LINUX OVERVIEW

BY DORCAS ALAKE
ORS216D
WHAT IS LINUX?
• Linux is a community of open-source Unix like operating systems that are
based on the Linux Kernel.

• It was initially released by Linus Torvalds on September 17, 1991 while a

student at university of Helsinki.

• It is a free and open-source operating system and the source code can be
modified and distributed to anyone commercially or non-commercially
under the GNU General Public License.
• Initially, Linux was created for personal computers and gradually it was
used in other machines like servers, mainframe computers, supercomputers,
etc.
• Nowadays, Linux is also used in embedded systems like routers, automation
controls, televisions, digital video recorders, video game consoles,
smartwatches, etc.
• The biggest success of Linux is Android(operating system) it is based on the
Linux kernel that is running on smartphones and tablets.
• Linux is generally packaged in a Linux distribution.
Linux is available for computer hardware
platform

a) Non-computer” device, such as cell phones, automobile control systems, network routers, alarm
system controllers, etc.

b) Network servers and enterprise-class computing environments.

c) Desktop and end-user computers.

LINUX DISTRIBUTION

• Ubuntu

• Red Hat Enterprise

• Debian GNU

• SUSE and open SUSE

• Fedora

• Slackware
LINUX DISTRIBUTIONS
LINUX DISTRIBUTION
Ubuntu This is the third most popular desktop
operating system after Microsoft Windows and
Apple Mac OS. It is based on the Debian
Linux Distribution, and it is known as its
desktop environment.

Slackware is one of the oldest Linux kernel

based OS’s. It is another easy desktop
Slackware
Distribution. It aims at being a ‘Unix like’ OS
with minimal changes to its kernel.
RedHat enterprise Another popular enterprise based Linux
Distribution is Red Hat Enterprise. It has
evolved from Red Hat Linux which was
discontinued in 2004. It is a commercial Distro
and very popular among its clientele.
 It is an easy to use and a good alternative to MS
Windows. It can be easily set up and can also run on
OpenSUSE
small computers with obsolete configurations.

It is one of the most popular Desktop Distributions

available out there. It launched in 2006 and is now
Linux Mint considered to be the fourth most used Operating
system in the computing world.

It is a source based Distribution which means that you

need to configure the code on your system before you
Gentoo can install it. It is not for Linux beginners, but it is sure
fun for experienced users

Another Linux kernel based Distro, Fedora is

supported by the Fedora project, an endeavor by Red
Fedora
Hat. It is popular among desktop users. Its versions are
known for their short life cycle.
 Debian is a stable and popular non-commercial Linux
distribution. It is widely used as a desktop Linux
Debian
Distro and is user-oriented. It strictly acts within the
Linux protocols.

It is one of the most used Linux Distribution for

enterprise and web servers. It is a free enterprise class
CentOS Operating system and is based heavily on Red Hat
enterprise Distro.

This Linux Distro is popular amongst Developers. It is

Arch an independently developed system. It is designed for
users who go for a do-it-yourself approach.
OPEN SOURCE LICENSING

• Linux is distributed under a software licensing model called open source.

• With open source licensing, you are free to use, modify and redistribute
the original programming code provided you comply with specific
terms of the license.

• There are many open source licenses under which software can be
distributed. Linux follows the GNU Public License or GPL
CLOSED SOURCE
• In contrast to open source, closed source is the software industry traditional
licensing model. Such licenses give you the right to use the software (with various
limitations).
• You are restricted from reverse-engineering, modifying or redistributing the
software. The original publisher retains ownership and full control of the
software.
• Example of closed source are: Microsoft windows, Microsoft office, adobe
photoshop, apple iTunes etc.
What is GNU?

• GNU is an operating system that is free software: that is, it respects

users' freedom. The GNU operating system consists of GNU packages
(programs specifically released by the GNU Project) as well as free
software released by third parties. The development of GNU made it
possible to use a computer without software that would trample your
freedom.
GPL
• The GPL is a public license with a free software. GPL provide you the freedom to
use and distribute software and ensure that the software you distribute under the
GPL is free from claims of ownership, some forms of legal liability and burdens
associated with the use and sharing of that software.

• According to GPL, you may do the following:

1. Use software on one or more computers

2. Copy and distribute the program in compiled or source code version

3. Modify program and distribute the modified version

How to Install Linux
• Let’s look the below Linux installation guide which has various
methods we can use to Download Linux(Ubuntu) and install it.
• Linux can be installed in 3 ways:

1. Installing Linux using USB stick

2. Installing Linux using CD-ROM
3. Installing Linux using Virtual Machine
Installing Linux using CD-ROM

a) Download .iso or the ISO files on a computer from the internet and store it in the CD-ROM or

USB stick.

b)You need to restart your computer after attaching CD –ROM into the computer. Press enter at the

time of boot, here select the CD-ROM option to start the further boot process.

c) Select the drive for the installation of OS to be completed. Select “Erase Disk and install Ubuntu”

in case you want to replace the existing OS otherwise select “Something else” option and click

INSTALL NOW.
Installing Linux using Live CD-ROM
a) download the ISO file.
b) Burn the ISO file into a disk.

c) Boot from the disk.

d) Live CD provide a fully working operating system without any

installation
Installing Linux using Virtual Machine
• This is a popular method to install a Linux operating system. The virtual
installation offers you the freedom of running Linux on an existing OS
already installed on your computer.

• This means if you have Windows running, then you can just run Linux with
a click of a button.

• Virtual machine software like Oracle VM can install Linux on Windows in

easy steps.
Here the brief steps
PART A) Download and Install Virtual Box

• Download Virtual box using this link (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads)

• Depending on your processor and OS(Operating System), select the appropriate package. In our case, we have selected

Windows with AMD 64

• To install Linux on Mac follow the steps in this link:

• https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/how-install-linux-on-mac-

3637265/#:~:text=Apple%20Macs%20make%20great%20Linux,old%20type%20using%20G5%20processors).

• You can as well use the online terminal

• https://bellard.org/jslinux/vm.html?url=alpine-x86.cfg&mem=192
Once the download is complete, Open setup file and follow the steps
below:
Step-1) Click On next
Step-2) Select the directory to install VirtualBox and click on next
Step-3) Select Desktop icon and click on next, now click on yes
Step-4) Click On install to install Linux on Windows.
Step-5) Now installation of the virtual box will start. Once complete,
click on Finish Button to start Virtual Box
The virtual box dashboard looks like this-
PART B) Download Ubuntu
Visit this link to download Ubuntu.
You can select 32/64-bit versions as per your choice.
PART C) Create a Machine in Virtual Box
• Step-1) Open Virtual box and click on new button
• Step-2) In next window, give the name of your OS which you are
installing in virtual box. And select Linux and version as Ubuntu
32/64 bit. And click on next
Step-3) Now Allocate Ram Size To your Virtual OS. I recommended
keeping 1024mb (1 GB) ram to run Ubuntu better. And click on next
• Step-4) Now To run OS in virtual box we have to create virtual hard
disk, click on create a virtual hard drive and click on create button.

• The virtual hard disk is where the OS installation files and

data/applications you create/install in this Ubuntu machine will reside
Step-5) select VHD (virtual hard disk) option and click on next.
Step-6) Click on dynamic allocated and click on next. This means that
the size of the disk will increase dynamically as per requirement.
Step-7) Allocate memory to your virtual hard drive .8GB
recommended. Click on create button.
Step-8) Now you can see the machine name in left panel
PART D) How to Install Ubuntu
• Step 1) Select the Machine and Click on Start
Step 2) Select the Folder Option
Step 3) Select the Ubuntu iso file
Step 4) Click Start
Step-5) You have an option to Run Ubuntu WITHOUT installing. In
this tutorial will install Ubuntu
Step-6) Click continue.
Step-7) Select option to erase the disk and install Ubuntu and click on
install now. This option installs Ubuntu into our virtual hard drive which
is we made earlier. It will not harm your PC or Windows installation
Step-8) Select your location (South Africa)for setting up time zone, and
click on continue
Step-9) Select your keyboard layout, by default English (US) is selected
but if you want to change then, you can select in the list. And click on
continue
Step-10) Select your username and password for your Ubuntu admin
account. This information has been needed for installing any software
package into Ubuntu and also for login to your OS. Fill up your details
and tick on login automatically to ignore login attempt and click on
continue
Step-11) Installation process starts. May take up to 30 minutes. Please
wait until installation process completes.
Step-12) After finishing the installation, you will see Ubuntu Desktop.
THE END