Here are the tools I use to maintain Unix (Linux) systems from Windows. Why, you Linux freaks may ask? Because I am Bill's faithful servant and devoted follower. Ok maybe not, how about I like the Windows environment for the simplicity of daily operation and the huge amount of available software (and games).
A UNIX environment for Windows. It consists of two parts: a DLL which acts as a UNIX emulation layer providing substantial UNIX API functionality; and a collection of tools, ported from UNIX, which provide UNIX/Linux look and feel. The Cygwin DLL works with all versions of Windows since Windows 95, with the exception of Windows CE. Sweet. You can compile whatever Unix progs you want on your Windows machine. I use this to run SSHD on my Windows machine; so cool to scp files over the Net from the office to my home machine.
Which consists of an X Server, Xlib, and nearly all of the standard X clients, such as xterm, xhost, xdpyinfo, xclock, and xeyes ported to Windows. If you really must have a GUI for Unix this is it. Athough I prefer using Webmin.
A powerful web-based administration interface for Unix systems. Using Webmin you can configure DNS, Samba, NFS, local/remote filesystems and more using your web browser. Your grandmother could administer Unix with this tool. I recommend only allowing access to this program from your intranet. Much to powerful to allow Internet access to. And please, keep your grandma away from it, I need my job.
A free implementation of Telnet and SSH for Win32 platforms, along with an xterm terminal emulator. This is a must have; and get all the extra little tools that come with it.
This is your way to keep in touch with your network devices that support remote logging. Dudes in your servers' syslog.conf add a line that says: *.err @your.ip.here. And messages error and above will be sent to your local machine - very helpful for instant notification of problems and permanent logging of hackers (voice of experience :).
Perl started on Unix systems as a system administration tool. Perl Mongers has an interesting Fast Facts page about Perl. Trust me, learn Perl. It has the capabilities of a programming language with the ease of use of a scripting language, and chicks dig it (ok I made that last part up).
VNC is a great client/server software package allowing remote network access to graphical desktops. With VNC, you may allow yourself to access your machine from everywhere provided that your machine is connected to the Internet. An enhanced version of VNC, called TightVNC, is optimized to work over slow network connections such as low-speed modem links. Dang this thing is fast. I've been using VNC for years and have just started using TightVNC and it rocks over a modem. There is client and server software for both Unix and Windows, so you can control your Unix machines from Windows.
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With comprehensive coverage of the many issues a Web server administrator faces, Professional Apache is a terrific resource for those looking to implement the popular open-source Web server. This title covers installation, configuration, and customization of the Apache Web server. I know I just said to buy O'Reilly books but this is the one exception.
With more than 1,000 examples, Perl Black Book, 2nd edition is a complete reference to the Perl language ranging from language syntax and idioms to its use in applications such as e-commerce and integration with technologies such as XML and SOAP. Ok, this is the second exception to the O'Reilly rule. But that's it, no more exceptions. This is THE Perl book that sits on my desk. A must have reference.
Paul DuBois and his editors at New Riders have assembled MySQL with a clarity and lucidity that inspires confidence in the subject matter: a freely redistributable SQL-interpreting database client/server primarily geared for Unix systems but maintained for Windows platforms as well. Yea, yea, another exception to the O'Reilly rule, just bite me. BTW - MySQL changed their license after this book was published. It's also free for commercial use now.