Linux Universe

How to install Fedora 14 Desktop Edition?

2011-04-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

In this post i'll illustrate the installation of Fedora 14. Fedora is a open source, linux distribution. Fedora development is taken up by the Fedora Project and is funded by Red Hat Inc. So now lets install Fedora 14. I'm doing the installation in a virtual machine.(Anyway all installation is the same. It does not matter if your using a virtual machine or a physical machine)

First you need the Fedora 14 image or iso.(If u already have a dvd of Fedora 14, you don't have to download the image or iso) Click download Fedora to download the image. There are many edition of fedora available. The default Fedora 14 is the Fedora 14 Desktop Edition. If u want to download as a torrent click torrents. In this page there are a number of torrents select the Fedora 14 you want.
After you have got the iso you need to burn it into a dvd or you can create a bootable pendrive.
Then restart your computer and boot your system to the dvd or the pendrive. A menu would appear with a number of options.
Select the option 'Install a new system or upgrade an existing system'. (After you have selected it a number of process would go on the screen)
Then you will be asked whether you want to test your install media. Its your wish. If you want to select 'ok' and if you want to skip press 'skip'.(If you select 'ok' you have to wait for a couple of minutes for the checking) This option is to check whether the iso is good for the installation and is there anything missing in the iso.
Next A graphical screen with the Fedora logo and '14' is displayed. Click next.
Select the language of installation and click next.
Select the appropriate keyboard and click next.
In the next window select Basic Storage Devices and click next. (Specialised storage devices will not be needed by you until you use iSCSI,etc)
Next screen is where you give your hostname. You can also configure your network. After everything is done click next.
In the next screen you can select the time zone of your place. After selecting the time zone click next.
The next screen asks you to enter the password of root. Root is the user in linux operating systems who has access to all commands and files. Root is also called the superuser. Enter the password for root and click next.
Next you will come to a screen with a number of options. This is where you select the type of installation you need. Select 'Use All Space' to remove all partitions in your system and create the default layout. There are also many other options. If you know to create partitions select 'Create Custom layout'. If your new to it its better to select other options. (Please read the description under each option and select the most suitable one)
In the next screen you can select the different softwares needed. There are two options at the bottom. One is 'Customise Later' which customises the softwares later and the other is 'Customise Now' where you can select the softwares needed for your system.(If you are a experienced user customise now option would do) Select the option and click next. If you have selected customise now you'll be taken to another screen where you can select the neccessary softwares needed.
The next step is the installation. After selecting the packages and clicking next the system will check for dependencies. After the dependency check the installation will be started automatically.
The installation takes several minutes. After the installation you will be asked to reboot and finally your Fedora 14 is ready!

Advantages of RHEL6 over RHEL5

2011-03-30T02:40:00.000-07:00

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is an open source, linux based operating system developed by Red Hat Inc. It is popularly used as server operating system. Its first release was the RHEl 2.1 which was released in the year 2002. After the first version of RHEL, new and better versions quickly followed like RHEL 3,4,5,etc. Now in 2010, the newest version has been released. It is RHEL 6. Now in this post lets discuss the main advantages of RHEL6 over RHEL5.

RHEL6 being the latest release obviously have a lot of new features. The advantages are:

A new level of virtualisation
RHEL6 introduces the use of KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) as its hypervisor. In the earlier releases Xen hypervisor was used. The main advantage of KVM is that a new kernel should not be installed like in Xen. It also supports the installation of many virtual operating systems like Windows, Linux, Solaris,etc. It is easy to manage.
Ext4 is made the default filesystem
Ext4 has many new advantages than Ext3 which is used in earlier versions of RHEL. Ext4 is comparatively faster and easy to manage. It supports supports up to 100TB with the addition of Scalable Filesystem Add-one.
Improved level of Security
RHEL6 has advanced level of security. SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) features are improved and a new set of SELinux rules has been added to provide security to virtual machines from hackers and attackers. This new feature is called SVirt.
New Networking Features
RHEL6 is released with improved and new networking features. It supports IPv6. It uses NFSv4 (Network File Transfer) for the sharing of files in the network rather than NFSv3. It also supports iSCSI (internet Small Computer System Interface) partitions. The network manager in RHEL6 supports Wi-Fi capabilities.
Use of Drivers
RHEL6 has drivers for speeding up operations under KVM, VMware and Xen.
Increase in the support period provided by Red Hat.
RHEL6 has a long period of support provided by Redhat. It provides updates for 7 years and also a extra 3 years of service as paid service. Therefore it means that its period of support is twice the period of support provided by other linux distributors like Ubuntu , Debian, etc.
Improvements of minor updates
Red Hat releases minor versions such as 6.1, 6.2. These minor versions are the accumulated updates of the major version. The new minor releases will not only contain bug fixes but will also have major changes and new features.

RHEL6 has been released with many new feature which make RHEL6 more useful than RHEL5. RHEL6 is somewhat similar to Fedora 12, so the Fedora users should find RHEL6 familiar. Due to all these reasons the release of RHEL6 is a huge step of advancement and also an achievement in the field of open source.

Linux Distributions

2011-03-28T03:47:00.000-07:00

There are numerous number of open source, linux based operating systems. In this post I have selected the a few of the most popular open source operating systems.

Red Hat enterprise Linux (RHEL) is developed by Red Hat Inc. It produces both servers and home desktops. Its newest version is the RHEL 6. RHEL is the leading server operating system.

Ubuntu is a computer operating system developed by Canonical Ltd. It is owned my Mark Shuttleworth. It is the #1 in linux desktop. Its latest release is Ubuntu 10.10.

Debian is a computer operating system developed under the Debian Project. It uses the linux kernel. The latest release of Debian is 6.0 .

Fedora is a operating system developed under the Fedora Project. It is sponsored by Red Hat Inc.It is also called "The testing bed of Linux". Its latest release is Fedora 14.

Linux Mint is an operating system developed by the Linux Mint Team. It is based on Ubuntu and also Debian. Its latest version is Linux Mint 10.

Centos is a operating system developed under the Centos Project. Centos stands for Community Enterprise Operating System. Centos operating system is famous for web server use. Its latest stable release in Centos 5.5.

There are a lots more out there. These are a few among them.

Introduction to Linux

2011-03-28T01:04:00.000-07:00

In this post lets answer to this question. What is linux? "I started using linux based operating system from the age of 11. Linux is a wonderful operating system". In simple terms it is an open source version of UNIX like operating system. The chief architect of the linux kernal is Linus Torvalds. It is developed as a part of the GNU Project. The official mascot of linux is called Tux which is a penguin. The development of linux became a great step in the development of open source technology.

The most famous linux based operating systems are Red Hat Linux, Ubuntu, etc. Linux systems have graphical interface. Linux has a reputation as a very efficient and fast-performing system. In today's world most of the servers are linux based. One of the most famous properties of linux operating systems is where it can be used. It can be used from wristwatches to supercomputers.

The advantages of Linux as a open source product ranges from benefits of creative inputs from people all over the world to efficient security. Another advantage is that it can be tested by anyone and the results of the testing helps in improving the quality of the operating system.These tasks are much more difficult in a closed system like the Microsoft Windows.

Linux based operating systems are entirely different from windows operating system in many aspects. For one, Linux is an open source based operating system. This means the source code of linux is publicaly available for inspection and improvement. This is one of the main differences. Another difference is between the number of versions available. Microsoft is the only company producing windows operating system while there are numerous number of companies like Red Hat, Ubuntu, Debian, etc producing linux operating systems. A person who decides to install linux on his/her computer have a wide range of operating system to choose from.

Linux is an entirely new dimension of operating systems. As i said it is a wonderful operating system. So grab it!

What is Open Source Technology?

2011-03-26T02:44:00.000-07:00

In today's world we often hear the term 'Open Source Software' but we really don't now what it actually is or the difference of it as compared to the earlier software. The fact is that we don't spend time in google to search and find out what this actually is. Well now i'll tell what is it.

According to me open source technology is entirely different as compared to the earlier software technologies. I think open source is like a new philosophy or a new technology in the 21st century. It completely changed my view of technology.

Before the idea of Open Source most of the softwares were depending on the idea of Closed Source. The softwares which follows the idea of Closed Software are called proprietary softwares.Eg: Microsoft Windows,etc. Open Source based softwares are now developing into the field of technology.Eg: Linux, Ubuntu,etc.

Now, what are the differences between open source and proprietary softwares?
Proprietary softwares are copy-write protected. the owner of a proprietary software restricts its use, modification of source code and redistribution. But open source softwares are free softwares. It source code is available to all and can be modified. It can also be distributed and copied.

In fact open source opens a door to a new world of technology. Open Source creates a world where there is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost and an end to predatory vendor lock-in. It also promotes a connection of trust around the developers and users. For me being a part of this whole new world is a great thing. Open source developments are taking place every day. In this the developers and well as the users play an important role. Its good to have a software in our hand which could be redesigned as our wish. Just think about it!! So i hope you guys got a clear and precise picture of Open Source and its difference with proprietary software.