Linux Server Administration – Most Important Questions (BCA-III)

UNIT–1: Introduction to Linux

Q1. What is Linux?

Linux is a free and open-source operating system based on UNIX principles.

It acts as an interface between hardware and users/applications.

Linux is widely used in:

• Servers
• Supercomputers
• Cloud platforms
• Embedded systems

Linux manages:

• CPU
• Memory
• Storage
• Network resources

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Q2. Advantages of Linux

• Open Source – Free to use, modify, and distribute
• High Security – Fewer viruses, strong permission system
• Multi-user – Multiple users can work at the same time
• Multitasking – Multiple programs can run simultaneously
• Stability – Rarely crashes, long uptime
• Server Friendly – Widely used for web, database, and file servers
• Low Hardware Requirement – Runs well on old systems

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Q3. What is the Linux File System?

The Linux file system is a hierarchical tree structure that starts from the root directory (/).

Everything in Linux is treated as:

• A file
• Or a directory

Files are organized logically to ensure:

• Easy access
• Security
• Efficient storage

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Q4. Explain Linux Directory Structure

Directory	Description
/	Root directory (starting point)
/bin	Essential system commands
/etc	Configuration files
/home	User home directories
/var	Logs and variable data
/tmp	Temporary files
/usr	User-installed programs

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UNIT–2: Linux Commands

Q5. Explain the following Linux commands

Command	Description
ls	Lists files and directories
mkdir	Creates a directory
less	Views file content page-wise
cp	Copies files or directories
who	Shows logged-in users
cut	Extracts columns from text
sort	Sorts data
ps	Displays running processes
grep	Searches text patterns
wc	Counts lines, words, characters
dd	Copies data block-by-block

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Q6. What is File Comparison? Explain cmp and comm

File comparison is used to find differences between files.

• cmp
  
  Compares two files byte-by-byte
  
  Stops at the first difference

• comm
  
  Compares sorted files line-by-line
  
  Displays common and unique lines

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UNIT–3: Process Management

Q7. What is a Process?

A process is a program in execution.

Each process has:

• Process ID (PID)
• Memory space
• CPU state

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Q8. Explain Process Scheduling

Process scheduling decides which process runs on the CPU and for how long.

Types of Scheduling:

• FCFS (First Come First Serve)
• SJF (Shortest Job First)
• Priority Scheduling
• Round Robin

Scheduling improves:

• CPU utilization
• System performance
• Response time

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Q9. How does Linux manage multiple processes?

Linux manages multiple processes using:

• Process Scheduler
• Time Sharing
• Context Switching
• Priority Levels

This allows smooth multitasking.

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Q10. What is a Process Control Block (PCB)?

PCB is a data structure that stores information about a process.

It contains:

• Process ID
• Process state
• CPU registers
• Program counter
• Memory information

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UNIT–4: Shell Programming

Q11. What is Shell Programming?

Shell programming means writing scripts using shell commands to automate tasks.

Benefits:

• Saves time
• Reduces manual work
• Improves system administration

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Q12. Explain conditional and looping statements

Conditional Statements:

• if
• if-else

Looping Statements:

• for
• while
• until

Used to control the flow of execution.

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Q13. Shell script to check whether two files are same

sh
if cmp file1 file2
then
  echo "Files are same"
else
  echo "Files are different"
fi


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Q14. Shell script to print Fibonacci series

a=0
b=1
echo "$a $b"
for i in {1..5}
do
  c=$((a+b))
  echo "$c"
  a=$b
  b=$c
done


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UNIT–5: Networking in Linux

Q15. What is TCP/IP Network?

TCP/IP is a communication protocol suite used on the internet.

TCP – Reliable data transfer

IP – Addressing and routing



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Q16. What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) converts:

Domain names → IP addresses


Example:
google.com → 142.250.xxx.xxx


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Q17. Explain Ethernet

Ethernet is a wired networking technology used in Local Area Networks (LAN).
It provides:

High speed

Reliable data transfer



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Q18. Explain ifconfig, netconfig, netstat

ifconfig – Configure network interfaces

netconfig – Network configuration

netstat – Shows network statistics



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UNIT–6: User & Server Administration

Q19. How are users and groups created in Linux?

useradd – Create user

groupadd – Create group

passwd – Set or change password



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Q20. What is Apache Web Server?

Apache is an open-source web server used to host websites and web applications.

Features:

Platform independent

Secure

Highly configurable



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Q21. What is FTP Server?

FTP server allows file transfer between systems over a network using FTP protocol.


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Q22. What is VNC Server?

VNC allows remote graphical desktop access to a system.


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UNIT–7: System Management

Q23. Checking Disk in Linux

df – Shows disk free space

du – Shows disk usage



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Q24. System Setup and Shutdown Process

Commands:

shutdown

reboot

halt

init


Used for safe system control.


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Q25. Backup and Recovery in Linux

Backup – Copying data to prevent data loss

Recovery – Restoring data after failure



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⭐ VERY IMPORTANT EXAM QUESTIONS (VVI)

1. Explain Linux and its advantages


2. Explain Linux file system and directory structure


3. Explain process scheduling with example


4. Write shell scripts (file comparison, Fibonacci)


5. Explain TCP/IP and DNS


6. Explain Apache Web Server


7. Explain user and group management


8. Explain backup and recovery


9. Explain Linux commands


10. Explain Ethernet and networking commands




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✅ Usage

Ideal for BCA–III exams

Useful for last-day revision

Suitable for theory + practical exams

Can be converted into PDF notes



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📌 Author

Prepared for BCA–III Linux Server Administration
Focused on easy understanding and maximum scoring