CentOS Quick Start Guide: Get up and running with CentOS server administration

CentOS server administration starts with a handful of practical questions: how do you install the system, find your way around its filesystem, manage accounts safely, and keep everyday services and software under control? Shiwang Kalkhanda’s CentOS Quick Start Guide works through those foundations with a focus on CentOS 7 and the command-line tools administrators use to operate it.

The book builds from installation and Bash basics toward the routine work of managing files, users, processes, networking, and packages. Its step-by-step scope makes it a useful starting point for readers who want to understand what happens behind common server-administration tasks. 💻

Start with the CentOS 7 environment

The opening chapter covers preparation and manual installation before introducing the Linux console and Bash shell. From there, readers get oriented in the filesystem, learn to use manual pages and help commands, and practice navigation and file-management operations.

Make the command line work for you

Dedicated coverage of text files introduces tools and workflows for creating, viewing, searching, editing, and transforming text. Topics include redirection and pipes, along with utilities such as grep, sed, and awk. This grounding helps readers understand how small command-line operations can be combined to handle practical file and text tasks.

Handle the daily work of a Linux administrator

Later chapters address user and group accounts, passwords, file ownership and permissions, and process management. The guide also explores networking tasks—including nmcli, SSH, and file transfers—and software installation and repositories with RPM and YUM.

Security and system operations

The final subject areas extend into system logging, services, SELinux, and firewall concepts. Together, these topics give readers a broad introduction to the systems and controls they will encounter while administering a CentOS 7 server.

Who may find it useful

This guide is suited to newcomers building Linux command-line confidence, students studying server administration, and readers who want a structured introduction to CentOS 7 operations. Its subject matter is specifically centered on CentOS 7, so readers should keep that version focus in mind when applying its examples to other Linux releases.