Getting a vendor neutral certification means you learn LINUX, and specialize from there.

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RossB

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RossB

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Which Distribution to Study With?

A great question, one that is asked by almost every single person who has or will take the LPI exams.  What with the amount of distributions that exist (in the 100′s), the differences between the methods that software is packaged and distributed, and the fact that you could encounter any of these or just a few in the work world, means that some thoughtful discussion is needed.

Keep Packaging in Mind

No, I’m not talking about how they box up and sell the distributions, but instead I mean how applications, support fixes, updates etc. are packaged, with the two main packaging methods being Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) and Debian Package Manager (DPKG).  Currently RPM is the clear winner based on the number of distributions and popularity, but the DPKG method is increasingly popular due to Ubuntu’s rise.

Bet on Win, Place and Show

Just like in horse racing, there are only 3 positions that really count, the winner, and 1st and 2nd runner up.  You are probably aware that currently the most popular paid or corporate distributions are Red Hat’s Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise line, with Canonical’s Ubuntu Server bringing up a very distant third.   Most people will not buy a copy of any of these distributions in order to study for the exams, it’s not really cost-effective, or even necessary, since the exams are based on Linux, not the various distributions.

What Distribution Should I Learn With?

Just like you are asked to pick a major when signing up for university, you will need to pick at least one distribution to learn Linux with.  I’ve been asked many times, do I have to pick a distribution just to learn? Yes.  That’s the slight conundrum in the LPI exam arena, while LPI is vendor and distribution-neutral, you will have to pick at least one and begin using it to study with, so let’s talk about how to select that first distribution.

Stick With What You Know

What distribution do you ALREADY use?  That’s a great place to start.  If you’re using an RPM-based distribution, then pickup Debian or a free version of Ubuntu, and the same for those using Debian/Ubuntu, pickup a copy of openSUSE or Fedora.  The main reason you’ll need to know both systems is that the 101 Exam will test your package manager skills on BOTH the RPM and DPKG methods.

New Kid in Town

If you are not already using a Linux distro, start easy and go from there.  The tough part of trying to learn Linux can be getting a distro installed, problems that wouldn’t affect you once you have some knowledge under your belt can cripple and slow down a beginner from even getting a BASH prompt and trying a few commands.

The most easy way to make a choice, and not blow up your current machine, (a very common new LPI candidate issue) is to choose from the plethora of Live Linux Distributions.

Using a Live Distro, all you need to do is download the ISO image, burn it properly to the media and then just boot your CURRENT system up using a completely RAM-based and non-destructive version of Linux.

Note:  A Live Distro will NOT modify any part of your machine unless you specifically decide to do so, and some of them don’t make even that easy, realizing that you might want to run the distro on a terminal machine, or in an environment where you would not want the machine to be modified easily.

Choosing a Dance Partner

The Live Linux distribution arena is dazzlingly full.  You could try a Live distribution a day and still not be done in a year.  Rather than turn you loose in the distribution equivalent of Sam’s Club or Costco, I recommend that you initially experiment with my all-time favorites, and expand from there if you need or want to:

• Knoppix – The Grandmaster of Live Linux Distros, designed by Klaus Knopper, it comes in both CD (700 MB) and DVD (4.7 GB) editions. – Get a copy
• Damn Small Linux – Also known as DSL, this little gem is designed to fit an full-functioning Linux distro in as small as  50 MB, you can burn it to one of those tiny CD’s and carry it in your wallet or purse. – Get a copy
• Ubuntu – The CD version of Ubuntu Desktop starts off with being a bootable Live CD, and you can install to the hard disk from there, or just keep using it as a Live CD. – Get a copy

Turn Me Loose

For those who really want to look at all the Live distribution choices, here are some great places to start learning and downloading:

• Wikipedia’s List of Live CD’s – A comprehensive listing of all the major and many minor Live CD’s, not just Linux but a full spectrum of Operating System Live CD’s. – Go there.
• DistroWatch – Probably the most complete and fun listing of all the various Distribution choices available for Linux, they have a great collection of Live CD distribution choices, each with a small explanation and download links. – Go there.
• Debianhelp – A very nice collection of the Debian-based Live CD distributions, including explanations and links to download. – Go there.

Summary

Whether you choose to do a complete installation or use a Live CD to run Linux, you can get going on your Linux certification studies very quickly and with minimal fuss.  The whole goal is to start working your way through the LPI Objectives for the 101 exam, trying commands, reading man pages etc., not trying to make a Linux Distribution choice for life.

Enjoy,

RossB

Credits:

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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For more video fun, visit the LPICPrep Youtube Channel.

RossB

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For more video fun, visit the LPICPrep Youtube Channel.

RossB

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Question: Configuring GRUB for Booting

From objective 101.2 Boot the System

When using the GRUB boot loader, which of the answers describes the first extended partition on the first hard disk in a GRUB configuration?

❍ A. /dev/hda4
❍ B. /dev/dsk/c0d0s3
❍ C. (hd0,4)
❍ D. c:8000

Answer C is correct because GRUB uses a description of (hdx,y) where x is the disk and y is the partition.
Answer A is incorrect because it describes a device file, not a GRUB object.
Answer B is incorrect because it describes a Solaris Unix device.
Answer D is incorrect because it is the debug location for low-level formatting an MFM/RLL disk.

Notes: Remember that GRUB is different from LILO in that it features a mini-command-line interface that features tab-completion, and instead of referring to the disks and partitions by /dev/hda1 etc., you use (hdx,y) where the disk number is x and the partition is y.  A future article will deal with how to install, configure and troubleshoot GRUB.

Several resources can be helpful in learning more about this topic, the first of which would be Chapter 1 of the current version of my LPIC 1 Exam Cram 2 book (look for it in the sidebar ->), starting on Pg 19, the second would be the GRUB man pages ( man grub ).

Any comments, suggestions or questions are welcome.

RossB

Copyright 2000-2009 Ross Brunson

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Earlier this week Forrester released a report titled: “Open Source Software Goes Mainstream”.  While the title may not be breaking news to readers of Open Sources, the data backing up the report is well worth the read.  The report is based on responses from over 1100 software development decision makers in North American and European enterprises and SMBs.  According to the survey, the top three planning goals for 2009 are:

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Many technology professionals believe IT certifications reached their peak during the height of the dot-com boom. But such a mindset may well prove shortsighted. The subsequent dot-com bomb led to an exodus of certified technicians from the industry. Then, as the dust settled, IT certifications were reworked. Accreditations were better mapped to real-world needs and expertise. Program flaws were eliminated. Training programs improved.

Now, in turbulent economic times, IT certifications will provide more relevance than ever before. With unprecedented bailouts, widespread cost and workforce reductions, and a slew of new platforms being released, IT accreditations will assume renewed importance in 2009. Here are 10 reasons why IT certifications will prove important in 2009.

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Question: Making Boot Diskettes

From objective 103.3 Perform basic file management

You need to create a boot disk on a running Linux system. Which command is used to perform this function?

❍ A. rawrite.exe
❍ B. diskcopy
❍ C. makeboot.bat
❍ D. dd

Answer D is correct because the dd command can write disk images from the installation CD-ROM to a floppy.
Answers A, B, and C are incorrect because they run on a DOS/Windows system.

Notes: While making boot diskettes isn’t the most up to date topic, you will definitely find situations still today that require a boot floppy, either because the machine has weird hardware, no DVD drive, or all you need to do is boot and repair something quick.

Several resources can be helpful in learning more about this topic, the first of which would be Chapter 1 of the current version of my LPIC 1 Exam Cram 2 book (look for it in the sidebar ->), starting on Pg 13, the second would be the dd man pages ( man dd ).

Any comments, suggestions or questions are welcome.

RossB

Copyright 2000-2009 Ross Brunson

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