Chapter 12. Troubleshooting Linux
Some have compared Linux troubleshooting to an “exercise in futility,” but troubleshooting Linux is neither so dramatic nor difficult if you simply take time to investigate what’s going on with your system. All too often, rather than perform any relevant troubleshooting, sysadmins will make a quick backup and then reimage (wipe the disk and reinstall) the system. I’m not a fan of this practice, though in cases of significant security breaches, it’s the best option.
This chapter teaches you general troubleshooting concepts and tools rather than how to troubleshoot a specific issue (such as how to fix a website that’s not working correctly). Troubleshooting individual problems could fill a very thick book or series of books. I discuss operating system troubleshooting, software, hardware, and security in the chapter.
This chapter aims to give you some basic troubleshooting skills, introduce you to essential tools, and show you how to find a solution should other options fail. Troubleshooting is a personal process; not everyone approaches it the same way. These procedures and tools have carried me through my career, but your results may vary and, eventually, you’ll find steps and guidelines that work best for you.
Let’s begin your lessons in troubleshooting with the operating system itself.
Reviving the Operating System
Troubleshooting the operating system is either very easy or next to impossible. There seems to be no middle ground. System errors ...
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