Linux Essentials

**Learn Linux, and take your career to the next level!**__Linux Essentials, 2^nd^ Edition__ provides a solid foundation of knowledge for anyone considering a career in information technology, for anyone new to the Linux operating system, and for anyone who is preparing to sit for the Linux Essentials Exam. Through this engaging resource, you can access key information in a learning-by-doing style. Hands-on tutorials and end-of-chapter exercises and review questions lead you in both learning and applying new information—information that will help you achieve your goals! With the experience provided in this compelling reference, you can sit down for the Linux Essentials Exam with confidence. An open source operating system, Linux is a UNIX-based platform that is freely updated by developers. The nature of its development means that Linux is a low-cost and secure alternative to other operating systems, and is used in many different IT environments. Passing the Linux Essentials Exam prepares you to apply your knowledge regarding this operating system within the workforce. * Access lessons that are organized by task, allowing you to quickly identify the topics you are looking for and navigate the comprehensive information presented by the book * Discover the basics of the Linux operating system, including distributions, types of open source applications, freeware, licensing, operations, navigation, and more * Explore command functions, including navigating the command line, turning commands into scripts, and more * Identify and create user types, users, and groups __Linux Essentials, 2^nd^ Edition__ is a critical resource for anyone starting a career in IT or anyone new to the Linux operating system. LINUX® ESSENTIALS 3 Acknowledgments 7 About the Authors 8 Contents at a Glance 9 Contents 10 Introduction 13 What Is Linux? 13 What Is the Linux Essentials Certification? 14 Who Should Read This Book? 14 System Requirements 15 How This Book Is Organized 16 Conventions Used in This Book 18 CHAPTER 1 Selecting an Operating System 21 What Is an OS? 21 What Is a Kernel? 22 What Else Identifies an OS? 22 Investigating User Interfaces 24 Using a Text-Mode User Interface 24 Using a Graphical User Interface 26 Where Does Linux Fit in the OS World? 28 Comparing Linux to Unix 28 Comparing Linux to Mac OS X 29 Comparing Linux to Windows 31 What Is a Distribution? 33 Creating a Complete Linux-Based OS 33 Exploring Common Linux Distributions 34 Understanding Release Cycles 37 CHAPTER 2 Understanding Software Licensing 41 Investigating Software Licenses 41 Exploring Copyright Protection and Software 42 Using Licenses to Modify Copyright Terms 42 Looking at the Free Software Foundation 44 Understanding the FSF Philosophy 44 Examining Free Software and the GPL 45 Looking at the Open Source Initiative 46 Understanding the Open Source Philosophy 46 Defining Open Source Software 48 Looking at the Creative Commons 49 Using Open Source Licenses 50 Understanding Open Source Licenses 50 Understanding Open Source Business Models 52 CHAPTER 3 Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy 55 Exploring Linux through the Ages 55 Understanding Linux’s Origins 56 Seeing Today’s Linux World 58 Using Open Source Software 58 Understanding Basic Open Source Principles 58 Linux as a Software Integrator 60 Understanding OS Roles 61 Embedded Computers 61 Desktop and Laptop Computers 62 Server Computers 63 CHAPTER 4 Using Common Linux Programs 67 Using a Linux Desktop Environment 67 Choosing a Desktop Environment 68 Launching Programs 70 Using a File Manager 72 Working with Productivity Software 75 Finding the Right Tool for the Job 75 Using a Web Browser 76 Using Email Clients 78 Using Office Tools 78 Using Multimedia Applications 79 Using Linux for Cloud Computing 80 Using Mobile Applications 81 Using Server Programs 82 Identifying Common Server Protocols and Programs 82 Focusing on Web Servers 85 Installing and Launching Servers 86 Securing Servers 87 Managing Programming Languages 88 Choosing a Compiled vs. an Interpreted Language 88 Identifying Common Programming Languages 90 Handling Software Packages 91 Understanding Software Packages 91 Identifying Common Package Tools 92 CHAPTER 5 Managing Hardware 95 Learning about Your CPU 95 Understanding CPU Families 96 Identifying Your CPU 98 Identifying Motherboard Capabilities 98 Sizing Your Power Supply 100 Understanding Disk Issues 101 Understanding Disk Interfaces 101 Partitioning a Disk 102 Understanding Filesystem Issues 105 Using Removable and Optical Disks 108 Managing Displays 109 Understanding the Role of X 110 Using Common Display Hardware 111 Handling USB Devices 113 Managing Drivers 114 Understanding Types of Drivers 114 Locating and Installing Drivers 115 CHAPTER 6 Getting to Know the Command Line 119 Starting a Command Line 119 Launching a Terminal 120 Logging into a Text-Mode Console 123 Running Programs 124 Running Text-Mode Programs 124 Running GUI Programs 126 Running Programs in the Background 126 Using Shell Features 127 Using Command Completion 127 Using Command History 128 Getting Help Using man Pages 130 Understanding the Purpose of man Pages 130 Locating man Pages by Section Number 131 Searching for a man Page 132 Reading man Pages 132 Using less 134 Getting Help Using info Pages 137 Understanding the Purpose of info Pages 137 Reading info Pages 138 Finding Additional Documentation 140 Locating Program Documentation on Your Computer 140 Locating Program Documentation Online 143 Consulting Experts 143 CHAPTER 7 Managing Files 147 Understanding Where Things Go 147 User Files vs. System Files 148 The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard 149 Important Directories and Their Contents 150 Navigating Files and Directories 153 Obtaining File Listings 153 Changing Directories 155 Using Absolute and Relative File References 156 Manipulating Files 157 Creating Files 158 Copying Files 159 Moving and Renaming Files 160 Using Links 161 Deleting Files 163 Using Wildcards 163 Understanding Case Sensitivity 164 Manipulating Directories 165 Creating Directories 165 Deleting Directories 165 Managing Directories 167 CHAPTER 8 Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data 171 Using Regular Expressions 171 Searching for and Extracting Data 173 Using grep 174 Using find 175 Using wc 177 Using cut 178 Using sort 178 Using cat 180 Redirecting Input and Output 181 Using Basic Redirection Operators 181 Using Pipes 183 Generating Command Lines 184 Archiving Data 186 Using tar 186 Using Compression 189 Using zip 190 CHAPTER 9 Exploring Processes and Process Data 195 Understanding Package Management 195 Linux Package Management Principles 195 Understanding Package Systems 196 Managing Red Hat Systems 198 Managing Debian Systems 199 Understanding the Process Hierarchy 201 Identifying Running Processes 202 Using ps to Identify Processes 202 Using top to Identify Processes 203 Measuring Memory Use 205 Using Log Files 207 Locating Log Files 207 Producing More-Verbose Log File Entries 209 Examining the Kernel Ring Buffer 209 CHAPTER 10 Editing Files 213 Understanding the Role of Text Files 213 Choosing an Editor 215 Launching an Editor 216 Editing Files with pico or nano 218 Using Text Editor Conventions 218 Exploring Basic nano Text-Editing Procedures 218 Saving Your Changes from nano 221 Editing Files with vi 222 Understanding vi Modes 222 Exploring Basic vi Text-Editing Procedures 224 Saving Your Changes from vi 227 CHAPTER 11 Creating Scripts 231 Beginning a Shell Script 232 Using Commands 232 Using Arguments 235 Using Variables 236 Using Conditional Expressions 239 Using Loops 240 Using Functions 241 Setting the Script’s Exit Value 243 CHAPTER 12 Understanding Basic Security 247 Understanding Accounts 247 Understanding Account Features 248 Identifying Accounts 251 Understanding Groups 253 Using Account Tools 254 Discovering Your Own Identity 254 Learning Who’s Online 255 Working as root 257 Understanding User Types 258 Acquiring root Privileges 258 Using root Privileges Safely 261 CHAPTER 13 Creating Users and Groups 265 Creating New Accounts 265 Deciding on a Group Strategy 265 Selecting a Good Password 266 Creating Accounts Using GUI Tools 269 Creating Accounts from the Shell 271 Modifying Accounts 273 Deciding When to Modify Accounts 273 Checking for Logged-in Users 274 Modifying Accounts Using GUI Tools 275 Modifying Accounts from the Shell 277 Deleting Accounts 279 Avoiding Account-Deletion Pitfalls 279 Deleting Accounts Using GUI Tools 280 Deleting Accounts from the Shell 281 Managing Groups 282 Managing Groups Using GUI Tools 282 Managing Groups from the Shell 283 CHAPTER 14 Setting Ownership and Permissions 287 Setting Ownership 287 Understanding Ownership 288 Setting Ownership in a File Manager 289 Setting Ownership in a Shell 290 Setting Permissions 291 Understanding Permissions 292 Setting Permissions in a File Manager 296 Setting Permissions in a Shell 296 Setting the umask 297 Using Special Permission Bits and File Features 298 Using Sticky Bits 298 Using Special Execute Permissions 300 Hiding Files from View 301 Viewing Directories 302 CHAPTER 15 Managing Network Connections 305 Understanding Network Features 305 Configuring a Network Connection 307 Deciding Whether to Use DHCP 308 Creating a Wi-Fi Connection 309 Using a Network Configuration GUI 313 Using Text-Based Tools 315 Testing Your Network Connection 319 Checking Your Routing Table 319 Testing Basic Connectivity 319 Finding Breaks in Connectivity 320 Testing DNS 322 Checking Your Network Status 322 Protecting Your System from the Bad Guys 323 APPENDIX A Answers to Review Questions 327 APPENDIX B LPI’s Certification Program 347 The Linux Essentials Certification 347 Certification Objectives Map 348 Index 351 EULA 363

Learn Linux, and take your career to the next level!

Linux Essentials, 2 nd Edition provides a solid foundation of knowledge for anyone considering a career in information technology, for anyone new to the Linux operating system, and for anyone who is preparing to sit for the Linux Essentials Exam. Through this engaging resource, you can access key information in a learning-by-doing style. Hands-on tutorials and end-of-chapter exercises and review questions lead you in both learning and applying new information—information that will help you achieve your goals! With the experience provided in this compelling reference, you can sit down for the Linux Essentials Exam with confidence.

An open source operating system, Linux is a UNIX-based platform that is freely updated by developers. The nature of its development means that Linux is a low-cost and secure alternative to other operating systems, and is used in many different IT environments. Passing the Linux Essentials Exam prepares you to apply your knowledge regarding this operating system within the workforce.

• Access lessons that are organized by task, allowing you to quickly identify the topics you are looking for and navigate the comprehensive information presented by the book
• Discover the basics of the Linux operating system, including distributions, types of open source applications, freeware, licensing, operations, navigation, and more
• Explore command functions, including navigating the command line, turning commands into scripts, and more
• Identify and create user types, users, and groups

Linux Essentials, 2 nd Edition is a critical resource for anyone starting a career in IT or anyone new to the Linux operating system.

Learn Linux, and take your career to the next level! Linux Essentials, 2nd Edition provides a solid foundation of knowledge for anyone considering a career in information technology, for anyone new to the Linux operating system, and for anyone who is preparing to sit for the Linux Essentials Exam. Through this engaging resource, you can access key information in a learning-by-doing style. Hands-on tutorials and end-of-chapter exercises and review questions lead you in both learning and applying new information—information that will help you achieve your goals! With the experience provided in this compelling reference, you can sit down for the Linux Essentials Exam with confidence. An open source operating system, Linux is a UNIX-based platform that is freely updated by developers. The nature of its development means that Linux is a low-cost and secure alternative to other operating systems, and is used in many different IT environments. Passing the Linux Essentials Exam prepares you to apply your knowledge regarding this operating system within the workforce. Access lessons that are organized by task, allowing you to quickly identify the topics you are looking for and navigate the comprehensive information presented by the book Discover the basics of the Linux operating system, including distributions, types of open source applications, freeware, licensing, operations, navigation, and more Explore command functions, including navigating the command line, turning commands into scripts, and more Identify and create user types, users, and groups Linux Essentials, 2nd Edition is a critical resource for anyone starting a career in IT or anyone new to the Linux operating system.