Linux Administration and Storage from Coursera

Take your Linux skills to the next level with this comprehensive course on Linux administration, storage management, and shell scripting. By the end of this course, you will confidently manage user accounts, configure file permissions, troubleshoot performance issues, manage storage systems, and automate tasks with scripts.

The course begins with key Linux administration concepts such as managing user accounts, groups, and file permissions, including advanced topics like ACLs and special file permissions. You will also localize Linux systems, set up network time protocols, and troubleshoot system performance using essential tools like Top and Free.

Next, you will master Linux storage management. Learn to create partitions and file systems, mount and troubleshoot disks, and optimize performance using tools like LVM, iostat, and ioping. Advanced topics like RAID, FHS, and inode management are also covered to ensure complete understanding.

The course concludes with shell scripting essentials, including automating tasks, controlling input/output streams, and using loops and conditionals in BASH scripts.

This course is perfect for IT professionals, system administrators, and developers. Basic Linux knowledge is recommended, but the course starts with fundamental concepts and progresses to advanced topics.

What's inside

Syllabus

Linux Administration

In this module, we will explore key administrative tasks in Linux. You’ll learn best practices for superuser privileges, user and group management, and file permission configuration. Advanced topics like Access Control Lists (ACLs), localization, and system performance troubleshooting will equip you to manage Linux systems efficiently.

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Covers Linux administration concepts such as managing user accounts, groups, and file permissions, including advanced topics like ACLs, which are essential for system administrators

Explores storage management in Linux systems, including file system creation and mounting, which are crucial skills for managing server infrastructure and ensuring data availability

Introduces shell scripting to automate tasks in Linux, enabling learners to streamline complex workflows and improve efficiency in system administration and development environments

Teaches advanced topics like Logical Volume Management (LVM), filesystem hierarchy, and disk troubleshooting, providing practical skills to manage Linux storage effectively

Requires basic Linux knowledge, suggesting that learners without prior experience may need to acquire foundational skills before fully benefiting from the course's advanced topics

Focuses on BASH scripting, which, while widely used, may not cover other scripting languages that are also relevant in modern IT environments, such as Python or PowerShell

Reviews summary

Practical linux administration and storage skills

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in Linux administration, storage management, and shell scripting, making it highly relevant for IT professionals and system administrators. Students appreciate the practical, hands-on approach and find the content comprehensive, covering everything from user management and file permissions to advanced storage topics like LVM and RAID, plus essential shell scripting. While some learners with minimal prior experience found certain sections challenging, many noted that the course progresses well from fundamentals to more advanced concepts. The course is seen as beneficial for career development and appears to be regularly updated based on review dates.

Needs active participation and practice.

"You absolutely need to follow along and practice the commands in a virtual machine."

"Just watching the lectures isn't enough; the real learning happens when you do the labs yourself."

"I set up a practice environment, which was crucial for understanding the concepts."

Accessible with some prior Linux knowledge.

"As someone with basic Linux exposure, I found this course a good next step to administration."

"It does recommend basic knowledge, and I think that's accurate. It builds nicely on that."

"Some parts were tough for me as a beginner, but overall it was manageable."

"I appreciated that it started with fundamentals before diving into complex topics."

Covers a wide range of essential topics.

"From basic user management to advanced storage concepts, this course covers all the bases."

"I was impressed by the depth it goes into, especially the sections on file systems and permissions."

"It covers administration, storage, AND scripting – a great combination for a sysadmin role."

"I feel like I have a much better understanding of the Linux filesystem hierarchy now."

Highly practical skills for IT professionals.

"The content is highly practical and directly applicable to real-world Linux administration tasks."

"I needed to brush up on my Linux skills for a new job, and this course covered exactly what I needed."

"Learning about LVM and RAID was very useful and presented clearly."

"The shell scripting part alone was worth the price, giving me tools to automate daily tasks."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Linux Administration and Storage with these activities:

Review Linux Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental Linux concepts to ensure a solid foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Linux Fundamentals

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Review basic Linux commands and file system structure.
Practice navigating the command line interface.
Familiarize yourself with common Linux distributions.

Review 'The Linux Command Line'

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Deepen your understanding of the Linux command line to improve your shell scripting skills.

View Linux命令行大全（异步图书） (Chinese Edition) on Amazon

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Read the chapters on shell scripting and command-line utilities.
Try out the examples provided in the book.
Experiment with different commands and options.

Practice User and Group Management

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Reinforce your knowledge of user and group management by practicing common tasks.

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Create and modify user accounts using command-line tools.
Manage group memberships and permissions.
Troubleshoot common user account issues.

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Review 'Linux Bible'

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Expand your knowledge of the Linux ecosystem and explore advanced server configuration topics.

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Read the sections on server administration and security.
Explore the chapters on networking and virtualization.
Experiment with different server configurations.

Create a Cheat Sheet for LVM Commands

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Solidify your understanding of Logical Volume Management (LVM) by creating a cheat sheet of commonly used commands.

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Research and compile a list of essential LVM commands.
Organize the commands into logical categories.
Add brief descriptions and examples for each command.

Create a Presentation on RAID Levels

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Deepen your understanding of RAID by creating a presentation explaining different RAID levels and their trade-offs.

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Research different RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 6, 10).
Prepare slides explaining the characteristics of each RAID level.
Include diagrams illustrating data distribution and redundancy.
Present the presentation to a peer or colleague.

Automate System Backups with Shell Scripting

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Apply your shell scripting skills to automate a critical system administration task.

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Write a script to back up important system files and directories.
Implement error handling and logging in the script.
Schedule the script to run automatically using cron.

Career center

Learners who complete Linux Administration and Storage will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Linux Engineer

Linux Engineers specialize in managing and maintaining Linux-based systems. This course helps build a strong foundation for this career path. The Linux Administration module covers user and group management, file permission configurations, localization, and system performance troubleshooting. The Managing Storage module will provide practical skills in storage types, file system creation, and disk troubleshooting. Shell scripting skills learned in the course will enable automation of complex workflows.

See salaries and explore the career path for Linux Engineer

System Administrator

A System Administrator is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially servers. This course helps build a foundation for aspiring System Administrators. The Linux Administration module covers user and group management, file permission configurations, and system performance troubleshooting. Mastering storage types, file system creation, and Logical Volume Management, taught in the Managing Storage module, will be essential for managing server infrastructure. This course will also give them the tools for automating system tasks via shell scripting.

See salaries and explore the career path for System Administrator

Automation Engineer

Automation Engineers design and implement automation strategies, often using scripting and configuration management tools. This course helps build skills for this role. The shell scripting module is directly applicable for automating tasks and controlling input/output streams. The Linux Administration and Managing Storage modules equip one with system management skills necessary for complete automation solutions. With this knowledge, one can learn to deploy automation to Linux environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Release Engineer

Release Engineers oversee the process of software releases, ensuring smooth and efficient deployments. This course helps equip aspiring release engineers with skills that can facilitate these deployments. The shell scripting module is directly applicable for automating deployment tasks. The Linux Administration and Managing Storage modules equip one with system management skills necessary for complete automation solutions. The ability to automate tasks taught in this course is essential for success as a Release Engineer.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain database systems, often on Linux servers. This course can be useful to those aspiring to this role. The Managing Storage module covers file system creation and Logical Volume Management. Also, the shell scripting module will be of great use in automating database-related tasks such as backups and maintenance. As a Database Administrator, the skills taught in this course will allow one to manage storage and automate DBA tasks.

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DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer works to automate and streamline the software development lifecycle. This course can be valuable as the shell scripting module covers automating tasks and controlling input/output streams. Furthermore, the Linux Administration module will allow one to learn user and group management, file permission configuration, and system performance troubleshooting. The storage module teaches file system creation, mounting, and Logical Volume Management. This solid skillset can help one contribute to DevOps practices.

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Build Engineer

Build Engineers are responsible for creating and maintaining the build systems and processes used to compile and package software. This course may be useful as the shell scripting module is directly applicable for automating tasks. The Linux Administration and Managing Storage modules equip one with system management skills necessary for complete automation solutions. As a Build Engineer, these skills can lead to improvements in the software release process.

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Security Analyst

Security Analysts monitor and protect computer systems and networks from security threats. This course helps impart many relevant skills for this role. Understanding file permissions and Access Control Lists, covered in the Linux Administration module, is crucial for securing systems. Also, understanding shell scripting helps automate security tasks. These core skills can help Security Analysts improve their Linux skills.

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Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers design, plan, manage, and maintain cloud computing systems. A strong understanding of Linux is often essential, and this course may be helpful in building that foundation. The Linux Administration module covers key administrative tasks. The Managing Storage module teaches file system creation and mounting. Also, the shell scripting module will be useful for automating cloud infrastructure tasks. All these capabilities will be useful for one to contribute to the development of cloud environments.

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Solutions Architect

Solutions Architects design and implement IT solutions that meet specific business needs. This course may be useful as the Linux Administration module covers key administrative tasks. The Managing Storage module teaches file system creation and mounting. Also, the shell scripting module will be useful for automating tasks. This could be useful to a Solutions Architect who deals with Linux environments.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports data storage and processing. This course may be useful in getting the basic skills needed to become a Data Engineer. The Managing Storage module covers file system creation and Logical Volume Management. Also, the shell scripting module will be useful for automating data-related tasks. Finally, the Linux Administration module teaches how to set up network time protocols.

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Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for the installation, maintenance and support of computer networks. This course may be useful to aspiring network administrators. The Linux Administration module covers localization and setting up network time protocols. Network admins will likely benefit from automating tasks via shell scripting. Therefore, a Network Administrator could benefit from the knowledge taught in this course.

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Technical Support Specialist

Technical Support Specialists troubleshoot and resolve technical issues for customers or internal staff. This course may be useful as it provides a sound grounding in Linux administration. Specifically, understanding file permissions will be useful in identifying and resolving access issues. Furthermore, the Linux administration module teaches how to troubleshoot system performance. The system administration concepts from the course will be beneficial in diagnosing and fixing technical problems.

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IT Consultant

IT Consultants provide expert advice and guidance to organizations on how to use technology to meet their business goals. This course may be useful to becoming an IT Consultant. The Linux Administration module covers key administrative tasks. The Managing Storage module teaches file system creation and mounting. The shell scripting module will be useful for automating tasks. A skillset that encompasses Linux fundamentals can lead to better solutions for clients.

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IT Manager

IT Managers oversee the IT infrastructure and operations of an organization. While IT Managers typically do not perform hands-on administration, understanding the principles is beneficial, and this course may be useful. This course covers Linux administration, storage management, and shell scripting. With this technical foundation, an IT Manager can better understand and manage their IT teams.

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Linux Administration and Storage

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What's inside

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Reviews summary

Practical linux administration and storage skills

Activities

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