Linux Level 1 – Foundations

This course introduces Linux as an operating system and gives learners the mental model needed to work safely on Linux systems. It focuses on core concepts, filesystem layout, distributions, networking basics, and the basic boot process.

Course purpose

Give learners a practical introduction to Linux so they can understand the platform properly, navigate its core structures safely, and build the right foundation for later administration, infrastructure and virtualisation training.

Duration

2 days for beginners
1 day for technically experienced learners

Target audience

junior infrastructure engineers
helpdesk / NOC staff
Windows admins moving into Linux
Proxmox/Ceph learners who need Linux grounding first
anyone new to Linux administration

Prerequisites

Very light:

basic IT literacy
familiarity with servers, storage and IP networking is helpful but not essential

Learning outcomes

explain what Linux is and how it differs from a distribution
identify the role of the kernel, shell and user space
describe the Linux boot process at a high level
recognise the standard Linux filesystem layout
explain basic storage and filesystem concepts
explain basic networking concepts in a Linux context
navigate core system locations such as /etc, /var, /usr, /dev, /proc and /sys
understand the difference between configuration, logs, binaries, devices and runtime state

Detailed module structure

Module 1: What is Linux?

Topics:

what Linux is
kernel vs operating system vs distribution
open-source model
common use cases:
- servers
- appliances
- cloud
- virtualisation hosts
- containers
why Linux matters in infrastructure
what a distribution is
examples of distro families:
- Debian/Ubuntu
- RHEL/Alma/Rocky
- SUSE
package management at a high level

Module 2: Core Linux concepts

Topics:

kernel space vs user space
shell and command line
processes and services at a high level
files, directories and everything is a file as a concept
users, groups and root
configuration-driven administration
basic shell usage
users and groups basics
process basics with light awareness of ps, top and kill

Mental model: this module establishes how Linux is structured so later courses feel logical rather than memorised.

Module 3: Boot process overview

Topics:

firmware
bootloader
kernel
initramfs
init/systemd
reaching a usable system state

Scope note: this stays deliberately high-level and is intended to build understanding rather than low-level recovery skills.

Module 4: Filesystem layout and key directories

Topics:

/
/etc
/var
/usr
/bin, /sbin and modern layout awareness
/home
/root
/tmp
/dev
/proc
/sys
/run
/mnt and /media

Module 5: Storage and filesystem basics

Topics:

disks, partitions and filesystems
common filesystem types:
- ext4
- xfs
- btrfs at a high level
- swap
mounting and unmounting at a conceptual level
block devices vs filesystems vs mount points
labels and UUIDs at a high level

Module 6: Networking concepts for Linux admins

Topics:

IP address
subnet
gateway
DNS
NICs and interfaces
localhost
routing at a high level
management interface vs service interface concepts
basic network troubleshooting awareness

Approach: this module stays conceptual rather than configuration-heavy.

Module 7: Basic system interaction

Topics:

logging in locally and remotely
shell basics
navigating the filesystem
viewing files
finding help:
- man
- --help
basic commands:
- pwd
- ls
- cd
- cp
- mv
- rm
- cat
- less
- grep

Module 8: Good practice and safety

Topics:

running commands as root carefully
reading before changing
checking logs and outputs
documenting changes
understanding the impact of reboot and restart
knowing when a change is temporary vs persistent

Labs

identify key directories and what they are for
inspect mounted filesystems
identify NICs and addresses
follow the path from bootloader to login at a high level
find where config files and logs typically live
basic shell navigation and file inspection

Assessment

Foundation practical

identify core filesystem locations
explain where logs, config and binaries live
use basic shell commands to inspect the system safely
describe storage and networking basics in context

Knowledge check

Explain the difference between Linux, the kernel and a distribution, then outline the boot flow and the purpose of key system directories.

Core Linux understanding - Safer system interaction - Better foundations for everything that follows

Ideal for learners who need Linux confidence before moving into deeper infrastructure, Proxmox or Ceph work

Training scope and tailoring

The training plan shown above is provided as a structured guide to the typical scope and direction of the course. Our training content is reviewed and refined over time, so the precise balance of modules, examples and exercises may vary when the course is delivered.

Where there are specific topics, technologies or operational outcomes that are particularly important to your team, these can normally be incorporated into the delivery plan by prior agreement. Training is not treated as a rigid, fixed package; it is adapted where appropriate to reflect the client environment, delegate experience level, group size and the objectives agreed in advance.