Why Linux, distributions and how this course works
Why Linux matters to a business
Most of the internet runs on Linux: web servers, mail servers, databases, firewalls, NAS boxes, routers and the hypervisors that host everything else. Even if your desktops run Windows, the chances are high that your website, your ERP and your backups depend on a Linux machine somewhere.
Distributions
Linux itself is only the kernel. A distribution packages the kernel with tools, a package manager and a support policy.
| Family | Examples | Package tool | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian | Debian, Ubuntu, Proxmox VE | apt / dpkg |
Servers, appliances, cloud |
| Red Hat | RHEL, Rocky, AlmaLinux, Fedora | dnf / rpm |
Enterprise, certified software |
| Others | Arch, Alpine, openSUSE | pacman, apk, zypper |
Containers, enthusiasts |
This course uses Debian 12/13 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for the labs and notes the Red Hat equivalent where it differs.
Set up your lab
Fastest: rent a BP Lab Linux VM or the 30-day Lab Pass — login details arrive by email and it resets to clean every 24 hours. Or build your own:
- Install VirtualBox (or use Proxmox if you have it).
- Download the Debian netinst ISO from debian.org.
- Create a VM: 2 CPU, 2 GB RAM, 20 GB disk, bridged network.
- During install choose SSH server and standard system utilities only — no desktop.
Tip: Take a snapshot straight after installation. You will break things in this course; snapshots make that free.
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