Linux Administration: System and Users

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2025-02-06

This training manual aligns with the objectives of the LPI-101 (LPIC-1, version 4.0) certification exam by the Linux Professional Institute. Below are practical commands and codes to help you master Linux system and user administration.

User Management Commands

1. Create a User

sudo useradd -m username 
sudo passwd username 

This creates a new user and sets a password.

2. Delete a User

sudo userdel -r username 

The `-r` flag removes the user’s home directory and mail spool.

3. Modify User Properties

sudo usermod -aG groupname username 

Adds a user to a supplementary group.

4. Check User Information

id username 

Displays user ID, group ID, and group memberships.

System Management Commands

1. Check System Information

uname -a 

Displays kernel version and system details.

2. Monitor System Processes

top 

Provides real-time system process monitoring.

3. Manage Services

sudo systemctl start servicename 
sudo systemctl stop servicename 
sudo systemctl restart servicename 

Controls system services.

4. Disk Usage Analysis

df -h 
du -sh /path/to/directory 

`df` shows disk space usage, while `du` provides directory size.

File Permissions and Ownership

1. Change File Permissions

chmod 755 filename 

Sets read, write, and execute permissions for the owner, and read/execute for others.

2. Change File Ownership

sudo chown username:groupname filename 

Transfers ownership of a file to a specific user and group.

Networking Commands

1. Check Network Interfaces

ip a 

Displays all network interfaces and their configurations.

2. Test Network Connectivity

ping google.com 

Checks connectivity to a remote host.

3. Scan Open Ports

sudo nmap -sS 192.168.1.1 

Scans for open ports on a target IP address.

What Undercode Say

Linux administration is a critical skill for IT professionals, especially those pursuing LPIC-1 certification. Mastering user and system management commands is essential for maintaining secure and efficient systems. Here are additional commands to enhance your Linux expertise:

  • Check Logs: Use `journalctl` to view system logs.
  • Schedule Tasks: Use `crontab -e` to edit cron jobs.
  • Secure SSH: Modify `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` to disable root login.
  • Backup Data: Use `rsync` for efficient file synchronization.
  • Monitor Network Traffic: Use `tcpdump` for packet analysis.

For further reading, visit the Linux Professional Institute and Linux Documentation Project.

By practicing these commands, you’ll gain confidence in managing Linux systems and users, preparing you for real-world IT challenges and certification exams.

References:

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