View source for Basic System Administration Course - Module 1

= Module 1 Lab: Introduction to System Administration =
Module 1 of [[Basic System Administration Bootcamp]]

== Objective ==
By the end of this lab, students will:
* Understand the role of a system administrator.
* Differentiate between server and workstation environments.
* Gain a basic understanding of virtualisation concepts.
* Navigate the EVE-NG interface and create simple nodes and networks.

== Prerequisites ==
* Access to an EVE-NG environment (self-installed or Colourfi pre-configured machine).
* A web browser to access EVE-NG.
* Basic knowledge of IP addressing is helpful but not mandatory.

== Lab Setup ==
# Log in to your EVE-NG environment.
# Ensure you have access to at least 2 virtual nodes (one Windows VM, one Linux VM recommended for later modules).
# Have a basic topology area available to create nodes and links.

== Module 1 Learning Objectives ==

=== Overview of System Administration Roles ===

===== Responsibilities of a sysadmin: =====
* User and group management
* Server and workstation deployment
* Security and patch management
* Network configuration
* Backup and recovery
=== Understanding Server vs. Workstation Environments ===

===== key differences: =====
* Servers often run headless or minimal GUI, provide services to multiple users.
* Workstations are user-focused with full GUI and productivity apps.
{| class="wikitable"
! Feature !! Server !! Workstation
|-
| GUI || Minimal/optional || Full
|-
| Purpose || Provide services || User productivity
|-
| Number of users || Multiple || Single
|}

=== Introduction to Virtualisation Concepts ===

===== Understand the concept of virtual machines and hypervisors: =====
* Type 1 hypervisor: runs directly on hardware (e.g., ESXi, Hyper-V)
* Type 2 hypervisor: runs on host OS (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware Workstation)

== Module 1 Hands On Lab ==

=== Step 1: Exploring the EVE-NG Interface ===
# Log in to EVE-NG web interface.
# Navigate the main menu:
* ''Lab View'' – shows topology and nodes
* ''Node Management'' – add/remove nodes
* ''Topology Connections'' – connect nodes via virtual links

=== Step 2: Creating Basic Nodes and Networks ===

===== Create a new lab: =====
* Lab name: ''Module1_Lab''

* Node 1: Linux Server 24.04 VM
* Node 2: Windows 11 VM
# Connect the nodes using a virtual link.
# Start both nodes.
# Set static ip addresses on each machine
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!VM
!IP Address
!Subnet Mask
!Gateway
|-
|Windows 11
|192.168.10.10
|255.255.255.0
|192.168.10.1
|-
|Ubuntu 24.04
|192.168.10.11
|255.255.255.0
|192.168.10.1
|}

# Open the console for each node to verify connectivity (you can ping each other later if IP addresses are configured).

=== Step 3: Setup Ubuntu as web server: ===
On the ubuntu server install apache2<blockquote>sudo apt update

sudo apt install apache2</blockquote>On your windows 11 VM open edge and navigate to http://192.168.10.10

=== Step 4: Documentation ===
Submit this on [https://colourfi.training ColourFi LMS] (subscribers only)
# Take a screenshot of your lab topology with nodes and links.
# Label which node is server, which is workstation.
# What is Apache2
# Submit a short paragraph describing your first experience with EVE-NG and what you learned about sysadmin roles and virtualization.

== Expected Outcomes ==
* Students can identify server vs. workstation roles.
* Students can navigate the EVE-NG interface.
* Students can create at least two nodes and connect them via a virtual network.
* Students understand basic virtualization concepts.