Linux Administration

What Is Linux?

Linux is the kernel of operating systems that look like and perform as well or better than the famous operating system from AT&T Bell Labs. Linus Torvalds and a loosely-knit team of volunteer hackers from across the Internet wrote (and still are writing) Linux from scratch. It has all of the features of a modern, fully-fledged operating system: true multitasking, threads, virtual memory, shared libraries, demand loading, shared, copy-on-write executables, proper memory management, loadable device driver modules, video frame buffering, and TCP/IP networking.

Most people, however, refer to the operating system kernel, system software, and application software, collectively, as "Linux,'' and that convention is used in this FAQ as well.

Linux was written originally for 386/486/586-based PC's, using the hardware facilities of the 80386 processor family to implement its features. There are now many ports to other hardware platforms.

There are also Linux distributions specifically for mobile and handheld platforms. An API specification and developers kit for the Crusoe Smart Microprocessor developed by Transmeta Corporation is at http://www.transmeta.com/ The Linux kernel is distributed under the GNU General Public License.

What Hardware Is Supported?

A minimal Linux installation requires a machine for which a port exists, at least 2Mb of RAM, and a single floppy drive. But to do anything even remotely useful, more RAM and disk space are needed.

Intel CPU, PC-compatible machines require at least an 80386 processor to run the standard Linux kernel. Linux, including the X Window System GUI, runs on most current laptops.

What are the duties of a Linux Administrator?

System Administration has become a solid criterion for an organization and institute that requires a solid IT foundation. Hence, the need for efficient Linux administrators is the requirement of the time. The job profile might change from each organization as there may be added responsibilities and duties to the role. Below are some duties of a Linux Administrator:

• Maintain all internet requests inclusive to DNS, RADIUS, Apache, MySQL, PHP.
• Taking regular back up of data, create new stored procedures and listing back-up is one of the duties.
• Analyzing all error logs and fixing along with providing excellent customer support for Webhosting, ISP and LAN Customers on troubleshooting increased support troubles.
• Communicating with the staff, vendors, and customers in a cultivated, professional manner at all times has to be one of his characteristics.
• Enhance, maintain and creating the tools for the Linux environment and its users.
• Detecting and solving the service problems ranging from disaster recovery to login problems.
• Installing the necessary systems and security tools. Working with the Data Network Engineer and other personnel/departments to analyze hardware requirements and makes acquiring recommendations.
• Troubleshoot, when the problem occurs in the server.