CIS 225

Lecture 23: System Monitoring

Processor Usage

• Windows - Resource Monitor, Process Explorer
• Ubuntu - top, vmstat, ps

Memory Usage

• Windows - Resource Monitor, Process Explorer
• Ubuntu - free

Disk Usage

• Windows - Disk Management, Windirstat
• Ubuntu - du, df, iostat

Network Usage

• Windows - Resource Monitor, TCPView
• Ubuntu - netstat, ss, tcptrack

Inventory

Every good system administrator should keep an up-to-date inventory of all systems being managed

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

• Read data from systems via network
• Some system settings can be changed
• Typically present on networking devices
• GOOD: Easy to read data on many systems
• BAD: Must be properly configured or can be security issue

Enterprise Solutions

• Cacti
• Nagios
• Deep Freeze
• Many Others

Preventative Maintenance

• Check for Patches
• Install Updates
• Remove Old Users
• Check Drive Space
• Backup User Files
• Backup System Files
• Verify Backups
• Update Anti-Virus
• Scan for Viruses
• Check Server Health
• Change Passwords
• Reboot Entire System
• Rebuild System
• Others?

Cell Phones

• First demonstrated in 1973
• 87% of the world has one
• More people use Facebook from a mobile device than from a computer
• Espeically prevalent in developing countries

Capabilities

• 3G/4G
• Bluetooth
• GPS
• Camera
• Compass
• Accelerometer
• Touchscreen
• Large Storage
• Multi-core
• Apps
• SMS
• Wifi
• NFC
• ...Much More

Major Operating Systems

• Google Android
• Apple iOS
• Blackberry
• Windows Phone
• Symbian (defunct)
• WebOS (defunct)

Google Android

• (Mostly) Open Source
• Many different flavors
• Able to install apps from any source
• ~80% market share
• Sandboxed permission system

Apple iOS

• Proprietary Software
• Consistent across devices
• Gated app store
• ~15% market share

Blackberry

• Proprietary Software
• Systems (usually) cannot be upgraded
• Can run Android applications
• ~3-5% market share

Windows Phone

• Proprietary Software
• Systems (usually) cannot be upgraded
• Able to install apps from any source
• ~3-5% market share

Smartphone Usage

• 32% - Games
• 20% - Browser
• 18% - Facebook
• 8% - Entertainment
• 8% - Utility
• 6% - Social Networking
• 2% - Productivity

Source: Smart Insights

What does this mean for System Administrators?

For Sysadmins

• Distractions
• Compatibility
• Training
• Support
  
  
• Customers?

Mobile First!

Presentation by Luke Wroblewski

Image Source: lukew.org

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

• User want to bring their personal devices to work
• They want network access, email access, support, advice, training, etc.
• Upsides?
• Downsides?
• Which Platform?

BYOD Upsides

• Users get newer devices
• Company doesn't pay for them
• Work anytime, anywhere
• Users are happier
• Users self-teach new technology
• Less to carry

BYOD Downsides

• IT has to support more devices
• Data can be easily lost/stolen
• Users may not have enough money
• No consistency between devices
• More distractions at work
• Hard to get away from work at home
• IT costs may actually go up!