A unique, full-color introduction to Linux fundamentals Serving as a low-cost, secure alternative to expensive operating systems, Linux is a UNIX-based, open source operating system. Full-color and concise, this beginner's guide takes a learning-by-doing approach to understanding the essentials of Linux. Each chapter begins by clearly identifying what you will learn in the chapter, followed by a straightforward discussion of concepts that leads you right into hands-on tutorials. Chapters conclude with additional exercises and review questions, allowing you to reinforce and measure your understanding.
- Offers a hands-on approach to acquiring a foundation of Linux skills, aiming to ensure Linux beginners gain a solid understanding
- Uses the leading Linux distribution Fedora to demonstrate tutorials and examples
- Addresses Linux installation, desktop configuration, management of files and filesystems, remote administration, security, and more
This book is essential reading for anyone entering the world of Linux!
Table of Contents:
Introduction xvii Chapter 1 Selecting an Operating System 1
What Is an OS? 1
What Is a Kernel? 1
What Else Identifies an OS? 2
Investigating User Interfaces 4
Using a Text-Mode User Interface 4
Using a Graphical User Interface 6
Where Does Linux Fit in the OS World? 8
Comparing Linux to Unix 8
Comparing Linux to Mac OS X 10
Comparing Linux to Windows 11
What Is a Distribution? 13
Creating a Complete Linux-Based OS 13
A Summary of Common Linux Distributions 14
Understanding Release Cycles 17
The Essentials and Beyond 18
Chapter 2 Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy 21
Linux through the Ages 21
Understanding Linux’s Origins 22
Seeing Today’s Linux World 24
Using Open Source Software 24
Understanding Basic Open Source Principles 24
Linux as a Software Integrator 27
Understanding OS Roles 27
Understanding Embedded Computers 27
Understanding Desktop and Laptop Computers 28
Understanding Server Computers 29
The Essentials and Beyond 30
Chapter 3 Understanding Sof tware Licensing 33
Investigating Software Licenses 33
Copyright and Software 34
Using Licenses to Modify Copyright Terms 36
The Free Software Foundation 36
Understanding the FSF Philosophy 37
Free Software and the GPL 38
The Open Source Initiative 39
Understanding the Open Source Philosophy 39
Defining Open Source Software 40
The Creative Commons 41
Using Open Source Licenses 42
Understanding Open Source Licenses 42
Understanding Open Source Business Models 44
The Essentials and Beyond 45
Chapter 4 Using Common Linux Programs 49
Using a Linux Desktop Environment 49
Choosing a Desktop Environment 50
Launching Programs 52
Using a File Manager 54
Working with Productivity Software 56
Finding the Right Tool for the Job 57
Using a Web Browser 58
Using Email Clients 59
Using Office Tools 60
Using Multimedia Applications 61
Using Linux for Cloud Computing 62
Using Mobile Applications 62
Using Server Programs 63
Identifying Common Server Protocols and Programs 63
Installing and Launching Servers 67
Securing Servers 68
Managing Programming Languages 69
Choosing a Compiled vs. an Interpreted Language 69
Identifying Common Programming Languages 70
The Essentials and Beyond 72
Chapter 5 Managing Hardware 75
Learning About Your CPU 75
Understanding CPU Families 76
Identifying Your CPU 78
Identifying Motherboard Capabilities 78
Sizing Your Power Supply 80
Understanding Disk Issues 81
Disk Interfaces 81
Partitioning a Disk 81
Understanding Filesystem Issues 85
Using Removable and Optical Disks 88
Managing Displays 89
Understanding the Role of X 89
Using Common Display Hardware 90
Handling USB Devices 92
Managing Drivers 93
Understanding Types of Drivers 93
Locating and Installing Drivers 94
The Essentials and Beyond 95
Chapter 6 Get ting to Know the Command Line 99
Starting a Command Line 99
Launching a Terminal 100
Logging Into a Text-Mode Console 102
Logging In Remotely 103
Running Programs 103
Running Text-Mode Programs 104
Running GUI Programs 105
Running Programs in the Background 105
Manipulating Files 106
Obtaining File Listings 106
Changing Directories 108
Using Absolute and Relative File References 108
Using Common File Manipulation Commands 110
Using Shell Features 111
Using Command Completion 111
Using Command History 112
The Essentials and Beyond 114
Chapter 7 Managing Files 117
Manipulating Files 117
Creating Files 118
Copying Files 118
Moving and Renaming Files 120
Using Links 121
Deleting Files 122
Using Wildcards 123
Understanding Case Sensitivity 123
Manipulating Directories 124
Creating Directories 125
Deleting Directories 125
Managing Directories 127
The Essentials and Beyond 127
Chapter 8 Getting Help 131
Using man Pages 131
Understanding the Purpose of man Pages 131
Locating man Pages by Section Number 132
Searching for a man Page 133
Reading man Pages 134
Using less 135
Using info Pages 138
Understanding the Purpose of info Pages 138
Reading info Pages 139
Finding Additional Documentation 140
Locating Program Documentation on Your Computer 141
Locating Program Documentation Online 144
Consulting Experts 145
The Essentials and Beyond 146
Chapter 9 Using Programs and Processes 149
Understanding Package Management 149
Linux Package Management Principles 149
Understanding Package Systems 150
Managing RPM Systems 152
Managing Debian Systems 153
Understanding the Process Hierarchy 154
Identifying Running Processes 155
Using ps to Identify Processes 155
Using top to Identify Processes 157
Measuring Memory Use 159
Using Log Files 160
Locating Log Files 160
Producing More Verbose Log File Entries 162
Examining the Kernel Ring Buffer 162
The Essentials and Beyond 163
Chapter 10 Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data 165
Using Regular Expressions 165
Searching for and Extracting Data 167
Using grep 168
Using find 170
Using wc 171
Redirecting Input and Output 172
Using Basic Redirection Operators 173
Using Pipes 175
Generating Command Lines 175
Archiving Data 176
Using tar 176
Using Compression 179
Using zip 180
The Essentials and Beyond 183
Chapter 11 Editing Files 185
Understanding the Role of Text Files 185
Choosing an Editor 187
Launching an Editor 189
Editing Files with pico or nano 189
Using Text Editor Conventions 190
Exploring Basic nano Text-Editing Procedures 190
Saving Your Changes from nano 193
Editing Files with Vi 193
Understanding Vi Modes 193
Exploring Basic Vi Text-Editing Procedures 194
Saving Your Changes from Vi 197
Using Configuration File Conventions 197
Editing Formatted Text Files 199
The Essentials and Beyond 200
Chapter 12 Creating Scripts 203
Beginning a Shell Script 204
Using Commands 204
Using Arguments 207
Using Variables 208
Using Conditional Expressions 210
Using Loops 212
Using Functions 213
Setting the Script’s Exit Value 214
The Essentials and Beyond 215
Chapter 13 Understanding Users and Groups 217
Understanding Accounts 217
Understanding Account Features 218
Identifying Accounts 220
Understanding Groups 222
Using Account Tools 223
Discovering Your Own Identity 224
Learning Who’s Online 225
Working as root 226
Why Work as root? 227
Acquiring root Privileges 227
Using root Privileges Safely 230
The Essentials and Beyond 232
Chapter 14 Creating Users and Groups 235
Creating New Accounts. 235
Deciding on a Group Strategy 235
Selecting a Good Password 236
Creating Accounts Using GUI Tools 239
Creating Accounts from the Shell 241
Modifying Accounts 244
Deciding When to Modify Accounts 244
Checking for Logged-in Users 245
Modifying Accounts Using GUI Tools 245
Modifying Accounts from the Shell 247
Deleting Accounts 250
Avoiding Account-Deletion Pitfalls 250
Deleting Accounts Using GUI Tools 251
Deleting Accounts from the Shell 251
Managing Groups 252
Managing Groups Using GUI Tools 252
Managing Groups from the Shell 253
The Essentials and Beyond 255
Chapter 15 Set ting Ownership and Permissions 257
Setting Ownership 257
Understanding Ownership 258
Setting Ownership in a File Manager 259
Setting Ownership in a Shell 260
Setting Permissions 261
Understanding Permissions 261
Setting Permissions in a File Manager 266
Setting Permissions in a Shell 266
Setting the umask 267
The Essentials and Beyond 268
Chapter 16 Navigating the Linux Filesystem 271
Understanding Where Things Go 271
User Files vs. System Files 271
The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard 273
Important Directories and Their Contents 274
Using Special Permission Bits and File Features 277
Using Sticky Bits 277
Using Special Execute Permissions 279
Hiding Files from View 280
Viewing Directories 281
The Essentials and Beyond 282
Chapter 17 Managing Network Connections 285
Understanding Network Features 285
Configuring a Network Connection 287
Deciding Whether to Use DHCP 288
Creating a Wi-Fi Connection 289
Using a Network Configuration GUI 293
Using Text-Based Tools 295
Testing Your Network Connection 299
Checking Your Routing Table 299
Testing Basic Connectivity 299
Finding Breaks in Connectivity 300
Testing DNS 302
Checking Your Network Status 302
Protecting Your System from the Bad Guys 303
The Essentials and Beyond 304
Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 307
Chapter 1 307
Chapter 2 308
Chapter 3 309
Chapter 4 310
Chapter 5 311
Chapter 6 312
Chapter 7 313
Chapter 8 314
Chapter 9 315
Chapter 10 316
Chapter 11 317
Chapter 12 318
Chapter 13 319
Chapter 14 320
Chapter 15 321
Chapter 16 322
Chapter 17 323
Appendix B LPI’s Certification Program 325
The Linux Essentials Certification 325
Certification Objectives Map 326
Index 329
