1. Introduction

I was first prompted to write this document after reading a request for such a document on the LDP suggestions page. I realised that this was within my area of expertise and approached the LDP about creating a new HOWTO document for the project. I took the LDP standard template and have modified that in order to come up with the structure of this document. Using both the template and a few SGML references, I have written the SGML source, that I have since found to be a particularly convenient type for converting into many different document formats.

About the author - I started working with Linux 2 years ago (at the time of writing) when I joined IBM ® in a Linux support role. I started IBM with no previous administration experience and learned my skills on the job. A year after I joined I was certified as a Redhat Expert (RHCE). During my second year I implemented a Linux network install server that I am still managing and from which I hope to draw my knowledge to write this document.

1.1 Copyright

(C) Copyright IBM Corp. 2002.

1.2 Disclaimer

This document is provided "AS IS," with no express or implied warranties. Use the information in this document at your own risk.

The following terms are registered trademarks of International Business Machines corporation in the United States and/or other countries: IBM. A full list of U.S. trademarks owned by IBM may be found at http://www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.

Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds

Other company, produce, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen as endorsements.

This document may be reproduced or distributed in any form without prior permission provided the copyright notice is retained on all copies. Modified versions of this document may be freely distributed provided that they are cloearly identified as such, and this copyright is included intact.

You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system before major installation, and backups at regular intervals.

1.3 Credits

I am always open to putting more names in this section so if you want to get in here then please send me feedback or write your own section for a different Linux ® distribution that is not included yet.

Thanks to my proof readers of version 0.9:
- Adrian Fewings
- Beth Carey
- Paul Milner

1.4 Translations

Currently this document is only available in English. If you would like to be a translator for it then please mail me.

1.5 Change Log

You can always find the latest copy of this document at the Linux Documentation Project homepage.