Book Image

Mastering Ubuntu Server - Third Edition

By : Jay LaCroix
Book Image

Mastering Ubuntu Server - Third Edition

By: Jay LaCroix

Overview of this book

Ubuntu Server has taken data centers around the world by storm. Whether you're deploying Ubuntu for a large-scale project or for a small office, it is a stable, customizable, and powerful Linux distribution with innovative and cutting-edge features. For both simple and complex server deployments, Ubuntu's flexible nature can be easily adapted to meet to the needs of your organization. This third edition is updated to cover the advancements of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and further train you to understand how to use Ubuntu Server, from initial deployment to creating production-ready resources for your network. The book begins with the concepts of user management, group management, and file system permissions. Continuing into managing storage volumes, you will learn how to format storage devices, utilize logical volume management, and monitor disk usage. Later, you will learn how to virtualize hosts and applications, which will include setting up QEMU & KVM, as well as containerization with both Docker and LXD. As the book continues, you will learn how to automate configuration with Ansible, as well as take a look at writing scripts. Lastly, you will explore best practices and troubleshooting techniques when working with Ubuntu Server that are applicable to real-world scenarios. By the end of this Ubuntu Server book, you will be well-versed in Ubuntu server’s advanced concepts and attain the required proficiency needed for Ubuntu Server administration.
Table of Contents (26 chapters)
24
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25
Index

Understanding the need for configuration management

When I first started working in the IT industry, it was a much different landscape than it is today. Servers were all physical, and any time you needed a new server, you literally needed to call a vendor and order one. You waited for a week or two for the server to be built and sent to you. When it arrived, you installed it in a rack, set up an operating system, and then installed whatever applications you needed. You then tested the server for a while, to make sure the combination of software, hardware, and drivers was stable and reliable. After some time, you'd deploy the new server into production.

Nowadays, it's still the case that system administrators often need to purchase and install hardware, much like the process I mentioned in the previous paragraph. However, with virtual machines and containers, the physical hardware we install is commonly just a catalyst to host virtual resources. In the past, we had one...