View source for Linux server administration

# Linux Server Administration

This article provides a foundational overview of Linux server administration, geared towards newcomers to server management and MediaWiki site administration. It covers essential concepts, common tasks, and important considerations for maintaining a stable and secure server environment. This guide assumes a basic familiarity with the Linux command line.

== Understanding the Linux Server Environment ==

A Linux server is a powerful and versatile platform for hosting websites, applications, and databases. Unlike desktop Linux distributions, server distributions are typically streamlined for performance and stability, often lacking a graphical user interface (GUI) to minimize resource consumption. Common server distributions include Ubuntu Server, Debian, CentOS Stream, and Rocky Linux.  Understanding the core components is crucial:

*   **Kernel:** The heart of the operating system, managing system resources.
*   **Shell:**  A command-line interpreter (e.g., Bash) allowing you to interact with the kernel.
*   **File System:**  Organizes data into a hierarchical structure (e.g., ext4, XFS).
*   **System Services:** Background processes providing essential functionality (e.g., web server, database server).

== Essential Server Administration Tasks ==

Several core tasks are fundamental to maintaining a healthy Linux server. These include user management, package management, security hardening, and monitoring.

=== User and Group Management ===

Managing users and groups is vital for security and access control. 

*   `useradd`: Creates a new user account.
*   `userdel`: Deletes a user account.
*   `usermod`: Modifies user account properties.
*   `groupadd`: Creates a new group.
*   `groupdel`: Deletes a group.
*   `groupmod`: Modifies group properties.

It's crucial to follow the principle of least privilege, granting users only the permissions they need to perform their tasks.  See [[User Rights Management]] for more details.

=== Package Management ===

Package managers simplify the installation, update, and removal of software. The specific package manager depends on the distribution.

*   **Debian/Ubuntu:** `apt` (Advanced Package Tool)
*   **CentOS/Rocky Linux/Fedora:** `yum` or `dnf` (Dandified Yum)

Here's a comparison of common package management commands:

{| class="wikitable"
! Command
! Debian/Ubuntu (apt)
! CentOS/Rocky Linux (yum/dnf)
|-
| Install Package
| `sudo apt install <package_name>`
| `sudo yum install <package_name>` or `sudo dnf install <package_name>`
|-
| Update Package List
| `sudo apt update`
| `sudo yum update` or `sudo dnf update`
|-
| Upgrade Packages
| `sudo apt upgrade`
| `sudo yum upgrade` or `sudo dnf upgrade`
|-
| Remove Package
| `sudo apt remove <package_name>`
| `sudo yum remove <package_name>` or `sudo dnf remove <package_name>`
|}

Always update your system regularly to patch security vulnerabilities.  Consider using [[Automated Updates]].

=== Security Hardening ===

Securing your server is paramount.  Key steps include:

*   **Firewall:** Configure a firewall (e.g., `ufw` on Ubuntu, `firewalld` on CentOS/Rocky Linux) to restrict network access. See [[Firewall Configuration]].
*   **SSH Hardening:** Disable password authentication, use key-based authentication, and change the default SSH port.  Refer to [[SSH Security]].
*   **Regular Updates:** Keep all software up to date to address security vulnerabilities.
*   **Intrusion Detection System (IDS):** Consider implementing an IDS like `fail2ban` to detect and block malicious activity. See [[Intrusion Detection Systems]].
*   **Root Account:** Disable direct root login via SSH.

=== Monitoring and Logging ===

Regular monitoring of server resources and logs is essential for identifying and resolving issues.

*   **Resource Monitoring:** Use tools like `top`, `htop`, or `vmstat` to monitor CPU usage, memory usage, and disk I/O.  Consider [[Server Performance Monitoring]].
*   **Log Files:** Examine log files located in `/var/log` for errors and warnings.  Key log files include `/var/log/syslog`, `/var/log/auth.log`, and web server access logs.  See [[Log File Analysis]].
*   **Systemd:** Utilize `systemd` to manage and monitor system services.

== Common Server Software ==

Several software packages are commonly installed on Linux servers.

=== Web Servers ===

*   **Apache:** A widely used web server known for its flexibility and modularity. See [[Apache Configuration]].
*   **Nginx:** A high-performance web server often used as a reverse proxy and load balancer.  See [[Nginx Configuration]].

=== Database Servers ===

*   **MySQL/MariaDB:** Popular relational database management systems. See [[Database Server Administration]].
*   **PostgreSQL:** Another powerful relational database management system.

=== Other Services ===

*   **Postfix/Sendmail:** Mail transfer agents (MTAs) for sending and receiving email.
*   **Cron:** A job scheduler for automating tasks. See [[Cron Job Scheduling]].

== Server Specifications and Requirements ==

The required server specifications depend on the demands of the applications or services being hosted. Here’s a general guideline:

{| class="wikitable"
! Component
! Minimum
! Recommended
! High Performance
|-
| CPU
| 1 Core
| 2-4 Cores
| 8+ Cores
|-
| Memory (RAM)
| 1 GB
| 4-8 GB
| 16+ GB
|-
| Storage (Disk)
| 20 GB
| 100 GB SSD
| 500+ GB SSD/NVMe
|-
| Network Bandwidth
| 10 Mbps
| 100 Mbps
| 1 Gbps+
|}

These are just starting points; actual requirements will vary.

== Troubleshooting Common Issues ==

| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Server Unresponsive | High CPU usage, memory exhaustion, disk full | Identify and terminate resource-intensive processes, add more memory, free up disk space |
| Website Not Accessible | Web server down, firewall blocking access, DNS issues | Restart web server, configure firewall, verify DNS settings |
| Database Connection Errors | Database server down, incorrect credentials, network connectivity issues | Restart database server, verify credentials, check network connectivity |

== Further Resources ==

*   [[Linux Command Line Basics]]
*   [[Systemd Configuration]]
*   [[Network Configuration]]
*   [[Security Best Practices]]
*   [[Disaster Recovery Planning]]

[[Category:Server Configurations]]


== Intel-Based Server Configurations ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Configuration
! Specifications
! Benchmark
|-
| [[Core i7-6700K/7700 Server]]
| 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB
| CPU Benchmark: 8046
|-
| [[Core i7-8700 Server]]
| 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB
| CPU Benchmark: 13124
|-
| [[Core i9-9900K Server]]
| 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB
| CPU Benchmark: 49969
|-
| [[Core i9-13900 Server (64GB)]]
| 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
| 
|-
| [[Core i9-13900 Server (128GB)]]
| 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
| 
|-
| [[Core i5-13500 Server (64GB)]]
| 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
| 
|-
| [[Core i5-13500 Server (128GB)]]
| 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
| 
|-
| [[Core i5-13500 Workstation]]
| 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000
| 
|}

== AMD-Based Server Configurations ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Configuration
! Specifications
! Benchmark
|-
| [[Ryzen 5 3600 Server]]
| 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 17849
|-
| [[Ryzen 7 7700 Server]]
| 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 35224
|-
| [[Ryzen 9 5950X Server]]
| 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 46045
|-
| [[Ryzen 9 7950X Server]]
| 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 63561
|-
| [[EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB)]]
| 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 48021
|-
| [[EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB)]]
| 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 48021
|-
| [[EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB)]]
| 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 48021
|-
| [[EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB)]]
| 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 48021
|-
| [[EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB)]]
| 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe
| CPU Benchmark: 48021
|-
| [[EPYC 9454P Server]]
| 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe
| 
|}

== Order Your Dedicated Server ==
[https://powervps.net/?from=32 Configure and order] your ideal server configuration

=== Need Assistance? ===
* Telegram: [https://t.me/powervps @powervps Servers at a discounted price]

⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️