Transcript Up Close with Linux - Gonzaga Student Web Server

Up Close with Linux
BiMBA, Fall 1999
Dr. Jason Chen
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA 99223
Agenda
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What is Linux?
How is it used?
Comparing to Windows
How can you use Linux?
Learning more
A Demonstration…
Why all this excitement?
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USA Today
CNN features
Wall Street Journal
Fortune magazine cover story
InfoWorld. PC Week, Communications
Week, …
Why all this excitement?
Compaq to provide Linux systems
HP porting management tools to Linux
IBM announces Linux strategy
Sun and many others announced Linux
binary support
 Oracle, Sybase, Informix, CA, Corel, ...
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What Is Linux?
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A complete UNIX® clone
A powerful server operating system
A Desktop operating system (for some)
An OpenSource™/free software project
 Linux has approx. 10 million users
 Linux is growing at over 20%/yr. (IDC)
What Is Linux?
 OpenSource™ software
 Source code included
 Rapid development
 Sharing improvements
 Security issues
 Rapid patch release
 Scoured source code
What Is Linux?
 Hardware support
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Networking (Gigabit Ethernet, FDDI, Token, Arcnet)
Video cards (VGA to high-end 3D)
CD-ROM drives and writers; Jaz, Zip, tape
Sound cards, mixers, scanners
 CPUs: Intel, Alpha, Sparc, PowerPC, 68K
 Full laptop support
 Over 50 brands: Sony, IBM, Toshiba, Dell, Compaq…
Linux Features
 True preemptive multitasking (vs.
cooperative multitasking)
 Multi-user
 Highly stable
 Full graphical system
 All Internet protocols
Linux Features (Internet)
 Internet clients (Netscape, etc.)
 Routing protocols (DNS, NIS, TCP/IP, IPX, SMB)
 Data protocols (Web, FTP, Email, News, Gopher,
many others)
 Security features
 Proxy servers
 Included or add-on Firewalls
How is Linux Used?
 Increasingly for individual use
 Software development
 Personal productivity applications
 UNIX workstation
 48% of Linux purchased at retail is by
new customers (Caldera Systems internal research)
How is Linux Used
 Still primarily a server system
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DNS name server
Internet router/gateway
Email server
Web server
FTP server
Terminal/dial-in server
 Web server statistics from Net Craft
Comparing Linux & Windows
 Linux runs fewer applications (is getting more
and more now)
 Linux is not as easy to use
 Linux administration is not entirely graphical
 Linux is an unknown (???)
 But...
Comparing Linux & Windows
 Reliability
 Many Linux servers run for
years in production environments without going down
 Remote management allows fewer
administrators to manage more boxes
 Hardware support and other features can be
loaded/unloaded on the fly
Comparing Linux & Windows
 Ease-of-use
 Linux is easier to install than Windows NT
 Linux graphical tools are multiplying rapidly
 System administrators can access all parts of
the system
Comparing Linux & Windows
 Speed
 Tests by vendors and independent labs show
Linux beats NT as a Web server
 Less hardware -> greater throughput
 CPU priorities
 Other Benchmarks
Comparing Linux & Windows
 Cost
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Free download
$49 product with a manual and tech support
Support contracts available
Purchase add-on products
 Oracle
 Secure Web servers
 Educational products
What Does Linux Run?
 Linux has over 2,500 native applications
 Major databases and Web servers
 Scientific and specialized applications
 Personal productivity tools
 Application lists
 www.linuxapps.com
 SAL.KachinaTech.COM/index.shtml
What Does Linux Run?
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DOS applications (including graphical)
SCO UNIX/UnixWare (iBCS2-compliant)
Sun Solaris for Intel
Windows 3.1 (16-bit) applications in emulation
 Office, WordPerfect, Quicken, Lotus
 Requires a separate product, Wabi or Wine
How Can You Use Linux?
 The Learning curve is not as steep now
 Basic computer understanding and a
technical friend are all you require
 Expense is zero to minimal
How Can You Use Linux?
 1. Download or buy Linux ($49)
 I recommend OpenLinux 2.2 with Windows-based
installation for new users
 2. Install on a Pentium system
 Installation with a CD
 Hard disk partitioning and graphical configuration are
the challenge
 3. Play with it for two weeks
 Connect to the Internet, try the Web server
 Try running your key applications
How Can You Use Linux?
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Web site for Distance Learning
Department File/Print server (NT replacement)
College router/name server/email server
UNIX development workstation
Computer science training (source code
complete)
How Can You Learn More?
 Linux Training is available nationwide
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Caldera Systems and partners
Hewlett-Packard
Learning Tree
Others
 Courses
 Course Technology
How Can You Learn More?
 Online resources (Introductory)
 www.linuxjournal.com (also a printed magazine)
 www.linuxworld.com (online magazine)
 www.ldn.com (Linux Daily News)
 Online resources (Technical)
 www.linuxresources.com
 www.linuxhq.com
 www.slashdot.org
How Can You Learn More?
 Books and Magazines
 InfoWorld, ZDNet (online), many other magazines
cover Linux news
 Teach Yourself Linux in 24 Hours, Bill Ball, SAMS
 Hands on Linux, Mark Sobell, Addison Wesley
 The No BS Guide to Linux, Bob Rankin
 How To Use Linux (graphical), Bill Ball
 Specialized titles: KDE, StarOffice, WP, Web
Where Can You Get Linux?
 Product vendors
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Caldera Systems, Inc. (Business leader)
Red Hat Software (market share leader)
Suse (German company; Calif. offices)
Walnut Creek (Slackware distribution)
 Retail
 Borders/Barnes and Noble
 www.linuxmall.com
 www.linuxcentral.com
Questions and Comments?
 Linux is growing rapidly
 Stability and low cost make it ideal for
educational settings
 Many employers will need Linux expertise in the
next 24 months
 I welcome comments and progress notes as you
explore the fascinating world of Linux.
A Demonstration…
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Installation (initial steps)
The Desktop interface
Administration tools
Applications