Challenge Easy

Fix a Broken Web Server Configuration

Unni P
by  Unni P · on
Linux
A web server will not start because three settings in its configuration file are wrong, and one required setting is missing entirely. Open the file in a terminal editor, correct it, and leave everything else intact.
#linux-101#filesystem

A web server refuses to start. Its configuration lives at /home/laborant/webserver/site.conf, and a colleague has left it in a state.

Three values are wrong and one required setting was never added. Everything else in the file, including the comments, must survive exactly as it is.

What needs to be true when you are done

SettingRequired value
listen_port8443
worker_processes4
ssl_enabledtrue
server_tokensoff (this line does not exist yet, add it)

Every other line, including the comment block at the top, must be left alone.

Hint 1

Either editor will do. nano site.conf is the gentler option and lists its shortcuts along the bottom. vim site.conf is the one that will be available on every server you ever touch.

Hint 2, if vim has you trapped

Press Escape, then type :q! and press Enter. That leaves without saving anything, so you can open the file again and start fresh.

To save and quit once you are happy: Escape, then :wq, then Enter.

How to Author Challenges on iximiuz Labs

Instead of providing a subpar online editing experience, iximiuz Labs offers a helper CLI tool called labctl, allowing you to use your favorite text editor (or a full-featured IDE) to write content from the comfort of your local machine.

Install labctl CLI

curl -sf https://labs.iximiuz.com/cli/install.sh | sh

This will download and install the latest version of the labctl CLI. You only need to do this once per workstation.

Authorize labctl

labctl auth login

This will open a browser window asking you to authorize labctl to access your account. You need to do it after a fresh install of labctl and repeat it whenever the auth session expires.

Pull challenge content

labctl content pull challenge linux-basics-edit-challenge-ed314d8b

This will create a local copy of the challenge content in a directory named linux-basics-edit-challenge-ed314d8b. You only need to do this once per challenge.

Stream your changes

labctl content push -fw challenge linux-basics-edit-challenge-ed314d8b

Run this command in a separate terminal to continuously upload your changes to the server while editing the challenge in your favorite text editor or IDE.

You can also use labctl to create, list, and delete your content. Learn more about the available commands: labctl content --help

Start challenge