Linux Chapter 2

Exam Objective
1.1 Linux Evolution and Popular Operating Systems

Objective Description

Knowledge of Linux development and major distributions

Exam Objective
4.1 Choosing an Operating System

Objective Description

Knowledge of major operating systems and Linux distributions

Introduction to Operating

Systems

Operating System

●

Software that runs on a computing
device and manages the hardware and
software components that make up the
system.

●

It also schedules programs to run and
provides services to users or programs
(i.e., print).

●

Commonly abbreviated as OS

Operating Systems

●

Users today have a choice between three major operating systems:
○

Microsoft Windows

○

Apple macOS

○

Linux

●

Only Microsoft Windows is based on proprietary code that is not Unix
or Linux based.

Decision Points

●Role: Accessed by one user directly (desktop) or many users remotely
(server)?

●Function: Does it need to run specific software? What is the skill set of
users?

●Life Cycle: What is the service lifetime? OS types have different release
cycles and maintenance cycles for support and updates.

●Stability: Are OS releases beta (not tested “in the wild”) or stable (tested)?

●Compatibility: Is it backwards compatible as in is it compatible with
software made for earlier versions?

Decision Points

●Cost: Important factor for new systems.

○Microsoft has annual license fees.

○Apple does not charge annual fees but only works on Apple hardware.

○There are multiple Linux providers who offer enterprise support and although
the software is free, support is not.

Microsoft Windows

●

Offers desktop and server versions.

●

Slow release cycle (3-5 years), long maintenance cycle

●

Emphasis on backward compatibility

●

Runs a Graphical User Interface (GUI)

●

Improved scripting and management abilities are being
developed to compete with Linux.

Apple macOS

●

Runs only on Apple hardware

●

Server version adds packages to the desktop version to aid in
management and sharing.

●

UNIX certified

●

New major releases every 18-24 months

Linux

●

Unique in that after choosing Linux you must choose a
distribution

●

Different distributions focus on different use cases, e.g.
desktop, server, scientific, network

●

Some distributions offer commercial support, most is
volunteer based

Linux Decision Points

●Role: Distributions available for variety of systems; commercial for servers and
desktop, specialized to repurpose computers, embedded systems, etc.

●Function: Distributions can be chosen based on purpose of usage or security
needed.

●Life Cycle: Most distributions have major and minor update cycles. Some Linux
releases have long-term support (LTS) (5+ years, 13yrs for SUSE LTS ).

●Stability: Some distributions offer stable, testing, and unstable releases.

●Compatibility: Distributions are zero cost. Depending on need, paying for support
may be worthwhile. Enterprise users can pay for support or attempt self-support.

Linux Distributions

Red Hat

●Focuses on server applications like web and file serving.

●Releases Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), a stable distribution with long
release cycles.

●Sponsors the Fedora Project, a personal desktop with latest software.

●CentOS is a free version of RHEL software which does not offer support.

●Scientific Linux is a specific use distribution based on Red Hat.

SUSE

●One of the first distributions

●Originally derived from Slackware

●Contains proprietary code and is sold as a server product. Some modules or
addons may contain proprietary code.

●Sold as a server product although a Workstation version exists.

●OpenSUSE is a completely open, free version with multiple desktop
packages.

Debian

●Community effort that promotes use of open source software.

●Invented its own package management system (apt) based on the .deb file
format.

●Ubuntu is its most popular derived distribution, which has variants for
desktop, server, and applications. Ubuntu also offers an LTS version.

●Linux Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu with various free versions, some have
license restrictions.

Android

●Provides a platform for mobile users.

●Lacks traditional GNU/Linux packages to make it compatible with desktop.

●Sponsored by Google

Other Linux Distributions

●Raspbian is a Linux distribution designed to run on Raspberry Pi hardware.

●Linux From Scratch (LFS) consists of an online book, source code, and
instructions for building a custom Linux distribution.

●Can be used as learning tools.