A new course, of course!
Starting a new course for the next eight weeks, which means a new project and new things to learn! This course covers Web Architecture and utilizing the Linux system! Each week I will publish an update on the course project along with some useful information that I uncover as we proceed.
First let's first go over the project specifics -->
Design and plan the implementation of a web architecture to support the online presence of a communications media company. The design must include diagram(s) of the network and web architecture and have installation and configuration instructions for each of the servers and features identified in the instructions below.
This first week has two completion requirements:
Whatever you use the Internet to do, from streaming TV shows to sending email there is a complex network behind it and understanding those services is the name of the game! So to begin let's go through some vocabulary to be able to move forward!
There are 2 common forms of architecture for your web services → Single Host & Bastion Host
The Single Host is a singular computer that hosts all of your server applications. This form is the low-cost solution as it only uses 1 computer for all of the services. This form has a few disadvantages, including the fact that if a hacker\malicious actor gets a hold of this one computer they will have gained access to the host & have access to all of the servers \ data on that host.
Whereas the Bastion Host will run a single service, whether that be the web server or some other type of service. This means that if the host is attacked by a hacker, then only the service running on that server is affected. This can increase the security of your application! This is also a more complex architecture due to the fact that you could be managing several additional machines.
This will lead us into some server management. This can be done directly on the machine, but it is more commonly done remotely! This gives you the ability to service servers that are in a special climate control room. Also, in the matter of security, remotely managing servers can be a major advantage. There are 2 primary ways to remotely manage your Linux server → both of these ways will need to have additional service available on the host for the administer to have remote access.
SSH - Linux provides this by default on their hosts. Giving the administrator remote command-line access through a traditional shell or terminal window.
VNC - Meaning Virtual Network Computing, gives access to the graphical user interface, or GUI, running on Linux. You have to be running on the host for the admin to access it using a VNC client application. Once you are connected, you can use the host GUI as if you are directly in front of the host machine.
This week's lab focuses on learning some common Linux commands. Being certified as a LinuxPro through TestOut should prove to be helpful going through this course. I am hoping to expand upon this and really get into the administration part of my degree!
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