Linux OS

INTRODUCTION TO LINUX
OPERATING SYSTEM
Objectives

 Introduction
 Linux distribution
 Installation of linux
 Features of Linux

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What is Linux?

 Linux is a free and open-source operating system

(OS) that is based on the Unix operating system. It
was first developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and
has since become one of the most widely used
operating systems in the world. Linux is highly
customizable, secure, and stable, and it can be used
for various applications, including desktop
computing, server management, and mobile
devices.

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Linux distributions

 There are hundreds of Linux distributions

available, each with its own unique features and
capabilities. Some popular distributions include
Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Red Hat, CentOS, and
Arch Linux. The choice of distribution depends on
the use case, the level of technical expertise, and
personal preferences.

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 Ubuntu is an open-source operating system based on the

Debian distribution. It is known for its user-friendly interface
and ease of use, making it popular among both beginners and
experienced users.
 Fedora: Fedora is a community-driven, open-source Linux
distribution sponsored by Red Hat. It aims to provide the
latest stable versions of software and technologies, making it
an excellent choice for developers and enthusiasts.
 Debian: Debian is one of the oldest and most influential
Linux distributions. It focuses on stability, security, and
adherence to the principles of free software.

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 Red Hat: Red Hat is a commercial Linux distribution widely

used in enterprise environments. It offers robust security,
stability, and long-term support for mission-critical systems.
 CentOS: CentOS (Community Enterprise Operating System)
is a free and open-source distribution based on the same
source code as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
 Arch Linux: Arch Linux is a lightweight and highly
customizable distribution targeted at advanced users and
enthusiasts. It follows a minimalist approach, providing a base
system that users can customize to their specific needs.

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 Advantages of Using Linux
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 Open-source nature encourages transparency, collaboration, and innovation.

 Linux is known for its stability, reliability, and long uptime.
 Enhanced security with regular updates, proactive community, and built-in security features.
 Highly customizable and flexible, allowing users to personalize their computing experience.
 Extensive software repositories and package managers simplify software installation and
management.
 Excellent compatibility and interoperability with various platforms and technologies.
 Cost-effective as most Linux distributions are free to use and distribute.
 Strong community support through forums, documentation, and resources.
 Adaptable to different hardware architectures, making it suitable for a wide range of devices.
 Wide range of applications and tools available for different purposes.
 Efficient resource management, leading to optimized performance and scalability.
 Well-suited for server environments and critical systems.
 Compatibility with existing systems, facilitating smooth integration.
 Continual development and improvement driven by the active Linux community.

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 Disadvantages
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 Steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces

or Linux-specific concepts.
 Limited software and driver support compared to other operating systems,
particularly for specialized or industry-specific software.
 Gaming support may be limited, with a smaller library of native Linux
games compared to other platforms.
 Fragmentation among different Linux distributions can lead to
compatibility issues and inconsistent experiences.
 Lack of standardization across distributions may result in variations in
software interfaces and configurations.
 Hardware compatibility can be a challenge, especially with niche or newer
hardware components.
 Availability of professional technical support options may be more limited
compared to proprietary operating systems.
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Installing Linux

Installing Directly on Windows 10/11

1. Open the Windows Search Bar. This is the magnifying glass-shaped icon in the bottom-left corner of
your screen.
2. Then type “DISKMGMT.MSC” in the search bar and hit enter.

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Cont……

3. Right-click on your main hard drive and select Shrink Volume. If you have
more than one drive, make sure to choose the one that says Primary Partition. This
will usually be labeled as the C: drive.

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Cont…

4. Then choose how much you want to shrink your drive. It is

recommended that you set aside at least 20GB (20,000MB) for
Linux.

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Cont…

5. Finally, click Shrink.

 Once you have a designated space to install Linux,

you’ll need to write a Linux Distro onto a USB

thumb drive or external drive 4GB or larger. Here’s
how to do that:

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Cont…

How to Make a Linux Bootable USB

 Download a Linux distro in ISO format. An ISO file is a disk image. Some
of the top options are Ubuntu, Mint, or Fedora. They are free to download
from each distribution’s main website. At ISBAT, we are using Ubuntu.
 Insert the USB drive into your computer. You might be asked to format
your drive. This will erase all the data stored on your drive, so make sure to
back up your files before you begin.
 Download Rufus. You can find the latest version of the application
https://rufus.ie/en/.
 Open Rufus and select your USB drive from the Device list. If you don’t
know which drive to use, eject all other drives until you only have one to
choose from.
 Under Boot Selection, click the Select button and choose the ISO file you
downloaded earlier. Don’t change the other default settings.

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Cont..

How to Install Linux from USB

 Now that you have your Linux distro on a USB, here’s how to
 Insert a bootable Linux USB drive.
 Click the start menu. This is the button in the lower-left corner of your screen that looks like the
Windows logo.
 Then hold down the SHIFT key while clicking Restart. This will take you into the Windows Recovery
Environment.

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Cont…

 Then select Use a Device.

 Find your device in the list. If you don’t see your drive,
choose EFI USB Device, then pick
your drive from the
next screen.

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 Cont…
 Your computer will now boot Linux. If your computer reboots Windows, there was either an issue with your drive, or you might have to change settings
in your BIOS.
 Select Install Linux. Some distros also let you try out the OS before installing it here.

 Go through the installation process. This will differ depending on which distro you are trying to install. These details might include your WiFi network,
language, time zone, keyboard layout, etc. You might also be required to create an account with a username and password. Make sure to write down any
details, as you will likely need them in the future.
 Most distros will allow you to partition your drive or erase it and do a clean install during the installation.
Warning: Erasing your disk will mean you will lose your settings, files, and Windows operating system. Only select Erase if you have saved copies of all your
files before starting the install process.
 Reboot your computer when prompted. If you have more than one OS in your system, you will be taken to a GNU GRUB screen after rebooting. This
screen allows you to select which OS you want to boot

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 If you do not see a GRUB screen when you boot up your computer, you can
try moving your Linux distro higher on your boot list in BIOS.
 When you’re done, you can do a hardware check. In some cases, you may
need to download additional drivers to make some hardware work. The option
to download drivers can be found in the Systems Settings of your new Linux
OS. After verifying that your hardware is working properly, you can start
exploring and using your Linux distro.
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 VirtualBox Installation

Step 1:
You can download an Ubuntu image on https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop.
Make sure to save it to a memorable location on your PC!

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Step 2: Download and install VirtualBox

You can download VirtualBox from the downloads page here:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads. This page includes instructions on how to
install VirtualBox for your specific OS.

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 Run an Ubuntu Desktop virtual machine using
VirtualBox 7
Step 3. Create a new virtual machine
 Click New to create a new virtual machine. Fill in the appropriate details:
 Name: If you include the word Ubuntu in your name the Type and Version will auto-update.
 Machine Folder: This is where your virtual machines will be stored so you can resume
working on them whenever you like.
 ISO Image: Here you need to add a link to the ISO you downloaded from the Ubuntu website.
 We want to install Ubuntu unattendedly so we can leave the checkbox to skip unchecked.

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 Cont…
 Create a user profile

 To enable the automatic install we need to prepopulate our username and password here in addition to our machine name so that it can be
configured automatically during first boot.
 The default credentials are:
 Username: vboxuser
 Password: changeme
 It is important to change these values since the defaults will create a user without sudo access.
 Ensure your Hostname has no spaces to proceed!

It is also recommended to check the Guest Additions box to install the default Guest Additions ISO that is downloaded as part of VirtualBox.
Guest additions enables a number of quality of life features such as changing resolution and dynamic screen resizing so it is highly recommended!

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 Cont..
 Define the Virtual Machine’s resources
 In the next section we can specifiy how much of our host machine’s memory and processors
the virtual machine can use. For good performance it’s recommended to provide your VM with
around 8GB of RAM (althought 4GB will still be usable) and 4 CPUs. Try to remain in the
green areas of each slider to prevent issues with your machine running both the VM and the
host OS.
 Then we need to specify the size of the hard disc for the virtual machine. For Ubuntu we
recommend around 25 GB as a minimum. By default the hard disk will scale dynamically as
more memory is required up to the defined limit. If you want to pre-allocate the full amount,
check the ‘Pre-allocate Full Size’ check box. This will improve performance but may take up
unnecessary space.

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Cont..

Click Next to continue and view a summary of your machine

setting.

After this click Finish to initialize the machine!

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 Install your image
 Click Start to launch the virtual machine.
 You will see a message saying ‘Powering VM up …’ and your desktop window will appear.
 On first boot the unattended installation will kick in so do not interact with the prompt to ‘Try and Install Ubuntu’ and let it progress
automatically to the splash screen and into the installer.

 You will notice at this stage that the resolution of the window is fixed at 800x600. This is because the Guest Additions features are not
installed until after the Ubuntu installation has completed.
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Cont..
Once the installation completes, the machine will automatically reboot to complete the installation.

Finally you will be greeted with the

Ubuntu log-in screen where you can enter
your username and password defined during
the initial setup
(don’t forget that the default
password is ‘changeme’ if you
left everything as the default).
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 Getting started with Linux
 Once Linux is installed, you can start exploring its features and capabilities.
The Linux desktop environment typically consists of a menu, taskbar, system
tray, and various applications.

 Some popular desktop environments include GNOME, KDE, and XFCE.

You can launch applications, access files, and manage settings using the
graphical user interface (GUI) or the command line interface (CLI).
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Features of Linux

 The command line interface is a powerful tool for

managing Linux systems. It provides access to a wide
range of commands and utilities that can be used to
perform various tasks, such as navigating
 The file system
 Managing users and groups

 Installing software

 Monitoring system performance.

Some common commands include ls, cd, pwd, cat, grep, and
chmod.

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Other Features
 Linux Graphical User Interface
 Provides an intuitive and user-friendly way to interact with the system
 Includes various components, such as the window manager, desktop environment, and themes
 Can be customized to suit user preferences

 Linux Documentation
 Readily available and accessible to users
 Includes various resources, such as man pages, info pages, online forums, and documentation websites
 Provides detailed information about Linux commands and more general information about the system and its components

 Linux Package Management

 Provides an easy and efficient way to install, update, and remove software packages
 Uses package managers such as APT and YUM
 Can search for and install software from online repositories, and manage dependencies and updates

 Linux Community
 A vibrant and active group of users and developers dedicated to improving and promoting Linux
 Encourages collaboration and innovation through the open-source philosophy of Linux
 Numerous online resources and forums available for sharing ideas and asking for help

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Conclusion Linux is a powerful and versatile
operating system that offers many benefits over
proprietary systems. By learning the fundamentals of
Linux, you can gain a deeper understanding of the
system and its capabilities, and develop the skills to
use it effectively.

© ISBAT UNIVERSITY . 08/13/2024