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Modifying Kernel Parameters

The Linux kernel provides a wide array of parameters that can alter how the system behaves. In this lab, you will be tasked with modifying specific parameters for the current session and ensuring that these changes will persist through a reboot.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Apr 06, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Modify the Swappiness Parameter to Equal 10 for the Current Session

    Use sysctl to change the swappiness value to 10:

    sysctl -w vm.swappiness=10

  2. Challenge

    Ensure That the Changes Made to the Swappiness Parameter Will Persist through a Reboot

    Create a file in /etc/sysctl.d/ called 60-swap.conf with the following contents:

    vm.swappiness = 10

    This can be done with a text editor or through the command line:

    echo "vm.swappiness = 10" > /etc/sysctl.d/60-swap.conf

  3. Challenge

    Disable icmp_echo_ignore_all and Enable icmp_echo_ignore_broadcast for the Current Session

    Disable icmp_echo_ignore_all using the sysctl command:

    sysctl -w net.ipv4.icmp_echo_ignore_all=0

    Enable icmp_echo_ignore_broadcast using the sysctl command:

    sysctl -w net.ipv4.icmp_echo_ignore_broadcasts=1

  4. Challenge

    Ensure That the Changes Made to icmp_echo_ignore_all and icmp_echo_ignore_broadcast Persist through a Reboot

    Create a file in /etc/sysctl.d/ called 60-icmp.conf with the following system variables:

    icmp_echo_ignore_all = 0
icmp_echo_ignore_broadcasts = 1

    This can be done with a text editor or from the command line using the echo command:

    echo -e 'icmp_echo_ignore_all = 0\nicmp_echo_ignore_broadcasts = 1' > /etc/sysctl.d/60-icmp.conf

  5. Challenge

    Enable ip_forward for the Current Session

    Enable ip_forward using the sysctl command:

    sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1

  6. Challenge

    Ensure That the Changes Made to ip_forward will Persist through a Reboot

    Create a file in /etc/sysctl.d/ called 60-ip.conf with the following text:

    net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1

    This can be done with a text editor or from the command line:

    echo "net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1" > /etc/sysctl.d/60-ip.conf

Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

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