Book Image

Linux for System Administrators

By : Viorel Rudareanu, Daniil Baturin
Book Image

Linux for System Administrators

By: Viorel Rudareanu, Daniil Baturin

Overview of this book

Linux system administration is an essential aspect of maintaining and managing Linux servers within an organization. The role of a Linux system administrator is pivotal in ensuring the smooth functioning and security of these servers, making it a critical job function for any company that relies on Linux infrastructure. This book is a comprehensive guide designed to help you build a solid foundation in Linux system administration. It takes you from the fundamentals of Linux to more advanced topics, encompassing key areas such as Linux system installation, managing user accounts and filesystems, networking fundamentals, and Linux security techniques. Additionally, the book delves into the automation of applications and infrastructure using Chef, enabling you to streamline and optimize your operations. For both newcomers getting started with Linux and professionals looking to enhance their skills, this book is an invaluable hands-on guide with a structured approach and concise explanations that make it an effective resource for quickly acquiring and reinforcing Linux system administration skills. With the help of this Linux book, you’ll be able to navigate the world of Linux administration confidently to meet the demands of your role.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
1
Part 1: Linux Basics
7
Part 2: Configuring and Modifying Linux Systems
13
Part 3: Linux as a Part of a Larger System

Linux network stack

To end users who only interact with the network through applications and only configure network access through a graphical user interface, the network stack of their operating system looks like a single abstraction. However, for administrators, it is important to understand its structure because different parts of the stack are implemented by different software and administered by different tools.

This contrasts Linux distributions with many proprietary operating systems where most network functions are built-in and cannot be replaced individually. In a Linux distribution, performance-critical functionality is implemented by the Linux kernel itself, but many other functions, such as the dynamic configuration of IP addresses and routes through Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), are done by third-party tools, and there can be multiple competing implementations.

There are also different tools for managing the network functionality of the Linux kernel...