Linux Administration Essentials
Course Description
This five-day course is designed to cover essential Linux administration tasks, from installation to deployment of system services and configuration of the network interfaces.
Course Duration
5 days
Course Objectives
After this course attendees should be able to:
- Understand the major enterprise-level distributions available, with some guidance on choosing a suitable distro.
- Know where to look to solve compatibility issues.
- Install a Linux system within a Virtual Machine provided by hosting solutions such as VMware.
- Understand the boot and shutdown processes, and deal with any issues which may occur.
- Examine kernel issues.
- Manage system software using rpm and yum. Examine registration mechanisms for certain distros such as RedHat and Oracle.
- Manage user accounts and groups.
- Maintain the Linux file system and disk storage.
- Use advanced disk storage using the Logical Volume manager.
- Manage system security using a wide range of facilities such as file ownership and permissions, Access Control Lists, and the SELinux layer. Configure and manage elevated privileges with sudo.
- Configure and manage the system network interfaces using NetworkManager and manual commands. Be aware of firewall configuration using iptables.
- Perform a basic installation of the Apache web server package.
- Configure file sharing with Network File System (NFS) and Samba.
- Use Secure Shell facilities to perform remote logins and file copying. Configure the sshd process.
- Understand the major enterprise-level distributions available, with some guidance on choosing a suitable distro.
- Know where to look to solve compatibility issues.
- Install a Linux system within a Virtual Machine provided by hosting solutions such as VMware.
- Understand the boot and shutdown processes, and deal with any issues which may occur.
- Examine kernel issues.
- Manage system software using rpm and yum. Examine registration mechanisms for certain distros such as RedHat and Oracle.
- Manage user accounts and groups.
- Maintain the Linux file system and disk storage.
- Use advanced disk storage using the Logical Volume manager.
- Manage system security using a wide range of facilities such as file ownership and permissions, Access Control Lists, and the SELinux layer. Configure and manage elevated privileges with sudo.
- Configure and manage the system network interfaces using NetworkManager and manual commands. Be aware of firewall configuration using iptables.
- Perform a basic installation of the Apache web server package.
- Configure file sharing with Network File System (NFS) and Samba.
- Use Secure Shell facilities to perform remote logins and file copying. Configure the sshd process.
Course Content
Preparation for Installation
Overview of Linux Enterprise-class distros. Comparing distros and being aware of unique features. Compatibility issues. Hosting solutions such as VMware.
Interactive installations
Obtaining Linux. Disk partitioning and software selection. Performing an installation with the anaconda installer. The firstboot tool.
Network configuration
Examine and configure network interface settings. Manage routes. Manage on-demand services. Use manual and NetworkManager (GUI) configuration techniques. Troubleshoot network problems. Monitor network activity.
System configuration
The /etc/sysconfig directory and configuration files. The /proc and /sys file systems. The sysctl utility and the configuration file /etc/sysctl.conf.
System time configuration - with NTP (Network Time Protocol).
User and Group management
Create and manage user accounts and groups. User Private Groups. User Management tools. sudo configuration for elevated privileges.
PAM Authentication
Pluggable Authentication Modules and their role in system authentication. PAM module types. PAM control flags. PAM examples including login, su and reboot authentications.
Software package management
Examine installed software, query software, install/remove software using rpm and yum. How yum repositories work. Create a custom repository. Example of software management on a commercial Linux distribution.
The Boot Process
The init (upstart) process and runlevels. The GRUB bootloader configuration and security. Shutting down the system correctly. xinetd on-demand services and TCP wrappers.
The Kernel
Kernel modules. Loadable modules. Using lsmod amd modinfo. The modprobe utility. Loading/unloading modules. Using parameters with kernel modules.
Access remote systems
Access remote systems using SSH. Configuring key-based SSH authentication.
Deploy and secure file-sharing services
Configure essential network services, including basic iptables firewall configuration. NFS server and client configuration. NFS automounter. Using Samba to share files with Microsoft clients.
Managing SELinux
Display and manage SELinux facilities such as booleans and file system contexts. Debug errors caused by SELinux.
Managing basic disk storage
Partitions and EXT file systems. Add new disks, file system types, create file systems, mount file systems, and manage swap space.
Advanced Storage Administration
Logical volume management overview. Logical volume concepts. Physical components. Volume Groups. Create and manage linear and mirrored logical volumes.
Schedule regular tasks using crontab and anacron
The batch and at utilities. Manage access to cron.
Examine and manage system logs
rsyslog.conf. Facility and priority filters.
Apache Web Server
Configure the Apache 2 web server and test web access. Create a simple alternative web site.
Overview of Linux Enterprise-class distros. Comparing distros and being aware of unique features. Compatibility issues. Hosting solutions such as VMware.
Interactive installations
Obtaining Linux. Disk partitioning and software selection. Performing an installation with the anaconda installer. The firstboot tool.
Network configuration
Examine and configure network interface settings. Manage routes. Manage on-demand services. Use manual and NetworkManager (GUI) configuration techniques. Troubleshoot network problems. Monitor network activity.
System configuration
The /etc/sysconfig directory and configuration files. The /proc and /sys file systems. The sysctl utility and the configuration file /etc/sysctl.conf.
System time configuration - with NTP (Network Time Protocol).
User and Group management
Create and manage user accounts and groups. User Private Groups. User Management tools. sudo configuration for elevated privileges.
PAM Authentication
Pluggable Authentication Modules and their role in system authentication. PAM module types. PAM control flags. PAM examples including login, su and reboot authentications.
Software package management
Examine installed software, query software, install/remove software using rpm and yum. How yum repositories work. Create a custom repository. Example of software management on a commercial Linux distribution.
The Boot Process
The init (upstart) process and runlevels. The GRUB bootloader configuration and security. Shutting down the system correctly. xinetd on-demand services and TCP wrappers.
The Kernel
Kernel modules. Loadable modules. Using lsmod amd modinfo. The modprobe utility. Loading/unloading modules. Using parameters with kernel modules.
Access remote systems
Access remote systems using SSH. Configuring key-based SSH authentication.
Deploy and secure file-sharing services
Configure essential network services, including basic iptables firewall configuration. NFS server and client configuration. NFS automounter. Using Samba to share files with Microsoft clients.
Managing SELinux
Display and manage SELinux facilities such as booleans and file system contexts. Debug errors caused by SELinux.
Managing basic disk storage
Partitions and EXT file systems. Add new disks, file system types, create file systems, mount file systems, and manage swap space.
Advanced Storage Administration
Logical volume management overview. Logical volume concepts. Physical components. Volume Groups. Create and manage linear and mirrored logical volumes.
Schedule regular tasks using crontab and anacron
The batch and at utilities. Manage access to cron.
Examine and manage system logs
rsyslog.conf. Facility and priority filters.
Apache Web Server
Configure the Apache 2 web server and test web access. Create a simple alternative web site.
Who should attend?
Users that have a good knowledge of Linux from an end user perspective that need to learn about the administration of Linux systems.
Pre-requisites
Delegates should have attended a Unix/Linux Fundamentals course or at least have knowledge or experience of the topics covered on our Linux Fundamentals course.
