Next, I'll walk you through some of the things RIP Linux is capable of doing by itself without additional packages.
The native RIP image is well-stocked with tools to image, edit, and repair disk or file system partitions, burn CD and DVD media, and even mount remote storage volumes via Secure Shell (SSH) using the SSH userspace file system (SSHFS). RIP supports many bus types including IDE, Serial ATA (SATA), and SCSI for common storage drives and pluggable external devices by way of USB and Firewire.
Here's a summary of RIP applications:
- ClamAV: a free anti-virus program
- SSHFS: secure copying across the network with secure shell (SSH)
- cmospwd: a utility to reset CMOS passwords
- dmidecode: report system hardware as identified by the BIOS
- ddrescue: a specialized disk dumping recovery tool
- ethtool: query and change network card settings
- lshw: list and identify hardware by vendor make and model
- ssh: a secure shell server and client package
- jfs tools: utilities to recover and repair JFS partitions
- xfs tools: utilities to recover and repair XFS partitions
- ntfs tools: utilities to recover and repair NTFS partitions
- chntpw: a specialized application to change NT passwords kept on NTFS
- dirsync: maintain separate but identical archive directories
- testdisk: check and undelete various partition formats
- cfdisk: a minimal but powerful disk formatting utility
- parted/partimage: alternative partition editing utilities
- cdrtools: create custom CD formats for recording purposes
- dvd-record: create custom DVD formats for recording purposes
When repairing a Windows-based system, there are software tools for changing NT passwords (chntpw), manipulating NTFS volumes (mkntfs, ntfsclone, nftsmount, ntfsresize), and for working with FAT partitions. In fact, Linux offers a wealth of software options, from platform-specific file system tools (RAID, LVM, JFS, XFS, and ReiserFS tools), grub and lilo boot managers, CD and DVD burning applications, and a number of Internet-related utilities (includig Firefox, e-mail agents, news readers, and IRC clients).
Ultimately, the USB key-drive recovery solution saves both time and effort when creating recovery tools, updating them for use with new software, and testing the final product. Unlike a CD image, salvageable data can be copied directly to the USB drive without the need to load an OS or call applications required to store the data. Flexibility is essential to any working recovery solution, since features may need to be added, removed, or changed as necessary; the USB handles all well. Similarly, CD or DVD disc creation requires at least two additional elements: a CD or DVD burner and the accompanying software to create a burnable disc. USB is more efficient, since it is usable as soon as it's plugged into a computer.
JUSTIN KORELC is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas, who specializes in Linux security, networking, and implementation subjects and occasional Windows topics.
