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Linux Essentials

by: Smith, Roderick W.

Linux Essentials

by: Smith, Roderick W.

ISBN 13:
9781118106792
ISBN 10:
1118106792
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 04/03/2012
Publisher: Sybex

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Linux Essentials > ISBN13: 9781118106792

Summary

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 Includes additional exercises and review questions to strengthen your learning process This book is essential reading for anyone entering the world of Linux!

Author Biography

Roderick W. Smith, Linux+, LPIC-1, LPIC-2, is a recognized Linux open source programmer and networking expert. He is the author of over a dozen books on open source technologies. His books include CompTIA Linux+ Complete Study Guide; LPIC-1: Linux Professional Institute Certification Study Guide, 2nd Edition; LPIC-2: Linux Professional Institute Certification Study Guide, and Linux Administrator Street Smarts, all from Sybex.

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

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

Supplemental Materials

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