Chapter 1: What is a Virtual Private Server?Chapter Goal: Go over basic terminology of how the internet operates, how servers run, and how virtualization allows individuals to have their own server for a very small cost per month.* How does the magic happen?o How does a webpage appear on my screen? How does email route through the internet to someone else? How do domain names work?* What options does someone have if they want to get into this?o Who provides services (data centers, co-locations, virtual servers, cloud computing)o How much does it cost?o How much do I have to do?o How much time does it take?* Am I ready for this?o Do I have the necessary skills and time to learn skills I need?o Am I OK with being my own system administrator?o Who do I call if I need help? Or can I call someone?
Chapter 2: Selecting a VPS ProviderChapter Goal: Walk the reader through identifying and selecting a VPS provider.* How do I find a provider? o Low-end, High-end, Cloudo Trust and Reliability, what is an SLA?o Warning signs* Resources & Budgetingo What do I really need? o How much does it cost?o Extras that can cost money.* Setting up a New Accounto Security of your account.o Extras you may or may not need.o Terms of Serviceo Choosing your Linux distribution: CentOS or Debian (Throughout the book, commands for both CentOS 8 and Debian 10 will be provided).
Chapter 3: Basic Linux Administration via Command-LineChapter Goal: Providing the basic commands to administer your server, finding files, and adding and configuring software.* Logging into your servero Shell accesso SSHo SFTPo Setting up your user account* Basic commandso Linux Directory Structureo Ls, cp, mv, and the most dangerous: rmo Finding fileso Su / sudo and file permissions.o Disk usage, memory usage, and overall server health commands.o How do I edit files: Vim and Nano* How your System Starts up and Shuts Downo Services, what they are and how to enable/disableo The right and wrong way to shutdown, and why it's important.o Graphical user modes versus command-line.o Files that you might want to keep copies of.* How do I install software? o Package managers (apt / yum)o Compiling from Sourceo Updating / upgrading / removing softwareo Configuring software through configuration files.
Chapter 4: Basic Linux Administration via GUI (Webmin)Chapter Goal: To provide a basic overview of the Open Source project Webmin for configuration of your server though a graphical interface.* Deciding if a GUI is needed or not. Pros and Cons* Downloading and installing Webmin* Setting up Webmin security, including SSL and 2 Factor authentication.* Delegating tasks to others using Webmin Users.* Basic walkthrough of the modules that you'll need to access, with an eye on settings you don't want to change.* Webmin's Usermin module: GUI for users to access files, mail, databases, and more.
Chapter 5: Basics of Linux SecurityChapter Goal: The basics of setting up security on your server, with a discussion of auditing and verifying files haven't changed.* What is a firewall and how do I set it up?* How do I give some users access to administrative functions, but not all?* Advanced File Permissions, and more on users and groups.* SELinux* Auditing and log file management.
Chapter 6: Basics of Backups and Version ControlChapter Goal: How to keep your files backed up and safe.* Backup Basics: What to back up, where to back it up, and how often to back up.* Backup Method 1: Gzipped Tar files and shell scripts.* Backup Method 2: Duplicati GUI* Simulated disaster recovery, and migration to a new server.
Chapter 7: Basics of Server Software AdministrationChapter Goal: How to get the most common software up and running on your VPS, customizing it to be secure and reliable.* Web Server Basics (Apache 2)o Extending the Server with PHPo SSL certificates.* Database Server Basics (MySQL)* Mail Server Basics (Postfix)* DNS Server Basics (Bind)* Monitoring your Server (Nagios)
Chapter 8: Installing an Open Source Software Product - WordpressChapter Goal: How to get a basic website up and running quickly using an open source content management system, Wordpress.* Do you need a full CMS or are your needs more basic?* Downloading and installing Wordpress* Configuring Wordpress to be secure.* Backing up Wordpress* Extending Wordpress with Plugins.
Chapter 9: Administrators Weekly ChecklistChapter Goal: Describe concept of preventive maintenance - what one needs to do regularly to keep the server running smoothly. * Software update basics* Following mailing lists and security discussions.* Monitoring for potential security breaches.* Verifying backups.
Chapter 10: Open Source Application PossibilitiesChapter Goal: Introduce the reader to software packages that will allow them to up their productivity by hosting their own content on their server. Basic installations will be covered, but not in-depth customization as was done in Chapter 8.* Moodle: Open Source Learning Management System* osTicket: Open Source Helpdesk / Issue Tracking.* YoURLS: Open Source URL Shortener* OpenVPN: Open Source VPN software* Odoo: Open Source CRM Software* LimeSurvey: Open Source Survey Software (Covered in my previous book, Practical R 4 - but less in-depth here)* Other possibilities, including writing