Microsoft Word Hardware Reconfiguration Methodology V final2

Manual maintenance

Performing manual maintenance (via manual patching, recompilation, reinstallation, etc.) is far from an impossible task. It is however a time-consuming task, and is sometimes daunting, particularly if the system administrator does not have enough experience. Manual maintenance requires finding a more recent version of an application, tool, utility, or kernel, and through access to source code is recompiled and reinstalled. Furthermore, the latest source code patch can be applied to the original source code and the program can then be recompiled and reinstalled.

The fact that the Linux operating system is modular makes it possible to install newer applications and libraries possible without generally compromising system integrity and stability. This in turn enables a more rapid reaccredidation and recertification so that the operating system can be quickly redeployed. In addition, by maintaining vigorous system version control and actively documenting all changes made to the operating system through manual maintenance, it

³ However, this will vary from case to case; this is only a general rule of thumb.
will be easier to successfully upgrade various operating system components without affecting overall stability and further help to increase the efficiency of this process.

5. Issues

1. Potential problems

Regardless of whether an update, upgrade, or manual maintenance is performed, there is always the risk of incompatibilities and/or inconsistencies in the system due to abrupt changes in system libraries. For example, older applications may rely on a set of functions and API’s from a given library. However, if that application is no longer supported through a given upgrade and that required library is in some way substantially different from its predecessor the application will very likely become inoperable.

Of course, there are ways around this, but this can only be determined by attempting the upgrade and testing the various applications. If it turns out that the newer library does not provide the required functionality, then the appropriate version can be reloaded onto the system from backup media. However, it should be restored back onto the system in a different location. At this time, the system administrator can create specialized environments using environment variables so that the affected application knows where to correctly locate its required library(ies).

Although this is only an example, it represents the main problem encountered when upgrading (and sometimes after updates) an operating system. Thus, the only way to be sure of system integrity after an upgrade is to test required and other important system applications.

2.