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Course Information Sheet

UCC111-2: Linux Installation and Package Management

This course is part of the Teaching Unit (TU): UCC111 - Linux Foundational (LPIC-101).

Preamble

  • Purpose: To provide the essential basics for installing, managing startup, and maintaining software on Linux systems, which are fundamental skills for working on servers and in cloud environments.
  • Target audience: Students in the Professional Bachelor's Degree in Cloud Computing (Semester 1).
  • Type of access: Paid (UoM Standard).
  • Hours: 12
  • Teaching mode: CS (Synchronous Chat), CA (Asynchronous Chat) (UdM Standard).

Teaching team

  • Teaching supervisor: Teaching team:

Institution

This course is offered at the UNIVERSITY OF THE MOUNTAINS (UdM), within the INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ISST).

Prerequisites

None

Summary

This course covers the key concepts necessary for setting up a functional Linux system. It addresses storage preparation (disk design), boot system installation, and, above all, effective management of software packages and libraries for the main Linux distribution families (Debian/RPM).

Glossary

  • Linux distribution: A coherent set consisting of the Linux kernel, a package manager, and a set of tools and applications (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora).
  • Kernel: The core of the operating system that manages hardware resources, processes, memory, and peripherals.
  • CLI (Command Line Interface): Command line interface, used to administer the system without a graphical interface.
  • ISO: Installation image of an operating system containing the files necessary for installation.
  • Bootloader: Program loaded when the PC starts up, allowing the operating system to be launched.
  • GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader): Bootloader widely used on Linux systems, configurable and multi-OS.
  • UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface): Modern replacement for BIOS, enabling advanced boot management and GPT disk support.
  • BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): Legacy firmware that manages hardware initialization at startup.
  • Dual-Boot: Configuration allowing multiple operating systems to coexist on the same machine.
  • MBR (Master Boot Record): Old partitioning scheme limited to 2 TB and 4 primary partitions.
  • GPT (GUID Partition Table): Modern partitioning scheme supporting large disks and an unlimited number of partitions.
  • Partition: Logical division of a disk used to store systems or data.
  • Swap: Disk space used as an extension of RAM.
  • Mount point: Directory in which a partition or external disk is integrated into the Linux tree structure.
  • fstab: File containing the configuration of file systems to be mounted automatically.
  • Shared library (.so): File containing code that can be reused by several programs simultaneously, avoiding duplication.
  • ldconfig: Command that updates the shared library cache.
  • ld.so.conf: File listing the paths containing dynamic libraries.
  • Dependency: A package or file required for another program to function properly.
  • Package: File containing a program, its data, and metadata, managed via a manager.
  • dpkg: Low-level package manager on Debian/Ubuntu that allows you to install or remove .deb files.
  • apt (Advanced Package Tool): High-level manager that automatically resolves dependencies and manages repositories.
  • Repository: Server containing software packages accessible via APT.
  • sources.list: File containing the list of repositories used by APT.
  • RPM (Red Hat Package Manager): Package format and low-level manager used on RHEL, CentOS, Fedora.
  • YUM (Yellowdog Updater Modified): Former high-level manager for RPM systems allowing automatic installation of dependencies.
  • DNF (Dandified Yum): A modern replacement for YUM, faster and more reliable.
  • Package group: A set of related software programs that can be installed together (e.g., web server, graphical environment).
  • Log: File containing system events and actions, useful for diagnosing errors.
  • Broken package: A package that is partially installed or contains unmet dependencies.
  • Package manager lock: Situation where another process (e.g., automatic update) prevents the installation of new packages.
  • APT/YUM cache: Folder containing metadata and previously downloaded packages.
  • Checksum (SHA256): Fingerprint used to verify the integrity of a downloaded ISO image.
  • GPG (GNU Privacy Guard): Encryption tool used to verify the authenticity of repositories and packages.
  • lsblk / fdisk / parted: Commands for inspecting and managing disks and partitions.
  • mount / umount: Commands used to mount or unmount a file system.
  • systemctl: Command for managing services, useful for checking whether an installed service is working correctly.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Master the installation of a Linux system
    • Prepare installation media (ISO, bootable USB drive).
    • Choose and configure an appropriate partitioning scheme (MBR/GPT).
    • Understand and apply the file system hierarchy
  2. Configure and manage system startup
    • Understand the role of the bootloader (GRUB).
    • Install, repair, and customize GRUB.
    • Manage multi-boot environments.
  3. Manage system libraries and dependencies.
    • Identify shared libraries (.so).
    • Manipulate the library cache via ldconfig.
    • Resolve issues related to missing dependencies.
  4. Install, update, and remove packages.
    • Use low-level tools (dpkg, rpm).
    • Master high-level managers (apt, yum/dnf).
    • Configure software repositories and manage GPG keys.
  5. Diagnose and maintain a functional Linux system.
    • Detect and repair broken packages.
    • Read the logs related to package installation.

Learning materials

Types of resources available: audio, video, source files (Word, PDF, PPT, links), Google Meet.

Assessment

Teaching strategies adopted: The specific assessment method is: Continuous assessment, Practical work, Final exam.

Standard school protocol: - Continuous assessment (CC) accounts for 30% of the overall mark, broken down as follows: (Participation in tutorials 20%, Completion of activities 20%, Attendance/presence in class 20%, Completion of practical work 40%) - The written exam accounts for 70%.

Course outline (detailed content)

CHAPTER 1 - Introduction to Linux installation

1.1. Understanding Linux distributions

  • Definition of a distribution
  • Differences between distributions (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS, Fedora, etc.)
  • Package management models according to families

1.2. Life cycle of a Linux system

  • Installation
  • Configuration
  • Maintenance
  • Updates and upgrades

1.3. Preparing for installation

  • Choosing a distribution based on context
  • ISO download and integrity check (SHA256, GPG)
  • Creating bootable media (Rufus, Balena, dd)

CHAPTER 2 — Disk design and organization

2.1. Partitioning types

  • MBR vs. GPT
  • Comparison and limitations
  • Primary, extended, and logical partition tables

2.2. Partition types

  • System partition
  • Swap partition
  • /home partition
  • /boot partition
  • EFI partition (ESP)

2.3. Linux file systems

  • Ext2, Ext3, Ext4
  • XFS, Btrfs
  • FAT32, NTFS (compatibility)

2.4. Mount points

  • Role of the mount point
  • File system hierarchy (FHS)
  • Automatic mounting: /etc/fstab
  • Mount options (rw, ro, noexec, etc.)

CHAPTER 3 - Installation and management of bootloaders

3.1. How a bootloader works

  • Definition and role
  • BIOS/UEFI interaction
  • Linux boot chain

3.2. GRUB2 - Installation and configuration

  • GRUB structure: grub.cfg, scripts
  • Menu customization
  • Modifying boot options
  • Recovery modes

3.3. Bootloader troubleshooting

  • Reinstalling GRUB
  • Handling common errors (error 15, no such device, etc.)
  • Backup and restore

3.4. Special case: Multi-boot

  • Dual-boot with Windows
  • Automatic detection via os-prober
  • Boot order

CHAPTER 4 — Shared Library Management

4.1. Understanding shared libraries

  • .so files
  • Dynamic links
  • Application dependencies

4.2. Library identification and configuration

  • The ldd command
  • Configuration file /etc/ld.so.conf
  • Standard library directories

4.3. Library cache management

  • ldconfig function
  • Creating symbolic links
  • Cache update

CHAPTER 5 — Package management in Debian and derivative distributions

5.1. Basic package management with dpkg

  • Local installation of a .deb
  • Removal and purging
  • Inspection with dpkg -l, -s, -c

5.2. Advanced package management

  • Manipulation of configuration files
  • Status and partial installation of packages
  • Troubleshooting incomplete installations

5.3. Managing repositories with APT

  • /etc/apt/sources.list
  • Adding repositories and GPG keys
  • Updating lists: apt update

5.4. Common operations with APT

  • Installation, upgrade, removal
  • Search and diagnostics
  • Major upgrade (dist-upgrade, full-upgrade)

5.5. Meta package management

  • Tasksel
  • Functional groups

CHAPTER 6 - Package management in RedHat, Fedora, and derivatives

6.1. Basic management with RPM

  • Installing an .rpm
  • Signature verification
  • Querying RPM packages

6.2. Using YUM/DNF

  • Manager architecture: repositories, cache, metadata
  • Essential commands: installation, removal, update

6.3. Advanced management

  • Package groups
  • Cache cleanup
  • Conflict and broken dependency management

6.4. Repository configuration

  • Creating a local repository
  • Adding an external repository
  • Temporary activation/deactivation

CHAPTER 7 - System maintenance and diagnostics

7.1. Updating the system

  • Security
  • Critical patches
  • Automatic Updates (cron, systemd timers)
  • Missing dependencies
  • Broken packages
  • Packet manager locking

7.3. Logging and logs

  • dpkg.log
  • yum.log / dnf.log
  • journalctl for issues related to installed services

CHAPTER 8 - Practical exercises

  • 8.1. Lab 1: Complete installation of Linux on a VM
  • 8.2. Lab 2: Manual MBR and GPT partitioning
  • 8.3. TP 3: Installation and configuration of GRUB
  • 8.4. TP 4: Installing packages on Debian and RedHat
  • 8.5. TP 5: Creating a local repository (Debian or RPM)

Activities

  • Learning activity (tutorials), Assessment activity (tutorials + corrected assignments), Self-assessment activity (self-assessment test or multiple-choice questions), Summative activity (problem situation).

Bibliographies and list of links

  • Provide a list of resources for further study of the course content. (UdM standard)