IT Staff Resources
Welcome to the IT Staff Resources section. This documentation is specifically designed for IT support staff and system administrators who manage and maintain Academic Operations Linux systems.
Backup for Redeployment
Before a system is redeployed, we should temporarily back up any existing user data since the installation process erases the full disk.
Bootstrap Existing System
This page should help you gather the required information to have the Academic Operations Linux team bootstrap an existing Linux endpoint. This procedure is appropriate for machines like the Dell GB10, Nvidia Spark, or other linux systems that ship with customized operating systems that should be preserved.
Endpoint Deployment
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for deploying endpoints using supported operating systems. Follow the procedures below for BIOS configuration, creating a bootable USB, installing the OS, encryption, and post-installation steps.
Hostname Standard
The AUTH.TAMU.EDU Active Directory domain, like all AD domains, have a 15-character limit for a system's hostname. Furthermore, the AUTH.TAMU.EDU domain operators request that we use a standardized department/unit prefix in the hostname. The DEPT- prefix should align with the official 4-letter code for the unit that owns or hosts the system. This usually aligns with the department codes in the TAMU Course Catalog. If you have any questions about this, please open a ticket by sending an email to ao-infrastructure@tamu.edu.
Managing AUTH Groups
On managed TAMU Linux systems, login access, admin/sudo access, and filesystem permissions are all handled by AUTH AD group membership.
Server Provisioning Overview
A plain-language description of what our ansible server provisioning tool does to a new Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or Ubuntu server, and which Texas A&M Information Security Controls each step helps meet.
Server Provisioning Request
This page should help you gather the required information to have the Academic Operations Linux team provision a new server.
Server Spec Guidelines
The following features and options should be included when purchasing a new server:
Live USB Troubleshooting
Technicians in the field can eliminate local linux installation issues by booting the system into a Live USB environment. This can allow technicians to verify networking, do hardware tests, backup or recover data, and do other testing.