Book Image

Linux Essentials - Second Edition

By : Christine Bresnahan, Richard Blum
Book Image

Linux Essentials - Second Edition

By: Christine Bresnahan, Richard Blum

Overview of this book

Linux Essentials, Second 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.

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Linux Essentials - Second Edition
Christine Bresnahan | Richard Blum
Sep, 2015 | 368 pages
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Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Free Chapter
1
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
What Is Linux?
What Is the Linux Essentials Certification?
Who Should Read This Book?
How This Book Is Organized
Conventions Used in This Book
2
CHAPTER 1: Selecting an Operating System
CHAPTER 1: Selecting an Operating System
What Is an OS?
Investigating User Interfaces
Where Does Linux Fit in the OS World?
What Is a Distribution?
3
CHAPTER 2: Understanding Software Licensing
CHAPTER 2: Understanding Software Licensing
Investigating Software Licenses
Looking at the Free Software Foundation
Looking at the Open Source Initiative
Looking at the Creative Commons
Using Open Source Licenses
4
CHAPTER 3: Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy
CHAPTER 3: Investigating Linux’s Principles and Philosophy
Exploring Linux through the Ages
Using Open Source Software
Understanding OS Roles
5
CHAPTER 4: Using Common Linux Programs
CHAPTER 4: Using Common Linux Programs
Using a Linux Desktop Environment
Working with Productivity Software
Using Server Programs
Managing Programming Languages
Handling Software Packages
6
CHAPTER 5: Managing Hardware
CHAPTER 5: Managing Hardware
Learning about Your CPU
Identifying Motherboard Capabilities
Sizing Your Power Supply
Understanding Disk Issues
Managing Displays
Handling USB Devices
Managing Drivers
7
CHAPTER 6: Getting to Know the Command Line
CHAPTER 6: Getting to Know the Command Line
Starting a Command Line
Running Programs
Using Shell Features
Getting Help Using man Pages
Getting Help Using info Pages
Finding Additional Documentation
8
CHAPTER 7: Managing Files
CHAPTER 7: Managing Files
Understanding Where Things Go
Navigating Files and Directories
Manipulating Files
Manipulating Directories
9
CHAPTER 8: Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data
CHAPTER 8: Searching, Extracting, and Archiving Data
Using Regular Expressions
Searching for and Extracting Data
Redirecting Input and Output
Archiving Data
10
CHAPTER 9: Exploring Processes and Process Data
CHAPTER 9: Exploring Processes and Process Data
Understanding Package Management
Understanding the Process Hierarchy
Identifying Running Processes
Using Log Files
11
CHAPTER 10: Editing Files
CHAPTER 10: Editing Files
Understanding the Role of Text Files
Choosing an Editor
Launching an Editor
Editing Files with pico or nano
Editing Files with vi
12
CHAPTER 11: Creating Scripts
CHAPTER 11: Creating Scripts
Beginning a Shell Script
Using Commands
Using Arguments
Using Variables
Using Conditional Expressions
Using Loops
Using Functions
Setting the Script’s Exit Value
13
CHAPTER 12: Understanding Basic Security
CHAPTER 12: Understanding Basic Security
Understanding Accounts
Using Account Tools
Working as root
14
CHAPTER 13: Creating Users and Groups
CHAPTER 13: Creating Users and Groups
Creating New Accounts
Modifying Accounts
Deleting Accounts
Managing Groups
15
CHAPTER 14: Setting Ownership and Permissions
CHAPTER 14: Setting Ownership and Permissions
Setting Ownership
Setting Permissions
Using Special Permission Bits and File Features
16
CHAPTER 15: Managing Network Connections
CHAPTER 15: Managing Network Connections
Understanding Network Features
Configuring a Network Connection
Testing Your Network Connection
Protecting Your System from the Bad Guys
17
EULA
EULA
APPENDIX A: Answers to Review Questions
APPENDIX A: Answers to Review Questions
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
APPENDIX B: LPI’s Certification Program
APPENDIX B: LPI’s Certification Program
The Linux Essentials Certification
Certification Objectives Map

Managing Drivers

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Most hardware devices require the presence of special software components to be useful. A piece of software that “talks” to hardware is known as a driver, so you should know how drivers work in Linux. Several broad classes of drivers exist, so we begin by describing those. Whatever the driver type, you should know how to locate and install drivers for your hardware.

Understanding Types of Drivers

Linux requires drivers because different hardware—even two devices that serve similar purposes, such as two network adapters—can function in different ways. The methods required to initialize and use two network adapters may be entirely different. To provide generalized interfaces so that programs such as the Firefox web browser can use any network adapter, the Linux kernel uses drivers as a bridge between the hardware-agnostic kernel interfaces and the hardware itself.

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