Unix System Administration

Course specifications

Course number: 49-701

Software version number: any reasonable implementation of Unix with the Korn shell.

Course length: 3 day(s)

Hardware/software required to run this course

A fully installed Unix V.4 system with tape device, terminals, a printer and associated cabling.  The sysadm menu system should be configured. See your reference manual for hardware and software considerations that apply to your specific Unix system.

Course description

Overview: This course is a practical introduction to the Unix operating system and the role of the system administrator.  Students will gain enough knowledge and experience with the Unix system to enable them to provide system administration services.  

Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with Unix commands.

Delivery method: Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery learning model with structured independent or partnered exercises following each lesson.

Benefits: Students will learn the tools and skills necessary to administrate a Unix environment.

Target student:  Will be those responsible for installing and administering Unix V.4 systems.  The course is also good for technical support engineers who will be providing Unix support. 

Unix System Administration

Performance-based objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Administer a Unix V.4 system.

Use all major system administration procedures.

Configure a Unix V.4 system.

Use the filesystem management and maintenance.

Set up and use the security mechanisms available under Unix V.4.

Write basic shell scripts and modify existing ones.

Recognize problems and be equipped with basic trouble shooting techniques.

Unix System Administration

Course content

Lesson 1: Introduction to System V
Administering a Unix System
The Filesystem Reorganization

Lesson 2: Everyday Unix Tools
Viewing, Comparing, and Operating on Files
Traversing the File Hierarchy - find
Summary of Most Useful Commands

Lesson 3: Korn Shell Programming
Writing and Running Shell Scripts
Interpretation and Substitution
Command Substitution
Shell Variables and Variable Substitution
Shell Environment Variables
Arithmetic with Shell Variables
Positional Parameters
Shell Parameters
Blank Interpretation
Comments
Getting User Input - Read
Modifying the Command Line - Shift
The for Loop and if Statement
Exit Status or Return Code
The test Command
Break and Continue
The case Statement
Simple Conditionals
The set Command
Here Documents

Lesson 4: Administration
System Administration Tools
Creating and Removing a User
User Start-Up
Process Control
Communicating with Users

Lesson 5: Using the Clock
The at and cron Utilities

Lesson 6: The Filesystem
Filesystem Layout
Partitions and Device Driver Files
Mounting/Unmounting a Filesystem
Filesystem Failure
fsck
The find Command
System Owned Files

Lesson 7: Backups
Incremental vs. Full Back-Up
Back-Up Tools

Lesson 8: Booting and Shutting Down Unix
Unix System States
Single-User Mode
init

Lesson 9: Terminal Management
The getty Program
Terminal Lines and Types

Lesson 10: Line Printer Management
Setting Up a New Printer
Maintenance Utilities
Printer Queues

Lesson 11: System Security
SUID Files
File Modes
Passwords and Checks