Linux primer for network admins

Installing, supporting and particularly diagnosing networks can involve much detective work, in addition to decent levels of frustration and caffeine. As with all investigations, the more data that is available to form and test hypotheses, the more likely a problem will be solved. Therefore, the more options or tools available for data gathering, the more useful the data obtained.

Open-source programs for Linux-based systems constitute some of the best tools available for network diagnosis, performance analysis and baseline determination. However, in my experience, the majority of network administrators today avoid Linux, perhaps intimidated by the process of setting up such a system.