OpenID authentication with the mod_auth_openid Apache module
mod_auth_openid is an authentication module for the Apache 2 webserver. It handles the functions of an OpenID consumer as specified in the OpenID 2.0 specification.
After a user authenticates themselves, the user's identity will be available in the REMOTE_USER variable. A cookie named open_id_session_id is saved to maintain each user's session.
1. Install the module
apt-get install libapache2-mod-auth-openid
Install mod_spamhaus Apache module to fight comment spam
mod_spamhaus is an Apache module for DNS Block Listing that protects web services by denying access to particular IP addresses. It can stop spam relaying via web form URL injection, and block HTTP DDoS attacks from bot-nets.
It queries sbl-xbl.spamhaus.org, taking advantage of the Spamhaus Block List (SBL) and the Exploits Block List (XBL).
1. Download the latest mod_spamhaus deb package from sid package repository (mod_spamhaus is not available for lenny but we can use the sid package)
wget http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/m/mod-spamhaus/libapache2-mod-spamhaus_0.7-1_i386.deb
Implementing SPF checks in Postfix
Sender Policy Framework (SPF), as defined in RFC 4408, is an e-mail validation system designed to prevent e-mail spam by addressing a common vulnerability, source address spoofing. SPF allows administrators to specify which hosts are allowed to send e-mail from a given domain by creating a specific DNS SPF record in the public DNS. Mail exchangers then use the DNS to check that mail from a given domain is being sent by a host sanctioned by that domain's administrators.
Installing Cacti – RRDTool-based Graphing Solution
Cacti is a complete frontend to RRDTool, it stores all of the necessary information to create graphs and populate them with data in a MySQL database. The frontend is completely PHP driven. Along with being able to maintain Graphs, Data Sources, and Round Robin Archives in a database, cacti handles the data gathering. There is also SNMP support for those used to creating traffic graphs with MRTG.
1. Install Cacti and all required packages
apt-get install cacti
Installing EHCP (Easy Hosting Control Panel)
EHCP is a powerful, yet easy to install control panel that allows the user to manage services such as Web, FTP, Database and DNS servers.
The install script handles the installation and configuration of the required services. I recommend starting with a clean Debian system to avoid conflicts.
1. Download required EHCP files
wget http://www.ehcp.net/download
Installing nginx from source with mail support
nginx is a lightweight, high performance web server/reverse proxy and e-mail (SMTP/IMAP/POP3) proxy.
1. Install required packages
apt-get install build-essential autotools-dev debhelper libpcre3-dev zlib1g-dev libssl-dev
Installing VMware server 2.x on Debian lenny
VMware Server can create, edit, and play virtual machines. It uses a client-server model, allowing remote access to virtual machines, at the cost of some graphical performance (and 3D support). In addition to the ability to run virtual machines created by other VMware products, it can also run virtual machines created by Microsoft Virtual PC.
1. Install required packages
apt-get install psmisc make gcc gcc-4.1 linux-headers-$(uname -r)
Installing the GeoIP Apache module
This module allows you to determine which country, region, city, postal code, area code the visitor is coming from.
1. Install the module
apt-get install libapache2-mod-geoip
Installing and configuring PPTP VPN server on lenny
If you would like to setup a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Windows clients, PPTP is a great choice. It's easy to set up on the server and you don't need any additional software for the Windows clients to connect.
1. Install the required packages
apt-get install pptpd
Install XCache
XCache is a fast, stable PHP opcode cacher that has been tested and is now running on production servers under high load. It overcomes a lot of problems that has been with other competing opcachers such as being able to be used with new PHP versions.
1. Installing the XCache package
apt-get install php5-xcache