With the Fedora Core Linux system and the instructions in this book, you can transform your PC into a safe, powerful, and free computer system. Starting with Fedora Core, you can simply replace (or coexist with) Microsoft Windows on your everyday desktop computer. You can also configure your computer to share your files, printers, Web pages, or directory services to other computers. Then, if you choose, you can transition your skills to manage anything from a small office to a large, corporate Red Hat Enterprise Linux computer installation.
This book
You don't need to be a programmer to use this book. You may be someone who just wants to use Linux (to run programs, access the Internet, and so on). Or you may simply want to know how to administer a Linux system in a workgroup or on a network.
I assume that you are somewhat computer literate but have little or no experience with Linux (or UNIX). You may be migrating from Microsoft operating systems to Linux because of its networking and multi-
In any case, after you peruse this book you should have a good idea of how to run applications, set up a small network, connect to the Internet, and configure a variety of server types (Web servers, print servers, file servers, and so on). This book represents a great first few steps toward your becoming someone who can set up a home network or a small office network and maintain a
The best way to learn a computer system is to get your hands on it. To help you learn Linux, this book takes a
When you are done with a task, you should have a good, basic setup of the feature that it covers. After that, I often provide pointers to further information on tweaking and tuning the feature.
Instead of
When many tools can be used to achieve the same results, I usually present one or two examples. In other words, I don't describe six different Web browsers, twelve different text editors, and three different news servers. I tell you how to get one or two similar tools really working and then note the others that are available.
This book covers two different Linux systems: Fedora Core 6 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4. To follow along with this book, you can install the complete Fedora Core 6 software found on the
To install Fedora Core 6, you need a PC with the following general configuration:
An Intel Pentium or compatible CPU, 200Mhz Pentium or better (for text mode); 400Mhz Pentium II or better (for GUI mode). Fedora Core 6 has been optimized for Pentium 4 processors. (Intel 486 computers will not work with Fedora Core 6.)
At least 64MB of RAM (text-based install) or 128MB of RAM (graphical install). To run the GNOME or KDE desktop 192MB are needed, although the Fedora Project recommends 256MB.
At least 620MB of hard disk space (you have to select a minimal install). You need 2.3GB of hard disk space for a personal desktop install, 3.0GB for a typical workstation installation, or at least 1.1GB of space for a server installation. To install everything, you need about 6.9GB of space.
A DVD or CD drive. This is recommended for installation (because we give you the installation DVD), although you can install from CD (we provide an installation CD), over a network, or from a local hard disk instead. For network and hard disk
Not every piece of PC hardware works with Fedora. While there is no official hardware compatibility list as there is for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (available at http://bugzilla.redhat.com/hwcert/ ), overall hardware support should be improved in Fedora Core 6.