Course LIN420 Linux System Administration Part 1

Duration: 5 Days

Course Overview
This course teaches the fundamental skills required to administer a Linux system. As most administration is performed at the command line (as opposed to using graphical tools) the course covers command line tools, scripting and utilities, before discussing key administrative tasks including file system management, user and group management, system logging, filesystem backup, booting, system documentation, and printer management. The course is closely aligned with the objectives of the Linux Professional Institute's examination 101.

Intended Audience
The course is designed for computer professionals wishing to enter the field of Linux system administration at the corporate (as opposed to home user) level. It is also appropriate for database administrators, network support staff, or helpdesk staff requiring a sound knowledge of the day-to-day running of a Linux installation. Some previous experience of using Linux at the command line is desirable. Course 410 "Introduction to Linux" provides adequate background. Alternatively, the course would be suitable for attendees experienced in administering other platforms who are comfortable working in a command line environment and with the use of syntax-rich configuration files.

Key Skills
After completion of this course you will be able to: Use the shell and key Linux utilities Create and maintain Linux file systems Control how a Linux systems boots Find and understand the documentation you need Manage user accounts and groups

Perform day-to-day administration

Practical Work
Extensive hands-on exercises throughout the course provide opportunity to configure and manage a Linux system in a safe, guided environment. Exercises include: Adding new partitions and file systems Creating user accounts and groups Configuring system logging Post-processing log files with text filters Configuring boot-time actions Making full and incremental backups

Course Contents
Working at the Command Line
Using the shell Managing files and directories Processing text with filter programs Using pipes and redirecting I/O streams Searching files using regular expressions Managing processes

Configuring and Managing the File System

A tour of the file system organisation Partitioning disks and creating file systems Checking file system integrity Manual and boot-time mounting of file systems Controlling disk quotas Manage file access permissions and ownership Using hard links and symbolic links

Editing and Scripting

Learning to love vi

Creating simple shell scripts Using variables, arguments, and I/O in scripts Looping and branching in scripts Shell startup scripts

Booting and Shutting Down

Configuring the boot loader Changing run levels Configuring run levels via inittab Performing a clean shutdown and reboot

Linux Documentation
Finding and interpreting the man pages HOWTO documents The Linux Documentation Project Locating documentation on the Internet

Core Administrative Tasks

Managing user accounts and groups Customising the user environment Configuring and monitoring system log files Scheduling jobs with at and cron Backing up the file system

Printers and Printing

Creating, monitoring and managing print queues Printing files Installing local and remote printers

Course LIN430 Linux System Administration Part 2

Duration: 5 Days

Overview
This course follows on from course 420 to provide advanced system and network administration skills for Linux. The course is closely aligned with the objectives of the Linux Professional Institute's examination 102.

Intended Audience
The course is intended for experienced Linux users wishing to obtain comprehensive, advanced skills to install and administer Linux as part of a corporate network environment. The course is appropriate for system administrators, network managers, Linux consultants, internet service providers, systems and network integrators, second-level help desk support staff, and anyone responsible for the deployment of Linux as part of a corporate infrastructure. Attendees need significant experience of using Linux prior to attending this course. You should be comfortable using a wide range of Linux tools and utilities at the command line and understand concepts such as the file system, the Linux security model, and processes. Courses 410 and 420 provide adequate background. Some prior knowledge of PC hardware and TCP/IP networking would be an advantage but is not essential.

Key Skills
After completing this course you will be able to: Add hardware such as SCSI disks, network adaptors, sound cards and modems Install new software from source or from binary packages Build a custom kernel Install and configure the X window system Establish connectivity to a TCP/IP network Provide network services including sendmail, apache, NFS, and DNS

Secure the system using TCP wrappers and other tools

Practical Work
Extensive workshops throughout the course provide practical experience of system and network installation and configuration in a safe, controlled environment. Exercises include: Building and installing a custom kernel Installing the apache web server from source Adding packages using the RedHat package manager Connecting the system to a TCP/IP network Serving files to Linux and Windows systems Setting up a DNS server Configuring TCP Wrappers to limit and log service access

Course Contents
Linux Installation and package management
Designing a partitioning scheme Installing Linux Installing a boot manager for multi-boot scenarios Unpacking, configuring and building software from source "tarballs" Debian and RedHat package management systems

The Linux Kernel

Managing loadable kernel modules Building and installing a new kernel

PC Hardware and architecture

Changing BIOS settings Determining IRQs and I/O addresses Setting up SCSI disk devices using the SCSI BIOS Low-level configuration of network, modem and sound cards

The X Window System

Architecture of the X Window System Setting up and tuning the X server Tuning the X server for the graphics card and monitor Selecting and customising the window manager / desktop environment

TCP/IP Connectivity
Understanding the protocols: TCP, UDP, ICMP, PPP Setting up an IP address, netmask, default route and gateway Configuring dial-out connections with PPP Standard TCP/IP tools: ftp, telnet, ping, dig ...

Networking Services
The inetd and xinetd 'super-servers' sendmail without tears Establishing a baseline Apache (web) service Managing NFS and Samba file sharing Configuring host name resolution Providing name resolution with DNS

System Security
TCP_wrappers Hardening the system Verifying the integrity of new packages Monitoring CERT and BUGTRAQ postings