NET 412 - Linux System Administration Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech
The Linux System Administration course provides comprehensive training on the essential and advanced aspects of managing Linux operating systems, preparing students for roles in system and network administration. This course emphasizes the practical skills needed to configure, secure, maintain, and troubleshoot Linux systems in diverse environments. Students will learn core topics, including: 1. Operating System Fundamentals: Understanding the Linux OS architecture, installation, and essential maintenance; 2. File Systems and Management: Working with various file systems, managing disk usage, mounting/unmounting file systems, and performing routine maintenance tasks; 3. Command Line Proficiency: Building confidence with the Linux command line, covering essential commands, shell scripting basics, and automating tasks; 4. System Administrative Tasks: Configuring and maintaining networking services, scheduling jobs, and monitoring system health; 5. User and Group Management: Creating and managing user accounts, setting up groups, and implementing policies for account security and privacy; 6. File and ACL Permissions: Managing file and directory permissions, setting Access Control Lists (ACLs), and ensuring secure access control; 7. Special Permissions and Inheritance: Implementing and managing SUID, SGID, and the Sticky Bit for enhanced security and inheritance control; 8. Process Control: Monitoring, starting, stopping, and managing processes to ensure optimal system performance; 9. Containers and Virtualization: Introducing containerization tools, such as Docker, to streamline application deployment and manage isolated environments; 10. System Hardening Basics: Exploring techniques for hardening Linux systems, including securing configuration files, managing services, and enforcing access restrictions; 11. Security Basics: Covering foundational security practices, such as firewall configuration, intrusion detection basics, and user authentication techniques; 12. Troubleshooting and Diagnostics: Applying systematic approaches to identify, analyze, and resolve common system and networking issues; 13. System-to-System Processes: Configuring secure communications and data exchange between Linux systems to support multi-host environments. Through hands-on labs and real-world exercises, students will gain practical experience in Linux system administration, equipping them with the skills needed to manage and secure Linux environments in enterprise, cloud, and virtualized settings. By course completion, students will be ready to handle a wide range of administrative tasks, enforce security policies, harden systems, and support complex Linux operations.
Prerequisite: NET 182 and NET 207
Competencies
1. Apply Operating System Fundamentals
Install, configure, and maintain Linux operating systems. Understand kernel functions, system architecture, and package management to ensure performance and reliability.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Install and configure Linux distributions using command-line and graphical methods (Apply)
2. Manage system architecture, kernel modules, and bootloaders (Understand)
3. Apply updates, patches, and verify system integrity (Apply)
4. Monitor system logs and performance metrics to ensure uptime (Analyze)
DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Technical Support Specialist (411) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, OM-STS-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0002, K0005, S0046, A0050
2. Apply File Systems and Storage Management
Manage Linux file systems and storage resources, ensuring data availability, backup integrity, and storage optimization.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Partition and format storage using fdisk, mkfs, and parted (Apply)
2. Mount and unmount file systems, including persistent configuration (Apply)
3. Monitor and manage disk usage across file systems (Analyze)
4. Implement data backup, recovery, and integrity verification (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Data Administrator (422) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, OM-DTA-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0041, S0005, A0062
3. Create Command Line Automation and Scripting
Develop shell scripts and automation workflows to streamline administrative tasks and improve operational efficiency.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Execute commands efficiently using pipelines and redirection (Apply)
2. Write shell scripts to automate repetitive administrative tasks (Create)
3. Use variables, loops, and conditionals in scripting (Apply)
4. Debug, document, and validate shell scripts for reliability (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Software Developer (621) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, SP-DEV-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0035, S0037, A0027
4. Configure System Administration and Networking
Configure network services, maintain connectivity, and troubleshoot Linux network operations.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Configure IP addressing, routing, and DNS resolution (Apply).
2. Set up and secure network services such as SSH, DHCP, and NTP (Apply)
3. Monitor and optimize network performance (Analyze)
4. Troubleshoot connection and latency issues (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Network Operations Specialist (441) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, OM-NET-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0013, S0048, A0065
5. Implement User and Access Management
Manage Linux users, groups, and access policies to enforce secure authentication and least privilege principles.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Create, modify, and remove users and groups (Apply).
2. Enforce password and authentication policies (Apply).
3. Configure sudo privileges, PAM, and auditing mechanisms (Implement).
4. Document and monitor access control changes (Evaluate). DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist (411) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, PR-INF-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0004, S0024, A0036
6. Apply File Permissions and Access Control
Apply secure access control models to manage data confidentiality and integrity.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Apply ownership and permission models using chmod, chown, and umask (Apply)
2. Implement access control lists (ACLs) and special permissions (Apply)
3. Audit and analyze permission inheritance and conflicts (Analyze)
4. Enforce least privilege across system directories (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist (411) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, PR-INF-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0010, S0026, A0042
7. Analyze Process and Resource Management
Monitor, manage, and optimize Linux processes, services, and system resources for performance and stability.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Monitor running processes using ps, top, htop, and systemctl (Analyze)
2. Manage background jobs, services, and daemons (Apply)
3. Analyze CPU, memory, and I/O metrics (Analyze)
4. Tune system performance parameters for optimization (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Network Operations Specialist (441) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, OM-NET-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0034, S0049, A0064
8. Apply Containerization and Virtualization
Deploy and manage containerized and virtualized Linux environments for scalable, isolated workloads.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Install and configure Docker, Podman, or LXC containers (Apply)
2. Create virtual environments using KVM or VirtualBox (Apply)
3. Manage isolated workloads and secure container images (Analyze)
4. Automate deployments using Dockerfiles or scripting (Create) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), System Security Analyst (461) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, PR-CDA-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0082, S0052, A0039
9. Evaluate System Hardening and Security
Implement system hardening measures, security configurations, and monitoring mechanisms to defend Linux systems.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Apply security baselines and benchmarks such as CIS or STIG (Apply)
2. Configure firewalls and security frameworks like SELinux and AppArmor (Apply)
3. Disable unused services and ports (Apply)
4. Monitor system integrity and detect intrusion attempts (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist (411), System Security Analyst (461) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, PR-INF-001, PR-CDA-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0070, S0063, A0045
10. Analyze and Resolve System Issues
Use diagnostic tools and systematic analysis to identify, resolve, and document Linux system and network issues.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Analyze system logs using journalctl, dmesg, and syslog (Analyze)
2. Use diagnostic tools such as strace, tcpdump, and netstat (Apply)
3. Recover failed services and corrupted configurations (Apply)
4. Document root causes and resolution steps for continuous improvement (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Technical Support Specialist (411) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, OM-STS-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0008, S0033, A0061
11. Apply Secure System-to-System Communication
Configure and secure data transmission between Linux systems to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and trust.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Set up SSH with key-based authentication (Apply)
2. Securely transfer data using SCP, SFTP, and rsync (Apply)
3. Establish trusted host relationships and limit unauthorized access (Analyze)
4. Audit and review communication logs for compliance (Evaluate) DoD DCWF Roles (ID): System Administrator (451), Network Operations Specialist (441) NICE 2.0 Roles: OM-ADM-001, OM-NET-001 Mapped NICE KSAs: K0017, S0041, A0048
Competencies Revised Date: AY2027
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