This is somewhat related to physical security breach.
Consider a Linux server with all firewall and other security stuffs running in it. However, if someone gets physical access to the server, he could simply wipe out the existing Linux in the machine (formatting the system with an OS CD/DVD or install a new OS in that place).
Such a thing could be prevented by securing the server machine well. However, my question is, could Linux, as a software, prevent such things? For example, I would typically like to have some parameter (set by admin) that would prevent OS replacement. In order to actually replace the OS, admin must unset that parameter.
Edit
As per @David Schwartz's comment, a brief description about the environment:
- It's not a war-like situation where someone is moving with hammers, saws and other dangerous tools :)
- The machine could not be physically replaced
- The machine's chassis could be opened and all such stuff be done -- but that's also less likely
The environment am talking about is when someone accidentally gets into physical proximity of the machine for a short duration, and attempts to wipe out the OS. Yes, a CD/DVD ROM is there.
Further, I'm not concerned with whether there is backup, or if that guy could read my contents. The only thing I'm concerned is that he could potentially interrupt my service.
Final Remarks
Thanks for all the answers (and humours). The objective was to know if such a mechanism exists or could possibly exist. I take the answer as negative. Not sure if this could be a research issue in the future.