Introduction to System Administration Lecture 2 & 3 PDF

Introduction to System Administration An Overview of Roles, Responsibilities, and Best Practices Subject Lecturer: Liaqat Ali  What is System Administration? Definition: System administration covers the processes involved in managing and maintaining an organization's IT infrastructure,...

Introduction to System Administration An Overview of Roles, Responsibilities, and Best Practices Subject Lecturer: Liaqat Ali  What is System Administration? Definition: System administration covers the processes involved in managing and maintaining an organization's IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and networks. Key Role: System administrators (sysadmins) are vital for ensuring operational continuity and security within an organization. Importance of System Administration Operational Efficiency: Security: Protects systems Sysadmins optimize system against unauthorized access performance to minimize and vulnerabilities, ensuring downtime, enhancing overall data integrity and productivity. confidentiality. User Support: Provides Resource Management: technical assistance to users, Allocates IT resources resolving issues quickly to effectively to maximize maintain workflow. utilization and performance.  Key Components of System Administration Systems: Hardware and software components that form the backbone of IT infrastructure. SA Components: The specific tools and technologies that aid in effective system administration.  Definition: Systems consist of all hardware and software elements in a computing environment. Examples: Systems Servers: Provide services like web hosting, Overview database management, and file storage. Workstations: End-user computers for everyday tasks. Networking Devices: Essential for connecting systems and managing data flow.  Function: Centralized machines that handle requests from other computers, offering resources and services. Servers Importance: Crucial for hosting applications, managing databases, and storing data.  Definition: Individual computers used by employees to perform their tasks. Workstations Customization: Typically equipped with software specific to job functions, enhancing user productivity.  Types: Includes routers, switches, firewalls, and access points. Networking Devices Purpose: Facilitate communication between devices, ensuring efficient data flow and network security.  Definition: Software that manages hardware resources and provides a platform for applications. Examples: Operating Linux: Open-source OS known for Systems strength and flexibility. Windows Server: Made for enterprise environments with advanced management features.  Overview: A stable and secure OS widely used in server environments. Linux Popular Distributions: Examples include Ubuntu Server, CentOS, and Red Hat, each made for specific use cases.  Description: A version of Windows optimized for server use, offering features like Active Directory, file and print services, and Windows virtualization support. Server Key Features: User-friendly interface, integrated security, and management tools. Network Infrastructure Definition: Comprises the hardware and software that enables connectivity between devices and supports communication. Key Components: Routers: Forward data packets between networks. Switches: Connect devices within a local network.  Storage Solutions Backup Solutions Purpose: Ensure data is securely stored and can be restored in case of loss or corruption. Examples: Backup Software: Automates the backup process (e.g., Veeam, Acronis). Cloud Storage Services: Solutions like AWS S3 provide scalable, off-site data storage. Building a Site from Scratch Overview: Steps to Key Phases: create a fully Planning, functional website or implementation, and application from the testing, each critical ground up. for success.  Objectives: Clearly define what the site aims to achieve—e.g., a business website, e-commerce platform, or informational site. Planning Phase Requirements Assessment: Identify necessary hardware (servers, storage) and software requirements (OS, applications).  Technology Stack: Select an appropriate combination of technologies. Operating System: Options like Ubuntu Server or CentOS. Choosing Technologies Web Server Software: Apache or Nginx for serving content. Database: MySQL or PostgreSQL for data management.  Installing the OS: Steps for successful installation include creating bootable media, configuring partitions, and setting user accounts. Implementation Configuring Network Phase Components: Essential settings such as assigning a static IP address and DNS configurations to ensure accessibility.  Method: Use package managers (e.g., apt for Debian-based systems) to install necessary software. Deploying Applications Key Focus: Ensure all required applications are available and properly configured.  Testing Phase Conducting Functional Tests: Verify that installed applications are Conducting accessible. For a web server, check by accessing it via a browser. Performance Testing: Use tools like Apache Benchmark (ab) to Testing simulate traffic and evaluate server performance under load. Growing a Small Site Key Areas: Scalability Overview: Strategies for planning, infrastructure scaling a website as user enhancements, and user demand increases. management. Scalability Planning Usage Analysis: Monitor Forecasting Growth: current traffic using Estimate future resource analytics tools (e.g., needs based on trends Google Analytics) to (e.g., if traffic doubles understand resource yearly). usage patterns.  Implementing Load Balancers: Distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers to enhance performance and reliability. Infrastructure Examples: HAProxy, Nginx. Enhancements Upgrading Hardware: Increase resources based on usage metrics—e.g., adding RAM or expanding disk storage. User Management Implementing RBAC (Role-Based Access Control): Define roles for different users based on their job functions, ensuring that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized personnel. Importance: Enhances security and helps manage access to resources efficiently. Going Global Overview: Strategies for expanding an online presence to reach a global audience. Key Areas: Global infrastructure, localization, and monitoring. Global Infrastructure Establishing Data Centers: Partner with data centers in various geographical locations to reduce latency and enhance redundancy. Using CDNs (Content Delivery Networks): Cache content closer to users worldwide, improving load times. Localization Language Support: Provide Time Zones: Adapt website content in multiple services and scheduling to languages to cater to accommodate users in diverse audiences. This different time zones, using may involve translation libraries like moment.js for services. effective management. Monitoring and Optimization Monitoring Routing Performance Monitoring: Use tools like New Relic or Grafana to Data Routing: Optimize data routes to ensure user requests are assess website performance across different regions. served from the nearest location, improving response times.  Replacing Services Assessment Phase: Regularly review current services for effectiveness and gather user feedback to identify pain points. Researching Alternatives: Explore newer technologies and assess potential benefits, such as cloud solutions versus on-premises options.  Gradual Replacement: Transition services incrementally to minimize disruptions, ensuring users retain access throughout the change. Implementation Phase Testing New Services: Conduct pilot programs to evaluate new applications before full deployment.  User Training: Offer training sessions to familiarize users with new systems and processes. Training and Support Support Channels: Establish helpdesk support (e.g., ticketing systems) to assist users during and after transitions.  Planning Phase: Develop a comprehensive migration plan that outlines the timeline, resources needed, and risk management strategies. Moving a Data Center Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks during the migration process and create mitigation strategies. Execution Phase Physical Relocation: Backing Up Data: Ensure Carefully transport all data is backed up to hardware to the new prevent loss. Use both location, ensuring proper on-site and cloud handling to avoid backups for redundancy. damage. Testing and Validation Data Integrity: Confirm System Testing: that data is intact and Conduct tests to ensure accessible using all systems function checksums or other correctly post-move. verification methods. Handling a High Pre-Move Preparation: Maintain an inventory of all equipment, including serial numbers, to track everything accurately. Rate of Office Planning Network Layout: Design the new office's network layout for optimal connectivity. Moves Coordination Communicating with Teams: Keep stakeholders informed about the move timeline and expectations, clarifying roles and responsibilities. Minimizing Disruption: Schedule moves during off-peak hours to reduce the impact on daily operations. Post-Move Providing Immediate Assistance: Offer on-site support to resolve any issues during the move. Support Monitoring Systems: Continuously check systems to ensure everything functions as expected. Assessing a Site Performance Security Audit: Conduct Evaluation: Use periodic security monitoring tools to track assessments to uncover performance metrics vulnerabilities. and identify bottlenecks. Compliance Checks Adhering Maintaining Adhering to Regulations: Ensure compliance with industry standards Maintaining Documentation: Keep records of compliance efforts for and legal requirements, such as GDPR or HIPAA. audits. Reporting Generating Reports: Summarize findings and provide actionable recommendations for improvements. Stakeholder Communication: Share insights to foster transparency and alignment with business objectives. Common Tools and Technologies in System Administration Overview: Essential tools that facilitate effective system administration. Monitoring Tools NAGIOS: A POWERFUL OPEN-SOURCE ZABBIX: AN ENTERPRISE-LEVEL SOLUTION MONITORING TOOL THAT PROVIDES FOR MONITORING VARIOUS NETWORK ALERTS AND PERFORMANCE TRACKING. SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS. Configuration Management Tools Ansible: Agentless automation tool for server configuration and application deployment. Puppet: Manages infrastructure as code for automated system configuration. Backup Solutions Veeam: Reliable backup solution known for virtualized environments. Acronis: Offers comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solutions.  VMware: Leading platform for running multiple virtual machines on a single server. Virtualization Technologies Docker: Enables consistent application deployment in containers across environments.  Wireshark: A network protocol analyzer for troubleshooting and data inspection. Networking Tools nmap: A network scanning tool used for discovering hosts and services.  Advanced Topics in System Administration Overview: Key areas that extend beyond basic system administration practices.  Understanding Cloud Models: Differentiating between IaaS, Cloud PaaS, and SaaS. Computing Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies: Utilizing a mix of public and private clouds for optimal performance.  Security Best Practices Implementing Firewalls: Configure firewalls to control network traffic Implementing based on security rules. Conducting Penetration Testing: Regularly test for vulnerabilities through Conducting simulated attacks. Using Importance: Protect sensitive Encryption data from unauthorized access through SSL/TLS and AES encryption.  Developing a DR Plan: Create detailed procedures for data backup and restoration during Disaster emergencies. Recovery Testing DR Procedures: Regularly conduct drills to ensure Planning effectiveness and staff preparedness.  Overview of Major Topics: Recap of critical areas covered in the presentation, emphasizing their importance Summary of in system administration. Key Concepts Thank you