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

Chef nodes

Chef nodes are the target machines that are managed and configured by Chef. Each node has a unique identity and requires the Chef client to be installed. Administrators define attributes and roles for each node in the Chef server, which determine how the node is configured and what recipes are applied.

Node registration

To join a node to the Chef infrastructure, administrators bootstrap the node by installing the Chef client and registering it with the Chef server. During the bootstrap process, the node generates a client key that allows it to authenticate with the Chef server securely.

Communication with the Chef server

Once registered, the Chef client on the node communicates with the Chef server to retrieve its configuration instructions. The client periodically converges with the server to ensure that the node’s state aligns with the desired state defined by the Chef server. The Chef client applies the necessary changes to the node’s configuration...