System Administration and Maintenance (Lecture 1)

1. A system administrator (sysadmin) is a person who is responsible for the

maintenance, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems; especially
multi-user computers, such as servers. List FIVE (5) "hard" skills required by system
administrator.
a. Scripting
b. Automation
c. Programming
d. Virtualization
e. Cloud computing skills

2. List "soft" skills required by system administrator.

a. Communication
b. Team work
c. Stress management
d. Time management

3. Give 5 general characteristics of UNIX/Linux as an operating system

a. Multi user system
b. Uses time sharing
c. Multiprogramming system
d. Access rights for Files and Processes
e. Uses Files and hierarchies

4. Differentiation between Linux and Windows file system

a. In Linux, there is a single hierarchical directory structure whereas in Windows
there are typically many partitions with directories under these partitions
b. In Linux, everything starts from root and expands into sub-directories while in
Windows it has various partitions and then directories under those partitions
c. Windows is not case sensitive while Linux is case sensitive

5. Linux is a powerful operating system that can on almost any computer hardware.
Identify any FOUR (4) components of Linux Operating System
a. Bootloader
i. When you start your computer, the bootloader for your operating
system kickstarts the process
b. OS Kernel
i. Controls the CPU, access to memory and any peripheral devices
c. Background services
i. Called as “demons” in Linux, ensuring key functions such as
scheduling, printing and multimedia function correctly
d. Graphics server
i. Provides graphical sub system that renders images and shapes on your
computer monitor
6. An open-source license is a type of license for computer software and other products
that allows the source code, blueprint or design to be used, modified and/or shared
under defined terms and conditions. List TWO (2) open-source licenses related to
Linux and their applications
a. Apache
i. Is the web server that processes requests and serves web assets and
content via HTTP
b. GNU General Public License
i. Protects Linux

7. What is permissive and Copyleft (Open Source Licenses)

a. Both licenses allow users to copy, modify and redistribute codes freely
b. Copyleft
i. Requires any derivative works be released under the same license
ii. GNU General Public License (GPL)
iii. Eclipse Public License (EPL)
c. Permissive
i. Allows derivative works to be released under any license
ii. Apache License
iii. MIT License

8. Discuss THREE (3) types of file permission under Linux.

a. Read
i. The read permission allows you to open and read the content of a file
but you cant do editing in the file
b. Write
i. The write permission allows you to edit, remove or rename a file
c. Execute
i. You can execute a program

9. Permissions are listed below:

permission on a file on a directory

r (read) read file content read directory

(cat) content (ls)

w (write) change file create file in directory

content (vi) (touch)

x (execute) execute the file enter the directory

(cd)
10. Unix-like operating system can be grouped into two categories as open source and
proprietary, Identify 2 examples for each category.
a. Open source
i. FreeBSD
ii. OpenBsd
b. Proprietary
i. Solaris
ii. Tru64

11. A desktop manager (desktop environment) is a suite of tools in Linux operating

system which make it easier for you to use your computer.
a. Briefly explain TWO (2) components of a desktop environment.
i. Menu
1. You can access all desktop environment functions through
menus
ii. Panels
1. Panels are areas in your desktop environment from which you
can access all of your system applications and menus

b. List TWO (2) examples of desktop environment in Linux.

i. GNOME
ii. KDE

12. Linux distributions can be categorized along a variety of different lines, including
a. Software management style
b. Cultural
c. Commercial
d. Non-commercial

13. Linux uses monolithic kernel while Windows uses hybrid kernel.