NOS 220 Linux/UNIX Administration I

Catalog Description:

This course introduces the Linux file system, group administration, and system hardware controls. Topics include installation, creation and maintaining file systems, NIS client and DHCP client configuration, NFS, SMB/Samba, Configure X, Gnome, KDE, basic memory, processes, and security. Upon completion, students should be able to perform system administration tasks including installation, configuring and attaching a new Linux workstation to an existing network.

Prerequisites:

NOS 120 Linux/UNIX Single User

Textbook:

Required Text:
Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification
Eckert, Jason
Cengage Learning (Course Technology)
ISBN-10: 1-4188-3721-0
ISBN-13: 978-1-4188-3721-1

Materials:

Standard Classroom Supplies (pen, pencil, paper, etc.)
USB Storage Device (one per student, not one per class)

Objectives:

After completing the course, students should be able to

• Identify all system hardware required (for example: CPU, memory, drive space, scalability) and check compatibility with Linux Distribution
• Determine appropriate method of installation based on environment (for example: boot disk, CD-ROM, network (HTTP, FTP, NFS, SMB))
• Install multimedia options (for example: video, sound, codecs)
• Identify purpose of Linux machine based on predetermined customer requirements (for example: appliance, desktop system, database, mail server, web server, etc.)
• Determine what software and services should be installed (for example: client applications for workstation, server services for desired task)
• Partition according to pre-installation plan using fdisk (for example: /boot, /usr, /var, /home, swap, RAID/volume, hot-spare, lvm)
• Configure file systems (for example: (ext2) or (ext3) or REISER)
• Manage packages after installing the operating systems (for example: install, uninstall, update) (for example: RPM, tar, gzip)
• Select appropriate networking configuration and protocols (for example: inetd, xinetd, modems, Ethernet)
• Select appropriate parameters for Linux installation (for example: language, time zones, keyboard, mouse)
• Configure peripherals as necessary (for example: printer, scanner, modem)
• Manage local storage devices and file systems (for example:: fsck, fdisk, mkfs) using CLI commands
• Mount and unmount varied filesystems (for example: Samba, NFS) using CLI commands
• Create linked files using CLI commands
• Identify and modify default permissions for files and directories (for example: umask) using CLI commands
• Perform and verify backups and restores (tar, cpio)
• Access and write data to recordable media (for example: CDRW, hard drive, flash memory devices)
• Manage runlevels and system initialization from the CLI and configuration files (for example: /etc/inittab and init command, /etc/rc.d, rc.local)
• Identify, execute, manage and kill processes (for example: ps, kill, killall, bg, fg, jobs, nice, renice, rc)
• Differentiate core processes from non-critical services (for example: init, [kernel processes], PID, and PPID values)
• Repair packages and scripts (for example: resolving dependencies, repairing, installing, updating applications)
• Monitor and troubleshoot network activity (for example: ping, netstat, traceroute)
• Manage print jobs and print queues (for example: lpd, lprm, lpq, CUPS)
• Perform remote management (for example: rsh, ssh, rlogin)
• Perform NIS-related domain management (yp commands)
• Create, modify, and delete user and group accounts (for example: useradd, groupadd, /etc/passwd, chgrp, quota, chown, chmod, grpmod) using CLI utilities
• Schedule jobs to execute in the future using "at" and "cron" daemons
• Configure client network services and settings (for example: settings for TCP/IP)
• Configure basic server network services (for example: DNS, DHCP, SAMBA, Apache)
• Implement basic routing and subnetting (for example: /sbin/route, IP forward statement)
• Configure the system and perform basic makefile changes to support compiling applications and drivers
• Configure files that are used to mount drives or partitions (for example: fstab, mtab, SAMBA, nfs, syntax)
• Implement DNS and describe how it works (for example: edit /etc/hosts, edit /etc/host.conf, edit /etc/resolv.conf, dig, host, named)
• Configure a Network Interface Card (NIC) from a command line
• Configure Linux printing (for example: CUPS, BSD LPD, SAMBA)
• Apply basic printer permissions
• Configure log files (for example: syslog, remote logfile storage)
• Configure the X Window system
• Set up environment variables (for example: $PATH, $DISPLAY, $TERM, $PROMPT, $PS1)
• Create and delete users
• Modify existing users (e.g., password, groups, personal information)
• Create, modify and delete groups
• Perform administrative tasks while logged in as root, or by using the su command (e.g., understand commands that are dangerous to the system)
• Mount and manage filesystems and devices (e.g., /mnt, /dev, du, df, mount, umount)
• Describe and use the features of the multi-user environment (e.g., virtual terminals, multiple logins)
• Use network commands to connect to and manage remote systems (e.g., telnet, ftp, ssh, netstat, transfer files, redirect Xwindow)
• Create, extract and edit file and tape archives using tar
• Manage runlevels using init and shutdown
• Stop, start, and restart services (daemons) as needed (e.g., init files)
• Manage print spools and queues
• Program basic shell scripts using common shell commands (e.g., grep, find, cut, if)
• Create and manage local storage devices and file systems (e.g., fsck, fdisk, mkfs)
• Verify user and root cron jobs and understand the function of cron
• Run and interpret ifconfig
• Download and install patches and updates (e.g., packages, tgz)
• Identify, execute and kill processes (ps, kill, killall)
• Monitor system log files regularly for errors, logins, and unusual activity
• Document work performed on a system
• Perform and verify backups and restores
• Describe troubleshooting best practices (i.e., methodology)
• Examine, start, and stop processes based on the signs and symptoms of a problem
• Use system status tools to examine system resources and statuses (e.g., fsck, setserial)
• Resolve problems based on user feedback (e.g., rights, unable to login to the system, unable to print, unable to receive or transmit mail)
• Recognize common errors (e.g., package dependencies, library errors, version conflicts)
• Identify application failure on server (e.g., Web page, telnet, ftp, pop3, snmp)
• Locate troubleshooting resources and update as allowable (e.g., Web, man pages, howtos, infopages, LUGs)
• Identify basic networking concepts, including how a network works

Grading Policies:

I grade on a ten-point scale. There will be three exams and six projects in this course. Your exam average is 80% of your grade and the lab average the other 20%.

Attendance Policy:

I expect students to attend classes. Much of the material covered in my lectures is not covered explicitly in the textbooks. You are responsible for material covered in class whether or not you attend. If you must miss, ask a good "note taker" to cover for you. Only after you have reviewed the notes from the class, and still do not understand, will I attempt to clarify the material. If you miss four days (typically two weeks of class), I will deduct ten points from your final average.

Students taking online and distance education courses should be active in the online community and make regular postings and contributions to the discussion boards. I expect online students to make continual, regular progress towards the course objectives; I will not accept attempts to complete 80% of the course in the last two weeks.

Withdrawal Date & Procedure:

For the official last date of withdrawal, always refer to the Official Academic Calendar. To withdraw, see your advisor who will help you initiate the paperwork; you will need your instructor's signature on the form. Also, if you receive financial aid, you should check for ramifications before withdrawing.

Academic Integrity Statement:

You should read "Student Rights, Standards of Student Conduct, Discipline, Appeal and Grievance Procedures" in the Student Handbook, paying special attention to Standards of Student Conduct. If you cheat on any assignment, exam, or part of this course, you will receive an F in the course.

Students wtih Disabilities:

If you are a student with a documented disability and will need academic adjustments to realize your full potential at SCC, please contact Wesley Satterwhite, Disability Services Coordinator, located on the lower level of Oaks Hall, (828) 339-4229, or wesleys@southwesterncc.edu. Your visit to this office will be the first step in creating an Educational Support Plan to ensure your full academic access to the college. For online students, if you would ordinarily seek accommodations or modifications when taking a face-to-face class on campus, you may find that taking an online class eliminates the need for any adjustments. However, you may find that some accommodations are still necessary to make your online experience fully accessible. You are encouraged to make sure that all aspects of this class are accessible to you and make sure that all the accommodations you would need in a face-to-face class are appropriately addressed in this class. Information, documentation and other records provided will be maintained in a confidential manner as outlined in the Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

Instructor Contact Information:

Kirk E. Stephens
Cybercrime Technology
Southwestern Community College
447 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779

Email me at kirks@southwesterncc.edu

My Office Schedule is also posted by my door - Founders 125C.

Original: January 2012