IRIX Setup 101 - Revision history

Raion: /* Customizing IRIX */

2025-09-27T03:02:44Z

Customizing IRIX

@@ Line 131: / Line 131: @@
 == Customizing IRIX ==
-Now that security is improved, the actual fun can begin to customizing the IRIX experience.
+Now that security is improved, the actual fun can begin for customizing the IRIX experience.
 === Setup flexlm ===
-Place licenses for products in /var/flexlm/license.dat. Softwindows and a few others use different locations. There is a license file in the wiki as well. (search for it!)
+Place licenses for products in /var/flexlm/license.dat. Softwindows and a few others use different locations.
 === Enable 24 bit X ===
@@ Line 275: / Line 275: @@
 PATH should be set using <code>setenv PATH '/usr/sbin:/usr/bsd:/sbin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/bin/X11'</code> and more paths added with a colon-delimited list in the rc file
 === Setting up SSH ===

Raion at 03:13, 19 September 2025

2025-09-19T03:13:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:13, 19 September 2025
Line 383:		Line 383:
	== Wrapping up ==		== Wrapping up ==
	This is the end of IRIX Setup 101. For practical reasons this ends most common "first time" setup questions and was patterned after the popular, though poorly-written "IRIX Installation and Customization". Further guides will explore how to perform more advanced configurations.		This is the end of IRIX Setup 101. For practical reasons this ends most common "first time" setup questions and was patterned after the popular, though poorly-written "IRIX Installation and Customization". Further guides will explore how to perform more advanced configurations.

			[[Category: Tutorials]]

SHODAN: /* Setting up SSH */

2025-09-16T05:12:51Z

Setting up SSH

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:12, 16 September 2025
Line 327:		Line 327:

	=== Setting up SSH ===		=== Setting up SSH ===
	IRIX came with a very old OpenSSH version, and Nekoware has OpenSSH as well. However, these are no longer maintained. A better option is available at SSH Setup for 6.5.		IRIX came with a very old OpenSSH version, and Nekoware has OpenSSH as well. However, these are no longer maintained. A better option is available at [[SSH Setup for 6.5]].

	=== Amend toolchest ===		=== Amend toolchest ===

SHODAN: /* Network Setup */

2025-09-16T05:10:13Z

Network Setup

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:10, 16 September 2025
Line 12:		Line 12:

	=== Network Setup ===		=== Network Setup ===
	A detailed article can be found at Network Setup.		A detailed article can be found at [[Network Setup]].

	=== Date and Time ===		=== Date and Time ===
	Again, a detailed article can be found at Keeping Time.		Again, a detailed article can be found at [[Keeping Time]].

	=== Move $HOME for root ===		=== Move $HOME for root ===
Line 379:		Line 379:

	== Setting Backgrounds ==		== Setting Backgrounds ==
	An article on this is available at Setting Backgrounds.		An article on this is available at [[Setting Backgrounds]].

	== Wrapping up ==		== Wrapping up ==
	This is the end of IRIX Setup 101. For practical reasons this ends most common "first time" setup questions and was patterned after the popular, though poorly-written "IRIX Installation and Customization". Further guides will explore how to perform more advanced configurations.		This is the end of IRIX Setup 101. For practical reasons this ends most common "first time" setup questions and was patterned after the popular, though poorly-written "IRIX Installation and Customization". Further guides will explore how to perform more advanced configurations.

SHODAN: Created page with "For newcomers to IRIX, setting up IRIX for the first time can be daunting. This aims to break it down into selective, easy-to-follow sections for a post-install IRIX. == Forenotes == Due to specificity of various hardware and IRIX versions, this guide primarily assumes IRIX 6.5.21+ and that the user is interested in running Nekoware, optxeno, or another product offered on IRIXNet. It is advised to go into this understanding what the goals of the user are exactly..."

2025-09-16T05:08:12Z

Created page with "For newcomers to IRIX, setting up IRIX for the first time can be daunting. This aims to break it down into selective, easy-to-follow sections for a post-install IRIX. == Forenotes == Due to specificity of various hardware and IRIX versions, this guide primarily assumes IRIX 6.5.21+ and that the user is interested in running Nekoware, optxeno, or another product offered on IRIXNet. It is advised to go into this understanding what the goals of the user are exactly..."

New page

For newcomers to IRIX, setting up IRIX for the first time can be daunting. This aims to break it down into selective, easy-to-follow sections for a post-install IRIX.

== Forenotes ==
Due to specificity of various hardware and IRIX versions, this guide primarily assumes IRIX 6.5.21+ and that the user is interested in running [[Nekoware]], [[optxeno]], or another product offered on IRIXNet. It is advised to go into this understanding what the goals of the user are exactly.

Per the [[Style Guide]] all root commands will be prefixed with #, all user-level commands will be prefixed with % (for the tcsh shell).

== First Steps ==

=== Securing root ===
Either login on the login screen to root, or serial in via root. Open a terminal window by clicking Desktop - > Open Unix Shell. This is the root shell of the account, and for clarity sake, most commands will be performed via terminal. Type <code># passwd</code> and set a secure password for the root user. If doing this from GUI (i.e. EZSetup, this will cover most of the important settings covered there) be warned IRIX will not accept passwords greater than 8 chars in length. From the commandline, there is no such limitations.

=== Network Setup ===
A detailed article can be found at Network Setup.

=== Date and Time ===
Again, a detailed article can be found at Keeping Time.

=== Move $HOME for root ===
Now it is necessary to make a space for root. Due to IRIX's default install, root's home directory is effectively /, the root of the filesystem. '''This is bad. Do not skip this step.'''

Home directories are defined in <code>/etc/passwd</code>. First, make the directory: <code># mkdir /root; chmod go-wrx /root</code> And then update the root line to look like so: <code>root::0:0:Super-User:/root:/bin/tcsh</code> This can be automated (carefully) with a perl, awk, or sed command, but be careful.

Now clean up: <code># cd /; rm -rf Desktop dumpster .Sgiresources .cshrc .login .profile .varupdate .wshttymode .desktop-IRIS .desktophost</code>

Log out and log back in again.

== Securing IRIX ==

=== Lock unsafe accounts ===
IRIX by default is installed with several accounts without passwords. Checking this is easy: <code># passwd -as</code>

Locking the accounts on a normal IRIX install is easy:

<code># foreach account (lp EZsetup nuucp demos guest OutOfBox sys adm sysadm cmwlogin auditor dbadmin sgiweb 4Dgifts); passwd -l $account; end</code>

=== Creating a user account ===
Next, create a user account for normal usage, as running as root 24/7 is dangerous. It's easily and safely done using tools in the privbin: <code># /usr/sysadm/privbin/addUserAccount -l username -S `which tcsh` -H /usr/people/username -C -u 1034 -g 20</code>

The above example will create a user called '''username''' with a default shell of tcsh, a home directory of <code>/usr/people/username</code> (/home is NOT a thing on IRIX), create the directory (-C flag) with a uid of 1034 and membership in the user group (ID 20). It may also be advisable to create a group with the same username created by the command above, however that requires manually adding a group to <code>/etc/group</code> and editing permissions on the home directory. This may be covered in a future installment.

=== Enable Shadow Passwords ===
By default IRIX uses crypt() hashes in /etc/passwd

This is now discouraged and insecure, so it is preferred to enable /etc/shadow. Run <code>pwconv</code> to enable it.

=== Edit system defaults ===
The file <code>/etc/default/login</code> controls primary login behavior. Edit the files options to look something akin to this:
CONSOLE=/dev/console

PASSREQ=YES

ALTSHELL=YES

MANDPASS=YES

UMASK=027

TIMEOUT=60

DISABLETIME=300

MAXTRYS=3

LOGFAILURES=4

IDLEWEEKS=2

PATH=/usr/sbin:/usr/bsd:/sbin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/bin/X11:

SUPATH=/usr/sbin:/usr/bsd:/sbin:/usr/bin:/bin:/etc:/usr/etc:/usr/bin/X11:

SYSLOG=ALL

INITGROUPS=YES

LANG=C

SVR4_SIGNALS=NO

LOCKOUT=4

LOCKOUTEXEMPT=root
Note that it is a good opportunity to add extra pathnames that all users will have in PATH. Examples include /usr/nekoware/bin, /opt/xeno/bin, et cetera.

chmod the file to 444 next: <code># chmod 444 /etc/default/login</code>

=== File Alteration Monitor ===
For security reasons, edit <code>/etc/fam.conf</code> to have local_only = true instead of local_only = false.

=== Disable Vulnerable Network Services ===
The following network services are wholly unnecessary for most installations and can be disabled with the following command string:
# chkconfig sgi_apache off; chkconfig webface_apache off; chkconfig appletalk off; \

chkconfig timed off; chkconfig timeslave off; chkconfig esp off; chkconfig ipaliases off; \

chkconfig ypmaster off; chkconfig yp off; chkconfig sendmail off; chkconfig sendmail_cf off; \

chkconfig webface off; chkconfig named off; chkconfig rsvpd off; chkconfig privileges off
Additionally, disabling the following services in <code>/etc/inetd.conf</code> is prudent, except telnet if an ssh server isn't installed yet, and the system is a server. If that's the case, hold off on that one:

Some of the above can be re-enabled depending on what is necessary, but the esp ones should not be re-enabled.

=== Secure the X server ===
Edit <code>/var/X11/xdm/xdm-config</code> and change the DisplayManager*authorize line to read: <code>DisplayManager*authorize: on</code>

=== Tune the kernel for security ===
Changing these if they are not in use is prudent:
# printf 'y' | systune ipforwarding 0

# printf 'y' | systune ip6forwarding 0

# printf 'y' | systune icmp_dropredirects 1

# printf 'y' | systune tcp_2msl 60

# printf 'y' | systune allow_brdaddr_srcaddr 0

# printf 'y' | systune tcpiss_md5 1

# printf 'y' | systune restricted_chown 1

# printf 'y' | systune ncargs 131072

run <code># /etc/autoconfig -vf</code> to rebuild the kernel, and then reboot for full changes to take effect.

=== Install Patches ===
A collection of patches obtained from user backups of sgi.com's support centre is here: <nowiki>http://ftp.irixnet.org/sgi-irix/patches/</nowiki>

Install all patches for the IRIX version being ran. (inst will not install irrelevant patches on the system).

== Customizing IRIX ==
Now that security is improved, the actual fun can begin to customizing the IRIX experience.

=== Setup flexlm ===
Place licenses for products in /var/flexlm/license.dat. Softwindows and a few others use different locations. There is a license file in the wiki as well. (search for it!)

=== Enable 24 bit X ===
Unless the graphics in the system are 8-bit (such as an Indy with an XL/8 card), enabling Truecolor will improve the user experience. Edit <code>/var/X11/xdm/Xservers</code> to be <code>:0 secure /usr/bin/X11/X -bs -nobitscale -c -class TrueColor -depth 24 -solidroot sgilightblue -cursorFG red -cursorBG white</code>

=== Enable scrollwheel. ===
IRIX by default can't use a scroll wheel. This can be rectified in the kernel:

<code># systune pcmouse_mode 2</code>

This sets the scroll wheel to work as on a PC. Mode 3 will set any additional buttons on the mouse to scroll. (it only detects 2 extra buttons)

=== Reduce gamma ===
Set gamma with the following command as root: <code>gamma 1.2</code> or another value. This will lower the default to a more natural level.

=== Custom tcsh prompt ===
tcsh is a fast, simple UNIX shell that supports most of the same features as bash from an interactive standpoint, and is faster at startup.

Here is a configuration file for root:
# Prompt

set red="%{\033[1;31m%}"

set green="%{\033[0;32m%}"

set yellow="%{\033[1;33m%}"

set blue="%{\033[1;34m%}"

set magenta="%{\033[1;35m%}"

set cyan="%{\033[1;36m%}"

set white="%{\033[0;37m%}"

set end="%{\033[0m%}"

set prompt="${red}%n${blue}@%m ${yellow}%~ ${red}%%${end} "

# History

if ($?prompt) then

# An interactive shell — set some stuff up

set filec

set history = 1000

set savehist = (1000 merge)

set autolist = ambiguous

# Use history to aid expansion

set autoexpand

set autorehash

set mail = (/var/mail/$USER)

if ( $?tcsh ) then

bindkey "^W" backward-delete-word

bindkey -k up history-search-backward

bindkey -k down history-search-forward

endif

endif

# Fix some IRIXisms

stty intr ^C

setenv TERM xterm
This sets a red prompt as a reminder. The colors can be changed in the prompt section to one's liking, just don't mess with color values.
# Prompt

set red="%{\033[1;31m%}"

set green="%{\033[0;32m%}"

set yellow="%{\033[1;33m%}"

set blue="%{\033[1;34m%}"

set magenta="%{\033[1;35m%}"

set cyan="%{\033[1;36m%}"

set white="%{\033[0;37m%}"

set end="%{\033[0m%}"

set prompt="${cyan}%n${blue}@%m ${yellow}%~ ${green}%%${end} "

# History

if ($?prompt) then

# An interactive shell — set some stuff up

set filec

set history = 1000

set savehist = (1000 merge)

set autolist = ambiguous

# Use history to aid expansion

set autoexpand

set autorehash

set mail = (/var/mail/$USER)

if ( $?tcsh ) then

bindkey "^W" backward-delete-word

bindkey -k up history-search-backward

bindkey -k down history-search-forward

endif

endif

# Fix some IRIXisms

stty intr ^C

setenv TERM xterm
And here is a version that is used for normal users.

PATH should be set using <code>setenv PATH '/usr/sbin:/usr/bsd:/sbin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/bin/X11'</code> and more paths added with a colon-delimited list in the rc file

=== Setting Desktop parameters ===
Use "Desktop->Customize->Utilities" from the toolchest menu to specify default applications. Using the full path is necessary. "Desktop->Customize->Icons" from the toolchest menu will set the icon size and enable the global setting "Open in Place" which prevents the file manager from creating a new window when opening a new directory.

=== Xdefaults file ===
Here is a sample configuration that dates to the Nekochan.net era:
*clientDecoration: +resizeh +border +minimize +maximize +menu

*DesksOverview*clientDecoration: none

4Dwm*clock*clientDecoration: none

Overview.geometry: +10-10

Overview*viewWindowName: true

Overview*Frame.marginHeight: 1

Overview*Frame.marginWidth: 1

4Dwm*interactivePlacement: False

4DWm*clientAutoPlace: False

4Dwm*usePPosition: True

4Dwm*positionOnScreen: True

4Dwm*iconImageBackground black

4Dwm*iconImageForeground: white

4Dwm*iconPlacement: left top tight

4Dwm*iconPlacementMargin: 1

4Dwm*resizeBorderWidth: 1

4Dwm*frameBorderWidth: 1

4Dwm*SG_frameOutline: false

4Dwm*SG_titleOutline: false

4Dwm*SG_titlePadding: 0

4Dwm*SG_useDecals: false

4Dwm*iconDecoration: label image
The desktop can be heavily customized as needed. To customize 4Dwm, read its manpage

=== Setting up SSH ===
IRIX came with a very old OpenSSH version, and Nekoware has OpenSSH as well. However, these are no longer maintained. A better option is available at SSH Setup for 6.5.

=== Amend toolchest ===
A full explanation of toolchest is available on its manpage. toolchest reads the following files:
/usr/lib/X11/system.chestrc

~/.chestrc

~/.auxchestrc

/usr/lib/X11/nodesktop.chestrc

/usr/lib/X11/app-chests/*.chest

/usr/lib/X11/app-defaults/Toolchest

/usr/lib/X11/remote.chestrc

The first three are relevant to most users. To remove entries, remove Itemname in a ~/.auxchestrc is sufficient. Creating entries is easy as well:

menu ToolChest

{

"My Favorite Things" f.menu mystuff

}

menu mystuff

{

"dolphins" f.exec "/usr/demos/bin/atlantis"

"Test Program" f.exec "source ~/.variables;~/testprog"

"games" f.menu mygames

}

menu mygames

{

"flight simulator" f.exec /usr/demos/bin/flight

"arena" f.exec /usr/demos/bin/arena

}
Is the manpage example.

== Setting Backgrounds ==
An article on this is available at Setting Backgrounds.

== Wrapping up ==
This is the end of IRIX Setup 101. For practical reasons this ends most common "first time" setup questions and was patterned after the popular, though poorly-written "IRIX Installation and Customization". Further guides will explore how to perform more advanced configurations.