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304 lines
15 KiB
Markdown
304 lines
15 KiB
Markdown
## Training and Lab Activity: Computer Systems, Virtualization & Linux Fundamentals
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**Target Audience:** Beginners with little to no prior experience in computer systems, virtualization, or Linux.
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**Duration:** 2 * 2 Hours (2 * 120 minutes)
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### **Hour 1: Computer Systems & Virtualization - The Foundation (60 minutes)**
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**Part A: Introduction to Computer System Basics and Network Fundamentals (30 minutes - Lecture/Discussion)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Understand the fundamental components of a computer system.
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* Grasp basic network concepts and their importance.
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* Appreciate the role of operating systems.
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* **Content:**
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* **What is a Computer System?**
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* **Hardware:**
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* CPU (Processor): The brain – what it does.
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* RAM (Memory): Short-term storage, speed.
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* Storage (HDD/SSD): Long-term storage, types and differences.
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* Motherboard: The central hub.
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* Input/Output Devices (Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer).
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* **Software:**
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* Operating System (OS): The manager (Windows, macOS, Linux).
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* Applications: Programs for specific tasks.
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* **Network Fundamentals (Simplified):**
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* What is a network? Why do we need it?
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* Basic components: Routers, Switches, Cables.
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* IP Addresses: Unique identifiers.
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* Client-Server Model (brief overview).
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* The Internet as a global network.
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* **Activity:**
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* Quick Q&A: "What's the difference between RAM and a hard drive?"
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* Analogy: Compare a computer system to a human body or a factory.
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**Part B: Bare Metal vs Virtualization vs Containerization (30 minutes - Lecture/Discussion)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Differentiate between bare metal, virtualization, and containerization.
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* Understand the core benefits and use cases of each approach.
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* **Content:**
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* **Bare Metal:**
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* Definition: OS directly on hardware.
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* Pros: Maximum performance, direct hardware access.
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* Cons: Resource underutilization, difficult to manage multiple applications, hardware dependency.
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* **Virtualization:**
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* Concept: Running multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical host.
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* Hypervisor (Type 1 vs. Type 2 - focus on Type 2 for VirtualBox): The software that manages VMs.
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* Pros: Resource isolation, efficient resource utilization, portability, disaster recovery.
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* Cons: Overhead from hypervisor, slightly lower performance than bare metal.
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* **Analogy:** An apartment building (bare metal) vs. a shared house with separate rooms (virtualization).
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* **Containerization (Brief Overview - for context):**
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* Concept: Lightweight, isolated environments sharing the host OS kernel.
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* Examples: Docker.
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* Pros: Even lighter than VMs, faster startup, highly portable.
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* Cons: Less isolation than VMs, shares host kernel.
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* **Analogy:** Virtualization is a separate house for each family; Containerization is separate apartments within one house.
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* **Activity:**
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* Interactive poll: "If you had a powerful server, would you prefer bare metal, virtualization, or containerization for running 10 different applications?" (Discuss why).
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* Quick comparison table on whiteboard (Bare Metal | Virtualization | Containerization) with Pros/Cons.
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---
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### **Hour 2: Virtualization with VirtualBox - Hands-On (60 minutes)**
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**Part A: Overview of Virtualization with VirtualBox (20 minutes - Lecture/Demonstration)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Understand the purpose and benefits of using VirtualBox.
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* Identify key system requirements for running VirtualBox and VMs.
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* Familiarize with the VirtualBox interface.
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* **Content:**
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* **Why VirtualBox?**
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* Free, open-source, widely used for personal and small-scale virtualization.
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* Great for learning and testing new OS.
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* Supports a wide range of guest OS.
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* **Benefits of Virtualization (reiterate from Hour 1, specifically for VirtualBox):**
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* Running multiple OS simultaneously.
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* Testing software in isolated environments.
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* Creating snapshots (rollback points).
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* Portability of VMs.
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* **System Requirements for Host Machine:**
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* CPU with virtualization extensions (Intel VT-x/AMD-V).
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* Sufficient RAM (min. 4GB for host + 2GB per VM).
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* Ample disk space (min. 20GB per VM).
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* **VirtualBox Interface Tour:**
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* Main window, toolbar.
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* Global settings.
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* VM settings panes (System, Display, Storage, Network).
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* **Demonstration (Trainer):**
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* Launch VirtualBox.
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* Show how to create a new VM (without installing OS yet).
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* Walk through basic VM settings (RAM, CPU cores, disk size).
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* Show how to attach an ISO image to a virtual CD/DVD drive.
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**Part B: Lab Activity: Creating a Virtual Machine in VirtualBox (40 minutes - Hands-On)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Successfully create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox.
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* Configure basic VM settings (RAM, CPU, storage).
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* Attach an ISO image to the VM.
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* **Activity:**
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* **Step 1: Launch VirtualBox.**
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* **Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine.**
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* Click "New" to start the VM creation wizard.
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* Name: `MyCentOSVM` (or `MyRHELVM`)
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* Type: `Linux`
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* Version: `Red Hat (64-bit)` (or `CentOS (64-bit)`)
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* Memory size: Set to at least `2048 MB (2 GB)` (adjust based on host RAM).
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* Hard disk: `Create a virtual hard disk now`.
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* Hard disk file type: `VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)`.
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* Storage on physical hard disk: `Dynamically allocated`.
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* File location and size: Default location, set size to `20 GB` (minimum).
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* **Step 3: Configure VM Settings (Crucial before starting).**
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* Select the newly created VM and click "Settings".
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* **System > Processor:** Enable `PAE/NX` (if available), adjust CPU cores to `2` (if host has enough).
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* **Storage:**
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* Under "Controller: IDE", click the empty CD icon.
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* On the right, click the CD icon again and select "Choose/Create a Virtual Optical Disk...".
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* Navigate to and select the downloaded CentOS/RHEL ISO image.
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* **Network:** (Briefly mention options, keep as NAT for now for simplicity).
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* **Step 4: Verify Settings.**
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* **Troubleshooting Tips (Trainer):**
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* "VT-x/AMD-V is not available" error: Explain BIOS/UEFI settings.
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* Insufficient RAM/Disk space messages.
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* **Trainer Walk-around:** Provide one-on-one assistance.
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---
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### **Hour 3: Linux OS Fundamentals (CentOS/RHEL) - Part 1 (60 minutes)**
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**Part A: Introduction to Linux (30 minutes - Lecture/Discussion)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Understand the history and philosophy of Linux.
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* Differentiate between various Linux distributions.
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* Explain why CentOS/RHEL is preferred in enterprise environments.
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* **Content:**
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* **What is Linux?**
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* Operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds.
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* Open-source philosophy: Free to use, modify, distribute.
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* Analogy: Linux is the engine, distributions are different car models built around it.
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* **Linux Distributions (brief overview):**
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* **Debian-based:** Ubuntu, Mint (user-friendly, desktops).
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* **Red Hat-based:** RHEL, CentOS, Fedora (enterprise, servers).
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* Other popular ones: SUSE, Arch.
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* **Why CentOS/RHEL for Enterprises?**
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* **Stability and Reliability:** Long-term support (LTS) releases.
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* **Security:** Strong focus on security, regular updates.
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* **Scalability:** Designed for high-performance servers and large deployments.
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* **Support:** RHEL offers paid enterprise support; CentOS was a community-supported rebuild (now CentOS Stream).
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* **Industry Standard:** Widely adopted in data centers and cloud environments.
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* **Activity:**
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* Discussion: "Based on what we've learned, why would a company choose RHEL over Ubuntu for their critical servers?"
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* Show a picture of the Linux mascot, Tux.
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**Part B: Lab Activity: Installing CentOS/RHEL in VirtualBox (30 minutes - Hands-On)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Successfully start the CentOS/RHEL installation process within the VM.
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* Navigate the installation wizard (basic steps).
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* **Activity:**
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* **Step 1: Start the Virtual Machine.**
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* Select `MyCentOSVM` (or `MyRHELVM`) and click "Start".
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* **Step 2: Follow Installation Prompts.**
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* When prompted at the boot screen, select `Install CentOS Linux 7` (or RHEL equivalent) and press Enter.
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* **Language Selection:** Choose your preferred language.
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* **Installation Summary Screen:**
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* **DATE & TIME:** Set your correct time zone.
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* **KEYBOARD:** Set your keyboard layout.
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* **INSTALLATION SOURCE:** Verify it's "Local media".
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* **SOFTWARE SELECTION:** Choose "Minimal Install" for efficiency (we only need command line for basics).
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* **INSTALLATION DESTINATION:**
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* Click on the disk icon.
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* Ensure "Automatically configure partitioning" is selected.
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* Click "Done".
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* **NETWORK & HOSTNAME:** (Optional for this lab, but mention its importance).
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* **BEGIN INSTALLATION.**
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* **Step 3: Set Root Password and Create User (During Installation).**
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* While installation is running, click on `ROOT PASSWORD` and set a strong password (e.g., `Pa$$w0rd!`).
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* Click on `USER CREATION` and create a standard user (e.g., `student` with password `password`). Make this user an administrator by checking "Make this user administrator".
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* **Troubleshooting Tips (Trainer):**
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* VM not booting from ISO: Recheck Storage settings.
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* Cursor stuck: Ctrl+Right Alt (or Host key) to release.
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* **Trainer Walk-around:** Ensure everyone is successfully installing. *Note: Installation might take some time.*
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---
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### **Hour 4: Linux OS Fundamentals (CentOS/RHEL) - Part 2 & Lab (60 minutes)**
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**Part A: Basic Commands, File System Structure, and User Permission Concepts (30 minutes - Lecture/Demonstration)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Execute fundamental Linux commands.
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* Understand the hierarchical Linux file system structure.
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* Grasp basic user and file permission concepts.
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* **Content:**
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* **Booting into CentOS/RHEL:**
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* First boot after installation.
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* Login screen (text-based for minimal install).
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* Logging in as the `student` user.
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* **The Linux Command Line Interface (CLI):**
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* What is a shell? (Bash).
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* Prompt: `username@hostname ~$`
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* **Essential Basic Commands:**
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* `pwd`: Print working directory.
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* `ls`: List directory contents (`ls -l`, `ls -a`).
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* `cd`: Change directory (`cd ..`, `cd ~`, `cd /`).
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* `mkdir`: Make directory.
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* `touch`: Create empty file.
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* `cat`: Display file content.
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* `cp`: Copy files/directories.
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* `mv`: Move/rename files/directories.
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* `rm`: Remove files (`rm -rf` - caution!).
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* `clear`: Clear screen.
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* `history`: Command history.
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* `man`: Manual pages (e.g., `man ls`).
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* **Linux File System Hierarchy (Simplified):**
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* `/`: Root directory.
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* `/bin`: Essential user binaries.
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* `/etc`: Configuration files.
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* `/home`: User home directories.
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* `/var`: Variable data (logs, mail).
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* `/tmp`: Temporary files.
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* `/dev`: Device files.
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* `/proc`: Process information.
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* **User and File Permissions (Basic Concepts):**
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* Users: `root` (administrator), `standard user`.
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* Groups.
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* Permissions: Read (r), Write (w), Execute (x).
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* Owner, Group, Others.
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* `ls -l` output interpretation (e.g., `drwxr-xr-x`).
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* `chmod` (brief mention, not for deep dive).
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* `sudo`: Running commands as root.
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* **Demonstration (Trainer):**
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* Live demo of each command in a terminal.
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* Navigate through different parts of the file system.
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* Show `ls -l` output and explain permissions.
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**Part B: Lab Activity: Basic Linux Commands and Navigation (30 minutes - Hands-On)**
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* **Learning Objectives:**
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* Log in to the CentOS/RHEL VM.
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* Practice common file system navigation commands.
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* Create, modify, and delete files/directories.
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* Use `sudo` for administrative tasks.
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* **Activity:**
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* **Step 1: Log in to your CentOS/RHEL VM.**
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* If the installation finished, reboot the VM.
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* At the login prompt, type `student` and press Enter, then enter your password (`password`).
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* **Step 2: Explore the File System.**
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* `pwd` (should be `/home/student`)
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* `ls -l`
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* `cd /`
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* `ls -l` (observe root directory contents)
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* `cd /etc`
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* `ls`
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* `cd /home/student` (or `cd ~`)
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* **Step 3: Create and Manage Files/Directories.**
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* `mkdir my_first_directory`
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* `cd my_first_directory`
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* `touch my_file.txt`
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* `ls -l`
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* `echo "Hello Linux!" > my_file.txt` (brief intro to redirection)
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* `cat my_file.txt`
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* `mkdir another_dir`
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* `cp my_file.txt another_dir/`
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* `cd another_dir`
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* `ls`
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* `mv my_file.txt renamed_file.txt`
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* `ls`
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* `rm renamed_file.txt`
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* `cd ..`
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* `rmdir another_dir` (will fail if not empty, good teaching point)
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* `rm -rf another_dir` (demonstrate, but warn about `rm -rf`)
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* `ls`
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* **Step 4: Practice with `sudo`.**
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* `sudo ls /root` (should prompt for `student`'s password, then show root's home directory).
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* `sudo touch /testfile.txt` (create a file in root, then `sudo rm /testfile.txt`)
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* `ls -l /` (verify file creation/deletion).
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* **Step 5: Use `man` pages.**
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* `man ls`
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* Press `q` to quit the man page.
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* **Troubleshooting Tips (Trainer):**
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* Command not found errors: Typo, or not installed (unlikely for basic commands).
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* Permission denied: Try with `sudo`.
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* **Wrap-up & Q&A:**
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* Review key takeaways from the entire 4 hours.
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* Answer any remaining questions.
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* Provide resources for further learning (online tutorials, books).
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---
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**Post-Training Resources (Optional Handout/Email):**
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* **VirtualBox Documentation:** [https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/)
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* **CentOS Official Site:** [https://www.centos.org/](https://www.centos.org/)
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* **RHEL Documentation:** [https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/](https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/)
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* **Linux Command Line Cheat Sheets:** Search online for "Linux basic commands cheat sheet".
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* **Recommended Online Courses:** Coursera, Udemy, edX for Linux fundamentals.
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---
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This structured plan provides a good balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, essential for beginners to grasp these foundational concepts. Remember to encourage questions and walk around to assist participants during lab activities. |