This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com Solaris 9: Sun Certified System Administrator Study Guide ISBN:0782141811 by Quentin Docter Sybex © 2003 (597 pages) This guide covers parts I & II of the Sun Certified System Administrator for Solaris exams: 310-014 and 310-015 and provides in-depth coverage of all exam objectives along with practical insights drawn from real world experience Table of Contents Solaris 9—Sun Certified System Administrator Study Guide Introduction Part I - Solaris Sun Certified System Administrator Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter - Introduction to Solaris Installation System Initialization and Shutdown User and Group Administration Files, Directories, and Security Device and Disk Management File System Management Managing Printers and Controlling Processes System Backups and Restores Part II - Solaris Sun Certified System Administrator Chapter 10 - The Solaris Networking Environment Chapter 11 - Virtual File Systems and NFS Chapter 12 - Managing Storage Volumes Chapter 13 - Advanced Security Concepts Chapter 14 - Auditing and System Messaging Chapter 15 - Naming Services Chapter 16 - Advanced Installation Procedures Glossary Index List of Figures List of Tables List of Sidebars This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com Back Cover Here’s the book you need to prepare for Sun’s Solaris System Administrator Exams This Study Guide provides: Assessment testing to focus and direct your studies In-depth coverage of all official exam objectives Authoritative coverage of all exam objectives, including: Installation planning and software management Understanding file and directory concepts Managing patches and shells Performing system boot procedures Managing user and security administration Handling network printers and system processes Developing system backups strategies and restores Using and configuring network files and implementing server processes Managing virtual file systems, core dumps, and storage volumes Controlling access and configuring system messaging Implementing naming services Performing advanced installation procedures Using and troubleshooting a JumpStart server About the Author Quentin Docter, SCSA, MCSE, CNE, Server+, and A+, is a 9-year IT industry veteran He has worked as a Master Technical Instructor and Lead Curriculum Developer, a consultant, and a senior Network Administrator He is now working as a full-time technical writer, author, and consultant in Murray, Utah This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com Solaris 9-Sun Certified System Administrator Study Guide Quentin Docter San Francisco * London Associate Publisher: Neil Edde Acquisitions Editor: Elizabeth Hurley Peterson Developmental Editor: Colleen Wheeler Strand Editor: Sharon Wilkey Production Editor: Elizabeth Campbell Technical Editor: Patrick Born Book Designer: Bill Gibson Graphic Illustrator: Tony Jonick Electronic Publishing Specialist: Interactive Composition Corporation Proofreaders: Emily Hsuan, Eric Lach, Nancy Riddiough, Sarah Tannehill, Monique van den Berg Indexer: Nancy Guenther CD Coordinator: Dan Mummert CD Technician: Kevin Ly Cover Designer: Archer Design Cover Photographer: John Wang, PhotoDisc Copyright © 2003 SYBEX Inc., 1151 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda, CA 94501 World rights reserved No part of this publication may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photocopy, photograph, magnetic, or other record, without the prior agreement and written permission of the publisher Library of Congress Card Number: 2002113842 ISBN: 0-7821-4181-1 SYBEX and the SYBEX logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SYBEX Inc in the United States and/or other countries Screen reproductions produced with FullShot 99 FullShot 99 © 1991-1999 Inbit Incorporated All rights reserved FullShot is a trademark of Inbit Incorporated The CD interface was created using Macromedia Director, © 1994, 1997-1999 Macromedia Inc For more information on Macromedia and Macromedia Director, visit http://www.macromedia.com SYBEX is an independent entity from Sun Microsystems, Inc and is not affiliated with Sun Microsystems, Inc in any manner This publication may be used in assisting students to prepare for the Sun Certified System Administrator exams Neither Sun Microsystems, Inc nor SYBEX warrants that use of this publication will ensure passing the relevant exam Solaris is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc in the United States and/or other countries TRADEMARKS: SYBEX has attempted throughout this book to distinguish proprietary trademarks from descriptive terms by following the capitalization style used by the manufacturer The author and publisher have made their best efforts to prepare this book, and the content is based upon final release software whenever possible Portions of the manuscript may be based upon prerelease versions supplied by software manufacturer(s) The author and the publisher make no representation or warranties of any kind with regard to the completeness or accuracy of the contents herein and accept no liability of any kind, including but not limited to performance, merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose, or any losses or damages of any kind caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly from this book Manufactured in the United States of America 10 To Our Valued Readers: Thank you for looking to Sybex for your Solaris exam prep needs We at Sybex are proud of the reputation we've established for providing certification candidates with the practical knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the highly competitive IT marketplace This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com Sun developed the Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment certification for administrators tasked with performing essential procedures on the Solaris OE and technical support staff responsible for administering a networked server running on the Solaris OE CertCities.com recently included this certification in its list of the "10 Hottest Certifications for 2003." This Solaris 9: Sun Certified System Administrator Study Guide was developed to help you optimize learning and retention of topics you can expect to be tested on, both in the exams and in real life It has always been Sybex's mission to teach individuals how to utilize technologies in the real world, not to simply feed them answers to test questions Just as Sun is committed to establishing measurable standards for professionals who work with the Solaris operating environment, Sybex is committed to providing those professionals with the means of acquiring the skills and knowledge they need to meet those standards The Sybex team of authors, editors, and technical reviewers has worked hard to ensure that this Study Guide is comprehensive, in-depth, and pedagogically sound We're confident that this book, along with the collection of cutting-edge software study tools included on the CD, will meet and exceed the demanding standards of the certification marketplace and help you, the Solaris SCSA exam candidate, succeed in your endeavors Good luck in pursuit of your Solaris certification! Neil Edde Associate Publisher-Certification Sybex, Inc Software License Agreement: Terms and Conditions The media and/or any online materials accompanying this book that are available now or in the future contain programs and/or text files (the "Software") to be used in connection with the book SYBEX hereby grants to you a license to use the Software, subject to the terms that follow Your purchase, acceptance, or use of the Software will constitute your acceptance of such terms The Software compilation is the property of SYBEX unless otherwise indicated and is protected by copyright to SYBEX or other copyright owner(s) as indicated in the media files (the "Owner(s)") You are hereby granted a single-user license to use the Software for your personal, noncommercial use only You may not reproduce, sell, distribute, publish, circulate, or commercially exploit the Software, or any portion thereof, without the written consent of SYBEX and the specific copyright owner(s) of any component software included on this media In the event that the Software or components include specific license requirements or end-user agreements, statements of condition, disclaimers, limitations or warranties ("End-User License"), those End-User Licenses supersede the terms and conditions herein as to that particular Software component Your purchase, acceptance, or use of the Software will constitute your acceptance of such End-User Licenses By purchase, use, or acceptance of the Software, you further agree to comply with all export laws and regulations of the United States as such laws and regulations may exist from time to time Software Support Components of the supplemental Software and any offers associated with them may be supported by the specific Owner(s) of that material, but they are not supported by SYBEX Information regarding any available support may be obtained from the Owner(s) by using the information provided in the appropriate read.me files or listed elsewhere on the media Should the manufacturer(s) or other Owner(s) cease to offer support or decline to honor any offer, SYBEX bears no responsibility This notice concerning support for the Software is provided for your information only SYBEX is not the agent or principal of the Owner(s), and SYBEX is in no way responsible for providing any support for the Software, nor is it liable or responsible for any support provided, or not provided, by the Owner(s) Warranty SYBEX warrants the enclosed media to be free of physical defects for a period of ninety (90) days after purchase The Software is not available from SYBEX in any other form or media than that enclosed herein or posted to www.sybex.com If you discover a defect in the media during this warranty period, you may obtain a replacement of identical format at no charge by sending the defective media, postage prepaid, with proof of purchase to: SYBEX Inc Product Support Department 1151 Marina Village Parkway Alameda, CA 94501 Web: http://www.sybex.com After the 90-day period, you can obtain replacement media of identical format by sending us the defective disk, proof of purchase, and a check or money order for $10, payable to SYBEX Disclaimer SYBEX makes no warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, with respect to the Software or its contents, quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose In no event will SYBEX, its distributors, or dealers be liable to you or any other party for direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or other damages arising out of the use of or inability to use the Software or its contents even if advised of the possibility of such damage In the event that the Software includes an online update feature, SYBEX further disclaims any obligation to provide this feature for any specific duration other than the initial posting This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com The exclusion of implied warranties is not permitted by some states Therefore, the above exclusion may not apply to you This warranty provides you with specific legal rights; there may be other rights that you may have that vary from state to state The pricing of the book with the Software by SYBEX reflects the allocation of risk and limitations on liability contained in this agreement of Terms and Conditions Shareware Distribution This Software may contain various programs that are distributed as shareware Copyright laws apply to both shareware and ordinary commercial software, and the copyright Owner(s) retains all rights If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register it Individual programs differ on details of trial periods, registration, and payment Please observe the requirements stated in appropriate files Copy Protection The Software in whole or in part may or may not be copy-protected or encrypted However, in all cases, reselling or redistributing these files without authorization is expressly forbidden except as specifically provided for by the Owner(s) therein To Kara, Abbie, and Lauren Acknowledgments Ask anyone who's written a book, and they'll tell you that it's a huge undertaking I agree I wouldn't have gotten through this process without the unconditional and unwavering love and support from my wife Kara So, deservedly, she gets first billing The crew at Sybex, as always, has been great to work with Neil Edde, Elizabeth Hurley Peterson, Colleen Strand, Heather O'Connor, Study Guide Expert Elizabeth Campbell, Sharon Wilkey, Patrick Born, and Gareth Bromley all contributed a great deal toward making this book a success Thanks also to the proofreaders Emily Hsuan, Eric Lach, Nancy Riddiough, Sarah Tannehill, and Monique van den Berg On the personal side, I want to thank Doc and Sue and Mike and Marsha for being wonderfully supportive grandparents to Abbie and Lauren, as well as being there for us Joe Hohlfled, thank you for helping cultivate my interest in computers, golf, and chess, as well as teaching me so many important lessons about life To my friends, Rob and Amy, Scott and Robyn, and Eron and Lisa, thanks for providing sanity or helping detract from my sanity at just the right times To all of my students, both past and present, thanks for asking the tough questions and making me think And finally, to Lee Rittenour, thank you for sharing your incredible talents and passion for music with the rest of us This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com Introduction There is high demand for professionals in the information technology (IT) industry, and because Solaris is the most widely used UNIX implementation in the world, Solaris certifications are very worthwhile to obtain You have made the right decision to pursue certification, because being Solaris certified will give you a distinct advantage in this highly competitive market Solaris is Sun Microsystems' latest version of their popular UNIX-based operating environment Sun's first operating system was released as SunOS in 1983, based on BSD UNIX Throughout the years, SunOS went through many transformations, most recently with the release of Solaris in 2002 Sun Microsystems is known for their innovative and reliable hardware (namely the SPARC processor) as well as their Solaris operating environment Because of their large and loyal user base, and their willingness to take calculated chances to remain on top, Sun is poised to remain an industry leader for years to come This book is intended to help you on your exciting path toward becoming a Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment Basic knowledge of Solaris is an advantage when reading this book but is not mandatory Using this book and the Solaris operating environment, you can start learning Solaris and pass the CX-310-014: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part I, and the CX-310-015: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part II, exams Why Become a Sun Certified System Administrator? The number one reason to become an SCSA is to gain more visibility and greater access to some of the industry's most challenging opportunities Solaris certification is the best way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the Solaris operating environment The certification tests are a combination of multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions They test your knowledge of Solaris commands and components, as well as your understanding of system administration principles Certification is proof of your knowledge and shows that you have the skills required to support Solaris Sun Microsystems' certification program can help a company to identify proven performers who have demonstrated their skills and who can support the company's investment in both Sun Microsystems' hardware and software It demonstrates that you have a solid understanding of your job role and the Sun products used in that role SCSAs are highly respected and well paid in the IT industry Although there might be a significant number of IT professionals certified in other network operating systems, Solaris-certified and other UNIX-certified professionals are still in very high demand So, whether you are beginning a career, changing careers, securing your present position, or seeking to refine and promote your position, this book is for you! This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com Sun Microsystems Certifications Sun Microsystems offers a variety of certifications to help you demonstrate your expertise in several functional areas There are currently four certification areas: Solaris Operating Environment, Java Technology, Sun ONE Middleware, and Network Storage Representatives from Sun Microsystems have announced plans for a security certification to be released in 2003 Note For the latest certification information, visit the Sun certification page at http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/ Solaris Operating Environment The Solaris operating environment is the premier UNIX-based network operating environment available in the world today Many companies swear by Sun hardware and software, because of their high reliability, availability, security, and scalability Sun is committed to meeting today's networking demands, while anticipating tomorrow's innovations Sun offers two certification tracks for the Solaris operating environment: Sun Certified System Administrator and Sun Certified Network Administrator Both of these tracks are currently offered for the Solaris 7, Solaris 8, and Solaris Operating Environments Because this book focuses on Solaris 9, detailed information will be provided for only this track Attaining certifications in Solaris and Solaris is a very similar process to that of Solaris The Sun Certified System Administrator certification is for system administrators who perform system administration functions on Solaris client and server computers In order to become certified as a Sun Certified System Administrator in Solaris 9, you must pass two exams: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part I (CX-310-014) Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part II (CX-310-015) Most people find the Part II exam to be more difficult, and it's possible to see questions from Part I objectives on the Part II test If you are already certified as a system administrator for a previous version of the Solaris operating environment, you can take an upgrade exam instead of the two exams: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment Upgrade Exam (CX-310-016) The Sun Certified Network Administrator exam is for individuals who are or will be responsible for managing Sun computers in a networked environment To become a Sun Certified Network Administrator, you must first become a Sun Certified System Administrator After you have attained that status, you need only one more exam to become a Network Administrator: Sun Certified Network Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment (CX-310-044) At the http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/solaris/sysadmin.html website, there are free sample exams, as well as full-length practice exams available for purchase Java Technology Java technology has taken the computer industry by storm and appears poised to remain a force for quite some time If you're a Java developer, you should consider obtaining a Java certification Sun offers four Java certifications: Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform Sun Certified Developer for the Java Platform Sun Certified Web Component Developer for the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for J2EE Technology For more information, go to http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/java/index.html and choose the certification you are interested in Sun ONE Middleware Sun Open Net Environment (ONE) is Sun's software for building and deploying Services on Demand Because of its scalability and reliability, it has a place in current traditional software settings as well as advanced web-based applications Sun provides both developer and engineer certifications for Sun ONE: Sun Certified Developer for Sun ONE Application Server 6.0 Sun Certified Engineer for Sun ONE Directory Server 5.x For more information, see http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/middleware/index.html and choose the certification you are interested in Network Storage For IT professionals who have extensive storage management needs, such as those who use VERITAS Volume Manager, VERITAS Backup, Solstice DiskSuite, or Solstice Backup, Sun offers three storage technology certifications: Sun Certified Data Management Engineer Sun Certified Backup and Recovery Engineer Sun Certified Storage Architect For more information, go to http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/storage/index.html and choose the This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com For more information, go to http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/storage/index.html and choose the certification you are interested in More Information The most current information about Sun certifications can be found at http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/ Follow the Certification link and choose the certification path that you are interested in Test objectives are available on the website, and keep in mind that they can change at any time without notice Skills Required for SCSA Certification To pass the Part I certification exam, you need to master the following skill areas: Managing file systems Installing software Performing system boot procedures Performing user and security administration Managing network printers and system processes Performing system backups and restores To pass the Part II certification exam, you need to master the following skill areas: Describing network basics Managing virtual file systems and core dumps Managing storage volumes Controlling access and configuring system messaging Setting up naming services Performing advanced installation procedures The complete list of specific objectives is on the tear-out card included at the front of this book At the beginning of each chapter, you'll also see a list of which objectives will be covered It's quite a laundry list of things to know But this book is here to help you Note Exam objectives are subject to change at any time and without prior notice at Sun's discretion, so be sure to check the website (http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/objectives/index.html ) for the most up-to-date objective list Tips for Taking the SCSA Exams Use the following tips to help you prepare for and pass each exam You not need to complete both tests in one sitting Even if you are prepared to take both exams, it's usually best to take them on separate days so you are fresh for each exam The Part I exam has 57 questions, and the Part II exam has 58 questions You will have 105 minutes to complete each test Plan accordingly so that you not run out of time Many questions on the exam have answer choices that at first glance look identical Read the questions carefully Do not just jump to conclusions Make sure that you clearly understand exactly what each question asks You need to be able to identify what's important and what's not important in a test question Question writers will include extraneous information in the question to throw you off If some of the information presented doesn't seem to fit with the other information, it might not be relevant Some of the questions will require fill-in-the-blank answers Remember that case-sensitivity is important when typing directory paths, commands, and command options Do not leave any questions unanswered There is no negative scoring After selecting an answer, you can mark a difficult question or one that you're unsure of and come back to it later When answering questions that you are not sure about, use a process of elimination to get rid of the obviously incorrect answers first Doing this greatly improves your odds if you need to make an educated guess If you're not sure of your answer, mark it for review and then look for other questions that may help you eliminate any incorrect answers At the end of the test, you can go back and review the questions that you marked for review Where Do You Take the Exam? You can take Solaris exams at any of the more than 800 Thompson Prometric Authorized Testing Centers around the world For the location of a testing center near you, call 1-800-891-3926 Outside the United States and Canada, contact your local Thompson Prometric Registration Center In order to register with Thompson Prometric, you must first purchase an exam voucher from Sun To this, call Sun Training at 1-800-422-8020 Exam vouchers are nonrefundable, must be used within one year of the purchase date, and can be used only once After you have your exam voucher number, you can register for the test with Thompson Prometric To register for a proctored Sun Certified System Administrator exam at a Thompson Prometric test center: Determine the number of the exam you want to take This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com Register with Thompson Prometric online at http://www.2test.com or in North America, by calling 1-800-891EXAM (800-891-3926) At this point, you will be asked for your exam voucher number When you schedule the exam, you'll get instructions regarding all appointment and cancellation procedures, the ID requirements, and information about the testing-center location You can schedule exams up to six weeks in advance or as soon as one working day before the day you wish to take it If something comes up and you need to cancel or reschedule your exam appointment, contact Thompson Prometric at least 24 hours in advance This document is created with a trial version of CHM2PDF Pilot http://www.colorpilot.com What Does This Book Cover? This book provides details to help you learn about the Solaris Operating Environment and to help you pass two exams: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part I (CX-310-014), and Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part II (CX-310-015) After passing both exams, you will be a Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment This book starts with the basics of Solaris and dives into detail very quickly Because there are two exams, this book has two parts Chapters through cover the Part I exam, and Chapters 10 through 16 cover the Part II exam Each chapter begins with a list of exam objectives Chapter Starts with the basic fundamentals and concepts central to the Solaris Operating Environment Chapter Covers installations, including installing the entire operating system, software packages, and software patches Chapter Describes how to properly boot and shut down a Solaris computer, including using the OpenBoot PROM Chapter Explains how to manage user accounts and groups Chapter Explores file and directory structure, as well as Solaris file system security Chapter Examines the management of system devices and hard disks Chapter Provides details on file system management, including the types of file systems available in Solaris Chapter Discusses the management of printers and processes Chapter Explains the processes for creating system backups and restoring those backups Chapter 10 This begins the second part of the book, covering the second exam, and discusses the Solaris networking environment Chapter 11 Examines details about virtual file systems, NFS, and core dumps Chapter 12 Covers storage volumes, including RAID and the Solaris Volume Manager Chapter 13 Introduces advanced security concepts such as Access Control Lists and role-based access control Chapter 14 Explores auditing and system messaging Chapter 15 Describes naming services such as local files, NIS, NIS+, DNS, and LDAP Chapter 16 Explains the custom JumpStart and Web Start Flash installation methods Each chapter ends with Review Questions that are specifically designed to help you see what you remember and to retain the knowledge presented To ensure that you understand the material, read and answer each question carefully How to Use This Book This book can provide a solid foundation for the serious effort of preparing for the SCSA certification To best benefit from this book, use the following study method: Take the Assessment Test immediately following this introduction (The answers are at the end of the test.) Carefully read over the explanations for any questions you get wrong and note which chapters the material comes from This information should help you plan your study strategy Study each chapter carefully, making sure that you fully understand the information and the test objectives listed at the beginning of each chapter Pay extra close attention to any chapter related to questions you missed in the Assessment Test Work through all procedures detailed in the chapter, referring to the chapter so that you understand the reason for each step you take If you not have a Solaris installation available, you will be at a disadvantage, so be sure to study all procedures and screen output carefully Answer the Review Questions related to that chapter (The answers appear at the end of each chapter, after the "Review Questions" section.) Note the questions that confuse or trick you, and study those sections of the book again Before taking the exam, try your hand at the two Bonus Exams that are included on the CD that comes with this book There are two Bonus Exams for both Part I and Part II The questions on these exams appear only on the CD This will give you a complete overview of what you can expect to see on the real test Remember to use the products on the CD included with this book The electronic flashcards exam preparation software has been specifically designed to help you study for and pass your exam The electronic flashcards can be used on your Windows computer or on your Palm device To learn all the material covered in this book, you'll need to apply yourself regularly and with discipline Try to set aside the same time period every day to study, and select a comfortable and quiet place to so If you work hard, you will be surprised at how quickly you learn this material All the best! What's on the CD? We have worked hard to provide some really great tools to help you with your certification process All of the following tools should be loaded on your workstation when you're studying for the test Interactive Testing Software with Hundreds of Sample Questions ... a Sun Certified System Administrator in Solaris 9, you must pass two exams: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part I (CX-310-014) Sun Certified System Administrator... Solaris The Sun Certified System Administrator certification is for system administrators who perform system administration functions on Solaris client and server computers In order to become certified. .. learning Solaris and pass the CX-310-014: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating Environment, Part I, and the CX-310-015: Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating