Any unix people here?

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
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I'm slated to move into another department next month and some of my job functions will entail using unix. I'm kind of excited about this because I've always wanted to learn the system. So I'm wondering are there any free online courses that you guys recommend on unix? Also what are some interesting projects I can do with linux? I'm thinking of getting an inexpensive box to load Red Hat on, but I can't really think of any useful projects at this point I could do with it.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
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Get a box and learn it yourself.

And don't use RH unless that's what you are using at work.

Try installing a web/ftp/proxy server, DNS, firewall, etc.

edit: and if you need help, my AIM is in my profile I'd be happy to help you.
 

tami

Lifer
Nov 14, 2004
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Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm thinking of getting an inexpensive box to load Red Hat on, but I can't really think of any useful projects at this point I could do with it.

that's all you need.

and i do in fact like redhat. we use redhat enterprise server for one of our clients and so far are very pleased.

i've been using redhat-fedora for 4 years now. i am not a religious linux user, but i do know enough ropes to navigate the system well enough for my needs. :)
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,234
1,722
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Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Get a box and learn it yourself.

And don't use RH unless that's what you are using at work.

Try installing a web/ftp/proxy server, DNS, firewall, etc.

edit: and if you need help, my AIM is in my profile I'd be happy to help you.
I was going to type in my own reply, but it would be the same as what Corp Rec already stated. So I'll just quote him instead.
I don't have AIM though, but can Help through PM should you need a hand.

As far as free "courses" not really sure, but there are "howtos" and "faqs" for pretty much everything *nix. You should be able to find tutorials as well with great ease.
 

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
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Hmm...

I'm not a linux guru, but I did cover some of it in SCNP classes.

I'd say get yourself a book on Knoppix, and test that out. You boot into linux from a knoppix cd complete with all sorts of software packages. You can at least get a feel for it. Then the next step is to download Fedora (free) and run that on a spare box you have. I'd recommend you start out by setting up web, ftp, php, perl, and mysql.
 

JoLLyRoGer

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2000
4,153
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Originally posted by: fs5
linux != unix

QFGDMFT!!!!

Get FreeBSD, or a Solaris X-86 download (usually free if you register with Sun) if you're going to build a play box at home. Oh and PM me anytime you get stuck

<--Unix Administrator (Mostly SCO, some Solaris).
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: SagaLore
Hmm...

I'm not a linux guru, but I did cover some of it in SCNP classes.

I'd say get yourself a book on Knoppix, and test that out. You boot into linux from a knoppix cd complete with all sorts of software packages. You can at least get a feel for it. Then the next step is to download Fedora (free) and run that on a spare box you have. I'd recommend you start out by setting up web, ftp, php, perl, and mysql.


Not that this is bad advice but if he wants to learn how UNIX-like operating systems work using an out of the box install, or an install easier than windows is not going to each you anything. If you use a linux install for example that you build yourself you will learn a significant amount more than clicking through a fisher-price wizard.
 

ATLien247

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2000
4,597
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For all the existing *nix admins, did your knowledge come from learning while on the job? From training or formal education? Self taught?
 

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
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Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Hmm...

I'm not a linux guru, but I did cover some of it in SCNP classes.

I'd say get yourself a book on Knoppix, and test that out. You boot into linux from a knoppix cd complete with all sorts of software packages. You can at least get a feel for it. Then the next step is to download Fedora (free) and run that on a spare box you have. I'd recommend you start out by setting up web, ftp, php, perl, and mysql.


Not that this is bad advice but if he wants to learn how UNIX-like operating systems work using an out of the box install, or an install easier than windows is not going to each you anything. If you use a linux install for example that you build yourself you will learn a significant amount more than clicking through a fisher-price wizard.

I agree, but you have to start somewhere.

My first linux experience was with a now old version of Mandrake. There were a few GUIs that worked off of x-windows that never quite worked, so I was stuck with the console. I was able to edit the scripts to make most of my hardware work. But I really didn't accomplish much and eventually gave up on it.

He needs to at least get familiar with the system first, by installing all those web services he's bound to have to deal with the console.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: ATLien247
For all the existing *nix admins, did your knowledge come from learning while on the job? From training or formal education? Self taught?

Self taught but most of my knowledge comes from running into problems on my own or at the job.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
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Originally posted by: ATLien247
For all the existing *nix admins, did your knowledge come from learning while on the job? From training or formal education? Self taught?

dp
 

pravi333

Senior member
May 25, 2005
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are you going to be programming on unix platform or administer some flavor of unix?
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
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What are you going to be doing with the Unix system? In other words, there's no sense in spending time learning how to write shell scripts if you'll never do that.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: kranky
What are you going to be doing with the Unix system? In other words, there's no sense in spending time learning how to write shell scripts if you'll never do that.

Show me a successful admin who can't write shell scripts :p
 

Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
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I use Unix daily plus any O.S you can think of but I hate talking about work when I am at work ;)


Ausm
 

Titan

Golden Member
Oct 15, 1999
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i will reiterate, linux != unix. Redhat is a linux build. In fact, GNU stands for Gnu is Not Unix.

Know which flavor you will be working on. Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, SCO, and find the book on that. Get the real reference guide to the platform and what's available on it.

If you wanna know what Unix spec the companies try to conform to, check out the single unix spec (which is an extension of the POSIX standard) http://www.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/007908799/

That's version 2, version 3 requires form filling. I worked as a Unix OS developer for a bit (on an obscure Unix) and we were trying to meet that standard. It's amazing what gets through though, reference platforms like Solaris 10 and AIX 5.3 claimed compliance in some things that did not exhibit it. It's all about marketing and claiming "we are" standard Unix.

Linux does not conform to the POSIX standards in all regards, nor do they intend to, for some valid reasons. Which is one more reason Linux != Unix.

Edit: Interesting projects? learn the utilities. Read the reference guide or man pages and look at example code. Copy the code and play with it until you "get" it. Master grep and learn awk, sed, find, sort, cat, echo, cron, and any other command you are interested in. Write scipts, play with code, and see how it all works.
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Originally posted by: kranky
What are you going to be doing with the Unix system? In other words, there's no sense in spending time learning how to write shell scripts if you'll never do that.

Show me a successful admin who can't write shell scripts :p

I completely agree, but he didn't say whether he was going to be an admin.
 

JoLLyRoGer

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2000
4,153
4
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Originally posted by: ATLien247
For all the existing *nix admins, did your knowledge come from learning while on the job? From training or formal education? Self taught?

It's the old 80/20 rule. About 20% I learned from self teaching/formal training. The other 80% I learned on the job (out of necessity)

Corporate is right about shell scripting. IT IS YOUR FRIEND!!!! Learn it; Love it!

Also be sure to keep some references handy. These are the ones I keep on my desk:

1) SCO Companion - Mohr
2) Unix Shells by Example - Quigley
3) Unix Made Easy - Muster
4) Essential System Administration - Oreilly
5) Unix in a Nutshell - Oreilly
6) SCO OpenServer Handbook - SCO Inc.

These are worth their weight in gold and that goes double for the two Oreilly books!
JR..
 

tami

Lifer
Nov 14, 2004
11,588
3
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Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer
Originally posted by: fs5
linux != unix

QFGDMFT!!!!

Get FreeBSD, or a Solaris X-86 download (usually free if you register with Sun) if you're going to build a play box at home. Oh and PM me anytime you get stuck

<--Unix Administrator (Mostly SCO, some Solaris).

many jobs today will advertise a "unix" position when it's really "linux." i've seen it. as for why, i don't know.

i learned most of my stuff on my own... when i run into problems, i use various online resources, since i'm often not the only one with the issue. :) (www.linuxquestions.org is a good one IF you are actually using linux)