Question 1

Select a Linux operating system (OS) distribution (except Ubuntu and Debian) and write 500 words on it.

Explain the core functions of the Linux OS that you have chosen. Then compare the differences between your chosen Linux OS distribution and Ubuntu. In addition, choose a docker container that is based on the Linux OS that you have chosen and write on the unique features of this docker container.

A reflection should be given at the end of the write-up to describe what is your experience in using the chosen Linux OS distribution and/or docker container. Appropriate references should be stated.

Question 2

Demonstrate the creation and usage of virtual machines using Ubuntu OS.

Scenario:
A hardware store chain has purchased an Ubuntu server with 10 hard disks (each hard disk has a storage size of 1.5 TB). The server is pre-installed with Ubuntu server 22.04.02 LTS, and it has an operational life of 3 years.

The requirements for the storage space are stated as follows:

• 0.5 TB is needed for the human resource and admin department to store internal information. Redundancy is important, and performance should be taken care of too.

• 0.3 TB is needed for the marketing department to store various marketing materials to promote the hardware shop. Redundancy and performance are both important.

• 0.5 TB is needed for each hardware shop (a total of 6 hardware shops) to store hardware-related materials. Redundancy and performance are both important.

• A storage space for storing transaction records such as order entry, delivery, and back-office accounting purposes. In the first year, this space is estimated to be 2 TB. For the second year, this allocated space has to be increased by 30%, and by 50% (from the second year) in the third year. Redundancy is critical for this storage space such that the system will continue working even if two disks fail concurrently.

Besides a hard disk that hosts the Ubuntu OS, ZFS needs to be used to implement the rest of the 9 hard disks.

Part (a)
Illustrate what RAID system(s) should be used for the scenario and why.

Calculate and explain how you plan and utilize the 9 hard disks. Sketch a diagram with necessary labeling such as the hard disk used (/dev/sdb, /dev/sdc, etc.), pool name, and file system name to help in your explanation.

Part (b)

Install 9 additional hard disks in your Ubuntu virtual machine (you can use Ubuntu Desktop instead of Ubuntu Server) and simulate the scenario using ZFS with relevant pools and reservations. You do not need to add the OS disk to any RAID pool.

Demonstrate what you have done with clear explanations and appropriate screenshots.

Question 3
Implement system security and access control in the Linux operating system.

Using Ubuntu OS, write and implement ONE (1) bash shell script (only one script should be written for the whole Question 3). Use the root account to execute the script. The script will be executed with no arguments, and it can be executed in any folder.

The bash shell script should have the following specifications:

Part (a)
1. The script will list the filenames of all image files (excluding hidden image files and image files in sub-folders) in the current folder with the extension of .png and .jpg on the screen. Note that only the filenames and size (in bytes) should be displayed.

2. It will display the total size (in bytes) of all the .png and .jpg image files in the current folder.

3. It will then display the following message depending on the total size of all the .png and .jpg image files in the current folder.
 Less than 5000000 bytes, display “total image size is small”
 More than or equal to 5000000 bytes, display “total image size is NOT small”

Part (b)

4. The script will then display the permissions of the .png and .jpg image files in the following format.

[Filename] owner [owner-permission] group [group-permission] others [others-permission]

Example of display:
image1.jpg owner rwx group rw- others r-x
image2.jpg owner r– group -wx others -w-
image3.png owner rwx group rwx others rwx

5. It will prompt the user to enter a keyword of owner, group, or others. It will keep prompting the user to enter the keyword until the user enters a valid keyword.

6. It will follow by prompting the user to enter another keyword of read, write, or execute. It will keep asking the user to enter the keyword until the user enters a valid keyword.

Part (c)

7. The script will then invert the permission of the image files according to the
following:

If the user has entered owner and write, then the owner write permissions of the .png and .jpg image files will invert. That means if there is an owner’s written permission on the file, then it will invert to no written permission, and vice versa. (e.g. If image1.jpg has the permissions rwxrw-r-x, then it would be inverted to r-xrw-r-x if the user has entered owner and write).

Example of original permission:

image1.jpg owner rwx group rw- others r-x
image2.jpg owner r– group -wx others -w-
image3.png owner rwx group rwx others rwx After the user enters the owner and writes the permissions are inverted:

image1.jpg owner r-x group rw- others r-x
image2.jpg owner rw- group -wx others -w-
image3.png owner r-x group rwx others rwx

It will display the permissions of the .png and .jpg image files after the permissions are inverted in the following format.

[Filename] owner [owner-permission] group [group-permission] others [others-permission]

Example of display:
image1.jpg owner r-x group rw- others r-x
image2.jpg owner rw- group -wx others -w-
image3.png owner r-x group rwx others rwx

8. It will then display the current date and time in the format of DD-MM-YY:HH: mm at the end.

9. A validation check needs to be done in the bash shell script whenever possible (e.g. the appropriate message will be shown and the script will exit when there are no image files in the current folder

Part (d)

Documentation (with appropriate screenshots and explanations) needs to be produced on the execution of the bash shell script with different conditions (e.g. total size of all the .png and .jpg image files in the current folder is less than 5000000, more than or equal to 5000000, etc.).

Appropriate comments should be added to the script to make it easier to understand

IMPORTANT NOTE TO STUDENTS:

 Your bash shell script must be in text format within the WORD document. In
addition, add a notepad attachment of the script in the WORD document. Note that your script should be able to execute in any folder, and marks will be deducted heavily if you hardcode any file path in your code.
A zero will be given for the following:

 You are not using the bash shell script, or your bash shell script cannot be executed in the Ubuntu virtual machine as instructed by the instructor.
 The instructor cannot copy the bash shell script from your WORD document to test, such as if you paste the bash shell script in a WORD document as an image, and your notepad attachment is corrupted.

At least 50% of the marks will be deducted if your bash shell script does not  work according to your documentation produced in part (d)