Re: Web based Configuration & Administration

[awilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

>>Linuxconf can be run from a web browser as well,  you simply have
>>to enable network access.  Linuxconf comes integrated into Redhat,
>>etc... Only caution is that it is better to use such tools on an
>>all or nothing basis (or close to it) as they can really mess up
>>when they meet something they don't expect.  For example,
>>Linuxconf once decided one of my servers didn't need a hostname.
>IMHO, the state of the art in unix graphical configuration utilities
>is less than satisfactory.  Not only does linuxconf cause me severe
>worries for security, I've seen more than one experienced sysadmin
>swear at it for doing something stupid.

These tools are generally useful (IMO) for the initial setup of a 
machine, as there is usually a small mountain of tweaks to make for a 
machine to integrate nicely into an enviroment.  But after that I 
think it is best to leave them.  These tools (at least Linuxonf 
anyway) lack real sophistication,  for example, using it to setup your 
DNS limits you immensely in the type of records you can construct (no 
SRV, limited reverse mapping, ...).

> In my experience, it's easier to just do something the hard way, than
> to try the easy way and end up having to use the hard way after
> everything's gotten broken :-)

Yep.