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Chapter 1.6 - Installation and First Use

Overview​

Before starting to use Linux, you need to install a Linux distribution. This chapter guides you through installing a Linux distribution and your first use of the system.

Objectives​

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  • Choose an appropriate Linux distribution
  • Install Linux (VM or dual-boot)
  • Access the terminal
  • Use basic commands
  • Navigate the file system

What is a Linux Distribution?​

A Linux distribution (or "distro") is a version of Linux with pre-installed tools, configurations, and software.

Popular distributions:

  • Ubuntu: Easy to use, popular
  • Debian: Stable, community-driven
  • Red Hat/CentOS: Enterprise, stable
  • Arch Linux: Advanced, customizable

Choosing a Distribution​

For Beginners​

Ubuntu:

  • User-friendly graphical interface
  • Large community
  • Abundant documentation
  • LTS (Long Term Support) support

Linux Mint:

  • Based on Ubuntu
  • Familiar interface (Windows style)
  • Very user-friendly

For Servers​

Ubuntu Server:

  • LTS support
  • Excellent documentation
  • Large ecosystem

CentOS/Rocky Linux:

  • Based on Red Hat
  • Stable and reliable
  • Popular in enterprises

For Learning​

Debian:

  • Solid base system
  • In-depth learning
  • Active community

Installation Methods​

Advantages:

  • No modification to your current system
  • Easy to test
  • Can be easily removed

Tools:

  • VirtualBox: Free, cross-platform
  • VMware: Powerful, paid
  • Hyper-V: Windows (free)

Steps:

  1. Download VirtualBox
  2. Download an Ubuntu ISO
  3. Create a VM
  4. Install Ubuntu in the VM

Option 2: Dual-Boot​

Advantages:

  • Native performance
  • Full hardware access

Disadvantages:

  • Shared hard drive
  • More complex to set up

Option 3: WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)​

For Windows 10/11:

wsl --install

Advantages:

  • Windows integration
  • No VM
  • Performant

Ubuntu Installation (Example)​

Prerequisites​

  • RAM: Minimum 2GB (4GB recommended)
  • Disk: Minimum 20GB (50GB recommended)
  • Processor: 64-bit

Installation Steps​

  1. Download Ubuntu:

    • Go to ubuntu.com/download
    • Download the LTS version

  2. Create a bootable USB drive:

    • Use Rufus (Windows) or Balena Etcher
    • Burn the ISO to the USB drive

  3. Boot from the USB drive:

    • Restart the computer
    • Access BIOS/UEFI (F2, F12, Del)
    • Choose the USB drive as the boot device

  4. Install Ubuntu:

    • Choose "Install Ubuntu"
    • Follow the installation wizard
    • Set up user and password

First Login​

Graphical Interface​

After installation, you will see:

  • Desktop: Graphical interface
  • Applications Menu: Access to programs
  • Terminal: Accessible via Ctrl+Alt+T

Terminal​

The terminal is your main interface for Linux:

# Open the terminal
# Ctrl+Alt+T (Ubuntu)
# Or search for "Terminal" in the menu

Typical appearance:

user@hostname:~$ 
# user: your username
# hostname: machine name
# ~: home directory
# $: command prompt (normal user)
# #: root prompt (superuser)

First Commands​

# See where you are
pwd

# List files
ls
ls -la        # Full details

# Change directory
cd /home
cd ~          # Home directory
cd ..         # Parent directory
cd -          # Previous directory

Files​

# Create a file
touch my_file.txt

# Edit a file
nano my_file.txt
# or
vim my_file.txt

# Display content
cat my_file.txt
less my_file.txt

# Create a directory
mkdir my_directory

# Copy
cp file.txt copy.txt

# Move/Rename
mv file.txt new_name.txt

# Delete
rm file.txt
rm -r directory    # Recursive

Help​

# Command help
man ls
ls --help

# System information
uname -a
whoami

Initial Configuration​

System Update​

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

# Red Hat/CentOS
sudo yum update
# or
sudo dnf update

Software Installation​

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install package_name

# Example
sudo apt install vim git curl

Installation Verification​

Verification Commands​

# Kernel version
uname -r

# Distribution
cat /etc/os-release

# Disk space
df -h

# Memory
free -h

# Processes
ps aux | head

Summary​

In this chapter, you learned:

Distributions: Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, etc.
Installation: VM (recommended), Dual-boot, WSL
Terminal: Main command line interface
Basic Commands: pwd, ls, cd, mkdir, cp, mv, rm
Update: apt update/upgrade (Ubuntu/Debian)
Verification: uname, df, free, ps

Next Steps​

Module 2: Linux System Architecture
Lab 1.1: Linux Installation and First Use

Chapter created on: December 2024