Labs
Notation/macros:
$ command- Command (or generalized form), which should be executed with the rights of a normal user (e.g
user) # command- Command (or generalized form), which should be executed with the rights of the superuser (
root). To acquire the superuser permissions, use the following command (the "-" is important!):
$ su -
- %d
- "Fake" TLD (top level domain) for our lab sessions. Corresponding to the group: ".one", ".two", ".three", ".four", ".five", ".six", ".seven"
- %n
- The position number in the course list.
For example: position=7, %n=7; position=101, %n=101 - %X
- Last byte of the system's IP-address. In our case, it's your position in the course list + 16. For example: position=5, %X=21
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work on labs at home?
Yes, but you need to complete at least one (first) lab instructions on the class machine. It is possible only during the lab session for your group.
How should I submit my work and where are my grades?
You don't need to submit anything. Each time you start you virtual machine in network 10.10.10.0 it will be tested (continuously, automatically). The results of the tests or in other words Your Progress can be found on course test server (available only with p12).
Be sure you imported p12 certificate file (lab2 beginning) into your browser.
What to do if I run my machine, but tests are not updated for more than 30 min? First of all make sure your machine is online by pinging it using your machine static IP. If ping is successful and tests still do not update, please contact lab assistant.
Why can't I access/load the test server?
To access the test server you need to make and integrate a p12 file (details are in the beginning of the lab2) into your browser.
Should I upload my current.vdi back to the FTP after working at home?
We would recommend to avoid that. After the setup on home machine is completed you actually don't need to upload the current.vdi back. We will evaluate your work with our Test Server, and it will test your machine each time (hopefully once in around 5-10 minutes) you will run it in the VPN. It does not matter how you run it (from home machine or from class), you can just come to the class session with your laptop and avoid the upload/download of current.vdi file. But in this case, remember to make backups of the current.vdi on your local machine (for your own safety). However, if you do not have a laptop or because of some other reasons want to work using class machine, then you will need to upload the current.vdi back to the FTP.
Home Machine Configuration Manuals
Lab Schedule:
To monitor your progress:
Testing system web interface (personal results require p12, see FAQ above)
Feb 11 - Feb 17 - Lab 1
- Introduction & Setting up the environment (VirtualBox, Network, introduction to Bash)
Feb 18 - Feb 24 - Lab 2
- Logical Volume Management, Linux Logical Volume Manager
Feb 25 - Mar 03 - Lab 3
- DNS and BIND basics, DNS client settings
Feb 04 - Mar 10 - Lab4
- Catch-up, no new material.
Mar 11 - Mar 17 - Lab 5
- Mail: MX record, Postfix, Dovecot, Spamassassin
Mar 18 - Mar 24 - Lab 6
- CNAME, Apache, MySQL, Web mail, phpmyadmin
Mar 25 - Mar 31 - Lab 7
- Apache status module and limited access, Apache SSL, SNI
Apr 01 - Apr 07 - Lab 8
- Catch-up, no new material.
Apr 08 - Apr 14 - Lab 9
- NFS server and client, Samba, Samba SWAT, Quota
Apr 15 - Apr 21 - Lab 10
- Media Server: MediaTomb, CMS: WordPress
Apr 22 - Apr 28 - Lab 11
- Version Control (SVN)
Apr 29 - May 05 - Lab 13 - Catch-Up
- Time to fix your problems
May 06 - May 12 - Lab 14 - Catch-Up
- Time to fix your problems
- DEADLINE at this week end (Sunday evening 23:59 your results on the test server will be locked and test server will be shut down). At this point all the tests on the test server should have "OK" to pass the practical part of the course and to be allowed for the exam.
May 13 - May 19 - Exam time 1
May 20 - May 26 - Exam time 2
May 27 - Jun 02 - Resit
Useful Links:
To fine tune your Linux CLI skills:
Good material on SSL/TLS Certificates: