NICF - Linux System Administration (SF) by NTUC LearningHub

System Startup and Shutdown

This module explains how to manage startup and shutdown processes in Linux.

• 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

Linux Filetree System Layout

This module explains how the Linux Filesystem is organized and points out the key directories and their roles.

• 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

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.

• Kernel Overview
• Kernel Configuration
• sysctl
• Kernel Modules
• Module Utilities
• Module Configuration
• udev and Device Management

Partitioning and Formatting Disks

This module explains how to work with disks in Linux by naming, partitioning and sizing them.

• Common Disk Types
• Disk Geometry
• Partitioning
• Naming Disk Devices
• Sizing up partitions
• Partition table editors

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.

• 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

RAID and LVM

This module explains how to work with RAID and Logical Volume Management (LVM).

• RAID
• RAID Levels
• Software RAID Configuration
• Logical Volume Management (LVM)
• Volumes and Volume Groups
• Working with Logical Volumes
• Resizing Logical Volumes
• LVM Snapshots

Processes

This module explains how to work with Linux processes. It begins with an overview of what processes are and how they work before proceeding to illustrate how to create, monitor, prioritize and limit processes.

• Programs and Processes
• Process States
• Execution Modes
• Daemons
• Creating Processes
• Process Limits
• Process Monitoring
• Signals
• niceness
• Libraries

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.

• Software Packaging Concepts
• RPM (Red Hat Package Manager)
• DPKG (Debian Package)
• Revision Control Systems

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.

• Package Installers
• yum
• zypper
• APT

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.

• 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

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.

• Backup Basics
• cpio
• tar
• Compression: gzip, bzip2 and xz and Backups
• dd
• rsync
• dump and restore
• mt
• Backup Programs

Networking

This module explains how to conduct basic networking in Linux. It covers IP addresses, Hostnames, Network Interfaces, Routing and Name Resolution.

• IP Addresses
• Hostnames
• Configuring Network Interfaces
• Routing
• Name Resolution
• Network Diagnostics

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.

• Firewalls
• Interfaces
• firewalld
• Zones
• Source Management
• Service and Port Management

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).

• Local System Security
• Creating a Security Policy
• Updates and Security
• Physical Security
• Filesystem Security
• Linux Security Modules

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.

• Troubleshooting Overview
• Things to Check: Networking
• Boot Process Failures
• Filesystem Corruption and Recovery
• Virtual Consoles
• Rescue Media and Troubleshooting
• System Rescue and Recovery