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 client-server interaction

The Chef client on each node periodically converges with the Chef server to ensure the node’s configuration matches the desired state defined in the Chef server. During convergence, the client retrieves updated cookbooks, attributes, and recipes from the server. It compares the current state of the node with the desired state and makes necessary changes to achieve convergence.

Reporting and monitoring

Chef provides reporting and monitoring capabilities to track the status of the infrastructure and Chef client runs. Administrators can view reports on cookbook versions, node status, and convergence details. This information helps in troubleshooting, auditing, and ensuring compliance with configuration policies:

Figure 14.1 – Chef Dashboard (Source: https://docs.chef.io/manage/)

Figure 14.1 – Chef Dashboard (Source: https://docs.chef.io/manage/)

As you can see, it is very easy to monitor and manage everything from one dashboard.

Data synchronization

Chef enables data...