Course Content
Course 55187A: Linux System Administration
4 Days or 6 Evenings
Module 1: System Startup and Shutdown This module explains how to manage startup and shutdown processes in Linux.
Lessons
- Understanding the Boot Sequence
- The Grand Unified Boot Loader
- GRUB Configuration Files
- System Configuration Files in /etc
- The init Process
- SysVinit Startup
- chkconfig and service
- Upstart
- systemd
- Shutting down/Rebooting the System
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Boot into non-graphical mode using GRUB
- Add a new startup service with System V
- Add a new startup services with system
- Run Shutdown vs. Halt vs. Reboot
Module 2: Linux Filetree System Layout
This module explains how the Linux Filesystem is organized and points out the key directories and their roles.
Lessons
- Data Distinctions
- FHS Linux Standard Directory Tree
- root (/) directory
- /bin
- /dev
- /etc
- /home
- /lib and /lib64
- /media
- /mnt
- /opt
- /proc
- /sys
- /root
- /sbin
- /tmp
- /usr
- /var
- /run
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Change size of the default directories
- Touring the /proc Filesystem
Module 3: Kernel Services and Configuration
This module explains how the Linux Kernel is configured, how the modules and utilities work, the function of sysctl and udev and Device Management.
Lessons
- Kernel Overview
- Kernel Configuration
- sysctl
- Kernel Modules
- Module Utilities
- Module Configuration
- udev and Device Management
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Manipulating system tunables with sysctl.
- Changing the maximum process ID.
- Working with Kernel modules.
- Working with udev
Module 4: Partitioning and Formatting Disks
This module explains how to work with disks in Linux by naming, partitioning and sizing them.
Lessons
- Common Disk Types
- Disk Geometry
- Partitioning
- Naming Disk Devices
- Sizing up partitions
- Partition table editors
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Using a file as a disk partition image
- Partioning a Disk Image file
- Using losetup and parted
- Partitioning a real hard disk
Module 5: Linux Filesystems
This module explains how to work with Linux Filesystems, starting with the understanding that Linux treats everything as a file. IT covers Virtual filesystem (VFS), Filesystem Usage and Attributes, Major types (ext4, XFS, btrfs) and how to create, format, mount, swap and repair Filesystems.
Lessons
- Some Notes About Filesystems
- Virtual Filesystem (VFS)
- Filesystem Concepts
- Disk and Filesystem Usage
- Extended Attributes
- ext4
- XFS
- btrfs
- Creating and formatting filesystems
- Checking and Repairing Filesystems
- Mounting filesystems
- Swap
- Filesystem Quotas
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Defragmenting a system.
- Modifying Filesystem parameters using tune2fs.
- Working with file attributes.
- Mounting options.
- Managing swap space.
- Filesystem quotas.
- Working with XFS
- Working with btrfs
Module 6: RAID and LVM
This module explains how to work with RAID and Logical Volume Management (LVM).
Lessons
- RAID
- RAID Levels
- Software RAID Configuration
- Logical Volume Management (LVM)
- Volumes and Volume Groups
- Working with Logical Volumes
- Resizing Logical Volumes
- LVM Snapshots
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Creating a RAID device
- Creating Logical Volumes
Module 7: Processes
This module explains how to work with Linux processes. It begins with an overview of what processes are and how they work before procreding to illustrate how to create, monitor, prioritize and limit processes.
Lessons
- Programs and Processes
- Process States
- Execution Modes
- Daemons
- Creating Processes
- Process Limits
- Process Monitoring
- Signals
- niceness
- Libraries
Lab : Installing and Configuring Windows 7
- Controlling processes with ulimit
- Using ps and top
- Monitoring process states
- Examining signal priorities and execution
Module 8: Package Management Systems
This module explains how to work with the major package management systems used in Linux distributions. Covers both RPM and DKPG as well as the use of version control systems such as git.
Lessons
- Software Packaging Concepts
- RPM (Red Hat Package Manager)
- DPKG (Debian Package)
- Revision Control Systems
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Using RPM
- Rebuilding the RPM database
- Using DKPG
- Version control with git
Module 9: Package Installers
This module explains how to use the major package installers, including yum, zypper and APT. It also explains the role that package installers play in automating software management and dealing with dependencies.
Lessons
- Package Installers
- yum
- zypper
- APT
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Basic yum commands
- Using yum to find information about a package
- Managing groups of packages with yum
- Adding a new yum repository
- Basic zypper commands
- Using zypper to find information about a package
- Basic APT commands
- Using APT to find information about a package
- Managing groups of packages using APT
Module 10: User and Group Account Management
This module explains how to work with users and groups in Linux. It also covers how to work with passwords, restricted shells, the root account, Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM), LDAP and SSH.
Lessons
- User Accounts
- Management
- Passwords
- Restricted Shells and Accounts
- The root Account
- Group Management
- PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules)
- Authentication Process
- Configuring PAM
- LDAP Authentication
- File Permissions and Ownership
- SSH
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Working with user accounts
- Working with groups
- Configuring PAM
- Using chmod
Module 11: Backup and Recovery Methods
This module explains how to backup data in Linux. It covers the tools that are used for backup and compression as well as for moving and copying files and also for restoring files.
Lessons
- Backup Basics
- cpio
- tar
- Compression: gzip, bzip2 and xz and Backups
- dd
- rsync
- dump and restore
- mt
- Backup Programs
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Using tar for backup
- Using cpio for backup
- Using rsync for backup
Module 12: Networking
This module explains how to conduct basic networking in Linux. It covers IP addresses, Hostnames, Network Interfaces, Routing and Name Resolution.
Lessons
- IP Addresses
- Hostnames
- Configuring Network Interfaces
- Routing
- Name Resolution
- Network Diagnostics
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Static configuration of a network interface
- Adding a static hostname
- Adding a network interface alias
Module 13: Firewalls
This module explains how to work with firewalls in Linux. It covers both command line tools and GUI tools as well as firewalld. Zones and source management are discussed, as is service and port management.
Lessons
- Firewalls
- Interfaces
- firewalld
- Zones
- Source Management
- Service and Port Management
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Installing firewalld
- Examining firewall-cmd
- Adding services to a zone
- Using the firewall GUI
Module 14: Local System Security
This module explains how to secure systems against both internal and external threats. It covers how to identify risks and provides guidance on how to decide what protection is appropriate. Finally, it covers the basic types of security available (physical, filesystem, and security modules e.g. SELinux).
Lessons
- Local System Security
- Creating a Security Policy
- Updates and Security
- Physical Security
- Filesystem Security
- Linux Security Modules
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Using SELinux
- Security and mount options
- Using umask
- Usint setuid and scripts
Module 15: Basic Troubleshoot and System Rescue
This module explains how to conduct troubleshooting in Linux as well as likely sources of issues. It covers basic concepts in system rescue and recovery and how to identify corrupted filesystems.
Lessons
- Troubleshooting Overview
- Things to Check: Networking
- Boot Process Failures
- Filesystem Corruption and Recovery
- Virtual Consoles
- Rescue Media and Troubleshooting
- System Rescue and Recovery
Lab : Chapter Labs
- Preparing to use Rescue/Recover media
- Recovering from a corrupted GRUB configuration
- Recovering from a password failure
- Recovering from partition table corruption
- Recovering using the install image