Linux FAQ
What is the Rice-supported Linux distribution?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 (with RHEL 5 to follow soon)
What support does IT offer?
Installation and ongoing support of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 on university-owned PCs running the GNOME graphical operating environments.
Why is Linux not supported on Macintosh computers?
IT does not foresee a large, if any, demand to install Linux on Macs, but is open to the possibility of supporting a standard in this area. Please let us know your needs in this regard by logging a request.
How do I request Linux installation on my PC(s)?
Log a request at http://helpdesk.rice.edu that contains the following information:
- "Linux Install" in the subject
- Contact's name
- Contact's phone number
- PC type, model, and its location
- Urgency, if any
IT support staff will then contact you to establish a mutually acceptable date and time for installation.
Are dual-bootable PCs are supported?
No; instead, IT recommends using VMWare (www.vmware.com) for those who need two operating systems on the same PC. Please let us know your needs in this regard and we'll help you evaluate your options on a case-by-case basis.
Will a Linux PC function in my current system environment?
Please see your divisional support staff to get an answer to this question. Due to the decentralized nature of departmental networks with their varying policies, we cannot provide an overarching, accurate answer in this document. Your divisional support team will be able to give you the most complete and accurate insight into your area's Linux environment.
What about my office productivity applications?
Star Office, which is compatible with Microsoft Operating System products, will be made available to Linux PCs as part of the basic installation.
Which Unix applications (MATLAB and so on) run on Linux?
Unix applications will be tested and moved to a Linux version of the standard UNIX /usr/site applications tree one-by-one over time.
What are backup procedures for Linux machines?
Your department's existing Unix backup procedures and policies extend to Linux machines. Currently all IT-supported Linux machines have a user accessible/local partition which will not get backed up. It is the user's responsibility to back this partition up or to make special arrangements with your divisional team representative to back this partition up.
What is the root password for my Linux computer?
Your department's current Unix superuser norms and procedures will apply.
Once installed, how will future operating system and patch updates be handled?
Red Hat operating system upgrades will be announced by IT and coordinated with customers when the upgrade process is ready. Patch updates, because of their more frequent nature, will not be announced, and are done seamlessly and automatically each night.
Can IT configure a university-owned PC running Linux as my home dialup machine? They did this for Suns in the past.
Yes.
What options are available to convert my existing, self-maintained Linux box to a university-supported Linux box?
If the PC contains Red Hat-certified components, IT will be glad to convert it to the standard IT-supported Linux model. This will require a full reinstallation of the operating system and all partitions. If you currently have data which needs to be retained, please back up this data or coordinate with your divisional team representative a time to back up the data.
For general Linux support questions, submit a request to the online help system.