Introduction to Linux Server Administration

What is Linux?

Linux is an open-source operating system based on Unix. It allows users to run software, manage hardware resources, and perform a variety of tasks on servers and desktops.

Linux Distributions

There are many distributions of Linux, each tailored for different use cases. Some of the most popular include:

• Ubuntu
• CentOS
• Debian
• Fedora
• Arch Linux

Basic Commands

Here are some common commands used in Linux:

ls        # List files and directories
cd        # Change directory
cp        # Copy files
mv        # Move or rename files
rm        # Remove files

User Management

Managing users in Linux is essential for security and access control. Common commands include:

adduser username   # Create a new user
deluser username   # Delete a user
passwd username     # Change user password

File Permissions

File permissions determine who can read, write, or execute files. Use the following command to change permissions:

chmod 755 filename  # Change permissions to rwxr-xr-x

Permissions are represented as:

• r - Read
• w - Write
• x - Execute

Service Management

Managing services is crucial in server administration. Use the following commands:

systemctl start service-name   # Start a service
systemctl stop service-name    # Stop a service
systemctl enable service-name   # Enable a service to start on boot
systemctl status service-name    # Check the status of a service

FAQ