Topic 1.1 Linux Evolution and Popular Operating Systems

Question 1

How is Debian GNU/Linux different from Ubuntu? Name two aspects.

Answer 1

1. Ubuntu is recommended for beginners because of its ease of use and on the other hand Debian is recommended for more advanced users.
2. Debian is considered to be more stable compared to Ubuntu because Debian receives fewer updates that are tested in detail.

Question 2

What are the most common environments/platforms Linux is used for? Name three different environments/platforms and name one distribution you can use for each.

Answer 2

• Smartphone, desktop and server.
• Smartphones, it can be used Android. On desktop and server, it can be used by any distribution that is mostly suitable with the functionality of that machine, from Debian, Ubuntu to CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Question 3

You are planning to install a Linux distribution in a new environment. Name five things that you should consider when choosing a distribution.

Answer 3

• Cost
• Performance
• Scalability,
• Stability
• Hardware demand of the system.

Question 4

Name three devices that the Android OS runs on, other than smartphones.

Answer 4

• TVs
• Tablets
• Android Auto

Question 5

Explain three major advantages of cloud computing.

Answer 5

• Flexibility (i.e. Scalability)
• Easy to recover
• Low use cost

Question 6

Define embedded systems. Give Linux Examples

Answer 6

Embedded systems are a combination of computer hardware and software designed to have a specific function within a larger system. Usually they are part of other devices and help to control these devices.

Examples:
Android, that is mainly used on mobile phones.
Raspbian, which is used mainly on Raspberry Pi.

Question 7

Name different uses for Raspberry Pi

Answer 7

• Full-functionality desktop computer.
• Learning to program.
• Linux embedded system.
• Platform for hardware development.
• DIY projects (and industrial prototyping.

Question 8

Define Cloud Computing. What role does Linux play in cloud computing.

Answer 8

• Cloud standardized way of consuming computing resources, either by buying them from a public cloud provider or by running a private cloud.
• Linux is usually offered as part of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offering

Question 9

Considering cost and performance, which distributions are mostly suitable for a business that aims to reduce licensing costs, while keeping performance at its highest? Explain why.

Answer 9

• CentOS because it incorporates all Red Hat products, which are further used within their commercial operating system, while being free to use
• Ubuntu LTS releases guarantee support for a longer period of time.
• Stable versions of Debian GNU/Linux are also often used in enterprise environments.

Question 10

What are the major advantages of the Raspberry Pi and which functions can they take in business?

Answer 10

It can be used as the main board for robots, and many other small devices.

Question 11

What range of distributions does Amazon Cloud Services and Google Cloud offer?

Answer 11

The common distributions between Amazon and Google Cloud Services are Ubuntu, CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Question 12

What is the goal of a distribution?

Answer 12

A distribution’s goal is to optimize the kernel and the applications that run on the operating system for a certain use case or user group.

Question 13

What are advantaged of Linux over proprietary embedded systems?

Answer 13

1. Cross platform compatibility and development.
2. Support.
3. No license fees.