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Mastering Ubuntu Server
Mastering Ubuntu Server

Mastering Ubuntu Server: Gain expertise in the art of deploying, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Ubuntu Server , Third Edition

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Mastering Ubuntu Server

Managing Users and Permissions

In the previous chapter, we set up our very own Ubuntu Server installation, and we can now learn how to maintain it, starting with a look at managing who is able to use our server.

As an administrator of Ubuntu servers, users can be your greatest asset and also your biggest headache. During your career, you'll add countless new users, manage their passwords, remove their accounts when they leave the company, and grant or remove access to resources across the filesystem. Even on servers on which you're the only user, you'll still find yourself managing user accounts, since even system processes run as users. To be successful at managing Linux servers, you'll also need to know how to manage permissions, create password policies, and limit who can execute administrative commands on the machine. In this chapter, we'll work through these concepts so that you'll have a clear idea of how to manage users and their resources.

In particular, we will cover:

  • Understanding users and groups
  • Understanding when to use root
  • Creating and removing users
  • Understanding the /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files
  • Distributing default configuration files with /etc/skel
  • Switching users
  • Managing groups
  • Managing passwords and password policies
  • Configuring administrator access with sudo
  • Setting permissions on files and directories

In the first section, we have a quick discussion of the nature of managing users.

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Key benefits

  • A hands-on book that will teach you how to deploy, maintain and troubleshoot Ubuntu Server
  • Learn to leverage the improved performance and security-related aspects of Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS
  • New chapters dedicated to exploring Ubuntu for cloud

Description

Ubuntu Server has taken data centers around the world by storm. Whether you're deploying Ubuntu for a large-scale project or for a small office, it is a stable, customizable, and powerful Linux distribution with innovative and cutting-edge features. For both simple and complex server deployments, Ubuntu's flexible nature can be easily adapted to meet to the needs of your organization. This third edition is updated to cover the advancements of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and further train you to understand how to use Ubuntu Server, from initial deployment to creating production-ready resources for your network. The book begins with the concepts of user management, group management, and file system permissions. Continuing into managing storage volumes, you will learn how to format storage devices, utilize logical volume management, and monitor disk usage. Later, you will learn how to virtualize hosts and applications, which will include setting up QEMU & KVM, as well as containerization with both Docker and LXD. As the book continues, you will learn how to automate configuration with Ansible, as well as take a look at writing scripts. Lastly, you will explore best practices and troubleshooting techniques when working with Ubuntu Server that are applicable to real-world scenarios. By the end of this Ubuntu Server book, you will be well-versed in Ubuntu server’s advanced concepts and attain the required proficiency needed for Ubuntu Server administration.

Who is this book for?

The book is written to cater to sysadmins and DevOps professionals whose teams are planning to employ an Ubuntu/Linux environment for their development needs. Prior knowledge of Ubuntu is not required. However, it is assumed that you possess some IT admin, Linux, and shell scripting experience.

What you will learn

  • Manage users, groups, and permissions
  • Optimize the performance of system resources
  • Perform disk encryption and decryption with Linux Unified Key Setup (LUKS)
  • Set up Secure Shell (SSH) for remote access, and connect it to other nodes
  • Share directories using Samba and Network File System (NFS)
  • Get familiar with scripting to improve command-line efficiency
  • Configure VMs, containers, and orchestrate with MicroK8s and Kubernetes
  • Automate server deployments with Ansible and cloud server deployments with Terraform

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Dec 29, 2020
Length: 702 pages
Edition : 3rd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781800564640

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Product Details

Publication date : Dec 29, 2020
Length: 702 pages
Edition : 3rd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781800564640

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Frequently bought together


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Total $ 187.97
Mastering Ubuntu Server
$83.99
Mastering Linux Security and Hardening
$59.99
Mastering Linux Administration
$43.99
Total $ 187.97 Stars icon

Table of Contents

25 Chapters
Deploying Ubuntu Server Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Users and Permissions Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Software Packages Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Navigating and Essential Commands Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Files and Directories Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Boosting Your Command-line Efficiency Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Controlling and Managing Processes Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Monitoring System Resources Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Storage Volumes Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Connecting to Networks Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Setting Up Network Services Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Sharing and Transferring Files Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Databases Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Serving Web Content Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Automating Server Configuration with Ansible Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Virtualization Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Running Containers Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Container Orchestration Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Deploying Ubuntu in the Cloud Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Automating Cloud Deployments with Terraform Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Securing Your Server Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Troubleshooting Ubuntu Servers Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Preventing Disasters Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Another Book You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Top Reviews
Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.9
(31 Ratings)
5 star 93.5%
4 star 3.2%
3 star 0%
2 star 3.2%
1 star 0%
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gillius Feb 16, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
It is surprising that a single book can cover everything from someone who has barely heard of Linux to managing complicated production deployment scenarios, and this book does it. It is also easy to read and follow. It even covers basics of how to use a shell and install packages, all the way up to AWS and kubernetes deployments. Maybe if you are truly new to Linux you should get a book about using SSH, shells, etc. first for more detail, but this book does even cover those parts, so you can try this first. For those who already have some Ubuntu experience, as I do, this book certainly does not disappoint. The first 8 or so chapters are somewhat generic for basic Ubuntu knowledge, but there's still 15 more chapters. I will use this book for those last 15, to learn new skills for using Ubuntu but also this is a great reference as the material is laid out very well.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Michael Urig Nov 21, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Very informative. Excellent book
Amazon Verified review Amazon
William Ziegenhagen Mar 31, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This is my go to resource for Ubuntu Server. When I need an answer on how to make adjustments or add features I find them here. The book is written in an easy to understand method with real examples and great explanations. Excellent Job!!!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Brian Jan 13, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I am well versed in Cisco Networking and Linux, but never attempted learning Ubuntu Servers until recently. Most of my read was understanding how to translate what I already know. The book's explanations really helped out with that. As I write this review, I am finishing up chapter 10 and feel that I am learning a great deal about Ubuntu Servers, I am nearing a comfort level to launch my next website from my own dedicated server. Having an ever expanding library of CIS books, I understand how painfully dry some of them can be. The author's structure is presented in such a way that will help you easily find reference material without having to shuffle through pages of rambling and bad jokes. But he offers enough detail to understand everything. This book is great for all levels of CIS. But I do recommend understanding the environment you plan to work in. This book offers help with physical, raspberrypi, and virtual servers.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Abdalle Feb 10, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I liked everything about the book
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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