Read this free guide below with common Unix System Administrator interview questions
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If you are preparing for a Unix System Administrator job interview, you should be ready to face some of the most challenging questions to assess your Unix system administration skills. Here are the top 20 Unix System Administrator Interview Questions and Answers that can help you prepare for your interview.
Unix is a multiuser, multitasking operating system designed to work on different hardware platforms. It was first developed by Bell Labs in the 1970s.
Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. The main difference between Unix and Linux is that Unix is a proprietary operating system, while Linux is open source.
The root account is the superuser account in Unix. It has unrestricted access to all system resources and can perform any system operation.
You can change the root account password by using the passwd command with root privileges.
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sudo passwd rootA daemon is a Unix program that runs in the background and performs specific tasks, such as managing printer queues, email services, and file servers. It usually has no interactive user interfaces.
You can start and stop a daemon by using the systemctl command. For example, to start the sshd daemon, you can run:
systemctl start sshdTo stop it, you can run:
systemctl stop sshdA soft link, also known as a symbolic link, is a pointer to another file or directory. It is like a shortcut in Windows. A hard link refers to the same physical file or directory in the file system.
You can create a soft link by using the ln command with the -s option. For example, to create a soft link named myfile that points to /home/user/myfile, you can run:
ln -s /home/user/myfile myfileUser permissions determine what an individual user can do to a file or directory. Group permissions determine what all users in a specific group can do to a file or directory.
You can change file permissions by using the chmod command. For example, to give read, write, and execute permissions to the owner, and only read and execute permissions to the group and others, you can run:
chmod 751 filenameA process is an instance of a program in execution, while a thread is a lightweight process that shares the same memory space as the parent process.
You can check the status of a process by using the ps command. For example, to list all processes running on the system, you can run:
ps -efA firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. It helps to protect the system from unauthorized access and attacks.
You can configure a firewall in Unix by using the iptables command. For example, to block all incoming traffic on port 80, you can run:
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROPA RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, is a technique of combining multiple hard drives to improve performance, reliability, and data availability.
You can create a RAID in Unix by using the mdadm command. For example, to create a RAID1 array named myraid using two disks /dev/sdb and /dev/sdc, you can run:
mdadm --create /dev/md0 --level=1 --raid-devices=2 /dev/sdb /dev/sdcSSH, or Secure Shell, is a secure protocol used to access remote systems over the network. It encrypts all data transmitted between the client and server. Telnet is an unsecured protocol used for the same purpose.
You can install new software in Unix using the package manager specific to your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu, you can use apt-get, and on RHEL, you can use yum.
A kernel is the core component of the Unix operating system that controls all system resources, such as memory, CPU, and devices. It provides a standardized interface for all system processes to communicate with the hardware.
A shell is a program that provides a command-line interface to interact with the operating system. It interprets the user's commands and provides an environment to execute them.
These are some of the most commonly asked Unix System Administrator Interview Questions and Answers. Preparing for these questions will help you improve your chances of cracking the interview and landing your dream job. Good luck!
If you are planning to become a Unix System Administrator or preparing for an interview in this field, then you must be aware of the technical expertise needed to excel in this role. Unix has been a popular operating system for decades, and therefore, a Unix System Administrator's role requires extensive knowledge of the command line interface and system administration tasks. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a Unix System Administrator interview:
Unix systems have a robust command line interface, and you should be familiar with more advanced troubleshooting techniques to troubleshoot common issues. This can include learning how to parse system logs and using diagnostic tools such as strace or lsof.
Finally, read and practice Unix System Administrator interview questions. Doing this will help you identify the areas where you need improvement and familiarize yourself with the most frequently asked questions in the interview.
To summarize, preparing for a Unix System Administrator interview requires extensive knowledge of the operating system, command-line interface, and common administrative tasks. Make sure you spend time brushing up your skills and practicing interview questions to land your desired role!
While it's good to practice and prepare for an interview, giving overly rehearsed or memorized answers can come across as insincere. Aim to engage in a genuine conversation with the interviewer.