CHAPTER 1.

0
OPEN SOURCE AND LINUX FUNDAMENTALS

1.1.1 OPEN SOURCE TECHNOLOGY

Open source technology is a Open source software based around the idea that the user can not only view, but change the source code of an application. After initial production, open source software is released to the development community and undergoes a secondary phase of evolution. It is scrutinized by thousands of professional developers across the globe who highlight potential flaws, bugs and security glitches. These suggestions and improvements are fed back to the developer who considers them for inclusion in his application. Open source isn't just about having your own applications debugged for free. By releasing new applications to the community, we are helping new generations of developers learn how to code. These new developers create their own 2 applications, which are fed back into the community and rapidly advance the growth of the whole system.

1.1.2 HISTORY OF OPEN SOURCE

In 1983, Richard Stallman launched the GNU Project to write a complete operating system free from constraints on use of its source code. In 1989, the first version of the GNU General Public License was published. A slightly updated version 2 was published in 1991. In 1989, some GNU developers formed the company Cygnus Solutions. The Linux kernel, started by Linus Torvalds, was released as freely modifiable source code in 1991.
3

The BSD lawsuit was settled out of court in 1993, FreeBSD and NetBSD (both derived from 386BSD).

1.1.2 HISTORY OF OPEN SOURCE

KDE was founded in 1996 by Matthias Ettrich. At the time, he was troubled by the inconsistencies in UNIX applications. In 1997, Eric Raymond published The Cathedral and the Bazaar, a reflective analysis of the hacker community and free software principles. The paper received significant attention in early 1998 and was one factor in motivating Netscape Communications Corporation to release their popular Netscape Communicator Internet suite as free software. This code is today better known as Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird. In August 1999, Sun Microsystems released the StarOffice office suite as free software under the GNU Lesser General Public License. The free software version was renamed OpenOffice.org, 4 and coexists with StarOffice.

1.1.3 CURRENT ISSUES AND TRENDS OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE (OSS)

In May 8, 2007, Sun Microsystems released the Java Development Kit as OpenJDK under the GNU General Public License. Part of the class library (4% of it) could not be released as open source due to them being licensed from other parties and were included as binary plugs. Because of this, in June 2007, Red Hat launched IcedTea to resolve the encumbered components with the equivalents from GNU Classpath implementation. Since the release, most of the encumbrances have been solved, leaving only the audio engine code and colour management system (the latter is to be resolved using LittleCMS). In January 2010, Global Graphics completed a survey with 400 Chief Information Officers from organisations with over 1000 employees across the US and the UK that showed three quarters (76 per cent) of large organisations use free software across the 5 enterprise with over half (51 per cent) planning to deploy more free software in 2010.

1.1.4 TYPES OF OSS

Apache web server Linux operating system kernel Firefox web browser Sun's Java programming language and environment MySQL database system FreeBSD Unix operating system Sun's 2 OpenOffice.org office productivity suite Wireshark network packet sniffer and protocol analyser.

6

1.1.5 VARIOUS OSS WEB RESOURCE

a. b. c. d. e.

OSS Websites http://www.oscc.org.my/ OSS Repository http://mirror.oscc.org.my Mailing List http://www.opensource.org/lists http://lists.oscc.org.my/mailman/listinfo Forum http://www.linuxforums.org/ Usenet Newsgroup http://www.linux.org/docs/usenet.html

1.1.6 VARIOUS OSI CERTIFIED OSS LICENSES

a.

LGPL(GNU Lesser General Public License) is a free software license published by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). It was designed as a compromise between the strong-copyleft GNU General Public License or GPL and permissive licenses such as the BSD licenses and the MIT License. The GNU Library General Public License (as the LGPL was originally named) was published in 1991, and was the version number 2 for parity with GPL version 2. The LGPL was revised in minor ways in the 2.1 point release, published in 1999, when it was renamed the GNU Lesser General Public License. Version 3 of the LGPL was published in 2007 as a list of additional permissions applied to GPL version 3. BSD (Berkeley Software Distribute License) This is the licence applied to the software distributions of the Computer Science Research Group, of the University of California at Berkeley. It is a good example of a ``permissive'' licence, which imposes almost no conditions on what a user can do with the software, including charging 8 clients for binary distributions, with no obligation to include source code.

b.

1.1.6 VARIOUS OSI CERTIFIED OSS LICENSES

c.

MIT License The MIT License is a free software license originating at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), used by the MIT X Consortium. It is a permissive license, meaning that it permits reuse within proprietary software on the condition that the license is distributed with that software. The license is also GPL-compatible, meaning that the GPL permits combination and redistribution with software that uses the MIT License. Mozila License This is the licence made by Netscape to distribute the code of Mozilla, the new version of it network navigator. It is in many respects similar to the GPL, but perhaps more ``enterprise oriented''. 9

d.

1.2.1 THE ORIGIN OF LINUX

Linux was created as a solution to a simple need. As a student at the time, the only software that Linus Torvalds, Linuxs author and principal maintainer, was able to afford was called Mix. Minix is a simple, Unix-like, operating system widely used as a teaching aid. Less than impressed with its features, Linuxs solution was to write his own software. 1-le took Unix as his model, since it was a familiar operating system, and began to write code.
10

1.2.1 THE ORIGIN OF LINUX

Progress was quick and Linux offered his efforts to other students via the emerging Internet, then mainly used by the academic community. Soon, other programmers saw the software and started contributing. Much of this new software was itself the solution to problems that the contributors had. Before long, Linux had become an operating system. Based on published Posix standards, Linux itself contains no Unix code. Linux is built with and uses much of the GNU (9 software produced by the Free Software Foundation.

11

1.2.1 THE ORIGIN OF LINUX

Linux is a multi-threaded; multi-user, Unix-like operating system. It functions equally as well (in a relative sense) on 16-bit, 32-bit, an architectures. Linux requires no license to operate, is freely available, and there is no required registration process for using or distributing it. As an operating system, Linux excels at a number of tasks, as both server and workstation, including file and print serving, intranet and Internet management (news, web, mail) and protocol routing, and general system administration.

12

1.2.2 LINUX STANDARD BASE (LSB)

The Linux Standard Base, or LSB, is a joint project by several Linux distributions under the organizational structure of the Linux Foundation to standardize the software system structure, including the filesystem hierarchy, used with Linux operating system. The LSB is based on the POSIX specification, the Single UNIX Specification, and several other open standards, but extends them in certain areas. The goal of the LSB is to develop and promote a set of open standards that will increase compatibility among Linux distributions and enable software applications to run on any compliant system even in binary form. In addition, the LSB will help coordinate efforts to recruit 13 software vendors to port and write products for Linux Operating System.

1.2.3 THE LINUX FEATURES

a.

No Constant Rebooting The only time a system requires a reboot is when there is a major hardware upgrade (or failure) or kernel upgrade. If these dont occur, its common for the system to be up for years. Portable Software Use the software as they wish, for whatever they wish, on as many computers as they wish, in any technically appropriate situation. Have the software at their disposal to fit it to their needs. Of course, this includes improving it, fixing its bugs, augmenting its functionality, and studying its operation. Redistribute the software to other users, who could themselves use it according to their own needs. This 14 redistribution can be done for free, or at a charge, not fixed beforehand.

b.

1.2.3 THE LINUX FEATURES

c. d.

Downloadable Applications Linux is free download applications on internet. No Settings hidden in code or Registries Linux and many Linux applications are distributed in source form. This makes it possible for you and others to modify or improve them. You're not free to do this with most operating systems, which are distributed in binary form. For example, you can't make changes to Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Word - only Microsoft can do that.
15

1.2.3 THE LINUX FEATURES

d.

Mature Desktop (X Window System) The X Window System is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In some ways one can compare the X Window System with early versions of Microsoft Windows. Just as Microsoft Windows was an application that ran on top of MS-DOS, X Window is a graphical environment that runs on Unix and Unix-like operating systems. The X Window system, however, is simply a program that draws graphics to the display environments take care of the look and feel of the desktop, aid provide a wide range of configuration options and functionality.

16

1.2.3 THE LINUX FEATURES

Freedom Nobody should be restricted by the software they use. There are four freedoms that every user should have: the freedom to use the software for any purpose, the freedom to change the software to suit your needs, the freedom to share the software with your friends and neighbors, and the freedom to share the changes you make. When a program offers users all of these freedoms, we call it free software (free not refer to price but freedom).
e.

17

1.2.4 THE COMPONENT OF MAKE UP THE

LINUX KERNEL
a. b. c.

d.

Processor 386 PC, runs on many different CPUs, not just Intel. Memory has memory protection between processes, so that one program can't bring the whole system down. Devices Linux are now available for such computer models as the Apple PowerPC, the DEC Alpha, the Motorola 68k, the Sun SPARC, the Mips, and many others. File Systems One of the most important features of Linux is its support for many different file systems. This makes it very flexible and well able to coexist with many other operating systems. At the time of writing, Linux supports 15 file systems; ext, ext2, xia, minix, umsdos, msdos, vfat, proc, smb, ncp, iso9660, sysv, hpfs, affs and ufs, and no doubt, over time more will be added.

18

1.2.4 THE COMPONENT OF MAKE UP THE

LINUX KERNEL
e.

Security Security is one of the largest problems facing the IT sector today. All Operating systems are vulnerable, however, Linux provides a level of security that some say transcends other mainstream Operating Systems. The Open Source model allows for expert auditing and self policing of code prior to release. If problems do occur, fixes are normally developed and tested by the group of worldwide programmers. In addition, viruses and worms are often of little concern if you are running a Linux machine. Tools such as Open SSH, Kerberos, Ipchains etc. are just a few examples of programs dedicated toward system security.

19

1.2.5 LINUX PACKAGES

Linux package formats are the different file formats used to package software for various Linux distributions. These are the principal kinds of package: i. Binary packages ii. Source packages

20

1.2.6 LINUX DISTRIBUTION

a. b.

c.

d. e.

Fedora Core which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat KNOPPIX The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian Debian a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles SUSE originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell . Ubuntu 21 a popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical

1.2.6 LINUX DISTRIBUTION

f.

g.

h. i.

Mandrake runs on all Intel and compatibles architectures (486, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium MMX, Pentium II, III, IV, Itanium, and all clones). combines the power of Unix-based systems with the flexibility of a very powerful Graphical Desktop. Slackware is a popular distribution for the more advanced user. Desktop workstation, router, server from the lowly 386 to the very latest hardware. Gentoo a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Portslike automated system for compiling applications from source code Red Hat is the most popular distributor in North America and is aimed more 22 towards novices. which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat

1.2.7 LINUX DEVELOPED & PACKAGED

Linux refers to the family of Unix-like computer operating systems that use the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed, both commercially and non-commercially, by anyone under licenses such as the GNU General Public License. Typically Linux is packaged in a format known as a Linux distribution for desktop and server use. Linux distributions include the Linux kernel and all of the supporting software required to run a complete system, such as utilities and libraries, the X Window System, the GNOME and KDE desktop environments, and the Apache HTTP Server. Commonly used applications with desktop Linux systems include the Mozilla 23 Firefox web-browser, the OpenOffice.org office application suite and the GIMP image editor.

1.2.8 ADMINISTRATIVE COMMANDS & APPLICATIONS ADDED TO LINUX KERNEL

a.

GUI FBUI, or FrameBufferUI in-kernel graphical user interface for Linux. It permits you to put windows in each framebufferbased virtual console to read keyboard input and track the mouse pointer Administrative Utilities Linux allows administrator to remotely handle system administration and maintenance tasks, via a network with a command line interface or GUI. They are many utilities remote administration available for MS-Windows, however these are often third party applications that only allow a subset of administration tasks. Since all system administration on a Linux system can be performed at the command line, a system administrator has complete control of a Linux server from any text-based connection. For those more comfortable with a GUI interface, 24 there are several utilities that allow remote administration in a graphical environment.

b.

1.2.8 ADMINISTRATIVE COMMANDS & APPLICATIONS ADDED TO LINUX KERNEL

c.

Applications
StarOffice (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics and presentation software). Applixware (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, presentation software, and data component) Database managers (ADABAS, DB2, Informix, Ingres, Oracle, and Sybase) Desktop managers (K Desktop Environment (KDE) and GNU Object Model Environment (GNOME) both freely available) Software Emulators (MS-DOS: dosemu, MS-Windows: WINE, and VMware virtual machine) Games (Tribes 2, Rune, Descent 3, Unreal Toumament, and more!) MP3 players (xmms) and MP3 rippers (grip) 25 Graphics programs (GIMP)

1.2.8 ADMINISTRATIVE COMMANDS & APPLICATIONS ADDED TO LINUX KERNEL

Programming Tools The list of languages include: C++ FORTRAN Java Pascal Perl Python Tcl/Tk There are many more supported languages than what is listed above.
d.

26

1.2.8 ADMINISTRATIVE COMMANDS & APPLICATIONS ADDED TO LINUX KERNEL

e.

Server Features Reduce costs - Its simplified maintenance and upgrades save hours and the lack of licence. And by accessing a world of best-in-class open-source applications you can make your IT budget go further. Administration - Operations like start-up, shut-down and package management are simplified with single commands. Deploy pre-configured and secured services in seconds. Set up industry-standard mail, web, DNS, file, Java application, cloud infrastructure or database servers in minutes. With Landscape you can manage a server farm as easily as a single server.
27 Security - Uncomplicated firewall technology makes access secure yet simple, while a home and private directory encryption service adds another layer of security.