Let’s make it work for you
Overview
Many institutions have been adding Linux machines to their existing infrastructure: perhaps to give developers a platform of their choice, to provide an alternative to a network server, or perhaps to introduce an additional piece to the security jigsaw. Linux and Unix systems are also being introduced as part of virtualisation environments (for example, with the use of VMware or XEN, KVM or VPC), allowing access to a mixture of operating systems from a single workstation or server. This course will give the delegates the skill set preparing them for a successful future with Linux and Unix technology, by discussing a hybrid of topics that span user and administrator tasks and activities.
Target Audience:
The course is aimed at existing IT professionals with little or no UNIX/Linux experience, who require a quick start in Linux and Unix environments, enabling them to control a Linux and Unix based systems swiftly, efficiently and with full understanding of the underlying principles.
Typical delegates would be current users of Windows, Mac OS, or other professionals (such as software developers, system or network administrators) who need to gain a solid understanding of the environment of LInux and Unix and facilities provided by them.
Prerequisites
- Typically, delegate skills will include a good working knowledge of other contemporary operating system, and familiarity with working at the command line. This course is aimed at existing IT professionals with little UNIX or Linux experience, who require a quick start in a Linux environment, enabling them to control a Linux system swiftly and efficiently.
- Whilst no particular Linux knowledge is expected, without a doubt the best results are achieved if the delegates have experienced the system they will be expected to use or administer.
Delegates will learn how to
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- work with Linux main shell:BASH
- navigate the filesystem and manage files and directories
- understand the client/server nature of X Window System and X applications
- edit files using vi and GUI editors
- manipulate data with a selection of filter tools
- use redirection and piping techniques
- perform basic administrative tasks, controlling processes, filesystems, job scheduling, and simple networking and backups
- reading and writing simple BASH scripts
Outline
1. Linux Fundamentals – Day 1
- Why Linux? Understanding where Linux is used and why it is popular
- Understanding the key components of a computer system
- Understanding the role of the operating system
- Exploring the origins and evolution of UNIX and Linux
- Understanding Linux kernel portability and why it matters
- Comparing Linux distributions and UNIX variants
2. Getting Started with Linux – Day 1
- Accessing and logging on to Linux systems
- Understanding normal users, system users and the Superuser
- Working with the command line and shell
- Entering and correcting commands
- Understanding shell built-in and system commands
- Getting help from the command line and online resources
- Gathering system information
- Viewing and displaying file contents
3. Working with Files and Directories – Day 1-2
- Understanding how Linux stores files and directories
- Understanding pathnames and disk storage
- Understanding directory and filename conventions
- Exploring the Linux filesystem hierarchy
- Working with the special dot directories
- Understanding absolute and relative pathnames
- Navigating the filesystem
- Managing files and directories using copy, move and remove commands
- Understanding inodes and filesystem links
4. Editing Text Files – Day 2
- Exploring the evolution of text editors
- Editing files with vi and vim
- Editing files with nano
5. Working with Bash – Day 2
- Understanding Bash as a command interpreter
- Using shell metacharacters
- Matching filenames using wildcards and globbing
- Generating shell sequences
- Understanding localisation and POSIX character classes
- Creating and using shell variables
- Using command substitution
- Working with quoting and escaping
- Using command history and command completion
6. Customising the Bash Environment – Day 2-3
- Understanding processes and exit codes
- Customising the shell environment using variables
- Creating and using aliases and functions
- Working with shell options
- Using shell initialisation files to persistently customise the environment
7. Working with Elevated Privileges – Day 3
- Understanding the role of the Superuser
- Introducing su and sudo
- Working with the su command
- Identifying the current user
- Using the sudo command
- Configuring sudo access
8. Managing Data Streams – Day 3
- Understanding standard input, output and error streams
- Working with standard output (stdout)
- Working with standard error (stderr)
- Working with standard input (stdin)
- Redirecting data streams
- Redirecting input, output and error streams
9. Managing Processes – Day 3
- Understanding processes and exit status codes
- Monitoring processes using ps, pstree, top and other tools
- Managing processes using signals and the kill command
- Managing process priority with nice and renice
10. Job Control and Scheduling – Day 3-4
- Working with background jobs
- Managing jobs using shell job control
- Scheduling tasks with at and crontab
11. Finding Files and Commands – Day 4
- Identifying command types and locations
- Locating files using locate
- Finding files using find
12. Archive and Compression Tools – Day 4
- Copying and converting data with dd
- Archiving and compressing files and directories with tar
- Creating archives with cpio
- Synchronising files with rsync
- Working with common compression tools
13. Pipes and Filters – Day 4
- Connecting commands using shell pipes
- Capturing output with tee
- Working with common filter commands including cut, tr, sort, grep and awk
14. Using Regular Expressions – Day 4-5
- Understanding basic and extended regular expressions
- Using regular expressions with grep and sed
15. Filesystem Access and Permissions – Day 5
- Understanding file and directory permissions
- Displaying permissions
- Managing permissions with chmod
- Understanding SUID, SGID and the Sticky Bit
- Managing ownership with chown and chgrp
16. Working in a Network Environment – Day 5
- Understanding basic network configuration
- Gathering network information
- Performing basic network troubleshooting
- Accessing remote systems using SSH
- Understanding basic SSH configuration
17. Introduction to the X Window System – Day 5
- Understanding the X Window System
- Choosing a window manager
- Performing basic X Window configuration
- Running X applications locally and remotely
18. Writing Shell Scripts – Day 5
- Understanding what shell scripts are and how they are used
- Writing, naming and commenting shell scripts
- Running shell scripts
- Passing arguments using positional parameters
- Making decisions using if-elif-else and case statements
- Using variable and file tests
- Creating interactive scripts
- Repeating actions using loops
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