Home > Store

Hands-on Guide to the Red Hat Exams: RHCSA and RHCE Cert Guide and Lab Manual

Add To My Wish List

Hands-on Guide to the Red Hat Exams: RHCSA and RHCE Cert Guide and Lab Manual

By Damian Tommasino
Published Apr 21, 2011 by Pearson IT Certification.

Book

Sorry, this book is no longer in print.

Not for Sale

Description

Sample Content

Updates

More Information

Description

Copyright 2011
Dimensions: 7-3/8" x 9-1/8"
Pages: 544
Edition: 1st

Book
ISBN-10: 0-7897-5226-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5226-0

Master every topic on Red Hat’s new RHCSA™ and RHCE® exams.

Assess your knowledge and focus your learning.
Get the practical workplace knowledge you need!

Start-to-finish RHCSA™ and RHCE® preparation from leading Linux system administrator, IT trainer, and certification expert Damian Tommasino!

Master every RHCSA™ and RHCE® topic!

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 local and network installation
System services, runlevels, and bootup
Disks, partitions, and file systems, including LUKS encryption
Networking
Package management
User administration
Logging, monitoring, and automation
Kernel updates and tuning
Security, including SELinux, firewalls, and policies
Remote access, including SSH
Apache, Squid, DNS, DHCP, NTP, and email
NFS and Samba
Client and network troubleshooting
KVM virtualization

Test your knowledge, build your confidence, and succeed!

22 hands-on RHCSA™ and RHCE® Labs, each with multiple real-world tasks
Downloadable troubleshooting scripts
Practical tutorials and real-world tips
Exam tips
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Command Quick Reference
Exclusive Red Hat exam prep advice and task lists
Two full length lab-based practice exams

Damian Tommasino (RHCE, RHCSA, MCSA, CCNA, CCENT, MCP, Security+, Network+, A+) is a Linux system administrator at TradeCard and CEO of Modular Learning Inc., an online IT training company. He blogs on Red Hat, Linux, and security at Security Nut (http://secnut.blogspot.com), and actively contributes to the popular IT exam certification forums at techexams.net.



Sample Content

Preface xvi

Introduction 3

Chapter 1 Installation 29

Starting the Installation 29

An Older Install with RHEL5 33

The Firstboot Process 37

Verifying the Installation 40

Summary 41

Review Questions 42

Answers to Review Questions 42

Chapter 2 System Initialization 47

The Boot Process 47

Working with GRUB 51

The Config File 52

The GRUB Command Line 54

Runlevels 55

Runlevel Utilities 56

Rescue and Recovery Runlevels 59

Service Management 59

The Upstart Conversion 64

Summary 66

Review Questions 66

Answers to Review Questions 67

Chapter 3 Disks and Partitioning 71

Basic Partitions 71

Creating a Partition 75

Making a Swap Partition 81

Deleting a Partition 83

Logical Volume Manager 85

Creating an LVM Partition 89

Adjusting the Size of LVM Partitions 93

Migrating Data 96

Deleting an LVM Partition 99

Setting Up RAID 101

Creating a RAID Array 102

What to Do When a Disk Fails 105

Deleting a RAID Array 108

Summary 109

Review Questions 109

Answers to Review Questions 109

Chapter 4 File Systems and Such 113

File System Setup 113

Creating a File System 114

Creating a Swap 116

Mounting a File System 119

Extra File System Commands 125

Encryption with LUKS 128

Creating Encrypted Partitions 129

Mounting LUKS at Boot 132

Managing File System Quotas 132

Setting Up Quotas 132

Enabling Quotas 134

Quota Usage Reports 137

File System Security 137

Setting Up ACLs 138

GnuPG 141

Using AutoFS 141

Summary 144

Review Questions 144

Answers to Review Questions 145

Chapter 5 Networking 149

Setting Up Networking 149

Static IP Addresses 151

Routing 155

Creating Static Routes 156

Troubleshooting Network Connections 156

Networking Utilities 157

Network Monitoring and Analysis 159

Advanced Networking 160

Ethernet Bonding 160

Client DNS Troubleshooting 161

Summary 164

Review Questions 165

Answers to Review Questions 165

Chapter 6 Package Management 169

Working with RPM 169

Installing and Removing Packages 170

Querying and Verifying Packages 172

Doing It Again with Yum 177

Installing and Removing Packages 178

Searching for Packages 182

Configuring Additional Repositories 183

Making Your Own RPM 184

Creating an RPM 185

Creating Your Own Repository 188

Adding Your Custom Packages 190

The Red Hat Network 190

Registering Your System 191

Summary 191

Review Questions 192

Answers to Review Questions 192

Chapter 7 User Administration 195

Users and Groups 195

Users 196

Passwords 199

The Password File 200

The Shadow File 201

Groups 204

The Group File 204

Switching Accounts 206

User Account Initialization 207

User-Specific Files 207

Global User Configuration 208

Group Collaboration 209

Network User Authentication 211

Summary 215

Review Questions 215

Answers to Review Questions 216

Chapter 8 Network Installs 221

Kickstart Server Setup 221

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 224

Mastering Kickstart Config Files 225

Post Install 227

Advanced Partitioning 227

Automating Kickstart 228

TFTP Server 229

PXE Boot 232

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 233

Other Network Installs 234

Summary 235

Review Questions 235

Answers to Review Questions 236

Chapter 9 System Logging, Monitoring, and Automation 239

Working with Syslog 239

The Config File 241

Log Rotation 243

Centralized Logging 244

Centralized Logging (The RHEL5 Way) 246

User Login Events 247

Monitoring System Performance 248

Automation with cron and at 252

Creating cron Jobs 254

Single Jobs with at 258

Summary 261

Review Questions 261

Answers to Review Questions 262

Chapter 10 The Kernel 265

Kernel Basics 265

Updating the Kernel 268

Tuning the Kernel with /proc/sys 272

Summary 274

Review Questions 275

Answers to Review Questions 275

Chapter 11 SELinux 277

Understanding SELinux 277

Configuring SELinux 279

File Contexts 279

Service and Boolean Options 283

SELinux Troubleshooting 286

Policy Violations 286

Summary 287

Review Questions 287

Answers to Review Questions 288

Chapter 12 System Security 291

Security Through TCP Wrappers 291

Firewall Rules Using iptables 293

Configuring iptables 294

Troubleshooting Firewall Rules 299

Working with NAT 300

Pluggable Authentication Module 301

Securing Access 301

PAM Troubleshooting 303

Managing Password Policies 304

Summary 305

Review Questions 305

Answers to the Review Questions 306

Chapter 13 Remote Access 309

Secure SHell (SSH) 309

Configuring SSH 310

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 313

SSH Security 314

Troubleshooting SSH 315

SSH Security Revisited 315

Public/Private Keys 316

Port Forwarding 317

VNC Servers 318

Connecting Clients 320

Summary 321

Review Questions 321

Answers to Review Questions 321

Chapter 14 Web Services 325

The Apache Web Server 325

Installing Apache 325

Configuring the Web Server 326

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 329

Troubleshooting Apache 332

Apache Security 334

Host-Based Security 334

User-Based Security 336

Setting Up HTTPS 339

CGI Applications 341

Virtual Hosts 342

Squid Web Proxy 343

Installing Squid 344

Configuring the Proxy 344

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 345

Web Proxy Security 346

Summary 347

Review Questions 347

Answers to Review Questions 348

Chapter 15 NFS 351

Network File Systems 351

Installing an NFS Server 352

Configuring NFS 353

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 358

NFS Security 360

Troubleshooting NFS 361

Connecting Clients 364

Summary 366

Review Questions 366

Answers to Review Questions 366

Chapter 16 Samba 369

Samba 369

Configuring Samba 370

Samba Security 377

Samba Clients 377

Summary 379

Review Questions 380

Answers to Review Questions 380

Chapter 17 FTP 383

File Transfer Protocol 383

Installing an FTP Server 384

Configuring vsftp 384

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 386

FTP Security 388

Troubleshooting FTP 389

Summary 390

Review Questions 390

Answers to Review Questions 391

Chapter 18 DNS 393

Setting Up BIND 393

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 394

Configuring a DNS Server 396

Master Server 397

Slave Server 401

Caching-Only Server 404

Forwarding-Only Server 406

DNS Utilities and Troubleshooting 406

BIND Security 412

Summary 417

Review Questions 417

Answers to Review Questions 418

Chapter 19 Network Services 421

Xinetd: The Master Service 421

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol 426

Installing a DHCP Server 426

Configuring the DHCP Server 427

Security Configuration 431

Troubleshooting DHCP 432

Network Time Protocol 433

Installing a Time Server 434

Configuring NTP 434

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 436

NTP Security 437

Troubleshooting NTP 438

Summary 439

Review Questions 439

Answers to Review Questions 439

Chapter 20 Email Services 443

Email Service Overview 443

SMTP with Postfix 443

Configuring Postfix 445

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 449

Postfix Security 450

Alias Mapping 451

Receiving Mail with Dovecot 452

Configuring Dovecot 452

Firewall and SELinux Configuration 453

Dovecot Security 454

Testing the Mail Server 456

Summary 458

Review Questions 459

Answers to Review Questions 459

Chapter 21 Troubleshooting 463

Boot Issues 463

I Lost My Root User Password 463

Password Change Not Available in Single-User Mode 464

The MBR Is Corrupt 464

The Partition or Root File System Can’t Be Found 465

Troubleshooting File Systems 466

The System Complains About a File System Label 466

The Superblock Has Become Corrupt 466

Users Can’t Create Files in Their Home Directories 467

Miscellaneous 468

I Can’t Remote into My System 468

I Can’t Access Service X 468

When I Start a Service, It Tells Me “Cannot Bind to Address” 469

I Get the Error Message “No Route to Host” 469

My Ping to Another Host Has Failed 470

Summary 470

Chapter 22 Virtualization with KVM 473

Working with Virtual Machines 473

Setting Up the Physical Host 473

Installing a Virtual Client 474

Managing a Virtual Client 477

Monitoring Virtual Resources 479

Summary 480

Review Questions 480

Answers to Review Questions 481

Lab Exam 1 483

Lab Exam 2 485

Index 486

TOC, 9780321767950, 3/15/2011



Updates

Submit Errata



More Information



Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Notice

Overview

Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information

To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information

Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security

Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children

This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing

Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information

If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out

Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information

Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents

California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure

Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

As required by law.
With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links

This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact

Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020

Email Address