Windows NT & UNIX: Administration, Coexistence, Integration, & Migration

Description

Increasingly, system administrators and information management professionals find that they must be familiar with both UNIX and Windows NT and capable of managing their interaction and coexistence. Finding assistance on how to best proceed from experienced sources has been difficult--until now.

Robert Williams and Ellen Gardner both have extensive experience integrating and managing heterogeneous systems. They have designed this book to be the kind of resource they wish had been available when they first dealt with UNIX and Windows NT interaction. The book begins by bringing administrators of each operating system up to speed with the administration of the alternative system, including cross-referencing the important utilities of both.

The core of the book then focuses on the three specific areas of interaction administrators must understand to be successful: coexistence, in which UNIX and Windows NT cooperate and have common methods of maintenance; integration, referring to true operating systems interoperability; and migration, primarily the movement from UNIX to Windows NT.

The book's comprehensive coverage includes an in-depth look at how to plan for and implement the introduction of Windows NT into a UNIX environment and an examination of available tools for porting UNIX applications. Networking topics are thoroughly explored, with complete coverage of TCP/IP and how it is utilized by each operating system; CORBA and DCOM interoperability issues; electronic mail systems, with explanations of SMTP, UNIX sendmail, and Microsoft BackOffice Exchange Server 5.0; and the integration of UNIX and Windows NT web servers.

Windows NT and UNIX also addresses other topics such as accessing data across platforms, user interface emulators, Windows applications under UNIX and vice versa, ported POSIX commands and utilities, and the new clustering technologies. The book concludes with comprehensive quick reference guides to common Windows NT and UNIX commands and utilities, cross-referencing those that have similar functions within both operating systems.

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Introduction to Windows NT and UNIX 1.


 1. Introduction.


 2. A View of UNIX and Windows NT from 30,000 Feet.


 3. UNIX Structure, Processes, and Users.


 4. Tasks Common to UNIX System Administration.


 5. UNIX Topics.


 6. Windows NT Structure, Processes, and Users.


 7. Tasks Common to Windows NT System Administration.


 8. Advanced and Miscellaneous Windows NT Topics.


 9. Planning and Implementation Issues.


10. UNIX and Windows NT Coexistence.


11. Application Migration Issues.


12. UNIX and Windows NT Network Overview.


13. UNIX and Windows NT Network Integration.


14. Electronic Mail Integration.


15. Windows NT and UNIX as Web Servers.


16. A Look at the Future.


Appendix A Windows NT Commands and Utilities.


Appendix B UNIX Commands and Utilities. 0201185369T04062001

Preface

The continued growth of UNIX coupled with the overwhelming market acceptance of Windows NT Server has created a window of opportunity. Professionals with skills appropriate to manage both of these operating systems are rare. This book is written for information managers and system administrators who are seeking combined operating system skills or who require quick reference guides.

We utilized three primary sources of information to prepare this book. First, we relied heavily on our combined decades of experience in application development and system administration for UNIX and Microsoft operating systems. Our recommendations have not emerged from a vacuum, but are based on hard-fought reality. We have experienced both successes and blunders in managing UNIX and Windows NT systems. It is our hope that the experience we bring to this book assists fellow system administrators to better manage an enterprise.

Secondly, observations and interviews with system administrators in the field were also utilized to provide "reality checks" for our conclusions. Theoretic understanding of UNIX and Windows NT is a nice beginning, but it is no substitute for actual experience.

Thirdly, we utilized the operating systems and associated documentation. Microsoft Windows NT references are based primarily on Version 4.0. Occasionally we refer to the early Windows NT Version 3.51 and associated products like Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows for Workgroups. The server and client versions of Windows NT are largely the same, with the exception of a few administrative tools. Therefore, much of the discussion assumes both the client and server versions of the Windows NT operating system.

The task of analyzing UNIX is not as straightforward because of the existence of so many variant UNIX versions. Although they have underlying similarities of form and function, the actual implementation can vary significantly. Therefore, we elected to utilize generic UNIX System V, Release 4, as our baseline operating system. References to special adaptations made for other versions of UNIX are noted whenever appropriate. The following commercial versions of UNIX were utilized to prepare this book:

• AT&T UNIX V4.2
• AIX 3.x and 4.x
• Digital UNIX 4.0
• HP-UX 9.x and 10.x
• SCO UNIX 3.x and Open Desktop
• Sun OS 4.x
• Sun Solaris 2.x
• UnixWare 2.1

We also occasionally refer to LINUX. Although LINUX is not technically a UNIX variant because it was not derived from the original AT&T source code, this "freeware" UNIX-like operating system is gaining acceptance in some sectors. It is anticipated that it will play a part in many mixed UNIX and Windows NT enterprises.

Audience for the Book

This book is written for a very special breed of system administrators--those who are involved in managing both UNIX and Windows NT environments. Specifically, we envision three primary audiences who should find this book useful:

1. UNIX system administrators who must now also manage Windows NT
2. Windows NT system administrators who must learn basic UNIX management
3. Individuals new to both UNIX and Windows NT system administration

We acknowledge the fact that some system administrators have extensive formal training, whereas others inherit responsibility through organizational default. Therefore, the level of direct UNIX and Windows NT knowledge varies widely. Any individual who even occasionally struggles with system management issues can use this book as a reference document.

How to Use this Book

Windows NT and UNIX: Administration, Coexistence, Integration, and Migration adheres to the following style conventions to facilitate reading clarity and to underscore emphasis:

• Bold is used for specific Windows NT fields, tabs, or buttons that the user should access to accomplish the task being discussed. Otherwise, bold is used to bring attention to a specific term or concept.
• Semibold is used to depict a series of Windows NT options for a specific action.
• Italic is used to highlight terms and commands.
• Monospace is used to denote sample code and specific strings of code or keystrokes to be entered by the user.

This symbol is used to note information of special interest or shortcuts associated with the UNIX operating system.

This symbol is used to note information of special interest or shortcuts associated with the Windows NT operating system.

Organization of the Book

This book is divided into five parts:

• Part I: Introduction - This part outlines both real and perceived strengths and weaknesses of the two operating systems.
• Part II: System Administration Primer for UNIX and Windows NT - This part is a primer and quick reference guide for the administration of UNIX and Windows NT. Each operating system is reviewed from the following three perspectives:
  1. Operating system structure, processes, and user intervention
  2. Common tasks encountered by system administrators
  3. Advanced operating system topics
• Part III: Coexistence and Migration with UNIX and Windows NT - This part defines the key issues and considerations concerning coexistence and migration between the operating systems. Part III begins with Chapter 9 about planning and implementation issues. Chapter 10 describes key technologies that augment operating system coexistence. The final chapter in this part, Chapter 11, reviews issues related to migrating UNIX applications to Windows NT.
• Part IV: Windows NT and UNIX Integration - The cornerstone of the integration of these premier network operating systems rests on common utilization of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and related services. We begin Part IV with a review of networking operations and a specific analysis of TCP/IP in Chapter 12. Chapter 13 describes methods for networking integration. Chapter 14 focuses on e-mail interoperability. We conclude Part IV with Chapter 15, a view of the roles played by Windows NT and UNIX with the Internet and the specific management of Web servers.
• Part V: Epilogue and Quick Reference Guides - In Chapter 16 we provide a glimpse into our crystal ball to see the probable future of Windows NT 5.0 and UNIX. Appendices A and B detail the use of common Windows NT and UNIX commands and utilities, respectively. We cross-reference the commands and utilities that are similar in function in both operating systems.

Where to Get Recent Information

An Internet Web site has been established to provide you with additional information and files to download. We also hope that you will share your experiences and post them on our Web site. If you want to obtain updated information or share your experiences, surf the net and land at http://www.unint.com/book.html.

Throughout this book we provide the relevant addresses, e-mail addresses, and Web site locations of software and hardware vendors, educational and governmental institutions, trade associations, and other groups.

Acknowledgments

When any book is written there is a number of people, both in the foreground and in the background, who help the authors make their publication deadlines. This book is no exception. We would like to pay tribute to those individuals who helped us succeed.

First, we would like to thank the staff at Addison Wesley Longman for having the vision to understand the need for this book and the professionalism to follow through and make it happen. In particular we would like to recognize Mary Treseler O'Brien, Carter Shanklin, Rachel Beavers, and Elizabeth Spainhour. Additionally, we want to acknowledge our copy editor, Catherine Ohala; the Addison-Wesley production coordinator, Marilyn Rash; and Judy Strakalaitis of Bookworks. We also want to thank our marketing manager, Tracy Russ.

The book would have taken much longer to complete without the assistance of our contributors: Mark Walla, Barrie Sosinsky, and Michael Borowski. Mark Walla also provided technical reviews.

We also would like to acknowledge the work and effort of our technical reviewers. These are the people who kept us on the straight and narrow: Brooks Cutter of Microsoft; Les G. Farkas, John Hart, Brian Helvey, and Jeff Gitlin of Lucent Technologies; Bill Mansfield of CIBER; Brad TerEick; Stephen Walli of Softway Systems; and Fred Zlotnick.

Microsoft Corporation has been very cooperative in the development of this book. Gary Schare, Windows NT Server Product Manager, was instrumental in providing technical information and other vital resources that proved extremely valuable. Ed Muth and Chris Preston also provided support. Insight into Microsoft marketing and strategic relationships was garnered from the dynamic support of John Ford. Technical and professional training support was also provided by Barbara Staub and Liz Brackett. The authors send a very special thanks to Gary, Ed, Chris, John, Barbara, Liz, and many other Microsoft personnel.

In addition to new friends in the Windows NT community, we must also thank many individuals involved in UNIX. First and foremost, thank you to the many people of the old Decathlon Data Systems, including Edward Nichols, Martha McGavin, Larry Bridges, Mark Chance, Paul Bailey, Kayla Hulse, Ken Gamauf, Katherine Griffin, Eric Taylor, and the late Kenneyth Griffin. And we cannot forget UNIX friends Nicky Hull-Itkin, Rich Itkin, Cliff Mangum, Manuel Diaz, Frank Mancusco, and many others.

Coauthor Robert Williams was privileged to be a featured speaker on UNIX and Windows NT interoperability in the international road show Integration97. Much additional insight was garnered from the exceptional team in this traveling circus. In addition to the previously acknowledged Microsoft personnel, we want to thank Hewlett-Packard's remarkable Lee Rodberg, Scott Cicora, and Frank Sancho. We also want to acknowledge the exceptional team from Tech Data, including Raymond Doucette (fellow dancing bear), John Mayeux, Steve Brunk, Scott Maentez, Jack Shortway, and so many others.

A very special thank-you needs to go to coauthor Ellen Beck Gardner's husband, Kevin, whose patience and understanding was remarkable and cannot be understated. Thanks, Kev! Their daughter, Emily, who is also Bob's goddaughter, was the light that kept all of the craziness in perspective. To both Kevin and Emily, your love, understanding, and support never went unnoticed, although it may not have been frequently acknowledged. Personal thanks is also given by Ellen to Bob and Arleen Beck for years of support and love. Ellen also gives a special thanks to Bob for his vision, his sense of humor, and his determination that helped to keep this book on track.

Bob Williams gives special acknowledgment to the people of Productive Data Systems, including Joe Martinez, Sally Tulk, and Dave Perry for providing new opportunities. Jeff Howell and Bruce Batkey of Batkey-Howell Education Training Centers also deserve a special note. A special thank you also goes to Doug Miller of Software Systems and to the folks at DataFocus. Bob extends personal thanks to Ellen, Flora Williams, Sue and Mike Montgomery, and supportive friends Ivory Curtis, Scott Woodland, Mark Sehnert, Jim Fry, and Karen Bircher.

Finally, we thank the many professional associates we have been honored to meet over the years. This book belongs to them.

Updates

Submit Errata