Linux System Engineer: Kernel Tuning and Remote Logging

1h 38mIntermediate2018-01-31

Authors

Grant McWilliams

Consultant, Speaker, Writer, Professor, Developer

Course details

The RHCE certification demonstrates expert-level competence with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. This course covers two of the key objectives of the certification exam: Linux kernel tuning for performance optimization and remote logging. Computer science instructor and Linux enthusiast Grant McWilliams shows how to change kernel parameters by hand and using tuned profiles. Additionally, he demonstrates how to turn PowerTOP suggestions into tuned profiles. He shows how to tune processor affinity and schedulers with Tuna, and test your optimizations with performance monitoring tools like Performance Co-Pilot (PCP), Turbostat, ps, and GNOME System Monitor. He also shows how to load and customize kernel modules. Last but not least, Grant covers remote logging using rsyslog.

Learning objectives
Performance monitoring
Gathering statistics
Tuning the kernel with tuned
Tuning the kernel manually
Managing kernel modules
Installing kernel modules from disk
Logging system messages remotely

Skills covered

RHELRed Hat Enterprise LinuxRed HatLinuxServer AdministrationCert PrepNetwork and System AdministrationOpen Source

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Performance with Linux kernel tuning
02 - What you should know
03 - OS installation
04 - Lab setup
05 - Install guest additions

1. Performance Monitoring Tools

06 - Introduction to performance testing
07 - Monitor processes using ps
08 - Monitor processes in real time
09 - Monitor processes using GNOME System Monitor
10 - Use Performance Co-pilot (PCP) to gather statistics
11 - Use turbostat to gather CPU statistics
12 - Use SS to gather network statistics
13 - Other CLI performance monitoring tools

2. Tune the Kernel with tuned

14 - Introduction to tuned
15 - Install additional tuned profiles
16 - Create custom tuned profiles
17 - Use PowerTOP suggestions in tuned
18 - Boot-time kernel parameters

3. Manually Tune the Kernel

19 - Understand Linux kernel versions
20 - Tune live kernel parameters manually using sysctl
21 - Use Tuna to tune the kernel

4. Kernel Module Tuning

22 - Linux kernel directory structure
23 - Manage kernel modules
24 - Displaying information about kernel modules
25 - Installing kernel modules from disk

5. Logging System Messages Remotely

26 - Understand Enterprise 7 logging
27 - rsyslog filters
28 - rsyslog actions
29 - Log to a remote rsyslog server

Conclusion

30 - Next steps