Mastering Linux System Administration. Richard Blum

stick. You then just boot your workstation from the DVD or USB stick to install Linux. This makes installing Linux much easier.

      However, beginners still often run into problems when they install one of the core Linux distributions. To cover just about any situation in which someone might want to use Linux, a single distribution has to include lots of application software. They include everything from high‐end Internet database servers to common games.

      While having lots of options available in a distribution is great for Linux geeks, it can become a nightmare for beginning Linux users. Most core distributions ask a series of questions during the installation process to determine which applications to load by default, what hardware is connected to the PC, and how to configure the hardware. Beginners often find these questions confusing. As a result, they often either load way too many programs on their computer or don't load enough and later discover that their computer won't do what they want it to do.

      Fortunately for beginners, there's a much simpler way to install Linux.

      Specialized Linux Distributions

      A new subgroup of Linux distributions has started to appear. These are typically based on one of the main distributions but contain only a subset of applications that would make sense for a specific area of use.

In addition to providing specialized software (such as only office products for business users), customized Linux distributions also attempt to help beginning Linux users by autodetecting and autoconfiguring common hardware devices. This makes installing Linux a much more enjoyable process.

Table 1.6 shows some of the specialized Linux distributions available and what they specialize in.

TABLE 1.6: Specialized Linux Distributions

DISTRIBUTION	DESCRIPTION
Fedora	A free distribution, originally used as a testing ground for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, now a popular distribution in its own right
Ubuntu	A free distribution originally intended for school and home desktop use, now also used as a server
MX Linux	A free distribution for home use
Linux Mint	A free distribution for home entertainment use
Puppy Linux	A free small distribution that runs well on older PCs

      That's just a small sampling of specialized Linux distributions. There are hundreds of specialized Linux distributions, and more are popping up all the time on the Internet. No matter what your specialty, you'll probably find a Linux distribution made for you.

      Many of the specialized Linux distributions are based on the Debian Linux distribution. They use the same installation files as Debian but package only a small fraction of a full‐blown Debian system.

      THE LINUX LiveDVD

      Most Linux distributions also have a LiveDVD version available. The LiveDVD version is a self‐contained ISO image file that you can burn onto a DVD (or USB stick) to boot up a running Linux system directly, without having to install it on your hard drive. Depending on the distribution, the LiveDVD either contains a small subset of applications or, in the case of specialized distributions, the entire system. The benefit of the LiveDVD is that you can test it with your system hardware before going to the trouble of installing the system.

The Bottom Line

       List the components of a standard Linux system. The main components of a Linux system include the Linux kernel, the GNU utilities, a user interface, and application programs. The kernel controls how memory, programs, and hardware all interact with one another. The GNU utilities provide useful functions such as text and file manipulation. The Linux user interfaces range from fancy graphical desktops, such as GNOME or KDE Plasma, to simple command‐line interfaces, such as the Bash Shell.Master It The Linux kernel is constantly updated and managed by a group of developers. They publish their work at the kernel.org website. Go to that website and determine the version number of the latest stable release. What version is currently under development?

       Explain how GNU utilities are used within Linux. The GNU utilities provide command‐line functions for creating, modifying, moving, and deleting files, as well as working with data inside text files. The main GNU utilities are in the coreutils package.Master It The GNU community is constantly making improvements to the core GNU utilities used in Linux. You can find the latest released utilities at www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/. Go to that website and determine the current version of the GNU coreutils package.

       Describe the various Linux user interface environments. There are many graphical desktop environments available in Linux. The two most popular ones are GNOME and KDE Plasma. Both provide common desktop features most desktop users are comfortable with. However, for server environments, it's most common to use a command‐line interface (CLI) provided by a Linux shell program. The most common Linux shell is bash.Master It The GNU Bash Shell is continually being updated, with updates available at www.gnu.org/software/bash/. According to that website, what is the most recent version of bash available for download?

       Explain why there are different Linux distributions. A Linux distribution bundles the various parts of a Linux system into a simple package that you can easily install on your PC. The Linux distribution world consists of full‐blown Linux distributions that include just about every application imaginable, as well as specialized Linux distributions that only include applications focused on a special function.Master It There are many websites that track Linux distributions. The www.distrowatch.com website is a popular place to get information on new releases for lots of different distributions. Go to that site and list the current top five Linux distribution downloads.

Chapter 2 Installing an Ubuntu Server

      Ubuntu Server is a popular Linux distribution, and most likely you will install it many times in your Linux career. Gaining experience with this distro's installation process will help you become a Linux expert.

      The first few times you install a particular operating system, it feels like a daunting task. And rightly so! Without proper guidance, the process can often result in frustration and lost time. Our goal in this chapter is to assist you through your first installation of the Ubuntu Server distribution. We provide step‐by‐step guidance, help you avoid pitfalls, and ultimately build your sysadmin skillset.

       IN THIS CHAPTER, YOU WILL LEARN TO

       Review needed Ubuntu Server hardware resources

       Determine the requirements for a virtual Ubuntu system

       Obtain Ubuntu Server software

       Conduct an installation of an Ubuntu Server

       Audit the Ubuntu Server's installation

Pre‐Installation Requirements

      A graphical user interface (GUI) uses a lot of resources on a computer system, and if the server is not needed for providing a desktop to users,