Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP

Chapter 01 Introduction to Linux

I. What is UNIX and Linux Operating System
1. History of UNIX and Linux Operating System
a. History of UNIX operating system
- 1969: born at AT & T, United States
- 1973: The C programming system code, hich has been ritten a!! in assemb!y !ang"age,
as re-coded by the C !ang"age code#
- The C !ang"age $aci!ities the U%&' operating system to be ported to di$$erent machines,
conse("ent!y, the U%&' operating system has come into ide "se#
- S"bse("ent!y, another the U%&' operating system as de)e!oped at the system as born#
*S+ U%&' and System , hich as de)e!oped at AT & T ha)e become the to streams
o$ U%&' operating systems#
- The standardi-ation o$ the U%&' .S is "nder ay#
b. History of Linux Operating System
- 19/0: the concept o$ open so"rce-its roots stem $rom 1%U# 2r# 3ichard Sta!!man, a
researcher at the 2&T A& 4ab, started a pro5ect he ca!!ed 1%U#
- 19/7: 6ro$essor Andre S# Tanenha"n in)ents 2ini7, and open-so"rce opening system
that8s c!one o$ U%&'#
- 1991: 2r# 4in"7 Tor)a!ds, a st"dent at the Uni)ersity o$ 9e!sin:i, began de)e!oping
4in"7, ; .ctober 1991-<irst .$$ica! 3e!ease =#=>
- 4in"7 distrib"tions:
o 3ed 9at 4in"7
o <edora ? sponsored by 3ed 9at, created in !ate >==3@
o +ebian 4in"7 +istrib"tion ? Ub"nt", A"b"nt" ,,,@
o Ca!dera .pen4in"7
o 4in"7 6ro
o Trans-Amerithech 4in"7are
o S!ac:are
o S#"#S#B
o 2irac!e
o 4in"71T
2. Features of Linux Operating System
- 2"!ti"ser $eat"re: the nat"re o$ 4in"7 .perating System a!!os more "sers
sim"!taneo"s!y !ogin to "se and share process# &t can accept to or more termina!s, and
to or more "sers can ma:e "se o$ sing!e comp"ter system# The "sers are identi$ied by
the "ser &+s registered in the system# This entai!s the "se o$ passords to ens"re sec"rity#
- 2"!titas:ing $eat"re: a process or tas: is represented the "nit o$ or: is e7ec"ted by a
partic"!ar app!ication or program# The capacity to r"n to or more tas:s conc"rrent!y is
ca!!ed m"!titas:ing# The m"!titas:ing $aci!ity enab!es the 4in"7 operating system to
e7ec"te to or more 5obs conc"rrent!y at a sing!e termina!# <or e7amp!e, the 4in"7
.perating System can create $i!es hi!e sorting or printing the contents o$ !arge $i!e#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 1
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
3. Linux Kerne
The "ser commands $rom a :eyboard or termina! hen "sing the 4in"7 operating system# The
commands the "ser entered are ana!y-ed by a she!! program and e7ec"ted by the corresponding
programs# The she!! ser)es as an intermediate beteen the "ser and the operating system :erne!# &t is
a!so ca!!ed a command interpreter or command ana!y-er#
2emory management, process sched"!ing, $i!e management, and other centra! $aci!ities are
co!!ecti)e!y ca!!ed the kerne o$ 4in"7 operating system#
a. $erne' Component#
2a5or components o$ a :erne! are,
Lo! Le"e #ri"ers $ They are architect"re speci$ic dri)ers and are responsib!e $or C6U,
22U and on-board de)ices initia!i-ation #
%ro&ess S&he'uer $ Sched"!er is responsib!e $or $air cp" time s!ice a!!ocation to di$$erent
processes #
(emory (anager $ 2emory management system is responsib!e $or a!!ocating and sharing
memory to di$$erent processes#
)ie System $ 4in"7 s"pports many $i!e system types, e#g# - $at, nt$s, 5$$s and !ot more# User
doesnt ha)e to orry abo"t the comp!e7ities o$ "nder!ying $i!e system type# <or this !in"7
pro)ides a sing!e inter$ace, named as )irt"a! $i!e system # Using a sing!e ,irt"a! <i!e System
inter$ace "sers can "se the ser)ices o$ di$$erent "nder!ying $i!e systems# The comp!e7ities o$
di$$erent $i!e systems are abstracted $romthe "ser#
Net!ork Interfa&e $ This component o$ !in"7 :erne! pro)ides access and contro! to di$$erent
netor:ing de)ices#
#e"i&e #ri"ers $ These are high !e)e! dri)ers #
I%C $ &nter 6rocess Comm"nication , &6C s"bsystem a!!os di$$erent processes to share data
among themse!)es#

(ig. 1.1 $erne' component#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) >
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
). Integration De#ign
As e sa :erne! is made "p o$ di$$erent components# &ntegration design te!!s ho these di$$erent
components are integrated to create :erne!8s binary image #
There are main!y to integration designs "sed $or operating system :erne!s , mono!ithic and micro #
&n mono!ithic design a!! the :erne! components are b"i!t together into a sing!e static binary image # At
boot"p time , entire :erne! gets !oaded and then r"ns as a sing!e process in a sing!e address space#
A!! the :erne! componentsCser)ices e7ist in that static :erne! image # A!! the :erne! ser)ices are
r"nning and a)ai!ab!e a!! the time #
A!so , since inside the :erne! e)erything resides in a sing!e address space ,so no &6C :ind o$
mechanism is needed $or comm"nicating beteen :erne! ser)ices# <or a!! these reasons mono!ithic
:erne!s are high per$ormance# 2ost o$ the "ni7 :erne!s are mono!ithic :erne!s#
The donside o$ this design is that once the static :erne! image is !oaded , yo" cant addCremo)e any
component or ser)ice $rom the :erne! # A!so its memory $ootprint is high # So, reso"rce cons"mption
is higher in case o$ mono!ithic :erne!s#
The second :ind o$ :erne! is micro:erne!# &n micro:erne! a sing!e static :erne! image is not b"i!t,
instead :erne! image is bro:en don into di$$erent sma!! ser)ices#
At boot "p time , core :erne! ser)ices are !oaded , they r"n in pri)i!eged mode # Dhene)er some
ser)ice is re("ired , it has to get !oaded $or r"nning #
Un!i:e mono!ithic :erne! a!! ser)ices are not "p and r"nning a!! the time # They r"n as and hen
re("ested # A!so, "n!i:e mono!ithic :erne!s , ser)ices in micro:erne!s r"n in separate address spaces #
So, comm"nication beteen to di$$erent ser)ices re("ires &6C mechanism # <or a!! these reasons
micro:erne!s are not high per$ormace :erne!s b"t they re("ire !ess reso"rces to r"n #
4in"7 :erne! ta:es best o$ both these designs# <"ndamenta!!y it is a mono!ithic :erne!# Bntire !in"7
:erne! and a!! its ser)ices r"n as a sing!e process , in a sing!e address space , achie)ing )ery high
per$ormance # *"t it a!so has the capabi!ity to !oad C "n!oad ser)ices at r"n time in the $orm o$ :erne!
mod"!es #
c. U#er * "ode and $erne' * "ode
&n a system , !in"7 :erne! r"ns "nder a specia! pri)i!eged mode as compared to "ser app!ications#
Aerne! r"ns in a protected memory space and it has access to the entire hardare # This memory
space and this pri)i!eged state co!!ecti)e!y is :non as :erne! space or :erne! mode# .n the
contrary , "ser app!ications r"n "nder "ser-space and ha)e !imited access to reso"rces and hardare#
User space app!ications cant direct!y access to :erne! space memory b"t :erne! has access to entire
memory space #
d. Different Context# of $erne' Code
Bntire :erne! code can be di)ided into three categories#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 3
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
6rocess Conte7t
&nterr"pt Conte7t
Aerne! Conte7t
%ro&ess Context
User app!ications cant access the :erne! space direct!y b"t there is an inter$ace "sing hich "ser
app!ications can ca!! the $"nctions de$ined in the :erne! space# This inter$ace is :non as system ca!!
# A "ser app!ication can re("est $or :erne! ser)ices "sing a system ca!!#
read?@ , rite?@ ca!!s are e7amp!es o$ a system ca!!# A "ser app!ication ca!!s read?@ C rite?@ , that in
t"rn in)o:es sysEread?@ C sysErite?@ in the :erne! space # &n this case :erne! code e7ec"tes on the
re("est o$ "ser space app!ication# So, the :erne! code that e7ec"tes on the re("est or on beha!$ o$ a
"ser app!ication is ca!!ed process conte7t code# A!! system ca!!s $a!! in this category#
Interrupt Context
Dhene)er a de)ice ants to comm"nicate ith the :erne!, it sends an interr"pt signa! to the :erne!#
The moment :erne! recei)es an interr"pt re("est $rom the hardare, it starts e7ec"ting some ro"tine
in the response to that interr"pt re("est# This response ro"tine is ca!!ed as interr"pt ser)ice ro"tine or
an interr"pt hand!er# &nterr"pt hand!er ro"tine is said to e7ec"te in the interr"pt conte7t#
*erne Context
There is some code in the !in"7 :erne! that is neither in)o:ed by a "ser app!ication nor it is in)o:ed
by an interr"pt# This code is integra! to the :erne! and :eeps on r"nning a!ays # 2emory
management , process management , &C. sched"!ers , a!! that code !ies in this category# This code is
said to e7ec"te in the :erne! conte7t#
e. Linux $erne' +er#ioning
<or :noing the inux kerne "ersion , yo" can "se F"nameF command ith F-rF option # "name is a
"se$"! command , yo" sho"!d go thro"gh a!! its options #
,ersion 1#= o$ the 4in"7 :erne! as re!eased on 10 2arch 1990# This re!ease o$ the 4in"7
:erne! on!y s"pported sing!e-processor i3/6-based comp"ter systems# 6ortabi!ity became a
concern, and so )ersion 1#> ?re!eased 7 2arch 199;@ gained s"pport $or comp"ter systems
"sing processors based on the A!pha, S6A3C, and 2&6S architect"res#
,ersion >#= as re!eased 9 G"ne 1996# There ere 01 re!eases in the series# The ma5or $eat"re
o$ >#= as S26 s"pport ?that is, s"pport $or m"!tip!e processors in a sing!e system@ and
s"pport $or more types o$ processors#
,ersion >#> ?re!eased >6 Gan"ary 1999@ remo)ed the g!oba! spin!oc: and pro)ided impro)ed
S26 s"pport, and added s"pport $or the m6/: and 6oer6C architect"res as e!! as ne $i!e
systems ?inc!"ding read-on!y s"pport $or 2icroso$t8s %T<S@#
,ersion >#0#=, re!eased on 0 Gan"ary >==1, contained s"pport $or &SA 6!"g and 6!ay, US*,
and 6C Cards#

&t a!so inc!"ded s"pport $or the 6A-3&SC processor $rom 9e!ett-6ac:ard#
+e)e!opment $or >#0#x changed a bit in that more $eat"res ere made a)ai!ab!e thro"gho"t
the d"ration o$ the series, inc!"ding: s"pport $or *!"etooth, 4ogica! ,o!"me 2anager ?4,2@
)ersion 1, 3A&+ s"pport, &nter2e--o and e7t3 $i!e systems#
,ersion >#6#= as re!eased on 1/ +ecember >==3# The de)e!opment $or >#6#x changed $"rther
toards inc!"ding ne $eat"res thro"gho"t the d"ration o$ the series# Among the changes that
ha)e been made in the >#6 series are: integration o$ HC!in"7 into the main!ine :erne! so"rces,
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 0
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
6AB s"pport, s"pport $or se)era! ne !ines o$ C6Us, integration o$ A4SA into the main!ine
:erne! so"rces, s"pport $or "p to >
3>
"sers ?"p $rom >
16
@, s"pport $or "p to >
>9
process &+s ?"p
$rom >
1;
@, s"bstantia!!y increased the n"mber o$ de)ice types and the n"mber o$ de)ices o$
each type, impro)ed 60-bit s"pport, s"pport $or $i!e systems o$ "p to 16 terabytes, in-:erne!
preemption, s"pport $or the %ati)e 6.S&' Thread 4ibrary ?%6T4@, User-mode 4in"7
integration into the main!ine :erne! so"rces, SB4in"7 integration into the main!ine :erne!
so"rces, &n$ini*and s"pport, and considerab!y more# A!so notab!e are the addition o$ se)era!
$i!e systems thro"gho"t the >#6#x re!eases: <USB, G<S, '<S, e7t0 and more# +etai!s on the
history o$ the >#6 :erne! series can be $o"nd in the Change4og $i!es on the >#6 :erne! series
so"rce code re!ease area o$ :erne!#org#
,ersion 3#= as re!eased on >> G"!y >=11# Tor)a!ds anno"nced that the big change as,
I%.T9&%1# Abso!"te!y nothing#I 3= 2ay >=11 sa Tor)a!ds anno"nce, I###!etFs ma:e s"re
e rea!!y ma:e the ne7t re!ease not 5"st an a!! ne shiny n"mber, b"t a good :erne! too#I
A$ter the e7pected 6J7 ee: de)e!opment process, it o"!d be re!eased near the >=th
anni)ersary o$ 4in"7#
f. Linux oot Proce##
&n 4in"7, the $!o o$ contro! d"ring a boot is $rom *&.S, to boot !oader, to :erne!# The :erne! then
starts the sched"!er ?to a!!o m"!ti-tas:ing@ and r"ns the $irst "ser!and ?i#e# o"tside :erne! space@
program &nit ?hich is most!y responsib!e to r"n start"p scripts $or each r"n!e)e!@, at hich point the
:erne! goes id!e "n!ess ca!!ed e7terna!!y#
&n detai!:
1# The *&.S per$orms hardare-p!at$orm speci$ic start"p tas:s
># .nce the hardare is recogni-ed and started correct!y, the *&.S !oads and e7ec"tes the
partition boot code $rom the designated boot de)ice, hich contains phase 1 o$ a 4in"7 boot
!oader# 6hase 1 !oads phase > ?the b"!: o$ the boot !oader code@# Some !oaders may "se an
intermediate phase ?:non as phase 1#;@ to achie)e this since modern !arge dis:s may not be
$"!!y readab!e itho"t $"rther code#
3# The boot !oader o$ten presents the "ser ith a men" o$ possib!e boot options?*ootStrap@# &t
then !oads the operating system, hich decompresses into memory, and sets "p system
$"nctions s"ch as essentia! hardare and memory paging, be$ore ca!!ing start_kernel()#
0# start_kernel() then per$orms the ma5ority o$ system set"p ?interr"pts, the rest o$ memory
management, de)ice initia!i-ation, dri)ers, etc#@ be$ore spaning separate!y, the id!e process
and sched"!er, and the &nit process ?hich is e7ec"ted in "ser space@#
;# The &nit process e7ec"tes scripts as needed that set "p a!! non-operating system ser)ices and
str"ct"res in order to a!!o a "ser en)ironment to be created, and then presents the "ser ith a
!ogin screen#
.n sh"tdon, &nit is ca!!ed to c!ose don a!! "ser space $"nctiona!ity in a contro!!ed manner, again
)ia scripted directions, $o!!oing hich &nit terminates and the Aerne! e7ec"tes its on sh"tdon#
!. Starting and "erminating t#e Linux Operating System
4ogin: 6rocess o$ initiating a 4in"7 .perating System session#
4ogo"t: 6rocess o$ terminating a 4in"7 .perating System session#
Dhen the "ser starts the 4in"7 operating system, the operating system prompts the "ser to enter yo"r
"ser and name &+ and passord# The "ser enters the prede$ined "ser &+ and passord# This se("ence
o$ operating is ca!!ed !ogin# Dhen the "ser !ogs into the 4in"7 operating system, the system disp!ays
a prompt, indicating that it can accept commands# The "ser can no do yo"r 5obs "nder the 4in"7
operating system#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) ;
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
To terminate a 4in"7 operating system session, e7ec"te the e7it command at the prompt to end the
e7ec"tion o$ the 4in"7 operating system# This process is ca!!ed !ogo"t#
II. Free Open Source System
)ree an' open+sour&e soft!are ?),OSS, )OSS@ or free,ibre,open+sour&e soft!are ?)LOSS@ is
independent!y !icensed grant the right o$ "sers to use, stu'y, &hange, and impro"e its 'esign
thro"gh the a)ai!abi!ity o$ its so"rce code# This approach has gained both moment"m and acceptance
as the potentia! bene$its ha)e been increasing!y recogni-ed by both indi)id"a!s and corporations#
<.SS is an inc!"si)e term that co)ers both free soft!are and open sour&e soft!are, hich
despite describing simi!ar de)e!opment mode!s, ha)e di$$ering c"!t"res and phi!osophies#

<ree
so$tare $oc"ses on the phi!osophica! $reedoms it gi)es to "sers, hereas open so"rce so$tare
$oc"ses on the percei)ed strengths o$ its peer-to-peer de)e!opment mode!# <.SS is a term that can be
"sed itho"t partic"!ar bias toards either po!itica! approach#
a. Li$ense History %&eferen$ed from 'i(ipedia)
&n 19/3, -i&har' Staman, !ongtime member o$ the ha&ker comm"nity at the (I.
/rtifi&ia Inteigen&e Laboratory0 anno"nced the 1%U pro5ect, saying that he had become
$r"strated ith the e$$ects o$ the change in c"!t"re o$ the comp"ter ind"stry and its "sers#
K/L
So$tare
de)e!opment $or the 1%U operating system began in Gan"ary 19/0, and the <ree So$tare
<o"ndation ?<S<@ as $o"nded in .ctober 19/;# An artic!e o"t!ining the pro5ect and its goa!s as
p"b!ished in 2arch 19/; tit!ed the 1%U 2ani$esto# The mani$esto a!so $oc"sed hea)i!y on the
phi!osophy o$ $ree so$tare# 9e de)e!oped The Free Software Definition and the concept o$
Icopy!e$tI, designed to ens"re so$tare $reedom $or a!!#
The 4in"7 :erne!, started by 4in"s Tor)a!ds, as re!eased as $ree!y modi$iab!e so"rce code in 1991#
The !icence asnFt e7act!y a $ree so$tare !icence, b"t ith )ersion =#1> in <ebr"ary 199>, he
re!icensed the pro5ect "nder the 1%U 1enera! 6"b!ic 4icense#
K9L
2"ch !i:e Uni7, Tor)a!dsF :erne!
attracted the attention o$ )o!"nteer programmers#
&n 1997, Bric 3aymond p"b!ished The Cathedra! and the *a-aar, a re$!ecti)e ana!ysis o$ the hac:er
comm"nity and $ree so$tare princip!es# The paper recei)ed signi$icant attention in ear!y 199/, and
as one $actor in moti)ating %etscape Comm"nications Corporation to re!ease their pop"!ar
%etscape Comm"nicator &nternet s"ite as $ree so$tare# This code is today better :non as 2o-i!!a
<ire$o7 and Th"nderbird#
*. Sour$eForge
So"rce<orge is dedicated to ma:ing open so"rce pro5ects s"ccess$"!# De thri)e on comm"nity
co!!aboration to he!p "s create the !eading reso"rce $or open so"rce so$tare de)e!opment and
distrib"tion# Dith the too!s e pro)ide, >#7 mi!!ion de)e!opers create poer$"! so$tare in o)er
>6=,=== pro5ects# ."r pop"!ar directory connects more than 06 mi!!ion cons"mers ith these open
so"rce pro5ects and ser)es more than >,===,=== don!oads a day# So"rce<orge is here open so"rce
happens#
So"rce<orge#net is oned and operated by 1ee:net, &nc#, a p"b!ic!y traded US-based company#
So"rce<orge has a n"mber o$ so"rces and pro5ects hich are !isted be!o:
- A"dio & ,ideo
- *"siness & Bnterprise
- Comm"nications
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 6
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
- +e)e!opment
- 9ome & Bd"cation
- 1ames
- 1raphics
- Sciences & Bngineering
- Sec"rity & Uti!ities
- System Administration
III. Overview of Fedora and ed !at "nterprise Linux
<edora is a 4in"7 operating system that is sponsored by 3ed 9at, &nc# &ts roots come $rom 3ed 9at
4in"7, hich ended its de)e!opment !i$e "nder that name in >==3# At that time, 3ed 9at transitioned
its sing!e 3ed 9at 4in"7 distrib"tion into <edora Core ?no ca!!ed simp!y Fedora@ and 3ed 9at
Bnterprise 4in"7#
- )e'ora ?http:CC$edorapro5ect#org@ became the comm"nity-dri)en, rapid de)e!opment
operating system that as distrib"ted $or $ree ?as is@ e)ery si7 to nine months# The goa!
as to stay on the c"tting edge o$ open so"rce techno!ogy, hi!e a!so pro)iding a
de)e!opment p!at$orm $or enterprise-("a!ity so$tare that co"!d become part o$ 3ed 9at
Bnterprise 4in"7#
- -e' Hat 1nterprise Linux ?39B4@ became the commercia!, s"bscription-based 4in"7
operating system prod"ced by 3ed 9at, &nc# ?#redhat#com@# The goa! as to re!ease
39B4 on abo"t an 1/-month sched"!e# 3ed 9at has since b"i!t its prod"ct !ine aro"nd
39B4, o$$ering s"pport, training, doc"mentation, hardare certi$ication, and other
prod"cts to s"pport 39B4 c"stomers# &n >==6, 3ed 9at p"rchased the open so"rce Ga)a
de)e!opment )endor G*oss, so 3ed 9at can no o$$er a comp!ete app!ication stac:
composed o$ midd!eare r"nning on top o$ its 39B4 prod"ct !ine# *eca"se <edora and
39B4 are open so"rce operating systems, b"i!t on the 1%U p"b!ic !icense, peop!e can
ta:e the so"rce code $rom those 4in"7 systems and create their on 4in"7 distrib"tions#
And that8s 5"st hat they ha)e done# <or that reason, the s:i!!s yo" !earn here ith <edora
co"!d a!so he!p yo" i$ yo" "se any o$ the $o!!oing operating systems:
- CentOS ?#centos#org@M2any 4in"7 cons"!tants ho don8t need 3ed 9at8s
commercia! s"pport and don8t ant to pay 3ed 9at s"bscription $ees ha)e migrated to
Cent.S# Cent.S is a reb"i!d o$ 39B4 so"rce code, ith a goa! o$ 1==-percent binary
compatibi!ity ith 39B4# Aside $rom !ogos and other 3ed 9at branding in$ormation
?hich Cent.S remo)ed@, app!ications and inter$aces sho"!d be e7act!y the same $or
Cent.S and 39B4# .$ a!! the 39B4 reb"i!ds, Cent.S is the one most ide!y adopted
and the one e recommend#
- 2eo! #og Linux ?#ye!!odog!in"7#com@ M *ased origina!!y on 3ed 9at 4in"7,
Ne!!o +og 4in"7 r"ns on a )ariety o$ App!e hardare ?6oer*oo:, i*oo:, i2ac, 13,
10, 1;, and so on@ as e!! as on 6!ayStation 3#
<edora pro5ect as created in the mean o$ changing 3ed 9at 4in"7 $rom 4in"7 distrib"tion and
promoting 3ed 9at Bnterprise 4in"7 prod"cts# This pro5ect has been sponsored by 3ed 9at and
s"pported by the 4in"7 comm"nity# &ts ob5ecti)e is to promote open so"rce into cyberspace ith
high-("a!ity and to pro)ide gro"nd $or so$tare s!ated $or commercia! 3ed 9at de)e!opment and
s"pport#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 7
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
<edora Core has, itse!$, become a respected and acti)e 4in"7 distrib"tion that !ot o$ peop!e ide!y
"ses as a des:top, ser)er, or programming or:station# &t is the best ay to get the !atest 4in"7
so$tare that is being b"i!t on a $o"ndation $or enterprise-("a!ity systems#
A!tho"gh <edora may not be right $or e)eryone, <edora is great $or st"dents, home "sers, most sma!!
b"sinesses, and anyone 5"st anting to try o"t the !atest 4in"7 techno!ogy# 4arger b"sinesses sho"!d
serio"s!y consider the imp!ications on s"pport, training, and $"t"re "pgrade paths be$ore choosing
hether to go the <edora ro"te or sign on ith 3ed 9at Bnterprise 4in"7#
.n the other hand, 3ed 9at Bnterprise 4in"7 became the basis $or 3ed 9atFs $"!!y s"pported prod"ct
!ine, geared toard big companies ith the need to set "p and manage many 4in"7 systems# A$ter
ta:ing its so$tare thro"gh abo"t a year and a ha!$ o$ <edora re!eases ?abo"t once e)ery si7 to nine
months@, a commercia! 3ed 9at Bnterprise 4in"7 ?39B4@ prod"ct !ine is re!eased that inc!"des:
- S"bscription ser)ice to 39B4 that o$$ers stab!e, tested so$tare ?most!y the same so$tare in
<edora Core that has gone thro"gh rigoro"s testing@
- 2"!tip!e s"pport programs, ranging $rom an on!ine :no!edge base to assistance ith c"stom
dep!oyment, engineering, and so$tare de)e!opment
- .$$icia! doc"mentation, training, and certi$ication programs
1. Feature of Fedora
- <edora pro)ides a base, or core, $rameor: operating system and des:top comprised entire!y
o$ $ree so$tare# <edora inc!"des the *!"ec"r)e des:top theme and has an impro)ed
consistency in the to ma5or graphica! des:tops a)ai!ab!e $or "se: the 1%U %etor: .b5ect
2ode! Bn)ironment and the A +es:top Bn)ironment ?A+B@#
- <edora can be "sed in many o$ these en)ironments by c"stomers ith ide!y disparate
comp"ting needs# Some o$ the app!ications $or <edora inc!"de des:top s"pportO sma!! $i!e,
print, or mai! ser)ersO intranet eb ser)ersO and sec"rity $irea!!s dep!oyed at strategic points
inside and o"tside company 4A%s#
- <edora can he!p ease system administration iss"es d"ring migration# The !atest s"ite o$
<edoraFs con$ig"ration "ti!ities pro)ides int"iti)e and easy to "se graphica! inter$aces $or
system administration o$ many common ser)ices, s"ch as netor:ing, printing, and
Dindos-based $i!e sharing# <edora can a!so be "sed to s"pport a !egacy app!ication
en)ironment, s"ch as +.S, i$ re("ired#
- <edora can ser)e as a de)e!opment p!at$orm $or app!ications, e-commerce sites, ne
operating systems, $oreign hardare systems, or design o$ ne netor: de)ices "sing 4in"7
as an embedded operating system# Setting "p or:stations, re("ired ser)ers, so"rce code
contro! systems, and ind"stria! sec"rity i!! re("ire additiona! e$$ort#
2. "#e +uture of Free Soft,are
The copyright $or <edora and 3ed 9at Bnterprise 4in"7 systems is co)ered "nder the 1%U p"b!ic
!icense# That !icense, hich most $ree so$tare $a!!s "nder, pro)ides the $o!!oing:
- /uthor rights + The origina! a"thor retains the rights to his or her so$tare#
- )ree 'istribution + 6eop!e can "se the 1%U so$tare in their on so$tare, changing and
redistrib"ting it as they p!ease# They do, hoe)er, ha)e to inc!"de the so"rce code ith their
distrib"tion ?or ma:e it easi!y a)ai!ab!e@#
- Copyright maintaine' + B)en i$ yo" ere to repac:age and rese!! the so$tare, the origina!
1%U agreement m"st be maintained ith the so$tare# This means that a!! $"t"re recipients
o$ the so$tare m"st ha)e the opport"nity to change the so"rce code, 5"st as yo" did#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) /
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
&t is important to remember that there is no arranty on 1%U so$tare# &$ something goes rong, the
origina! de)e!oper o$ the so$tare has no ob!igation to $i7 the prob!em# 9oe)er, the 4in"7 c"!t"re
has pro)ided reso"rces $or that e)ent# B7perts on the &nternet can he!p "ser to sort o"t their prob!ems,
or "ser can access one o$ the many 4in"7 nesgro"ps or $or"ms to read ho others ha)e dea!t ith
their prob!ems and to post their on ("estions abo"t ho to $i7 theirs# Chances are that someone i!!
:no hat to do - maybe e)en going so $ar as to pro)ide the so$tare or con$ig"ration $i!e "ser need#
&$ "sers need re!iab!e s"pport $or yo"r 4in"7 system, commercia! 4in"7 s"pport is a)ai!ab!e $rom a
)ariety o$ companies# A!so, many o$ the so$tare pro5ects that go into 4in"7 o$$er their on s"pport
$eat"res, hich !et them get he!p direct!y $rom those ho are b"i!ding the code#
%ote
The 1%U pro5ect "ses the term free software to describe the so$tare that is co)ered
by the 1%U !icense# 2any 4in"7 proponents tend to "se the term open source
software to describe so$tare# A!tho"gh so"rce code a)ai!abi!ity is part o$ the 1%U
!icense, the 1%U pro5ect c!aims that so$tare de$ined as open so"rce is not the same
as $ree so$tare beca"se it can encompass semi-$ree programs and e)en some
proprietary programs# See #openso"rce#org $or a description o$ open-so"rce
so$tare#
1.,. Dep'o!ing (edora
Consi'eration #es&ription
App!icabi!ity 9o is <edora going to be "sedP
*oot
2anagement
Di!! remote booting be re("iredP
Connecti)ity Di!! the system be an intranetP *andidth re("irementsP Dire!essP 2obi!eP
Conte7t 9o does this insta!! $it in ith academic, b"siness, or corporate needsP
Consens"s Are managers and potentia! "sers on board ith the pro5ectP
Comparison &s this insta!! part o$ p!at$orm comparison or benchmar:ingP
+e)e!opment
6!at$orm
Di!! de)e!opment too!s be "sedP
Bmbedded
+e)ice
&s it an embedded de)ice pro5ectP
9ardare Are there any specia! hardare or de)ice inter$acing re("irementsP
<inance 9o m"ch is in the b"dgetP Di!! cost comparison be re("iredP
2ar:eting Di!! a prod"ct or ser)ice be o$$ered as a res"!tP
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 9
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
%ote
The 1%U pro5ect "ses the term free software to describe the so$tare that is co)ered
by the 1%U !icense# 2any 4in"7 proponents tend to "se the term open source
software to describe so$tare# A!tho"gh so"rce code a)ai!abi!ity is part o$ the 1%U
!icense, the 1%U pro5ect c!aims that so$tare de$ined as open so"rce is not the same
as $ree so$tare beca"se it can encompass semi-$ree programs and e)en some
proprietary programs# See #openso"rce#org $or a description o$ open-so"rce
so$tare#
1.,. Dep'o!ing (edora
%etor:ing Dhat type o$ netor:ing i!! be re("iredP
.b5ecti)e &s there a speci$ic ob5ecti)e o$ the insta!!P
6i!ot 6ro5ect &s this a pi!ot or test insta!!P
6oer
2anagement
Any specia! poer or energy re("irementsP
6"b!ic
3e!ations
+oes the p"b!ic need to :noP
Q"a!ity o$
Ser)ice
&s high a)ai!abi!ity or data integrity an iss"eP
3oadmap Dhat other steps might precede or $o!!o the insta!!P
3eporting Are $o!!o-"p reports re("iredP
Sec"rity Dhat !e)e! or type o$ sec"rity i!! be re("iredP
Ser)er &s this a ser)er insta!!ationP
Site
Considerations
+oes the !ocation pro)ide needed temperat"re and sec"rity, or does it e)en matterP
So$tare Are any specia! de)ice dri)ers needed $or s"ccessP
Storage Are there si-e or integrity needsP 9as a bac:"p p!an been de)isedP
Time!ine Are there time constraints or dead!ines to the insta!!P
Training Di!! specia! training be re("ired $or "sers or administratorsP
Users 9o many and hat type o$ "sers are e7pectedP
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 1=
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
%ote
The 1%U pro5ect "ses the term free software to describe the so$tare that is co)ered
by the 1%U !icense# 2any 4in"7 proponents tend to "se the term open source
software to describe so$tare# A!tho"gh so"rce code a)ai!abi!ity is part o$ the 1%U
!icense, the 1%U pro5ect c!aims that so$tare de$ined as open so"rce is not the same
as $ree so$tare beca"se it can encompass semi-$ree programs and e)en some
proprietary programs# See #openso"rce#org $or a description o$ open-so"rce
so$tare#
1.,. Dep'o!ing (edora
Dor:station &s this a or:station or persona! des:top insta!!P &s the or:station portab!eP
I#. $%anning the Insta%%ation
There are many $actors in $a)or o$ "sing <edora as a comp"ting so!"tion# <edora Core ; can $i!!
many di$$erent ro!es on )ario"s tiers and hardare p!at$orms beca"se its precon$ig"red insta!!ation
scripts are a tai!ored $it $or de)e!opment, or:station, e-commerce, ser)er, and mobi!e p!at$ormson!y
the re("ired so$tare i!! be insta!!ed#
Addressing concerns be$orehand can he!p ("e!! any orries or $ears $e!t by ne "sers# Some :ey
$actors $or a s"ccess$"! insta!!ation inc!"de
6reparation Thoro"gh!y disc"ss the migration or dep!oyment, a!ong ith bene$its, s"ch as
greater stabi!ity and a)ai!abi!ity o$ ser)ice#
6recon$ig"ration &$ possib!e, gi)e "sers a )oice in so$tare choices or categories and po!! $or
comments regarding concerns#
Correct insta!!ation Bns"re that the insta!!ed systems are or:ing proper!y, inc!"ding access
permissions, passord systems, or other "ser-re!ated iss"es and interaction ith the
dep!oyment#
The right hardare to do the 5ob 2a:e s"re that "sers ha)e the hardare they need $or their
or:, and that comp"ters match the tas:s re("ired# <or e7amp!e, de)e!opers i!! ha)e
or:station re("irements )ast!y di$$erent $rom administrati)e personne!#
A"tomating the insta!!ation process can sa)e system administrators a !ot o$ time and e$$ort d"ring an
initia! dep!oyment, "pgrade, or maintenance cyc!e by managing m"!tip!e comp"ters at one time#
<edora o$$ers a high!y a"tomated insta!!ation techni("e ca!!ed kickstart, de)e!oped by 3ed 9at,
hich can be "sed $or "nattended insta!!ation o$ 4in"7# .n the same ay, kickstart inc!"de in
<edora8s insta!!ation# Using kickstart is easy and in)o!)es passing a :erne! arg"ment to the <edora
4in"7 boot :erne!#
a. Hard,are re-uirement
As other operating systems, <edora Core re("ires speci$ic hardare $or r"nning# 9oe)er,
comparing to some !ate Dindos p!at$orm, it do not re("ire high capacity o$ hardare# To meet the
minim"m re("irement, <edora core ; needs:
- >==29- 6enti"m C6U, 6>=2* hard dri)e space, and 602* 3A2 $or "sing ?and insta!!ing@
<edora itho"t a graphica! inter$ace# <or ob)io"s reasons, a $aster C6U, !arger capacity hard
dri)e, and more 3A2 are desired# Ser)ers and de)e!opment or:stations re("ire more
storage and 3A2#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 11
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
- A $"!! insta!!ation i!! re("ire at !east 71* hard dri)e space 5"st $or the so$tare, so i$ yo"
p!an to insta!! e)erything, a 1=1* hard dri)e co"!d be idea! $or a or:station# %ote that
depending on ho yo" p!an to "se 4in"7, a sma!!er capacity dis: can be "sed, or a dis:
capacity many times the si-e o$ yo"r system i!! be re("ired#
- Additiona!!y, it can )ary $rom hat yo" ha)e chosen to insta!! <edora# <or instance,
or:station needs 31* in minim"m, >#31* ith persona! des:top, ser)er needs a !ast 1#11*
and c"stom can be ad5"stab!e $rom 6==2* to 71*#
%ote: 9C4?9ardare Compatibi!ity 4ist@ is a!so considered, $or more in$ormation, e can !in: to the
site: http:CChardare#redhat#comChc!C#
*. .reparing in instaation pro$ess
Dith high &nternet bandidth, yo" can insta!! $edora $rom eb ser)ice inc!"ding 9TT6, <T6 or %<S#
9oe)er, in o"r co"ntry, this sit"ation on8t be happenedO e can don!oad or b"rn image $i!e to
insta!! $rom C+ or +,+# &nsta!!ing $edora core ;, e need to prepare ; cds or 1 +,+O and $irst C+
is preparing $or bootab!e dis: and it ha)e to be bootab!e, b"t it i!! be easier i$ e can $ind +,+ to
insta!! ?ma:e "nattended insta!!ation ith :ic:start techno!ogy@#
)igure 1.3 Setting "p *&.S $or booting $rom C+C+,+
$. .artitioning on Hard /is(
Aic:start de$ined 4in"7 insta!!ation to be on-c!ic: $or )ariety o$ "sers or de)e!oper# De can !et
insta!!er ma:ing 4in"7 partitions $rom a)ai!ab!e space o$ hard dri)e# .therise, e ha)e to
"nderstand $rom $"nction o$ mo"nt points that i!! be shon be!o:
- /home Users i!! store h"ndreds and h"ndreds o$ megabytes o$ data "nder their directories#
This is important data, perhaps e)en more so than the system itse!$# Using a separate partition
?on a di$$erent )o!"me@ to store this "ser data he!ps ma:e the data easier to $ind and it
segregates "ser and system data# No" m"st decide ahead o$ time ho m"ch storage to a!!ocate
to "sers# <or a sing!e or:station, yo" sho"!d reser)e se)era! gigabytes o$ storage#
- /opt As the home directory $or additiona! so$tare pac:ages, this directory can ha)e its on
partition or remote $i!e system# <edora does not pop"!ate this directory, b"t it might be "sed
by other so$tare pac:ages yo" insta!! !ater# .ne gigabyte o$ storage sho"!d be ade("ate,
depending on app!ications to be insta!!ed#
- /tmp This directory can be "sed as temporary storage by "sers, especia!!y i$ dis: ("otas are
en$orcedO as s"ch, it co"!d be p!aced on its on partition# This directory can be as sma!! as
1==2*#
- /usr This directory ho!ds near!y a!! the so$tare on a <edora system and can become ("ite
!arge i$ additiona! so$tare is added, especia!!y on a or:station con$ig"ration# Using a
separate partition can ma:e sense# A $"!! insta!! re("ires at !east 61* $or this directory or
more i$ additiona! so$tare is added#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 1>
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DCSE), RUPP
- /var 6!acing this directory ?or perhaps some o$ its s"bdirectories@ on a separate partition can
be a good idea, especia!!y beca"se sec"rity !ogs, mai!, and print spoo!ing ta:e p!ace "nder this
tree# No" sho"!d reser)e at !east one gigabyte o$ storage $or /var, especia!!y i$ "sing <edora
as a print ser)er ?as spoo!ed doc"ments i!! reside "nder /var/spool@# ?9"dson, >==6@
d. Unsterstanding 0(i$(start1
As e ha)e e7p!ained ear!ier, :ic:start is 3ed 9at 4in"7 insta!!ation that is "sed $or "nattended
insta!!ation p"rpose# &t pro)ides "nattended ay $or "sersCde)e!oper do not attend or spend more
time to sit in $ront o$ comp"ter# <rom :ic:start ser)ice, e can create insta!!ation pro$i!e $or de$ining
hat e ant d"ring insta!!ation process# <ig"re be!o i!! sho :ic:start too!s $rom r"nning
command : C"srCsbinC:con$ig in 1U& mode#
)igure 1.4 <edora8s :ic:start con$ig"ration too!s#
&ore reading'
http:CC$edora#redhat#comCdocsC Deb page ith !in:s to c"rrent <edora doc"mentation and re!ease
notes#
http:CC#t!dp#orgC The de$initi)e starting point $or the !atest "pdates to generic 4in"7 <AQs,
g"ides, and 9.DT. doc"ments#
http:CC$edora$a(#orgCbasicsC Another site that pro)ides an easy introd"ction to 4in"7 and <edora#
Chapter 1. Introduction to Linux (! "#c. $hie% Sophea&tra) 13