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Introduction to System Administration

The document provides information about a system and network administration module, including its aims, assessment method, lecture format, and recommended reading. It will consist of two lectures per week, with assessment by exam only. The module outline covers topics such as introduction to Unix and Windows, system administration basics, and networked hosts.

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Md Fasiuddin
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
24 views17 pages

Introduction to System Administration

The document provides information about a system and network administration module, including its aims, assessment method, lecture format, and recommended reading. It will consist of two lectures per week, with assessment by exam only. The module outline covers topics such as introduction to Unix and Windows, system administration basics, and networked hosts.

Uploaded by

Md Fasiuddin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

01/10/2012

System and network


administration
Gail Hopkins

Aims of module

To give an introduction to system


administration of networked hosts
Not specific to any one operating system
But examples given for Unix and Windows

An introduction to Unix commands


Windows GUI familiar to most

To give an understanding of how


networked hosts interoperate and how
their software and users are managed

01/10/2012

Important Information

Course consists of 2 lectures per week


Fridays lecture will normally be an online
video lecture (but sometimes a lab session)
See the module website for details

Assessment will be via exam only

My contact details:
[Link]@[Link]

Important Information

Lecture notes and video lectures are


available online:

[Link]

Support sessions:

TSG provide user support sessions, please see


web page for times:

[Link]

01/10/2012

Important Information (2)

Exam
Past papers available on the portal
Model exam paper with sample answers will
be given

ADM Recommended Text

UNIX and Linux System Administration


Handbook, Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Trent R.
Hein and Ben Whaley, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall,
2011

Also useful:
Principles of Network and System
Administration, Mark Burgess, Wiley, 2004
The Practice of System and Network
Administration, Thomas A. Limoncelli,
Christina J. Hogan and Strata R. Chalup, 2nd
Edition, Addison Wesley, 2007

01/10/2012

Course Outline
Introduction to Unix
Introduction to Windows
Basics of System Administration

Users
File systems
Installing devices/software
Networked hosts
Providing services
Security

An Introduction to UNIX
Gail Hopkins

01/10/2012

At the end of this lecture you


should:
Understand the role of the operating
system
Understand the concept of UNIXs
command line interface (CLI)
Know the format of a UNIX command and
how to execute it in a shell

Operating Systems
An operating system is the program that controls all the
other parts of a computer system - both the hardware and
the software.
Most importantly, it allows you to make use of the facilities
provided by the system. Every computer has an operating
system.

01/10/2012

Example Operating Systems

Windows

Mactintosh

UNIX

NT, XP, Windows 7


MacOS 9 last of old Mac operating systems
New Macs run on top of UNIX (see below)
Sun Solaris

Requires special hardware

Linux for PCs

Lots of free distributions

Cygwin

Slow but runs within the Windows OS

MacOS X

Underlying operating system is UNIX

An Introduction to UNIX

01/10/2012

The UNIX operating system has


three important features:
kernel

shell

filesystem

Kernel and shell covered here


Filesystem covered in future lecture

UNIX Kernel
At the core of each UNIX system and is
loaded in whenever the system is started
up - referred to as the boot of the system
Manages the entire resources of the
system, presenting them to you and every
other user as a coherent system
You do not need to know about it in order
to use a UNIX system

01/10/2012

UNIX Kernel (2)

Amongst the functions performed by the kernel


are:
managing the machine's memory and allocating it to
each process.
scheduling the work done by the CPU so that the
work of each user is carried out as efficiently as
possible.
organising the transfer of data from one part of the
machine to another.
accepting instructions from the shell and carrying
them out.
enforcing the access permissions that are set on the
file system

UNIX Shell
The UNIX command line interface is called
the shell
The shell is a program interpreter
There are many different shells, for
example csh, bash, tsh, and usually you
will run only one type of shell in a login
session

01/10/2012

What is a Command Line Interface?


In Windows you (usually) do things by
selecting something with the mouse and
then clicking
In UNIX you (usually) do things by typing
in commands with (often) obscure names

A Shell Window

What you are looking at now is known as the command line


interface. It is also known as the prompt.
MS Windows also has a command line prompt, but do not
confuse DOS with UNIX.
A command line interface is more powerful than a graphical user
interface (like Windows) but does take some getting used to.

01/10/2012

Accessing UNIX Using NX

An easy way to access your UNIX account


NX is installed on CS machines

[Link]

Using NX from CS Machines

You can select it from the Linux button at the bottom


left of the screen
You should choose the correct fileserver (mersey for
masters students).
You will be prompted for your UNIX username and
password. These were issued at the beginning of term.

10

01/10/2012

Using NX from
Home

NX can be installed for


use at home
OR you can use ssh
(more about this shortly)

Instructions for installing at:

[Link]

Using UNIX from Home - ssh

If you want to access your UNIX account from


home your are advised to use an SSH client.
SSH is a secure means of connecting to a remote
computer.
Telnet is not secure and should be avoided at all
costs.
Putty is a free SSH client available at

[Link]

11

01/10/2012

How to use the UNIX Shell:


Command Line Completion
Very useful although not always available
Start typing command (or file name) and
then press tab
UNIX will try to automatically finish the
word for you

If more than one choice, press tab again and


UNIX will list the possibilities

How to use the UNIX Shell:


Copying and Pasting
In Windows you cut and paste using items
in the Edit menu
In UNIX you use your mouse buttons

Left button (click and drag) to highlight the


text you want to copy
Middle button (click) to paste the text
somewhere else

12

01/10/2012

Terminals and Window Managers


These days your command line prompt
appears in a (terminal) window
You can start new terminals by

Clicking your mouse buttons on the


background to bring up menus
Typing xterm & in another terminal window

You can close windows by typing exit

UNIX Commands

Shells perform user requests and they do this


by accepting commands
Different types of shell have different
commands, although the core commands are
common
A command consists of one or more words
separated by white space
The first word is the command name
Subsequent words (flags and arguments) give
additional information or modify the
command
E.g. lpr Phet [Link]

13

01/10/2012

Command Entry

A command is only entered when you press the


ENTER (or RETURN) key
Special key strokes include:

DELETE or back space to delete the last character (also


^H)
^W to delete the last word
^U to delete the entire line
^C to kill most commands
^Q and ^S for scrolled output (watch out for accidental
^S)
(^X means press the Control key and X at the same time)

Example UNIX Commands


who
date
finger
passwd

14

01/10/2012

Example UNIX commands (2)

The who command displays a list of current users


on the system
Information includes usernames, where they are
logged in from and how long the have been logged
on

srb
nza
pxj
czf
gmh
nza
bnk
dge
mdf
gtr

pts/76
pts/83
pts/81
pts/85
pts/96
pts/93
pts/79
pts/36
pts/9
pts/87

Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct

9
6
9
9
9
6
9
5
9
9

11:08
16:51
10:56
11:16
09:11
16:51
10:17
17:30
11:12
11:21

(bow)
(rannoch)
(prawn)
(thailand)
(polihale)
(rannoch)
(hope)
([Link])
(delight)
(delight)

Example UNIX commands (3)


The date command displays the current date
and time:
Mon Oct 9 [Link] BST 2000

Finger describes the person behind a


username, for example,
finger gmh@marian gives:

Login name: gmh


In real life: Graham M
Hutton
Directory: /staff/gmh
Shell: /bin/csh
Last login Thu Sep 16, 1999 on pts/2 from marian
No unread mail
Plan:

15

01/10/2012

Example UNIX Commands -Changing


your password
The passwd command changes your
password
This is one of the first things that you
should do
You are prompted for the old and new
passwords (the new one twice)

Other Useful UNIX Commands


man - manual pages
acroread - open the reader for .PDF files
gv - open a viewer for .ps files
lpr - print a file

16

01/10/2012

Summary

Introduction to UNIX

UNIX Kernel

UNIX Shell

Basic UNIX commands

17

Common questions

Powered by AI

The UNIX shell enhances flexibility and power through its command-line interface, which allows users to execute commands by typing, offering more control and precision compared to graphical user interfaces. This interface supports various shells like csh and bash, each with unique features, thus providing users with customization options for different tasks . Additionally, the combination of commands with flags and arguments allows complex operations to be executed with succinct syntax, contributing to the command line’s power .

In UNIX, file manipulation is primarily performed via a command-line interface, where users use commands with options and arguments. Commands like 'cp' for copying and 'mv' for moving files require precise syntax and allow batch operations through scripting . In Windows, file manipulation is often executed through a graphical user interface, allowing users to drag and drop files using a mouse, which is generally more intuitive for novice users but less efficient for repetitive tasks . The command-line approach in UNIX can be more powerful and flexible, though it has a steeper learning curve compared to Windows' GUI methods.

Understanding UNIX command syntax is critical for user efficiency and system operability in network administration. Precise command syntax enables users to execute tasks accurately and quickly, minimizing errors that can disrupt system operations . Network administrators rely on command-line interfaces to configure networks, manage user permissions, and monitor system performance; thus, proficiency in interpreting and constructing commands is essential for maintaining system integrity and achieving operational objectives . Mastery of command syntax facilitates streamlined workflows and effective troubleshooting, directly impacting network reliability and security.

The development of UNIX systems has profoundly influenced modern OS design through its emphasis on a modular architecture and the shell’s command-line interface. UNIX introduced the concept of the kernel as a core component managing resources and processes, a structure mirrored in modern operating systems like Linux and various UNIX-like systems . The user interaction model featuring the shell and command utilities pioneered by UNIX has promoted the continued use of command-line interfaces in advanced user environments for complex tasks and automation . These design principles have been integral to systems emphasizing efficiency, security, and multiuser capabilities, which remain critical in contemporary OS design.

The UNIX kernel is crucial for operating system functionality because it manages the entire resources of the system. Its responsibilities include managing the machine's memory by allocating it to each process, scheduling CPU operations to ensure efficient user task execution, organizing data transfer within the machine, accepting and executing instructions from the shell, and enforcing access permissions set on the file system .

Using different shells in UNIX can impact system administration and user processes by offering varied capabilities and interfaces suited for specific tasks. For instance, the 'bash' shell provides advanced scripting features and is widely compatible, while 'csh' offers distinctive syntax beneficial for certain scripting environments . Administrators may prefer a specific shell to utilize unique features that enhance productivity, such as scripting capabilities for automation and task scheduling . Diverse shell environments allow users and administrators to select tools optimal for their operational requirements, thereby improving workflow efficiency and adaptability.

Effective instructional methods for teaching system administration topics such as networked host interoperability and UNIX command line usage include hands-on labs, real-world problem-solving exercises, and interactive video lectures . Practical labs allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real scenarios, reinforcing learning through experience. Incorporating case studies where students troubleshoot and resolve system issues can help develop critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for system administration. Video lectures supplemented with guided tutorials offer flexible learning opportunities and cater to different learning styles by visualizing concepts and step-by-step procedures .

UNIX commands play a crucial role in simplifying administrative tasks by providing powerful tools for managing users, file systems, and processes efficiently. Commands like 'who', 'date', and 'passwd' allow administrators to monitor system status, manage user sessions, and secure accounts quickly . Advanced utilities such as 'man' provide comprehensive documentation directly in the terminal, facilitating self-contained troubleshooting and task execution, reducing the need for external resources . The command line's capacity for automation through scripting further enhances its effectiveness for routine administrative tasks, allowing for scalability and consistency in system management.

SSH provides encryption for secure data transmission, preventing unauthorized access and data interception, which makes it a secure alternative for accessing UNIX accounts remotely . In contrast, Telnet transmits data in plaintext, posing significant security risks such as data interception by malicious users. The primary disadvantage of SSH is its complexity and the potential requirement for additional configuration compared to Telnet . While SSH ensures user data confidentiality and integrity, the ease of setup and use associated with Telnet makes it appealing for low-security requirements despite its inherent risks.

The concept of networked hosts influences the management of software and users by requiring administrators to ensure interoperability and proper communication between hosts. This entails managing user accounts, permissions, and software so that they function coherently across the network. Administrators must also provide services such as file sharing and network security to accommodate networked environments, emphasizing a holistic approach to system administration .

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