Linux Fundamentals are the foundational concepts and knowledge required to understand and work effectively with Linux operating systems. Here are some key areas covered in Linux Fundamentals:
Introduce the history and development of Linux, including its open-source nature and the various distributions available, such as Ubuntu, CentOS, and Fedora. Explain the Linux kernel, which forms the core of the operating system.
Explain the Linux file system hierarchy, which organizes files and directories in a hierarchical structure. Cover essential directories like /bin, /etc, /home, /var, and /usr. Discuss file system permissions and ownership, which determine access rights for files and directories.
Emphasize the use of the Linux command line as a powerful tool for interacting with the operating system. Introduce common command-line utilities for file and directory management, text processing, process management, and system administration tasks.
Explain the concept of processes, which are running instances of programs on the system. Cover process creation, monitoring, and termination. Discuss process control signals and how to manage processes using tools like ps, top, and kill.
Introduce package management systems like APT (Advanced Package Tool) for Debian-based distributions and YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified) for Red Hat-based distributions. Discuss package repositories, package installation, updating, and removal. Emphasize the importance of package management for system stability and security.
Cover user and group administration, including creating and managing user accounts, assigning permissions, setting user passwords, and managing group memberships. Explain the concept of superusers (root) and their elevated privileges.
Introduce popular text editors like vi (or Vim) and nano. Provide basic commands for creating, editing, and saving files. Emphasize the importance of learning a text editor for system administration and configuration tasks.
Discuss essential networking concepts in Linux, including IP addressing, subnetting, routing, and network interfaces. Explain how to configure network settings, set up network connections, and troubleshoot network-related issues. Cover tools like ifconfig, ip, and netstat.
Introduce different shell environments like Bash (Bourne Again Shell), which is the default for most Linux distributions. Cover basic shell operations, including command execution, variable usage, input/output redirection, and piping commands together.
Explain the Linux boot process, including the BIOS/UEFI stage, boot loader (e.g., GRUB), kernel initialization, and system initialization (e.g., systemd). Discuss runlevels and the concept of services.
By providing a solid understanding of these Linux Fundamentals, students will have a strong foundation to build upon and delve into more advanced topics in Linux administration and usage. Hands-on exercises, practice labs, and real-world examples can greatly enhance the learning experience.
