Linux System Administration

Course Description

This course provides the essential skills and knowledge required to effectively manage and maintain Linux-based systems. You'll move beyond basic commands to master the core domains of system administration. The curriculum covers everything from process and storage management to network configuration, performance monitoring, and crucial security hardening. Through a series of hands-on labs, you will learn to manage user accounts, partition disks, troubleshoot network issues, monitor system health, and implement security best practices, equipping you with the expertise needed to run stable and efficient Linux environments.

Who is this course for

This course is designed for individuals who have a solid foundation in the Linux command line and are ready to take on system management responsibilities. It is a perfect fit for:

• Aspiring System Administrators: Individuals looking to start a career in Linux system administration.

• Junior IT Professionals: Help desk analysts or technical support staff who want to advance their careers.

• Software Developers & DevOps Engineers: Professionals who need to manage their own development, testing, or production environments.

• Cloud Professionals: Anyone working with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP, where Linux is the dominant operating system.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Manage System Processes: Control system behavior, manage running processes and jobs, and set resource limits for users.

• Administer Storage: Understand and manage disk partitions, filesystems, and use common disk management commands.

• Configure and Troubleshoot Networks: Explain basic networking concepts and use essential tools like ssh and scp for secure remote access and file transfer.

• Monitor System Health: Track key performance metrics, including CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network activity, and analyze system logs.

• Implement Essential Security: Use tools like auditd for system monitoring and fail2ban to protect against brute-force attacks, while applying security best practices.

Prerequisites

To succeed in this course, you should have:

1. Strong Linux Command-Line Skills: You must be proficient with navigating the file system, managing files, and using a text editor from the command line.

2. Basic Shell Scripting Knowledge: Familiarity with the fundamentals of shell scripting will be beneficial.

3. Access to a Linux System: You need a Linux environment (VM, cloud server, or local install) where you have administrative (sudo or root) privileges to perform the lab exercises.

Course outline

Section 1: System Management in Linux

1. Managing System Shutdown Behavior

2. Jobs and Process Management in Linux

3. Implementing Resource Limits in Linux Using ulimit

4. QUIZ System Management in Linux

Section 2: Storage and Disk Management

1. Understanding Disk Management

2. Disk Partitions and Filesystems in Linux

3. Hands-on Lab: Disk Management in Linux and Popular Commands (fdisk, mkfs, mount)

4. QUIZ Storage Disk Management

Section 3: Introduction to Networking and Networking Tools

1. Introduction to Networking

2. Networking Devices

3. Examples of Network Usage in Real-World Scenarios

4. Quick basic Networking Concepts

5. Hands-on Lab: Common Networking Tools and Commands in Linux (ping, ip, netstat)

6. Using ssh and scp for Secure Connectivity

7. QUIZ: Introduction to Networking and Tools

Section 4: Monitoring in Linux

1. Overview of Monitoring in Linux

2. Hands-on Lab: CPU and Memory Monitoring

3. Hands-on Lab: Disk Usage and I/O Monitoring

4. Hands-on Lab: Network Monitoring

5. Using lsof for File Monitoring

6. Hands-on Lab: Log Monitoring in Linux

7. Lab Assignment: Disk Usage and I/O Monitoring Report

8. QUIZ: Monitoring in Linux

Section 5: Linux security

1. Hands-on Lab: Linux Security using auditd for Monitoring System Activities

2. Hands-on Lab: Brute Force Attack Protection using fail2ban

3. Security Best Practices for Linux Systems

4. QUIZ: Linux Security

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