Mastering Linux System Administration

Christine Bresnahan, Richard Blum

• Publisher: Sybex
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781119794455
• eBook ISBN: 9781119794462
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Operating Systems
• Index: Computer Science

Achieve Linux system administration mastery with time-tested and proven techniques

In Mastering Linux System Administration, Linux experts and system administrators Christine Bresnahan and Richard Blum deliver a comprehensive roadmap to go from Linux beginner to expert Linux system administrator with a learning-by-doing approach. Organized by do-it-yourself tasks, the book includes instructor materials like a sample syllabus, additional review questions, and slide decks.

Amongst the practical applications of the Linux operating system included within, you'll find detailed and easy-to-follow instruction on:

• Installing Linux servers, understanding the boot and initialization processes, managing hardware, and working with networks
• Accessing the Linux command line, working with the virtual directory structure, and creating shell scripts to automate administrative tasks
• Managing Linux user accounts, system security, web and database servers, and virtualization environments

Perfect for entry-level Linux system administrators, as well as system administrators familiar with Windows, Mac, NetWare, or other UNIX systems, Mastering Linux System Administration is a must-read guide to manage and secure Linux servers.

Part 1
Basic Admin Functions

• Chapter 1: Understanding the Basics
• Chapter 2: Installing an Ubuntu Server
• Chapter 3: Installing and Maintaining Software in Ubuntu
• Chapter 4: Installing a Red Hat Server
• Chapter 5: Installing and Maintaining Software in Red Hat
• Chapter 6: Working with the Shell
• Chapter 7: Exploring Linux File Management
• Chapter 8: Working with Text Files

Chapter 1
Understanding the Basics

The Linux operating system has taken the world by storm. Whether it's embedded Linux software operating in phones and refrigerators or full‐blown Linux servers running famous Internet sites, you can find Linux systems just about everywhere. If you've chosen (or have been chosen) to be a Linux system administrator, the task before you can seem daunting at first. But don't panic—while complex, the Linux system is organized and structured. Just knowing the basics of how Linux works will go a long way in helping you with your goals of becoming a Linux system administrator. This chapter walks you through the basics of what Linux is and explains the different versions of Linux that are available.

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IN THIS CHAPTER, YOU WILL LEARN TO

• List the components of a standard Linux system
• Explain how GNU utilities are used in Linux
• Describe the various Linux user interface environments
• Explain why there are different Linux distributions

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What Is Linux?

If you've never worked with Linux, you may be confused as to why there are so many different versions of it available. You've probably heard various terms such as distribution, LiveDVD, and GNU when looking at Linux packages, and may have been confused. Wading through the world of Linux for the first time can be a tricky experience. This chapter takes some of the mystery out of the Linux system before you start working on commands and scripts.

For starters, these four main parts make up a Linux system:

• The Linux kernel
• The GNU utilities
• A user interface
• Application software

Each of these four parts has a specific job in the Linux system. Figure 1.1 shows a basic diagram of how the parts fit together on top of the computer hardware to create the overall Linux system.

FIGURE 1.1 The Linux system

This section describes these four main parts in detail and gives you an overview of how they work together to create a complete Linux system.

Looking into the Linux Kernel

The core of the Linux system is the kernel. The kernel controls all of the hardware and software on the computer system, allocating hardware when necessary and executing software when required.

If you've been following the Linux world at all, no doubt you've heard the name Linus Torvalds. Linus is the person responsible for creating the first Linux kernel software while he was a student at the University of Helsinki. He intended it to be a copy of the Unix system, at the time a popular operating system used at many universities.

After developing the Linux kernel, Linus released it to the Internet community and solicited suggestions for improving it. This simple process started a revolution in the world of computer operating systems. Soon Linus was receiving suggestions from students as well as professional programmers from around the world.

Allowing anyone to change programming code in the kernel would result in complete chaos. To simplify things, Linus acted as a central point for all improvement suggestions. It was ultimately Linus's de...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Acknowledgments
• About the Authors
• About the Technical Editor
• Introduction
• Part 1: Basic Admin Functions
• Part 2: Intermediate Admin Functions
• Part 3: Advanced Admin Functions
• Appendix: The Bottom Line
• Index
• End User License Agreement