···

       
4
       
 
       


     

       
5
       
 
       
```

     

       
6
       
 
       
External Network (172.20.0.0/16)

     

       
7
       
-
       
├── Kali External: 172.20.2

     

       
8
       
 
       
├── Router External: 172.20.<team>.1

     

       
9
       
-
       
└── Scoring Server: 172.20.1

     

       
10
       
 
       


     

       
11
       
 
       
Internal Network (192.168.<team>.0/24)

     

       
12
       
 
       
├── Router Internal: 192.168.<team>.1

     
···

       
27
       
 
       
### 1. Find Your Team Number

     

       
28
       
 
       


     

       
29
       
 
       
**On Kali External**:

     

       
30
       
-
       
```bash

     

       
31
       
-
       
ip addr show                    # Look for 172.20.X

     

       
32
       
-
       
# If you see 172.20.2, your team number is 2

     

       
33
       
-
       
# Check scoreboard at http://172.20.1 for confirmation

     

       
34
       
-
       
```

     

       
35
       
 
       


     

       
36
       
 
       
### 2. Configure Router

     

       
37
       
 
       


     

       
38
       
 
       
**Login to MikroTik** (via ProxMox console or SSH):

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
39
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
40
       
 
       
# Default login

     

       
41
       
 
       
admin

     
···

       
46
       
 
       
```

     

       
47
       
 
       


     

       
48
       
 
       
**Assign IP addresses**:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
49
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
50
       
 
       
# External interface

     

       
51
       
-
       
/ip address add address=172.20.<team>.1/16 interface=ether3

     

       
52
       
 
       


     

       
53
       
 
       
# Internal interface

     

       
54
       
-
       
/ip address add address=192.168.<team>.1/24 interface=ether4

     

       
55
       
 
       


     

       
56
       
 
       
# Verify

     

       
57
       
 
       
/ip address print

     

       
58
       
 
       
```

     

       
59
       
 
       


     

       
60
       
-
       
**Or use Web GUI**: `http://172.20.<team>.1:8080`

     

       
61
       
-
       
- Login: `admin` / `<your password>`

     

       
62
       
-
       
- Go to **Quick Set**

     

       
63
       
-
       
- Enter external IP: `172.20.<team>.1/16`

     

       
64
       
-
       
- Enter internal IP: `192.168.<team>.1/24`

     

       
65
       
-
       
- ✅ **Check "Enable NAT"** (required!)

     

       
66
       
-
       
- Click **Apply Configuration**

     

       
67
       
 
       


     

       
68
       
 
       
### 3. Configure Ubuntu Web Server

     

       
69
       
 
       


     

       
70
       
 
       
**Assign static IP**:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
71
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
72
       
 
       
sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-network-manager-all.yaml

     

       
73
       
 
       
```

     
···

       
90
       
 
       
ping 192.168.<team>.1          # Test router connectivity

     

       
91
       
 
       
```

     

       
92
       
 
       


     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
93
       
 
       
**Start Apache**:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
94
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
95
       
 
       
sudo systemctl restart apache2

     

       
96
       
 
       
sudo systemctl status apache2   # Should show "active (running)"

     

       
97
       
 
       
```

     

       
98
       
 
       


     

       
99
       
-
       
**Test locally**:

     

       
100
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
101
       
-
       
curl http://192.168.<team>.2    # Should return HTML

     

       
102
       
 
       
```

     

       
103
       
 
       


     

       
104
       
 
       
### 4. Configure Port Forwarding (Router)

     

       
105
       
 
       


     

       
106
       
-
       
**Web GUI Method** (recommended):

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
107
       
 
       
```

     

       
108
       
 
       
http://172.20.<team>.1:8080

     

       
109
       
 
       
```

     

       
110
       
 
       


     

       
111
       
-
       
1. Go to **Quick Set** → **Port Mapping**

     

       
112
       
 
       
2. Click **New**

     

       
113
       
 
       
   - Name: `www-tcp`

     

       
114
       
 
       
   - Protocol: `TCP`

     
···

       
126
       
 
       
### 5. Test From External Network

     

       
127
       
 
       


     

       
128
       
 
       
**On Kali External**:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
129
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
130
       
 
       
ping 172.20.<team>.1                    # Router should respond

     

       
131
       
 
       
curl http://172.20.<team>.1             # Should show web content from internal server

     
···

       
135
       
 
       


     

       
136
       
 
       
All lights should be green!

     

       
137
       
 
       


     

       
138
       
-
       
## Quick Troubleshooting

     

       
139
       
-
       


     

       
140
       
-
       
| Problem | Check |

     

       
141
       
-
       
|---------|-------|

     

       
142
       
-
       
| Router not pingable | Verify IP on ether3: `/ip address print` |

     

       
143
       
-
       
| Web not accessible | 1. Is Apache running? 2. Did you enable NAT? 3. Port forwarding rules exist? |

     

       
144
       
-
       
| Internal server can't reach router | Check internal IP on ether4, verify gateway in netplan |

     

       
145
       
-
       
| Lights still red | Wait 30 seconds for scoring refresh, check exact IPs match topology |

     

       
146
       
-
       


     

       
147
       
 
       
## Configuration Files Reference

     

       
148
       
 
       


     

       
149
       
 
       
**Router**: Web GUI at `http://172.20.<team>.1:8080` or CLI via console

     

       
150
       
 
       


     

       
151
       
 
       
**Ubuntu Web Server**:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
152
       
 
       
- Network: `/etc/netplan/01-network-manager-all.yaml`

     

       
153
       
 
       
- Apache: `sudo systemctl restart apache2`

     

       
154
       
 
       
- Website content: `/var/www/html/`

     

       
155
       
 
       


     

       
156
       
 
       
**Kali Machines**: For testing only, no configuration needed

     

       
157
       
-
       


     

       
158
       
-
       
## Common Mistakes

     

       
159
       
-
       


     

       
160
       
-
       
❌ Forgot to enable NAT on router  

     

       
161
       
-
       
❌ Port forwarding only has TCP rule (need UDP too)  

     

       
162
       
-
       
❌ Wrong team number in IP addresses  

     

       
163
       
-
       
❌ Apache not started on Ubuntu  

     

       
164
       
-
       
❌ Netplan syntax error (YAML is whitespace-sensitive)  

     

       
165
       
-
       
❌ Router interface names wrong (check with `interface print`)

     

       
166
       
-
       


     

       
167
       
-
       
## Time-Saving Tips

     

       
168
       
-
       


     

       
169
       
-
       
1. Use **web GUI for router** - faster than CLI for NAT/port forwarding

     

       
170
       
-
       
2. Copy/paste team number once you know it - avoid typos

     

       
171
       
-
       
3. Test each step before moving on (ping, curl, status checks)

     

       
172
       
-
       
4. If stuck, verify each light's requirement on scoreboard

     

···

       
4
       
 
       


     

       
5
       
 
       
```

     

       
6
       
 
       
External Network (172.20.0.0/16)

     

       
7
       
+
       
├── Kali External: 172.20.0.2

     

       
8
       
 
       
├── Router External: 172.20.<team>.1

     

       
9
       
+
       
└── Scoring Server: 172.20.0.1

     

       
10
       
 
       


     

       
11
       
 
       
Internal Network (192.168.<team>.0/24)

     

       
12
       
 
       
├── Router Internal: 192.168.<team>.1

     
···

       
27
       
 
       
### 1. Find Your Team Number

     

       
28
       
 
       


     

       
29
       
 
       
**On Kali External**:

     

       
30
       
+
       


     

       
31
       
+
       
Check scoreboard at http://172.20.1 for team number (username: `sandbox` pass: `password`).

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
32
       
 
       


     

       
33
       
 
       
### 2. Configure Router

     

       
34
       
 
       


     

       
35
       
 
       
**Login to MikroTik** (via ProxMox console or SSH):

     

       
36
       
+
       


     

       
37
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
38
       
 
       
# Default login

     

       
39
       
 
       
admin

     
···

       
44
       
 
       
```

     

       
45
       
 
       


     

       
46
       
 
       
**Assign IP addresses**:

     

       
47
       
+
       


     

       
48
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
49
       
+
       
/interface print

     

       
50
       
+
       


     

       
51
       
 
       
# External interface

     

       
52
       
+
       
/ip address add address=172.20.<team>.1/16 interface=ether#

     

       
53
       
 
       


     

       
54
       
 
       
# Internal interface

     

       
55
       
+
       
/ip address add address=192.168.<team>.1/24 interface=ether#

     

       
56
       
 
       


     

       
57
       
 
       
# Verify

     

       
58
       
 
       
/ip address print

     

       
59
       
 
       
```

     

       
60
       
 
       


     

       
61
       
+
       
The webgui can't be used here because there are no ip addresses assigned to it yet.

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
62
       
 
       


     

       
63
       
 
       
### 3. Configure Ubuntu Web Server

     

       
64
       
 
       


     

       
65
       
 
       
**Assign static IP**:

     

       
66
       
+
       


     

       
67
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
68
       
 
       
sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-network-manager-all.yaml

     

       
69
       
 
       
```

     
···

       
86
       
 
       
ping 192.168.<team>.1          # Test router connectivity

     

       
87
       
 
       
```

     

       
88
       
 
       


     

       
89
       
+
       
or open settings -> enable wired and config there

     

       
90
       
+
       


     

       
91
       
 
       
**Start Apache**:

     

       
92
       
+
       


     

       
93
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
94
       
 
       
sudo systemctl restart apache2

     

       
95
       
 
       
sudo systemctl status apache2   # Should show "active (running)"

     

       
96
       
 
       
```

     

       
97
       
 
       


     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
98
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
99
       
+
       
sudo vi /var/www/html/index.html # change team number

     

       
100
       
 
       
```

     

       
101
       
 
       


     

       
102
       
 
       
### 4. Configure Port Forwarding (Router)

     

       
103
       
 
       


     

       
104
       
+
       
**Web GUI**:

     

       
105
       
+
       


     

       
106
       
 
       
```

     

       
107
       
 
       
http://172.20.<team>.1:8080

     

       
108
       
 
       
```

     

       
109
       
 
       


     

       
110
       
+
       
1. Go to **Quick Set** → **Port Mapping** (enable nat here and change gateway to `172.20.1.1`)

     

       
111
       
 
       
2. Click **New**

     

       
112
       
 
       
   - Name: `www-tcp`

     

       
113
       
 
       
   - Protocol: `TCP`

     
···

       
125
       
 
       
### 5. Test From External Network

     

       
126
       
 
       


     

       
127
       
 
       
**On Kali External**:

     

       
128
       
+
       


     

       
129
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
130
       
 
       
ping 172.20.<team>.1                    # Router should respond

     

       
131
       
 
       
curl http://172.20.<team>.1             # Should show web content from internal server

     
···

       
135
       
 
       


     

       
136
       
 
       
All lights should be green!

     

       
137
       
 
       


     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
138
       
 
       
## Configuration Files Reference

     

       
139
       
 
       


     

       
140
       
 
       
**Router**: Web GUI at `http://172.20.<team>.1:8080` or CLI via console

     

       
141
       
 
       


     

       
142
       
 
       
**Ubuntu Web Server**:

     

       
143
       
+
       


     

       
144
       
 
       
- Network: `/etc/netplan/01-network-manager-all.yaml`

     

       
145
       
 
       
- Apache: `sudo systemctl restart apache2`

     

       
146
       
 
       
- Website content: `/var/www/html/`

     

       
147
       
 
       


     

       
148
       
 
       
**Kali Machines**: For testing only, no configuration needed

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

···

       
1
       
-
       
# Linux Service Configuration Writeups

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
2
       
 
       


     

       
3
       
 
       
Quick reference guides for configuring services in Linux competitions. Assumes basic Linux knowledge (filesystem navigation, systemctl, ssh, etc.).

     

       
4
       
 
       


     

       
5
       
-
       
## Writeups

     

       
6
       
 
       


     

       
7
       
-
       
0. **[Mini-Hack Quick Start](00-mini-hack-overview.md)** - Complete mini-hack walkthrough checklist

     

       
8
       
-
       
1. **[Services Overview](01-services-overview.md)** - General approach to any service

     

       
9
       
-
       
2. **[Apache Web Service](02-apache-web-service.md)** - HTTP/HTTPS server configuration

     

       
10
       
-
       
3. **[SSH Service](03-ssh-service.md)** - Remote access, keys, security

     

       
11
       
-
       
4. **[Network Configuration](04-network-configuration.md)** - Static IPs across different distros

     

       
12
       
-
       
5. **[DNS, Rsync, Cron](05-dns-rsync-cron.md)** - Name resolution and automated backups

     

       
13
       
-
       
6. **[UFW Firewall](06-ufw-firewall.md)** - Ubuntu firewall configuration

     

       
14
       
-
       
7. **[Active Connection Defense](07-active-connection-defense.md)** - Monitor and kill malicious connections

     

       
15
       
-
       
8. **[MikroTik Router](08-mikrotik-router.md)** - Router configuration (2025 competition)

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
16
       
 
       


     

       
17
       
 
       
## Service-Specific Quick Reference

     

       
18
       
 
       


     

       
19
       
 
       
### Apache Service Names

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
20
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
21
       
 
       
apache2      # Ubuntu/Debian/Kali

     

       
22
       
 
       
httpd        # CentOS/RHEL

     
···

       
24
       
 
       


     

       
25
       
 
       
### Network Configuration Files

     

       
26
       
 
       


     

       
27
       
-
       
| Distribution | Config Location |

     

       
28
       
-
       
|--------------|----------------|

     

       
29
       
-
       
| Kali/Debian  | `/etc/network/interfaces` |

     

       
30
       
-
       
| Ubuntu       | `/etc/netplan/*.yaml` |

     

       
31
       
 
       
| CentOS/RHEL  | `/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-*` |

     

       
32
       
 
       


     

       
33
       
 
       
### SSH Key Permissions

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
34
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
35
       
 
       
chmod 700 ~/.ssh/

     

       
36
       
 
       
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa          # Private key

     
···

       
39
       
 
       
```

     

       
40
       
 
       


     

       
41
       
 
       
Regenerate host keys on cloned VMs:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
42
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
43
       
 
       
sudo ssh-keygen -A

     

       
44
       
 
       
sudo systemctl restart sshd

     

       
45
       
 
       
```

     

       
46
       
 
       


     

       
47
       
 
       
### UFW Firewall

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
48
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
49
       
 
       
sudo ufw enable

     

       
50
       
 
       
sudo ufw allow ssh

     
···

       
56
       
 
       
```

     

       
57
       
 
       


     

       
58
       
 
       
### Active Connection Monitoring

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
59
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
60
       
 
       
sudo netstat -tunap                     # All connections with PIDs

     

       
61
       
 
       
sudo netstat -tunap | grep ESTABLISHED  # Only active

     
···

       
65
       
 
       
```

     

       
66
       
 
       


     

       
67
       
 
       
### MikroTik Router

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
68
       
 
       
**CLI**:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
69
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
70
       
 
       
/ip address print

     

       
71
       
 
       
/ip address add address=192.168.1.1/24 interface=ether3

     
···

       
77
       
 
       
Default login: `admin` / (blank password)

     

       
78
       
 
       


     

       
79
       
 
       
### Rsync + Cron

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
80
       
 
       
**Rsync common patterns**:

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
81
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
82
       
 
       
rsync -av source/ dest/                             # Basic sync

     

       
83
       
 
       
rsync -av --delete source/ dest/                    # Mirror (delete extra files in dest)

     
···

       
87
       
 
       
```

     

       
88
       
 
       


     

       
89
       
 
       
**Cron syntax**: `minute hour day month weekday command`

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
90
       
 
       
```

     

       
91
       
 
       
0 2 * * * /path/to/backup.sh      # Daily at 2 AM

     

       
92
       
 
       
*/15 * * * * /path/to/script.sh   # Every 15 minutes

     
···

       
95
       
 
       


     

       
96
       
 
       
## Distribution Differences

     

       
97
       
 
       


     

       
98
       
-
       
| Feature | Ubuntu | Kali | CentOS/RHEL |

     

       
99
       
-
       
|---------|--------|------|-------------|

     

       
100
       
-
       
| Apache service | `apache2` | `apache2` | `httpd` |

     

       
101
       
-
       
| Network config | netplan YAML | interfaces | ifcfg-* scripts |

     

       
102
       
-
       
| Firewall | UFW | iptables | firewall-cmd |

     

       
103
       
-
       
| Cron service | `cron` | `cron` | `crond` |

     

       
104
       
 
       


     

       
105
       
 
       
**Router (2025)**: All distributions use MikroTik (replaces CentOS router)

     

       
106
       
 
       


     
···

       
117
       
 
       


     

       
118
       
 
       
## Critical Configuration Locations

     

       
119
       
 
       


     

       
120
       
-
       
| Service | Config File(s) |

     

       
121
       
-
       
|---------|---------------|

     

       
122
       
-
       
| SSH | `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` |

     

       
123
       
-
       
| Apache (Ubuntu) | `/etc/apache2/apache2.conf`, `/etc/apache2/sites-available/` |

     

       
124
       
-
       
| Apache (CentOS) | `/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf`, `/etc/httpd/conf.d/` |

     

       
125
       
-
       
| Network (Kali) | `/etc/network/interfaces` |

     

       
126
       
-
       
| Network (Ubuntu) | `/etc/netplan/*.yaml` |

     

       
127
       
-
       
| Network (CentOS) | `/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-*` |

     

       
128
       
-
       
| DNS resolution | `/etc/resolv.conf` |

     

       
129
       
-
       
| Cron jobs | `crontab -e` (per-user), `/etc/crontab` (system-wide) |

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

       
0
       
 
       

     

···

       
1
       
+
       
# NCAE Linux Competition Tools

     

       
2
       
+
       


     

       
3
       
+
       
> [!CAUTION]

     

       
4
       
+
       
> These writeups are tailored for NCAE cybersecurity competitions and may not reflect production best practices.

     

       
5
       
+
       
>

     

       
6
       
+
       
> Focus is on speed and competition scenarios, not enterprise deployment.

     

       
7
       
 
       


     

       
8
       
 
       
Quick reference guides for configuring services in Linux competitions. Assumes basic Linux knowledge (filesystem navigation, systemctl, ssh, etc.).

     

       
9
       
 
       


     

       
10
       
+
       
## The Layout

     

       
11
       
 
       


     

       
12
       
+
       
```bash

     

       
13
       
+
       
~/ncae-tools

     

       
14
       
+
       
├── 00-mini-hack-overview.md        # Complete mini-hack walkthrough checklist

     

       
15
       
+
       
├── 01-services-overview.md         # General approach to any service

     

       
16
       
+
       
├── 02-apache-web-service.md        # HTTP/HTTPS server configuration

     

       
17
       
+
       
├── 03-ssh-service.md               # Remote access, keys, security

     

       
18
       
+
       
├── 04-network-configuration.md     # Static IPs across different distros

     

       
19
       
+
       
├── 05-dns-rsync-cron.md            # Name resolution and automated backups

     

       
20
       
+
       
├── 06-ufw-firewall.md              # Ubuntu firewall configuration

     

       
21
       
+
       
├── 07-active-connection-defense.md # Monitor and kill malicious connections

     

       
22
       
+
       
└── 08-mikrotik-router.md           # Router configuration (2025 minitik)

     

       
23
       
+
       
```

     

       
24
       
 
       


     

       
25
       
 
       
## Service-Specific Quick Reference

     

       
26
       
 
       


     

       
27
       
 
       
### Apache Service Names

     

       
28
       
+
       


     

       
29
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
30
       
 
       
apache2      # Ubuntu/Debian/Kali

     

       
31
       
 
       
httpd        # CentOS/RHEL

     
···

       
33
       
 
       


     

       
34
       
 
       
### Network Configuration Files

     

       
35
       
 
       


     

       
36
       
+
       
| Distribution | Config Location                          |

     

       
37
       
+
       
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------- |

     

       
38
       
+
       
| Kali/Debian  | `/etc/network/interfaces`                |

     

       
39
       
+
       
| Ubuntu       | `/etc/netplan/*.yaml`                    |

     

       
40
       
 
       
| CentOS/RHEL  | `/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-*` |

     

       
41
       
 
       


     

       
42
       
 
       
### SSH Key Permissions

     

       
43
       
+
       


     

       
44
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
45
       
 
       
chmod 700 ~/.ssh/

     

       
46
       
 
       
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa          # Private key

     
···

       
49
       
 
       
```

     

       
50
       
 
       


     

       
51
       
 
       
Regenerate host keys on cloned VMs:

     

       
52
       
+
       


     

       
53
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
54
       
 
       
sudo ssh-keygen -A

     

       
55
       
 
       
sudo systemctl restart sshd

     

       
56
       
 
       
```

     

       
57
       
 
       


     

       
58
       
 
       
### UFW Firewall

     

       
59
       
+
       


     

       
60
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
61
       
 
       
sudo ufw enable

     

       
62
       
 
       
sudo ufw allow ssh

     
···

       
68
       
 
       
```

     

       
69
       
 
       


     

       
70
       
 
       
### Active Connection Monitoring

     

       
71
       
+
       


     

       
72
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
73
       
 
       
sudo netstat -tunap                     # All connections with PIDs

     

       
74
       
 
       
sudo netstat -tunap | grep ESTABLISHED  # Only active

     
···

       
78
       
 
       
```

     

       
79
       
 
       


     

       
80
       
 
       
### MikroTik Router

     

       
81
       
+
       


     

       
82
       
 
       
**CLI**:

     

       
83
       
+
       


     

       
84
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
85
       
 
       
/ip address print

     

       
86
       
 
       
/ip address add address=192.168.1.1/24 interface=ether3

     
···

       
92
       
 
       
Default login: `admin` / (blank password)

     

       
93
       
 
       


     

       
94
       
 
       
### Rsync + Cron

     

       
95
       
+
       


     

       
96
       
 
       
**Rsync common patterns**:

     

       
97
       
+
       


     

       
98
       
 
       
```bash

     

       
99
       
 
       
rsync -av source/ dest/                             # Basic sync

     

       
100
       
 
       
rsync -av --delete source/ dest/                    # Mirror (delete extra files in dest)

     
···

       
104
       
 
       
```

     

       
105
       
 
       


     

       
106
       
 
       
**Cron syntax**: `minute hour day month weekday command`

     

       
107
       
+
       


     

       
108
       
 
       
```

     

       
109
       
 
       
0 2 * * * /path/to/backup.sh      # Daily at 2 AM

     

       
110
       
 
       
*/15 * * * * /path/to/script.sh   # Every 15 minutes

     
···

       
113
       
 
       


     

       
114
       
 
       
## Distribution Differences

     

       
115
       
 
       


     

       
116
       
+
       
| Feature        | Ubuntu       | Kali       | CentOS/RHEL      |

     

       
117
       
+
       
| -------------- | ------------ | ---------- | ---------------- |

     

       
118
       
+
       
| Apache service | `apache2`    | `apache2`  | `httpd`          |

     

       
119
       
+
       
| Network config | netplan YAML | interfaces | ifcfg-\* scripts |

     

       
120
       
+
       
| Firewall       | UFW          | iptables   | firewall-cmd     |

     

       
121
       
+
       
| Cron service   | `cron`       | `cron`     | `crond`          |

     

       
122
       
 
       


     

       
123
       
 
       
**Router (2025)**: All distributions use MikroTik (replaces CentOS router)

     

       
124
       
 
       


     
···

       
135
       
 
       


     

       
136
       
 
       
## Critical Configuration Locations

     

       
137
       
 
       


     

       
138
       
+
       
| Service          | Config File(s)                                               |

     

       
139
       
+
       
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |

     

       
140
       
+
       
| SSH              | `/etc/ssh/sshd_config`                                       |

     

       
141
       
+
       
| Apache (Ubuntu)  | `/etc/apache2/apache2.conf`, `/etc/apache2/sites-available/` |

     

       
142
       
+
       
| Apache (CentOS)  | `/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf`, `/etc/httpd/conf.d/`           |

     

       
143
       
+
       
| Network (Kali)   | `/etc/network/interfaces`                                    |

     

       
144
       
+
       
| Network (Ubuntu) | `/etc/netplan/*.yaml`                                        |

     

       
145
       
+
       
| Network (CentOS) | `/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-*`                     |

     

       
146
       
+
       
| DNS resolution   | `/etc/resolv.conf`                                           |

     

       
147
       
+
       
| Cron jobs        | `crontab -e` (per-user), `/etc/crontab` (system-wide)        |

     

       
148
       
+
       


     

       
149
       
+
       
## Credits

     

       
150
       
+
       


     

       
151
       
+
       
These writeups are based on real NCAE competition experience and consolidate knowledge from:

     

       
152
       
+
       


     

       
153
       
+
       
- NCAE Cyber Games competition materials

     

       
154
       
+
       
- Various Linux distribution documentation

     

       
155
       
+
       
- Hands-on competition debugging and troubleshooting

     

       
156
       
+
       


     

       
157
       
+
       
> [!NOTE]

     

       
158
       
+
       
> The main repository is hosted on [tangled.org](https://tangled.org/dunkirk.sh/ncae-tools), with GitHub serving as a mirror.

     

       
159
       
+
       


     

       
160
       
+
       
<p align="center">

     

       
161
       
+
       
    <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/taciturnaxolotl/carriage/master/.github/images/line-break.svg" />

     

       
162
       
+
       
</p>

     

       
163
       
+
       


     

       
164
       
+
       
<p align="center">

     

       
165
       
+
       
    &copy 2025-present <a href="https://github.com/taciturnaxolotl">Kieran Klukas</a>

     

       
166
       
+
       
</p>

     

       
167
       
+
       


     

       
168
       
+
       
<p align="center">

     

       
169
       
+
       
    <a href="https://github.com/taciturnaxolotl/ncae-tools/blob/main/LICENSE.md"><img src="https://img.shields.io/static/v1.svg?style=for-the-badge&label=License&message=MIT&logoColor=d9e0ee&colorA=363a4f&colorB=b7bdf8"/></a>

     

       
170
       
+
       
</p>