RHCSA9 Exam Series: Operate Running Systems

RHCSA9 Exam Series: Operate running systems

Want to pass the RHCSA9 exam? This section of the RHCSA9 Exam Series: Operate Running Systems will review how to operate running systems–a key skill need to clear the RHCSA exam and we’ve got you covered with practical examples to help you prepare.

Table of Contents

Introduction

As a Linux professional, it is important to be familiar with the various techniques for operating running systems. This knowledge is essential for the RHCSA 9 exam, which focuses on testing the practical skills of professionals in the Linux field. In this article, we will explore the key topics covered in the “Operate running systems” section of the RHCSA 9 exam and provide practical examples for each.

Boot, reboot, and shut down a system normally

One of the basic skills you need to master as a Linux professional is starting and stopping your system. To do this, you can use commands like shutdown, reboot, or poweroff.

Reboot the system with the following command:

				
					$ sudo reboot
				
			

To shut down the system, run:

				
					$ sudo poweroff
				
			

Boot systems into different targets manually

In Linux, run levels are used to define the state of the system. You can use the systemctl command to switch between run levels manually. For example, to boot the system into rescue mode, run:

				
					$ sudo systemctl rescue
				
			

Initiate multi-user mode on the system with the following command:

				
					$ sudo systemctl multi-user.target
				
			

Interrupt the boot process in order to gain access to a system

Sometimes, you may encounter a problem while booting your system that prevents you from accessing it. In such cases, you can interrupt the boot process to gain access to the system.

To do this, reboot the system and wait for the bootloader screen to appear. Then, press the e key to edit the boot options. You can then make the necessary changes to the boot options and boot the system using the modified settings.

Note: Breaking into a machine and resetting its root password is a crucial skill that is tested on the RHCSA 9 exam. Without access to the machine, you cannot complete the other required tasks, making this skill essential for passing the exam. Practice this skill until it becomes second nature to increase your chances of success.

Identify CPU/memory intensive processes and kill processes

Sometimes, a process may consume excessive CPU or memory resources, causing the system to slow down. You can use the top command to identify the processes that are consuming the most resources. To kill a process, use the kill command.

For example, to kill the process with PID 1234, run:

				
					$ sudo kill 1234
				
			

Adjust process scheduling

In Linux, you can adjust the priority of a process to give it more or less CPU time. You can use the nice command to adjust the priority of a process.

In this example, we’ll give the process with PID 1234 a higher priority using the following command:

				
					$ sudo nice -n -5 1234
				
			

Manage tuning profiles

Tuning profiles can be used to optimize the performance of a system. You can use the tuned-adm command to manage tuning profiles.

For example, to list the available tuning profiles, run:

				
					$ sudo tuned-adm list
				
			

To activate the virtual-guest tuning profile, run:

				
					$ sudo tuned-adm profile virtual-guest
				
			

Locate and interpret system log files and journals

System log files and journals contain important information about the system’s operation. You can use the journalctl command to view system logs and journals.

For instance, to view the logs for the current boot, run:

				
					$ sudo journalctl -b
				
			

To view logs for a specific unit, run:

				
					$ sudo journalctl -u nginx.service
				
			

Preserve system journals

To preserve system journals, you can use the journalctl command to create a persistent journal. This ensures that the journal is not lost when the system is rebooted.

For example, to create a persistent journal, run:

				
					$ sudo mkdir /var/log/journal
				
			
				
					$ sudo systemd-tmpfiles --create --prefix /var/log/journal
				
			
				
					$ sudo systemctl restart systemd-journald.service
				
			

Start, stop, and check the status of network services

As a Linux professional, you need to be familiar with network services and how to manage them. You can use the systemctl command to start, stop, and check the status of network services.

Start the Apache web server, with this command:

				
					$ sudo systemctl start httpd.service
				
			

Stop the Apache web server with this command:

				
					$ sudo systemctl stop httpd.service
				
			

To check the status of the Apache web server, run:

				
					$ sudo systemctl status httpd.service
				
			

Securely transfer files between systems

In Linux, you can use the scp command to securely transfer files between systems. This command uses the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol to encrypt the data being transferred.

For example, to transfer a file named myfile.txt from the local system to a remote system with IP address 192.168.1.100, run:

				
					$ scp myfile.txt username@192.168.1.100:/home/username/
				
			

Conclusion

Operating running systems is an essential skill for Linux professionals, and it is a key focus of the RHCSA 9 exam. In this article, we have explored the key topics covered in this section and provided practical examples for each. By mastering these skills, you will be well-prepared for the RHCSA 9 exam and ready to tackle the challenges of operating Linux systems in the real world.

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