Introduction to Open Source Operating Systems

This course will cover the fundamental concepts and philosophy behind free and open source software (FOSS). The course will discuss open source and free software licensing; open source business strategies and impact; FOSS utilization in the enterprise; and development methodologies. Students will learn to set up and configure an industry-standard open source operating system, including system installation, and basic system administration; system architecture; package management; command–line commands; devices, filesystems, and the filesystem hierarchy standard. Also addressed are applications, shells, scripting and data management; user interfaces and desktops; administrative tasks; essential system services; networking fundamentals; and security, as well as support issues for open source software. Multiple distributions are covered with emphasis on the two leading enterprise distribution families.

Pre-Requisites: None

Required Textbook: Releases · https://github.com/jhajek/Linux-text-book-part-1/releases/ PDF and ePub available (free for life with updates)

Other Required Materials:

Software Requirements: VirtualBox for Intel based Windows and Intel Macs

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: The History and Philosophy of Unix and Linux Free and Opensource Software

Welcome to Introduction to Open Source Operating Systems! Module 1 offers a deep dive into the rich technological and philosophical history of the Unix operating system, covering two pivotal periods: from its inception in 1969 to 1984, and from 1984 to 2015. Students will explore the groundbreaking developments and the ethos that shaped Unix during its formative years and how it has continued to influence modern computing paradigms. Emphasis is placed on recognizing the seminal contributions of Unix's key architects and contributors, providing a comprehensive understanding of the system's enduring legacy in today's technological landscape.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills, knowledge, and tools core to an IT career

Taught by instructor recognized for their work in Unix and Linux

Examines industry-standard Linux operating system and its applications

Covers software licensing and business strategies, which are relevant to learning about the industry

Course includes interactive hands-on labs and materials

Requires learners to come in with no prior experience or knowledge

Reviews summary

Solid foundation in open source os

According to students, this course offers a solid foundation in open source operating systems, particularly suitable for beginners with no prior Linux experience. Learners highlight the clear and engaging lectures, which simplify complex concepts, and the practical, hands-on labs using VirtualBox. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics from FOSS philosophy to essential system administration and shell scripting, with many finding the latter particularly useful for automation. While the course provides a comprehensive overview, some note that certain modules, like networking, might feel a bit rushed or that deeper dives require additional study. The free and continuously updated textbook is a significant asset, though a few found it dense. Overall, it's considered an excellent starting point for IT careers.

Free required textbook is useful but can be dense.

"The textbook was indeed free and a great resource."

"The textbook is free, which is great, but it's very dense and sometimes hard to follow without more explicit guidance..."

"The free textbook is good, but navigating it can be a chore."

Shell scripting modules are valuable for automation.

"The content on shell scripting was particularly useful for automating tasks."

"I particularly enjoyed the depth on shell scripting and process management."

"The Module 3 on Linux editors and shell scripts was a game-changer for me."

Clear instruction simplifies complex concepts effectively.

"The lectures were clear and engaging, especially the historical context of Unix."

"The instructor explained difficult concepts in an accessible way."

"The instructor's explanations are excellent, making even complex topics understandable."

"The materials are clear and well-organized."

Hands-on labs with virtualization are highly effective.

"I appreciated the hands-on labs using VirtualBox, which made learning practical."

"The practical exercises on VirtualBox were essential."

"The hands-on exercises were crucial for learning."

"The practical setup with VirtualBox was straightforward."

Excellent starting point for those new to Linux and open source.

"This course was a fantastic introduction to Linux and open source."

"As someone with zero prior Linux experience, this course was perfect."

"I knew nothing about Linux, and now I feel confident navigating the command line and understanding core OS concepts."

"This course definitely prepares you for further study or entry-level roles."

Inconsistent pacing; some assessments feel disconnected.

"I found the pace inconsistent. Some modules moved too quickly, others too slowly."

"The quizzes were sometimes ambiguous."

"The assessment at the end felt a bit disconnected from some of the hands-on parts, relying more on theoretical recall..."

Broad topic coverage, but some areas lack depth.

"Some topics, like networking fundamentals, felt a bit rushed compared to others."

"For someone looking to specialize, it might be too general."

"It feels like it tries to cover too much, leading to superficial coverage in some areas."

"I wish there were more advanced topics or challenges for those who pick things up quickly."

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 Introduction to Open Source Operating Systems - Bachelor's with these activities:

Review previous coursework or study materials related to Linux fundamentals.

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Refreshes existing knowledge, providing a solid foundation for the course's advanced concepts.

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Gather old notes, textbooks, or online materials on Linux fundamentals.
Review key concepts such as system architecture, file systems, and command-line basics.
Identify areas where your knowledge is weak and focus on those.
Consider taking practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.

Create a notebook to compile and organize course materials.

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Encourages active engagement and organization, promoting better retention and understanding.

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Create a new notebook or document.
Divide the notebook into sections for each module or topic.
Take notes during lectures and add them to the notebook.
Summarize key concepts and definitions.

Create a glossary of key Linux commands and definitions.

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Enhances vocabulary and understanding of essential Linux commands, facilitating quick reference during the course.

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Create a new document or spreadsheet.
List down key Linux commands and their descriptions.
Organize the commands into categories or subtopics.
Include examples and usage scenarios for each command.

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Complete the tutorials on the official Linux Foundation website.

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Provides guidance from an authoritative source, reinforcing concepts covered in the course.

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Go to the Linux Foundation website.
Find the tutorials section.
Choose a tutorial that aligns with the course topics.
Follow the tutorial steps and complete the exercises.

Install and configure a Linux operating system in a virtual machine.

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Provides hands-on experience in setting up a Linux system, a fundamental skill for this course.

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Download and install a virtualization software such as VirtualBox or VMWare.
Download an ISO image file of a Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu or CentOS.
Create a new virtual machine and configure the settings.
Install the Linux distribution on the virtual machine.
Configure basic network and system settings.

Provide support and guidance to other students in the course.

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Reinforces understanding by explaining concepts to others and fosters a collaborative learning environment.

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Identify a topic or concept that you feel confident in.
Join the course discussion forums or online study groups.
Offer help and answer questions from other students.
Provide constructive feedback and support to enhance their learning.

Practice using Linux commands in a terminal.

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Improves proficiency in using the command line, essential for navigating and managing Linux systems.

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Open a terminal window in your Linux virtual machine.
Run basic commands such as 'ls', 'cd', 'mkdir', and 'cat'.
Experiment with different command options and flags.
Practice using pipes and redirection.

Contribute to an open-source project related to Linux.

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Provides practical experience in working with Linux systems and contributing to the open-source community.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Find an open-source project on GitHub or other platforms that aligns with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Identify a small feature or bug that you can contribute to.
Create a pull request with your proposed changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Open Source Operating Systems - Bachelor's will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Open Source Developer

An Open Source Developer creates, maintains, and contributes to open source software projects. This course provides a deep understanding of open source software development methodologies and practices, giving a strong foundation for this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Open Source Developer

Unix Administrator

A Unix Administrator manages and maintains Unix-based operating systems, ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of Unix operating systems, including system administration, networking, and troubleshooting, making it an excellent choice for aspiring or current Unix Administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Unix Administrator

Linux Administrator

A Linux Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining Linux-based operating systems, ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability. This course provides comprehensive knowledge of Linux operating systems, including system administration, networking, and troubleshooting, making it an excellent choice for aspiring or current Linux Administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Linux Administrator

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams, ensuring seamless software delivery and maintenance. Understanding open source operating systems is crucial for this role, as many DevOps tools and technologies rely on open source software.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Systems Administrator

A Systems Administrator manages and maintains computer systems, ensuring optimal performance, security, and availability. This course may be useful as it covers fundamental concepts of system administration, including user management, file systems, and networking.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security measures for an organization's systems and networks. This course may be helpful as it introduces the fundamentals of operating system security, including concepts such as user permissions, firewalls, and intrusion detection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Software Architect

A Software Architect designs and develops the architecture of software systems, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and maintainability. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in open source operating systems and their underlying concepts, which are often used in enterprise-scale software systems.

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Network Administrator

A Network Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's computer networks, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity. This course may be useful as it provides an introduction to networking fundamentals, including network configuration, security, and troubleshooting.

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Software Designer

A Software Designer creates and maintains software designs, translating user requirements into technical specifications. This course may be useful as it provides an understanding of the technical aspects of open source operating systems, which can be valuable in software design.

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Software Developer

A Software Developer creates and maintains software applications, utilizing programming languages and software tools. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in open source operating systems, which are widely used in software development.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer applies engineering principles to software development, ensuring reliability, maintainability, and efficiency. This course provides a strong foundation in open source operating systems, which are commonly used in software engineering.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer creates and maintains websites and web applications, utilizing programming languages and web technologies. This course may be useful as it covers the basics of open source web technologies, providing a foundation for web development.

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Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful as it introduces the fundamentals of open source operating system security, providing a foundation for understanding and implementing security measures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Technical Support Analyst

A Technical Support Analyst provides technical support to users, resolving hardware, software, and network issues. This course may be useful as it provides an introduction to open source operating systems, which are often used in enterprise environments.

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Chief Technology Officer

A Chief Technology Officer (CTO) leads and manages an organization's technology strategy, infrastructure, and operations. This course may be useful as it introduces the core concepts and practices of open source operating systems, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of a company's infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer