1. 1 RH033 Welcome to RedHat Linux

2. 2 Hardware Requirements ♦ Pentium Pro or better with 256 MB RAM ♦ Or ♦ 64-bit Intel/AMD with 512 MB RAM ♦ 2-6 GB disk space ♦ Bootable CD ♦ Other processor architectures supported ► Itanium 2, IBM Power, IBM Mainframe

3. 3 Welcome to RedHat Linux ♦ Introduction Linux is an open source operating system with highly advanced features. ♦ Topics ► Brief History of Linux ► Why is Linux? ► Linux Distributions Lesson 1 Fundamentals of Linux

4. 4 Welcome to RedHat Linux ♦ Linux was originally developed by Linus Torvald in 1991. ♦ Linux is distributed under the GNU licenses. ♦ GNU stands for Gnu Not UNIX, it is an open source movement started by Richard Stallman in the year 1984. ♦ The main aim of GNU is to provide the O.S and its source code freely. Brief History of Linux

5. 5 Welcome to RedHat Linux Why Linux? ♦ Linux is an Open Source Software ♦ Multi-user and multi-tasking ♦ Supports most of modern PC hardware ♦ Fully supported distribution

6. 6 Welcome to RedHat Linux Contd … ♦ To install Linux, choose a Linux Distribution ♦ A distribution is the Linux kernel, plus an installation program, plus some set of applications ♦ There are four general distributions ► RedHat ► SuSE ► Mandriva Linux ► Debian Linux Distributions

7. 7 Welcome to RedHat Linux Linux Distributions ♦ The Red Hat and SuSE distributions are produced by companies by the same names. ♦ They aim at providing an easy installation procedure, and for a pleasant desktop experience. They are also good as servers, sold in boxes, with an installation CD and printed manual. Both can also be downloaded via the network. ♦ Mandriva Linux (also known as Mandrake Linux) was originated by Gael Duval. ♦ Mandriva Linux is also notable for compiling its packages with optimizations for Pentium-class and more advanced processors which are incompatible with older CPU versions such as 386 and 486. Contd …

8. 8 Welcome to RedHat Linux ♦ The Debian distribution is produced by a volunteer organization. ♦ Its installation is less easy: You have to answer questions during the installation the other distributions deduce automatically. Nothing complicated as such, but requiring understanding of and information about hardware most PC users don't want to worry about. ♦ On the other hand, after installation, Debian can be upgraded to each new release without re-installing anything. Linux Distributions