Essentials of Unix

This chapter focuses on the pre-requisites to learn Unix, Hardware & Software requirements and Outcomes of mastering Unix.

First things you need prior to start learning Unix

1) A Basic Unix book that covers most of the topics. Your RHCE, Solaris Administration, Unix System Programming are advanced books. Keep them later after you master the basics.

2) A X-86 architecture machine on which you should have Linux ( Red Hat, Fedora Core or Ubuntu) installed. If you have a Windows Operating system, have any Virtual machine software installed like VMware workstation and on it, install any Linux, Solaris flavours.  For HP-UX and AIX, you should preferably use their own properietary hardwares. 

You can easily learn the Unix basics and master it through Linux Kernel. 

Tips : Google VMware Workstation and learn about it.

          Unix Executable can be downloaded here on the below link

          Eduunix.ccut.edu.cn

3) Linux doesn't require powerful hardware. You can install a Linux version on a Pentium machine with 128 MB RAM and 500 MB hard disk space.

Tips : 

To Install Linux, UNIX on your computer/machine, refer to the installation manual that came with the Linux executable. Search for easy installation reference guides on the internet and use video tutorials from any video sharing site on the internet.  Installation of Linux is easy.

Do I need to know any programming languages to learn Linux/Unix ?

An understanding of Computers is enough to learn the basics of Unix commands. To learn Unix Shell Scripting ( Programming ), you should have a basic knowledge of C language.

What can I gain by learning Unix ?

Unix will enable you to choose varied career roles. You can be a Unix technician, System Administrator, Network Engineer, Unix Developer, Red Hat Certified Engineer, Solaris Administrator, Perl language expert. One can choose a career in Unix Research and academics. There are endless possibilities.  You can develop your own Kernel and Operating system too. There are many certification course you can take up to master your skills. The courses are Junior Linux Administration, Red Hat Certified Technician ( RHCT), Red Hat Certified Engineer ( RHCE).

Unix is Simple. Unix is Powerful and Unix is beautiful.