DevOps Planning to Production Day 1 of 24 : Getting Started with Red Hat Linux

Introduction to Red Hat Linux

Think of an operating system like a conductor in an orchestra, coordinating all the different instruments (hardware components) to create a harmonious performance. Red Hat Linux is a professional-grade conductor, known for its reliability and enterprise support.

Red Hat Linux is a specialized version of Linux designed for business environments. Imagine you're building a house - while regular Linux distributions might be like basic building tools from a hardware store, Red Hat Linux is like having professional-grade construction equipment with a dedicated support team.

Key features that make Red Hat Linux special:

Enterprise Support: You have access to professional help 24/7, like having an expert on call.
Long-term Stability: Updates and security patches continue for up to 10 years, ensuring your system stays secure.
Certified Software Compatibility: Programs are thoroughly tested to work together, like pieces of a puzzle designed to fit perfectly.
Security Features: Built-in protection mechanisms, like having a state-of-the-art security system for your house.

File System Management

The Linux file system is organized like a tree, starting from a single point called the "root" directory (/). Let's understand each major directory and its purpose:

/ (Root Directory)
│
├── /home          # User personal directories (like individual bedrooms)
├── /etc           # System configuration files (like the house's control panel)
├── /var           # Variable data like logs (like a diary of system events)
├── /bin           # Essential commands (like basic household tools)
├── /usr           # User programs (like entertainment systems)
├── /tmp           # Temporary files (like a scratch pad)
└── /boot          # Files needed to start the system (like startup instructions)

Let's explore how to manage this file system with practical examples:

# Creating directories (like creating rooms in a house)
mkdir -p /home/projects/website
# The -p flag creates parent directories if they don't exist

# Moving files (like moving furniture between rooms)
mv /home/old_documents/* /home/archive/

# Copying files (like making duplicates of important documents)
cp -r /etc/httpd/conf/ /etc/httpd/conf.backup/
# The -r flag copies directories recursively

# Finding files (like searching for something in your house)
find /home -name "*.pdf" -mtime -7
# This finds all PDF files modified in the last 7 days

User and Group Administration

Managing users and groups in Linux is like managing employees in a company. Let's explore this with practical examples:

# Creating a new user (like hiring a new employee)
useradd -m -s /bin/bash john
# -m creates a home directory
# -s sets their default shell

# Setting a password
passwd john

# Creating a group (like creating a department)
groupadd developers

# Adding a user to a group (like assigning someone to a department)
usermod -aG developers john
# -a means append
# -G specifies the group

# Setting up project permissions
mkdir /projects/webapp
chown john:developers /projects/webapp
chmod 775 /projects/webapp

Understanding file permissions:

Read (r): Like being able to view a document (4 in numeric notation)
Write (w): Like being able to edit a document (2 in numeric notation)
Execute (x): Like being able to run a program (1 in numeric notation)

Example permission settings:

chmod 755 script.sh
# 7 (owner): read + write + execute (4+2+1)
# 5 (group): read + execute (4+1)
# 5 (others): read + execute (4+1)

Package Management with YUM

YUM (Yellowdog Updater Modified) is like a smart package delivery service for your system. It handles:

Installing new software
Updating existing software
Removing unwanted software
Managing dependencies (other software needed for programs to work)

Common YUM commands with real-world examples:

# Updating the entire system
yum update -y
# The -y flag automatically answers "yes" to prompts

# Installing a web server
yum install httpd php mysql-server -y
# This installs multiple packages at once

# Searching for packages
yum search "web server"
# Shows all packages related to web servers

# Removing packages
yum remove unused-package -y

# Cleaning up
yum clean all
# Removes temporary files and cached data

System Services and Systemd

Systemd is like a master control panel for your system services. Here's how to manage services:

# Starting a service (like turning on an appliance)
systemctl start httpd

# Checking service status
systemctl status httpd
# Shows if the service is running and recent log entries

# Enabling service to start at boot
systemctl enable httpd
# Like setting an appliance to turn on automatically

# Restarting a service
systemctl restart httpd

# Viewing service logs
journalctl -u httpd
# Shows detailed logs for the service

Networking Configuration

Understanding networking in Linux is like understanding how mail gets delivered. Let's break it down:

Basic Network Configuration

# Viewing network interfaces
ip addr show
# Shows all network interfaces and their IP addresses

# Configuring a network interface
nmcli con mod eth0 \
  ipv4.addresses "192.168.1.100/24" \
  ipv4.gateway "192.168.1.1" \
  ipv4.dns "8.8.8.8"
# Like setting up a new mailing address and route

# Testing network connectivity
ping -c 4 google.com
# Sends test packets to check connection

Understanding IP and Netmask

An IP address is like a street address, and a netmask defines the neighborhood:

# Example IP configuration
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0
# /24 means the first 24 bits define the network (like the street)
# The remaining 8 bits are for individual addresses (like house numbers)

Security and Permissions

Security in Linux is like having multiple layers of protection in a building:

Basic Security Configuration

# Setting up a basic firewall
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https
firewall-cmd --reload
# Like setting up security checkpoints

# Checking for open ports
ss -tuln
# Shows which ports are listening for connections

# Setting up SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux)
setenforce 1
# Enables strict security policies

System Performance Monitoring

Monitoring your system is like keeping track of a car's dashboard indicators:

# Real-time system monitoring
top
# Shows CPU, memory, and process information

# Disk usage monitoring
df -h
# Shows disk space usage in human-readable format

# Memory usage
free -m
# Shows memory usage in megabytes

# Creating a monitoring script
cat << 'EOF' > /usr/local/bin/monitor.sh
#!/bin/bash
while true; do
    echo "=== System Status ==="
    date
    echo "CPU Usage:"
    top -bn1 | grep "Cpu(s)"
    echo "Memory Usage:"
    free -m
    echo "Disk Usage:"
    df -h /
    sleep 60
done
EOF
chmod +x /usr/local/bin/monitor.sh

Storage Management

Managing storage in Linux is like organizing a warehouse:

# Creating a new partition
fdisk /dev/sdb
# Interactive tool for partition management

# Creating a filesystem
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
# Like preparing a storage area for use

# Mounting storage
mount /dev/sdb1 /data
# Making the storage accessible

# Automatic mounting (in /etc/fstab)
echo "/dev/sdb1 /data xfs defaults 0 0" >> /etc/fstab
# Ensures storage is mounted at boot

Backup and Restore

Implementing a reliable backup system is crucial. Here's a comprehensive backup script:

#!/bin/bash

# Configuration
BACKUP_DIR="/backup"
SOURCE_DIRS=("/etc" "/home" "/var/www")
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d)
RETENTION_DAYS=30

# Create backup directory
mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"

# Backup function
backup_directory() {
    local source_dir="$1"
    local backup_name="$(basename $source_dir)_$DATE.tar.gz"

    echo "Backing up $source_dir..."
    tar -czf "$BACKUP_DIR/$backup_name" "$source_dir"

    if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
        echo "Backup of $source_dir completed successfully"
    else
        echo "Backup of $source_dir failed"
    fi
}

# Perform backups
for dir in "${SOURCE_DIRS[@]}"; do
    backup_directory "$dir"
done

# Clean old backups
find "$BACKUP_DIR" -type f -mtime +$RETENTION_DAYS -delete

echo "Backup process completed"

Blog