 |
VOOZH | about |
|
VOOZH | about |
We’re so glad you’re here. You can expect all the best TNS content to arrive Monday through Friday to keep you on top of the news and at the top of your game.
Check your inbox for a confirmation email where you can adjust your preferences and even join additional groups.
Follow TNS on your favorite social media networks.
Become a TNS follower on LinkedIn.
Check out the latest featured and trending stories while you wait for your first TNS newsletter.
The problem with learning Linux skills such as managing services, creating users, or setting permissions is that you can read the steps in an article, but you can only absorb the process once you do it yourself. People attracted to the IT field tend to be very hands-on, preferring to learn by doing.
This article covers basic choices and steps for creating a home lab environment. You may select from a physical or virtual platform, choose your distribution, and understand the steps of the installation process. I included links for anything you need to download, too.
Any Linux user can benefit from this tutorial, but it will be especially useful for those who intend to follow along with The New Stack Linux Repository article series. Those pieces explain access management, system management, software deployment, text editors, and networking. See the full syllabus here. Also, here is a companion tutorial for running the Linux command line.
Readers pursuing Linux certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or the Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate will certainly benefit from using a lab to gain hands-on experience, troubleshoot issues, and practice configuring system settings.
Your first choice when constructing your lab is whether to use a physical computer or use virtualization software. Virtualization has been all the rage for many years, but you might have an older computer available that will work well. Linux is much more forgiving of older hardware than other operating systems, so check the back of your closet for a retired laptop.
Desktop virtualization solutions are applications that run on a standard computer and allocate resources to a virtual machine that, in turn, runs the Linux operating system. Some virtualization software is free or included with your OS, while others have a fee.
Here are a few choices:
Check the product website for installation information and requirements.
VirtualBox is a good choice for Windows and macOS users, and it’s free. I use Parallels on my Mac laptop, and it works exceptionally well. However, it isn’t free. Some Windows versions include Hyper-V, and it’s also a solid choice.
Another alternative is using a single-board computer, such as the Raspberry Pi. These devices are surprisingly powerful and affordable. Linux is a common operating system choice for Raspberry Pi.
Windows and macOS users are familiar with Microsoft and Apple controlling which operating system versions are available. Furthermore, each operating system is wholly managed by one vendor.
Linux works very differently. Anyone can create their own Linux version (called a “distribution” or “distro”) — and many companies do just that. The result is there are thousands of Linux distributions, making the selection process difficult.
What about cost? Linux is open source software, meaning it’s available free of charge. You’re welcome to modify and redistribute it. You just need to download a Linux distribution from the Internet to use in your home lab.
I suggest choosing either Ubuntu or Fedora Linux for your home lab. Many other great Linux distros are available, but these two are standard and well-supported. As you gain Linux experience, you should investigate other distros.
Suggested distributions:
The most fundamental difference between the two that impacts new users is how they manage software. You’ll learn more about that when you begin working with software packages.
Linux installations are generally as straightforward as Windows or macOS, especially on virtual machines.
The following section displays the standard steps for installing Ubuntu Linux. Other distributions will need the same kind of information (time zone, system name, installation drive, etc.).
First, boot your system to the installation media. Boot time will vary depending on the type of installation you selected and your hardware. The installation media will be an ISO image if you’re installing it on a virtual machine. Look for a file named ubuntu-22.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso. Note that the version numbers may vary slightly.
Figure 3: Select a normal installation, automatic updates, and the installation of third-party software.
Choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu. Press the Install Now button.
Figure 4: Ensure the installer is set for a virtual machine, then select to erase the disk and install Ubuntu.
You have few post-installation tasks, as Ubuntu Linux is configured well by default. Your system should automatically check for updates, helping it stay secure and robust. The firewall is enabled by default, too.
Log in to your new Linux system and start looking around. Find the web browser, word processor, music player, etc. You could also add software, change the desktop wallpaper, and enable dark mode. Open the terminal to issue basic commands like date and whoami. Remember to use man pages to help with commands. Type man <command> to display the appropriate help page. Below is the man page for the rm command.
A standard Ubuntu or Fedora installation contains everything you need to start with Linux and work with how-to articles on The New Stack’s site. You can use this lab environment to learn the topics covered in the various New Stack Linux Repository tutorials or begin experimenting with it on your own.
Plan your learning path to include controlling access to files using user accounts, groups, and permissions. Learn to manage system processes and services, including security tools and SSH. Don’t forget about updates and software management, too.
