In order to successfully build and operate a BBS on the Linux operating system, some basic Linux system administration ("sysadmin") knowledge is required.  This page attempts to list the minimum Linux knowledge that anyone would need in order to be successful in building a BBS running on Linux.  Those new to Linux can use this list as a basic syllabus for self study.

Note that the Santa Clara County ARES/RACES BBS network runs on Ubuntu Linux.  MAC P1 candidates will need to use Ubuntu.

One needn't be an expert Linux sysadmin or even the best at any of the individual topics listed here. But one must be competent enough with each topic to perform common, everyday tasks. For example, it is not enough to have read a book or web page about the "vi" editor. One must be able to use the vi editor to: create a file, edit the file, move around in the file, edit/change the file, undo a change, save a change, exit with and without saving the file, re-open the file, cut-and-paste within the file, cut-and-paste to/from other files,  The same level of understanding applies to all of the topics listed here.

Basic Knowledge

In order to operate a standalone BBS, the following minimum knowledge (and probably more) is needed.

• Operating System installation
  • Installation of Ubuntu x.x LTS Desktop
• Ubuntu GUI
  • Unity, Dash, launcher, system settings, task bar, desktops/workspaces
• Package management
  • Ubuntu Software Center, Synaptic Package Manager, Ubuntu Software Update, apt/apt-get
• Help
  • man, info, which
• Directory and file manipulation commands
  • mkdir, mvdir, rmdir, ls, cp, mv, rm, ln, file, head, tail, cat, less, tar, g(un)zip, find
• Ownership and permissions
  • add/modify/delete user, add/modify/delete group, chown, chgrp, chmod
• File editing
  • vi, nano, gedit
• Bash shell functionality
  • stdin, stdout, stderr, input redirection (<), output redirection (>), pipes (|)
• Session management
  • screen
• Remote login and file transfer
  • telnet, ssh, PuTTY, ftp, sftp, Filezilla
• Serial port communications
  • udev, cat, echo, minicom, cutecom
• Network communications
  • ip addressing/subnetting, ping, host, dig
• Compile C software
  • make, gcc
• Logging and log rotation
  • logrotate, syslog

Advanced Knowledge

In order to operate a networked BBS, the following additional knowledge (and more) is needed.

• Bash shell
  • Shell scripting, regex, sed, awk
• Network functionality
  • traceroute, tracepath, mtr, DNS/bind
• Network routing
  • Static, RIP, OSPF, BGP, zebra, quagga
• Packet capture
  • tcpdump, tshark, Wireshark
• Security
  • iptables, fail2ban
• Mail
  • Postfix, Dovecot