Using and Administering Linux: Volume 3

Manage complex systems with ease and equip yourself for a new career. This book builds upon the skills you learned in Volumes 1 and 2 of this course and it depends upon the virtual network and virtual machine you created there. 

However, more experienced Linux users can begin with this volume and download an assigned script that will set up the VM for the start of Volume 3. Instructions with the script will provide specifications for configuration of the virtual network and the virtual machine. Refer to the volume overviews in the book's introduction to select the volume of this course most appropriate for your current skill level.

Start by reviewing the administration of Linux servers and install and configure various Linux server services such as DHCP, DNS, NTP, and SSH server that will be used to provide advanced network services.  You’ll then learn to install and configure servers such as BIND for name services, DHCP for network host configuration, and SSH for secure logins to remote hosts. Other topics covered include public/private keypairs to further enhance security, SendMail and IMAP and antispam protection for email, using Apache and WordPress to create and manage web sites, NFS, SAMBA, and Chrony.

This volume also covers SELinux, and building RPMs to distribute automation scripts. All of these services are installed on a single server host over the course of the book and by the time you are finished you will have a single server that provides these services for your network.

What You Will Learn

• Install, configure, and manage several Linux server services such as email with spam management and single and multiple web sites
• Work with NTP time synchronization, DHCP, SSH, and file sharing with Unix/Linux and Windows clients
• Create RPMs for distribution of scripts and administrative programs.
• Understand and work with enhanced security.     

Who This Book Is For

Those who are already Linux power users – SysAdmins who can administer Linux workstation hosts that are not servers – who want to learn to administer the services provided by Linux servers such as web, time, name, email, SSH, and more. 

David Both is an Open Source Software and GNU/Linux advocate, trainer, writer, and speaker. He has been working with Linux and Open Source Software for more than 20 years and has been working with computers for over 45 years.  He is a strong proponent of and evangelist for the "Linux Philosophy for System Administrators." David has been in the IT industry for over forty years.

He worked for IBM for 21 years and, while working as a Course Development Representative in Boca Raton, FL, in 1981, wrote the training course for the first IBM PC. He has taught RHCE classes for Red Hat and has worked at MCI Worldcom, Cisco, and the State of North Carolina. In most of the places he has worked since leaving IBM in 1995, he has taught classes on Linux ranging from Lunch'n'Learns to full five day courses. Helping others learn about Linux and open source software is one of his great pleasures.

David had some amazing teachers and mentors in my 40 years in IT and my more than 20 years working with Linux.  At their core, Linux and open source in general are about sharing and helping others and about contributing to the community. These books, along with “The Linux philosophy for SysAdmins,” are a continuation of his desire to pass on my knowledge and to provide mentoring to anyone interested in learning about Linux.

David is the author of The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins (Apress, 2018) and can be found on Twitter @linuxgeek46.