa.
https://handaamit.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/networkbprintingbwithbubuntu/

James, P. (2023, June 25). 10 Best Linux Distributions In 2024. GBHackers on Security | #1
Globally Trusted Cyber Security News Platform. https://gbhackers.com/linux-distros/

Padilla, A. (2024). Install and Configure Samba. Ubuntu.

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/install-and-configure-samba#1-overview

Viewing and Monitoring Processes in Linux. (2022, January 4). Ubuntu Community Hub.
https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/viewing-and-monitoring-processes-in-linux/26024

Xiao, G. (2017, January 10). Install and Configure Samba Server on Ubuntu 16.04 for File
Sharing. LinuxBabe. https://www.linuxbabe.com/ubuntu/install-samba-server-file-share

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