ok, im really interested in learning linux so i can get an un-managed server from some place and use it for hosting someday. i saw this ad in the newspaper that teaches you to administrate 'linux' in 6 months or so. I was wondering if this course is all u need to learn how to manage and administrate a linux dedicated server yourself. i don't know how, but i lost that advertisement :( . i also plan to install a copy of linux on my own pc to get the hang of it.

i would like to know if going through that course and getting familiar with linux os(in my pc) is all it takes to manage, upgrade and maintain a whole server. Or is there has to be a specific type of linux administration course for web hosting?

thank you.

In my opinion, a 6 month course is long and expensive.

Buy a book, there are many good books. I recommend "Redhat linux bible" - good book for newbies - I know a few people who've used it.

The ULTIMATE method of learning, is teaching yourself :) Get a spare box and install linux on it. Unless you have VMWARE (which i HIGHLY recommend) don't install it on your main machine if you expect to experminent because you will probalby be scared you will mess up your other os.

Try commands, delete files, move files, edit files, do everything, dont be afraid to screw up, if you do just reload the box and learn what went wrong.

The best way you will learn fully is to learn alot yourself.

1. Scrounge an old computer, you don't need much and can probably find something free

2. If you don't have a network at home, get a reversing network cable, no need for a hub with just two machine

3. Plan on having a second machine, a Windows box, as some things you will want to experiment with are rather hard to do with one machine and your clients will be Windows creatures more likely than not

4. Have cable or DSL? Put two NIC cards in the machine and scrounge the net for howto 's on setting up your linux machine as a gateway / firewall. You'll learn a lot in the process

Maybe buy a book, but more than anything, play, play play.

When you think you are getting more knowledgable and ready to admin a box, nuke your boxes and start all over. It will be a good test of a) your knowledge level and b) whether you thought to document anything you did along the way. A big part of admin is documenting what works, what to avoid, etc.

;)

oh gee thanks, i'll probably now get my hands on some old computer and install a copy of linux in it and buy a book.

btw, i use microsoft windos xp in my pc right now, can i install linux in one seperate partition? is linux working properly with xp?

Intall Linux on a win boxz?

This is how I normaly do it.

Create a partition starting just in front of the 1024 cyl boundary, format it and make active (primary type), boot then install windows.

Install Linux with using the spare primary make an extended for the rest of the Linux os filling up the space before and behind the win partition. Then you can boot both operating systems as they are both within the boundary. The Linux system will write over the mbr of the windows systems mbr therefor put it on second. Booting to windows from lilo or grub is simply a matter of a few adjustments to the boot config (lilo or whatever), oh yeah, if you get asked if you want to make a floppy for emergency, do it!

Having a copy of Partition Magic nearby can be very handy as it can help sort the odd screwup quite quickly.

good luck!
:)

good luck
:)

thanks, i'll need it

Originally posted by NumLock
oh gee thanks, i'll probably now get my hands on some old computer and install a copy of linux in it and buy a book.

btw, i use microsoft windos xp in my pc right now, can i install linux in one seperate partition? is linux working properly with xp?

While you can make a machine multi-boot, since you will want two machines to test with since you can't run XP and Linux simultaneously on that multiboot machine.

Some old PII-266Mhz doorstop cluttering up someone's closet will make a fine host for experimentation. You don't even need a monitor for it - once you get the machine up and running, you may never plug a monitor in it again. Or, get a video cable switch box.