Debian Linux Server Administration Bootcamp

School of Freelancing

Price	$250
Duration	2 Weeks (20 Hours)
Format	Hands-on, live/recorded sessions + guided labs
Outcome	Deploy production Debian servers + land freelance/direct clients

Who This Is For

Beginners to intermediate Linux users who want job-ready Debian server admin skills and the ability to freelance on Upwork, Freelancer.com, Guru.com, and via direct LinkedIn outreach.

Participation Requirements

Training Prerequisites

• DigitalOcean: Ubuntu Linux Server (24.04 or 26.04 LTS recommended).
• Domain: Any domain or sub domain will work.
• Freelance Marketplace: Verified Upwork · Guru · Freelancer Account.
• Land Direct Clients: From LinkedIn and YouTube Account.
• Rigorous: Need to have patience and concentration during all training sessions.

Connectivity

• Portable messaging devices for 24/7 client communication.
• Reliable fiber-optic internet access for uninterruptible training sessions.

Training Rules

• These Training Rules ("Ground Rules") apply to all School of Freelancing trainees. They keep training fair, focused, and productive and may be updated as the program evolves.

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Curriculum: 10 Sessions x 2 Hours (20 Hours Total)

Week 1 — Core Debian Server Skills

Session 1: Linux & Debian Fundamentals (2h)

• Linux architecture, distros overview, why Debian for servers
• Installing Debian (VM + cloud VPS via DigitalOcean/Vultr)
• Filesystem hierarchy, basic shell navigation
• Lab: Spin up a Debian 12 VPS, SSH in

Session 2: Linux Command Line Mastery (2h)

• File/directory management, permissions (chmod/chown), users & groups
• Package management: apt, dpkg
• Process management, systemd basics
• Lab: User/group setup, install & manage packages, systemctl practice

Session 3: Networking & Remote Access (2h)

• SSH hardening (key auth, disabling root/password login, custom port)
• Networking basics: netstat, ss, ip, DNS, /etc/hosts
• UFW firewall configuration
• Lab: Harden SSH, configure UFW rules on live server

Session 4: Web Server Deployment (2h)

• Installing & configuring Nginx (and Apache basics)
• Virtual hosts / server blocks
• Deploying a static site + a simple app
• Lab: Host 2 websites on one server using server blocks

Session 5: SSL, Domains & Security Basics (2h)

• DNS records (A, CNAME) and domain pointing
• Let's Encrypt / Certbot SSL setup
• Fail2ban, automatic security updates
• Lab: Attach a real domain, enable HTTPS, configure Fail2ban

Week 2 — Production Skills & Freelance Readiness

Session 6: Databases & Backend Services (2h)

• Installing MySQL/MariaDB or PostgreSQL
• Basic DB management, backups (mysqldump/pg_dump)
• Installing Node.js/Python runtime for app hosting
• Lab: Deploy a database-backed app behind Nginx reverse proxy

Session 7: Docker on Debian (2h)

• Docker & Docker Compose installation
• Container basics, images, volumes, networks
• Deploying multi-container stacks
• Lab: Deploy a Dockerized app with Nginx reverse proxy

Session 8: Monitoring, Backups & Maintenance (2h)

• Server monitoring (htop, disk usage, logs via journalctl)
• Automated backups (cron + rsync/rclone to remote storage)
• Log rotation, uptime monitoring basics
• Lab: Set up automated backup script + cron schedule

Session 9: Client Project Simulation (2h)

• Full end-to-end task: fresh VPS → domain → SSL → app → database → backup
• Troubleshooting common client issues (site down, disk full, permission errors)
• Documentation & handover practices (client-ready reports)
• Lab: Complete a timed "client ticket" simulation

Session 10: Freelance Client Acquisition (2h)

• Building winning Upwork/Freelancer.com/Guru.com profiles & portfolios
• Writing proposals that win Debian/Linux server gigs
• Pricing your services (hourly vs fixed-price gigs)
• LinkedIn strategy: optimizing profile, outreach scripts, content posting for direct clients
• Final Assessment: Submit 1 Upwork proposal + 1 LinkedIn outreach message (reviewed live)

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Deliverables Upon Completion

• A live portfolio project (your own hardened, SSL-secured, Dockerized server)
• Ready-to-use Upwork/Freelancer/Guru profile & proposal templates
• LinkedIn outreach message templates for direct client acquisition
• Access to School of Freelancing community for ongoing support

Tools & Platforms Covered

Debian 12, SSH, UFW, Nginx, Certbot/Let's Encrypt, Fail2ban, MySQL/PostgreSQL, Docker & Docker Compose, systemd, cron, Upwork, Freelancer.com, Guru.com, LinkedIn

Instructor

Karim — Senior Linux & Cloud Infrastructure Security Engineer, Founder of School of Freelancing, Bangladesh Government-Verified Freelancer