Installing the System

Linux is a community of free and open-source operating systems used across servers, desktops, and embedded systems. There are many distributions (or distros) to chose from, each with their own unique features, package managers, and system tools.

Linux and HPC

Linux is the dominant operating system for High Performance Computing clusters, as it provides flexible, customizable, and cost-effective platforms for buidling and managing HPC environments.

Linux Distributions

While all Linux distributions share the Linux kernel, they can differ slightly in how they handle packages and system configurations. Common Linux families include:

  • Debian which is known for its stability and ease of use. Some examples include Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Kali Linux. Debian systems use .deb packages and the apt package manager.

  • RPM or the Red Hat Package Manager is often favored in enterprise environments, and is used by Rocky Linux, Fedora, Centos, and RHEL. RMP systems use .rpm pacakges and package managers like dnf or yum.

  • Arch offers cutting edge software via a rolling release model and minimal design that lets users customize their system. It uses the pacman package manager. Examples of Arch-based systems include Arch Linux, Manjaro, and SteamOS.

Installation Procedure

These steps apply broadly to installing Linux on a computer using a USB stick.

  1. Create a bootable USB drive: Download an ISO file of your chosen Linux distro and use a tool like Balena Etcher or Rufus to flash it to a USB stick.

  2. While the laptop is powered off, insert the USB stick.

  3. Access the boot menu: Power on or reboot your computer, and press the boot menu key (F12,Esc,F10, or similar depending on your system.)

  4. Boot from USB: Select the USB stick from the boot menu to load the Linux installer.

  5. Start the installation process. Follow the prompts from the installer. Typically this includes:

    • Selecting language and region

    • Setting up a user account

    • Assigning a root password

    • Partitioning or reclaiming disk space

    • Connecting to a network (important for downloading additional dependent packages)

  6. Click “Begin Installation” when all setup requirements are filled.

Optional Additional Resources to Install

  • EPEL or Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux. These packages are not part of the main distributions but are often used to enhance or extend the functionality of these systems.

  • KeePassXC a free and open source password manager that allows users to securely store and manage passwords in an encrypted database. Follow this quick tutorial for installation help.

  • Xfce a lightweight, modular, customizable, and fast desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems, particularly Linux. It’s know for its speed, low resource usage, and stability, making it a good choice for older or less powerful computers.

Linux Boot Process

The Linux boot process is a series of steps a Linux system follows to initialize hardware and start the operating system after a computer is powered on or restarted. The boot process happens in six key stages:

  1. BIOS/UEFI: Initializes the hardware and looks for a boot device.

  2. Bootloader: Loads and starts the Linux kernel.

  3. Kernel: Initializes device drivers and mounts the root filesystem.

  4. Initramfs: Temporary filesystem loads into memory which prepares the real root filesystem to be mounted.

  5. Init System: System initialization which starts the essential system services such as for networking, logging, or user management.

  6. User Login: Once init process is complete, the system presents a login screen, allowing users to log in and access the system.

Resources