Build to Destroy!AIC Holds Linux Server Workshop

AIC hosted a workshop called “Build to Destroy!” on August 8, 2025.
This workshop aimed to teach students the basics of server operation and the key skills required for troubleshooting. First, participants were tasked with building a Linux server from scratch. Then, they were faced with intentionally-caused malfunctions, which they had to solve on their own.

Learning the basics of server building

In the first part of the workshop, we provided an overview of Linux servers and their role. Staff explained the importance of Linux servers, which are used in a variety of different applications, including as computer, web, and file servers, and the key points for operating them in a research or academic network environment. Participants were provided with a deepened understanding of the importance of security in an environment vulnerable to hackers, due to the risks associated with password-based authentication.

Next, participants used SSH to connect to small-scale virtual machines provided by AIC, and tried their hand at server building. They were given the opportunity to experience the whole gamut of server operations in a hands-on environment, from basic tasks like user and group management, permissions settings, and service management, to network settings and SSH connection (public key and host-based authentication). In another segment, participants were given the opportunity to learn how to build web servers with Docker, and got the gist of how virtualization technology and the development environment work.

Team-based troubleshooting

In the second half of the workshop, we held a troubleshooting contest. Participants split up into teams to tackle a number of malfunctions set up in advance. With a few hints from the lecturers, participants worked to identify the root cause of each problem, and restore system operations to normal. By working to tackle a wide-variety of common malfunctions, such as SSH connection errors, lost passwords, port binding errors, issues with authentication certificates, DNS settings, and Python package version conflicts, participants honed their problem-solving skills and team-work through this contest, and enjoyed themselves to boot!

Climax! Server destruction and the importance of having a backup

In the workshop’s final segment, participants got to destroy the server environment they had just built. To commemorate the occasion, participants were given the opportunity to execute the “rm -rf /” command, something that would usually be unthinkable. In seconds, the servers they had built collapsed before their own eyes, providing a rare opportunity to observe the effects of this command. Participants broke out into cheers and laughter as they enjoyed this special first-hand experience, which was made possible only by the secure virtual environment provided by AIC. While this was great fun, it also served as a poignant conclusion to an excellent learning opportunity, as participants surveyed the destruction, and discovered just how difficult it would be to get things back up and running. The importance of having a backup was keenly felt by all present.

In conclusion

The basic skills required to build and operate a secure and sustainable Linux server are critical in a wide range of fields, including research and development, and cloud-based solutions. AIC hopes that this workshop will serve as a crucial first step into the world of server operations, and that it provided participants with an experience that will be of great use in their daily activities and future research.

The materials used in this workshop are available publicly online.
Check out the link below! 

Build and Destroy! Linux Server Workshop – Link to workshop materials