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Linux Server Administration Guide

System Administration focuses on managing and maintaining Linux-based servers to ensure their smooth and secure operation. Key tasks include server administration, backup and restore procedures, and implementing security strategies. Effective administration involves user management, service management, and regular system updates to protect against unauthorized access and data loss.

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38 views3 pages

Linux Server Administration Guide

System Administration focuses on managing and maintaining Linux-based servers to ensure their smooth and secure operation. Key tasks include server administration, backup and restore procedures, and implementing security strategies. Effective administration involves user management, service management, and regular system updates to protect against unauthorized access and data loss.

Uploaded by

a2kachotu
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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System Administration (FOSS Unit 2)

System Administration

System Administration involves the management, maintenance, and configuration of computer

systems, especially Linux-based servers. It ensures that systems run smoothly, securely, and

efficiently. The key areas include server administration, backup and restore, and security strategies.

1. Server Administration

Server administration means managing server software and hardware to ensure reliable and

efficient operation.

Key Tasks:

- User Management: Create/delete users, assign permissions (adduser, usermod, passwd)

- Service Management: Start/stop services using systemctl, service, or /etc/init.d/

- Package Management: Install and update software using apt, yum, dnf, or pacman

- Resource Monitoring: Use top, htop, free -m, df -h to monitor CPU, memory, disk

- Network Configuration: Set IP, hostname, firewall, DNS using nmcli, ip, or editing

/etc/network/interfaces

- Logging: Monitor logs in /var/log/, view with journalctl, logrotate

2. Backup and Restore Procedures

Backups protect data from loss due to failure, errors, or attacks.

Backup Types:
- Full Backup: Complete copy of all files and directories

- Incremental Backup: Only changes since the last backup

- Differential Backup: Changes since the last full backup

Backup Tools:

- rsync - Sync and back up files/folders

- tar - Archive directories (tar -czf [Link] /home/user)

- cron - Schedule automated backups

- GUI Tools: Timeshift, Deja Dup, Bacula

Restore Steps:

1. Identify and locate the backup file

2. Use restore command (tar -xzf, rsync, or GUI tool)

3. Verify data integrity after restoration

3. Strategies for Keeping a Secure Server

Security is critical to prevent unauthorized access and data loss.

Key Strategies:

- User Access Control:

- Use strong passwords and limit root access

- Disable unnecessary users

- Use sudo instead of direct root login

- Firewall Setup:

- Use ufw, iptables, or firewalld to allow only needed ports


- Block suspicious or unused ports

- SSH Hardening:

- Disable root login via SSH

- Change default port (22)

- Use SSH keys instead of passwords

- System Updates:

- Regularly update system and packages to fix vulnerabilities (apt update && apt upgrade)

- Monitoring & Auditing:

- Use fail2ban, auditd, or logwatch to track suspicious activity

- Antivirus and Malware Protection:

- Tools like clamav for scanning malware

- Physical and Network Security:

- Secure server room, use VPNs, and limit physical access

Conclusion

System administration is the backbone of maintaining a functional and secure Linux environment. A

good administrator ensures that servers are well-configured, backed up, and protected from threats

using Free and Open Source Software tools.

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