LE Module 01

Module 01
Introduction to Linux
This slide deck is for LPI Academy instructors to use for lectures for LPI Academy courses.
©Copyright Network Development Group 2013.
Exam Objective
1.1 Linux Evolution and Popular
Operating Systems
Objective Summary
– Learn the history of Linux and Unix
– Understand the parts of a Linux system
– Start learning about Open Source
– Find out where Linux runs
Evolution of Linux
What is Linux?
• Linux is the kernel – the central controller
• Add some tools to get an operating system
– Shells (enter commands into the system)
– Systems management (add users)
– Applications (email, web, development)
• Package it up into a Linux distribution
Linux History
• Invented as a hobby project in 1991 by Linus
Torvalds while at the University of Helsinki in
Finland
• People began contributing to make it work on
their hardware
• The GNU project provided a base set of tools
What is UNIX?
• Started in the 1970’s at Bell Labs, adopted by
universities
• UNIX is now a trademark of the Open Group
• An OS must be certified to be called UNIX
• Linux is not certified so it is UNIX-like
What is Linux’s job?
• The kernel manages application processes
• Allocates and reclaims memory
• Arbitrates access to disk and CPU
• Abstracts hardware specific functions so
applications are hardware-agnostic
• Provides security and isolation of users
• Switches between multiple processes
(preemptive multitasking)
Open Source
• Humans write software in source code
• Compilers translate source to machine code
• If you have the source, you can make changes
and see how it works
• Open Source means you can inspect and
change the source
Linux Distributions
• Kernel + tools + installation + package
management = distribution
• Red Hat RHEL
– Fedora, CentOS, Scientific Linux
• Debian
– Ubuntu, many appliance based distributions
Linux runs on…
• Big Iron (e.g. IBM Power Systems)
• Enterprise servers (Dell, HP, IBM, etc)
• Desktops
• Laptops
• Single board (Raspberry Pi)
• Custom hardware (TiVo)
• Embedded devices/Phones (Android)
Exam Objective
4.1 Choosing an Operating System
Objective Summary
– Understanding distribution life cycle management
– Examine operating system differences
Distribution Life Cycle
Management
Decision Points
• What will the computer do?
• What software does it need to run?
• Does it need specific hardware or OS?
• Who has to take care of it?
• How long does it need to live for?
Release Cycles
• Software and OS upgrades come on a release
cycle
• Updates can be major or minor
• Examples
– A new version of Fedora is released every 6
months
– Minor releases of RHEL come out every 12-18mo
– Major releases of RHEL come out every 3-6 years
Maintenance Cycles
• Software generally goes through phases
– Actively developed
– Bugfixes only
– Security fixes only
– No updates
• This is the maintenance cycle
• A short maintenance cycle means more
frequent upgrades are required
Pros and Cons of cycles
• Faster releases means that newer software
will be available faster
• Also means you might have to upgrade faster
to stay current or will get less stable software
• Longer maintenance cycle means you will be
supported at current software levels longer,
needing less frequent upgrades
• Longer maintenance cycles often require paid
support packages.
Software Terms
• New features are introduced in beta versions
• Beta is less tested and therefore stable
• After the beta period, software is promoted to
stable.
• If you need newer features you will often be
looking at beta software
• Backward compatibility means it still works
with older versions
Comparing Operating Systems
Windows
• Split into desktop and server versions
• Slow release cycle, long maintenance cycle
• Emphasis on backward compatibility
• Runs a GUI
• Improving scripting and management abilities
to compete with Linux
Apple OS X
• Runs on Apple hardware
• Server version adds packages to the desktop
version to aid in management and sharing
• UNIX certified
• New major releases every 18-24 months
Linux
• Unique in that after choosing Linux you must
choose a distribution
• Different distributions focus on different use
cases, e.g. desktop, server, scientific, network
• Some distributions offer commercial support,
most is volunteer based

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