In this chapter, you will learn about the roles that Linux can fulfill in an enterprise environment. I will discuss many of the services that Linux can provide, and these services will show you that Linux is comparable to all other operating

systems currently in use. The compatibility of Linux with most of today’s hardware will demonstrate the flexibility that it provides. This flexibility enables Linux to provide services, such as file storage, e-mail connectivity, and Internet services, and to interoperate with other file systems. In addition we’ll look at various Linux packages and distributions that provide enterprise services and identify where these options can be obtained. Finally, we’ll round out the chapter with a discussion on the needs of the customer and how the customer can provide the resources to use Linux effectively in the enterprise environment.

Linux In the Real World

1.3 Determine what software and services should be installed (e.g., client applications for workstation, server services for desired task), check requirements and validate that it is supported by Linux

1.6 Identify the function of different Linux services (e.g., Apache, Squid, SAMBA, Sendmail, ipchains, BIND)

The great benefit of Linux is that it can be used from the desktop to the server in the enterprise environment. How is this possible? Unlike other operating systems, Linux supports virtually every service that users may need. For example, an administrator can install Linux on a PC and use it to perform word-processing tasks, surf the Web, dial up with a modem, DSL, or cable — or connect via a network interface card (NIC), share files, and even play games. Playing games may not be the goal in an enterprise environment, but Linux is capable of supporting Web servers, files servers, database servers, and many more server-based applications. Linux can provide these services through the packages that are included with a distribution or through a download of these software packages to a Linux PC or server. Because Linux works on most platforms, it has a wide range of uses in the enterprise environment.

Setting up a desktop user is now as easy with Linux as it is with most other operating systems. The end user can now use a PC to perform daily tasks with Linux. Included with most Linux distributions are fully functional word processors, e-mail programs, spreadsheets, database programs, graphic views and manipulators, Web browsers, file transfer, printing support, presentation software, and virtually every other type of program supported by rival desktop operating systems. The availability of these features allows the enterprise user to create documents, chart profits or production, read and send e-mail, transfer files, create and view Web pages, and many other tasks that they need to perform. All of these abilities make Linux a capable operating system for the desktop enterprise environment.

Word Processing

A PC with a Microsoft operating system may use Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect for word-processing tasks, whereas a Linux-based system can use Corel WordPerfect, Kword, AbiWord, StarOffice Writer — or one of many other Linux-based word processors. Using Linux instead of a Microsoft or Apple operating system can present problems with word processing because Microsoft doesn’t have a version of MS Word for Linux. This can cause some issues with compatibility of file formats, but because all these word processors can save in a format compatible with other word processors, compatibility isn’t as difficult an issue as it may once have been. The ability to use a compatible word processor allows Linux to be easily integrated into an enterprise word processing solution.

Spreadsheets and databases

Although word processing may be one of the most needed tools in an enterprise environment, spreadsheets and databases may have equal or even greater importance in some workplaces. With Linux, users can create high quality spreadsheets and databases files with programs such as Corel Quattro, StarOffice Base, KSpread, or one of many other available programs. These programs are highly useable and capable of creating a spreadsheet or database in any office environment. With these applications, Linux is able to provide the required compatibility with programs that are used in other operating systems. Programs such as Corel Quattro, StarOffice Base, and KSpread can easily create a spreadsheet or database that is compatible in format with other commercial applications. Such compatibility is vital because interoperations with other versions of databases and spreadsheets make Linux a viable selection in the enterprise environment.

Web browsing

Although word processing, spreadsheets, and databases are very important in today’s enterprise environment, Web browsing may have as much significance in performing and staying informed in the business world. Linux can be used to support Web browsing with several programs, such as Netscape, Opera, and Konqueror. Netscape, Opera, and Konqueror support most Web sites, and users find the browser interfaces easy to use. Therefore, Linux enables users to browse the Internet as easily as they can with any other operating system — but some problems can occur. One of the problems that can arise when using Linux to browse the Web is non-compatibility with some Web sites that use certain proprietary code. The reality of the current Web marketplace is that Microsoft products have become widely used in many areas. Because Web designers have no formal standard that must be adhered to when building a Web page, it is possible, and increasingly common, for designers to leverage browser-specific features built into Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Because Microsoft does not support a Linux version of Internet Explorer, some Web pages may not display as intended on the popular Linux

browser applications. If the browser doesn’t understand the information being sent from the Web page, it may fail to display the page or cause part or all of a page to be corrupted. As the popularity of Linux — and Linux Web browsers in particular — increases, it will hopefully encourage Web developers to write code that adheres to industry standards, rather than create proprietary solutions that only work on certain browsers.

E-mail

Because Netscape also supports the standards for Internet mail, its mail component — which uses POP3 and SMTP — can be used to read and send e-mail. Many other e-mail clients are available, such as Kmail and StarOffice Mail. Although these mail programs may easily work for most users, some features are not supported by these mail programs. Groupware programs, such as Microsoft’s Exchange, provide non-standard applications for scheduling and other grouporientated tasks. Users and organizations that require these types of “all-in-one” messaging systems may find that Linux is not the right choice for them. However, Linux’s ability to support standardized e-mail makes the task of setting up, configuring, and maintaining a pure, standards-based e-mail server easier for the users and support personnel. These types of e-mail programs are well documented and often have guided setup programs, which create a reliable and comfortable environment for the user and the enterprise.

File transfer

The ability to download files is also included in Linux via TCP/IP standards, such as FTP (File Transport Protocol) and TFTP (Trivial File Transport Protocol). These are standards supported in the TCP/IP stack that is included with Linux. At the command prompt, you can use the FTP command just as you would in any operating system that includes the TCP/IP networking protocol. Many users, however, don’t enjoy performing file transfers at the command line because somewhat cryptic commands may confuse the novice user. Several utilities, such as gFTP, KFTP or Igloo FTP Pro, provide graphical user interfaces (GUI) that work in a Windows environment and provide easy-to-use file transfer clients. These tools are very similar to the tools that are available in virtually every other operating system — thus making Linux just as useful and reliable.

More, more, and more applications

Linux provides virtually any application that a user in the enterprise environment needs. For example, do you need a chat or pop-up client to make interoffice communications easier? Try kiam, kicq, kpopup, kTuxPop, or kYahoo, which all provide connectivity to instant messaging applications, such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo instant messaging, and even Winpopup compatibility. Integrated office