Linux Description:

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel that are the predominant platform used to drive the internet, government and businesses.  Created by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution such as open source Debian, Fedora, Mint, Kali Linux and Ubuntu or commercial distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. 

A Linux shell is an interpreter that provides a command line user interface for the Linux operating systems. The shell supports both interactive commands and a scripting language (see Basic Linux Commands page for more information). 

Linux Benefits

Below are the key benefits of using a Linux distribution:

    • Open Source (Includes the Source Code)
    • A fully-networked 32/64-Bit Unix-like Operating System
    • Multi-user, Multitasking, Multiprocessor, Multiple platform supported
    • Used on 7-10 million computers and supported by 1000’s of programmers  
    • Powerful and Free !

Linux Terminal Access Options:

The following options exist to access a Linux distribution for education and training purposes. 

1. JS/Linux – Web based Option:

JS/Linux (VFsync.org) – offers a free web based Linux virtual machine to practice standard Linux commands with file import and export capability.  Create a free account on VFSync.org to login 

2. Kali Linux Option:  

Kali Linux is  a prepackaged Linux distribution that includes many popular cybersecurity tool. It can be installed on most workstations under a virtual machine (i.e,, VirtualBox or VMWare)  or accessed from a cloud platform See ‘Create a Personal Kali Linux Lab‘ for more information on Kali Linux options.  

3. Linux Application Installation (Native or Subsystem): 

WARNING: Be very careful of what you install on your personal workstations and make sure you backup your personal data.  

Linux distributions can be installed on most Windows supported workstations and servers. Windows offers a version of Linux (Ubuntu) from the Microsoft Store.  Windows also has a native subsytem for Linux. 

For Apple, look at using a virtual platform (e.g., VirtualBox )to install a Linux distribution.