Linux Administrator

20+ Linux Administrator Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Updated 9 Nov 2024
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Q1. how we can transfer file from one server to other server?

Ans.

Files can be transferred from one server to another using tools like SCP, SFTP, or rsync.

  • Use SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) to securely transfer files between servers. Example: scp file.txt user@server2:/path/to/directory

  • Use SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) for interactive file transfers. Example: sftp user@server2

  • Use rsync for efficient synchronization of files between servers. Example: rsync -avz file.txt user@server2:/path/to/directory

Q2. You are unable to unmount a file system, what will you do?

Ans.

Check for any processes or open files using the file system, then force unmount if necessary.

  • Check for any processes or applications currently using the file system with 'lsof' command

  • Kill any processes that are using the file system if necessary

  • Try unmounting the file system again using 'umount -l' to force unmount if needed

Q3. how to data upload , what is samba, what is ftp, what is linux, what is firewall

Ans.

Data upload can be done using Samba or FTP on a Linux system, with firewall protection.

  • Data upload can be done using Samba, which is a file sharing protocol that allows users to access and share files over a network.

  • FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is another method for data upload, allowing users to transfer files between a client and a server.

  • Linux is an open-source operating system known for its stability, security, and flexibility.

  • Firewall is a security system that monitors a...read more

Q4. How you can schedule a job regularly?

Ans.

You can schedule a job regularly using cron jobs in Linux.

  • Use the crontab command to edit the cron table

  • Specify the schedule using the appropriate syntax (minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week)

  • For example, to schedule a job to run every day at 3am, you would add the following line to the cron table: 0 3 * * * /path/to/command

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Q5. What is Hard link and soft link?

Ans.

Hard links and soft links are two types of links used in Unix-like operating systems to create shortcuts to files.

  • Hard links are direct pointers to the inode of a file, while soft links are indirect pointers to the file name.

  • Hard links cannot link directories or files on different filesystems, while soft links can.

  • If the original file is deleted, hard links will still point to the data, while soft links will be broken.

  • Example: 'ln file1 file2' creates a hard link, 'ln -s file...read more

Q6. what is nfs?

Ans.

NFS (Network File System) is a distributed file system protocol that allows a user on a client computer to access files over a network.

  • NFS enables sharing of files and directories between multiple computers in a network.

  • It provides transparent access to remote files as if they were local.

  • NFS uses a client-server architecture where the server exports directories that can be mounted on client machines.

  • It supports both read and write operations on shared files.

  • NFS is commonly us...read more

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Q7. Define the steps of File system creation.

Ans.

Steps for file system creation involve partitioning, formatting, and mounting the file system.

  • Partition the disk using tools like fdisk or parted

  • Format the partition with a file system like ext4 or xfs

  • Create a mount point directory

  • Mount the file system to the mount point

  • Update /etc/fstab to automatically mount the file system on boot

Q8. What do you understand by NFS?

Ans.

NFS stands for Network File System, a distributed file system protocol that allows a user on a client computer to access files over a network.

  • NFS allows a user to access files on a remote server as if they were local files.

  • It is commonly used in Unix and Linux environments for sharing files and directories.

  • NFS uses RPC (Remote Procedure Call) to communicate between the client and server.

  • It provides centralized storage that can be accessed by multiple clients over a network.

  • NF...read more

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Q9. What is /mnt and fstab?

Ans.

The /mnt directory is used as a mount point for temporary mounting of filesystems, and fstab is a configuration file that lists filesystems to be mounted at boot.

  • The /mnt directory is commonly used for temporarily mounting external storage devices or network shares.

  • The fstab file is located at /etc/fstab and contains information about filesystems to be mounted at boot time.

  • Entries in fstab include the device to mount, the mount point, filesystem type, mount options, and dump ...read more

Q10. What is Programming Language

Ans.

Programming language is a set of instructions used to create software applications.

  • Programming languages are used to write code that computers can understand and execute.

  • There are many programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript.

  • Each programming language has its own syntax and rules for writing code.

  • Programming languages can be classified into low-level and high-level languages.

  • Examples of low-level languages include Assembly and Machine language, while hi...read more

Q11. What do you know about cloud computing

Ans.

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more.

  • Cloud computing allows users to access and use resources on-demand without the need for physical infrastructure.

  • It offers scalability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and increased efficiency.

  • Examples of cloud computing services include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Q12. what is lvm how it is work?

Ans.

LVM stands for Logical Volume Manager, a tool used to manage disk storage in Linux systems.

  • LVM allows for dynamic resizing of logical volumes without downtime.

  • It consists of physical volumes, volume groups, and logical volumes.

  • Commands like pvcreate, vgcreate, lvcreate are used to create and manage LVM.

  • LVM provides flexibility in managing storage space by allowing logical volumes to span multiple physical disks.

Q13. Why tcpdump is used?

Ans.

tcpdump is used for network troubleshooting and analysis by capturing and analyzing network packets.

  • Captures network packets for analysis

  • Helps in troubleshooting network issues

  • Can be used to monitor network traffic

  • Provides detailed information about network communication

  • Useful for security analysis and monitoring

Q14. Write a code to print table of any number

Ans.

Code to print table of any number in Python

  • Use a loop to iterate from 1 to 10 (for a 10x table)

  • Multiply the number by the current iteration value

  • Print the result for each iteration

Q15. What is JIT Compiler

Ans.

JIT Compiler stands for Just-In-Time Compiler. It is a type of compiler that compiles code during runtime.

  • JIT Compiler is used to improve the performance of applications by compiling code on the fly.

  • It is commonly used in Java and .NET environments.

  • JIT Compiler compiles code into machine code, which can be executed directly by the CPU.

  • It can also optimize code by removing unnecessary instructions and reducing memory usage.

  • Examples of JIT Compiler include HotSpot for Java and ...read more

Q16. how to remove older kernel

Ans.

To remove older kernels in Linux, use package management tools like apt or yum.

  • Use 'apt autoremove' command in Debian-based systems to remove old kernels

  • Use 'yum remove ' command in Red Hat-based systems to remove old kernels

  • Check available kernels with 'uname -r' command before removing

Q17. how to rollback package

Ans.

To rollback a package, use package manager to uninstall current version and install previous version.

  • Use package manager to uninstall current version of the package

  • Install the previous version of the package using package manager

  • Check for any dependencies that may need to be rolled back as well

Q18. how to mount nfs?

Ans.

To mount NFS, use the 'mount' command with the NFS server IP address and the mount point on the local machine.

  • Use the 'mount' command followed by the NFS server IP address and the mount point on the local machine

  • For example: sudo mount 192.168.1.100:/shared_folder /mnt/nfs_share

  • Ensure that the NFS server is properly configured and accessible from the local machine

Q19. What is workload in linux

Ans.

Workload in Linux refers to the amount of work being done by the system at a given time.

  • Workload can include tasks such as running processes, handling network requests, and managing system resources.

  • Monitoring workload is important for ensuring system performance and stability.

  • Tools like top, htop, and sar can be used to track and analyze workload.

  • High workload can lead to system slowdowns or crashes.

  • Balancing workload across multiple servers can help improve overall system e...read more

Q20. Define Boot process.

Ans.

Boot process is the sequence of steps that occur when a computer system is starting up.

  • BIOS/UEFI initialization

  • Loading the bootloader

  • Loading the kernel

  • Init process starts

  • Launching user space processes

Q21. how to do patching.

Ans.

Patching involves applying updates to software to fix vulnerabilities and improve performance.

  • Identify the software that needs to be patched

  • Download the appropriate patches from the vendor's website

  • Test the patches in a non-production environment before applying them to production systems

  • Schedule downtime for applying patches to minimize disruption

  • Document the patching process for future reference

Q22. What linux kernel

Ans.

The Linux kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services.

  • The Linux kernel is open-source and developed by a community of developers worldwide.

  • It is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

  • The kernel version can be checked using the 'uname -r' command.

  • Examples of popular Linux kernel versions include 2.6, 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x.

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