Unix Administration Practice Exam

The Unix Administration exam evaluates candidates on their proficiency in managing Unix-based operating systems. It covers various aspects of Unix system administration, including system configuration, user management, file systems, network services, and security. This exam is designed to assess individuals' knowledge and skills in administering Unix environments effectively and efficiently.

Skills Required

• Unix Operating Systems: Proficiency in Unix-based operating systems such as Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris.
• System Configuration: Ability to configure and manage system settings, kernel parameters, and system startup processes.
• User and Group Management: Experience in creating and managing user accounts, groups, and permissions.
• File System Administration: Understanding of file system concepts, disk management, and file system maintenance tasks.
• Network Services: Knowledge of network configuration, services, and protocols, including TCP/IP networking, DNS, DHCP, and NFS.
• Security: Familiarity with Unix security mechanisms, user authentication, access control, firewall configuration, and system hardening practices.
• Scripting and Automation: Proficiency in shell scripting and automation tools for system administration tasks.
• Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution: Ability to diagnose and resolve system issues, performance optimization, and troubleshooting common Unix-related problems.

Who should take the exam?

• System Administrators: IT professionals responsible for managing Unix-based servers and systems in enterprise environments.
• Network Administrators: Professionals involved in configuring and maintaining Unix-based network services and infrastructure.
• IT Managers: Managers and supervisors overseeing Unix administration teams or infrastructure projects.
• Unix Support Engineers: Technical support personnel providing assistance and troubleshooting for Unix systems and applications.
• Aspiring Unix Administrators: Individuals seeking to enter the field of Unix system administration and acquire relevant skills and certifications.

Course Outline

The Unix Administration exam covers the following topics :-

Module 1: Introduction to Unix Systems

• Overview of Unix operating systems and their characteristics.
• History and evolution of Unix.
• Unix distributions and variations.

Module 2: System Configuration and Administration

• System boot process and startup configuration.
• Managing system resources and kernel parameters.
• System monitoring and performance tuning.

Module 3: User and Group Management

• User account management: creation, modification, and deletion.
• Group administration and permissions management.
• User authentication methods and techniques.

Module 4: File System Administration

• File system concepts and organization.
• Disk management and storage technologies.
• File system maintenance tasks and utilities.

Module 5: Network Services and Configuration

• Network configuration and interfaces setup.
• Unix network services: DNS, DHCP, NTP, FTP, SSH.
• Network file systems (NFS) configuration and management.

Module 6: Security and Access Control

• Unix security principles and best practices.
• User authentication mechanisms: passwords, SSH keys, PAM.
• Firewall configuration and packet filtering.

Module 7: Scripting and Automation

• Shell scripting basics: syntax, variables, control structures.
• Automating system administration tasks with shell scripts.
• Using scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or Perl for automation.

Module 8: Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution

• System diagnostics and troubleshooting techniques.
• Identifying and resolving common Unix system issues.
• Performance optimization and tuning strategies.