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CentOS 7: A Complete Guide!: 2-in-1
Rating: 3.7 out of 5(23 ratings)
182 students

CentOS 7: A Complete Guide!: 2-in-1

Start your journey with CentOS 7 to build effective server systems with this Redhat Clone from scratch!
Created byPackt Publishing
Last updated 10/2018
English

What you'll learn

  • Install, configure, and set up the system for CentOS 7
  • Get acquainted with the Troubleshooting techniques in rescue mode
  • Perform various tasks with the YUM command
  • Format, maintain, and extend the capacity of the file system
  • Configure a mail server with Postfix
  • Securely monitor a remote server with Zabbix
  • Deep dive into cloud computing and configuration management

Course content

2 sections • 87 lectures • 7h 4m total length

  • The Course Overview5:47

    This video provides an overview of the entire course. 

  • Downloading CentOS and confirming the checksum5:34

    The aim of this video is to learn how to download and confirm a checksum in a linux server

    • Get started with an OS of your choice

    • Download the checksum file

    • Generate the checksum of your downloaded iso image file

  • Creating USB Installation Media7:16

    Nowadays Installing a new operating system such as CentOS Linux using USB device is indeed essential

    • Get introduced to the concept of creating an exact copy of CentOS installation iso file on a USB device

    • Prepare USB on OS X and Linux

    • Prepare USB on Windows

  • Installing CentOS 7 Using the Graphical Installer3:36

    Performing an installation of CentOS 7 using the graphical installer interface is the recommended approach to installing your system, as it not only provides us with the ability to create the desired hard disk partitions but also to customize installation in lots of ways.

    • Select the correct installation boot device during server start up

    • Load the CentOS 7 installation media

    • Customize the installation via graphical installer

  • Running a Net Install over HTTP3:06

    Running a CentOS 7 netinstall is a process in which a small image file is used to boot the computer and let the user select and install only the software packages and services he wants and nothing more over a network connection thus providing great flexibility

    • Download the CentOS 7 netinstall ISO file

    • Prepare a USB installation media from it and validate its checksum

    • Install CentOS 7 over HTTP using an official CentOS 7 repository mirror

  • Installing CentOS 7 Using a Kick Start File6:12

    While installing CentOS 7 manually, using the graphical installer utility is fine on a single server. Doing so on a multiple number of systems can be tedious. Kickstart files can automate the installation process of a server system

    • Fetch an existing Kickstart file as a template from a former CentOS 7 installation and copy on USB device

    • Boot into rescue mode to get correct device name order

    • Select your target device name for installation

  • Customize Your Kickstart Installation and Run It8:03

    Kickstart files are simple text based configuration files which provide detailed and exact instructions on how the target system should be set up and installed (for example, which keyboard layout or additional software packages to install).

    • Customize your Kickstart file

    • Validate the changes you made to the file

    • Run the Kickstart installation

  • Customizing the Boot Loader3:38

    When you turn on your computer, the GRUB2 boot loader is the first program that starts up and is responsible for loading and transferring control to an underlying operating system. It has a lot of flexibility in configuration and supports a lot of different operating systems

    • Make a backup of your default grub configuration file

    • Customize your default grub configuration file

    • Generate the GRUB2 configuration using the grub2-mkconfig program

  • Troubleshooting the System in Rescue Mode6:25

    Linux can have a steep learning curve and sooner or later there will be a point in your career where your CentOS installation does not start up due to broad number of reasons, including hardware problems or human mistakes. If this has happened to you then you can use the CentOS rescue mode in order to boot an otherwise unbootable system and try to undo your mistakes.

    • Reset your root password if forgotten

    • Access the original servers filesystem if you cannot boot

    • Mount additional partitions of your original server

  • Enhancing Your New CentOS 7 Installation2:03

    The CentOS 7 minimal install is probably the most efficient way you can install a server, but does require some additional features in order to make your server a more compelling model.

    • Update the system after installation

    • Reboot the system if first-time updating

    • Install useful additional software package groups using yum

  • Prepare Your Master Server Template for the Training Lab4:29

    The aim of this video is to learn to create Master Server as a template for creating a complete training lab. This will reduce a lot of repetitive work installing and configuring single Linux servers manually

    • Add a second virtual network interface using VirtualBox GUI

    • Install some essential Linux tools

    • Create backup image and snapshots

  • Create Your VM Training Lab4:44

    Installing single Linux servers manually can be a tedious task to do. In this video we’ll finish our work on preparing a master template for easy and convenient cloning and installing of multiple servers to build a complete training lab quickly

    • Create a list of hostname to IP address relationships we can use on every node in the lab

    • Configure the 2nd network device to use a static IP address for internal communication

    • Create VMs needed through cloning

  • Configure Communication Between Nodes7:28

    Setting up an internal subnetwork for communication between servers can be hard for Linux newcomers. In this video, learn how to do this easily and conveniently using commands such as ssh arguments

    • Setup unique host names for each node

    • Enable passwordless SSH login

    • Configure unique IP addresses for each server in the subnetwork for proper communication

  • Speaking the Right Language6:19

    The aim of this video is to give you a complete overview on how to configure locale information

    • Retrieve locale information

    • Set system-wide and user-specific locale information

    • Make user-specific locale information persistent

  • Synchronizing Time with the Chrony Suite6:02

    Our CentOS 7 operating system's time is set on every boot based on the hardware clock. Often, this is too inaccurate or has not been set right, therefore it's better to get your system time from a reliable source over the Internet - that uses real atomic time.

    • Use Chrony Daemon to synchronize system time (UTC) over the network

    • Validate chronyd to check if it is working properly

    • Adjust local time by adjusting time zones

  • Setting Your Hostname and Resolving the Network5:46

    Resolving network addresses means translating domain names to IP addresses (or the reverse) because computer networks can only work with numbers not names.

    • Setup your server’s hostnames / fully qualified domain names

    • Setup local domain resolution using /etc/hosts file

    • Configure external DNS using /etc/resolv.conf

  • Building a Static Network Connection4:06

    While a dynamically assigned IP address or DHCP reservation may be fine for most desktop and laptop users, if you are setting up a server, it is often the case that you will require a static IP address.

    • Use existing DHCP connection as template for static network

    • Configure static connections using CentOS’s network-scripts

    • Disable NetworkManager and DHCP server (PEER) for full configuration file control

  • Becoming a Superuser4:05

    On CentOS Linux, many files, folders, or commands can only be accessed or executed by a user called root. The sudo command provides one or more users with the right to execute single commands with elevated privileges

    • Explore that sudo is not enabled by default for system users

    • Allow sudo command execution by adding the “wheel” group to existing users

    • sudo (superuser do) command not to be mixed with su command (substitute user)

  • Customizing Your System Banners and Messages1:42

    Showing the user textual messages when logging in or attempting to establish a new SSH connection is often used for displaying important information to the user or for legal reasons.

    • Customize the message of the day (MOTD)

    • Use the SSH banners

    • Create dynamic MOTD’s

  • Configuring the Kernel Modules5:42

    Linux kernel modules are what in other operating systems is called device driver files (or filesystem drivers) that add support for a specific piece of hardware so that we can access and use them

    • Take a look at all currently enabled Kernel Modules in your system

    • Enable or disable Kernel Modules temporarily

    • Enable or disable the Kernel Modules persistently surviving the server reboot

  • Using YUM to Update the System5:16

    The aim of this video is show you how to update your system using the YUM software suite

    • Learn to check for updates

    • Perform a system update

    • Automate the system updates

  • Using YUM to Search for Packages3:07

    The aim of this video is to learn the various ways to effectively query repositories to quickly find the right information we are looking for.

    • Print all available and installed software packages

    • Effectively search for software packages

    • Search for files included in software packages

  • Using YUM to Install and Remove Software Packages3:08

    The aim of this video is to learn to install new software packages on CentOS using YUM.

    • Install new software packages

    • Use YUM’s -y flag to automate installation

    • Remove the software installed by yum

  • Keeping YUM Clean and Tidy2:03

    The aim of this video is to show you how to clean the cache and restore YUM to its original working state.

    • Clean file cache and XML-based metadata

    • Rebuild the cache

    • Get to know how to skip broken packages

  • Knowing Your Priorities2:13

    The aim of this videos is to learn to prepare YUM to manage additional repositories by installing a plugin known as YUM priorities ensuring that any particular package will always be installed or updated from the same repository.

    • Get started installing YUM priorities

    • Enable and disable YUM priorities

    • Configure the base CentOS repositories

  • Using a Third-party Repository3:46

    With this video, learn how server administrators choose to install Third-party repositories.

    • Learn to install and enable both the EPEL and REMI repositories

    • Set up yum priorities

    • Test that all base files come from the official CentOS repos and nowhere

  • Creating a YUM Repository6:32

    With this video run your own YUM Repository so as to save bandwidth and speed up the network.

    • Setup your own private repository in your network

    • Automate mirroring updating packages using another remote repository

    • Test your repository server on a different server

  • Working with the RPM Package Manager4:13

    The aim of this video is to learn how we can use original RPM tool to provide useful querying options that are not available in YUM

    • Install and remove local RPM software packages

    • Demonstrate RPM’s querying options

    • Explore the Limitations on using RPM

  • Knowing and Managing Your Background Services7:27

    The aim of this video is to learn to use systemctl utility to take full control of your system's services.

    • Query your system for service related information

    • Learn how to start, stop, enable and disable services

    • Differentiate between Restarting and Reloading a Service

  • Troubleshooting Background Services4:18

    With this video learn to Troubleshoot the server if something breaks or fails.

    • Use systemctl, journald and rsyslog to spot errors

    • Use journald’s rich quering features

    • Use journald to continuously print new entries as they are appended to the journal.

  • Configure Journald to Make It Persistent2:02

    The aim of this video is to learn how to configure journald so as the information stays static

    • Create a new directory

    • Set it as default journal storage location

    • Restart the server to see if the journal is persistent

  • Scheduling Tasks with Cron4:16

    The aim of this video is to learn how Cron enables CentOS users to execute commands or scripts automatically at a specified time and date.

    • Go through the general structure of a Cron job

    • Create user-specific Cron jobs using the Crontab file

    • Create system-wide Cron-jobs by dropping scripts in /etc/cron.* directories

  • Synchronizing Files Using Rsync4:40

    Here we’ll take a look at how rsync can be used to synchronize files and directories across a variety of local and remote locations.

    • Learn to use rsync for easy file synchronization

    • Exclude files using rsync

    • Go through Other important rsync options

  • Example Script for Maintaining Backups2:33

    Here we will see how to take snapshots of some of your system's directories using the crond daemon.

    • Create the backup script template

    • Customize it to fit your needs

    • Run it as a Cron job script to send out notification emails

  • Example Script for Monitoring Disk Usage1:45

    With this video, get to monitor your disk usage using a small script which monitors the system’s free hard disk space

    • Create the monitoring script template

    • Customize it to fit your needs

    • Run it as a Cron job script to send out notification emails

  • Taking Control with GIT7:50

    The aim of this video is to learn how version control systems can be used for the management of changes to documents using GIT

    • Explore more about repository, commit and revision

    • Learn to use a modern version control system such as GIT

    • Use GIT to fully version control your /etc/ configuration directory

  • Creating a Virtual Block Device3:53

    The aim of this video is to learn how to create a virtual block device. It is ideal to learn fundamental filesystem skills before switching to "production mode". Later, you can easily replace it with real hardware devices

    • Create empty image files using the dd command

    • Create a loop device out of your image files

    • Create a new partition table and device maps on your new loop device

  • Formatting and Mounting a Filesystem5:49

    Filesystems form one of the most fundamental parts of any operating system and nearly everything depends on them. Here, learn how to create filesystems, and how to link them to your system for reading and writing. These two techniques are called formatting and mounting filesystems

    • Create new partitions on your device

    • Create different types of standard filesystems available in CentOS 7: XFS, ext4, BTRFS on your new partitions

    • Mount your new filesystems

  • Maintain a Filesystem5:49

    Filesystem inconsistencies are rare events and filesystem checks normally are running automatically at boot time. Linux system administrators should know how to run such tests manually, if they believe there is a problem with the filesystem.

    • Use xfs_repair to check and repair any XFS filesystem

    • Use fsck for all other filesystems

    • Unmount the disk before trying to repair

  • Using Disk Quotas12:31

    When administering a Linux multiuser system with many system users, it is wise to set some kind of restrictions or limits to the resources shared by the system. On the standard XFS filesystem, you can either restrict the available hard disk space or the total file number to a fixed size at a user, group, or directory level.

    • Activate quotas on your root and home partition

    • Set inode and block quotas on user, group, and directory level

    • Test your new quotas set before

  • Extending the Capacity of the Filesystem12:20

    CentOS 7 uses the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) to organize the structure and available capacity of your partitions. It is a very dynamic and flexible system that can be extended or rearranged over time, and which is essential in today's most demanding and ever-changing environments.

    • Create physical volumes (pv), a volume group (vg), and logical volumes (lv)

    • Rearrange and resize your lv’s

    • Extend your vg adding new pv’s and resize your lv’s

  • Beginning CentOS 7 Administration

Requirements

  • It is preferable to have basic knowledge of CentOS, however it is not mandatory.

Description

CentOS 7 is the brand new version of the CentOS Linux system. It is one of the most widely-used operating systems, being the choice of many organizations across the globe. It’s consistent, manageable platform suits a variety of deployments. Being a predictable base to build upon, it covers extensive resources to build, test, release and maintain their code. 

This learning paths follows a practical approach and incremental approach that provides in-depth and comprehensive information on CentOS 7 and its new features. Practical, real-world examples will help you install CentOS 7. You’ll see how to set up a Virtual box lab, change Mac addresses, and use internal networking, then dive into managing the system and managing Packages with YUM. A complete hands-on how to monitor servers/infrastructure and master the art of virtualization, cloud computing techniques, configuration management, software-based storage (RAID), and a few security tweaks. 

By end of this learning path, get acquainted with the troubleshooting techniques in rescue mode & perform various tasks with the YUM command. Securing & monitoring CentOS 7 Linux server & remote server with Zabbix. 

Contents and Overview

This training program includes 2 complete courses, carefully chosen to give you the most comprehensive training possible.

The first course, Beginning CentOS 7 Administration starts with setting up a complete training laboratory using virtualization and see the possibilities with CentOS 7. You’ll start by learning how to install CentOS 7, see the benefits of it, download and confirm checksum on Windows or OS X, run a net installation over HTTP, and troubleshoot the system. Then you’ll learn how to set up a full-blown Virtual box Training lab. You’ll learn to install and adjust machines to make them communicate and see how to reset the machine. Next, you’ll configure the system learning static network connection. Moving on, we’ll walk through managing the system and managing packages with Yum. You’ll then troubleshoot, configure, synchronize, and install packages and create repositories and packages. Finally, you’ll deep dive into administering the file system, where you’ll learn to create a virtual block, format, maintain, and extend the capacity of the file system.

The second course, Mastering CentOS 7 Linux Server start by exploring the administration tools of CentOS 7 Linux server and implementing some of the most common Linux services. You'll get your hands on CentOS 7's built-in security tool. Next, you will be introduced to the most commonly used services and shown in detail how to implement and deploy a secure and production-grade environment for your organization following the open-source DevOps model. Then, you will start to monitor your infrastructure/server using open-source tools. You will then move on to master virtualization and cloud computing techniques by deploying and configuring IAAS (Infrastructure as a Service). After that, you will work on open-source tools for the configuration and management of multiple nodes. Additionally, you will learn about RAID software-based storage and its advanced configurations. By the end of this course, you will have learned to monitor servers/infrastructure and master the art of virtualization, cloud computing techniques, configuration management, software-based storage (RAID), and some security tweaks. 

About the Authors

  • Oliver Pelz has more than 10 years' experience as a software developer and system administrator. He graduated with a diploma degree in bioinformatics and is currently working at the German Cancer Research center in Heidelberg, where he has authored and co-authored several scientific publications in the field of Bioinformatics. As well as developing web applications and biological databases for his department and scientists all over the world, he administers a division-wide Linux-based datacenter and has set up two high-performance CentOS clusters for the analysis of high-throughput microscope and genome sequencing data. He loves writing code and riding his mountain bike in the Black Forest of Germany and has been an absolute Linux and open source enthusiast for many years. He has contributed to several open-source projects in the past and also worked as a reviewer on the CentOS High Performance book, Packt Publishing.


  • Muhammad Atif Ramzan works as a technical lead for a well-known Telecom operator, Telenor, as a Network Virtualization Engineer. He has a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunication, after obtaining which he switched to the technical aspects of IT and telecommunications to get a feel for the industry. Atif enjoys hanging out with friends; music is something he is very fond of.

Who this course is for:

  • IT professionals working in enterprise environments and mission-critical systems, linux system administrator at an intermediate administration level, this is your opportunity to master various distribution of CentOS.

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