Introduction

Tools

Due to restrictions of MU Computing Services, we cannot install Linux as a second operating system on the lab machines. Therefore, in the class we will be using virtual mchines to run Linux OS. I successfully used three different VM software to run Linux:

• VM Ware Workstation – very relyable, but unfortunately not free. However, VM Ware© provides a trial version, which is good for one month. This trial version lets you to create and configure your own virtual machine with Linux in it. After the trial period is over, you still can run your virtual machine using their free VM Ware Player.
• MS Virtual PC – freely available for all Marshall Students at MSDN.
• Virtual Box – freely available as Open Source Program from innotek.

If you plan to work at home, you are free to use any of these programs or simply install Linux of a free partition of your hard drive. There are a number of Linux distributions to use. In class we will be using Fedora 8. The DVD with the system comes with the book required for the course. If you do not have a book yet (and I do recommend to have it), the iso image of the DVD is available from download locations.

Why Linux?

Pretty much every Linux kernel can offer the features of any good operating system (OS), such as multiuser, multitasking, hardware support, networking connectivity, network servers, GUI, application support. But what makes Linux more attractive for users and what kind of tasks is better to use it for? In other words "What are advantages of Linux?"

• Price. Under the price of an OS we mean the total price which includes the cost of the software itself, licensing fee, cost of support, ability to reuse any of the code as you choose, capability of using inexpensive hardware, etc.
• Reliability. In terms of reliability, Linux is comparable to many commercial UNIX systems, but more reliable than most decktop-oriented operating systems.
• Safety. Linux users are for the most part safe from the culture of malware and viruses that plague Windows systems. It doesn't mean of course that Linux systems cannot be exploited, but Linux ysers can allow not to install anti-virus siftware, which is virtually impossible for Windows machines.
• Open source code. Due to the fact that source code for Linux is open, you practically can do with you system anything you want including modification of any part of it. Another advantage of the open source is that problems with the code are usually found and fixed much faster, than similar problems with commercial software.
• Availability. Liux distributions themselves and help with installing, administering, and supporting them is always available on the Internet.

Question: what are disadvatages of Linux?

Reading assigment

Please read chapter 1 of the course textbook.