EAST AFRICA COLLEGE

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Course Title: Network and System Administration

Credit Hour: 3hr

Chapter1: Introduction to Network and System Administration

Girma A.
August 10, 2023
Learning Objectives: At the end of the topic,
the students will be able to:
Learn the foundation of network and system
administration
Know the scope, duties and responsibilities of network
and system administrator
Know the network operation system that support
system administration
Distinguish the support of each network operating
system
???????
What is computer network?
What is internet?
Why we administrate network?
 1. Overview
Network and system administration is a branch of
engineering that concerns the operational management of
human–computer system.
It is unusual as an engineering discipline in that it addresses
both the technology of computer systems and the users of
the technology on an equal basis.
The terms network administration and system
administration exist separately and are used both
variously and inconsistently by industry and by
academics.
2. System Administration
System administration is the term used traditionally by
mainframe and Linux engineers to describe the
management of computers whether they are coupled by
a network or not.
Today, System Administration is the design,
installation, configuration, operation, and support of
these servers to support the operation need of
information technology infrastructure of an organization.
System Administrator
Generally it is planning, installing, and maintaining
computer systems involving servers and clients that
works together in a network environment using
operation system like Windows 2012 Server or Linux
platform.
A system administrator, or sysadmin, is a person who
is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and
reliable operation of computer systems; especially
multi- user computers, such as servers.
 Duties of a system administrator
1. User administration (setup and maintaining account)
2. Maintaining system
3. Verify that peripherals are working properly
4. Quickly arrange repair for hardware in occasion of hardware failure
5. Monitor system performance
6.
7.-
Create file systems
8. Install software
9. Create a backup and recover policy
10. Monitor network communication
11. Update system as soon as new version of OS and application software comes out
12. Implement the policies for the use of the computer system and network
13. Setup security policies for users. A sysadmin must have a strong grasp of computer
security (e.g. firewalls and intrusion detection systems)
 Duties of a system administrator
(continue)
1. Install patches
2. Review system logs
3. Report malicious or suspicious activity on systems to ISO immediately
4. Report sensitive information stored on systems to ISO
5. Maintain user access administration
6. Disaster recovery planning
7. Physical security
8. Disable unnecessary services on servers
9. Generate/Retain system backups
10. Identify secondary system administrator(s)
11. Comply with password requirements
12. Access control
13. Environmental protection (i.e., protection from possible exposure to water damage, excessive heat, etc.)
14. Security training will be required every three (3) years
3. Network Administration
Network administration means the management of
network infrastructure devices (routers and switches).
A network administrator is an individual that is
responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware
and software systems that make up a computer
network including the maintenance and monitoring of
active data network or converged infrastructure and
related network equipment
3. Network Administration
The actual role of the network administrator will vary
from place to place, but will commonly include activities
and tasks such as network address assignment,
management and implementation of routing protocols
such as ISIS, OSPF, BGP, routing table configurations
and certain implementations of authentication (e.g.:
challenge response, etc.).
It can also include maintenance of certain network
servers: file servers,VPN gateways, intrusion detection
systems, security, etc.
4. Ethical issues in SA/NA

Because computer systems are human–computer

communities, there are ethical considerations involved
in their administration.
Even if certain decisions can be made objectively, e.g.
for maximizing productivity or minimizing cost, one
must have a policy for the use and management of
computers and their users.
[Link] is a Network Operating System?

Network operating system refers to software that

implements an operating system of some kind that is
oriented to computer networking. For example, one that
runs on a server and enables the server to manage data,
users, groups, security, applications, and other
networking functions.
The network operating system is designed to allow
shared file and printer access among multiple computers
in a network, typically a local area network (LAN), a
private network or to other networks
Windows Server
Windows Server is a brand name for a group of server
operating systems released by Microsoft. It includes all
Windows operating systems branded "Windows Server", but
not any other Microsoft [Link] first Windows server
edition to be released under that brand was Windows Server
2003. However, the first server edition of Windows was
Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server, followed by Windows
NT 3.5 Server,Windows NT 4.0 Server, and Windows 2000
Server; the latter was the first server edition to include Active
Directory, DNS Server, DHCP Server, Group Policy, as well
as many other popular features used today.
Windows Server
Windows Server 2012 R2 is the sixth version of Windows
Server family of operating systems. It was released on
October 18, 2013. According to Windows Server 2012 R2
datasheet published on May 31, 2013, there are four
editions of this operating system:
Foundation, Essentials, Standard and Datacenter. Unlike
its predecessor, Windows Server 2012 can switch between
"Server Core" and "Server with a GUI" installation options
without a full reinstallation. Server Core - an option with a
command-line interface only - is now the recommended
configuration.
Solaris
Solaris is a Unix operating system originally
developed by Sun Microsystems.
It superseded their earlier SunOS in 1993.
Oracle Solaris, so named as of 2010, has been owned
by Oracle Corporation since the Sun acquisition by
Oracle in January 2010
Linux Server
A Linux server is a high-powered variant of the Linux
open source operating system that's designed to handle
the more demanding needs of business applications
such as network and system administration, database
management and Web services.
Linux servers are frequently selected over other server
operating systems for their stability, security and
flexibility advantages.
Leading Linux server operating systems include
CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu Server, Slackware and
Gentoo.
MAC OS x Server
MacOS Server, formerly Mac OS X Server and OS X
Server, is a separately sold operating system add-on
which provides additional server programs and
management and administration tools for macOS.
Prior to version 10.7 (Lion), OS X Server was a separate
but similarUnix[3] server operating system from Apple
Inc. architecturally identical to its desktop counterpart
OS [Link] the release of version 10.7 (Lion), Mac OS X
and Mac OS X Server were combined into one release
and re-branded as OS X.
Unix-like Systems Vs Windows Systems
Unix is a powerful multi-user, multitasking OS created
by AT&T Bell Laboratories.
Its most valued properties such as flexibility,
portability, network capabilities, etc.
It is a stable, multi-user, multitasking system for
servers, PCs, and laptops.
UNIX operating system comes with a Command
Line Interface (CLI).
 Cont…
There are various main differences between the UNIX and Windows
operating systems.
Unix Windows
 It comes with a Command Line  It comes with a Graphical User Interface
Interface (CLI). (GUI)
 Multiprocessing is possible in the UNIX  Multiprocessing is not possible
OS  It’s a licensed OS
 It is a free and open-source OS  It uses the New Technology File System
 It utilizes the ERR and [Link] file (NTFS) and File Allocation Table
systems (FAT32) systems to handle files.
 Users may save two files with the same  Users may not save two files with the
name same name
 Linux Distributions and UIs
Linux distributions, often referred to as "distros," are
variations of the Linux operating system that include a
specific combination of software, utilities, libraries, and
graphical user interfaces (UIs).
These distributions are developed by different
organizations or communities and cater to various user
needs, preferences, and purposes.
Additionally, Linux distributions offer a range of user
interfaces, allowing users to interact with the system
using different graphical environments.
 Linux Distributions and UIs
Linux Distributions:
Ubuntu: One of the most popular Linux distributions,
known for its user-friendliness and strong community
support. It offers both a standard version and a long-
term support (LTS) version for stability.
Fedora: A cutting-edge distribution that focuses on
using the latest technologies. It's often chosen by users
who want to stay updated with the latest software
developments.
Cont…
Debian: Known for its stability and wide package
availability. Debian serves as the foundation for many
other distributions, including Ubuntu.
CentOS: A distribution based on the open-source
components of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It's
favored by server administrators for its stability and
support.
Arch Linux: A minimalist and customizable
distribution that appeals to users who want to build
their system from the ground up.
 Cont…
Graphical User Interfaces (UIs):
GNOME
KDE Plasma
Xfce
Cinnamon
LXQt
Pantheon
Linux Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS)
 A file system is a method for storing and organizing data on a computer
 Filesystem hierarchy standard describes directory structure and its content
in Unix and Unix like operating system.
 It explains where files and directories should be located and what it should
contain.
 In Unix like operating system everything is considered as a file.
 Only Linux distributions follow the FHS and that too partially. Because
every distro have their own policy due to which you may notice some
differences in the directory tree structure of different distros.
Cont…
 Every flavour of Linux follows Filesystem Hierarchy
Standard (FHS) structure.
 When we install Linux, it comes up with multiple directories
and everything which runs or exists on Linux machine whether
it is a process or a configuration files resides under
those directories.
 Linux File System hierarchy or we can call Linux directory
structures use a Single rooted and inverted tree-like directory
structure.
cont
The Root Directory
All the directories in the Linux system comes under the
root directory which is represented by a forward slash
(/).
Everything in your system can be found under this root
directory even if they are stored in different virtual or
physical devices.
 Linux Directories
Directory type Types of files stored
Binary directories Contains binary or compiled source code files,
eg, /bin, /sbin, etc.
Configuration directories Contains configuration files of the system,
eg, /etc, /boot.
Data directories Stores data files, eg, /home, /root, etc.
Memory directories Stores device files which doesn't take up
actual hard disk space, eg, /dev, /proc, /sys.
Usr (Unix System Resources) Contains sharable, read only data, eg, /usr/bin,
/usr/lib, etc.
var (variable directory) Contains larger size data, eg, /var/log,
/var/cache, etc.
Non-standard directories Directories which do not come under standard
FHS, eg, lost+found, /run, etc.
Basic Shell Commands in Linux
A shell is a special user program that provides an
interface to the user to use operating system services.
Shell accepts human-readable commands from the user
and converts them into something which the kernel can
understand. Kernel is the core interface between a
computer’s hardware and its processes.
It is a command language interpreter that executes
commands read from input devices such as keyboards
or from files.
The shell gets started when the user logs in or starts the
terminal.
cont,…
1). Displaying the file contents on the terminal:
•cat: It is generally used to concatenate the files. It gives the output on the
standard output.
•more: It is a filter for paging through text one screenful at a time.
•less: It is used to viewing the files instead of opening the file. Similar
to more command but it allows backward as well as forward movement.
•head : Used to print the first N lines of a file. It accepts N as input and the
default value of N is 10.
•tail : Used to print the last N-1 lines of a file. It accepts N as input and the
default value of N is 10.
Cont…
Cont..
2). File and Directory Manipulation Commands:
•mkdir : Used to create a directory if not already exist. It accepts
the directory name as an input parameter.
•cp : This command will copy the files and directories from the
source path to the destination path. It can copy a file/directory with
the new name to the destination path. It accepts the source
file/directory and destination file/directory.
•mv : Used to move the files or directories. This command’s
working is almost similar to cp command but it deletes a copy of
the file or directory from the source path.
Cont…
5). File Permissions
Commands: The chmod and chown commands are used
to control access to files in UNIX and Linux systems.
•chown : Used to change the owner of the file.
•chgrp : Used to change the group owner of the file.
•chmod : Used to modify the access/permission of a user.