Scribd
Upload
53 views

Linux Architecture Explained

Uploaded by

AlizaShaikh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
53 views

Linux Architecture Explained

Uploaded by

AlizaShaikh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Linux architecture explained

Understanding the Linux architecture is important for a security analyst. When


you understand how a system is organized, it makes it easier to understand how
it functions. In this reading, you’ll learn more about the individual components in
the Linux architecture. A request to complete a task starts with the user and then
flows through applications, the shell, the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard, the
kernel, and the hardware.
User
The user is the person interacting with a computer. They initiate and manage
computer tasks. Linux is a multi-user system, which means that multiple users
can use the same resources at the same time.
Applications
An application is a program that performs a specific task. There are many
different applications on your computer. Some applications typically come pre-
installed on your computer, such as calculators or calendars. Other applications
might have to be installed, such as some web browsers or email clients. In Linux,
you'll often use a package manager to install applications. A package manager
is a tool that helps users install, manage, and remove packages or applications.
A package is a piece of software that can be combined with other packages to
form an application.
Shell
The shell is the command-line interpreter. Everything entered into the shell is
text based. The shell allows users to give commands to the kernel and receive
responses from it. You can think of the shell as a translator between you and
your computer. The shell translates the commands you enter so that the
computer can perform the tasks you want.
Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS)
The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) is the component of the Linux OS
that organizes data. It specifies the location where data is stored in the operating
system.
A directory is a file that organizes where other files are stored. Directories are
sometimes called “folders,” and they can contain files or other directories. The
FHS defines how directories, directory contents, and other storage is organized
so the operating system knows where to find specific data.
Kernel
The kernel is the component of the Linux OS that manages processes and
memory. It communicates with the applications to route commands. The Linux
kernel is unique to the Linux OS and is critical for allocating resources in the
system. The kernel controls all major functions of the hardware, which can help
get tasks expedited more efficiently.
Hardware
The hardware is the physical components of a computer. You might be familiar
with some hardware components, such as hard drives or CPUs. Hardware is
categorized as either peripheral or internal.
Peripheral devices
Peripheral devices are hardware components that are attached and controlled
by the computer system. They are not core components needed to run the
computer system. Peripheral devices can be added or removed freely. Examples
of peripheral devices include monitors, printers, the keyboard, and the mouse.
Internal hardware
Internal hardware are the components required to run the computer. Internal
hardware includes a main circuit board and all components attached to it. This
main circuit board is also called the motherboard. Internal hardware includes the
following:
 The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a computer’s main processor,
which is used to perform general computing tasks on a computer. The CPU
executes the instructions provided by programs, which enables these
programs to run.
 Random Access Memory (RAM) is a hardware component used for
short-term memory. It’s where data is stored temporarily as you perform
tasks on your computer. For example, if you’re writing a report on your
computer, the data needed for this is stored in RAM. After you’ve finished
writing the report and closed down that program, this data is deleted from
RAM. Information in RAM cannot be accessed once the computer has been
turned off. The CPU takes the data from RAM to run programs.
 The hard drive is a hardware component used for long-term memory. It’s
where programs and files are stored for the computer to access later.
Information on the hard drive can be accessed even after a computer has
been turned off and on again. A computer can have multiple hard drives.
Key takeaways
It’s important for security analysts to understand the Linux architecture and how
these components are organized. The components of the Linux architecture are
the user, applications, shell, Filesystem Hierarchy Standard, kernel, and
hardware. Each of these components is important in how Linux functions.

You might also like