MoodleBites Server Administrator is a technical course for those who wish to install, maintain, update and secure a server and Moodle site. It is a technical course, including setting up a test server. For course fees, start dates and other information please see the full course outline.

For this course it's essential you have a test environment. This week we look at some options for how to install and setup a suitable test environment:
  • Downloading & installing VirtualBox
  • Downloading & installing Ubuntu LTS
  • Building & Configuring your Virtual Machine
  • Testing Networking
  • Configuring Remote Access via SSH
  • Getting your Virtual Machine up to date
What are services, which do we need, and why? Running more service than you need can dramatically affect the performance of your site:
  • Defining your goals for a Moodle server
  • Choosing the appropriate services
  • Installing and configuring the services
Now we need to get Moodle installed. There are a few different ways, and which you use depends on a whole range of factors. Updating Moodle is also vital too.
  • Choosing a method for downloading Moodle
  • Configuring and testing your environment for Moodle
  • Installing Moodle and setting up cron jobs
  • Updating Moodle (git)
No-one likes a slow server - whether it's file sharing, email, or Moodle! Lots of options available, but understanding how to get the best out of your Moodle server is not always obvious.
  • Choosing a Caching Method
  • Setting up Caching (FPC)
  • Setting up Readahead
  • Optimizing Services
  • PHP configuration

Security is both fascinating and confusing! But as a sever administrator of your Moodle site it's something you can simply never overlook, and also have to understand it's a constant and moving field.
  • Securing SSH with certificates
  • Securing Services (Apache; MySQL etc.)
  • Securing Moodle (file permissions etc.)
Server backup is essential, period. There are also many tools available for monitoring your Moodle server, and these help you become proactive - seeing potential issues before they ever impact on your production site.
  • Server Snapshotting (VirtualBox)
  • Backing up individual folders and files
  • Setting up Cron Jobs for maintenance and backups
There is little point having a highly optimised server if you then don't configure Moodle in the best and most appropriate way! This week we work through the Moodle specific settings.
  • Security reports
  • System recommendations 
  • Security policies
  • Notifications 
  • Increasing privacy
  • Reducing spam
This is a final 'catchall' week - for small items that do not fit neatly into the earlier weeks. This week also allows participants to revisit earlier topics with the benefit of hindsight, to set-up and maintain networking links, to share end-of-course comments and feedback.
  • Hardening your server
  • Tweaking your server
  • Other content is constantly being revised and often participant led

This area is for MoodleBites Server Administrators to access a Certificate of Achievement and Open Badge.