Description
Book SynopsisChapter 1: What is a Virtual Private Server?.- Chapter 2: Selecting a VPS Provider.- Chapter 3: Basic Linux Administration via Command-Line.- Chapter 4: Basic Linux Administration via GUI (Webmin).- Chapter 5: Basics of Linux Security.- Chapter 6: Basics of Backups and Version Control.- Chapter 7: Basics of Server Software Administration.- Chapter 8: Installing an Open Source Software Product Wordpress.- Chapter 9: Administrators Weekly Checklist.- Chapter 10: Open Source Application Possibilities.
Table of ContentsChapter 1: What is a Virtual Private Server?Chapter Goal: Go over basic terminology of how the internet operates, how servers run, and how virtualization allows individuals to have their own server for a very small cost per month.• How does the magic happen?o How does a webpage appear on my screen? How does email route through the internet to someone else? How do domain names work?• What options does someone have if they want to get into this?o Who provides services (data centers, co-locations, virtual servers, cloud computing)o How much does it cost?o How much do I have to do?o How much time does it take?• Am I ready for this?o Do I have the necessary skills and time to learn skills I need?o Am I OK with being my own system administrator?o Who do I call if I need help? Or can I call someone?
Chapter 2: Selecting a VPS ProviderChapter Goal: Walk the reader through identifying and selecting a VPS provider.• How do I find a provider? o Low-end, High-end, Cloudo Trust and Reliability, what is an SLA?o Warning signs• Resources & Budgetingo What do I really need? o How much does it cost?o Extras that can cost money.• Setting up a New Accounto Security of your account.o Extras you may or may not need.o Terms of Serviceo Choosing your Linux distribution: CentOS or Debian (Throughout the book, commands for both CentOS 8 and Debian 10 will be provided).
Chapter 3: Basic Linux Administration via Command-LineChapter Goal: Providing the basic commands to administer your server, finding files, and adding and configuring software.• Logging into your servero Shell accesso SSHo SFTPo Setting up your user account• Basic commandso Linux Directory Structureo Ls, cp, mv, and the most dangerous: rmo Finding fileso Su / sudo and file permissions.o Disk usage, memory usage, and overall server health commands.o How do I edit files: Vim and Nano• How your System Starts up and Shuts Downo Services, what they are and how to enable/disableo The right and wrong way to shutdown, and why it’s important.o Graphical user modes versus command-line.o Files that you might want to keep copies of.• How do I install software? o Package managers (apt / yum)o Compiling from Sourceo Updating / upgrading / removing softwareo Configuring software through configuration files.
Chapter 4: Basic Linux Administration via GUI (Webmin)Chapter Goal: To provide a basic overview of the Open Source project “Webmin” for configuration of your server though a graphical interface.• Deciding if a GUI is needed or not. Pros and Cons• Downloading and installing Webmin• Setting up Webmin security, including SSL and 2 Factor authentication.• Delegating tasks to others using Webmin Users.• Basic walkthrough of the modules that you’ll need to access, with an eye on settings you don’t want to change.• Webmin’s Usermin module: GUI for users to access files, mail, databases, and more.
Chapter 5: Basics of Linux SecurityChapter Goal: The basics of setting up security on your server, with a discussion of auditing and verifying files haven’t changed.• What is a firewall and how do I set it up?• How do I give some users access to administrative functions, but not all?• Advanced File Permissions, and more on users and groups.• SELinux• Auditing and log file management.
Chapter 6: Basics of Backups and Version ControlChapter Goal: How to keep your files backed up and safe.• Backup Basics: What to back up, where to back it up, and how often to back up.• Backup Method 1: Gzipped Tar files and shell scripts.• Backup Method 2: Duplicati GUI• Simulated disaster recovery, and migration to a new server.
Chapter 7: Basics of Server Software AdministrationChapter Goal: How to get the most common software up and running on your VPS, customizing it to be secure and reliable.• Web Server Basics (Apache 2)o Extending the Server with PHPo SSL certificates.• Database Server Basics (MySQL)• Mail Server Basics (Postfix)• DNS Server Basics (Bind)• Monitoring your Server (Nagios)
Chapter 8: Installing an Open Source Software Product – WordpressChapter Goal: How to get a basic website up and running quickly using an open source content management system, Wordpress.• Do you need a full CMS or are your needs more basic?• Downloading and installing Wordpress• Configuring Wordpress to be secure.• Backing up Wordpress• Extending Wordpress with Plugins.
Chapter 9: Administrators Weekly ChecklistChapter Goal: Describe concept of preventive maintenance – what one needs to do regularly to keep the server running smoothly. • Software update basics• Following mailing lists and security discussions.• Monitoring for potential security breaches.• Verifying backups.
Chapter 10: Open Source Application PossibilitiesChapter Goal: Introduce the reader to software packages that will allow them to up their productivity by hosting their own content on their server. Basic installations will be covered, but not in-depth customization as was done in Chapter 8.• Moodle: Open Source Learning Management System• osTicket: Open Source Helpdesk / Issue Tracking.• YoURLS: Open Source URL Shortener• OpenVPN: Open Source VPN software• Odoo: Open Source CRM Software• LimeSurvey: Open Source Survey Software (Covered in my previous book, Practical R 4 – but less in-depth here)• Other possibilities, including writing
