Using Symbolic Links

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Using Symbolic Links

In this hands-on lab, we will practice using symbolic links. Understanding and using symbolic links is a fundamental skill for Linux system administration.

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Lab Info

Level

Beginner

Last updated

Sep 19, 2025

Duration

45m

Challenge

Create the ~/ bin Directory and Add it to the PATH
1. Make the ~/bin directory.
```
mkdir bin
```
1. Add ~/bin to the $PATH environment variable.
```
echo 'PATH=$HOME/bin:$PATH' >> .bashrc
```
Challenge

Create the Symbolic Links
1. Create a symbolic link ("symlink") for rpm_verify.
```
ln -s /usr/lib/rpm/rpmdb_verify bin/rpm_verify
```
1. Create a symlink for rpm_dump.
```
ln -s /usr/lib/rpm/rpmdb_dump bin/rpm_dump
```
1. Create a symlink for rpm_load.
```
ln -s /usr/lib/rpm/rpmdb_load bin/rpm_load
```
Challenge

Test the Symbolic Links
1. Verify that the rpm_verify symlink works.
```
rpm_verify /var/lib/rpm/Packages
```

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