First Time with Linux Server

[ContinuousTimes]

We have new server running Fedora Core 8. Because of what we are doing, our server is required to run without a control panel. But because of this, we are left with only terminal access, and we are unfamiliar with Linux server administration.

What we want is to learn to do particular, basic tasks by ourselves, in house. But we need knowledgeable guidance. Even with the help however, we have no delusions of becoming Linux Server Admins. We hire contractors for the serious tasks that need to be done. For these particular things, these security features, we want to be able to handle the task without having a 3rd party having access.

Through terminal, we are trying to do these things:

Change root password
Configure the firewall
and Adjust bandwidth limits


Any help that can be provided will be appreciated. Just to restate, we are looking for the knowledge of how to do the changes. We are not looking for someone to change it for us.

[Lazydog]

We have new server running Fedora Core 8.

First question would be is this a production server? If the anwser is yes then I would suggest you move off of fedora onto something more stable like Centos. FC8 is old.

Because of what we are doing, our server is required to run without a control panel. But because of this, we are left with only terminal access, and we are unfamiliar with Linux server administration.

So let me see if I understand this correctly , you want to admin the box but have no knowledge of what you are doing?

What we want is to learn to do particular, basic tasks by ourselves, in house. But we need knowledgeable guidance. Even with the help however, we have no delusions of becoming Linux Server Admins. We hire contractors for the serious tasks that need to be done. For these particular things, these security features, we want to be able to handle the task without having a 3rd party having access.

Which will require you to understand what you are doing.

Through terminal, we are trying to do these things:

I would suggest you use ssh for all your remote connections to this server.

Change root password

Simple enough Log in then become root and type in passwd
This will ask for the current password
Then it will prompt you for the new password
Then it will prompt you to re-type the new password

Configure the firewall

There is a lot more to this then simply saying firewall-on, firewall-off.
You need to understand what it is you need to allow through the firewall.

and Adjust bandwidth limits

You should really have an admin do this step for you. I don't worry about limits so I don't think out of the box I can be much help here.

Any help that can be provided will be appreciated. Just to restate, we are looking for the knowledge of how to do the changes. We are not looking for someone to change it for us.

I would suggest letting a 3rd party do this for you as stated above there is more to this then simply turning service on and off. You should really know what you are doing to do this correctly.

[Rubberman]

You can configure your system to use a serial port or the network for a console connection - a "headless" configuration. Read the system documentation for details how to do that. You might need to install a keyboard and monitor until you have the system properly configured. Once done, you should be able to remote access the system via a static network address.