Linux for beginners with Hands-on Labs

Mumshad Mannambeth

Why You Should Learn Linux

As per Stack overflow’s insights, the most common and the most loved platform happens to be Linux. If you do a quick search online on Linux you’ll see some interesting statistics. All of the fastest 500 supercomputers in the world run on Linux. 96.3 percent of the top 1 million web servers run on Linux. And 86% of all smartphones are powered by Linux.

In the cloud and DevOps world, many of the new tools are developed and used in Linux environments first before they are made available on Windows. For example, containerization tools like Docker were only available on Linux-based systems for many years before being supported on Windows platforms. Similarly, automation tools like Ansible are required to be installed in a Linux environment. Even though Ansible can manage Windows systems as target machines, a Linux system is required to be the Ansible controller.

Learn Linux to Further Your DevOps Career

The demand for DevOps and Cloud engineers is growing exponentially with each passing year. Every new job position now requires having knowledge of at least a few DevOps tools and at least one of the major cloud providers. As more and more organizations are adopting Devops and running their workloads in the cloud, fundamental understanding of Linux is a must. Especially if you have been working in a windows dominated environment.

What You Will Learn in KodeKloud’s Linux Course

Some of the most common challenges our students report while learning DevOps are:

1. Trouble navigating the Linux CLI

2. Lack of experience with the linux command line

3. Trouble navigating directory structures and working with files

4. No experience in working with text editors like VI editor

5. Handling errors during installation of applications and dependencies and configuring software repositories

6. Issues with networking and DNS in Linux

7. Knowing when to use sudo, and how to configure permissions

8. Having sufficient hands-on experience working with Linux

That is why we built this Linux course. We aim to help you get your foundations right and help you with these common struggles many developers face.

In this Linux course, you’ll join Bob (a fictional character), who is a new intern at a fictional company named Caleston Technologies. Bob is tasked to build and deploy an application for a client demo. Bob is new to Linux and faces numerous challenges while working on his laptop and servers. You’ll join Bob throughout this Linux course to learn the OS's basics and fundamentals.

Get Hands-On Experience Programming in Linux

All of our lectures use visualization techniques and analogies to simplify complex concepts. This makes the concepts easy to grasp and remember in the long term.

Each lecture in this Linux course is followed by our hands-on labs, where you will be given challenges to solve. The labs open up right in your browser, so there is no hassle of setting up environments to practice. You start practicing seconds after the lecture is complete. The labs are fun to work with and give you challenges to solve.

Once you solve these challenges, we will validate your work and give you feedback on where you went wrong. If you are not sure how to solve a problem, use the hints to solve them. The most important thing while learning Linux, especially the Linux command line, is practice. The hundreds of questions in our labs throughout this course will give you enough hands-on practice to be confident in Linux.

Course pre-requisites:

There are no pre-requisites for this course

A laptop with a browser to work on the labs

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

The "Networking" module covers essential networking concepts and tools in Linux systems. Participants learn about the importance of networking, Linux networking fundamentals, and DNS functionality. Through hands-on labs, participants gain practical experience in configuring DNS settings and troubleshooting common networking issues. Additionally, participants explore networking basics and engage in troubleshooting exercises to enhance their understanding of Linux networking concepts.

The Introduction module provides learners with a foundational understanding of Linux, tailored specifically for professionals entering the field of DevOps and Cloud computing. Through engaging with real-world scenarios inspired by the experiences of Bob, a new employee at Caleston Technologies, learners will familiarize themselves with essential Linux concepts and practical usage, preparing them for the demands of modern IT environments.

Working with Shell 1

In the "Working with Shell" module, participants dive into the Linux shell environment, a critical component for interacting with the operating system. They learn fundamental Linux commands for file system navigation, file management, and system operations, enhancing their command-line proficiency. Through practical labs, participants gain hands-on experience with the Bash shell and its features, further solidifying their understanding of shell interactions. Additionally, participants explore command-line help resources to effectively utilize and troubleshoot commands in real-world scenarios.

Linux Core Concepts

The "Linux Core Concepts" module provides participants with foundational knowledge of essential Linux concepts. Participants learn about the Linux kernel and its interaction with hardware, gaining insights into system resource management. They explore the Linux boot sequence, runlevels, and system initialization processes, enhancing their understanding of system startup and management. Additionally, participants delve into different file types, the Linux filesystem hierarchy, and kernel modules through practical labs, enabling them to navigate and organize files effectively in a Linux environment.

Package Management

The "Package Management" module introduces participants to the concept of package management in Linux systems. Participants learn about package management tools such as RPM, YUM, DPKG, and APT, and their roles in installing, updating, and removing software packages. Through practical labs, participants gain hands-on experience in using these tools to effectively manage software packages on their Linux systems.

Working with Shell - II

In "Working with Shell - II," participants expand their command-line skills with advanced topics in Linux shell usage. They learn about file compression and archival techniques, file searching using grep and find, and input/output redirection for managing command streams. Practical labs provide hands-on experience in applying these concepts, reinforcing learning through interactive exercises. Additionally, participants explore the VI editor for text file manipulation, enhancing their text editing capabilities in the Linux environment.

Networking

Security and File Permissions

The "Security and File Permissions" module covers essential security practices and access control mechanisms in Linux systems. Participants learn about Linux account management, file permissions, and ownership through theoretical explanations and hands-on labs. Additionally, they gain practical experience in using SSH and SCP for secure remote access and file transfer. Participants also explore iptables firewall basics and learn how to schedule recurring tasks using cronjobs, enhancing their system administration skills.

Service management with SYSTEMD

The "Service Management with systemd" module introduces participants to systemd, the system and service manager for Linux systems. Participants learn about systemd's role in service management and how to create systemd services to manage applications and processes effectively. Through practical labs, participants gain hands-on experience in creating and managing systemd services. Additionally, participants explore systemd tools for service management and troubleshooting, enhancing their system administration skills.

Storage in Linux

The "Storage in Linux" module covers fundamental storage management concepts and techniques in Linux systems. Participants learn about disk partitions, filesystems, and their management through theoretical explanations and practical labs. Additionally, participants explore different storage architectures such as DAS, NAS, and SAN, along with the NFS filesystem for networked file sharing. Through hands-on labs, participants gain practical experience in configuring and managing Logical Volume Management (LVM) for dynamic storage allocation and management.

The Client Demonstration

In "The Client Demonstration" module, participants join Bob as he faces a critical issue during the client demonstration, putting the project at risk. Participants apply their troubleshooting skills and knowledge gained throughout the course to diagnose and resolve the issue in a final troubleshooting scenario. Through practical labs, participants gain hands-on experience in navigating complex system issues and ensuring the success of the client demonstration. The module concludes with the finale, wrapping up Bob's journey and the project's outcome.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops foundational Linux skills, which are highly relevant in a DevOps and Cloud computing career

Taught by industry experts at KodeKloud, who are recognized for their work in DevOps and Linux

Uses hands-on labs and interactive materials, which reinforce learning and provide practical experience

Takes a practical approach to teaching Linux, which is highly relevant to industry

Provides a comprehensive overview of Linux fundamentals, which is suitable for beginners with no prior experience

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Linux for beginners with Hands-on Labs with these activities:

Review and organize your course materials regularly

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Enhance retention by actively reviewing and organizing your notes, assignments, and other course materials.

Browse courses on Note-Taking

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Set aside time each week to review your lecture notes, slides, and assignments.
Summarize key concepts and make connections between different topics.
Organize your materials using a system that makes sense to you, such as folders, notebooks, or digital note-taking apps.

Read 'The Linux Command Line' by William Shotts

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Get a solid foundation in Linux command line usage, essential for navigating and managing Linux systems.

View The Linux Command Line, 2nd Edition on Amazon

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Read the first three chapters of the book to familiarize yourself with the Linux command line basics.
Practice the commands covered in the chapters by opening a terminal and experimenting with them.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter to test your understanding.

Create a cheat sheet of essential Linux commands for reference

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Reinforce your command line knowledge by creating a quick reference guide for future use.

Browse courses on Linux Command Line

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Identify the most commonly used Linux commands across various modules of the course.
Organize these commands into categories based on their functionality, such as file management, system administration, or networking.
Use a tool like a text editor or a spreadsheet to create a well-structured and visually appealing cheat sheet.

Four other activities

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Solve Linux command line challenges on 'HackerRank'

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Strengthen your command line skills by solving real-world challenges on an interactive platform.

Browse courses on Linux Command Line

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Create an account on 'HackerRank'.
Select the 'Linux Shell' section under 'Practice'.
Solve the challenges in the 'Easy' and 'Medium' difficulty levels.

Follow the 'Linux Foundation Training' tutorials on Linux networking

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Enhance your understanding of Linux networking through structured tutorials provided by an industry leader.

Browse courses on Linux Networking

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Go to the 'Linux Foundation Training' website and create an account.
Enroll in the 'Introduction to Linux Networking' course.
Complete the tutorials and hands-on labs in the course.

Write a blog post summarizing your learning experience in a particular module of the course

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Solidify your understanding by reflecting on and explaining concepts you learned in a module.

Browse courses on Technical Writing

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Choose a module from the course that you found particularly interesting or challenging.
Summarize the key concepts, tools, or techniques covered in the module.
Share your personal insights and experiences in learning the module's content.

Build a basic web application using Linux tools

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Apply your Linux knowledge to a practical project, building a web application from scratch.

Browse courses on Web Application Development

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Choose a simple web application idea to implement, such as a static website or a blog.
Set up a Linux development environment with a web server, database, and necessary tools.
Develop the web application using HTML, CSS, and a backend language like Python or PHP.
Test and debug your web application to ensure it functions correctly.