Learning Linux

g_tripwood · 10 Oct 2011 at 15:40

Hi there

I'm getting more and more exposed to Linux at work, and feel it's high time I need to learn it properly.

What is a good distro to start out on?

I'll be running in a VM so I won't need to worry about destroying my rig for the sake of it.

unp|dissy · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:17

In an enterprise? RHEL.

Use centos as a free clone.

Consider bitching at ur organisation for some Red Hat courses, RHCT etc.

g_tripwood · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:27

Yeah thought as much, I do use some RHEL at work too.

Considered looking at the RHEL certifications too... but self-learning (because that is how I proverbially move)

hiyajac · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:44

I start learning Linux from using Ubuntu. It is quite easy to find Ubuntu resources online. This is one of my favourites:- http://ubuntuguide.org

SMN · 10 Oct 2011 at 22:02

Ubuntu, APT is great for new comers.

Staffy · 10 Oct 2011 at 23:13

I haven't around Linux for a couple of years now.

But if you are already working in a RHEL environment and are remotely thinking of taking the RHEL qualification to further your career. Then you need to either speak to your supervisor to get access to their software or Centos is the best choice.

Evil-I · 26 Oct 2011 at 14:09

+1 for centos,

RHEL without the logos and cost......

SMN · 26 Oct 2011 at 14:24

RPM is awful though

Staffy · 26 Oct 2011 at 15:04

RPM is awful though

That's as maybe but if you are considering RHEL cert then the best free solution is Centos.
If the OP wanted to just learn Linux then another Distro would possibly be better.

It has been a couple of years since I have used Centos in a server environment but I don't remember having any issues with the Yum package manager (i think it was). Do they still use that?

memyselfandi · 26 Oct 2011 at 15:45

SMN said:
RPM is awful though

Not really if you have your repositories configured correctly so that you can use YUM for installing/upgrading packages instead of RPM directly.

SMN · 26 Oct 2011 at 16:04

memyselfandi said:
Not really if you have your repositories configured correctly so that you can use YUM for installing/upgrading packages instead of RPM directly.

Yep. Problem i found with Yum/RPM is the lack of package support, compared to a debian which has pretty much a .deb for everything. Ubuntu is best for learning (Maybe mint now Ubuntu is trying to annoy everyone with Unity and dropping synaptic) in my opinion.

Nimdok · 26 Oct 2011 at 16:37

hiyajac said:
I start learning Linux from using Ubuntu. It is quite easy to find Ubuntu resources online. This is one of my favourites:- http://ubuntuguide.org

Thanks for that, Hiyajac. Have just started using Ubuntu a couple of weeks ago as a part of my course, and was planning on having a dig around the internet this week for a good tutorial so thanks for saving me some time

memyselfandi · 26 Oct 2011 at 22:18

If the OP wants to do self study for the Red Hat certifications I suggest looking at the exam objectives to see what you are expected to know:

RHCSA
RHCE

In order to gain the RHCE you need to also have the RHCSA (even if you take the RHCE exam and pass you are not an RHCE until you have the RHCSA qualification as well).

Hmmm ... (looks at the Red Hat pages as they are strict about what you can say about the exams soo I can only really talk about whats publicly on their site) ... the exams are not trivial and are entirely hands on. The RHCSA exam is 2.5hrs and the RHCE 2.0hrs. You need to know the items listed as objectives for the exams and you need to know them well enough that you can do the associated tasks without having to start working things out from first principles. In fact I would go as far as saying that for the RHCE you need to know a lot of the RHCSA objectives without even have to think about them. For instance the RHCSA lists anobjective of knowing LVM tasks ... at the RHCE exam level it is assumed that things like this you'll be able to do straight off.

They are difficult exams ... I am a RHCE for RHEL 6, I did the intensive RHCE course earlier in the year (I have been working with Linux for about a dozen years and using it for longer) ... the course packs in the RHCE objectives and a few of the RHCSA ones into four days and then on the Friday you do the RHCSA exam in the morning and the RHCE in the afternoon ... funfunfun. There was an intensive RHCSA course on at the same time who just did the morning exam. From peoples reactions afterwards I would say >50% of the people on the RHCSA course failed (they just didn't seam to have the knowledge) and I expect ~25% of the people on my course failed the RHCE.

These are not nice little multiple choice tests you can read a couple of books for and then waltz through.