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Quick Tools for System Assessment

Goals

  • Identify some useful commands to get information about a networked computer system

Logged in?

  • Who's logged on? (w or who or finger on Unix/Linux)
  • What processes are running (ps -aux or ps -elf on Unix/Linux; use the process manager in Windows)
  • What usernames are there? (/etc/passwd on Unix/Linux, try the Computer Management / Users in Windows)
  • What software is available? (ls various system directories on Unix/Linux; rpm -q -a with RedHat and other Linux; Control Panel / Add/Remove Software in Windows)

Not logged in?

  • What ports are open? (use "telnet" to test by hand, e.g., telnet SERVERNAME 25 to see if an SMTP server is running)
  • Is there a login banner or screen?
  • A Web server?
  • An organizational chart listing who does what with the system?
  • Evidence on the Internet (sample: search groups.google.com to see whether someone from the system has posted messages)

Remember, your activities might be logged! These tests should be used with discretion.

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UNC SILS
Prof. Greg Newby