CompTIA Linux+ Certification Companion: Hands-on Preparation to Master Linux Administration (Certification Study Companion Series)

Table of Contents About the Author About the Technical Reviewer Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction to Linux and Linux Certification What Is Linux? MULTICS Project UNIX GNU Project Linux Created Licensing Linux Distributions Reasons to Use Linux Reduces Total Cost Software Availability Increases Security and Stability Runs on Multiple Hardware Platforms Linux Certification: Why Get Certified? CompTIA Linux+ Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Introductory Certification Professional Certifications Summary Chapter 2: Installing Linux Preparing for Installation Step 1: Talk to Key People Step 2: Distributions Resource Requirements for Ubuntu and Fedora Ubuntu: Recommended Minimum System Requirements Fedora: Recommended Minimum System Requirements Step 3: Naming Conventions Parallel AT Attachment (PATA) or Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) Serial AT Attachment (SATA) and Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) Step 4: Partitioning Linux Partitioning Step 5: Default Bootloader File System Ext2 Ext3 Ext4 Reiser Windows and Linux File Systems Windows Linux Step 6: Additional Installation Needs Methods of Installation Summary Resources Chapter 3: Shells, Scripts, and Data Management Linux Review Shell Environment Shell Configuration Environmental Variables PATH Variable Special Characters BASH Functions Function: Call from Library Example Function Example: Call from Inside Script Scripts Types of Scripts Script That Executes Commands Scripts That Take Input and Use It to Perform an Action The Execute Permission Constructs Sequence Construct Decision Construct if Statement Case Construct Difference Between if and case Testing Using if and case | | and && Chaining Operators Repetition Construct while Statements Status of Script Databases & SQL Commands Database Services Client/Server Model SQL Commands Verifying MySQL Is Installed Summary Chapter 4: Boot Process and Shutdown Boot Process Fedora Boot Process BIOS Boot Loader Kernel Common Boot Loaders LILO GRUB GRUB Parameters GRUB2 Common Options Used in the /etc/default/grub File Runlevels Runlevels on Fedora Runlevels in Ubuntu Runlevel Commands Kernel Options Init Scripts System V Distros BSD Distros Managing Init Scripts Configuring Init Scripts Additional Scripts Upstart Systemd Shutting Down Linux Summary Chapter 5: Desktop and User Interface X Window System Video Hardware X Server Window Manager Desktop Environment Gnome Desktop Example X Client X Font Server Configuring X Server Editing xorg.conf Files in Fedora Editing XF86Conf File in Fedora Restart X Server Configuring Window Manager and Desktop Environment GUI Problem-Solving Utilities Display Manager Configuring Display Manager X Terminal or X Station Support Configuration Steps on X Server X Display Manager (XDM) XDM Configuration Files Remote X Window KDM GDM Accessibility Mouse Accessibility Preferred Applications Menu Desktop Themes Summary Chapter 6: Hardware and Process Settings Device Drivers Two Ways to Implement The /proc Directory The /sys Directory Tools to Manage Device Drivers Managing Kernel Modules Configuration Files Manually Managing Kernel Modules Tools to Manually Manage Kernel Modules Hotplug and Coldplug Devices Hotplug Coldplug Components That Manage Devices Processes What Is a Process? Process ID Forking and Zombie The ps Command The pstree Command Top Command Process Management Foreground Processing Background The nohup Command Prioritizing Processes Change Before Process Start Change After Process Start Terminating a Process Kill Command Summary Chapter 7: Users and Groups User Accounts Account Locations Types of User Accounts User Account Files /etc/passwd File /etc/shadow File Synchronize passwd and shadow Files Groups Group Accounts Group Account Types Group Account Files /etc/group /etc/gshadow Managing User/Group Accounts Default Configurations /etc/login.defs add Command Skeleton Directory useradd Command Password Modifying User Accounts CHAGE Lock/Unlock User Accounts Deleting a User Account Group Accounts Add Groups Modify Groups Deleting Groups Managing Group Helpful Group Commands Best Practices Summary Chapter 8: Administrative Tasks Task Management ATD Daemon at Command Shell Script at Optional Additions Results Control Use of at Command Cron Command Cron Jobs Configuration Files System cron Jobs Content for cron Files Working with cron Jobs Localization Locale Locale Code Environmental Variables Time Management Linux Clocks Local Time and Universal Time Time Zone Changing the Time Zone Summary Chapter 9: Working with Linux: Part 1 Kernels, Terminals, and Shells Kernel Shell Terminal Shells Available in Linux Kernel Architecture Terminal Session Environment Variables Two Types of Variables Variables Used in Linux Path Variable Working with Shell Commands Shell Commands: Case Sensitive Shell Commands: Path Good to Know History File Purpose of Configuration Files Basic Shell Commands Metacharacters How to Get Help Man and Info Pages Summary Resources Chapter 10: Essential System Services System Time Management Hardware Clock System Clock Network Time Protocol (NTP) System Logging Logrotate Managing Log Files Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) Mail Protocols MTAs Redirecting Mail Print Management Linux Printing Systems LPD Printing System Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) Print Job Flow CUPS Configuration CUPS Print Job Management Printer Set-Up Summary Resources Chapter 11: Working with Linux: Part 2 Directory Structure What Is a Directory Structure? Filesystem Hierarchy File Types Common Filename Extensions More Linux Commands Wildcard Characters Regular Expressions Common Regular Expressions Extended Regular Expressions Compression Compress Utility GNU Utility Bzip2 Utility Archiving Tar Cpio Summary Resources Chapter 12: Networking Fundamentals Internet Protocol Networking Models OSI Model TCP/IP Model TCP and UDP Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Addressing Physical and Logical Addresses IPv4 Binary Values IPv4 Address Classes Subnet Mask ANDing Process Default Gateway Broadcast Address Lack of IPv4 Addresses Comparing IPv4 and IPv6 IPv6 Addressing Converting Hex to Decimal or Binary Parts of an IPv6 Addresses Ports Port Numbers Configuring an Interface Network Interface Card (NIC) Static Settings DHCP Settings ifconfig Command Configuring Routes Routers Gateway Router Local Routing Table Configuring DNS Name Resolution /etc/hosts /etc/resolv.conf /etc/nsswitch.conf Configuring with GUI Network Configuration Tool Troubleshooting ping traceroute netstat telnet nslookup dig host hostname sar Summary Chapter 13: Software Installation Package Managers Source or Binary Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) RPM Commands Yellowdog Updater Modified (YUM) YUM Commands YUM Configuration Files Debian Package Manager Debian APT KPackageKit Package Manager Libraries Troubleshooting Summary Chapter 14: Security Root User Security su Command sudo Command Sudoers File User Security Administration Passwd and Shadow File passwd Command usermod Command chage Command Best Practices User Limits Changing Limits Auditing Files Host Security Open Network Connections (Sockets) Open Ports Firewalls User Running a Service TCP Wrappers Encryption Asymmetric Key Encryption Symmetric Key Encryption Secure Shell Connection with SSH Key Pair SSH-Agent Utility SSH Configuration Options SSH Port Tunneling SSH Authentication GNU Privacy Guard Key Exchange and Encryption Example GPG Options Summary Chapter 15: Working with Files, Directories, and Permissions Managing Directories and Files Finding Directories and Files Structure of Files Linking Files Ownership and Permissions Directory and File Permissions Ownership Setting Up Permissions and Ownership Modifying Permissions Using Operators Change Permissions Using Numbers Default Permission Special Permissions Text Editors The vi Editor Gedit Editor Summa ry Index The CompTIA Linux+ Certification" book – the ultimate guide to mastering Linux system administration in preparation for the CompTIA Linux+ Certification. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, this comprehensive resource is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the world of Linux. With its comprehensive coverage, this book delves into essential Linux concepts, commands, and techniques, providing you with a complete reference guide. You'll review how to customize and navigate the shell environment, write powerful scripts, configure user interfaces, perform administrative tasks, configure system services, establish network connections, and secure your system. No stone is left unturned in this in-depth exploration of Linux administration. What sets this book apart is its practical approach. Real-world scenarios and practical applications take center stage, ensuring that you not only understand the theory but also know how to apply it effectively. Troubleshooting common issues becomes second nature as you gain the skills to diagnose and resolve system problems with ease. You'll discover industry best practices and standards, enabling you to optimize systems, implement robust security measures, and adhere to compliance regulations. What You Will Learn: Linux operating systems, including installation, configuration, and management of Linux-based servers and systems. Essential administrative tasks, such as user and group management, file system administration, network configuration, and security implementation. Insights into troubleshooting common Linux issues, enabling readers to diagnose and resolve system problems effectively. Practical techniques for identifying and addressing system errors, performance bottlenecks, network connectivity issues, and other challenges that may arise in a Linux environment. Industry best practices and standards in Linux administration. System optimization, backup and recovery strategies, security practices, and adherence to compliance regulations. Who This Book is for: Administrators: This book serves as an excellent resource for individuals who are new to Linux administration and wish to develop a strong foundation in this field. They may have basic knowledge of Linux concepts or come from related IT roles and seek to expand their skills to include Linux system management. IT Professionals Transitioning to Linux: Professionals already working in the IT industry, such as system administrators or network engineers, who want to enhance their skill set and broaden their knowledge by incorporating Linux administration into their repertoire. They may have experience with other operating systems and are seeking to acquire Linux-specific skills. Experienced Linux Administrators: Seasoned Linux administrators can benefit from this book as well. It serves as a comprehensive reference guide, offering advanced topics, best practices, and insights into the latest trends and developments in the Linux ecosystem. It can be a valuable resource for expanding their expertise and staying up-to-date with industry standards. Secondary or tertiary audiences may include IT managers, system architects, or developers who work closely with Linux systems and wish to gain a deeper understanding of Linux administration. Additionally, students pursuing computer science or IT-related degrees may find the book beneficial for their coursework and career advancement.