# System Administration with VASM and VasmCC

# CONTENTS

    1. Introduction
    2. User features vs Root features
    3. Use in X-Windows (GUI)
    3a. VasmCC (GUI wrapper)
    4. Use in Text Mode
    5. Switching to Text Mode
    6. Detailed descriptions
        6.1. AUTOSETUP
        6.2. USER
               6.2.1. ADD
               6.2.2. DEL
               6.2.3. PASSWD
               6.2.4. PASSROOT

        6.3. XWINDOW
               6.3.1. XCONF
               6.3.2. XDMSET
               6.3.3. XWMSET
               6.3.4. BOOTSET

        6.4. SERVICE
               6.4.1. BOOTSET
               6.4.2. INITSET
               6.4.3. HWSET
               6.4.4. SRVSET
               6.4.5. CUPSWEB
               6.4.6. SAMBAWEB

        6.5. NETWORK
               6.5.1. NETCONF
               6.5.2. NAME
               6.5.3. INET
               6.5.4. WIRELESS
               6.5.5. MODEM
               6.5.6. FIREWALL

        6.6. HARDWARE
               6.6.1. HWCONF
               6.6.2. HWSET
               6.6.3. ALSACONF
               6.6.4. CDSET
               6.6.5. MOUSESET
               6.6.6. KEYMAPSET
               6.6.7. DATESET
               6.6.8. ZONESET

        6.7. FILESYSTEM
               6.7.1. FDISK
               6.7.2. FORMAT
               6.7.3. MOUNT
               6.7.4. LILO
               6.7.5. BACKUPSYS

# 1. Introduction

"VASM" is short for "Vector Administrative and Services Menu" and is Vector Linux's main system configuration tool. Recently, VL has added VASMCC to version 6.0. VASMCC provides a very newbie-friendly GUI iconic interface to the VASM menu system, making it easier for the new user to find his/her way around VL system administration commands. It is recommended that newbies and users new to VL use VasmCC for their system administration work.

VASM is the same in both CLI (text) and GUI mode. The script automatically identifies the mode you are currently in and uses the appropriate interface.

VASM running in Graphical Mode.

Some special notes:
1.For most functions VASM needs you to be logged in as root, the administration account on your VectorLinux system.
2.Some functions accessible through the VASM require the system to be running in Text Mode and not GUI Mode. Such functions are clearly marked and cannot function in GUI mode. (See Section 5 below).

VASM running in Text Mode.

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# 2. User features vs. Root features

You can use VASM as a normal user or as privileged root user (System Administrator). The difference is that running it as a normal user gives you access to only those functions that affect that particular user, whereas in root mode you can access the full range of options that affect the entire system and/or all of the users.

If you launch VASM as a normal user, you may access the root mode by selecting the "SUPER" entry in the menu. You will then be required to enter the root´s password to be granted permission. This is, of course, a security measure.

Note: The tools available to normal users are a subset of those available to root user. This document explains the complete functionality of VASM.

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# 3. Use in X-Windows (GUI)

If you have started your window manager of choice, double-click on the VASM icon or from the main menu select "System", then select "Vector Administrative and Services Menu or VASM" and VASM will then be loaded onto your screen.

Depending on your VL version, you may have an icon on your desktop labeled "Vector Administrative and Services Menu", click it and you will presented with VASM´s interface.

If you are running the system as a regular user you will see an entry named "SUPER" to access to the root level, select it and you will be prompted to enter the root´s password.

Please, be aware that some functions in VASM require the system to be running in Text Mode and not GUI Mode (see chapter 5).

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## 3a. VasmCC (GUI wrapper)

The volunteer developers at VectorLinux have created a very user friendly GUI system interface to VASM called VasmCC or the "Vector Administration and System Menu Control Centre". Most users will now probably prefer to use this system front end to VASM. It provides a well structured iconic interface which makes finding the right system administration tool easy.

The screenshots below show the various screens of VasmCC and the utilities available within each screen. Clicking the various utilities raises the appropriate VASM menu interface - all of which are described in detail later in this document:

Utilities | Filesystem | XWindow

Network | Hardware | Service | User

# 4. Use in Text Mode

To launch it, type in console mode "vasm" (lowercase) without quotes and hit enter. This will start an ncurses based menu. Use the cursor [up] [down] keys to navigate the menu. Press the [enter] key to make a selection. If you wish to exit use the [left] [right] arrows to select CANCEL.

If you are running the system as a regular user you will see an entry named "SUPER" to access to the root level. Select it and you will be prompted to enter the root´s password.

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# 5. Switching to Text Mode

For some of the administrative tasks available in VASM, like configuring the X Server, hardware autodetection, etc., it is safer, or even strictly required, that the system is running in text mode (Run Level 2). When this situation appears, VASM will let you know and you will not be able to perform such tasks from your window manager.

If you are running in GUI mode, log out of it, then:

- If you are taken to the text mode console, you can call vasm from there.
  (This is the case when your system is configured to boot automatically into Text Mode (also known as TUI Mode).
- If you are presented with a GUI login, this means that the system is configured to autostart in GUI mode (runlevel 4 or 5).
  In this case you need to switch into TUI mode (runlevel 2/3).
  Please press Ctrl + Alt + F1, login as root, and type "init 2", the system will shutdown the X server.
  You may then launch vasm and configure the system.
  Once you have finished, switch back to GUI mode again by typing "init 4".

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# 6. Detailed descriptions

This section explains, in order, each of the configuration utilities available to the root user in VASM.

## 6.1. AUTOSETUP

Autosetup goes through the same autodetection and autoconfiguration process that was performed at installation time. Doing this means resetting your system to almost fresh install status. Therefore some of the configurations post-install that you may have done to the system could be re-set to some default value.

If you need to reconfigure something on your system it is advisable to use the specific VASM entry for that task.

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## 6.2. USER

With this section of VASM you can manage users. You have to be logged in as administrator of the system, so login as 'root' via console or SUPER option in VASM.

Command line: /sbin/vuser

User administration menu in Graphical Mode.

## 6.2.1. ADD

Purpose: Add a new user to the system.

Command line: /sbin/vuseradd

First you will be asked to enter a login for this new user.
Just enter the name you want (lower case) and press the 'enter' key or click on the 'Ok' button.

The next dialog will ask you to enter the real name of the person corresponding with the login name you entered in the previous dialog.
Enter the name and press 'enter' or click on the 'Next' button.
If you want to change the login name at this stage you can click on the 'Previous' button.

The following dialog will ask you to enter an id for this user. Choose a unique id for the user you want to add or just accept the default by pressing enter for the next dialog.

You will get a list of groups the user can be a member of. Select the groups the new user must have access to. Mostly you can accept the defaults. Deselect the groups to limit the access rights.

In a fresh vl6.x install the following groups are available:
- cdrom: user can access CD/CDW/DVD
- floppy: user can access floppy disks
- lp: user can access printers
- audio: user can access audio devices
- video: user can access video devices
- games: user can play restricted games
- adm: administrators
- sys: system administrators
- wheel: elite users

Click on 'Ok' if you're finished setting the groups.

Now you will get a view of the login name, real name, user id etc.
You will be asked if you want to create this user on your system. Press 'enter' to accept the input you gave.

The last step is to enter a password for the new user.
Enter a password for the new user (it is more secure to choose a combination of at least 6 characters, numbers and special characters, e.g. c@vi@47 ). Press 'enter' or click on 'Ok' to accept the password.

In the dialog that follows, you will be asked to re-enter the password you gave. Press 'enter' or click on 'Ok' after you entered the password again.

The last dialog confirms the creation of this new user on the system.
After clicking on 'Ok' you will return to the USER ADMINISTRATION menu.

## 6.2.2. DEL

Purpose: delete a user from the system.

Command line: /sbin/vuserdel

After you choose this option you will get a list of the users on the system.
Select the user you want to delete (double click on the user or select with the arrows up/down and press 'enter').
A dialog pops which displays the user information and asks if you want to delete that user. Press 'enter' or click on 'Yes' to confirm.
You will return to the list of users that can be deleted. Click on 'Cancel' to return to the USER ADMINISTRATION menu.

## 6.2.3. PASSWD

Purpose: change the password of an user.

Command line: /sbin/vpasswd

With this option you can change the password of a user. Select the user from the list (double click on the user or select with the arrows up/down and press 'enter'). Enter the new password for this user and press 'enter' or click on the 'Ok' button. In the dialog that follows, re-enter the password you gave in the previous dialog and press 'enter' or click on 'Ok'. If the password matches you will see a confirmation of the change.

You will return to the USER ADMINISTRATION menu.

## 6.2.4. PASSROOT

Purpose: Change the password of 'root', the administrator account of your Vector Linux system.

Enter a new password for 'root' in the first dialog and re-enter the password in the second dialog. See 6.2.3 PASSWD.

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## 6.3. XWINDOW

This section deals with the configuration of the X window system. You will need to be running the system in console mode (see Section 5).

GUI administration menu in Graphical Mode.

## 6.3.1. XCONF

Purpose: Configure the system´s X server for compatibility with your video card, monitor and mouse hardware.

Command line: /sbin/vxconf

Walk Through: When you enter the Xconf section you can choose between three options:

- Auto
  This will detect and configure your video card and monitor, ask a few questions about your desired resolution and mouse characteristics, and will create a NEW configuration file. Any previous manual adjustments you may had done to that file will be overwritten.
- Current
  This will perform the detection and ask you some details about your preferred resolution, colour depth, and mouse configuration. However, it will commit those to the configuration file (/etc/X11/xorg.conf) without deleting the file and will thus keep some additional configuration lines you might have edited.
  For instance, as it does not ask for your keyboard layout, there won't be any changes to your keyboard configuration, but since it asks you to choose between the detected available screen resolutions, those will be written to the file, overlapping any previously configured value.
- Basic
  This option will mostly behave in the same way but configures the system to use the VESA driver. This driver is as a 'safe mode' video driver (although a very good one, capable of over 800x600 and 16 bits) and is most useful for cards that do not have native linux drivers or which refuse to be properly detected. This option should at least allow you to get a basic graphical environment up and running.

## 6.3.2. XDMSET

Purpose: allows you to choose the X Display Manager, that is, the utility in which you log in when the system boots automatically to GUI mode.

Command line: /sbin/vxdmset

Walk Through: Select the one you prefer, and press "Ok". You will be asked if you want to test it at that moment, something that requires the X server to be restarted, so you will have to close any running applications.

If you choose not to test it, you will be taken back to the previous menu.

## 6.3.3. XWMSET

Purpose: Sets up which Window Manager is launched from the console when you type "startx" and your system is configured to boot in text mode.

Command Line: /sbin/vxwmset

Walk Through: When you choose this option, you will be given a list of available window managers to start when you use startx. Make a selection or cancel.

## 6.3.4. BOOTSET

Purpose: configure you system to boot directly into GUI Mode or Text mode (these are technically known as "runlevels").

Command Line: /sbin/vbootset

Walk Through: When you select this option, you will be given the choice between "text mode desktop", "text mode server", "GUI mode desktop" or "GUI mode server". The difference between desktop and server choices is in the services they start, i.e. ssh, apache, and the like. Independently of this menu, you can further configure which services are started or not selecting "Service" then "Srvset" in VASM´s main menu.

Warning: Ensure X-windows works before setting the system to start in graphics mode (try "startx" before defaulting to graphics mode).

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# 6.4. SERVICE

Allows you to configure services started at boot time.

Command Line: /sbin/vsrvmenu

SERVICES menu in Graphical Mode.

## 6.4.1. BOOTSET

Purpose: configure your system to boot directly into GUI Mode or Text mode (these are technically known as "runlevels")

Command Line: /sbin/vbootset

Note: This option is also present in the XWINDOW Menu.

Walk Through: When you select this option, you will be given the choice between "text mode desktop", "text mode server", "GUI mode desktop" or "GUI mode server". The difference between desktop and server choices is in the services they start, i.e. ssh, apache, and the like. Independently of this menu, you can further configure which services are started or not selecting "Service" then "Srvset" in VASM´s main menu.

Warning: Ensure X-windows works before setting the system to start in graphics mode (try "startx" before defaulting to graphics mode).

## 6.4.2. INITSET

Purpose: Allows you to choose the services initialization method to use when you switch runlevels with the "init <run_level>" command.

Command line: /sbin/vinitset

Walk Through: the initialization system starts or stops services when you switch run levels using the "init <run_level>" command. The standard initialization system is called SysV-Init.

When switching run levels, it kills all services of the previous level then starts all services of the new level. Vector Linux offers a faster init system: It does not kill the services only to start them again in the next runlevel. So here you can choose what method you prefer.

## 6.4.3. HWSET

Purpose: This menu allows you to enable or disable the initialization of hardware components of your system.

Command line: /sbin/vhwset

Walk Through: When selecting this entry a list will appear, showing the hardware you can initialize at boot time. This means that if you plan to use a parallel port printer you need to set "parallel" to be initialized at boot time, but if you don´t plan to, you can disable it and free some system resources. The available options are:

- PNP
  ISA Plug and Play. This should be enabled for a modern PC
- Hotplug
  USB/PCI hotplug devices (pendrive, digital camera, etc)
- PCMCIA
  PCMCIA cards, common on laptops (network, modem, etc.)
- APM
  Advanced Power Management, useful for Laptops.
- Serial
  Serial port and modem
- Parallel
  Parallel port and printer
- Wireless
  Networking using radio or infrared
- ALSA
  Advanced Linux Sound System
- udev
  Dynamic /dev naming for hotplug on kernel 2.6
- tmpfs
  On memory /tmp. Recommended if RAM>=196MB + SWAP>=256MB

Screenshot:

Selecting system components to be initialised at boot time.

## 6.4.4. SRVSET

Purpose: Here you can configure what services, such as ssh server, http server, etc., are started in different runlevels.

Command line: /sbin/vsrvset

Walk Through: You are presented with a list of the runlevels. Select the one you wish to configure and press Enter. Then you will see the available services and which ones are set to be started when the system enters that specific runlevel. Toggle the ones you want to enable or disable and press "Ok".

You can modify services for other runlevels or exit the menu.

Screenshot:

Selecting services to start at runlevel 5.

## 6.4.5. CUPSWEB

Purpose: Allows you to add and configure local and networked printers. It requires the CUPS package to have been installed and the CUPS daemon to have been started on your system. If you need to install it, please refer to the VectorLinux Printing Guide, where you will find more detailed instructions.

Command line: /sbin/vcupsweb

Walk Through: This option launches the web browser and attempts to connect to the local port for CUPS. There, you will have the choice to add, remove, and configure local and networked printers, print jobs, etc. If you use this option from console mode, the launched browser will be lynx. While lynx is very capable for the task, you might find it more comfortable to use this option in GUI mode, where Firefox will be used.

## 6.4.6. SAMBAWEB

Purpose: Allows you to configure file and printer sharing through the network with other systems. Specifically for sharing between Windows and Linux machines.

Command line: /sbin/vsambaweb

Walk Through: This option launches a web browser and connects to "SWAT", an application that provides a relatively easy way to configure file and printer sharing. If SWAT is not running you will asked whether you want to start it or not. You need to accept in order to access its web-based configuration interface.

You can use this in text mode, but the text browser will probably make the task harder than it needs to be, so you are encouraged to do this in GUI mode, where a more capable browser will be started.

Note: Dillo, a very light graphical web browser doesn´t support some required features, so you can´t access SWAT with it.

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# 6.5. NETWORK

Setup network configuration.

Command Line: /sbin/vnetmenu

NETWORK menu in Graphical Mode.

## 6.5.1. NETCONF

Purpose: Walks you through setting up a basic network connection. This program is only needed if you are connected to a LAN or a cable modem network.

Command Line: /sbin/vnetconf

Walk Through:

When you select this option the program will prompt for information required to set up the network connection.

1. Input computer name and domain name in the form of "computername.domainname". If you are not connected to a domain, that is, you are a lone computer workstation connected only to the Internet it is best to type in a computername only.

2. IP address. You have three choices: Static, DHCP and Loopback. If you have a DHCP server (perhaps a router) select DHCP from the list (this is the case for most users connected to the Internet via an ADSL or cable modem). If you have no lan card choose loopback. If you wish to set a static address choose Static. If you choose Static you will then be prompted for the IP address for the machine and then the netmask of the network. Next you will be prompted for the IP address of the gateway to the Internet. Finally, you will be asked for the IP address of the name server.

## 6.5.2. NAME

Purpose: Set hostname and DNS server

Command Line: /sbin/vnameset

Walk Through:

When you select this option the program will prompt for information required to set up the network connection.

1. Input computer name and domain name in the form of "computername.domainname". If you are on a personal workstation not connected to other computers you do not require a domainname.

2. Input IP address of the the domain name server.

## 6.5.3. INET

Purpose: Setup one or more network interfaces that will be automatically started at system initialization. Each inet script may have a different network device and TCP/IP setting.

Command Line: /sbin/vinet

Walk Through: When you select this option you will be provided a menu of options.

- Add
  This option is used to set up a network interface.
  1. When started the user will be given a list of configuration files that can be used for your connection. Once this has been chosen you are prompted for the settings for the connection.
  2. Now choose the network interface that you want to configure. Generally, you should chose a primary device (like eth0) from the list below. Use the alternate device (like eth1) for multiple IP configurations, mostly useful for a server or a laptop. Do not use the same device for more then one connection.
  3. Next you will be asked how the device get its IP address. Your choices are DHCP, Static or Probe.
  DHCP is the automatic method. Use it if you are connected to a dynamic network like cable modem, DSL or your administrator tells you to do so. Most home computers attached to the Internet with a small home network using a router and/or an ADSL, ISDN or Cable modem will use DHCP.
  Select STATIC only if you definetaly have a permanent IP address for this machine.
  PROBE is a STATIC method with network testing, useful for a laptop.
  If you choose DHCP, the setup is complete. If you choose one of the others you must assign the address. If you are connected to an official network (campus, office, etc), you must get the IP address from the system administrator. However, if you are on your own network, you may assign an arbitrary IP address from the standard internal IP range:
  192.168.0.1 - 192.168.255.254
  172.16.0.1 - 172.31.255.254
  10.0.0.1 10.255.255.254
  Next you will be asked for the network mask. They are of the form 255.255.255.0. This will be provided by your system administrator. If you are on your own network the above should be sufficient.
  Finally you will need to supply the IP address of the gateway. A gateway is the computer that forwards network traffic to the bigger network (most likely the Internet). You need the IP address of the gateway. If you choose Probe the system will use this to verify to which network you are attached. Leave it empty if this inet does not have a gateway.
- Delete
  Use this option to delete an unused inet configuration.
- Set
  This option is used to set up a network interface. When started the user will be given a list of configuration files that can be changed. You are prompted for the settings for the connection. Follow steps 2 to 6 in the add option.
- Start
  This option is used to start manually start a connection.
- Stop
  This option is used to start manually stop a connection.

## 6.5.4. WIRELESS

Purpose: Manage wireless configuration files - change interface, add, delete and change connections. These configuration files are stored in /etc/wireless/.

The second group of options start, stop and give the status of a connection. This is done via /etc/rc.d/rc.modules.

Use Network:INET option to set up the ethernet interface.

Command Line: /sbin/vinetset

Walk Through: When you select this option you will be provided a menu of options.

- Interface
  This option is used to change interface settings. You can identify which network interface is wireless. If you use ndiswrapper the interface is wlan0. If you use wpa_supplicant you will need to identify which driver to use. (known to work for ndiswrapper with Broadcom driver (bcmwl5).
- Add
  Use this option to add and define a new connection.
  When you select this option you will be asked for the ESSID of the connection. Connections are identified by their ESSIDs (Extended Service Set Identification). All of the wireless devices on a WLAN must employ the same ESSID in order to communicate with each other. This will be the identifier for the associated configuration file (/etc/wireless/<ESSID Name>.essid.conf).
  Next you will be asked for a short description for the connection.
  Next you be asked to choose the type of encryption. They include plaintext (no encryption), WEP and WPA (personal). If you choose WEP or WPA you will be asked for the encryption key to use. If you choose WPA supplicant a second configuration file is created (/etc/wireless/<ESSID Name>.wpa.conf). You can modify this file if you have specific requirements. Detailed documentation is available at http://hostap.epitest.fi/wpa_supplicant/ .
  Next you will be given a list of parameters that you may wish to set (including the description and encryption) specific to your own requirements.
- Del
  Choose the connection definition that you wish to delete. Select the connection that you wish to delete. A backup copy is created (/etc/wireless/<ESSID Name>.essid.bkp and /etc/wireless/<ESSID Name>.wpa.bkp).
- Change
  Use this option to change the parameter for the connection. Select the connection that you wish to change. A backup copy is created (/etc/wireless/<ESSID Name>.essid.bkp and /etc/wireless/<ESSID Name>.wpa.bkp).
- Connect
  Select this option to connect an available ESSID. You will be given a list of visible ESSIDs. If none are visible the list will include the defined connections in case they do not broadcast their ESSID.
- Stop
  Use this option to stop the wireless connection.
- Status
  Select this option to get a detailed status of the wireless connection.

Notes:

Assumes that the wireless interface has been installed and working.
Configuration data is stored in /etc/wireless. This directory is only available to root since it may contain passwords.
In order to automate startup use HARDWARE:HWSET or by making /etc/rc.d/rc.wireless executable.

## 6.5.5. MODEM

Purpose: Utility for configuring a dial-up connection to an ISP. You need to know a number of things about your ISP (phone number, authentication method, etc.) and your modem (device, baud rate, init string, etc.)

Command Line: /sbin/vmodemset

Walk Through: If you select this menu item, you will be given a list of serial ports. Select the port where your modem is attached. The ports included are those used by a Linmodem, but this script does not install or setup these modems. If you know what COM device it was under Windows, you can select the listed equivalent. Otherwise, you can try the autodetect or you might have to do some experimenting. The best course is to start at ttyS0 and work your way down the list.

Next you will be asked for the user name and password for your ISP's connection for PPP dialers such as X-ISP. You can skip this if you are using GkDial or KPPP, which you will have to configure yourself.

## 6.5.6. FIREWALL

Purpose: Sets up basic network protection and Internet sharing.

Command Line: /sbin/vfirewall

Walk Through: This option calls a submenu of options to setup a basic firewall/gateway. The options are:

- New
  This option creates a script /etc/rc.d/rc.firewall and makes it executable so it will start every time the system is started.
- Open
  Allows the user to open some common ports on the system for others to access. The user can also modify the rc.firewall script.
- Gateway
  This script sets up a simple gateway, using ip masquerading (NAT), with a firewall using iptables. The user is asked to identify the interface that is connected to the local area network for sharing. This interface will need to be set up using the INET option of the NETWORK submenu
- Start
  Starts the firewall.
- Stop
  Stops the firewall.
- Enable
  Enables the firewall to be started each time the system starts.
- Disable
  Disables the automatic starting of the firewall.

Important notes: This firewall script is able to handle simple filtering (open/close the host port) and simple masquerading (become an Internet gateway).

However, this script is relatively basic, so it is recommended that you use more advanced firewall tools (like guarddog/guidedog, included in SOHO) to create more advanced rules.
For these "advanced" rules to take effect, you should use VASM to set the firewall active but not to configure it, since you will do that through guarddog/guidedog.

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# 6.6. HARDWARE

Setup keyboard, mouse, CD-ROM drives, sound, etc.

Command Line: /sbin/vhwmenu

HARDWARE menu in Graphical Mode.

## 6.6.1. HWCONF

### Purpose: Autodetect hardware devices on your system.

Command line: /sbin/vhwconf

Note: The autodetection routine will start as soon as you select this option. Be sure that you want re-detect your hardware before selecting this.

Walk Through: Must be run from console mode. If used under X you will receive the message telling you so.

When you select this option the system will immediately start to probe the system's components. You will see windows showing detected devices as they are found and configured. Since this is an AUTO-Probe you don't have the means to configure the detected devices - the system will do that for you. This mostly deals with the detection of the hardware itself and not so much with the fine-tuning. For example, it will detect and activate your ethernet cards, but if you want to enter you network configuration you have to resort to the "Network Menu".

Screenshot:

## 6.6.2. HWSET

Purpose: This menu allows you to enable or disable the initialization of hardware components in your system.

Command line: /sbin/vhwset

Walk Through: When selecting this entry, a list will appear, showing the hardware you can initialize at boot time. This means that if you plan to use a Parallel port printer you need to set "parallel" to be initialized at boot time, but if you don´t plan to, you can disable it and free some system resources.The available options are:

- PNP
  ISA Plug and Play. This should be enabled for a modern PC.
- Hotplug
  USB/PCI hotplug devices (pendrive, digital camera, etc).
- PCMCIA
  PCMCIA cards, common on laptops (network, modem, etc.).
- APM
  Advanced Power Management, useful for Laptops.
- Serial
  Serial port and modem.
- Parallel
  Parallel port and printer.
- Wireless
  Networking using radio or infrared.
- ALSA
  Advanced Linux Sound System.
- udev
  Dynamic /dev naming for hotplug on kernel 2.6.
- tmpfs
  On memory /tmp. Recommended if RAM>=196MB + SWAP>=256MB.

## 6.6.3. ALSACONF

Purpose: Setup ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture).

Command line: /sbin/valsaconf

Walk Through: Must be run from console mode. If used under X you will receive the message telling you so.

When you run ALSACONF, a dialog appears asking you to close any open application related to sound. When you press "OK" the system will try to autodetect any present sound device and you will see a progress bar indicating the status of the detection.

You will then be presented with the detected cards and asked to select the one to use or if you want to probe the system for older, non-PnP, ISA cards.

If ALSA detected any onboard or PCI sound device and you chose that one then when you press "OK" the driver will be loaded and the device will be configured for activation at boot time. Press "Ok"

To accept the confirmation dialog and you will be taken back to the "Hardware Menu".

If you choose to probe the system for legacy sound cards you will receive a warning stating that the system may become unstable; press "Yes" to proceed.

A dialog appears with a list of the available modules (drivers) to probe. While the list may seem a bit short, it actually covers a much wider range of sound cards which work with similar drivers.

Uncheck any particular module you don't want to be probed and press "Ok". You will be asked if the system should probe for possible IRQ and DMA combinations. Since doing so takes more time, you could skip it for now to see if the card is detected, and if it is not, then re-run alsaconf enabling this option instead. You will finally see the results of the probing and a request to choose the card to be used by the system.

## 6.6.4. CDSET

Purpose: Allows you to configure the location of your CD-ROM and CD-Writer drives.

Command line: /sbin/vcdset

Walk Through: When a CD-Rom is detected, you will be prompted to accept the creation of a symbolic link (/mnt/cdrom) pointing to it.

When a CD-Writer is detected, either after, before or instead of a reader unit, you will be asked if you want to allow access to it by ordinary users, if you select "Yes", they will be able to use programs like XCDRoast, otherwise, only root will have access to it.

Using CDSET results in some changes to the LILO bootloader, so you will need to reboot the system for the changes to take effect.

## 6.6.5 MOUSESET

Purpose: Configure your pointing devices type and protocol.

Command line: /sbin/vmouseset

Walk Through: When you select this entry you are presented with a list of possible pointing devices, from standard mice to graphic tablets, plus an autodetection option.

After selecting your device type, you are asked some more details like how many buttons does it have and, for serial devices, what port it is attached to. After entering this information you are taken back to the Hardware Menu.

The mouse configuration takes effect after you start or re-restart the X Server, thus, to avoid finding yourself with a non-working mouse if you select an incorrect configuration, it is highly recommended that you switch to text mode to use this feature (see chapter 5).

## 6.6.6. KEYMAPSET

Purpose: Change the map layout used by your keyboard.

Command line: /sbin/vkmapset

Walk Through: Select the one that matches it and press "OK" test the selection by typing characters such as @ & #, erase them, and type 1 (by itself) to accept the layout. Type 2 (by itself), or "Cancel", to go back to the maps selection and choose a different one.

## 6.6.7. DATESET

Purpose: Set date and time of the system.

Command line: /sbin/vdateset

Walk Through: The use of this option is rather self-explanatory. Select the date by clicking it, select a different month or year using the arrows next to them, and then press "Ok". Do the same for the time, and then press "Next" to commit the changes to the system.

## 6.6.8. ZONESET

Purpose: Changes settings to reflect if your clock is set to local or universal time zone.

Command Line: /sbin/vzoneset

Walk Through: When you choose this option you will be asked if the clock in your machine is set to local or UTC time. Choose no if local and yes if UTC. Most likely it is set to local time. You will then be given a list of timezones, select the best match and press "Next" to activate the change.

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# 6.7. FILESYSTEM

Perform disk partitioning and formatting, setup drives and partitions to be mounted, LiLo bootloader and system configuration backups.

Command Line: /sbin/vfsmenu

FILESYSTEM menu in Graphical Mode.

## 6.7.1. FDISK

Purpose: This option launches cfdisk, a text mode application capable of editing your hard disk partitions.

Command line: /sbin/vfdisk

The use of this program is beyond the scope of this guide, but we advise you to use it with care, and to remember that you must select the "Write" option for any changes to be committed to the partition map before you exit the application.

## 6.7.2 FORMAT

Purpose: Formats partitions, clearing all the data in them, while creating a new filesystem.

Command line: /sbin/vformat

Walk Through: By launching this option, you are presented with a list of the partitions on your system that can be formatted. Only unmounted partitions can be formatted, so make sure the one you intend to format meets this condition or it will not be presented in the list.

To format a partition select it from the list and press OK, then follow the instructions.

Notes: Be careful when you select the partition to format, once it is done, all of the information contained in it will be erased.

## 6.7.3. MOUNT

Purpose: Setup additional partitions to be mounted at boot time.

Command line: /sbin/vmount

Walk Through: This tool is an easy method to configure additional local disks or partitions to be mounted in your system. Select the option and you can ADD or REMOVE mount points.

- Add
  If you select "Add" you will be presented with a list of the local filesystems which are available and which are not already present in /etc/fstab (the file where mount point configurations are stored).
  Select the one you want to configure and you will be asked where you want it to be mounted. Then you will see the default options it will be mounted with. If you know what you are doing, you can modify these options, otherwise accept the defaults and press "Ok".
  The filesystem will not be automatically mounted, you will have to mount it manually by either command line, Kwikdisk, or utilities such as gkrellm.
  If you mount it by command line, and assuming you created a mount point in /mnt/win, you could use this command (as root):
  mount /mnt/win
  You could also use:
  mount -a
  this will mount all of the mount points available in the configuration file, /etc/fstab.
  Note: Keep in mind that the default settings make the filesystem mountable ONLY by the root user and not by ordinary users. If you want to make it mountable by users you could append "users," to the default options that are presented during the process.
- Del
  If you select "Del" you will be deleting a "mount point". This tells the system not to access some particular filesystem (disk, partition, etc,). You are not actually deleting any contents of that filesystem.
  So, if you choose to Delete a mount point, you will see a list of the devices configured to be mountable (not necessarily auto-mounted). Simply select those you want to remove and press "Ok". Their entries will be removed from the configuration files and nothing will be modified in the filesystem itself.
  Notes: It is highly recommended that you unmount the filesystem BEFORE you delete it's mount point. If you do not unmount the filesystem beforehand it will not be unmounted automatically so you will have to do it either by command line, Kwikdisk, gkrellm or by rebooting the system.

## 6.7.4. LILO

Purpose: This option helps you build the /etc/lilo.conf configuration file so that you can install LILO to your system. The Linux Loader, or LILO, is a popular booter in use on many Linux systems. It is quite configurable and can easily be used to boot other operating systems such as Windows.

Command Line: /sbin/vliloconfig

Walk Through: When selecting this option, you will be given the choice to use simple or expert mode.

If this is your first time setting up LILO, you should pick the "simple" option. If you are familiar with LILO and Linux, the "expert mode" may provide you additional levels of control, which could lead to faster configuration.

- Simple Setup

  If kernel frame buffer support is compiled into your kernel, liloconfig will ask which video resolution you would like to use. This is the resolution that is also used by the XFree86 frame buffer server. If you do not want the console to run in a special video mode, selecting normal will keep the standard 80x25 text mode in use.

> The next part of the LILO configuration is selecting where you want it installed. This is probably the most important step. The list below explains the installation places:

> - Root
> This option installs LILO to the beginning of your Linux root partition. This is the safest option if you have other operating systems on your computer. It ensures that any other bootloaders are not overwritten. The disadvantage is that LILO will only load from here if your Linux drive is the first drive on your system.

> - Floppy
> This method is even safer than the previous one. It creates a boot floppy that you can use to boot your Linux system. This keeps the bootloader off the hard disk entirely, so you only boot this floppy when you want to use VectorLinux. However, this boot method is the slowest.

> - MBR
> You will want to use this method if VectorLinux is the only operating system on your computer, or if you will be using LILO to choose between multiple operating systems on your computer. This is the most common method.

> Warning: This option will overwrite any other bootloader you have in the MBR.

> After selecting the installation location, liloconfig will write the configuration file and install LILO.

- Expert
  If you select the "expert" mode you will receive a special menu. This menu allows you to tweak the /etc/lilo.conf file, add other operating systems to your boot menu, and set LILO to pass special kernel parameters at boot time.

## 6.7.5. BACKUPSYS

Purpose: Allows you to backup important system files.

Command line: /sbin/vbackupsys

Walk Through: This utility allows you to keep multiple backups (up to 9). It is also designed to backup system configuration files, which most of the time are small text files. There are three available options:

- Cron
  Schedule regular backups. Selecting this option means that the cron daemon will be configured to start at boot time and perform the backup on a daily basis.
- Backup
  Perform a one time backup. You can choose to perform an update of an existing backup, where only the files that were changed are added to the compressed archive (something known as an incremental backup). Or you can perform a full backup where all of the designated files are stored in a new, additional compressed archive.
  After you select and accept the backup method, the process will begin and, when done, you will be presented with a report of the results.
- Restore
  Restore files from backup archives. After selecting this option you will be presented with a list of the available backup archives. Select the one you wish to restore based on its date.
  Once you selected the archive, a dialog window will appear, where you can individually select which files to restore.
  Warning: when you restore a file, it will overwrite the one currently in use. If you want to keep both files you will have to manually copy the current file to a safe place and only then restore the old one from the archive.

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