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

Overview of managing accounts/groups

As a multi-user operating system, Linux allows for multiple users to be logged in and work simultaneously on a single machine. Be aware that it is never a good idea to let users share login information for the same account. It is preferable to have as many accounts as users who require machine access.

Access to specific system resources, such as directories and files, may need to be shared by two or more users. We can achieve both goals using Linux’s user and group administration features.

General/normal users and root/superusers are the two categories of users in Linux systems.

One of the fundamental components of the Linux operating system is the management of user and group accounts. The custom rights of user and group accounts are maintained by each user logging in to the operating system using a different set of credentials. Adding new users requires specific permissions (superuser); the same holds true for other user or group...