Linux Server Administration and Security

Learn how to setup Linux servers using only console, on any Linux distributions. Install SSH, Apache, MySQL, PHP, DNS and Mail servers.

Discover how to setup Virtual Hosts in Apache and how to use SSH tunnels to bypass firewall restrictions.

Learn how to secure your website by optimising, analysing and hardening Apache, SSH, DNS and Mail servers, and how to use single and double Firewall architectures with DMZ zones.

Learn how to configure a Linux machine as a dedicated router. Implement QoS for network traffic management and NAT with port forwarding.

This course focuses on the administration of Linux Servers, presenting a range of optimisation and security concerns that are essential to address.

You must have a personal laptop to enrol on this course.

Who is it for?

Linux Server Administration and Security is an advanced course ideal if you have a basic knowledge of Linux systems. The issues discussed are essential for everyone working with Linux servers.

Timetable

The course is taught over 10 weeks in the evenings, allowing you to continue with full-time employment.

City Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

• Delivered by an industry professional
• Taught in small groups
• Awarded a City, University of London certificate

Linux Server optimisation will focus on how to make optimal use of the server’s limited resources. Linux Server network security will focus on ways to secure your Linux server to avoid hacking.

On the Linux Server Administration and Security short course, you will learn to

• choose a virtual/dedicated server.
• pick the appropriate Linux distribution.
• set up the domain name for your company.
• install and optimise Apache Server and Apache Server modules.
• support multiple domains and websites from the same server.
• add CGI, fast_cgi support for PHP, Perl and Python, script security and PHP-FPM.
• install, configure and optimise MySQL server.
• install, configure and optimise Postgres server.
• install Joomla and WordPress.
• install NGINX.
• install SSH server
• secure SSH server against brute force attacks.
• use SSH tunnels to bypass firewall restrictions (white hat).
• use iptables to set up a Firewall and enhance security through traffic filtering.
• set up a Linux server as a Router and a Gateway,
• set up packet forwarding on a Linux server.
• set up NAT on a Linux server.
• review network architectures to support a Linux server
• configure a single firewall and a double firewall.
• install Bind as a DNS server.
• implement antihacking, anti-abuse measures on your DNS server.
• install a Mail Server on your Linux server: installing Citadel on your Linux server; installing Apache Spam; assassin for email spam filtering; ensuring your mail server is not categorised as a spam node
• allocate bandwidth to specific internet traffic for your server room or corporate LAN using QoS and Traffic Conditioning in Linux.

You will be awarded an official City, University of London certificate if you attend over 70 per cent of the classes. The course is not formally accredited.

Assessment

There is no formal assessment as part of this short course.

This advanced course is designed for those who have completed the Linux Network and System Administration short course at City or already have a basic knowledge of Linux systems.

You don’t need to be a “network expert” to follow the course, but a basic understanding of how the internet works will certainly come in handy.

English requirements

Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.