Linux Tutorial

Certiologys free Linux tutorial, notes and study guide. Learn linux for free.

Linux is an open-source computer operating system. An operating system is a structure of

language code that works with the hardware on a computer. It recognizes the hardware and is
able to translate that information into software programs so that they run more smoothly.
Software is created with a particular operating system in mind. Operating systems cannot
recognize software that is not meant for it. Linus Torvalds came up with the idea for this system
in 1991 while he was an undergraduate in Finland. He continues to improve in its development
with the help of volunteer programmers. All users are allowed to copy and distribute the source
code of this system as they please.

Linux is similar to UNIX, which is the ultimate operating system. An operating system that is the
most recognizable today is called Microsoft Windows. One should make note of the crucial
differences between Windows and Linux. Firstly, Linux is open-source, while Windows isnt.
This means that the source code is always open to the public for people to inspect and improve.
There are several advantages to an open-source system like the fact that programmers from all
over the world can contribute their creativity. With the source code being public, open-source
systems can constantly and thoroughly be tested by any programmer.

The second biggest difference is that Linux is based off of the UNIX system while Windows
stands alone. If anyone is thinking about switching to Linux, they will not be able to run
Windows software. Linux and Windows were not created to work together. They are separate
units. Occasionally, one may come across free or paid interfaces that provide a solution to run
Windows software on Linux machines. The results, however, will not always be the same. Many
enthusiasts have encouraged consumers to switch to alternate programs that are actually designed
for Linux.

Theres no way to know for sure how many Linux users there are. This system does not require
its users to complete a registration process. The number of users can be estimated, and it is in the
millions. Deciding which operating system to use is all about preference. People may find that
Linux is more useful for them than Windows. The only way to know for sure which one will
work is if a person tries both of them for themselves. People can consult with their friends, but
ultimately the decision lies with the individual.

How to Install Ubuntu Linux Server

How to Manage Users in Ubuntu

How to install Ubuntu Linux Server

 In this step by step tutorial you will learn how to install and configure Ubuntu
Linux Server. This study guide is helpful in installing Ubuntu Linux Server
Step One: Creating the Setup USB Stick
First of all we need to download UNetbootin which is a USB Stick creator for various
Linux Distributions
Please download it from here: http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
Furthermore please make sure you have your desired Linux Distribution on your
computer (whether that be CentOS, Ubuntu or Other)
Once downloaded you will need to run UNetbootin

Now you will need to select your Linux Distribution ISO file by pressing the button
or you can request that UNetbootin downloads a Linux distribution of your choice by
selecting the Distribution radio button and selecting the file to be downloaded by the drop
down menus labeled Select Distribution and Select Version
Once you have selected the correct distribution you will then need to select which USB
you wish to use as the install drive by selecting it from the Drive drop down menu.
Once selected press the OK button and let UNetbootin run
Step Two: Installing the Linux Server
Once UNetbootin says it is complete you can exit UNetbootin, Un-Plug your USB stick
and plug it into the computer you wish to setup Linux server onto.
When you have plugged the USB stick into the computer please turn it on and keep
pressing F12 or its equivalent key to enter the Boot Menu and select the USB from the
list
The USB stick should boot and you may be presented with a selection screen like this: (I
am installing Ubuntu Server so your screen may look a little different but it will be the
same setup)


You will need to select your default language and then press enter
The Installer page,
Here you will be asked if you wish to install the Ubuntu server so just press enter

You may then be asked to select your language again

Then select your country and keyboard layout


Then the installer will gather all the required files for install so please wait

Now you will be asked to configure your servers hostname this is like a subdomain
(example myserver.mydomain.com)

And then press the tab button until the Continue Button is select and then press enter
The next screen will ask you to set up your Username with details such as Fullname,
Username and password Confirm Password, for each one type out the required info and
press enter


On the next screen you may be asked if you wish to encrypt your home directory so
please select which ever option you wish

Your server will then detect the correct time zone, please confirm it and press enter to
proceed
Next is the disk setup, for ease of setup sake and from the information you gave me I will
presume you wish to use this computer as a dedicated server so we will Select Guided
Use entire disk and set up LVM and press enter

You will need to just select the correct hard disk on the next screen and press enter.
The Next screen will ask if you wish to proceed with installation, presuming everything
is ok you can select the Yes button with the arrow keys

The next screen will ask about how big you want the drive to be, usually it will set it as
the maximum so you can just press enter

You will then be given a screen that says Finish Partitioning and write changes to disk
as an option so just press enter on that option

Then you will be ask if you want to write changes to disk so select yes and press enter

Now let the installer do its job of installing the server


The installer may ask if you are behind a proxy, if you are not just press enter, if you are
please enter the proxy details and press enter

The installer will then continue with setting up the server


The server then may ask if you wish to install security and repo updates, it is
recommended that you select Install security updates automatically and then press enter

The installer will then ask if you want the installer to install any other software
automatically prior to first boot, for simplicity sake we will just press tab to select
Continue and press enter to select no software to be installed

The installer will then ask to install a boot loader so just proceed by selecting yes and
enter

The server will now tell you that install is complete and you will need to restart the
system, please make sure you have ejected your usb stick and then press continue

After pressing enter your server will reboot

Once boot is completed you will be presented with a screen that looks like this

Here you will need to enter your username you set up earlier and press enter then your
password and press enter, please be aware your password will not appear on the screen as
you enter it.
Once you have logged in you will get the normal Linux terminal interface load up

How to manage users in Ubuntu

In this step by step tutorial you will learn how create, delete and manage users in Ubuntu..
This study guide is helpful for managing users in Ubuntu.

To create a user in Ubuntu Command line we use the command adduser

Syntax: adduser (username here)

We will then be

be prompted for a password for this new user and to confirm it,

Ubuntu will then ask for optional details like full name, room number, Work and Home phone
number you can just skip this by pressing enter for each field
You will then need to confirm the details by typing Y for yes or N for No

You can remove users by the command userdel

Syntax: userdel (username here)

You can add a user to the Sudoers group by editing the sudoers file and adding their name to the
list like so. You need to add the following line that is circled below (swap Jamie for your user)
Once added you can press Ctrl+X and save to exit

/usr/sbin/visudo
To create a new group in Ubuntu we use the command groupadd
Syntax: groupadd (group name here)

To remove a group in Ubuntu we use the command groupdel

Syntax: groupdel (group name here)
To add a user to a group in Ubuntu we use the command usermod
Syntax: usermod a G (group name)(username)

To remove a user from a group in Ubuntu we use the command deluser

Syntax: deluser (username) (group name)