← Back to RHCSA labsLab 01

Organizing a File System

Step into the role of a Gourmet system administrator and build a clean, collaborative directory structure that mirrors real enterprise workflows using Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Overview

This lab was designed to sharpen your navigation and organization skills inside a RHEL file system. You will simulate day-to-day work at Gourmet, a company specializing in smart kitchen appliances and recipe applications, by building a directory layout that keeps cross-team collaboration efficient.

Throughout the exercise, you will create structure, shape documentation, and practice lightweight version control. The goal is to mirror real operational tasks that prepare you for RHCSA objectives and everyday infrastructure duties.

Objectives

  • Create a structured directory system.
  • Manage files and directories using command-line tools.
  • Implement symbolic and hard links.
  • Practice basic version control concepts.

Instructions

Work through each part in order. Every command is meant to be executed from the command line. Record takeaways or noteworthy adjustments in your own notes so you can quickly reference them for future labs.

Part One: Setting Up the Main Directory

  1. Create a directory named Gourmet in your home directory to keep the lab artifacts isolated.
  2. Inside Gourmet, create the following department folders:
    • Research
    • Development
    • Marketing
    • Support

Part Two: Organizing Research Files

  1. Navigate to the Research directory.
  2. Create the subdirectories Prototypes, UserStudies, and Competitors.
  3. In Prototypes, create the files smart_oven_v1.txt, smart_oven_v2.txt, and smart_fridge_v1.txt to document concepts.

Part Three: Managing Development Files

  1. Switch to the Development directory.
  2. Use a single command to create app_version_1.0.py through app_version_5.0.py to simulate versioned releases.
  3. In your home directory, create a symbolic link named current_app that points to app_version_5.0.py for quick access.

Part Four: Structuring Marketing Assets

  1. Within Marketing, create subdirectories Images, Videos, and Presentations.
  2. Inside Images, create ten placeholder files named product_image_01.png through product_image_10.png.
  3. Move files with even-numbered suffixes into a new Images/EventPhotos directory to separate campaign assets.

Part Five: Handling Support Documentation

  1. Navigate to the Support directory.
  2. Create faq.txt and add the heading "Frequently Asked Questions." inside.
  3. Create hard links to faq.txt named user_manual.txt, troubleshooting.txt, and contact_info.txt to keep content synced.

Part Six: Implementing Basic Version Control

  1. Inside Development, create a Versions directory to track historical copies.
  2. Copy all .py files from Development into Versions.
  3. In Versions, create version_log.txt and log each Python file with a brief timestamp note.
  4. Update the current_app symbolic link in your home directory to point to the latest file stored in Versions.

Part Seven: Cleaning Up

  1. When you are finished reviewing the deliverables, remove the Gourmet directory recursively so your workspace is ready for the next lab.