Linux Server Administration
- Linux Server Administration
This article provides a foundational overview of Linux server administration, geared towards newcomers to server management within our wiki environment. It covers essential aspects of initial setup, security, and basic maintenance. This knowledge is crucial for those contributing to the infrastructure supporting our MediaWiki installation.
Initial Server Setup
Choosing the right Linux distribution is the first step. Popular choices include Ubuntu Server, Debian, CentOS, and Rocky Linux. The distribution determines the package manager and overall system philosophy. Once the distribution is selected, you'll need to perform a base installation, typically via a minimal image to reduce the attack surface.
After installation, initial configuration involves setting the hostname, timezone, and network settings. Static IP addresses are strongly recommended for servers. Ensure the server's hostname is resolvable via DNS. It's also vital to update the system packages immediately after installation.
Required System Resources
The following table outlines minimum recommended specifications for a MediaWiki server. These values will vary based on the size and traffic of the wiki.
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Cores | 4 GB | 100 GB SSD | 1 Gbps |
User and Security Management
Strong security practices are paramount. The `root` account should be disabled for direct login. Instead, create a dedicated administrative user with `sudo` privileges. Utilize strong, unique passwords for all user accounts.
User Management Commands
The following table lists essential user management commands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| `useradd <username>` | Creates a new user account. |
| `passwd <username>` | Sets or changes a user's password. |
| `usermod -aG <groupname> <username>` | Adds a user to a group. |
| `userdel <username>` | Deletes a user account. |
Implement SSH key-based authentication to eliminate password-based logins. Configure a firewall (e.g., `ufw` or `firewalld`) to restrict access to necessary ports only (typically 80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS, and 22 for SSH, though changing the SSH port is a good security practice). Regularly review system logs using tools like `journalctl` for suspicious activity. Consider using a intrusion detection system (IDS) like Fail2ban to automatically block malicious IPs.
Basic Server Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for server stability and performance. This includes keeping software packages up-to-date, monitoring resource usage, and performing backups.
Update Management
The following table outlines how to update packages on common distributions:
| Distribution | Update Command |
|---|---|
| Ubuntu/Debian | `apt update && apt upgrade` |
| CentOS/Rocky Linux | `yum update` or `dnf update` |
| Arch Linux | `pacman -Syu` |
Implement automated backups using tools like `rsync` or dedicated backup solutions. Regularly check disk space usage with `df -h` and monitor CPU and memory usage with tools like `top` or `htop`. Utilize log rotation to prevent log files from consuming excessive disk space. Periodically review system logs for errors and warnings. Consider setting up system monitoring with tools like Nagios or Zabbix.
Networking Configuration
Proper network configuration is vital for accessibility. Ensure DNS records are correctly configured to point to the server's IP address. Configure a firewall to allow only necessary traffic. Consider using a reverse proxy like Nginx or Apache to improve performance and security. Understanding TCP/IP fundamentals is essential.
Further Resources
- MediaWiki Installation Guide
- Database Server Configuration
- Web Server Configuration
- SSH Hardening
- Firewall Configuration
- System Monitoring Tools
- Backup Strategies
Intel-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
| Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
| Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
| Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
| Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
| Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️