Chapter 2

BAI517Chris Redford

Different version of Linux are called Distributions or Distros. Each one has its strengths and focus:

•Red Hat / Fedora •Slackeware•Madrake (Mandriva)•Ubuntu•Kubuntu•Mint•Damn Small•CentOS•Mepis

•BSD•Astaro•Debian•Knoppix•OpenSuse•Gentoo•Dreamlinux•Frugalware•GoboLinux

•Zenwalk•FreeBSD•Linux XP•RipLinux•Turbolinux•GOS•Vector•Mythbuntu•Big Linux

HowTos◦ Because of the communal effort that Linux is

based on HowTo manuals are available for all aspects of Linux admin. To verify the hardware you have refer to a guide. You can start with www.google.com/linux

CPU ◦ 32 or 64 bit support (real & virtual)◦ Pentium 200MHz min. for text mode◦ Pentium II 400MHz for GUI mode

Memory◦ 128MB text mode and 256 GUI mode (minimum)

All requirements

are Fedora specific. Other distros may use

more or less

Hard Drive◦ Depending on install packages 600MB to 9GB

CD/DVD◦ Install vs. Live CD/DVD◦ Optional boot to memory stick

Default setup via the wizard (Druid) will create the required partions. They can be configured manually if desired.◦ VG / LVM◦ Root◦ Swap◦ Boot◦ Var◦ Home◦ Usr

Linux partitioning requires the creation of Logical Volumes (LV)◦ Each volume will have a

specific task The collective LVs are

referred to as the Volume Group (VG)

Root or “/”◦ Top of the logical hierachy◦ The last partition created and usually take the

remaining disk space.

Home◦ User home directories◦ Keeping user data and O/S files seperate

Var◦ Variable – data that frequently changes

System logging, package information, account info

usr◦ User info, can be used for exporting user info to a

different system.◦ Sizing will depend on the number and type of

software packages installed.

swap◦ Temporary storage of programs and system data

when there is not enough RAM available.◦ Partitions should be twice the size as the system

RAM value.◦ Optimization tip: keep this partition on a separate

physical drive

•This partition holds the kernel and grub files•This kernel image for Fedora 8 is 3.2GB

http://download.fedora.redhat.com•Download .iso files

•.iso files need to be burned to disk

•Core 8 is the current version and will fit on a single DVD

Review Answers from Revolution OS Linux Distro Report

◦ In-class research and report Read Chapter 2 Answer questions on p.42 Homework Assignment:

◦ Linux Distro Report