Chapter 6. Documentation (Topic 1.8)

As system administrators, our ability to navigate through daily computing tasks, both common and esoteric, depends to a large degree on our access to documentation. Even experts must have detailed system information available and refer to it on a routine basis. It is appropriate then that the LPI has made Linux documentation a minor but important part of Exam 101. There are four Objectives for documentation:

Objective 1: Use and Manage Local System Documentation

This Objective covers two primary areas of documentation on Linux systems: the man (manual) facility and files stored in /usr/doc. Weight: 5.

Objective 2: Find Linux Documentation on the Internet

Just as Linux itself is available via the Internet, a variety of documentation is also available. Weight: 2.

Objective 3: Write System Documentation

As a system administrator, you'll no doubt be creating programs and utilities of your own, often for consumption by other users. At those times, you'll also need to provide documentation for your work and make it available using man and info pages. Weight: 1.

Objective 4: Provide User Support

One of the biggest challenges in the IT world is providing excellent end user support. A methodical approach, which draws on your experience and available system documentation, is needed to respond to the variety of problems that are presented to a help desk. Weight: 1.